Customer Reviews

Other Side of Me

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Linda Eder's latest CD, THE OTHER SIDE OF ME, is a true gift to lovers of good music. Although she has spent the majority of her amazing career recording and singing Standards and Broadway tunes and has a loyal following of fans who specifically prefer that music, I believe this new music showing the "other side" of Linda Eder will appeal to a much broader audience. Her move to more of a Pop/Country sound and groove comes across as being completely natural for her. She is at home here. You can feel it. Each song flows with ease. In various recent interviews, Linda has mentioned that this music is like "going back to the beginning" for her, so it is a genre that she was most comfortable with back when she first began singing and writing songs. She moved in another direction as her career developed, but now she is back where she wants to be and has proven with this recording that she can confidently make that transition.

This CD has already garnered well-deserved accolades in the press, which is not surprising to me. First of all, the songs themselves are just simple great songs. Some were written by very talented people who are well-known and respected in the business. Listeners will be familiar with songs such as "If I Could," which Linda interprets simply and beautifully, and "Both Sides Now," which she sings as a wonderful duet with Shaun Barker, a young, multi-talented, up-and-coming singer/songwriter. He has his name on four of the songs on the CD: "Pieces," "Other Side Of Me," "Prayer For Love," and "Make Today Beautiful," and his talent is outstanding. And then there is Linda Eder herself who proves that she is a talented songwriter with her original song, "Waiting For The Fall." All the songs on the CD were taken and woven in such a way that they actually become a "story of life," which makes them so easy to relate to and identify with as you go through the experiences of your own individual life. Different songs may be more relevant to you at different times, but the wonderful thing is that each one leaves you with an upbeat and hopeful feeling. How can you not smile when listening to the children's carefree voices in "They Are The Roses" and their giggling at the end? I was particularly struck by the following lyric from "If You Believe" (Robin Lerner, Ken Hirsch). As an American at this time in history, I find myself taking comfort in these words of hope.

"Got to hold your head up high
Got to hang on and be strong
`Cause who hasn't had their share of the hard times yet.
But one day they'll be gone
If you believe in love the way I do."

It is hard to choose a favorite song from THE OTHER SIDE OF ME. On one hand, I keep changing my favorite after every time I listen to the CD. On the other hand, the only song that keeps playing over and over in my mind is "Waiting For The Fall." Throughout the course of the day, I constantly find myself humming the tune and tapping my foot to this melody, and I have most of the lyric committed to memory already without even realizing it. None of the other songs pop into my head like that, at least not yet, so I think that says something about the marketability of this song. It would be great on the radio!

In addition to having a collection of great songs, Linda Eder and Billy Stein wrote perfect arrangements to complement Linda's voice and each lyric. Then they went out and found some of the best musicians in the business for the recording and used first rate professionals to do the mixing and mastering. The final product is nothing short of perfection!

Of course, the most important element is Linda Eder herself. She is totally comfortable singing this genre of music. She wraps her heart, soul and voice around each and every lyric so that you are drawn in and become part of the emotion and the message. She artfully leaves you with a positive message in each song. Whether the song is slow and mellow or more up-tempo, she interprets it with innate skill and artistry that few possess. After listening to THE OTHER SIDE OF ME, it is obvious that Linda Eder's incredible talent knows no boundaries. She can sing anything and sing it well. I highly and without reservation recommend this recording to all music lovers because I believe it has broad appeal. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

I've also listened to Linda since Star Search and have bought and loved all her albums, especially enjoying the big band sound and standards. But, after about a week listening to this CD, it's fast on it's way to becoming my favorite. The title of the CD is straight forward, because this is the other side of Linda, and I love it. 'Pieces', 'Lifted', and 'Make Today Beautiful' are amazing and the entire CD and each performance is very uplifting. The slightly unique but still familiar take on 'Both Sides Now' is great. It's risky, but Linda stays true enough to the original but with a slight twist, and the result is an old song that I love that sounds fresh and not like just another cover version. The overall song choice is outstanding. No one can deny Linda has one of the most powerful voices out there. This album still showcases that voice, but in a different way. No lofty high notes or power-vocals. Her vocals are more subtle, able to explore her lower register a bit (which is great)and overall the CD has a really personal feel to each performance. Love you Linda, and thanks for keeping it real.

Linda Eder's first album of new material since 2002's "Gold" is nicely imagined and crafted here. "The Other Side of Me" features pop/country songs on every song while still containing Linda's heartfelt/strong vocals. The sound of this album is a lot like "Gold" but because it's more nicely crafted to fit Linda's vocals & style, it's more on albums "It's Time" and "It's No Secret Anymore" side. This album is very uplifting and songs like "Lifted" & "They Are the Roses" will give you goosebumps, while other songs like "Back to Life", "Make Today Beautiful", and the love song "Prayer for Love" will give hope to people who feel they have none. The more acoustic songs "If You Believe (The Way I Do)", "If I Could", "Both Sides Now", and "Ghost" are also very nicely done on here. The only rock/pop song "Waiting For the Fall" is pretty rocking. A+ one of the few great albums this year!.

Linda Eder has a wonderful and strong voice. Her music is very soft and relaxing to anyone who has not heard her before. I would recommend this cd to anyone who likes a new age sound with a mix of Jazz and Country. Highly recommend if you are looking for some relaxing "you" time music in the bath or other places. I will say how ever that listening to the cd from start to finish is a little slow and can be dry, so I have a list of favorites I like to hit.

Linda Eder has a great reputation for power, clarity, passion, and tone of voice. She can bring you to tears with the way she connects to some of her music. This CD takes all of that talent and focuses on a pop/rock sound with great lyrics and a suttle touch of country. It is unique music with a great vibe, solid backup vocals, muscians who create a sophisticated but fun sound topped off by one of the best voices of our time. I can't recommend this CD more highly! It is a must for anyone who appreciates good music!

Linda Eder's first "The Other Side Of Me" is her first cd release on her new record label, Verve records and her first release since The Judy Garland tribute cd- By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland in 2005.
3 years is a long time to wait for a cd by one of the most under rated performers of our time .
But, The Other Side Of Me does not disappoint. From the first track of "Pieces " written by Shaun Barker to "If You Believe ( the way I do ) to Cathy Dennis' "lifted ", you discover something new about the artist Linda Eder. And that is that she can handle any kind of music genre and deliver the goods big time.
The beautiful "If I could " channels how Linda feels about her own son, Jake and motherhood. .
"They Are The Roses " will bright tears to your eyes, since the message and melody is so perfect.
"Back to Life " and the title track "The Other Side Of Me " and "Prayer for Love" are all winners and could easily fit into main stream radio.
"Make Today Beauitful" by Shaun Baker and long time associate , Billy Stein , fits Linda's voice to the tea.
Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now " has since become a fan favorite in Linda's concerts the past 2 years and I for one am glad she decided to include this number.
"Ghost " is best known as a song done by The Indigo Girls. But, Linda has no problems making it her own.
By far the best cut on the cd is "Waiting For The Fall". This song is the only song on the cd that Linda herself composed the words and music to. This is a song that Linda uses to her advantage , by mixing in some hip hop in the middle chorus and its driving bouncy beat and organ through out , this could be a major hit for Linda and defintely a dance club hit.
My suggestion is run , don't walk to your nearest music store and grab this cd up. You'll be so grateful you did .

All Eder fans have been waiting anxiously for this release since it was announced for another label earlier this year. So glad Verve has taken Linda under their wing and released this gem of an album. Seeing the premiere concert performance in March 2008 near Linda's home at a Country Club in Westchester, I was totally taken with this "other side". All of the effort that Linda and her co-producer Billy Jay Stein have put into this new selection of songs pays off and deliver the utmost pleasure. What Linda calls "midwestern", I call it "Anne Murray two octaves higher". Laid back vocals in a comfortable style, some with pep, some with pathos, but all 100% "Ederized".

The first single is "Lifted", with other standouts as "Pieces", "If I Could" (as heartfelt as her live performances of this song), "Waiting For The Fall" (written by Linda), "Both Sides Now" (featuring singer/songwriter Shaun Barker on vocals; Shaun wrote/co-wrote several tracks on the album), "They Are The Roses" and the title track.

This recording is "flawless". Should do very well and it is highly recommended.

This new cd of Linda's is definitely a departure from her typical style. It has none of her characteristic Broadway/Streisand belting. However, it displays her talent in a fresh new way. Her voice fits the songs and she sings each one artfully. This is a wonderful uplifting album that really lets you hear another side of this incomparable artist. This is a must have for all you Linda Eder fans. But beware that it is a more country genre album. If you don't really care for that you might not like it. Final word . . . GREAT ALBUM!!!!

I have always enjoyed her singing voice. This album is different from some of her previous offerings. I would highly recommend it to fans of her music or to people who wish to listen to an outstanding vocalist. Linda Eder seems to get better with age. Her voice is one of the best around.

As I always suspected, Linda Eder has a musical mind of her own, and "The Other Side Of Me" serves as a delightful debut of Linda Eder, the artist! Undeniably possessing one of the most astounding voices, Eder's instrument has been raising the roof and giving us goose-bumps for nearly 20 years now. But, even for a devoted fan like myself, there was something very unsettling about the lack of direction and focus in her choices, and career in general. What began as a thrilling ride seemed to stall somewhere artistically, and I started to lose interest. But, lo and behold, this cd has Linda Eder's hands firmly at the wheel with a full tank and a knowing map! Thoughtfully rendered, each song honors the lyric first and becomes its own revelation, like pages from a woman's journal. The results are shimmering, but never synthetic, and there is a fresh contemporary sound here that allows Linda to still 'wow' us without ever grandstanding. This may disappoint some of her fans, who may want to hear the majesty of her showstopping range and power on every single recording. But for those who appreciate the beauty of an artist unafraid to use restraint to achieve their goal, this one's for you. One of my favorite cuts on this cd has been "Waiting for the Fall", and it should not surprise me, since it is the one song Eder wrote, proving my hunch that her creative spirit is renewed and thriving. And a well-written pop-rock tune it is!... with a great hook, solidly driven by slick guitars, drums, organ and harmonies; very hot! I am also quite impressed with her sublime covers of some heavyweight classics : Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and Indigo Girls' "Ghost"...dangerous territory if in lesser-hands, but it is clear that these songs are part of Linda's soul, and are lovingly interpreted without a hint of imitation or competition. Even "If I Could" works for me, (originally sung by Regina Belle, and much later by Streisand and Celine), Eder sings around its treacly borders and nails this ode from parent to child magnificently...with a touching vulnerability, hers is the voice of a mother yearning and growing alongside her child, not above. It is further testament to Linda Eder's interpretive gifts, even when re-working songs we have heard thousands of times... reminding me of her excitingly fresh take on "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (from her 1994 cd, And So Much More).

I have not replayed an Eder cd so many times since "Something to Believe In", and while I am rarely compelled to review a cd online...I must shout out the joy of an exceptional artist being 'born'...again, perhaps. Congratulations to Linda Eder and all who teamed with her on this beautifully-conceived triumph!