Liberace: At Hollywood Bowl: The Complete Concert auf 2 CDs

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This long overdue expanded reissue includes over an hour of additional material not included in the original LP issues. "Liberace At The Hollywood Bowl," released in 1955, was essentially an edited version of the first half of the concert; "Hollywood Bowl Encore" was released three months later, with an edited version of the second half. In addition to including all of the music performed that night by Liberace, this version also corrects the insertions and sequence changes that were made to the 1955 LPs.

On this two-disc concert album, recorded at the Hollywood Bowl in 1954, newly minted musical sensation Liberace (born Wladziu Liberace) is clearly reveling in his fame. While the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native offers up light, accessible versions of both classical and pop tunes, he also spends almost as much time on between-song banter, joking about critics and talking to his rapt audience about a variety of subjects, including his hometown.

Although the performance often threatens to become an extended comedy routine (the silly "Hey, Liberace" in particular), the flamboyant pianist tempers his signature wackiness with elegant solo renditions of pieces by Debussy ("Claire de Lune") and Chopin (a dynamic medley that includes the Nocturne in C Minor). Liberace also nods to his Polish heritage on the boisterous "Beer Barrel Polka," which features a full orchestra, and gleefully careens through a lively version of "Tea for Two." Proudly showcasing Liberace in all of his over-the-top majesty, this release is a must-have for his devoted fans and an excellent introduction to the dynamic and legendarily campy performer.