Liza @ Luxor

[+ deej]

I drove over to Vegas to see Liza @ Luxor this weekend.

 

Wow, what a show!

 

Liza today isn't the same as the Liza of the 70's or 80's (and let's forget the 90's), but she still has what made her Liza in the first place. She can deliver a song. It was 90 minutes of just plain entertainment.

 

And even with two false hips and a fake knee she did a dance number that young choreographers (and lighting technicians) should study.

 

The audience was interesting. There were a plethora of old people (canes and walkers were everywhere), and a bunch of fags with boy toys/arm candy. (Yes, I was taking numbers.)

 

This was closing night, but if she books a venue near you don't hesitate. She truly puts on a great show.

[Guest alanm]

Yeah, right.

 

People posted similar comments about her "Liza's Back" appearances in New York in '02. I foolishly bought tickets and Liza was not back. I have seen Liza once in person and many times on TV since then; her voice is shot, except for songs that use her still powerful lower register.

 

I have enjoyed both Minnelli and Streisand over the year and saw both "Funny Girl" and Flora, The Red Menace" on Broadway as a teenager. I am a fan of both women. From what I saw and heard of Streisand last week, Barbra is the one who should be getting the praise.

[+ deej]

So in other words, you didn't see it and don't know what you're talking about but it was awful anyway?

 

Yes, the "Liza's Back" show was a travesty created by her then-husband David whatshisname. I saw it too. It was bad.

 

The show I saw in Vegas last night wasn't anything like that.

[+ Lucky]

"pleth‧o‧ra  /ˈplɛθərə/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pleth-er-uh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

 

–noun 1. overabundance; excess: a plethora of advice and a paucity of assistance."

 

So there was an overabundance of old people and fags with boy toys...How many should there have been? Did you have a boytoy with you or were you just an old fag in the plethora?

 

Why do you need to put down the audience when your ostensible purpose is to let us know that you enjoyed the show?

 

Deej driving to Vegas:

http://x1d.xanga.com/456a13020953546983618/b31663576.jpg

[doctordoctor]

Lucky: are you ALWAYS such a grouch?....jeez, man.....I honestly didn't see anything wrong with the post....deej was commenting on the crowd - something that's of interest because of her mixed appeal and long history of entertaining

[Guest alanm]

>So in other words, you didn't see it and don't know what

>you're talking about but it was awful anyway?

 

Let's be specific.

 

How long did Liza perform? 60 minutes? 90 minutes?

 

Has she lowered the arrangements for her signature songs like "Cabaret" and "New York, New York" so the high notes are no longer so high?

 

Since we both agree that "Liza's Back" was pretty awful, what is different about her performances at the Luxor and the Beacon in '02?

 

Finally, you and I have been posted on this message board for almost seven years and have no history of bad blood. I have no reason to disagree with you so strongly unless I have a lot of experience with Liza's performances in concert and on Broadway. I have seen her perform many times since "Flora, The Red Menace" forty-two years ago. The last time that I saw her give a really great performance was outdoor in Boston in 1994.

[doctordoctor]

a somewhat funny story: I was travelling with my Dad on a road trip thru the South in 1987 exploring historic sites, back roads and Civil War places, common interests of ours...in Atlanta, we wanted to go see the historic theater on Peachtree where "Gone With The Wind" premiered...it had just been renovated and we wanted to check it out....only way to get in was buying horrible seats for a show that night - Liza....this was before I knew anything about being gay and anything about Liza's rep....I remember there were a couple of excited good-looking guys in front of us and I was just a little intrigued by why two young-ish guys would want to see a starting-to-be-washed-up singer like her....now I know....

 

not that funny, but a memory of mine for this Liza thread.....you may now flame at will

[jasoncarter_dfw]

My client took me to see Liza Thursday night and I thought it was a great show. I've never really thought about all the music that she has put out there throughout the years, but as the concert went along I found myself thoroughly entertained!

 

- Jason Carter - Dallas, TX

- 2006 rentboy.com Sexiest Escort of the Year

- jasoncarter53@hotmail.com

- (972) 365-0120

 

>I drove over to Vegas to see Liza @ Luxor this weekend.

>

>Wow, what a show!

>

>Liza today isn't the same as the Liza of the 70's or 80's (and

>let's forget the 90's), but she still has what made her Liza

>in the first place. She can deliver a song. It was 90 minutes

>of just plain entertainment.

>

>And even with two false hips and a fake knee she did a dance

>number that young choreographers (and lighting technicians)

>should study.

>

>The audience was interesting. There were a plethora of old

>people (canes and walkers were everywhere), and a bunch of

>fags with boy toys/arm candy. (Yes, I was taking numbers.)

>

>This was closing night, but if she books a venue near you

>don't hesitate. She truly puts on a great show.

[RockHard]

Watching Liza is like watching a three-year-old blind girl cross a six-lane highway in L.A. during rush hour. You just sit on the edge of your seat waiting for a pile-up.

 

I worked with Liza in the 80's and I'll pass on Vegas. The voice is shot and she can thank years of self-abuse for it. I hear she is still smoking cigarettes. Same with Dionne Warbitch. There's nothing worse than a (once) great talent riddled with demons and baggage. :-(

[+ deej]

Alan, I'll repost what I wrote originally:

 

[blockquote]Liza today isn't the same as the Liza of the 70's or 80's (and let's forget the 90's), but she still has what made her Liza in the first place. She can deliver a song. It was 90 minutes of just plain entertainment.[/blockquote]

 

If you're expecting "Liza with a Z" from a 20-something Liza, yes you'll be disappointed. You'd probably hate one of Tony Bennett's performances today as well. He's getting older, too.

 

But the TWO people (out of all the posters on this thread) who actually saw the show both said they enjoyed it. Others who did NOT see the show are big ole buckets of negative. I don't know what that says, but it says something. :-(

[Guest alanm]

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to respond positively.

 

I saw Tony Bennett perform two years again at Rose Hall at Lincoln Center. His voice is certainly not what it once was, but Tony Bennett

can still sing the high notes on many of the songs he's been singing for years. Bennett allows extended solos from members of his small orchestra, which gives him time to rest his voice. Great concert.

 

I want to mentioned again how much I enjoyed Barbra Streisand's concert last week. Her voice is still an amazing instrument. I'm a Springsteen, Dylan, U2, Pearl Jam fan at heart, but it's wonderful to see and hear someone like Streisand still at the top of her profession at age 64.

[Guest Dan]

>I have enjoyed both Minnelli and Streisand over the year and

>saw both "Funny Girl" and Flora, The Red Menace" on Broadway

>as a teenager. I am a fan of both women. From what I saw and

>heard of Streisand last week, Barbra is the one who should be

>getting the praise.

 

even though I´m a Babs fan, I don´t think it´s fair to compare the two. Barbra´s image, whether by design or accident has been carefully culivated by her, her public and the press. The reviews for her current tour have been excellent except for that Bush sketch (which she´s edited so that "Happy Days" is now a solo) and Il Divo. A lot of the reviewers are saying that she sounds the same as she did back in the 60´s and is more personable onstage than ever.

 

Give Liza a break!

 

And bravo to both of them for looking more like real women than stick figures. It shows a confidence that makes them sexy in their 60´s. (scrawny Susan Sarandon anyone?)

 

 

Dan Dare

http://www.geocities.com/dandare_laca/DanDare4Hire.html

[LeeOz]

I am glad that, at least, some people are enjoying this performance of Liza's at Luxor. I myself am very wary of seeing my former idols, now that they are no longer at their prime. I do not want to permanently damage my lasting memory of them, if their performance turns out to be awful. On the other hand, others would like to see them live again, because they know they will be retiring soon.

 

Luckily, we have Barbra and Bette who are still worth watching.

 

Diana Ross is coming to Australia soon. Has anyone seen her perform live lately? Should I risk seeing her?

[+ deej]

Some of the allure, I suspect, is the triggered memories.

 

Last time I saw Cher, for example, it wasn't classic Cher. It was the original Mackie costumes, and immaculate staging, and a fuckin' good show, but it was still a 60-year-old woman.

 

The amazing thing about Liza's shows is it's one woman and a microphone. There are no dancers. There are no circus elephants. There are no Harlettes.

 

Just a lady and a microphone, telling you stories. (Streisand's forte.)

 

I was actually prepared to hate it. But Liza's enthusiasm (and raw talent) sucked me in and I enjoyed it.

 

I thought for a bit that I was completely living a memory but there was this little lady sitting next to me who'd never seen Liza before. She knew the name and made her husband get tickets. Hubby was mostly interested in sucking down the highballs he'd brought in with him, so she chatted with me.

 

After two numbers, this little lady (a Liza newbie) was absolutely beside herself about how great the show was. I joked at one point "not bad for a sixty year old woman, eh?". She looked utterly shocked. "Sixty?!?!?! You've got to be kidding!"

 

It's not the Liza of the 70's. But she's a seasoned performer who can tell a story through song and captivate an audience, with only a microphone for a prop.

 

She doesn't need to hang from a cross or dance with a cast of hundreds.

 

Just a lady and a microphone. It's a form of entertainment we're dangerously close to losing because damn few can pull it off.

[RockHard]

"The amazing thing about Liza's shows is it's one woman and a microphone. There are no dancers. There are no circus elephants. There are no Harlettes.

I don't mean to be impolite but maybe Liza can't afford the "extra" business deductions. I hear she needs as much money as she can get her hands on, so, scaled-down production is a necessity.

 

"It's not the Liza of the 70's. But she's a seasoned performer who can tell a story through song and captivate an audience, with only a microphone for a prop.

She's a show biz vet and I agree with deej on this. No matter what has happened in the last twenty years, she's still Liza Minnelli.

[+ deej]

>I don't mean to be impolite

 

Yes, you do.

 

>but maybe Liza can't afford the

>"extra" business deductions.

 

Or maybe she doesn't need the circus elephants. Her best shows have always been just a lady and a microphone.

 

I'll have to defer to your superior knowledge of her financial need. Meanwhile she's booked around the country, and back in Vegas for Thanksgiving, and apparently doing just fine.

 

But we all know Rockhard is the ultimate barometer of success. Rock on with your own badass opinion.

[RockHard]

Love you, too, sweetie. :-)

[Guest alanm]

Garland at Boston Garden

 

I saw Judy Garland at Boston Garden in October 1961, about six months after her famous Carnegie Hall concert. She told one or two stories.

But otherwise, the evening was a two and a half hour concert with just Judy Garland & a large orchestra. Few pop singers played such large venues in those day, not even Frank Sinatra. Garland was in great spirits and even better voice. It was thrilling to sit about 20 rows from the stage and see and hear someone perform at that level.

 

Liza Minnelli had some great years in concert, in films and on Broadway, but I am not sure she ever came close to what I saw and heard that night in 1961 at Boston Garden. Garland died eight years later at age 47. Liza is still performing at 60 year old. Liza deserves much credit for being both a survivor and a much stronger person than most would suspect.

[Rick Munroe]

>Diana Ross is coming to Australia soon. Has anyone seen her

>perform live lately? Should I risk seeing her?

 

She has a great new covers album out, she's lost weight, she's sober, got her face (see below) and teeth done, and her voice sounds good (but deeper). I would definitely go if I were you.

 

http://community.webtv.net/nonadickketler/ourpictures/scrapbookFiles/mailedD82.jpg

[RockHard]

RE: Diana Ross

 

Yes, I've also worked with Diana Ross and our history goes way back. I'm very pleased to see her back on the scene. The short video clips on her website, http://www.dianaross.com/ demonstrate her continuing ability to captivate with her remarkable looks. Ross' voice sounds more delicate than ever but the production value of this new album may compensate. The background vocals sound wonderfully mixed. Diana Ross deserved a better film career but I will always regard her as a special star.

[LeeOz]

Thanks for the recommendation Rick. I tried to book for Diana Ross, but there were only the Australia Dollars $490 or US $375 tickets left. A bit too steep for me. Why are these ticket prices ridiculously expensive these days?

 

Since we are talking about various divas, I recently saw Chita Rivera in a cabaret show. She must be in her 70's. But she looked amazing in her short, little black dress. But more importantly, she was still dancing away and singing her heart out. Her voice still had power and quality. Her voice now sounded very similar to her "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" recording. It was wonderful seeing her in person. I must say that when these icons of show business sing their songs, you cannot help but be touched. There is so much poignancy because you know that they have lived and experienced these songs.

[bigvalboy]

LOL...we got it the first time.

[samhexum]

I wasn't aware that Judy had another daughter or son. Theres a snippet of Lorna doing one of her moms songs and HOLLY SHIT! It was like listening to Judy in person! Greg

 

Yeah, Lorna Luft, Judy's daughter by producer Sid Luft, never had the career that Liza had. I'm not sure she tried that hard, but she is very talented, too. Glad to know she's still around.

 

 

Singer Lorna Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour after collapsing following a performance in London.

 

The singer, 65, was "forgetting lyrics and monologue" before she collapsed back stage at the Pizza Express Jazz Club on Friday night.

 

She was rushed to hospital by her husband, Colin Freeman, who had been concerned for Luft during her performance, spokeswoman Victoria Varela said.

 

Luft, an Emmy-winning TV producer and Broadway star, is currently in remission from breast cancer which she has been battling for more than six years.

 

"Further information will be available following additional medical tests and examinations."

 

Luft's performance at the Jazz Club on Friday was the second of four sold-out shows at the venue.

 

Her father is producer Sidney Luft and she is the half-sister of actress and singer Liza Minnelli.

[+ WilliamM]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47g6YdpS5CU

 

 

 

 

Judy Garland sings to Lorna (1964).'The 'Judy Garland Show' was broadcast on CBS in 1963-64.

 

Singer Lorna Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour after collapsing following a performance in London.

 

 

Wow Sorry to get that news.

Edited March 11, 2018 by WilliamM

[Whitman]

Poor Lorna.

 

Always playing third fiddle to Judy and Liza.

 

Tacked on to a 12-year-old thread about her big sister instead of getting one of her own.

 

And a brain tumor.

Jeez.