Customer Reviews

Gently

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It's difficult being a Liza fan. There is no "greatest hits" collection to buy as the songs that she is famous for like "New York New York" and "Cabaret" were in fact hits for others. If you want to collect those 2 songs in 1 CD, you will invariably have to settle for live versions of the songs and live recordings are of course not definitive versions.However, if I were to take a Liza CD with me to a desert island, this will be the CD for me. It reveals an entirely different side of Liza - no belting here, no brassy Vegas-style material . Here Liza actually croons using the lower register of her distinctive voice. The material is classy and a pop ballad with Donna Summer seems out of place initially but in the long run, it is the song which gets replayed the most often as it is fascinating to hear Liza perform a pop ballad. Of couse, she is outsung by Donna but the point is when two different distinct voices blend in a duet, it makes better listening than say two similar voices like Barbra and Celine. The recording is suitably lush and of audiophile quality - the sort you test hi-fi systems with. I would not hesitate to recommend this to everybody - not just Liza fans. She really deserves the Grammy nomination for this recording!

When I first played "Gently," I said,"Big Mistake Bob." But after playing the record a couple of times,I fell in love with the CD .Its a different side of Liza.Usually Liza belts out every song,but Gently is more quiet,and Jazzy. The only song that doesn't belong on this tape is "Does he love you," with Donna Summer.They were trying to get some radio play. Billboard gave it a nice review,but it never got played."Some Cats know" is fantastic.When Liza was promoting the record,she always sang this one."Close you eyes" is the greatest song from the CD.Liza really gets into this one,and almost explodes with excitment."Never Let me go," really breaks your heart.About holding on to your one true love.Liza was making a comeback ."Gently was getting wonderfull reviews,and charted in Billboard.If I was only to have three Liza Minnelli records,this would be one of them,along with Results" and" Liza Live at the Winter Garden." Also,I think Liza should have a Box Set collection,like all the other artist .This Set would be a huge hit.

This was Liza's big come back. When I first bought this CD,and played the first song,I said,"Big Mistake Bob." But after a couple of times playing the record,its fantastic. People who don't like this CD just don't get it. It was a different side of Liza,trying something New. When you hear"Close your Eyes"you can fill Liza ready the Bust out,like she does in concert,but She holds back. And "Some Cats Are." what a great Song. This was the start of Liza's big come back untill" Victor Victoria "blew out her voice. If you've ever seen Liza in concert,You are a Fan. She gives all she can to the audience. Then you go to a Cher Concert,and she lip synch's to all of her songs.No wonder her voice never changes,she doesn't use it,except for her recordings.Liza gives all she can everytime She's on Stage. Thanks for a great CD Liza. Your Fans are looking forward to your next Big Come Back.

My first reaction to it was mild disappointment (except for immediate favorable reactions towards "Some Cats Know" and "Does He Love You?"). I had never heard Liza's voice quite so, well, "throaty." However, after seeing her perform this material in concert, the CD began to grow on me. She really does adapt a different singing style--it's a kick to see her segue from her belting numbers like "Some People" into the "Gently" stuff. Now this disc is one of my favorites. I agree with the poster who sez she should have taken home Grammy for this project; I believe that year was the last Grammy lumped both male and female pop vocalists into one category (Tony Bennett beat her out for the trophy).

I have never really loved this album... It seems to me that Liza tried something new here and didn`t quite find it.... The best being "Does He Love You" duet with Donna Summer, but it doesn`t belong to this album; the others being old standards with a complete different musical jazz package...

It is in the same vein as her 2010`s "Confessions", but maybe she wasn`t old enough as a 50 year old to do it??? Her "Confessions" however is a masterpiece.

I think this is a spellbinding CD. The closer, "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning" is just magnificent.

I only bought this album when I heard the duet "Does He Love You?" in the documentAry of Imelda Marcos. The duet is very well engineered and spontaneous, Donna Summer's and Liza's voice are of different technique but oddly they complement each other very well. I do prefer Liza's voice though because it's unique and tremulous. Donna sings in a very pedestrian manner, in contrast to one impertinent reviewer saying Donna's voice is better! No!

The other songs here are very easy to listen to, specially during a soiree or a candle light supper with friends!!!

A lot more of the slower broodier ballads than Liza is usually known for but there are some lovely songs on this album. My favorite is her version of 'Chances Are' which she sings in duet with Johnny Mathis himself and another duet, this time with Donna Summer. Not the best album I've heard of Minnellis but a nice addition to the collection all the same. I adored what she wrote on the insert too, this album is full of personal touches that make it a great find for any Liza fan

'Gently' is everything the title suggests, this cd finds Liza in a more mellow setting which I prefer, Liza's voice is deeper and her tones are rich, just listening the low note on the beautiful 'You Stepped Out Of A Dream', and her two duets with Johnny Mathis 'Chances Are' & Donna Summer 'Does He love You?' are other hightlights on this wonderful set, I recommend this cd for those who want some mellow music in the background and to all the Liza fans because I think these are the best vocals from her in the later years.

Great song selection but the album's concept seems a bit disjointed. There were a few treats for the audiophile, though. She sings a duet with Johnny Mathis which opens the disc. Great opener.

A huge surprise and decent remake is her duet with Donna Summer on "Does He Love You." Actually, the remake of this originally country songs is quite good, giving it new life. You almost fell the passion within both singers and the struggle betweeen the two of them.

The Donna Summer duet was the only reason for my buying this CD and I don't regret it at all.

I would suggest that you buy this CD with reservations.