Judy Whitmore is inviting listeners to embrace the elegance of romance with her new album, Let’s Fall In Love, a 12-track collection of classic love songs released April 24.
The Orange County-based vocalist — also a licensed jet pilot, psychologist, best-selling author and arts advocate — collaborated with seven-time Grammy-nominated arranger Chris Walden to produce the lush, orchestral album recorded at Hollywood’s legendary EastWest Studios.
Whitmore said the inspiration for the project stemmed from both data and devotion.
“I noticed that on Spotify and Apple Music my highest streaming numbers were for romantic, love songs,” she said. “So it was inevitable that the next album would be devoted to this genre.”
Choosing the final tracklist, however, took time.
“We went through at least a hundred songs before we settled on the song list for this one,” she said.
The album opens with “A Time For Love,” a sweeping ballad originally featured in the 1966 film An American Dream. Released as a single on Valentine’s Day, the song was Whitmore’s personal choice to introduce the record.
“I fell in love with this song when I heard it on the soundtrack from an old movie,” she said. “The lyrics celebrate the exhilaration of new love, but listen carefully and you’ll also hear heartfelt reminiscences of lost loves from days gone by.”
Working alongside Walden, whose past collaborators include Paul McCartney and Barbra Streisand, was a highlight of the creative process.
“What a joy it is to work with Chris,” Whitmore said. “He writes the most gorgeous arrangements and orchestrations. He conducts the orchestra, and he is exceptionally kind and considerate. He knows everything about the music business.”
The album includes timeless standards by Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and more — a musical canon Whitmore has been connected to since childhood.
“My grandfather played first violin on the soundtrack of The Wizard of Oz and spent 20 years at MGM,” she said. “When other kids were watching cartoons on Saturday mornings, I was watching old Judy Garland movies. By the time I was 10, I knew the words to all the songs she used to sing.”
Though she didn’t pursue a full-time singing career until 2014, Whitmore says the dream had been waiting in the wings for decades.
“I had wanted a singing career when I was very young, but family responsibilities got in the way,” she said. “I’m so grateful that after so many career changes, at last I’m doing what I always dreamed of. With perseverance and stamina, fairy tales can come true.”
A longtime supporter of the arts, Whitmore serves on the boards of the Pacific Symphony, Pacific Jazz Orchestra, and BackhausDance. She’s also a supporter of Pasadena Playhouse. Her experience behind the scenes informs her appreciation for the stage.
“Having worked behind the scenes, I understand it takes many people to create an evening of entertainment,” she said. “Whenever I perform, I always take the time to thank everyone.”
As for what she hopes listeners feel when they press play?
“These songs were written between World War I, the Great Depression, and the end of World War II. Our great American composers understood that in hard times, people need music that can inspire, uplift, motivate and comfort them,” she said. “That’s what I hope this album does.”
Let’s Fall In Love is available on all major streaming platforms.
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