LIZ SMITH: New Musical "Gold" From Liza ...

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/guest-diary/2014/liz-smith-new-musical-gold

Liza Minnelli with composer and producer J. Ralph with (from top, l. to r.) Co-Producer Arthur Pingrey and engineers Brian Binsack and Guy Rabinowitz.
Thursday, December 4, 2014 by Liz Smith

New Musical "Gold" From Liza ... A Little Something on the Coffee Table From Barbra ... The Letters of Norman Mailer.  “TALENT HITS a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see.” Arthur Schopenhauer.

The Exquisite Icon Blooms — Liza, 1967. Liza — She will be here with us, singing her songs, "Until The End." ABOUT A year ago, at one of Peggy Siegal’s amusing luncheons in NYC’s Monkey Bar, I was seated next to a young man who wore a big fuzzy Daniel Boone hat and carried a walking stick. He looked about 12 years old, yet his somewhat odd accoutrements didn’t come off as pretentious or wacky. His name wasJosh Ralph (or J. Ralph, as I recall he prefers.) He is an Oscar-nominated composer and singer, who can’t read or write music, but now heads his own production company, The Rumor Mill. (I thought that was a charming name, natch!)  During our lively conversation, talk turned to Miss Liza Minnelli, who was also at the event. He remarked: “People say she drags her history onstage with her, and that’s undeniable. But I love how she sings, what she brings to each interpretation ... the tone, the quality, the choices she makes as an artist. I’d love to work with her!” Well, flash forward and here we are, and here they are — Liza Minnelli singing “Until The End,” written and produced by J. Ralph, with Minnelli accompanied byWynton Marsalis. “Until The End” will be heard in the coming Ed Perkins-directed documentary “Garnet’s Gold.” Although the song is available now on iTunes. It’s a jazzy, jangly, sassy optimistic tune that gives Liza the full opportunity to use her interpretative acting abilities. (She always dismisses the notion of herself as a great singer, “I tell stories,” she says.) Yes, Liza — with a wonderful voice you tell stories! So, was working with the Oscar-Tony-Emmy-Grammy winning icon all he had hoped? J. says: “Her talent and commitment are unrivaled and this has been an incredibly humbling experience. There is no other version of the song I could have imagined.” He added: “Also, she’s one of the sweetest, most sincere people I have ever met.”  Well, I could have told him that! In fact, I did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7M-8Axjm9I