Search - Liza Minnelli :: Tropical Nights

One of Liza's best studio albums, finally available on CD

Dave Hillman | New York, NY USA | 02/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Minnelli never got her due on this neglected 1977 Columbia release, where she goes from rather hard-edged rock to disco to sublime balladry over the course of nine meticulously-produced tracks:"Jimi Jimi": Liza ROCKS. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pet Shop Boys had this track in mind when they collaborated with Liza on "Results." Written by Jim Grady, who penned most of the songs on this album."When It Comes Down To It": Liza plunges into funk, with stellar results. Written by Minnie Riperton and Richard Rudolph."I Love Every Little Thing About You": written by Stevie Wonder, this is a duet with the album's producer, Steve March (Mel Torme's son). A nice summery song."Easy": An effervescent Grady ballad, with shimmering, sultry Liza vocals."I'm Your New Best Friend": an upbeat Grady rocker (co-written with Dave Miller). A pity this wasn't released as a single."Medley: Tropical Nights/Bali Ha'i": Definitely the gayest song on the album, a campy disco number that wittily borrows strains of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic from the musical "South Pacific." This was a staple at Studio 54 during both its' and Liza's salad days. Written by Mark Winkler. "Take Me Through/I Could Come To Love You": Grady again, beginning as a ballad and morphing into jazz, with Liza doing some quite credible Ella-style scatting."Come Home Babe": the first of two mellow numbers written by Grady that close this set, with Liza at her most dreamily romantic."A Beautiful Thing": The precursor to the Liza/Pet Shop Boys version of "Rent" (on "Results"). Dark undercurrents, dramatic Liza vocals. A good choice to close the album.It's no surprise DRG Records finally got the rights to "Tropical Nights" and released it on CD. There was a Japanese pressing on CD years ago, and it never went for less than $400 on eBay. Hard-core Liza fanatics have been salivating for this for years, and newcomers might be pleasantly surprised at how contemporary Liza's sound is here. "Tropical Nights" has held up very well. And its release couldn't be better timed, as it appears Minnelli is headed for yet another comeback."

Finally, I can get rid of my last remaining LP ...

steve warren | 05/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was holding on to my LP of this album thinking they'd never release it on CD. Finally! I'm so happy to have it forever on disc. I agree that it's not her most spectacular album but I love the title song, (when she sings "oooh my macho muchacho, c'mon let's boogie" it's really sexy)... and the poignant and pained "Beautiful Thing" makes me cry every time I hear it. Nobody but Liza can tug at your heartstrings like that...all within one album. If you're a true Liza fan you'll want to have this one in your collection, most definitley."

Its about Time"TropicalNights" was released

Bob Waskiewicz | Wintersville, Ohio United States | 03/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1977 was a busy year for Liza."New York New York" was playing,(I love the soundtrack,and there is something about the movie.I think one of these days its going to be considered a Classic)Liza was getting ready for her Broadway award winning play,"The Act," and "Tropical Nights" was released.Whenever they would show Liza at Studio 54,you would hear "Tropical Nights/Bali Hai," but thats the only disco song on the fantastic CD.Liza was working with the Jim Grady band on most of the other cuts.The record has a great rock and roll sound,except for the last number,"A Beutifull thing," a Beutifull,Orchestrated ballad.The duet with Mel Torme's son,Steve March,"I love every little thing about you," is another great song,written by Stevie Wonder.I was hopping this would be release in 1977.The late Minnie Riperton's,When it comes down to it," is the funkiest I've ever heard Liza.I can't think of one cut thats not enjoyable."Tropical Nights,"is a must have for any true fan of this talented Artist."