Local vocalist and voice teacher Chris Joseph has just released his third “Tribute to Judy Garland” CD. According to Joseph, the first song, “You Made Me Love You,” is dedicated to her memory. “When I was little, I saw ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and realized what a great talent Judy Garland was,” he remembered. “I loved all of her movies from ‘A Star is Born,’ ‘The Harvey Girls,’ ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’ and more. I marveled at how she was able to keep her voice through the years and I wanted to do something to keep her memory alive.”
Other songs on the CD include “The Trolley Song,” “On The Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe,” “When You’re Smiling,” “Old Devil Moon,” “By Myself,” Embraceable You,” “How Long Has This Been Going On?” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Time After Time,” “Smile,” “Rockabye,” “When The Sun Comes Up,” and “Waiting For The Robert E. Lee.”
Joseph noted that some of the songs on Volume Three are unusual and not often heard. “This made the album a joy to do,” he said. Local musician John Cleveland has collaborated on each project.
The CDs are available for purchase for $14 in downtown Sylvania at Hip to the Groove, 5665 N. Main St., Art Supply Depo, 5739 N. Main St., and Earth to Oven, 5758 N. Main St. in Haymarket Square.
Music has always been part of Joseph’s life and he grew up loving it. His mother, Helen Joseph, was a well-known and respected vocalist and vocal coach who sang everything from opera to Broadway hits. “I remember walking behind my mother when I was very young, singing along with her,” he stated. “Talented musicians were always in our house either taking lessons from my mother or working with her on upcoming productions,” he said. According to Joseph, Paul W. Smith, Eddie Boggs, Kerry Clark and Johnny of Johnny & the Hurricanes were a sampling of her many students.
“She inspired so many people. I was always so proud of her when I saw her on stage in productions such as ‘Flower Drum Song,’ ‘Gigi,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ and ‘Camelot,’” he recalled.
Joseph continues to build his own performance portfolio. Currently, he can be found accompanying the Skip Turner Jazz Band, appearing regularly at Rosie’s and Rosario’s. He is a regular entertainer during the Red Bird First Friday Art Walks, as well. He has been a part of Up With People, opened for Blood Sweat & Tears at the former Seagate Convention Centre, and opened for the Temptations and the Four Tops at the Stranahan Theater. Not just a vocalist, he also plays guitar, bass and piano.
Joseph began offering vocal lessons in the late 1970s while he was still in high school. He taught at the Ursula Caufield School of Music and held many lessons in the University of Toledo Music Room. Joseph insists that even non-singers who practice will develop skills and improve.
“We can do so much with diction and ear training. I always stress the importance of speaking clearly so people can understand you whether you are singing or just talking,” Joseph said.