The following are reviews of Liza's fourth album, Liza Minnelli, written for fans, by fans. If you would like to contribute a review of the album yourself, feel free to submit it to me at Beatle_Babe32@hotmail.com and I will be sure to add it to the page ASAP! You will receive full credit to your name with your review.
Liza's self-titled album for A&M Records marks the beginning of her entry into 'easy listening' territory - the genre that, outside of her Broadway forays, would be the one most closely associated with her name. Although the album contains quite a few covers of contemporary popular songs of the time ("The Look of Love", "You'd Better Sit Down, Kids", "For No One") all of them are on the slow, soft side - which is where Liza seems to be the most vocally comfortable. I personally like this just fine, but I've heard others quickly dismiss and write off this album without giving it so much as half a chance as being merely "elevator music". I think that's unfair - and it most definitely is NOT elevator music! It's much more than that. The orchestration is rich, and Liza's vocals are lush throughout. As usual, a couple of Kander/Ebb compositions find their way snuck into the album ("Married" and "The Happy Time" - the latter of which could easily sum up the tone of the album), as well as a track by Liza's then-husband, Peter Allen ("The Tragedy of Butterfly McHeart"). Despite the slightly campy feel of the album, it's still a good one nonetheless that I'd advise all Liza fans to give a fair chance to.
-- Jennifer Abraham
