LORNA LUFT - A MAJOR TALENT

LEE HARTGRAVE REVIEWS
August 27. 2009

LORNA LUFT – SPARKLING NON-STOP PLEASURE

GUARANTEED! – THIS SHOW IS THE MOST EXHILARATING EVENING YOU’LL HAVE.
Lorna Luft (Judy Garland’s Daughter) came to the stage in a smart looking Tux and the highest stilettos I have ever seen. How does she manage to stay on them for so long? Luft starts the show off with a fabulous rendition of “You Don’t Know Me” – and it was a blast. You actually could feel the heat on your face.

The whole show is bursting at the seams with familiar songs like “Let’s do it” (she even sings the verse), “Who Will Buy” from the musical Olivier. Her talent has really blossomed. Luft shines like never before in this fantastic collection of songs that range from love, broken hearts and the hilarious. You’re gonna love the “Guys and Dolls” medley. It’s like listening to the entire show. By the way, Luft has appeared in the musical, and it’s easy to see and hear why.

The tribute to Bert Bacharach was beyond fantastic. It was a vocal roller coaster ride. She is the likeliest inheritor of her mothers talent. What an amazing range Luft has.

Luft also gave us a wonderful tribute to Peter Allen, who she says was her best friend since she was twelve. The Talented Allen died and Luft still thinks of him all the time. Allen was also married to Liza Minnelli. Really touching and soul wrenching is Luft singing Peter Allen’s “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” Wow! It almost blew the roof off of the Rrazz Room. I know --because my hair was standing on end. All four strands.

Look for a new C.D. featuring the songs of Peter Allen sung by Luft. Sony records asked her to do it. Can’t wait to hear it.

During the show Luft reveals little inside things about growing up in a house with celebrities who came and went constantly. “As you may have guessed” she said – “Our house was not like ‘Ozzie and Harriet!” Yeh, I think we kinda figured that.

Luft’s vocals are just terrific and they are nuanced enough not to be copies of any other singer including her mother. Oh, if you close your eyes, you can hear the influence of Judy, but make no mistake about it; Luft is not imitating her mother or her sister Liza. She makes the music her own.

EXTRA: IN THE AUDIENCE WAS DARLENE LOVE OF MOVIES/TV/STAGE AND 'THE BLOSSOMS FAME.' YOU MAY REMEMBER THE HIT "HE'S A REBEL".
Love Cheered and waved her hands to Luf't's singing -- obviously having a great time.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! – (highest rating) -trademarked-

YOU CAN CATCH LORNA LUFT THROUGH THIS SUNDAY AT THE RRAZZ ROOM AT THE HOTEL NIKKO (At Mason and O’Farrell) It’s a gorgeous room and a grand Lobby shows you the way to the room) www.therrazzroom.com.

(((Lee Hartgrave contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and produced a long-running Art Segment on PBS KQED)))

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