Liza with a 'Z' - Concert for Television (1972)

Not worth buying

Wow. What a disappointment.

I watched this earlier tonight on "Great Performances". Perhaps it was an edited version?

Most important criticism: Um, this whole thing was lip-synced??? How come no one who talks about how great it is, ever mentions this??? When people talk about Britney Spears they say she does the same thing and she gets flack for it ... (yes, probably the only time the two will ever be compared ...).

Liza does half the concert away from her microphone. Either she took a time-traveling rocket-ship to mid-1980's to get a wireless microphone or she faked the whole thing.

My assumption is that those in attendance heard her live, and that she was awesome.

That doesn't mean it's any good to watch.

I don't know where they got the vocals - from another concert during the tour? (The liner notes on this DVD say it was a "one-night only" concert ... so did she tape it at the studio, the next day?).

The credits for the DVD credit several men with "concert vocal recreation" or something like that.

So, watching someone lip-sync. Is it worth paying money for that, or should you just go watch MTV (if you can find a video on it ...).

A lot of it was boring to watch, as well.

I'd suggest buying the CD, instead. I have to say, Liza sounded awesome. December 24, 2007

Must Have, run buy it.

Perhaps one of the greatest TV specials ever done. All Fosse, all Liza. It has the charm, the innovation and that 70's taste that put on stage some of the good cliches that signed many shows. Filled with extras specially designed for Liza's fans or newcommer fans. Don't missed it. This was a classical lost do not loose it again buy it. December 3, 2007

Liza is Fabulous!

This is the best put together DVD of a television special I have ever seen. Perfect digital transfer with amazing audio, "Liza with a Z" is spectacular! The DVD comes with a slew of bonus features including some great interviews with Liza Minnelli. The special looks like it was filmed yesterday. In one word AMAZING! The packaging of the disc is also great. A wonderful job by Liza's company. October 23, 2007

Still Marvelous After All These Years

If you love musicals, or Broadway, or Liza Minnelli, or Bob Fosse, you need this DVD. It's a terrifically remastered production of the original "Liza with a 'Z'" television special that captivated audiences, and has been out of circulation for some time. (Amazingly, Liza herself owned the rights to the original program, and had superb expert help in bringing it out of the vault).

This DVD captures Liza Minnelli at the height of her career and prodigious talent. Coming off her Oscar for "Cabaret," the show includes a closing segment of those famous tunes, but "Liza with a 'Z'" shows that "Cabaret" wasn't just a one-shot wonder. Listen to Liza sing some great, unusual musical-comedy songs. Watch her perform that incredible Bob Fosse choreography. Bask in her luminescence.

Hard-core Liza fans will also enjoy the DVD extras, which include an appearance at the Toronto Film Festival at which the DVD debuted. Liza's in her 60s now, but she has kept her unique style, down her patented hairstyle, makeup and sequined outfits. It's a big jarring, though, to hear her talk about such things as having had two hip replacements because Fosse's choreography stressed out her joints. Try not to be too sad at the inevitable ravages of time, because this new DVD has given all Liza fans a treasure of their heroine at her peak. August 23, 2007

Liza With An 'A'

Is there anything better than an Amazon package arriving from the USA containing a magnificently put together DVD with really interesting extra's ? I think not.
When ever I think about this live to air concert from the glorious seventies, I am in awe of the preparedness of all concerned (Liza, Fosse, and a great team of dancers) to take such a risk, and I'm in even greater awe that they pulled it off so brilliantly.
This was the Liza Minnelli we lucky baby boomers remember so clearly - at the peak of her powers, a world class great entertainer.
The time it took to restore this film to pristine condition was six years,but it has been worth the wait.
As others have so well listed the songs performed on Liza With A Z -let me just pick out some moments truly memorable for moi.
How could anyone who saw the original show thirty something years ago EVER forget THAT RED DRESS !! It was a micro mini that barely covered the Minnelli derriere, and yet it was so effective as she sang I Gotcha and Son of a Preacher Man (a nice version of Dusty's original) and the black velvet outfit worn for a wonderful rendition of Bye Bye Blackbird with the memorable backing and dance routine with the dancers also in black with white gloves.
My most emotional moment came when Liza poured her heart and soul into the Al Jolson standard that was always sung with such gusto by Judy Garland - My Mammy. My cup runneth over.
The only complaint was the show's length - but it was a Special made for Television - I wanted it to go on and on. June 23, 2007

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