Liza Minnelli Ready for 11th Album, Loves Lady Gaga

By Ben Widdicombe Posted Sep 27th 2010 12:00PM

Liza Minnelli is the winner of the four most prestigious show business awards memorably parodied on '30 Rock' as an "EGOT"--Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. On September 28 she releases her 11th studio album, "Confessions."

The showbiz legend spoke with PopEater about everything from performing for her famous parents at the age of 3 to the Russell Brand remake of her classic film "Arthur" (hint: she's underwhelmed) and the phenomenon of Lady Gaga.

"I'm running around like a wild woman!" Liza tells PopEater from her home in Manhattan, where she is still rebuilding strength after her latest surgery. "You know it's quite traumatic, having a full knee replacement. But I'm back in dance class every day, plus I go to the trainer. The strength is getting really great, and I'm touring all over the place. My god I'm everywhere!"

And then she follows the remark with that famous Minnelli laugh-"Ha!"-so warm and kooky and such a gift to celebrity impersonators. She lets it loose again a moment later, when asked about who she likes in contemporary pop music.

"I love Lady Gaga! I haven't had a chance to see her live yet, but I like that she goes for it. I like somebody who says 'wait a minute, watch this' Ha! And that's what she does."

"Going for it" has also been a trademark of Liza's own career, winning a Theater World Award for her first ever Off-Broadway appearance at age 16 and collecting plaudits ever since. Her new album, she says, is based on songs she likes to sing around her own piano when friends come over. Those friends may include names like Janet Jackson and Tony Bennett, but, she says, "It's not like celebrity time. These are just people who know each other and like each other."

But we have to wonder if she could she be picking a celebrity fight one of the more recognizable tracks, "At Last," the signature tune of blues great Etta James. You'll recall that James roundly criticized Beyonce Knowles for singing "her" song at the inauguration of President Obama. So is Liza worried that Etta will come after her too?

"No! Ha! And she can't [claim to own the song]. I just have to say, who says?" says Liza. "I liked the Beyonce version very much too--that's the trouble, there's so many wonderful versions of this song. What I thought of, is this is not a lonesome, wailing song, this is a 'thank god.' So I put a smile in the song, and that's the difference."

After she dodged the tricky question of which was her favorite cast of Bravo's Real Housewives ("None! And I don't watch them because it's not reality. You know, it's set up and if somebody burps or something they retake it, trust me. Hahaha!"), it was time to ask about 'Arthur.' Minelli co-starred with comedy legend Dudley Moore in the 1981 original, which is currently being remade with British bad-boy (and Katie Perry fiancé) Russell Brand and Jennifer Garner.

"I haven't thought about it much," she said. "I mean, how do you copy Dudley More? How do you top Dudley More? I think they're two different films. Just like a lot of the remakes. You know my father [Vincente Minnelli] directed 'Father of the Bride' with Spencer Tracy, and when Steve Martin redid it [in 1991], it was a completely different point of view."

In fact, it was the music taught to her by her director-dad that inspired many of the tracks on "Confessions." The then three-year-old would play on the MGM lot while her father worked, she recalled, and in the evening they'd return to her mother, the singer and actress Judy Garland, who at the time was one of the most famous women in the world.

"At night when my father went home he would set me on his lap so I could pretend that I was driving, but he taught me a song every night, just to keep me occupied," she said.

"When we got home one night, he called my mom, and I remember she was at the top of the stairs and he said, 'Liza, sing the new song you learned.'

"So I went 'Love for sale! Appetizing young love for sale!' My mother howled, but she couldn't, because I'd cry if anybody laughed at me at that point. So she said wonderful!' and kind of ducked away."

The memory brings another emphatic "ha!" from Minnelli.

"I would get crazy at that point if anybody laughed at me," she said. "Now, I'll do a pratfall in a second"

Tags: liza minnelli

Comments

(14)

Monday 27 September

By John

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Finally, Liza Minnelli has grown into her iconic status as the legend and superstar she is...I met her backstage at the Greek one summer night with my two dogs, a westie and a scottie...her reaction to them is the way I feel about the respect this new generation is finally giving her "...PerFECtion..." Thank You PMK for giving us back this important woman!

By Ed

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Who cares what Liza thinks !!!

By SallyinChicago

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I care about Liza and what she thinks. Geez! I think she's one of the last true entertainers, a real trooper, somebody who takes to the stage like water. it's so natural for her.

By KR

So true Sally....and she looks great for a woman in her 90's.

Wednesday 29 September

By rudewaitress

KR...you're confusing Liza with Zsa Zsa, who's about 93. Liza's barely in her 80's.

By godblshu

I'm guessing Liza loves Lady Gaga because she is uglier than she is. Quite a feat.

By HELLO POO & PALS

I saw Liza in person years ago when she was still looking great, she did a tribute to her Mother and her show was awsome. But I have to say that when she falls off the wagon she is not a pretty picture to see, so I hope she is sober now while she is doing all these things, I wish her the best because addiction is a horrible nightmare.

People can be so mean; I wonder what you look like?

By webstar222

Poor Liza ! So unlucky in love ! Her first rule should be: Never marry a man that loves her mother more than you do !

By artjunkie

As far as "At Last" is concerned...hey, she's Liza freakin' Minnelli, and she can do whatever she wants. She is right about other great versions out there...Joni Mitchell did a superb job with it on her orchestral "Both Sides Now" album. Looking forward to hearing Liza's version.

By james marchand

First of all I think she is the greatest ever . She has went through alot with growing up with the lifestyle of her parents and her mother who herself was the greatest she lost her mom at a very young age which in itself is a tragedy but she stood up and made the best of a bad situation ,, She bacame a great actress and great singer and is one today... and she will always be a great addition to our lives and for those that dont know here as i do growing up with her mom's music and movies , with my mom .. and then growing up myself with her movies and music that made me grow as well .. and as far as she looks .. she has the right to look what ever way she does as she is beautiful in my eyes no matter what .. lets support her .. that is what we all need .. is love and understanding .. as we are ourselves not perfect .. so if you dont have something nice to say dont say anytyihng .. .. just be kind .. like is said she has brought a lot to this world . .and I thank her for that .. and hope she lives on and on and on ..

By What?!

Look at her hair. She has to be all gray by now. It would be great if she could be a little bit humble with her own age.

By FINELY TUNED AND POLISHED

BUT of course " HUMANNOIDS" she loves goo-goo especially for the exposure and attention. BUT is this not something she always had a dier need for?

Thursday 30 September

By elliot

Before you make fun of her, ask yourself how many albums you released in the last 40 years?
How many broadway shows were written for you?
How many concerts did you sell out in the last 40 years?
How many dollars did the shows you were in gross over the last 50 years?
Give her the respect she has earned!...Did you ever get a standing ovation?
GOD BLESS YOU, LIZA, AND THANKS FOR ALL KNOCK OUT PERFORMANCES I HAVE SEEN YOU GIVE OVER THE YEARS...

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