Customer Reviews

Liza with a "Z": A Concert for Television

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So many sad headlines in recent years...'near death,' 'fighting for her life,' 'back in rehab.' I'll never give up hope that she can make it back to the magical, magnificent entertainer she once was (the reason "Liza" is no longer an uncommon name, the reason I have a 5 year old granddaughter who has become her namesake.) This album, perhaps better than any other, captures her at the peak of her talent....in 1972 she was pulling in all those awards for CABARET and then capped it off with this memorable TV special.

She was never better than on this live-recording CD. She takes Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child" and makes it her own. And who better than the daughter of a legendary director and an immortal superstar to complain about "rich relations give crusts of bread and such, saying Help Yourself but Don't Take Too Much....." Well, God bless her....she already did have her OWN! (In Spades!)

Most dramatic moments: taking a swipe at Mama during the nursery rhyme segment of "It Was A Good Time," then turning around and making it up to her with an emotional version of "My Mammy." And a CLASSIC portrait of a long-married, long-suffering couple in "You've Let Yourself Go." And the medley of "Cabaret" songs would never, ever be done better than here. And of course, "Ring Them Bells" and "Liza With A Z," but, wow, listen to her 'handle' "Son Of A Preacher Man" and "Bye, Bye Blackbird."

And if I wanted to turn it all around today and sing one of Liza's own songs to HER.....it would be "Come In From The Rain." She should....she will....and she will be better than ever. That's what Legends are all about!

From the charged great opener "Yes" it is clear that this is going to be an extraordinary musical trip with a great, great singer! Drama and pathos make "God Bless The Child" a moving and incredible experience and "Liza With A "Z" is great fun and a tongue-twisting feat that Liza never once flubs on. Exhuberant and soulful is the definitive version of "It Was A Good Time" and wildly soulful is the rhythmic "I Gotcha" also a great dance routine & Liza really shines. Classic filmed for television concert was a Emmy Winning Special deserving release on DVD and hopefully this will happen soon...all-stops-out performance makes "Ring Them Bells" a stunning masterpiece and Liza is the only singer besides the late Dusty Springfield that does justice to the funky "Son Of A Preacher Man". Stylish and sophisticated "Bye Bye Blackbird" is a stunner and well broken in familiar love is celebrated in the fascinating "You've Let Yourself Go". Deeply moving passionate tribute is given to Judy in a masterful version of "My Mammy" easily being the definitive one of this classic...Liza's voice is stunning belting out "My Mammy" in a tremendous way that would make mom very proud and the audience goes wild... well-earned & deserved Oscar went to Liza for her fascinating portrayal of Sally Bowles in "Cabaret" a timeless classic and songs making up closing medley are thrilling to hear Liza sing in concert. More than thirty years after this legendary event Liza is still thrilling audiences with her magical talent and bringing them to their feet over and over...Bravo Liza!

If anyone can't understand what all the fuss was about when Liza Minnelli started years ago,listen to this tape. She was in fine form,and one of the greatest singers and dancers of our time. Years of performing have made Liza's voice ruff around the edges,but her true fans love her just as much. I seen Liza in concert in 1978,and it was the greatest show I've ever seen by anyone. You can see picture's I took of Liza that night when she came out after the show on my web-site at my members page. This CD is fantastic. I love,"Yes," and the song,"Ring them Bells" is the funniest,and it really happened. At this time,Liza had the stongest voice by any singer. Her vocals were perfection. Along with "Liza Live at the Winter Garden," this is my favorite Liza Minnelli Album.

At least I think so. However, her voice has not aged as well as Bab's. In this collection of songs from her live TV special from 1972, though, Liza is at the top of her game. All the tracks are stand-outs while special notice should be paid to "God Bless The Child," "Say Liza," "Son of a Preacher Man," "My Mammy," and the Cabaret medley. It really is thrilling towards the end of "Cabaret" to hear her hit that long extended note with a pure and perfect vibrato and then chop it off with almost a growl. Liza definitely has a bit of a more edgy tone than her mother. Whereas Judy Garland's signature was the heartbreak dripping from every lush note, Liza Minelli's is agression and energy (not that Judy didn't have enough of either). Well, I've been rambling, so I'll just leave you with this thought: buy it. It really is spectacular.

Hold on to your hats! The production has recently been newly remastered and restored and will be shown on Showtime in the spring of 2006. I'm going to wait to get this on DVD after it is re-released. It is a classic. After seeing this, I knew I had to get involved in music. Liza is a legend with amazing energy, passion and charisma. Although she has had to slow down, like many of us older folks do, you can't take away the fact that talent runs in her family.

When I saw this special on TV, I went out and bought the album. I still have the record (somewhere), but I don't have a record player anymore. I was excited to learn that it was out on CD and bought it, of course, through .... IT IS STILL TERRIFIC. I go through the day singing "Liza with a Z," "Ring them bells, come on ring them bells", "the only man who could ever reach me, was the son of a preacher man. . ." Let people stare at me! I don't care . . . "O Cabaret, O Cabaret, O Cabaret!"

Out of all of the Liza Minnelli recordings I have, this on is probably my favorite. The arrangements are very suitable for the songs, and Liza's voice is very strong, and fills the whole room. She sounds very, very similar to her mother, Judy Garland, and is beautiful. My favorite song is "Liza With a 'Z'," it is so funny, because she goes "Liza With a 'z',Not With an 's'"! Very good!

This is one excellent CD. I love it. I purchased this cd because
I had heard about this "Liza with a Z" song, and i really wanted to hear it. I loved it-so personal and fun. Well, then I listened to the other songs as well, and they were just superb! I really loved the medley from Cabaret! The Money Money song is excellent! And Liza's version of "Son of A Preacher Man", it was great! And "Bye Bye Blackbird"-was extremly wonderful!! I recommend any and all Liza fans to get this CD!! 5 stars!!

Liza, like her mother, is one of the greatest performers of all time. This is Liza at her best. The definitive Liza. PLEASE RELEASE THIS CONCERT ON VIDEO AND DVD. The timing is right ,RIGHT NOW.

.....cause Lisa with an "s" goes sssssss not zzzzzzz!"

That's my daughter, Liza's song. I wonder where she got it from? Blame on papa. Yep, that's me!

I feel in love with Liza Minnelli when I was a teen. I had seen her in films such as: CHARLIE BUBBLES, TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME JUNIE MOON, and THE STERILE CUCKOO. What great films!

Then I had the privelege to see Liza perform on stage. Love at first sight! I saw her LIZA WITH A "Z" concert around 1973 in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico's capital, San Juan. What an event that was. She was the STAR! I began to realize that a STAR is a STAR no matter what. She had it all. TALENT! It was her begining as she exposed herself to the whole world. Great voice, fantastic arrangements, wonderful selections, beautiful body, nice movements.......SHE WAS A DIVA IN THE MAKING! And of course that is what she is today, a DIVA!

What style! What an event it was and to hear it all on cd again and again and again brings back fantabulous memories. I fell in LOVE with Liza then!

I still love Liza today and will always love her! I want more and more and more. What I want and need most of all at the moment is LIZA WITH A "Z" on DVD or VHS, She needs to be seen again and again and again. The world should have that privelege.

I recently saw an old terrible copy of this TV concert. I was saddened by the quality of the tape but was mesmerized by all the talent and pure entertainment value. She was just DIVINE, simply DIVINE! What joy! ...Please, release LIZA WITH A "Z" on video or dvd! I WANT MY LIZA WITH A "Z" ON DVD OR VHS ASAP! PLEASE! It's a MUST for us all.

Abe...