Customer Reviews

Liza Minnelli at Carnegie Hall

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Liza Minnelli is old-school showbiz. Her live performances are legendary for their energy, pizzazz and powerful vocals. She consistently packs 'em in, and rarely disappoints, and this compilation of one of the most successful Carnegie Hall runs in history proves that she is all of the above.

Included here are some real treats for Liza fans - rarities like If You Hadn't, But You Did and a medley of Married/You Better Sit Down, Kids (the former being an english adaptation of the German original, sung by Greta Keller on the 'Cabaret' soundtrack, the latter being a nice rearrangement of a Sonny & Cher classic) pop and sparkle every bit as much as her standards - and all the standards are here. Some People, Here I'll Stay/Our Love Is Here to Stay, and a 20-minute series of Kander & Ebb medleys are all equally remarkable, if for no other reason than the energy with which Liza keeps churning them out. Surely, hers is the definitive New York, New York.

Liza's genius and mastery of her Genre lies in two things: She's got a very unusual voice, and she turns songs into little epics. Her deep, bass-like bellowing alternates with her trembling, whispery vibratto to make even the more mundane songs like 'Somewhere Out There' (from Sullivan-Bleuth's animated classic 'An American Tale') into triumphant, positive affirmations of hope and human spirit. And this is Liza at her most basic - she dazzles us until we're good and happy, and have no more room for sadness.

This album is worth owning for her renditions of 'Ring Them Bells' (read the EXCELLENT liner notes on this one to appreciate the jokes!). New York and the subline 'But the World Goes Round'.

I can't give it five stars, however, and I really want to give it five stars. The reason is that, on the night, TelArc obviously decided not to bother with enough microphones to capture the entire show, and we are left with a live album, that, in places, is muffled and sloppy. Nothing to do with Liza or her performance, this is the sole fault of a lousy production team. It mars what is otherwise a defining moment in Ms. Minnelli's career, and a worthwhile addition to any music collection.

I bought this cd a few years ago and still remember the first time I listened to it. From the moment the first notes of the first song hit, I was transported back to a magical night that will go down in theatre folklore. Liza Minnelli opens with her trademark pizzaz and fire, warming the audiences' hearts at the same moment that she tantalizes them to new heights of excitement - we all know what we are in for just from those few opening bars of music. The concert is masterfully crafted and takes us on a colourful and expansive journey, ranging from the innocent emotions of a small southern girl to the fire and determination of a possesed stage mother. The second act weaves more tales of comedy, tragedy and herosism (taking us to places we have never gone before). There are too many highlights in this show to single out only a few since the entire evening is an undiscovered adventure with only a small band, two big eyes and a little sequin to guide us through, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention the explosion of true music theatre perfection delivered in Ring Them Bells, Alexander's Ragtime Band and of course, Some People. The night culminates (in my favorite part) in a multi-song tribute to Liza's parteners in crime; of course I am talking about Kander and Ebb. With crowd favorites like LIza with a Z, Maybe This Time, City Lights and Money, how could you as a fan possibly ask for more. If that wasn't enough, the tribal celebration is trimmed with a slightly altered version of Cabaret (one that depicks the heroine as a survivor instead of a victim).
(Now, I don't know how to write this next moment without sounding over the top, but, in pure Liza fashion, I'll just go for it). After not merely listening, but experiencing, sharing and living these moments Liza creates throughout the concert, we the audience need one final emotional release to crystalize our journey with one of the most talented and multi-facited performers of the 20th century; we want an encore. Never one to disapoint the audience, she waks out on stage in a panic. You see even though this night (although seemless) was perfectly shaped and crafted, she made a promise to sing an unknown song as a promise to her friends Kander and Ebb. We await in baited breath for what may happen and our fears/confusion is put to rest and replaced by anticapation when we hear the piano intro. You see we will get what we want after all; we want it, Liza knows we want it, and we all know she is going to give it to us. LIza starts to sing New York, New York. This song, although Mr. Sinatra recieved more credit for singing it (he did do an amazing job) it still remains a LIza standard for me. You see, when I listen to her sing it, I become... well, warm inside. It's like I am being a witness to myth of Liza and everything that that myth intales whenever I hear her sing it.
...And when the final verse ends, just when we think she could give no more, Liza, in true Minnelli form, manages to scrape up something deep down within herself, something only she can provide and belts another verse of New York New York, eclipsing her earlier performances in the night. Finally, she comes to the end of the song and rummeges around to try and find something more to give to us. And with the final words:

Come on come through, New York,
New.......... York

The evening transforms into a mystical entity that came for a brief moment and left as soon as it arrived.
If you think I have been too generous in my review of this cd, making it seem like the night to end all nights, I just have two things to say to you. One is that I believe this to be the crown jewel in what is a proliphic and outstanding career that Ms. Minnelli has lived - some would compare it to another similar night that took place within Carneigie Hall. However, I think for once, we shouldn't look at Ms. Minnelli's past when we listen to this cd because she deserves to stand on her own for this achievement and recieve the glory. Two, well, if you don't believe me and my critique, buy the cd, listen to the entire recording and see if you don't agree with me. I promise you this will not disapoint you.

This CD set is the one that sold me on Liza Minnelli as one of the best vocalists/performers I know! I recently saw her "Minnelli on Minnelli" show and got interested in her other recordings. It makes me wish I could have been part of that Carnegie Hall audience so many years ago! This recording is a masterpiece that I'll always cherish!

Considering her present form,people should not worry wheather they have heard her, at her peak,it has all been captured here, and i have never heard anything recorded like this, "telrac" should have recieved some kind of award, just for this alone,it is outstanding,

She was on sparkling form herself, her voice was in excellent shape,the sound engineers lovingly balanced it,she sang a song to suit everyone!from the big roof raisers,to the slow plaintive,to the riproaring pow wows, that are so associated with her,and the energy was there right to the last note,i bought this in 1987,as a tape, and then upped it to a c.d.,everytime i play it i find something new to like, a must have.

Even on a bad day, Liza Minnelli is a powerhouse. Imagine then, the magnificence of this 2-CD set, recorded in the prime of her performing and vocal career. If you thought her performance in CABARET was electric, get ready for an increase in voltage!

Nobody alive performs with more energy or elan than Liza, and some of her most dazzling moments are captured on this recording. From her fervent, version of "Some People" (including an Al Jolson- like, vaudeville finish) to her soft "I Can See Clearly Now", Liza doesn't miss a single high poppin' note. ( And heck, even if she does, who cares? Her super-trouper style railroads over any minor flaw. ) If she doesn't win you over with this performance, she never will.

You can keep your soft, understated musical theatre lasses...I like mine bold and brassy.

If you do too, this is a 5 star event for all involved. As always, Liza's star shines the brightest.

This is still her best live CD, and probably her best CD period (to date). A marvel of sustained excellence. If you have only one Liza CD, this should be it.

All I can say about this album is that it doesn't get any better than this! This is LIZA at her best!!

Liza's finest recording - really first class stuff

I would very much recommend this Liza Minelli CD. It is an awesome concert CD. I lost it in the flood in 2008, and wanted to get it back. Sure glad I did. Incredible sound. The last 1/3 of the concert is especially spectacular. I cannot say enough for this CD. BUY IT, and you will not be disappointed. At least in this one fan's opinion.

Back in 1987 I attended 2 performances of Liza's show at Carnegie Hall. One was on closing night. I remember fans waiting at the box office hoping for cancellations. Scalpers were having a field day, some getting arrested! Liza's perfomances were brilliant. Pure singing, and never sounding better. I also remember at the end of the last show, she did an encore of Shine On Harvest Moon, and then the audience, going wild, were yelling for her to make a speech, which she did. Despite some technical flaws, this is Liza's best live recording. She deserved a Best Female Vocalist Grammy nomination. It was a robbery that she didn't get one.