Customer Reviews

Soundtrack

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I couldn't be happier with Linda Eder's latest release, Soundtrack. And a huge thank you to both Eder & her label, Verve, for giving the fans new albums two years in a row - way to deliver, Eder & team! As a film music album, Soundtrack is a throwback of sorts to the type of music that garnered Eder legions of fans - Broadway showstoppers and standards - but with a generally more understated, intimate feel to the set. Her first album for Verve, The Other Side of Me, was a departure from that previous norm. While I loved that release, it's decidedly more laid-back, country feel marked quite a change from releases like It's No Secret Anymore or By Myself. Soundtrack sees Eder interpreting 11 songs from a wide variety of films, ranging from the Henry Mancini-Johnny Mercer penned "Charade" (from the 1963 film of the same name) to "Falling Slowly" from the 2007 sleeper hit Once. From the well-known to the more obscure, Eder takes each song and puts her own unique spin on the lyric and arrangement. It would've been so easy for Eder to deliver power-ballad versions of classics like Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" or Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You." However, I'd argue that you'll be hard-pressed to find versions that are more elegant, understated, and emotive than Eder's take on these classics. The lyric is front and center, and Eder proves once again that she's a master at wringing ever drop of emotion, every nuance, from the words of a song. Another of my favorite tracks is the stunning version of "Falling Slowly" - the power in this arrangement and delivery gives one chills! While the Presley and Adams songs are perhaps not unexpected song choices, Eder also ventures into some surprising territory by putting her own unique spin on the BeeGee's "If I Can't Have You" and the Beatles' "Help," the latter a tribute to her son's love for their music. Prior to hearing the album, some of the song choices (like the Beatles' cover) had me wondering if Eder could successfully pull off her own version. I need not have doubted. The entire album has a cohesive, beautifully constructed feel to it, and Eder succeeds in making each song her own. Sountrack would be an excellent companion piece to Eder's 2003 musicals-themed album, Broadway, My Way. It's also a great set with which to introduce new fans to Eder's work, in how it successfully melds her ability to interpret classic song with the more laid-back, country-touched arrangements she's favored in recent years. This album is another winner from Ms. Eder, one I'll be enjoying for years to come.

Whatever was in Linda Eder's drinking water when she recorded this CD must have been so wonderful that I'd like some of it myself! Linda strikes gold with her latest CD entitled "Soundtrack;" she sounds great on this album and her fans are going to love this! Linda sings songs from the movies very well and this is a very cohesive album with nothing but excellent music. The quality of the sound is very good and I like the artwork a lot.

"I Will Wait for You" stuns me with its beauty; it makes a fantastic opening number for this album. Linda slows down the tempo a bit and this works wonders for her rendition--it also lets her place her own stamp on this ballad. Indeed, "I Will Wait for You" is easily a major highlight of the CD! "Accidentally in Love" shines bright in Linda's capable hands; and that piano arrangement enhances the music as Linda sings this with panache. "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins has Linda firmly in the spotlight; she delivers this like the pro she is and always will remain!

"Charade," the song from the movie of the same name, charms me with its natural beauty; Linda's version picks up the pace considerably and it all holds its own very well. The bass, piano and more make for a beautiful musical arrangement and Linda never lets go of a single superfluous note! This is great music. I also really like "If I Can't Have You;" Linda does this with great sensitivity and it's a fine number for this album. "Help," a number by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, is very good, too; the tempo and key changes Linda makes make this an awesome number.

"Everybody's Talking" is a great tune when Linda gives it the royal treatment; the music complements Linda's vocals very well and I love her rendition of this classic tune! "Valley Of The Dolls," which comes from the movie of the same name, is also special; and the CD ends quite nicely with Linda Eder performing "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)." "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)" from the movie entitled "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" is quite pretty and easy on the ear.

Linda Eder turns out a fine CD with "Soundtrack;" her fans would do well to add this to their collections. It's a fine starter CD for people just discovering the artistry of Linda Eder; and it's also great for people who like movie themes beautifully transformed into a new, fresh sound with creative and ingenious arrangements.

Linda does it again! This latest cd, SOUNDTRACK, is a wonderful collection of movie songs sung by one of the greatest voices today. I love the simplicity of each song allowing Linda's voice to be out front where it should be. She can soon make you forget the original recordings of these movie songs. The cd flows so easily and there isn't one song that isn't worth repeating. I have been a fan of Linda's belting voice for years, but this style of singing by Linda has won me over. It shows just how pure and beautiful her voice really is. Who wouldn't want to be watching a movie and have any of these songs sung by Linda captivate you and take you to a place maybe you wouldn't have been. The songs are all beautiful. The whole cd feels like a movie all by itself. SOUNDTRACK should be purchased by all who love the movies and who doesn't love a good movie? If a cd (not from a movie) could be nominated for an Oscar, this would be the winner! Congratulations to Linda and all who were involved in the making of this beauiful collection of songs.

Yup...Miss Linda Eder is at it again, doing her best to pull fans away from Miss Streisand, and this CD proves that she has the vocal chops to stand up to Barbra. Taking these well known songs down to her intimate level gives them a new life that they have needed.

From start to finish - her vocals styles are as fine as any Streisand song from the 1970's - this is what Barbra should have recorded long ago....she tried with Lazy Afternoon, but the comparison from Barbra to Linda ends there...Linda takes the lead.

Her vocal intimacy with each songs arrangment shows just what a talent she truly is - while we miss her work with her ex-husband Frank...she is growing as an artist and this CD is a great step in the directional transition from broadway power diva, to adult contemporary and on to top 40 radio!

"If I Can't Have You" is taken back to it's roots and given the best treatment I've heard in years...and even her cover of the Beatles "HELP" is worth more than just one listen.

Bravo to you Miss Linda...can't wait to hear this material sung live!
Big Hugs...

There is something so special about Linda Eder's latest recording of songs from the movies that I am finding it almost impossible to put my reaction into words. After listening to the tracks several times, the one word that comes to mind is simplicity, which starts with the very appropriate title, Soundtrack.

I was struck by the arrangements, which are masterfully done and that skillfully take their place behind Linda's flawless vocals, becoming a perfect complement to them. The arrangements play such an important role here, not for the way they stand out, but for the way they allow Linda Eder's voice to gently caress the melody and lyric of each song. They allow the listener to enjoy the purity of her voice and to appreciate every nuance, as well as to feel the depth of her raw emotion as she lays bare her heart and soul.

I am really enjoying the song selections from a wide range of movies and how they are perfectly woven together with the underlying theme of love. "I Will Wait For You" is a Standard, which Linda Eder always does so well and does here with a bit of Swing. The "not so ordinary" tempo of "Charade" serves it well as it too "swings." Fans of Pop and Jazz styles will love "Accidentally In Love" and "If I Can't Have You. The beautiful classical arrangement of "Valley Of The Dolls" will leave you breathless. The simplicity, purity and raw emotion of "Falling Slowly," "Against All Odds," and "Can't Help Falling In Love" will touch your heart and maybe even leave you with a tear in your eye, as was the case with me as I listened. "Everything I Do" is just amazing and brings this recording to an emotional conclusion. It shows a softer side of Linda Eder with a bit of natural Country feel. The last few lines will just tug at your heart.

I think I can express my reaction best by saying that Soundtrack is a perfect representation of Linda Eder the singer, as opposed to Linda
Eder the performer. When listening to her latest recording, you can imagine her just sitting around and simply singing for the love of it. Soundtrack is a wonderful example of why she is one of the most versatile and amazing artists of our time. I thank Verve for Soundtrack and I highly recommend it to all lovers of great music. You will not be disappointed.

Linda Eder has to be the most amazing versitile artist on the planet! The nuances and richness of her voice shine through in every track of this CD. The arrangements are jazzy and hip. Each track offers a new twist and adds new emotion to popular familiar songs. Listening to this CD you just get lost in beautiful music!

The picture says it all, All dolled up and nothing worth doing.
My wife and I have gone to Linda Eder's concerts twice, I bought ALL her cd's and she has only dissapointed us recently. (First cd was a rough start)
Lacks energy, seems that her ex was a far better judge of what Linda needed for songs to showcase her fabulous talent. Left to her own choices, she picks songs that are not up to all that she can achieve. She will always be an incredible talent, but she needs works that showcase her skills. Instead of being exceptional, she seems to be striving to be one of the many, a beautiful mediocre singer.

Great to hear Linda again and back to the Linda that she was. A very enjoyable disc indeed. One that can be listened to over and over again

linda eder proves yet again that she is one of the best singers active today.
quite a range of songs and sources.
all wonderful with the linda treatment.

I've been in awe of Linda Eder's amazing voice since hearing the original "Jekyll & Hyde" concept album back in 1990. 20 years later her voice still brings chills but this collection really fails to showcase that instrument. Personally, I think the song selection is the problem. There are thousands of soundtrack songs she could have chosen; these just really don't seem like the best she and her producers could have settled on. I'm sure she prefers the songs from the 70s and 80s that she grew up with, but even so there are much better songs that her vocals would really compliment. How about "Coming Around Again" or "Nobody Does It Better" or "Through The Eyes Of Love (Theme from ICE CASTLES)" which she recorded as a demo in the 80s? And she would have done an amazing up-tempo version of "Windmills Of Your Mind."

As far as the songs she did record here, only "I Will Wait For You" and "Charade" make much of an impression with their arrangements. "Valley Of The Dolls" is lovely but I'm not a huge fan of the song and by that point on the CD she really needed something more upbeat to keep listeners awake. So many weepy, woe-is-me tracks with maudlin arrangements - and I say that as someone who loves weepy, woe-is-me songs. And can we please have a moratorium on any more covers of Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do"? That song has been overplayed to death. Even Linda can't breathe life into it.

Ultimately, the CD isn't bad by any means - just very forgettable, which is sad for someone as talented as Linda. But I hope it's madly successful so we can look forward to future releases from her.