The Best of Liza Minnelli
| The Best of Liza Minnelli | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | September 14, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 1972–1992 | |||
| Genre | Jazz, traditional | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Liza Minnelli chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Best of Liza Minnelli is a compilation album by American singer and actress Liza Minnelli.[1][2] Released in 2004, it spans fifteen songs from Minnelli’s classic years with the record labels Columbia, EMI, and MCA.[3]
The tracklist includes a generous selection of show tunes, including a previously unreleased version of "Me and My Baby" from the musical Chicago. Lyricist Fred Ebb, who frequently collaborated with Minnelli throughout her career, contributed an essay included in the album’s liner notes.[4]
Song selection
Liza Minnelli’s career spanned decades of success across multiple fields, from music to theatre and film. As a result, compiling a comprehensive collection of her greatest hits from her extensive discography has always faced a notable obstacle: her recordings are scattered across multiple labels, making their consolidation into a single album a commercially and bureaucratically challenging project.[5]
The tracklists of most compilations predating The Best of Liza Minnelli specifically featured songs released by a single label. For her early recording career under Capitol Records, these include compilations such as A Touch of Class (1997),[6] The Capitol Collection (2001),[7] and Essential (2003).[8] Songs from her tenure with A&M Records are featured on compilations like The Liza Minnelli Foursider (1973)[9] and The Collection (1998).[10] Her Columbia era is represented on compilations such as Liza Minnelli (1982),[11] All That Jazz (1999),[12] and 16 Biggest Hits (2000).[13]
The Best of Liza Minnelli includes songs from eight of Minnelli’s albums (three soundtracks: Cabaret (1972), Chicago, and New York, New York (1977); three live albums: Liza with a Z (1972), Live at the Winter Garden (1974), and Live from Radio City Music Hall (1992); and two studio albums: The Singer (1973) and Results (1989)).[2] Each major phase of her career is represented with a song, whether from studio recordings or later live performances.[5]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [5] |
| Tom Hull | B+[14] |
| Goldmine | Favorable[15] |
Reviews from music critics were favorable.
John Bush of AllMusic rated the album four and a half out of five stars and wrote that for fans unable to attend Minnelli's concerts, the compilation "works as the next best thing." He noted that previous compilations "unsuccessfully dealt with the fact that Minnelli’s material is scattered across several labels" and that The Best of Liza Minnelli "features some creative licensing to make it the best collection yet."[5]
In his review, critic Tom Hull highlighted Minnelli’s ability to breathe life into nostalgic songs. However, he pointed out moments on the album where her energy and enthusiasm vary. He gave the album a "B+," suggesting it is a solid collection of Minnelli’s best work over the decades.[14]
Goldmine critic Gillian G. Gaar praised the inclusion of live tracks, noting that Minnelli’s stage performances are where she truly shines. He singled out "There Is a Time," "Some People," "Say Liza (Liza with a 'Z')," and "Me and My Baby" as standout tracks. As a drawback, he mentioned the album’s "short" 50-minute runtime. Ultimately, he wrote that The Best of Liza Minnelli "is a fine overview of some of Minnelli’s best work."[15]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cabaret" | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Cabaret | 3:33 |
| 2. | "Some People" (Live) | Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim | Live from Radio City Music Hall | 3:18 |
| 3. | "There Is a Time" (Live) | Gene Lees, Charles Aznavour, Jeff Davis | Live at the Winter Garden | 2:12 |
| 4. | "Me and My Baby" | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Single (from the musical Chicago) | 1:53 |
| 5. | "My Own Best Friend" | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Single (from the musical Chicago) | 3:12 |
| 6. | "Old Friend" (Live) | Stephen Sondheim | Live from Radio City Music Hall | 1:12 |
| 7. | "The Singer" | Walter Marks | The Singer | 2:32 |
| 8. | "Ring Them Bells" (Live) | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Liza with a Z | 5:16 |
| 9. | "All That Jazz" | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Single (from the musical Chicago) | 3:06 |
| 10. | "A Quiet Thing" (Live) | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Live at the Winter Garden | 3:21 |
| 11. | "Losing My Mind" | Stephen Sondheim | Results | 4:13 |
| 12. | "Maybe This Time" | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Cabaret | 3:11 |
| 13. | "Say Liza (Liza with a "Z")" (Live) | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Liza with a Z | 2:24 |
| 14. | "Stepping Out" (Live) | John Kander; Fred Ebb | Live from Radio City Music Hall | 7:28 |
| 15. | "Theme from New York, New York" | John Kander; Fred Ebb | New York, New York | 3:19 |
References
- ^ "CDs". The Official Liza Minnelli Website. Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ a b Liza Minnelli (2004). The Best of Liza Minnelli (Media notes). United States: Columbia Records/Legacy. COL 518735 2.
- ^ Reighley, Kurt B. (September 14, 2004). "Major label action". The Advocate (922). Here Publishing: 74. ISSN 0001-8996. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (September 15, 2004). ""Best of Liza Minnelli" CD Now in Stores". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Bush, John. "Liza Minnelli - The Best of Liza Minnelli [Columbia] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Liza Minnelli - A Touch of Class". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Liza Minnelli - The Capitol Years Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Liza Minnelli - Essential Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ Tiegel, Eliot (November 10, 1973). "Series Review: A&M offers 5 dual-LP good oldies". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 4. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Liza Minnelli - The Collection". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Simply the Best - Liza Minnelli". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "All That Jazz Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Liza Minnelli - 16 Biggest Hits Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Hull, Tom. "Recycled Goods (19)". www.tomhull.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2005. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ a b Gaar, Gillian G (February 4, 2005). "Reissues: Liza Minnelli - The Best of Liza Minnelli". Goldmine. 33 (3): 32. ProQuest 1500864. Retrieved September 17, 2023.