Linda Eder - By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland

Good news: "The Man That Got Away" is not on this tribute to the Judy Garland songbook. Yes, it's an extraordinary song, but how many versions of it do we need? Apart from that absence, Linda Eder tackles many well-known nuggets long associated with Judy Garland--or as Leslie Bricusse puts it in his fawning liner notes, "Picasso Sings Rembrandt." Eder, a belter par excellence, lacks Garland's brittle vulnerability, and so she isn't at her best on songs that require a delicate touch, such as "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart." She's much more at ease on tracks like the fingersnapping "I'd Like to Hate Myself in the Morning," which also has the advantage of being fairly obscure--Garland performed it on TV in 1968 but didn't record it so her vocal pawprints aren't all over the song and Eder can put her own stamp on it, as she does on the lone new original, Jack Murphy's "The Rainbow's End." In terms of arrangements, the album sounds as if no expense was spared. The songs are split between the London Symphony Orchestra and a gang of experienced jazzbos who know how to deliver a big-band bang. That alone is enough to recommend this album--lovers of old-school orchestrations should be in heaven. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

Linda Eder's latest CD

Big fans of Linda Eder - bought this as gift for my husband but I still get to listen too. Doesn't disappoint - Judy Garland's songs sung in a way all would appreciate. February 8, 2008

Liinda Eder singing

This lady has a beautifully tender way of rendering a musical number. This album is just as good as previous recordings she has made. I keep her albums at the top of my preference list. January 12, 2007

This is fantastic!

Linda Eder is the best. Her rendition of "By Myself" is wonderful. I play it over and over. I look forward to her next album, which hopefully will be soon. November 13, 2006

The Perfect Tribute....

Someone made a genius choice by picking Linda Eder to record a tribute to Judy Garland. I am thoroughly convinced there is not a soul on this earth more perfect for the job than Ms. Eder. It's hard to describe how wonderful this album is, but it's certainly a no-brainer buy for any Judy or Linda fans. I have 7 Linda Eder cd's, and I have to say this one is my favorite with "Broadway My Way" coming in a close second.

I also recommend to all Judy fans that you try to see Linda Eder in concert. She's just as powerful, charming, and radiant as Judy was. Her vocals are always astonishing.

As a producer said "There have been 3 outstanding female singers in this century: Judy Garland, Barbara Steisand, and Linda Eder." Linda's got my vote, and this album proves why.
October 6, 2006

Eder Does Garland

And does it well. Few other singers would even attempt this album, let alone produce such a superb interpretation of Judy Garland's classics that is Eder's own. August 27, 2006

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