Listening to Linda Eders new cd

I am at the moment listening to Linda Eders new recording of the songs of Judy Garland. I am in the middle of it right now. So far I am not that impressed with the orchestrations. It sounds a little lifeless. Not sure if it is the fault of the sound engineer, the orchestrations, or the London Symphony orchestra. Her voice is impecable. I am afraid of how she will do with these songs in concert. These songs require lots of passion. And while I love this womans voice and find her very charming on stage during her shows.. she still comes off a bit too technical in her singing and usually just stands there and sings the songs. Still..so far the cd is worth it.

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Updated On: 10/5/05 at 08:32 PM

Actually, I thought the orchestrations on this CD are the best out of all of her albums. They respect the time period while at the same time updating the songs a bit.

I do think sometimes people confuse "passion" with over-the-top theatrics. Its true that Linda doesnt run across the stage with arms flailing around, but that's really one of the things I like about her. She does bring a great deal of emotion to her singing and theres times Ive seen her perform in tears. I've also been to concerts where several people around me were in tears too. Over the years, I've seen a great deal of improvement in the interpretive side of her singing, but she certainly doesn't resort to the histrionics or an overly mannered style to sell her songs. Listen to "It Never Was You"..at the point in the song where she sings "I found him in the stars..in the cold...". This is full of heartfelt emotion..and there's a slight break where it sounds to me where she's catching herself from getting completely choked up.

I really love this CD. Linda is able to capture the power, emotion and vulnerability of Garland without mimicing her at all and that to me is quite the accomplishment. No doubt, there will be those who will see her in concert expecting the over-the-top theatrics Garland was known for and will be disappointed. No doubt, the rest of us will be standing and cheering.

I was fortunate enough to see Garland live three times. She was never "over the top". She didn't rely on costumes, sets, chorus boys or backup singers. She simply came out and sang....period. And the only "over the top" element in her concert was the audience who would yell, jump up and down and literally stand on their seats. Her shows and audiences have never been equaled. There was an energy at her concerts that was truly amazing. I've seen Eder live too and enjoy her singing but there's no reason to compare her to a legend like Garland.

No one is saying ther is nothing wrong with just standing there and singing the songs. She happens to have a gorgeous voice. But she has no emotional connection to the songs.. and that somehow leaves me empty. And that statement about "Over the top theatrics' is just ridiculous. Judy Garland was one of the most sublime interpreters of songs. For anyone that has never watched her.. rent some of the cbs shows..

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Updated On: 10/6/05 at 09:35 AM

I obviously wasn't clear in what I meant by "over the top theatrics." I didn't mean Judy used loud costumes and sets..I meant she (and Liza for that manner) often used physical histrionics and mannerisms to sell songs. A lot of movement on stage, a lot of the use of arms and entire body for that matter. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's certainly part of their approach and many others to sell their songs.

Linda just isn't one that uses a lot of physical histrionics to sell songs and I do think this bothers some. The closest she comes is probably when she sings "Dont Rain on My Parade." Her approach is far more subtle, but I strongly disagree that she doesn't have an emotional connection with her songs. I honestly dont know how you cant have an emotional connection with a song if tears are streaming down your face when you sing it. Or get close to choking up in the middle of a lyric. And then you witness people crying in the audience. I find it refreshing that the true emotion emates directly from her singing and interpreting lyrics, rather than lots of physical histrionics.

But on the other hand, noone is saying that Linda is better than Garland. I love both of them myself. What I really really dont understand about the Linda critics is if you dont like her, why are you the first in line to buy her CDs and then go to her concerts? By the way..I think Linda's CD is over-the-top fabulous!

>>>I might be thread-jacking but I adore the Judy love here!!!! I absolutely adore it!!!!!!

Yeah, it's great that younger people still like her, me included. I watch her movies with my mom sometimes. But anyway, Linda's CD is great and is probably the best she's ever done.

I can't acces it on the web because you have to pay to be a member. But it is n last weeks issue if anyone is interested. I guess you only get to see it for free on th week it comes out and then it becomes part of their archives. Does anyone have acces and can post?

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Updated On: 10/18/05 at 04:07 PM

Yes. Even though I agree with alot of what he said ( overproduced, all sounds the same). The reviewer wasn't fair since he went too out of his way to compare her with the original source.. instead of viewing it as a loving tribute.

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Updated On: 10/18/05 at 04:15 PM

PB ENT.;
I agree.

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