A similar video on Youtube by G. Roel Bottari
at link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfxyrkAunn8
(“Theme from New York, New York” by John Kander & Fred Ebb, 1977)
Some folks may forget that “New York, New York” was written for Liza Minelli,
in the 1977, Martin Scorsese-directed film of the same title. That’s because,
once the Chairman of the Board takes hold of a song, he OWNS it-- thus, even
a talent as profound a ‘Liza with a Z’ has to stand in the shade to some extent.
This performance was recorded on Sinatra’s 75th birthday--Dec. 12, 1990--
at the Byrne Meadowlands Arena in NJ. Frank calls Liza up from the audience
(she hugs him & says, “Happy Birthday, Uncle Frank-- we love you SO much!”)
At first blush, we probably believe their duet was pre-arranged & rehearsed,
but as they scramble for a second microphone. as
Liza struggles for a
high note (“This is YOUR key!” she scolds
Frank), we realize that maybe,
just MAYBE, it was spontaneous after all.