The 1987 run was great! But I personally loved Liza's first Carnegie Hall in the fall of 1979 even more. There was a stylishness and freshness in seeing an (at that moment) seemingly more mature Liza than we'd seen previously at the Winter Garden! This 1979 show was the first major concert engagement following the film "New York New York" and the Broadway musical"The Act", so it was the first time hearing "But the World Goes Round", and "City Lights" in concert...and of course her signature Kander-Ebb "New York New York" , which was the capper of a bunch of NYC songs to end Act I (not Act II as in later years}. The 79 recording was recently remastered and expanded on CD. Both runs were wonderful (as was the Stro-directed Radio City engagement in the 90s-another example of something different with the all female dancing troupe from Broadway). Liza is truly special, as was the incomparable Judy. Together they've enriched American culture so much, especially in terms of what a live performance can be. And they are major figures in the development of the theatrical concert-not just a singer tossing off (or lip synching) a short set for a casino showroom or noisy nightclub, but creating a full length evening concert that also functions as two acts of real theatre (with music & lyrics by the cream of songwriters).
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all! |
