Liza Minnelli - Results

Pet (Shop) Sounds

I recall reading an article about Liza Minnelli shortly after this album was released. The author claims to have left her puzzled when he compared one of the tracks to Nico. She apparently had no idea who the heck said reporter was talking about. Guess Andy never brought up his factory denizens in conversation when he changed venues to Studio 54 in the 70s.

But I'm at an even greater loss to figure out just WHICH track on this recording is even remotely comparable to Nico's work. Maybe Liza HAD heard of Nico after all and was similarly baffled by the comparison. About the only thing the two singers shared (aside from their acquaintance with Warhol) was their identification with (a--for some--alluringly decadent Berlin of whatever era).

Which brings up the topic of Liza's overall career, at least indirectly. Around the time of CABARET, I starting thinking that maybe Hollywood had figured out a way to do intelligent, artistically successful musicals and would be able to preserve the form--and ensure careers for outsized musical talents like Liza's. It was a reasonable guess, given the daring spirit of that film. But at best, I was only half-right. We continue to see cinematic musicals, however sporadically, to this very day. (Think MAMMA MIA.) But it was soon evident that Liza's onscreen career would be a limited one and would by no means mirror that of her mother.

Even in her concert and recording career, Liza has always suffered to some extent from the "born in the wrong era" syndrome. Like Barbra and even Bette, she had to somehow find ways of updating her image. Working on a project with the Pet Shop Boys in '89 no doubt seemed an appealing way of re-packaging or--as Madonna might have it--"reinventing" herself. And overall, it worked pretty well. This is a pretty cool record, in all senses of the word. Call it "post-modern Liza."

Strategically, it's a mix of songs that Liza might typically do ("Losing My Mind") and stuff that Neil and Chris must have recommended for her ("Rent," "Twist In My Sobriety"). What's striking is that it pretty much all works, even at moments when it seems most contrived. The big, bold, electronic arrangements sometimes work at odds with Liza's big brassy Broadway voice--and sometimes they complement it. And in this setting, she seems to find that she doesn't ALWAYS have to sing so "big" in any event. Sometimes she yields her power to the arrangements, other times to the background singers. Kind of refreshing actually.

Of course, around the same time as she was dabbling in this vaguely "avant garde" project, she was also also hobnobbing with Frank and Sammy in the nostalgia tinged "Main Event" project. A contradiction? Well, maybe. But maybe she also just knew what side of the music biz her bread was buttered on. RESULTS did turn out to be a one-shot, and as many others have opined, it's a shame she didn't explore this musical avenue a bit further. This girl's stay in the West End was all too brief.



August 2, 2008

Mellow Like Vintage Wine

This cd which was originally recorded in the late 80's is timeless. A sure departure from Liza's stage music, this is a superb collection of songs! Subtle drama, lush arrangements, and rich vocals are only a portion of what is inside.

The opener, "I Want You Now" features Liza's voice right up front and surrounded by strings and interesting sound effects. "Losing My Mind", a Stephen Sondheim composition from Follies has a driving rhythm and a velvet vocal from Liza. Vivid visual images spring to your imagination wrapped in Liza's musical voice, narrative, and the audio effects in "If There Was Love". One of the finest ballads on the album is Liza singing "Sorry I Said". It is perfect for her voice. "Twist In My Sobriety" is a real twist and turn within the song itself. Striking yet funky, this one is unique! Liza's vocal is perfection on the sweeping ballad "Rent". "Love Pains" is a fascinating uptempo dance number with Liza singing in a new vocal genre. "I Can't Say Goodnight", the final number on the cd, has a smooth jazz arrangement and a silky vocal from Liza.

Musically, this was the best of the Pet Shop Boys collaboration cds with one of America's greatest artists of all time. Liza had reached a peak in her career and was vocally perfect. This cd represents a unique time that only gets better with age. It's one I love to play over and over. March 25, 2006

Liza the Stalker

This record may have its amusements, i.e. Liza as Neil and Chris' muse, but when all is said and done, the songs just don't stick. The opener, "I want you now", is ghastly, I can't help but get creeped out at Liza's strident delivery of "I want you now, and I won't take no for an answer." Clearly, the boys have cast liza in the role of a stalker. Watch out! Love Pains, Losing my Mind, Don't Drop Bombs all suffer from dated production values. The only song here with a kind of charm is "If there was love." Liza reciting Shakespeare's sonnet over the end coda is actually quite moving, elegiac shall we say, bringing a genuine tear to mine eye. It helps me to forget Liza as a stalker. January 22, 2006

Sheer Excellence

I remember the first time I saw the video for "Losing My Mind". It was in the fall of 1989, at Badlands bar in DuPont Circle in Washington, D.C. Hard to believe it has now been 15 years since then, but even now, this album sounds as fresh as it did when I first picked up a copy. The vocals and production of this CD are excellent. The lyrics and emotion that Liza issues forth on these songs are moving.

I have often been saddened by the fact that Liza never followed up this CD with another Pet Shop Boys project. She certainly has the following to justify the effort--and I know her vocals are still very strong. In any case, at least we do have this timeless jewel. October 11, 2004

Glad to see others love this album too!

I have always loved this album and to this day still listen to it on a regular basis. Hardly anyone else I know has heard of it, so it is nice to see some good reviews here. I am not really a huge fan of Liza, but am a fan of the Pet Shop Boys and some of their best, most atmospheric work is here. It is really cool how they re-arranged the 2 covers of Pet Shop Boys songs ('Rent' and "Tonight is Forever') into moody orchestral works. They are superior versions to the originals. When I first heard they were recording and album with her, I thought it would be awful. But the "Results" are fantastic. Highly recommended! --- btw, there is a remastered version of the album with bonus tracks and a dvd of videos due out in the UK this week (Sept 17, 2004), but Amazon doesn't have it listed yet. September 28, 2004

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