Zing! Went the Strings Of My Heart/The Trolley Song
The Boy Next Door/You Made Me Love You
The Rainbow's End
Do It Again
Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows/Over the Rainbow
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 n... more »uggets 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« less
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
Happy Days Are Here Again - With Music That Makes The Soul H
Amanda Christensen | New Jersey, USA | 10/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To perform the songs of Judy Garland - one of America's, dare I say the World's, greatest entertainers - in a tribute CD, is to tread on ambitious and even dangerous ground. But it is with courageous and loving spirit that Linda Eder brings us her latest release, BY MYSELF: THE SONGS OF JUDY GARLAND. Not only does Eder rise to the challenge of capturing the "essence" of Garland, but she somehow manages to surpass her gift, infusing each song with her own style and a "newness" that will resonate for generations to come. The title-track, "By Myself," is a victorious anthem of self-confidence and worth, sung skillfully and with perfect conviction by Eder. She breathes new life into "classic" Judy Garland songs with expertly paired medleys such as "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love," "Zing! Went the Strings Of My Heart/The Trolley Song," "The Boy Next Door/You Made Me Love You," and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows/Over the Rainbow;" and she exposes the beautiful and blithe "lesser-covered" or even know songs, including "Me and My Shadow," "It Never Was You," "Do It Again," and "I'd Like To Hate Myself In the Morning." Eder's "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody" does indeed rock, but, perhaps surprisingly, one of the most delightful tracks among this catalog of beloved treasures, is the only original song - "The Rainbow's End" - penned by Lyricist/Composer and long-time Eder collaborator Jack Murphy. The song, intended as a tribute to Judy Garland's legacy, has smart lyrics and a melody that dramatically builds and falls in brilliant fashion (without ever really falling!) - perhaps meant to mirror the tidal quality of Judy Garland's own life. Although written in 2005, "The Rainbow's End" is well-married with the other material on the disc, which with Eder's opulent voice, effortlessly and blissfully transports the listener to a bygone era - when the songs were great, the talent was pure, and the music had meaning."
A Must Have!
S. Roche | Jacksonville, FL | 10/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While not your typical "Linda" CD, it still scores a 10 in my book. We're so used to Linda Eder's belt - this CD introduces us to the softer, reflective side of this songstress. Not to worry - there are still songs with that powerful belt!
The medleys, "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love" and "The Boy Next Door/You Made Me Love You" seem to belong together. "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart/The Trolley Song" has your toes tapping right along. "Do It Again" is more seductive than words can describe. Finally, "The Rainbow's End", the only non-Judy song on the CD is a superb tribute to the legend.
If you don't immediately love the CD, give it time. You'll warm to it. It needs to be a part of your collection!"
Absolutely spectacular
Gary Cote | New Hampshire | 10/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Linda's interpretations are so unique and all her own. She has paid true homage to Judy's legacy in this "By Myself" production. Her voice is every bit as stellar as the instruments in the orchestra that back her. I could feel the raw emotion that went into this recording, similar the feelings one gets from Garland. Linda doesn't copy Judy, more like there is a piece of Garland living on through Linda's interpretations. And of course, Linda's vocal ability is the apex of singing."
By Myself: The Songs Of Judy Garland - An Amazing Tribute To
Ellen Jacobs | Union, NJ United States | 10/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Linda Eder's rich, lustrous and incomparable voice brings classic as well as lesser known Judy Garland songs to life in her newly released CD titled By Myself: The Songs Of Judy Garland. Linda's obvious love of Judy Garland and respect for her as an entertainer come across in her approach to this recording. It is truly a tribute recorded with love and passion.
Linda Eder has chosen to record a wide variety of songs with an amazing Big Band as well as the wonderful London Symphony Orchestra, both of which beautifully surround her voice. The selections on this CD show the many sides of Judy Garland and the ability of Linda Eder to expertly sing the same style of music her way. Familiar tunes almost always associated with Judy are performed by Linda in her own unique style that draws you in and connects you with the emotion of the moment. She succeeds in making the songs her own, assisted by some amazing arrangements by Byron Olson and Kim Scharnberg. Through Linda's interpretations, we experience these Judy songs in a whole new light.
The highlight of Judy's more familiar classic songs included on this album is, without a doubt, the magnificently arranged and perfectly sung "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows/Over The Rainbow." Linda skillfully presents Judy's light-hearted and fun side with "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart/The Trolley Song," "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody," and "The Boy Next Door/You Made Me Love You." The pensive and reflective side of Judy Garland is skillfully and lovingly presented, most especially in the title track, "By Myself," where the raw emotion and power of Linda Eder's voice flow freely, and also in her interpretation of "Me And My Shadow." She takes a risk by recording "I'd Like To Hate Myself In The Morning," a little known song that Judy performed near the end of her life but never recorded, and really makes it swing. There is one original song included on this CD, "The Rainbow's End," which fits in perfectly with the other material and is obviously Linda Eder's personal tribute to the great Judy Garland. This CD is wonderful and fresh and very expertly arranged and produced, and it's one that is well worth adding to your music collection.
"
How Does She Hold Those Notes????
terroh | OH | 10/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a voice! I'm embarassed to say this was my first Linda Eder purchase (it wont be my last!) It takes a lot of chutzpah taking on Judy Garland and I was curious enough to give this a listen. All I can say is, Wonderful! I was just bowled over by her voice. (she even sounds a little like Judy on some of the songs). My only complaint is a few of these songs are only marginally associated with Judy (she may have recorded them, but...) while other more famous ones never made the cut. I was disappointed that The Man That Got Away wasnt on here (I've since found out she allready recorded it on a previous CD, but it would have been nice to be included here as the CD doesnt seem complete without it) The newer song, Rainbows End, is sensational and for me the high point of the album. This is a powerhouse set and if you like great songs sung by a wonderful singer, you cant go wrong here! I love every track on it."