Linda Eder - Other Side of Me
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Free Music Notes for Other Side of Me
Free Music Review: Finding Her Own Voice
Hit: 5 Stars
When I listened to "The Other Side of Me", I thought that Eder sounded like a cross between Barbra Streisand and Carrie Underwood. Doing a bit of research, I found out that Eder was born in Tucson, AZ in 1961, and that, in fact, Streisand and Judy Garland were early inspirations of hers. I went back to listen to some of her previous work which
included mainly Broadway and pop standards.
In speaking about her new album, her 10th and her debut with Verve, Eder has said, "This isn't so much a departure as it is me getting back to who I really am." She has explained that before she felt she was playing a role, albeit a good one, but that now she was going back to her roots and what moved her when she was just a kid and picked up her first guitar and began writing music. This first love is rekindled in "The Other Side of Me" with its country-pop flavor.
For me, some of these songs still sound like pop standards and, in fact, the middle of the cd songs seem to blend together, however there are truly some that stand out for me and make this cd powerful and enjoyable. Eder has a gorgeous voice and a broad vocal range. The songs deal with a range of emotions and form a tapestry of life and love. There are soaring melodies and the overall tone is extremely uplifting and optimistic. I love the instruments used on this cd and its beautiful harmonies. There are banjo, fiddle, mandolin, mandola, cello and acoustic/electric guitar and piano included.
"Pieces" is easily one of my favorites. It is about a woman who has to pick up the pieces all the time while her man finds another lover for the good times. It really is feisty and quite catchy while not cliche. It starts out, "She slams the door and you come running", and continues with "I've always been the one who puts you back together; She gets the best of you and I get your stormy weather." The message is that "I need some sunshine of my own." What I love about this song is that it is simple and packs a punch while being extremely melodic and showcasing Eder's beautiful vocals. It really has a country feel and I am in love with Antoine Silverman's fiddle which acccents throughout and ends the song.
My favorite is "Waiting for The Fall". This really galvanizes the entire cd for me with its sexy grooving electric guitars. It almost feels like it has a rockabilly feel and seems more alive and exciting than some of the others. This to me seems the epitome of Eder finding her own voice. It sounds modern and fresh even integrates a rap by Strange Cranium which fits perfectly. This song is a departure from some of the others that still sound pop/Broadway to me. Eder wrote this piece and it shows. I really hope she produces more of her own music.
I also like "Prayer For Love" which is full of country-tinged hopefulness.
"They are the Roses" speaks of the dreams that grow in the heart of a child and the hope for future generations. It is enhanced by the sweet voices of a children's choir.
"Both Sides Now" is a cover of one of Joni Mitchell's famous anthems. It's very relaxing like a lot of this cd. There is a lot of pleasant music that is great for mellowing out.
I have been a fan of the Indigo Girls for ages and have seen them in concert. I think their writing is brilliant, so it was like finding an old friend to find a cover of Emily Salier's "Ghost" here.
It's sung beautifully, simply, not overdone. I found it very moving and love the original poetic lyrics of love and longing.
And you kiss me like a lover
Then you sting me like a viper
I go follow to the river
Play your memory like a piper
And I feel it like a sickness
How this love is killing me
I'd walk into the fingers
Of your fire willingly
And dance the edge of sanity
Ive never been this close
Im in love with your ghost
"Make Today Beautiful" is about making your own future and facing it with hope and faith. I believe this is what Eder is doing here and she does it well. I hope to see even more
of her own voice and writing soon.
Linda Eder will be touring through the Fall and into 2009.
Free Music Review: The other side of Linda is a winner!
Hit: 5 Stars
Linda Eder has always been known as primarily singer of show tunes and standards, a vocalist in the grand tradition of Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland. Her last album, By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland, is perhaps the most glowing example of her voice's ability to wrap itself around pop standards and make well-known songs her own while paying tribute to one of her vocal idols. If that album set a high standard (no pun intended) for reinventing the Great American Songbook, Eder's latest - The Other Side of Me - finds the accomplished vocalist doing a complete 180-degree stylistic turn. The results are stunning. The last time Eder attempted to branch out into pop-country fare with 2002's Gold, the results were mixed with one too many less than stellar covers and weak arrangements, mixed with some outstanding gems (like "Gold"). With the backing of a new label (Verve), Eder and producer Billy Jay Stein have crafted a solid album of country/pop songs with arrangements that perfectly frame Eder's voice, which is perhaps at its most relaxed and joyful. Eder's cover of "If I Could" blows Celine Dion's (from her Miracle album) version out of the water. The song brims with emotion, Eder's voice pure and crystalline backed by a piano-based arrangement. Cover-wise Eder also delivers gorgeous renderings of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and the Indigo Girls' "Ghost," the latter of which has become one of my favorite Eder songs. It's absolutely breath-taking. Songwriter extraordinaire Kara DioGuardi (who penned the Celine Dion hit "Taking Chances") contributes "Back to Life," an upbeat number that's just one of many cuts on the album that could potentially find a home on country radio. Along with "Ghost," my other favorite song on the album is the Linda Eder-penned "Waiting For the Fall," a funky, blues-rocker of a number that recalls the likes of Carrie Underwood's smash hit "Before He Cheats." The Other Side of Me is a winner for Eder - she's taken a risk that's paid off in spades artistically and solidifies her position as one of today's pre-eminent vocalists in everything from pop to country fare. (If you can, pick up the Barnes and Noble exclusive edition of TOSOM with the bonus track "Everything Comes and Goes" - it's worth it!)Free Music Review: Another amazing side to Linda Eder
Hit: 5 Stars
Bottom line - this cd is amazing. Linda Eder is a gifted vocalist and gained her fame early on with Broadway success. She then performed vocals that rivaled those of Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland. She never copied them but made covers of their material totally her own. Her releases over the years have also contained some pop music and covers like on the GOLD cd.
This venture here is in a whole world of its own. It is an intense, personal musical and emotional journey for Linda. She says that this is the music she really is and this comes across in heartfelt believability. Yes, we know she can belt with the best of them. Her DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE and SOME PEOPLE are amazing. But here she uses the vocal gifts she possesses in a totally different way. There is no belting here. Instead, we have 12 tracks of emotional exploration delivered with a vocal clarity and emotive delivery that will stun you. This is not just a singer trying a different genre. She is at home here.
The cd starts with PIECES a declaration to a lover that she will no longer be there to pick those pieces up. It is a one sided relationship. LIFTED is an amazing song where she gives thanks for someone in her life who puts her at piece and makes all seem alright. I am lucky to say I have someone like this in my life and every time I play this song I am brought to tears. Other highlifghts are IF YOU BELIEVE and MAKE TODAY BEAUTIFUL. Her covers of IF I COULD and BOTH SIDES NOW are mezmerizing. Her vocals on the first are sung with raw, honest emotion with a simple acoustic accompaniment. Linda also shows her writing skills on WAITING FOR THE FALL an uptempo rock country number where she is waiting for the bad in a relationship.
This is not an artist giving up on her old style of music but rather an artist showing another side of her talents. This set will please Linda Eder fans but also earn her many new ones from the country and blues genre. Her heart is totally in this and no tracks are a miss. She uses her rare vocal range and strong emotional delivery with these tracks that range to country, light rock, blues and even slight gospel like on PRAYER FOR LOVE. I can't say enough of this cd. It is amazing to see growth in a performer who was already amazing. This set will definitely put you on an emotional journey with an exceptionally talented artist wearing her heart on her sleeve.
Free Music Review: I *heart* Linda's "Other Side"
Hit: 5 Stars
Linda Eder's new project, "The Other Side of Me" is indeed another side of Linda Eder. Those familiar with Linda's previous work might be expecting the diva to come alive and belt ballads with never ending crescendos will be surprised. This is not the work of a singer trying to be a diva. This is certainly not the work of a singer trying to be a pop star. This is the work of a artist comfortable enough in her own talent to know that a whisper can be as attention drawing as a shout.
Appropriately titled, "The Other Side of Me" showcases songs that are rich in melodies and harmonies. Lyrically, the songs reflect grief from life changes as well as hope for the future. These are songs are relatable and comfortable while avoiding the trite, redundancies present in many adult contemporary lyrics. Songs such as "Pieces", "Lifted and "They Are the Roses" skillfully combine piano, acoustic and electric guitar and Eder's exquisite voice in a way that allow the listener to gladly come along on a musical story. The most remarkable thing that struck me on these songs is that they were actually produced to have dynamics. Many of Eder's contemporaries produce song after song that is one long, ear piercing crescendo. Eder does not need long vocal riffs to show off her range, or long, musical climaxes to prove her vocal power. Rather, she allows the song to tell the story. She trusts the listener to know that the subtleties in the music and her voice are the true signs of talent. She knows that she can gently embrace the notes with a soft velvet voice and invoke emotions, rather than rely on long riffs and sheer volume. Her voice becomes an instrument that compliments the others to make a smooth, harmonious sound.
The first time listening to this CD, I have to admit, I did not instantly gravitate to one particular song. All seemed to flow into each other as the styles are similar. I immediately noticed that the natural, clear, beautiful intonation. I also was struck by the fact that this music was not overly processed. After listening to the CD several times, I noticed myself humming some of the songs throughout the day. Try listening to it a few times, I guarantee, you will be hooked also.
Free Music Review: Bravo Linda
Hit: 5 Stars
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 .