Search - Liza Minnelli :: Best of

Legendary

Grace Birch | 01/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Liza Minnelli is without doubt one of the dynamos in music history, daughter of legendary entertainer (Judy Garland) and film director (Vincent Minnelli) Liza Minnelli was destined to follow in her famous parents shoes. At first Minnelli had to release herself from her mother and find her own platform, and boy, she did indeed. The legend began in 1963 when she got casted in an off-Broadway show called "Best Food Forward" but achieved real fame as her performance as Flora in the Broadway show, Flora the Red Menace. The show was the beginning of a collaboration between Minnelli and Fred Ebb and John Kander (who would go on and write many of her signature tunes). For the first time Sony music has managed to compile many of Minnelli's signature cuts. From her glory "Cabaret" to her high-strung days of "New York, New York" Sony has compiled the original versions. Minnelli's legend is based on her powerful vocal chords, her amazing, bubbly character and her incredible driving force. In recent years she's been better than she has in years, a friend of mine caught Minnelli in concert in Cannes, France, in the summer of 2005 it was a show she would never forget. Regretfully Minnelli was never able to convert as well to the recording studio, "Losing My Mind" is a bold, but daring electro-dance version of Sondheim's classic and "The Singer" reveals Minnelli's powerful voice, but unfortunately falls flat to the ground as nothing more than a simple tune. In retrospect, if Liza had found the right producers she might have been able to create something along the lines of the stuff that's on her 1996 album "Gentle" she would indeed have been able to sell a lot more records than she has. Her power was always her live performances, when it comes to performing live, no one's her equal. She has an amazing driving force and she never gives in. She always gives 100% even if she's not feeling well. Minnelli knows that this is her platform and when it comes to rank, she's always a step or two above her rivals. When all is good, Sony manages to pull together some of the songs most associated with Liza Minnelli, from "All That Jazz" to "Liza With a Z" sit back and enjoy one of the world most beloved entertainers."

Fantastic budget-priced disc for Liza fans!

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 03/29/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although by no means complete, this run-through of Liza Minnelli's greatest hits is a fine testament to the popularity of a much-loved showbiz veteran. Things get off to a brilliant start with "Cabaret", Liza's great anthem from the classic movie musical. A live recording of "Some People" from GYPSY follows (many believe that Minnelli should have played Mama Rose during some point in her career; it's a shame that it has never happened).



I'm always amazed by the sheer velocity and raw ferociousness that Minnelli attacks her songs with, never more apparent than in songs like "There is a Time (Le Temps)" and "The Singer". "Old Friends" is a charming number that suit's Minnelli's style; and a slow, intimate "A Quiet Thing" (echoing her Tony-winning Broadway debut in FLORA THE RED MENACE) goes down like the rarest of treats.



In 1978, with only five days of rehearsal, Minnelli stunned everyone when she secretly replaced an ailing Gwen Verdon as merry murderess Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of CHICAGO. Minnelli later recorded well-received covers of her numbers "My Own Best Friend" and "Me and My Baby" (the latter is receiving it's CD premiere with this release).



Minnelli also dazzles with a rock-driven version of Sondheim's "Losing My Mind"; "Stepping Out" is a tour de force number which sadly loses some of it's impact on disc, as most is a tap routine (taken from Minnelli's 1992 Radio City Music Hall concert). The disc ends with Liza at her peak, with the theme from "New York, New York". No one has yet to touch her here.



This smartly-priced disc will be a great way to kick-start a Liza collection. Highly-recommended. [COLUMBIA/LEGACY CK 92690]"