The new Liza tribute at Brasserie Zedel
Who doesn’t love a bit of Liza Minnelli? Okay, maybe a few people with no taste. We certainly can’t get enough of her here at QX; from the exquisite back catalogue of music and her stunning performance in the film Cabaret to a priceless appearance on the Home Shopping Network and OK!’s iconic coverage of THAT wedding to David Gest, with Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and… Martine McCutcheon emblazoned on the front cover.
Someone who knows Liza more than most, is award winning performer and super-fan Rick Skye.
Direct from New York City, Skye will be recreating the essence of Liza during his upcoming limited run of London shows at Crazy Coqs. This week, Jason Reid caught up with him to find out his favourite Liza songs from decades past…
1960s
I Will Wait for You
Liza, part gamine, all emotion and heart is at her early peak singing this gallic ballad (in English, natch). Her French heritage on daddy’s side gives her a special affinity for all things French, as her mentorship with the great Charles Aznavour would prove. This Michel Legrand song is the perfect vehicle for her particular talents. Heartfelt and achingly dramatic, her version is completely honest and controlled. Every time I hear it, I fall in love with her all over again.
1970s
Say, YES!
I just added this song as the new opener to my show. It is, basically, Liza’s whole approach to life and her version of it really exemplified who she became after her initial search for herself. No longer just ‘Judy’s kid’, she was Sally Bowles in the flesh, with a rage to live and to experience everything the world had to offer. I love, love, LOVE opening the show with this song and am so happy that I was able to have her arrangement ‘lifted’ so the audience gets to experience the same thrill that I always have.
1980s
Colored Lights
This was from Liza’s show The Rink. Wonderful Caroline O’Conner just starred in a new production in the West End. At the time, it was so wonderful to see Liza back in a ‘book’ show on Broadway, rather than performing concert pieces. It allowed her to do a bit of acting, get that quaver in her voice, and then really belt it out. I can still see that marquee with Chita Rivera and Liza together. Broadway Magic! So glad it got a proper revival this year.
1990s
Losing My Mind
Liza’s collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys ushered in a newly mature, confident woman and, while I love the whole damn dance album, this track is the one that really took off and still gets me moving whenever it comes on in a club on the big video screen with the thumps-thumpa. Sondheim plus Liza plus the Pet Shop Boys equals a whole lotta entertainment.
2000s
I Love A Violin
This song, by Liza’s Godmother, Kay Thompson, was the centerpiece of her big Broadway show, Liza’s at the Palace. Every time she performed it she nearly blasted off the stage. I got to see her do it live at the Coliseum in London and nearly every show on Broadway. It’s a very simple song, almost nonsensical, but often this is the Liza song I will sing whilst I’m going about my business around the house.
Rick Skye is Liza Live! in Concert at Crazy Coqs, 20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED from Mon 6th – Fri 10th August.
