Liza Minnelli - The Complete Capitol Collection
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Music CD Cover Artist: Liza Minnelli Edition: Music CD CD Release Date: 2006-07-25 Music Label: Drg Soundtracks: Music CD 1
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Free Music Notes for The Complete Capitol Collection Album
Free Music Review: It's the music not the packaging that really matters...
Hit: 4 Stars
The prospect of having all of Liza Minnelli's studio recordings for the Capitol label is irresistible. Ms Minnelli recorded for the label for 4 years starting in 1963, resulting in three stunning albums, various singles and a number of unreleased tracks. All these have been collected for this 2 CD set.
Let's begin with what's good about this set...and there is an abundance of wonderful features to it. The best, of course, is hearing the legendary Liza May at the very outset of her career and experiencing firsthand the promise she exhibited as a teenager. From the 17 year old at the outset of her tenure with the label, Liza's growth as a singer is charted through these 55 tracks that deliver some very accomplished singing from one so young. Even at this very tender age, there was a maturity and earthy elegance about Liza's singing and choice of material that belies her youth. Her exuberance is infectious and the effortless way in which she uses her voice, especially in the upper range on softly floated notes is astounding. It's easy to see why four decades later she is the revered entertainer that she is.
It's also wonderful to have the three albums (Liza! Liza!/It Amazes Me!/There Is A Time) in their entirety at last on CD with the tracks sequenced as they were on the original vinyl lps. Add to this the many fine tracks that were conceived and released as singles and here is a set that demands repeated listening. The singles, which have been out of print since originally released, include some real gems. For example, there are four songs from the score of Liza's Broadway debut "Flora The Red Menace" which were arranged in a very contemporary 1960's style allowing them to exist outside the context of the show. "I'm Not Laughing" and "Imprevu", are just two examples of quality songs that deserve to heard again.
Then, there are nine tracks that are released here for the first time:
Walk Right In/Why Do You Do Me Like You Do
My Little Corner Of The World
We'll Be Together
The Many Faces Of Love
My Age
Everybody Loves My Baby
Marriage Is For Old Folks
Come On And Baby Me
Say Liza
All the above are excellent performances from Liza and we should all be grateful that at last we get to hear them.
Finally, the remastering of these performances is excellent and makes even the familiar album tracks seem fresh and new. For instance, there is a hand clap during "The Travelin' Life" that I've never heard before though it's one of my favourite Liza cuts and one I listen to often.
What's not to like about the set? Not much but for Liza-files like me there are some things that irk: The packaging includes replicas of the three original album covers although the artwork of "There Is A Time", featured on the back of the CD jewel case, is not seen in full. Also, the rear album sleeves are not duplicated nor are the original liner notes included. Then, there is little discographical information and what is included is hard to follow. The essay is hardly enlightening leaving more questions than it answers. For example, "There Is A Time" is a concept album of French or French influenced songs though this is not hinted at in the section of the essay concerning this release nor is the obvious comparison with Streisand's French album "Je mapelle Barbra" released the same year mentioned. Also, why did Liza leave Capitol Records in 1966 and move A&M? You won't find out by reading the essay here. Finally, why call the collection "The Complete Capitol Collection" when clearly nothing from "Judy Garland And Liza Minnelli At The London Palladium", the 1965 live Capitol album is included? Surely, "The Complete Capitol Studio Recordings" would have been more appropriate and correct.
The packaging flaws aside, in the end it's the music that really matters and what music it is. My advice: if you love Liza grab this set. It's an essential part of any Liza-files collection. If you want to know what all the fuss about Liza Minnelli is about, this is a good place to start.