Back from a string of Minnelli dates in Mexico and Ft. Worth. But before I tell you all about what's happening in the World of Liza, I must report that Jack Gilfoy, drummer with Henry Mancini for 30 years, colleague and friend of mine for over 40 years, passed away in his sleep last Saturday morning. If you look below, you can see Jack, Steve Dokken, Cecil Welch and me in Naples, Florida, following a wonderful concert with the Naples Philharmonic on April 11/12. Jack will be missed by me more that he probably would think to be reasonable...(his Hoosier sensibilities being what they were.) I'm sure Hank Mancini is glad to have Jack back in his band.
Liza and the Minnoolians were in Mexico for three great concerts last week. The first one was in Guadalajara. An amazing Concert Hall...all clad in shiny metal like the Disney Hall in Los Angeles. 5000 people attended. Liza was on her game, singing better than ever and dancing up a storm. On to Mexico City, for another concert, this time 8000 people in attendance. Multiple Standing Ovations! Liza's sister, Tina Nina sang "On A Clear Day" with her. While rehearsing this number, (which we did as a slow Bossa Nova with a quickie arrangement by Ross Konikoff, long time Liza trumpeter), an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude started shaking the Intercontinental Hotel. Liza was singing away and I finally stopped and said, "I think we're having an Earthquake!" Liza simply turned around and said, "That's what happens when the Minnelli's sing together!"
On to Puebla for our final concert. When the band arrived at the Hall, a first. No one had ordered a Piano for the Concert! After much back and forth between the Promoters and Liza's manager, a piano did appear in time for the Show. And once again, another spectacular performance, bringing the Crowd to it's feet after practically every number.
So, Mexico was fun. An earthquake, a live Volcano sighting as we left Puebla, interesting food choices like Goat! and no Piano!!! Ah, life on the road.
In Ft. Worth, we played a Gala for the 10th Anniversary of the Bass Performing Arts Center. What a place! I was there in 98 with Diana Ross for the Opening and now back 10 years later with Liza. Sold out crowd, amazing review:
REVIEW
Liza's still got lots of pizazz
BY MARK LOWRY STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Liza Minnelli, still in fantastic form, performs Saturday in the headlining show in Bass Hall's 10th-anniversary celebration.
FORT WORTH -- There was a moment in Liza Minnelli's Bass Hall debut Saturday night where, right before she brought home -- as only Liza can -- the Gershwin song The Man I Love, she giggled ever so adorably.
That's a good analogy for her overall bravura performance, the headlining show in Bass Hall's weeklong 10th-anniversary celebration.
Throughout the show she absolutely tore up (in the best sense) Broadway songs and American standards. Minnelli, still in fantastic vocal form at 62, dedicated a song to Fort Worth's Van Cliburn, whom she called a "good friend."
And all the way through she joked about her very public personal life, admitting "I have had it; I've learned my lesson" before doing a Sophie Tucker hit, I'm Living Alone (And I Like It), and confessing that she can now really identify with one of the stage roles she played, husband-murdering Roxie Hart, before My Own Best Friend from the musical Chicago (it was cut from the film, kids).
The point is, after several sparkly costume changes (the girl is back in dancer shape, lookin' good in knee-high boots and leotards), frequent engaging banter with the audience and two hours of her song-interpretation trademarks (breathy pauses, heavy S's and big song finishes), Liza hasn't lost any of the pizazz on which she built her career.
Speaking of pizazz, her multi-song tribute to her mentor and godmother Kay Thompson's nightclub act, complete with four gents as the Williams brothers (Andy and three sibs), was a high-energy thrill.
It, like the rest of the show, proved that Liza baby, you still got it.
mlowry@star-telegram.com
Mark Lowry, 817-390-7747
We're off to the Beau Rivage Casino this weekend. Then on to Moscow, the UK and Liza's induction into the Hollywood Bowl's Hall of Fame on June 20th...Opening Night at the Bowl!
See you in the airport or at the gig.
Mike B.
