Liza Minnelli - Live At The Winter Garden

The "Queen of Cabaret," Liza Minnelli, continues to stay in our public consciousness through her constant community support and concert appearances. However, we had neglected one of her truly special evenings until now, as Masterworks Broadway has just released the rare "Legends of Broadway: Liza Minnelli Live at the Winter Garden" on CD and digital formats.

Liza's 1974 engagement sold out 24 performances in 36 hours, setting a house record for the Winter Garden. Her star was at its brightest, having recently won an Emmy for "Liza with a Z," and an Oscar for her outstanding portrayal of Sally Bowles in the film version of "Cabaret." So she once again brought together the men who were instrumental in her success for the Winter Garden run: director Bob Fosse, conductor Marvin Hamlisch, and the songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, who wrote several songs specifically for the shows. The concert was a smash, and Columbia Records released the recording, only to have it pulled from the market due to contractual conflicts over her performance of songs from the "Cabaret" film score, making this release the first time that the entire show is available for the public to enjoy.

Liza's distinct voice takes us on a guided tour of hits as only she could deliver them. Expected selections such as "Quiet Thing," "Cabaret," and "I Can See Clearly Now" are distributed among some lesser known, but still delivered with her distinguished and brassy belt, songs like "The Circle" and Charles Aznavour's "And I In My Chair." Minnelli has always displayed a comfort and openness on stage that few performers have ever been able to match, giving songs such as Kander and Ebb's "Exactly Like Me" and Stevie Wonder's "You and I" (included as one of three Bonus Tracks not on the original album) a come-on-in-and-enjoy-the-show feeling. And the audience does, as heard by the myriad of applause breaks and shouts of "Encore!"

She remains loved by her plethora of fans around the world to this day, making it that much more welcoming to revisit the then 27-year old soaking in the spotlight on that star-studded evening (guests included Diane Von Furstenberg, Henry Kissinger, and her father and sister) from the heart of Broadway.

Legends of Broadway: Liza Minnelli Live at the Winter Garden
CD / Digital formats
Masterworks Broadway / Sony Music