By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews: Read 53 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Fine job all around, but not as exciting as new material would be... November 1, 2005
14 out of 18 found this review helpful

Judy Garland chose excellent songs to record, as a rule, so the content on Linda's tribute is of high quality. Linda is in good voice, and the accompaniment, split between an orchestra and a jazz ensemble, is first-rate. On some tracks, Linda sounds like Judy, and on others, she is her own sweet or sassy self. I like both singers, and I am a devoted fan of the "Great American Songbook" category, which I define as pop/jazz/Broadway lyrics created between the '30's and the '60's. If you have heard a lot of Garland, or a lot of the "Songbook" classics by other good singers, most of the material here might be over-familiar, which is why I withhold one star. If many of the titles on this CD are unfamiliar to you, but you love Linda, go grab this new release immediately.

5 out of 5 stars

Linda Eder is Dynamic October 4, 2005
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

All the fanfare and anticipation for this cd has paid off. Linda Eder has triumphantly succeeded in paying homage to an American icon.
With the first strands of the opening violins in "By Myself", Linda quickly grabs your attention . Her piercing emotion throughout the song is evident ,as she takes her emotions from one end to the other , until she comes to a climactic ending.
"This Can't Be Love/ Almost Like Be Being In Love " showcases a playful, teasing side of Linda
"Me and My Shadow " is mellow in mood and she sings it in the classic way.
"Id Like To Hate Myself In The Morning " is a little known track. This is one of the last songs written for Judy anad amazingly has hardly been recorded. The trumpets and Trombones are bouncing off the wall. Very jazzy and lively arrangements. Linda's vocals are very sassy , even sexy . She doesn't miss a beat . This one track alone is worth purchasing the cd.
"It Never Was You". This is one of Judy's most beautiful ballads. The arrangements are outstanding. Linda's vocals are soft , yet strong . I can not say enough about the violins at the end and the way the orchestra just quietly blends together in the climatic fade. Very sweet.
"Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart / The Trolley Song". Love the opening. This has to be one of the best jazzy openings to any song ever written . And then Linda jumps right in, sailing through the lyrics. blending these two classics together so well , that your only regret is that you don't want it to end.
"The Boy Next Door / You Made Me Love You " - Starting off slowly and building to an explosive ending on an incredible high note, Linda has made this medley her own by putting her own stamp on it.
"The Rainbow's End"- The only orginal show on the cd . Written by lyricist Jack Murphy ( I echo Linda's remarks, I love his work ), this song is meant to sort of tell the story of Judy in a nutshell. The melody is beautiful and the lyrics are right on the mark. This song could almost be called a sequel to "Over The Rainbow ". Linda's vocals are breath taking as she takes you along her journey , down the yellow brick road.
"Do it again" is a wonderful , romantic , sexy interpretation. This is the perfect song to listen to one on of those cold, romantic nights.
"Rock A Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody "- It starts off slow with the piano and builds throughout with Linda's vocals soaring throughout. Outstanding arrangements with a mixture of
"Swanee " in the middle section. Of course Linda's vocals are beyond compare.
"I'm Always Chasing Rainbows/ Somewhere Over The Rainbow ". Starting off slowly , almost in a whisper with the piano , Linda builds and blends these two songs so well. Singing almost like she is singing a prayer , this is a totally different "Over The Rainbow " , then the one heard on the "It's Time" cd. And it works beautifully.
All in all , Judy is up there smiling broadly down on Linda , saying " You go, girl "

5 out of 5 stars

Happy Days Are Here Again - With Music That Makes The Soul Happy! October 7, 2005
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

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.

5 out of 5 stars

A Must Have! October 13, 2005
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

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!

5 out of 5 stars

By Myself: The Songs Of Judy Garland - An Amazing Tribute To An Icon! October 4, 2005
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

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.

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