Customer Reviews

Christmas Stays the Same

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Probably one of the last things the world needs is another slew of new Christmas albums, especially when most get released and quickly forgotten. How many holiday CDs have you bought in recent years that still get pulled out and played year after year like a Nat King Cole or Phil Spector Christmas album? Enter this new one from Linda Eder to add to that short list.

She is still one of the best kept secrets in music. However, if you have any of her other CDs you already have a clue that this will also be one to treasure. The album sports two new holiday gems co-written by Linda and her husband and musical partner, Frank Wildhorn - "Christmas Stays the Same" and "Christmas Through a Child's Eyes" There are many classics as well, including "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Little Drummer Boy" sounding remarkabley fresh even though we have these songs hundreds of times. "Silent Night" featuring glorious back-up from the Broadway Gospel Choir comes across very inspired and original. "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" are combined into a sassy, brassy medley that would have done Frank Sinatra proud. She also gives "O Holy Night" and "The Bells of St. Paul" (maybe the best track on this CD) her trademark soaring vocals that will give you goose bumps.

Linda's incredible voice, the terrific arrangements, musicianship and the excellent support from the Broadway Gospel Choir may have you wanting to pull this CD out and play it come July!!

Linda Eder is an incredible talent. Her voice is often compared to Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion and Judy Garland, but in my opinion she surpasses them all. Her great voice and the warmth of her personality is perfectly suited for a Christmas album and she proves this commandingly with "Christmas Stays the Same".

Eder's voice soars like an angel from above in her stirring rendition of "Silent Night". Noone can approximate the sheer beauty, inspiration and power she brings to "Ave Maria" and "O Holy Night." Fun, swing versions of "Here comes Santa Claus" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit.

Every arrangement here is creative and original, and even in the more tradional offerings, Linda makes each sound like you're just hearing it for the first time. Her renditions of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" will bring tears to your eyes. I will cherish this CD for years to come.

Every artist has to make a Christmas album, which makes finding a decent one like finding a needle in a haystack. Most artists butcher the songs. They feel the need to add the personal touch that pushes it from my cd player to my trash can. Christmas Stays the Same, however, is a gem. What sold me on this album was how Linda Eder stayed true to the standards, but still made them sound fresh. And what an amazing voice! No stray notes and flawless pitch, and unbeatable range.

Eder is joined in some of the songs by the Broadway Gospel Choir, who add a delicate gospel touch to the tunes. In songs such as Do You Hear What I Hear and What Child Is This, Eder's voice soars. It manages to be cool, crisp and pristine, yet warm and soft. The big band medley Here Comes Santa Claus/Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, will have even a Scrooge tapping their feet. One of my favorites on the album is O Holy Night. Eder manages a delightful mix of powerful belting and emotional crooning. Another noteworthy song is Ave Maria. This is the best rendition of Ave Maria I have ever heard. This is what it is suppose to sound like. My only disappointment was with Silent Night. It's a wonderful song, but I wish they could have toned it down. Who's singing it, Eder or the choir?

Eder also includes three new songs. (Wait! Don't run away.) I don't usually like any new Christmas songs, but I was pleasantly surprised. They don't sound new. Christmas Through a Child's Eyes is written by Frank Wildhorn and Eder for their son, Jake. A simple but heartfelt song performed with only piano accompaniment. The Bells of St. Paul is gorgeously written and showcases Eder's amazing range.

All in all, a great album. Comes with my highest recommendation.

Several years ago Barbra you-know-who produced an album of Christmas music in which every song sounded the same...jazzy and showy. Clearly her interpretations of the sacred songs and the pop tunes as well seemed intended to worship only the singer and show off the voice, with little attention apparently paid to the beautiful music or the messages of the songs.

Linda Eder proves once again in this album that she is an artist and a musician as well as a superb singer of songs. Her sacred and semi-sacred songs, such as "Little Drummer Boy", "Silent Night" (this one will bring tears to your eyes no matter how many times you've heard it), Schubert's "Ave Maria" and others are sung powerfully but with simplicity and reverence. Then she up-tempos with "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" and a foot-stompin' version of "Do You Hear What I Hear" featuring a calypso beat and accompanied (as she is in some other numbers) by the amazing Broadway Chapel Choir. Great fun!

The standards are filled with the wonder and nostalgia of Christmases past, sung so beautifully it almost seems that she "owns" all of them but one. Her interpretations of "I'll be Home for Christmas", "Let It Snow", Mel Torme's "Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire) and the less familiar but wonderful "Silver and Gold" are brilliant. While she also excels with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", we oldtimers at least will always feel that this one can belong only to the late Judy Garland who introduced it in the 1949 movie "Meet Me in St.Louis".

Finally, Eder introduces us to three lovely new Christmas songs written by husband Frank Wildhorn. It is easy to tell that "Christmas Through a Child's Eyes" has special meaning for Linda, who sings "Now I see Christmas through...my new son's eyes; (he'll) bring Christmas back to me".... The other two new Wildhorn/Eder efforts are "Christmas Stays the Same" and "The Bells of St. Paul's". Both are appropriately nostalgic for the season, with meaningful lyrics and haunting melodies, powerfully sung by a lady who is to many of us the greatest pop artist in the world today.

Treat yourself, and maybe some music-loving friends and relatives as well, to what deserves to be and may well become a future Christmas classic!

Yes, LeeAnn from CA - "Do you hear what I hear" with the African beat is wonderful. Plus, I defy anyone to listen to Linda sing "Ava Maria" or "O Holy Night" without getting goose-bumps! W - O - W !!!

Linda Eder's voice is a wonder, so anything she sings is bound to be fabulous. I'm hoping for another Christmas album from this fantastic artist, with more creative arrangements similiar to "Do you hear what I hear" to truly showcase the glorious voice & talent of this lady.

New Yorkers and Broadway fans will be familiar with song stylist Linda Eder for her performances in "Jekyll & Hyde", and later "The Scarlet Pimpernel", both with musical scores by her husband Frank Wildhorn. Her voice is immediately affecting,being both rich and powerful, yet never forced or overproduced. Many people liken her to Barbara Streisand and it's easy to hear why. Not only does she have an amazing range, but her phrasing is remarkably similar to Steisand's, particularly on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Close your eyes and you may not be able to tell the difference!

This is a beautifully produced CD and worth having in your Christmas rotation. Backed by the Broadway Gospel Choir her version of "Do You Hear What I Hear" begins with a melody that sounds almost from 'The Lion King',and works up into an uplifting and jubulant number.

"Silent Night" is gorgeous, almost haunting with her voice floating high above the chorus, and the sometimes forgotten "The Little Drummer Boy" gets one of the best recordings I've ever heard. Kudos for all the lush and classy arrangements. This is a Christmas album to cherish!

Today is Tuesday, October 28, 2003. I have been listening to Linda Eder's Christmas CD everyday for the past week, and it will continue this way until next March. Seems her fans just can't get enough of Linda's voice, especially her Christmas voice.
'Christmas Through A Child's Eyes' is a song whose music was written by Linda's husband, Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, and Linda herself wrote the lyric to their son Jake. A Mother singing to her child. It doesn't get any better than that.

One of my favorite songs on the CD is 'Do You Hear What I Hear'. Linda is accompanied by a choir and the sound is amazing. This is also the song that Linda and the choir performed two years ago at the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center in NYC.

However, my VERY favorite song is "The Bell's of Saint Paul".
Ladies and Gentleman, hold onto your hats...this song will blow you away. If you are new to Linda and Frank's work, purchase this CD and give yourself the best Christmas/Holiday gift ever.

This CD is surely a must have if you are looking for classic Christmas music. It will always be a part of my family's holiday celebrations.

My greatest Christmas wish would be for Linda Eder and Frank Wildhorn to consider recording another Christmas album someday soon, for what they give us, is both priceless and precious!

God Bless You Linda! Your fans Love You!!

I could hardly wait for the Christmas season to officially begin so I could play this CD over and over again. Linda Eder by far, puts out the best music and has so much fun doing it. Her concerts are unbelievable and her fans just can't get enough of her music. I hope this Christmas CD is just a taste of what is to come. I don't want to sound greedy, but Linda, would you please make another Christmas CD for us? We Love You Linda! Please keep the music coming...we need Linda Eder music!

Folks, purchase this wonderful CD. Treat yourself to the best "VOICE" of this lifetime!

This is my favorite Christmas album, classy, jazzy, new and traditional all rolled up into one. It's right up there with the old traditional favorites like Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. I could almost listen to this all year round!

All I have to say is "Brava", and this is my favourite Christmas album of all time. It will blow you away. Buy it for yourselves and your friends.