Search - Linda Eder :: Other Side of Me

Eleanor S. from SAN JOSE, CA
Reviewed on 10/28/2009...

While I am a huge fan of Linda Eder, this CD is not one of her best. It doesn't show off her incredible voice and is too country for my taste.

A Musical Gem! Buy it! You'll Love it!!!

Ellen Jacobs | Union, NJ United States | 10/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Linda Eder's latest CD, THE OTHER SIDE OF ME, is a true gift to lovers of good music. Although she has spent the majority of her amazing career recording and singing Standards and Broadway tunes and has a loyal following of fans who specifically prefer that music, I believe this new music showing the "other side" of Linda Eder will appeal to a much broader audience. Her move to more of a Pop/Country sound and groove comes across as being completely natural for her. She is at home here. You can feel it. Each song flows with ease. In various recent interviews, Linda has mentioned that this music is like "going back to the beginning" for her, so it is a genre that she was most comfortable with back when she first began singing and writing songs. She moved in another direction as her career developed, but now she is back where she wants to be and has proven with this recording that she can confidently make that transition.



This CD has already garnered well-deserved accolades in the press, which is not surprising to me. First of all, the songs themselves are just simple great songs. Some were written by very talented people who are well-known and respected in the business. Listeners will be familiar with songs such as "If I Could," which Linda interprets simply and beautifully, and "Both Sides Now," which she sings as a wonderful duet with Shaun Barker, a young, multi-talented, up-and-coming singer/songwriter. He has his name on four of the songs on the CD: "Pieces," "Other Side Of Me," "Prayer For Love," and "Make Today Beautiful," and his talent is outstanding. And then there is Linda Eder herself who proves that she is a talented songwriter with her original song, "Waiting For The Fall." All the songs on the CD were taken and woven in such a way that they actually become a "story of life," which makes them so easy to relate to and identify with as you go through the experiences of your own individual life. Different songs may be more relevant to you at different times, but the wonderful thing is that each one leaves you with an upbeat and hopeful feeling. How can you not smile when listening to the children's carefree voices in "They Are The Roses" and their giggling at the end? I was particularly struck by the following lyric from "If You Believe" (Robin Lerner, Ken Hirsch). As an American at this time in history, I find myself taking comfort in these words of hope.



"Got to hold your head up high

Got to hang on and be strong

`Cause who hasn't had their share of the hard times yet.

But one day they'll be gone

If you believe in love the way I do."



It is hard to choose a favorite song from THE OTHER SIDE OF ME. On one hand, I keep changing my favorite after every time I listen to the CD. On the other hand, the only song that keeps playing over and over in my mind is "Waiting For The Fall." Throughout the course of the day, I constantly find myself humming the tune and tapping my foot to this melody, and I have most of the lyric committed to memory already without even realizing it. None of the other songs pop into my head like that, at least not yet, so I think that says something about the marketability of this song. It would be great on the radio!



In addition to having a collection of great songs, Linda Eder and Billy Stein wrote perfect arrangements to complement Linda's voice and each lyric. Then they went out and found some of the best musicians in the business for the recording and used first rate professionals to do the mixing and mastering. The final product is nothing short of perfection!



Of course, the most important element is Linda Eder herself. She is totally comfortable singing this genre of music. She wraps her heart, soul and voice around each and every lyric so that you are drawn in and become part of the emotion and the message. She artfully leaves you with a positive message in each song. Whether the song is slow and mellow or more up-tempo, she interprets it with innate skill and artistry that few possess. After listening to THE OTHER SIDE OF ME, it is obvious that Linda Eder's incredible talent knows no boundaries. She can sing anything and sing it well. I highly and without reservation recommend this recording to all music lovers because I believe it has broad appeal. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

"

Fantastic!

JW | Scottsdale, Arizona USA | 10/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've also listened to Linda since Star Search and have bought and loved all her albums, especially enjoying the big band sound and standards. But, after about a week listening to this CD, it's fast on it's way to becoming my favorite. The title of the CD is straight forward, because this is the other side of Linda, and I love it. 'Pieces', 'Lifted', and 'Make Today Beautiful' are amazing and the entire CD and each performance is very uplifting. The slightly unique but still familiar take on 'Both Sides Now' is great. It's risky, but Linda stays true enough to the original but with a slight twist, and the result is an old song that I love that sounds fresh and not like just another cover version. The overall song choice is outstanding. No one can deny Linda has one of the most powerful voices out there. This album still showcases that voice, but in a different way. No lofty high notes or power-vocals. Her vocals are more subtle, able to explore her lower register a bit (which is great)and overall the CD has a really personal feel to each performance. Love you Linda, and thanks for keeping it real."