Ticket 2 Ride

An odd pairing? How about Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield? They worked together too, and the results were outstanding.

A quick review of Pet Shop Boys (PSB) for those who may not have Spotify playlist.

Pet Shop Boys. Brit synth-pop duo, was formed in 1981 as vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe, and have sold more than 100 million albums. Please is the debut studio album, released on 24 March 1986. “West End Girls” was the first of their many hits. Although they’ve officially released 15 studio albums, their output is significantly more, with ample remixes and EPs of other unreleased material, the group is extremely busy.

PSB have collaborated with many artists, but Dusty and Liza are two of the most unlikely. “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” was a huge hit for Dusty, late in her career.

I first heard the Results album when it was released, thirty-five years ago, and didn’t quite know what to think. PSB had released several albums of their own and were enjoying international fame as Brit synth pop was hugely popular at the time.

In 1989, Liza Minnelli was touring with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. and brought their show to London. PSB had written and recorded an album of songs that Liza would sing. Results performed better in Europe than the U.S., but collaborating with PSB gave her a wider audience, and radio play in some countries.

A busy time for Liza, a live album recorded at Carnegie Hall the year before, and in the midst of a two-year concert tour with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Liza had joined the tour as a replacement for Dean Martin, who wasn’t in the best of shape; his son, Dean Paul “Dino” was tragically killed the year before.

Results was produced by PSB and their frequent producer, Julian Mendelsohn. Musically, it’s right up there with PSB’s best works. It’s certainly an electronica/dance sound, which is right in their wheelhouse. Liza handles the songs remarkably well, even though this is hardly her normal type of music. Still, there is plenty of room for her to air-out that powerful voice.

The arrangements are quite effective considering the music was written and recorded prior to her hearing it. “Rent” is a PSB song on their own, but here, Liza is all over it. The arrangement is quite cinematic, something John Barry might have written for a Bond film.

Certainly, there are those who felt this album totally does not work for Liza. Known for show-tunes and pop tunes of an earlier time, Liza has always embraced good songs, whatever the genre. I believe it works.

PSB writes seven of the ten songs and the three covers fit extremely well in the album’s soundscape. Not every song is a big, thunderous dance groove, but there are a few of them. “Tonight is Forever” was also released as a PSB version on their own album. I like Liza’s version even better. She sings with an orchestra and it’s a great arrangement. The subtleties of the song are smooth and riveting.

“I Want You Now” Chris Lowe, Neil Tennant 4:41

“Losing My Mind” Stephen Sondheim 4:11

“If There Was Love” Lowe, Tennant 6:47

“So Sorry, I Said” Lowe, Tennant 3:14

“Don’t Drop Bombs” Lowe, Tennant 3:39

“Twist in My Sobriety” Tanita Tikaram 4:51

“Rent” Lowe, Tennant 3:54

“Love Pains” Steve Barri, Michael Price, Dan Walsh 4:10

“Tonight Is Forever” Lowe, Tennant 5:04

“I Can’t Say Goodnight” Lowe, Tennant 4:52

In 2017, Results was released in an expanded 3-CD and 1 BluRay edition, with remixes, instrumental versions and videos.

This is not a perfect album, there are a couple of weak songs, but the bulk of this album works. Liza has a voice that can blowout your speakers, but she doesn’t have to prove it. PSB and Julian Mendelsohn mix her voice superbly, letting Liza’s voice wash over these songs in fine fashion.