For my money, nobody, not Barbara Harris in the OBC, Barbra Streisand in the film, or even the wonderful Jessie Mueller in the misbegotten revival, sings it as well as Eydie Gorme.
I saw Liza's Back and Liza's At The Palace and never in my life have I heard a sound system so loud. I have been to many rock concerts including The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Grateful Dead, all famous for their blasting sound, and none of them were as loud as Minnelli's.
We went to get Liza's cd from Liza's Back signed at the old Tower Records on Broadway in the 60s. We waited a while and then were ushered in, two at at time, to a private room where Liza and her scary husband were seated on a dais. He had on more makeup than she did, and wore sunglasses in the dimly lit room. She spoke about the upcoming show at Town Hall before we were whisked from the presence.
Yes, Liza was an absolute phenomenon on stage before ill health and near death befell her in 2000. She made a remarkable comeback and still could conjure the old Liza magic onstage. But her arrangement of What Did I Have didn't do her any favors. And neither did the black dress she wore on Letterman. |
