"Liza's Back" is the ninth live album by American singer and actress Liza Minnelli, released by J Records in 2002. Following her performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London and her rendition of "New York, New York" at Yankee Stadium after the September 11 attacks in the United States, Liza Minnelli embarked on a series of comeback concerts, marking the end of a two-year hiatus due to a diagnosis of viral encephalitis.
The album's recordings took place on April 2, 2002, during a week of sold-out shows at the Beacon Theatre in New York. Minnelli performed many songs associated with her career and introduced "Liza's Back," which was written by her longtime collaborators, John Kander and Fred Ebb.
The album was produced by Phil Ramone and marked Minnelli's reunion with Clive Davis, the president of J Records, who had originally signed her to Columbia Records in the early 1970s. The tracklist includes 18 songs, such as "Cabaret," "Don't Smoke in Bed," "Something Wonderful," and "New York, New York." Minnelli and Ramone had previously worked together on her 1972 album "Liza with a Z."
One of the standout tracks is the previously unreleased "Liza's Back," which has been regarded by some as an anthem of resilience. The song's lyrics reflect Minnelli's personal journey of overcoming challenges and returning to the stage.
The album received favorable reviews from music critics. William Ruhlmann of AllMusic praised Minnelli's improved vocal performance compared to her previous live album, "Minnelli on Minnelli: Live at the Palace." Morag Reavley of BBC Music noted the joy and vocal vigor in Minnelli's performance following her personal experiences.
Despite critical acclaim, the album did not achieve commercial success and did not chart on the Billboard 200.
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