|
|
Tarfumes.com - The Best of Liza Minnelli
|
List Price: $7.98
Our Price: $6.99
Your Save: $ 0.99 ( 12% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Sbme Special Mkts.
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0886972395623
Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
Manufacturer: Sbme Special Mkts.
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sbme Special Mkts.
Release Date: 2008-02-01
Studio: Sbme Special Mkts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
Blessed by an impeccable showbiz gene pool (her mother was Hollywood legend Judy Garland, her father producer Vincente Minelli), Liza Minelli seemed to effortlessly fuse Garland's song 'n' dance acumen with a boisterous, footlight-bred persona rivaled only by Ethel Merman. This 16-track collection is a fine introduction to her body of work, especially as it's the first anthology to cull material from her key at different labels. Bookended by her Hollywood musical icons Cabaret and Theme From New York, New York, and seasoned with Broadway tributes like "All That Jazz," it also contains a healthy cross-sampling of her compelling live work (ranging from the show-stopping "Some People" to the precocious effervescence of Liza With a Z). Though the disco-affectations of "Losing My Mind" confirm she was never able to capture the pop zeitgeist of the moment with the chameleonic ease of Streisand, her interpretations of "Quiet Thing" and "Maybe This Time" argue she was every inch her rival's equal as a torch singer. --Jerry McCulley
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: More great than flawed
Comment: While I think this compilation does have a few shortcomings (perhaps a few too many live cuts - although arguably where she does come most alive - I'd prefer this type of compilation to be more studio cuts and leave the live performances to the live concert CDs and DVDs.)
But even with that caveat - I heartily recommend the CD. It will teach the casual listener what a performer Liza was in her hey day (since her recent years have been more than a little tinged with drama) - but it will also allow the true fan to revel in the range of her talent, when one only has time for one CD.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Legendary
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best compilations
Comment: This is probally the best Liza compilation to date. The other one to look at is "The Ultimate Collection". The songs on this CD are some of Liza's best. I was glad to see "Stepping Out" and "A quiet thing" as they are almsot always overlooked. This will also appeal to long time fans for the unrealeased tracks, "Me an My Baby" and "There is a Time". There are some things missing though. How can you leave out "Mein Herr" from Cabaret in a Best of album? It is Liza's most iconic image with the chair and bowler hat. Also what about "City Lights" from THE ACT? Perhaps her best song, and one of the better known ones, "But the world goes 'round" is also missing. Another gripe is the song "Old Friends". They take it from The "Live From Radio City" album... not the complete song, and only about 30 seconds long. WHile there is a full version on Three Weeks at Carnegie Hall. There are just too many songs identified with Liza Minnelli to fit on one CD. I am still waiting for a double CD compilation, or a well deserved Liza box set. If you really want an ultimate album, try Liza, Live AT Carnegie Hall (Three weeks at Carnegie Hall). It is a double album that showcases all of Liza's best songs up until 1987. It also has songs she had never sung before as well. It is expensive though, being a double album. @0-27 dollars. But it is Live and Liza is always at her best Live. She has more Live albums than most any other artist. If you have a chance to actually see her live to not pass it up! If you are just looking for a $12 compilation, just to get a taste of the great Liza Minnelli, this album may be for you.
Billy
Customer Rating:
Summary: LEGENDARY MIX OF MINNELLI CLASSICS~BRAVO LIZA!!!
Comment: Liner notes by the late and great Fred Ebb say it all when he states "when you see Liza live, you know as you leave that you've just experienced something incredible that can never be repeated. A moment in time. Herein lies the joy of recordings..." From the top opening with the Kander/Ebb classic "Cabaret" which won Liza the Oscar for Best Actress then flowing into a stunning "Some People" from Gypsy, it is clear that Liza Minnelli is at the peak of her incredible powers in this collection and there is nothing finer. A triumphant live performance of "There Is A Time" is stunning and a trilogy of definitive performances from the musical "Chicago" make it clear that it was a sad loss that Liza didn't star in the movie as it would have been a blazing masterpiece for sure!!!! Lost treasures abound and "Quite Thing" from the Tony Winning "Liza Live At The Winter Garden" is a haunting ballad from a great concert that should be released on Compact Disc as it is one of Liza's greatest ever recordings. Studio recordings like the Pet Shop Boys produced "Losing My Mind" which topped the British charts show how American Radio has foolishly overlooked this great singer and another lost opportunity for a mega-hit is the magnificent "The Singer" which would have been a huge hit if given any airplay at all!!! "The Singer" was produced and arranged by the same team who did Cher's 70's hit singles and has the same infectious "Hit" sound yet it is totally original and completely engrossing. Epic performances of "New York, New York" and "Stepping Out" close out this collection of legendary performances and Liza continues to this day to thrill audiences wherever she appears!!! In San Diego by the Sea in August 2004, Liza gave a magnificent performance and received numerous standing ovations from a sold out audience who were all mesmerized by this legendary talent who remains peerless...Thank You LiZa!!!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great for Liza fans or a newcomer!
Comment: I agree with the reviewer who writes that this CD is worth having for the previously unreleased songs "Me And My Baby," and "There Is A Time." However, because this CD does have many other songs already released, this CD might appeal more to the more involved Liza fan. Alternatively, it would also be a great introduction to a special lady's work.
The quality of the sound is excellent and the liner notes are well done although you don't get the lyrics. There are wonderful photos of Liza as well.
I recommend this CD both for diehard fans because of the new material on CD format as well as people who want to try a Liza CD to see how wonderful she performs!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
