Linda Eder - Christmas Stays the Same
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Free Music Notes for Christmas Stays the Same
Free Music Review: Deserves to become a Christmas classic!
Hit: 5 Stars
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!
Free Music Review: The Best Christmas Album . . . EVER!
Hit: 5 Stars
Linda Eder's is the definitive Christmas album. She has such a soulful voice, particularly on this recording. From the moment she begins, with the warm title track, you are swept into a seasonal masterpiece. Following the first song, "Here Comes Santa Claus/Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a wonderful swing/big-band song with powerful vocals. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is delicate at first, but ends strongly with powerful, belted notes. The fantastic percussive rhythm of "Little Drummer Boy" is addictive, and the lyric is wonderfully done by Eder. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is also great, and the last chorus is rousing as the choir backs up Eder's flowing and majestic voice. The lyrics of "Christmas Through a Child's Eyes" was written by Eder for her son, Jake, and it is touching. "Silent Night", though almost unrecognizable as Eder lends her extremely high aria in the middle, is achingly beautiful. "What Child is This?" is done very religously, and with deep male voices chanting "O Come O Come Emmanuel" in the background. "The Christmas Song" identical to the single version, is light and crisp with a simple piano accompaniment. "The Christmas Medley" is another jazzy, big band number with a trio of holiday carols. "Ave Maria" is unbelievably holy-sounding, and Eder's soprano voice comes out clear and angel-like throughout the beautiful litling melody of the song. "O Holy Night" is a song that always gives me goosebumps every time I hear it, so naturally with Eder's spine-tingling voice, I was goosebumped away by her powerful, tear-jerking rendition of the gorgeous song. "The Bells of St. Paul," though a little on the non-Christmas like side of the Christmas song spectrum, is a very, VERY beautiful song with an amazing vocal by Eder. If your a fan of Linda Eder, Christmas music, or both your would be insane not to buy this CD. It is simply the best Christmas album by anyone in the entire world ever!Free Music Review: A real find
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY WITH LINDA!!
Hit: 5 Stars
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!!
Free Music Review: A new Christmas classic
Hit: 5 Stars
Growing up, my mother used to drag out Johnny Mathis' "The Sounds Of Christmas" during the holiday season. It was about the only Christmas album I ever listened to. Several years ago, I got my Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD. That became my favorite. The subsequent Christmas CDs by MS also remain on "the list."Most recently came Linda Eder, of whom I had never heard until the Christmas season of 2001. I happened upon her Christmas concert on Bravo. After being immediately captivated and spellbound, I knew I had to have this CD.
The Bells of St. Paul is an awesome track that takes the listener into the mind of a woman remeniscing a love at a previous Christmas time. You can feel the sense of melancholy and almost feel the chill in the air as Linda Eder seamlessly sings the strains of this musical tale.
But the track I was most impressed with is "Silent Night." Always a Christmas favorite of mine (and millions over), this is a new take on the standard. I have never heard an arrangement like this before, and was simply awestruck. I saw and heard it performed on Bravo, and this is the track I was most anticipating when I got the CD. It's simply brilliant, and flawlessly executed. To me, this track alone is worth the price of the CD.
Luckily, you don't have to settle for just one track! There are 12 others which I'm certain will bring anyone who appreciates a fine vocalist such as Linda Eder great joy. I've even dragged this CD out during the summer to bring a touch of the holiday season into my heart!