LINDA EDER — Broadway My Way (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Almost exactly one year after her last foray into the pop music realm with Gold, Linda Eder returns to the Broadway style that made her a sensation with this 13-track tribute to the Great White Way. Tackling such famous songs as "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair Lady, "Some People" from Gypsy, "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music, and "I'll Be Seeing You" from Right This Way, Eder puts her own spin on some of her favorites while retaining the emotional draw that made them popular in the first place. A rather eclectic set, one might question why Eder would choose two songs from the same musical (Man of La Mancha) and one ("Gold") from a show that is still in the works (not to mention that it was the title song from her previous release), when there are so many other selections that her fans, no doubt, would love to hear her cover. Also troublesome is that two recordings ("Man of La Mancha" and "Unusual Way" from Nine) were taken from Eder's 1997 release, It's Time, causing the listener to wonder if time restraints created the need to duplicate, or if these songs are so close to Eder's heart that she felt compelled to include them on this collection. Either way, it really doesn't matter. As the album title states, this is Eder's Broadway, and style and substance make up for any false steps on this outing. A timeless talent that will far outlive many of those taking the undeserved spotlight on the Top 40 charts. Daniel Malich
Tracklist :
La Cage Aux Folles, musical
1    I Am What I Am 3:19
Jerry Herman
Chess, musical play
2    Anthem 3:14
Stig Anderson / Benny Andersson / Tim Rice / Björn Ulvaeus
3    On the Street Where You Live, song (from "My Fair Lady") 3:25
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Stop the World - I Want to Get Off, musical
4    What Kind Of Fool Am I? 1:35
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
Gypsy, musical
5    Some People 3:00
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
6    I'll Be Seeing You, song 3:51
Sammy Fain / Irving Kahal
Camille Claudel, musical play (work in progress)
7    Gold 4:08
Gary Kemp / Frank Wildhorn
Funny Girl, musical
8    Don't Rain On My Parade 3:02
Bob Merrill / Jule Styne
Man of la Mancha, musical
9    The Impossible Dream 2:30
Joe Darion / Mitch Leigh
Jekyll & Hyde, musical
10    A New Life 4:37
Leslie Bricusse / Frank Wildhorn
11    Edelweiss, song (from "The Sound of Music") 4:08
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
Nine, musical play
12    Unusual Way 4:29
Maury Yeston
Man of la Mancha, musical
13    Man Of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote) 3:20
Joe Darion / Mitch Leigh
All Credits :

LINDA EDER — The Other Side of Me (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The utter brilliance of the renowned vocal great's first official foray into rock-edged country music should shutter for good the adage that an artist must stick to a single genre to be marketable and successful. Over the years, the world got so used to her glowing interpretations of Broadway standards--and her keen ability to carry on the grand traditions of Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand--that any deviation might have been seen as risky or crazy. But the truth is, as the singer puts it, "This isn't so much a departure as it is me getting back to who I really am." The colorful mix of material (from the rousing, gospel-influenced "Back to Life" by superstar pop songwriter Kara DioGuardi to Eder's own explosive, very personal blues-rocker "Waiting for the Fall") and loose and high-spirited arrangements reflect the kind of music that moved her as a child, when she first started playing the guitar and writing songs. Musically, she and producer Billy Jay Stein back up with great integrity and passion her assertion that stepping into the ballgown and singing standards is like playing a role, while this rootsy music is more natural for her. Although the album was released by the great jazz label Verve, songs like the uptempo country jam "Pieces," the jangling "Prayer for Love," and the largely acoustic ballad "If You Believe (The Way I Do)" would find a joyful home on mainstream country radio. Beyond the rootsier songs, Eder engages in some magical cover versions of the heart-tugging parent to child classic "If I Could," Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" (done with equal parts wistfulness and dreamy atmosphere) and, more graceful yet, the Indigo Girls' folk-pop gem "Ghost." While Eder will always be welcome performing with fellow Broadway aficionados Michael Feinstein and Marvin Hamlisch, this stellar journey of the heart should find her making reservations to take the stage at the CMA Festival in Nashville any year now. This is a side of the singer that should stick around for a long time. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1. Pieces (4:37)
 Shaun Barker
2. If You Believe (The Way I Do) (3:38)
 Ken Hirsch / Robin Lerner
3. Lifted (4:57)
 Cathy Dennis / Greg Wells
4. If I Could (4:10)
 Ken Hirsch / Marti Sharron
5. Back to Life (4:08)
 Kara DioGuardi
6. Other Side of Me (4:25)
 Shaun Barker / Bill Grainer / Billy Jay Stein
7. Waiting for the Fall (4:16)
 Linda Eder
8. Prayer for Love (4:16)
 Shaun Barker / Benjy King
9. Both Sides Now (4:17)
 Joni Mitchell
10. They Are the Roses (4:57)
 Paul Jenkins / Randy VanWarmer
11. Ghost (4:28)
 Emily Saliers
12. Make Today Beautiful (4:19)
 Shaun Barker / Bill Grainer / Billy Jay Stein
Credits :
Producer, Arranged By – Billy Jay Stein, Linda Eder