WERS 88.9 fm - Album Review: Linda Eder - Soundtrack

 December 7^th, 2009

Linda Eder has tossed aside the swelling orchestras and the bold brass of her previous albums for a jazzier, simpler, and more atmospheric set of songs in her new album Soundtrack. Eder has gained a reputation for being a powerhouse vocalist who is not afraid of boundaries – she fearlessly sang distinctly male songs like "Man Of La Mancha," and "I Am What I Am," on her previous album, 2003's Broadway My Way.

Recently Eder was in Boston hosting a promotional event for Soundtrack. On this 11-track album, Eder explores and redefines a diverse selection of songs from big screen classics such as: Saturday Night Fever, Once, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Shrek. If you're expecting the belting power numbers that Eder has become well known for, you might be surprised by this album. The songs have a jazzy, simple sound. "We did most of the music in a jazzy pop version, which really worked for me," said Eder. "We wanted to find arrangements that were a little different and worked for my voice."

At the event, Eder's "down-to-earth" personality became apparent. She's not some pampered Broadway diva. As Eder puts it, "I'm a real person." She enjoys being on her farm, wearing jeans, driving tractors, and being with her son – she even left the event several times to check on him in their close-by hotel room. With a sly grin, Eder even confessed that during one of the breaks she played a round of hide-and-seek with him.

This album reflects Eder's genuine and relaxed personality. In the tracks "Help," and "Everybody's Talking," one gets the image of being in an intimate lounge spot, with Eder on a small stage in lovely dress, serenading you with her smooth, jazzy voice. Her renditions of "If I Can't Have You," "Valley Of The Dolls," and "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You," are slowed down and romanticized. While 11 tracks of slow, light jazz has the potential to get stale, Linda Eder's Soundtrack will please the Broadway fans that have followed her since Jekyll & Hyde and those who are looking for a cool, smooth collection of classic music.

-By Alex Ates