Liza Minnelli On 'Song Travels'

May 17, 201311:00 AM

Hear Liza Minnelli On 'Song Travels'

57 min 38 sec

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Liza Minnelli says that songs "punctuate your emotions throughout your life."

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Liza Minnelli says that songs "punctuate your emotions throughout your life."

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Born into Hollywood royalty, Liza Minnelli has made her own name on the stage and screen. Her role in the 1972 film version of the Broadway musical Cabaret made her an international sensation and won her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She continues to wow audiences the world over with her iconic presence and powerful voice.

Here, Minnelli joins her good friend and Song Travels host Michael Feinstein for an enlightening discussion of her life and the evolution of her approach to song. And, in a sweet moment, Feinstein opens the show by singing the Ira Gershwin song for which Minnelli was named.

Set List

Michael Feinstein (voice, piano), "Liza" (G. Gershwin, I. Gershwin, G. Kahn)

Liza Minnelli (voice), Feinstein (voice, piano), "Lorelei" (G. Gershwin, I. Gershwin)

Minnelli (voice), "Liza With A 'Z'" (Fred Ebb & John Kander)*

Minnelli (voice), "Isn't This Better?" (F. Ebb, J. Kander)*

Lady Gaga (voice), "Someone To Watch Over Me" (G. Gershwin, I. Gershwin)*

Liza Minnelli with Pet Shop Boys, "Losing My Mind" (S.Sondheim)*

Minnelli (voice), "Maybe This Time" (F. Ebb, J. Kander)*

Marshall Barer (voice), "A Very Dirty Shade Of Blue" (M. Barer)*

Minnelli (voice), "On Such A Night As This" (M. Barer, H. Martin)*

Minnelli (voice), Feinstein (voice, piano), "I Love A Violin" (K. Thompson)

*Album recording.

This program originally ran May 11, 2012.

Featured Artist

Explore Liza Minnelli's full NPR Archive

Studio Sessions

Joshua Bell And Jeremy Denk On 'Song Travels'

"I've thought to myself often listening to some classical works: 'I think I want to make a couple million dollars and turn that into a pop song,'" Joshua Bell (right) says, laughing. "There's a lot of untapped potential there."

Studio Sessions