but I will say this:
I hadn’t realized how much I had NEEDED (yes, NEEDED) to hear Liza sing “New York New York” LIVE – until it happened. I wasn’t walking around thinking “something is missing … what is it? what is it?” I wasn’t conscious of it – but when I heard those first chords – and I knew what was coming … it was like my entire soul and spirit lifted up out of myself in response. It was like:
YES. YES. Here it is. The moment I have been waiting for.
It was almost like an out of body experience. It satisfied some deep deep yearning within me, something that has to do with my childhood, my memories of her movies and where I was at in my life when I saw them, the knowledge of her mother, and THAT whole history … to see Liza, age 67, with her hip replacement, looking absolutely unbeLIEVable – singing that damn song … live … and she was in GREAT form, she shimmered, she was transcendent … her voice was there, the gestures, the showmanship, the generosity …
I will never. Ever. EVER. forget it.
It was beyond my wildest dreams. I’ll write more. But that’s it for now.
You are such a tease! : )
Glad you like the e.e.cummings poem!
One thing lots of people don’t know is the song “New York, New York” was first sung by Ms. Minnelli in the movie of the same name, released 29 years ago. I saw a review of it on the local news show in 1977, and the review included just one scene: Liza singing that song. Apparently, the rest of the movie was forgettable save for that one scene, and the reviewer said so.
As for myself–I remember at the time being blown away by her performance in that scene, even at that young age, and I’ve never forgotten it. I only saw/heard it that one time, and every version of that song I’ve heard since (including Sinatra’s version) just doesn’t compare.
She’s actually kind of brilliant and raw in that whole movie.
And yeah – seeing her live just … she’s got to be seen live. I realize that now. Unreal.
The best thing about the whole night was watching you and Shannon. Liza’s magic wafted over us like a sequined blanket.
NY NY, and Cabaret.
Still playing in my head. I can’t stop either of them. My brain has gone on the CD shuffle.
Let us just take a moment, Alex, and love (yet again) the big Italian guy sitting in front of us who “sh”ed the latecomers indignantly. I love him dearly.
I’m in the midst of writing the second part to my Lza thing, and he’s featured prominently.
I’ll never forget him.
He was totally awesome.