Linda Eder - If You See Me

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:32
Size: 112,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:04)  1. Before the Parade Passes By
(4:56)  2. As If We Never Said Goodbye
(6:07)  3. Music That Makes Me Dance / Ca
(3:20)  4. You'll Never Walk Alone
(2:38)  5. What Did I Have That I Don't H
(2:25)  6. Down with Love
(3:28)  7. Bring Him Home
(4:17)  8. Pure Imagination
(4:23)  9. Losing My Mind
(5:21) 10. The Best Is Yet to Come / The Man I Love  Just in Time - Medley
(4:27) 11. I Have a Voice
(4:01) 12. If You See Me

Linda Eder's career has had the kind of variety many performers would envy: everything from Broadway to solo albums to concert halls. If You See Me, her latest release, is her seventeenth solo album, which itself is an applause-worthy feat. The album itself is mostly a greatest-hits journey through theatre history, from Gershwin to Sondheim and plenty of others in between. Although some of the tracks don't quite hit the mark, others are genuinely wonderful. The album kicks off with a pair of classics: "Before the Parade Passes By" from Hello Dolly and Sunset Boulevard's "As If We Never Said Goodbye." These are deceptively tricky songs: emotionally rich and sometimes difficult to perform without ending up very mannered. Eder's vocals vacillate back and forth: she nails the most powerful parts, but sometimes strays into a slightly breathy style that takes us out of the moment. The energy picks up a bit later in the album, as the song choices take a turn for the jazzy. "Down With Love," midway through the album, is one of the highlights. This type of music is clearly in Eden's wheelhouse, and her voice is perfectly suited to the style. Some of the tracks here are a little on the overdone side. "What Did I Have That I Don't Have" has some odd vocal mannerisms; combined with the easy-listening vibe makes it one of the more skippable tracks. There are a pair of medleys, both of which sound great on paper, but in practice, do little to transform the songs beyond singing them one after the other instead of as separate tracks. It's a shame that the arrangements don't do a bit more, because some of the pieces - especially the section of "The Best Is Yet To Come" - are excellent on their own. Eder is by far at her best with the unadorned songs that give her a chance to show off simple, pure vocals. Aside from oddly-chosen backup vocals, her "Pure Imagination" is genuinely beautiful, as is her rendition of "Bring Him Home." By far the best song on the whole album, though, is Carousel's "You'll Never Walk Alone." It's one of the most powerfully moving songs in the American theatre canon, and Eder's calm strength more than does it justice. One of the effects of covering so many famous songs is that it can be hard to put your own stamp on them. Eder sidesteps this by closing out the album with a pair of songs that feel like they're allowing her personality to shine through. "I Have A Voice," originally written as a charity single for an anti-bullying campaign, feels like the album's anthem: self-assured and hopeful. Finally, "If You See Me" closes out with plenty of energy and charm. If You See Me is a mixed bag, but there are plenty of gems to be found within. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Album-Review-Linda-Eders-IF-YOU-SEE-ME-20180818

If You See Me

---

Linda Eder - Retro

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:01
Size: 103,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:49)  1. Love Is Here at Last
(3:14)  2. In the Stone
(3:09)  3. When the Right Man Comes Along
(3:15)  4. You Never Can Tell
(2:47)  5. I'm Doing Just Fine
(2:24)  6. Someone
(4:27)  7. The One That Got Away
(3:20)  8. Matter of Luck
(1:53)  9. So Young So Beautiful
(3:01) 10. Sweet Surprise
(3:36) 11. Could It Be
(3:01) 12. Easy
(3:37) 13. There Is Love
(4:22) 14. Is This Where Our Story Ends?

Showcasing one of the greatest voices of our time, Linda Eder’s diverse repertoire spans Broadway, Standards, Pop, Country, and Jazz. When she performs “live” in concert, it is amazing to experience the ease with which she moves back and forth from one genre to another as if she were gifted with the vocal ability to perform each genre as well as all the others. Born in Tucson, Arizona and raised in Brainerd, Minnesota, Eder began her career right out of high school singing all around her home state, and she eventually landed a gig at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But it was her appearance on the 1987 season of “Star Search,” during which she won for an unprecedented 12 straight weeks, which attracted the attention of audiences and record companies alike.  Eder launched her recording career in 1991 with her self-titled debut album and soon established a vital niche as America’s most popular and acclaimed new interpreter of Pop, Standard and Theatrical genres. She released two more solo albums before starring in the Broadway production of JEKYLL & HYDE beginning on April 28, 1997. As the tragic character “Lucy” in this new musical, Eder blew the roof off New York City’s Plymouth Theatre eight times a week as she belted out her signature songs “Someone Like You” and “A New Life.” Her Broadway debut, for which she was rewarded with a Drama Desk nomination, sent her already rapidly rising star blazing across the sky securing her a spot as one of America’s most beloved singers and dynamic “live” performers. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote, “What do we mean when we use the word perfection? The question arises every time I watch the pop singer Linda Eder….”http://lindaeder.com/about/

Retro

---

Linda Eder - By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:36
Size: 102,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:06)  1. By Myself
(3:33)  2. Almost Like Being In Love
(4:06)  3. Me And My Shadow
(2:58)  4. I'D Like To Hate Myself In The Morning
(4:35)  5. It Never Was You
(3:00)  6. Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart
(5:22)  7. The Boy Next Door
(4:52)  8. The Rainbow's End
(4:33)  9. Do It Again
(2:53) 10. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody
(4:33) 11. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows

If imitation is the best form of flattery then the legendary Judy Garland has a lot to smile about from wherever she is watching. Broadway's Linda Eder has been wowing crowds since her big break in 1990 with The Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde which showcased what is now being called "The Voice". Having broken all the records in 1988's Star Search, this Brainerd, Minn. born gal is not intimated by a musical challenge. While Ms. Eder did have the luxury of having a Broadway composer, Frank Wildhorn, write beautiful tunes for his now ex-wife, Eder has proven through the years that she is a vocal force to be recognized as one of the great solo voices regardless of whose music she sings. Eder's aim in this new venture was not to "mimic the Garland style, which she adores, but rather to capture the strengths, the frailties, the heartfelt meaning of Judy's voice". She does so respectfully, graciously and wonderfully! With amazing power and the sweetest clarity Eder delivers 11 of Judy Garland's glorious songs via her new CD, some well known and others obviously beloved to both Eder and perhaps Garland. "It was all through osmosis," notes Linda. "I closely studied many of Judy's films and recordings. Judy's highs and lows were extreme and by following her so closely one felt as if you knew her. She was my first big musical influence and I consider it an honor to pay tribute to her".

The CD kicks off dramatically with the title song "By Myself". "I have been though a lot in the last few years, which has added layers to my life," admits Linda. This no doubt fuels the great emotion one can see and hear in her voice as she pierces her audiences heart with certain songs. Bringing the best of the best onboard to record with the London Symphony Orchestra on most tracks Eder painstakingly chose every song, every note over several months to create what she has called " classic Judy and also classic Linda in a swingin' dialog between singer and orchestra". It's an established fact that Linda Eder is one heck of a belter. Still, I feel this doesn't need to be proven as often as she does on this CD. I found myself turning the volume down more than a few times.  I also notice a pronounced vibrato that often underscores her voice that was not entirely to my liking. However, from Lerner & Lowe's "Almost Like Being In Love" to a most impressive version of "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody," Eder has found the depth of Garland's persona and made it her own. Not every song and CD track fully accomplished this formidable task. "Me and My Shadow" seems to have an unusual mix of song and orchestra that creates an uneven tempo to an otherwise beautifully executed song. Also in the medley of "Stormy Weather" and "Man That Got Away" again the orchestration seems to drag more than I care for. One additional song not sung by Judy or written for her was included by songwriter Jack Murphy who has a long collaboration with Linda's musical career. "The Rainbows End" attempts to become the torch song of the 40's capturing the meaning of Garland's life as a singer and a singer's world in general. It simply doesn't fulfill its mission.

 Linda offers an incredibly seductive "Do It Again" which is wonderfully arranged. "It's All for You" is a song not chosen to be included in this CD collection and absolutely should be as it is lyrically simple and charming. "The Trolley Song" is a fun song and playfully well done. During the 'By Myself Concert' Linda includes two of her most popular songs "Vienna" written by Frank Wildhorn and the always rousing "Don't Rain On My Parade", which usually brings down the first act with a roar. Few people sing this as well as Barbra and Linda. My personal favorite medley was a combination of a brief intro of "Chasing Rainbows and a prayer-like "Over The Rainbow" with a gentle piano arrangement that stills the crowds and warms the heart. One can see, hear and feel the joy, the fun and the passion that has gone into this Garland project as it's obviously a labor of love for Linda Eder who has done an admirable job in re-creating a legend's legacy while making it her own very beautifully. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Linda-Eder-By-Myself-The-Songs-of-Judy-Garland-20051012

Personnel: Linda Eder (vocals); Carmine Lauri (violin); Aaron Heick, Dave Mann , David Andrew Mann, Aaron Heicke (alto saxophone); David Richenberg (baritone saxophone); Tony Kadleck, Bob Millikan (trumpet); George Flynn (bass trombone); David Finck (bass instrument); Mark McLean (drums); Lawrence Feldman (tenor saxophone); Jeremy Pelt, Randy Brecker, Barry Danielian, Glenn Drewes, Donald Downs (trumpet); Dan Levine , John Fedchock (trombone); Lee Musiker, Jeremy Roberts (piano); Clint DeGanon (drums)

By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland

---

Linda Eder - Now

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:50
Size: 101,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:19)  1. Not Gonna Fall This Time
(2:51)  2. No Finer Man
(3:40)  3. Ordinary People
(3:34)  4. The Heat of The Night
(5:39)  5. What Did You See Inside The Stars?
(3:20)  6. Now
(3:03)  7. The Mad Hatter
(3:44)  8. A Woman In His Arms
(3:26)  9. Good Bye
(3:08) 10. What's Never Been Done Before
(4:27) 11. More Than Heaven
(3:35) 12. Living In The Shadows

There is a certain irony to the title of Linda Eder's reunion with her musical partner, theater composer Frank Wildhorn. Naming the album Now calls attention to the contents, which consist of newly written Wildhorn compositions with lyrics by the likes of Leslie Bricusse, Don Black, and Maury Yeston. But not only is the style of the music not current, it is rooted in a particular time. Back in the mid-'60s, pop singers like Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand used to make albums that sounded a lot like this by picking and choosing material from Broadway shows and movie themes of the day. Another good source was South American or European songs with newly commissioned English lyrics. But here, Wildhorn has written tunes that sound like the traditional pop of the mid-‘60s, set to string orchestras and big bands, with Eder singing in her typically passionate style. Reused titles like "Ordinary People," "The Heat of the Night," and even "Now" (there was an earlier song by that name sung by Lena Horne in the ‘60s) emphasize the neo-retro nature of the project. While most of the music may have been written especially for Eder, one song, "Mad Hatter," anticipates the next Wildhorn musical, Wonderland, and is the album's jazziest, liveliest number. The overall style, however, is lush and romantic, appropriate for Eder, who is, as always, something of a Streisand soundalike. One might say, in fact, that her Streisand-lite approach is often more enjoyable than the real thing, since, while Eder's voice bears definite similarities to Streisand's, as does her phrasing, she isn't as mannered as Streisand. Still, music written in the style of an era Streisand dominated can't help but evoke the earlier singer. ~ William Ruhlmann http://www.allmusic.com/album/now-mw0002101565

Personnel: Benny Reid, Aaron Heick, Roger Rosenberg, David Mann , Charles Pillow (saxophone); C.J. Camerieri, John Chudoba, Tony Kadleck (trumpet); Dan Levine , Jeff Nelson , John Fedchock (trombone); Dan Nimmer (piano); Clint DeGanon (drums).

Now

---

Linda Eder - Other Side Of Me

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:18
Size: 119,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:35)  1. Pieces
(3:35)  2. If You Believe
(4:53)  3. Lifted
(4:09)  4. If I Could
(4:07)  5. Back To Life
(4:25)  6. Other Side Of Me
(4:16)  7. Waiting For The Fall
(4:14)  8. Prayer For Love
(4:18)  9. Both Sides Now
(4:56) 10. They Are The Roses
(4:26) 11. Ghost
(4:18) 12. Make Today Beautiful

The utter brilliance of the renowned vocal great's first official foray into rock-edged country music should shutter for good the adage that an artist must stick to a single genre to be marketable and successful. Over the years, the world got so used to her glowing interpretations of Broadway standards--and her keen ability to carry on the grand traditions of Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand--that any deviation might have been seen as risky or crazy. But the truth is, as the singer puts it, "This isn't so much a departure as it is me getting back to who I really am." The colorful mix of material (from the rousing, gospel-influenced "Back to Life" by superstar pop songwriter Kara DioGuardi to Eder's own explosive, very personal blues-rocker "Waiting for the Fall") and loose and high-spirited arrangements reflect the kind of music that moved her as a child, when she first started playing the guitar and writing songs. 

Musically, she and producer Billy Jay Stein back up with great integrity and passion her assertion that stepping into the ballgown and singing standards is like playing a role, while this rootsy music is more natural for her. Although the album was released by the great jazz label Verve, songs like the uptempo country jam "Pieces," the jangling "Prayer for Love," and the largely acoustic ballad "If You Believe (The Way I Do)" would find a joyful home on mainstream country radio. Beyond the rootsier songs, Eder engages in some magical cover versions of the heart-tugging parent to child classic "If I Could," Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" (done with equal parts wistfulness and dreamy atmosphere) and, more graceful yet, the Indigo Girls' folk-pop gem "Ghost." While Eder will always be welcome performing with fellow Broadway aficionados Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch, this stellar journey of the heart should find her making reservations to take the stage at the CMA Festival in Nashville any year now. 

This is a side of the singer that should stick around for a long time.~Jonathan Widran  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-other-side-of-me-mw0000798282

Other Side Of Me

---