Linda Eder - By Myself: The Songs Of Judy Garland (2005)

If imitation is the best form of flattery then the legendary Judy Garland has a lot to smile about from wherever she is watching. Broadway's Linda Eder has been wowing crowds since her big break in 1990 with The Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde which showcased what is now being called "The Voice". Having broken all the records in 1988's Star Search, this Brainerd, Minn. born gal is not intimated by a musical challenge. While Ms. Eder did have the luxury of having a Broadway composer, Frank Wildhorn, write beautiful tunes for his now ex-wife, Eder has proven through the years that she is a vocal force to be recognized as one of the great solo voices regardless of whose music she sings.
Eder's aim in this new venture was not to "mimic the Garland style, which she adores, but rather to capture the strengths, the frailties, the heartfelt meaning of Judy's voice". She does so respectfully, graciously and wonderfully!
With amazing power and the sweetest clarity Eder delivers 11 of Judy Garland's glorious songs via her new CD, some well known and others obviously beloved to both Eder and perhaps Garland.
"It was all through osmosis," notes Linda. "I closely studied many of Judy's films and recordings. Judy's highs and lows were extreme and by following her so closely one felt as if you knew her. She was my first big musical influence and I consider it an honor to pay tribute to her".
The CD kicks off dramatically with the title song "By Myself". "I have been though a lot in the last few years, which has added layers to my life," admits Linda. This no doubt fuels the great emotion one can see and hear in her voice as she pierces her audiences heart with certain songs.
Bringing the best of the best onboard to record with the London Symphony Orchestra on most tracks Eder painstakingly chose every song, every note over several months to create what she has called " classic Judy and also classic Linda in a swingin' dialog between singer and orchestra". It's an established fact that Linda Eder is one heck of a belter. Still, I feel this doesn't need to be proven as often as she does on this CD. I found myself turning the volume down more than a few times. I also notice a pronounced vibrato that often underscores her voice that was not entirely to my liking.
However, from Lerner & Lowe's "Almost Like Being In Love" to a most impressive version of "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody," Eder has found the depth of Garland's persona and made it her own.
Not every song and CD track fully accomplished this formidable task. "Me and My Shadow" seems to have an unusual mix of song and orchestra that creates an uneven tempo to an otherwise beautifully executed song. Also in the medley of "Stormy Weather" and "Man That Got Away" again the orchestration seems to drag more than I care for. One additional song not sung by Judy or written for her was included by songwriter Jack Murphy who has a long collaboration with Linda's musical career. "The Rainbows End" attempts to become the torch song of the 40's capturing the meaning of Garland's life as a singer and a singer's world in general. It simply doesn't fulfill its mission.
Linda offers an incredibly seductive "Do It Again" which is wonderfully arranged. "It's All for You" is a song not chosen to be included in this CD collection and absolutely should be as it is lyrically simple and charming. "The Trolley Song" is a fun song and playfully well done.