Linda Eder: Soundtrack

By Kate Xian

Jazz and contemporary artist Linda Eder reaches into her theatrical roots and releases Soundtrack, a movie themed album, covering the biggest tracks ranging from the old classics such as Blue Hawaii to the new hits like Shrek 2. And with a track listing filled with songs that have been covered dozens of times beforehand, what can Linda add to the growing list?

Opening the album, I’ll Wait For You is a beautiful jazz rendition with just a hint of swing. Its one of those songs that you would expect to see at those grand weddings of trust fund babies perfectly architected at the Waldorf ballroom. The subdued instrumentals and classic voice make for a great opener.

But Eder’s Falling Slowly from 2007’s breakout indie Once is the standout on the album. The Oscar winning track is obviously strong both lyrically and melodically and Eder’s enchanting voice pushes the boundaries of the track further. Writer/performer Glen Hansard’s, though beautifully emotive, is elevated with Eder’s subtle tone of longing. Graceful, pure and full of heartache, Eder conveys what the heart longs to tell.

Help!, on the other hand, is curiously different but a definite fresh new take on the Beatles classic. And really, no one can outshine the Beatles, but Eder’s takes the whimsy out of the original and makes it somehow shockingly painful. And we mean that with the best of intentions! The original was full of bounce and singsong vocals, whereas Eder strips down the song, using the lyrics to almost rewrite the track to tell the story of Help! in a whole new way. When Eder hits those high notes, she emotes a genuine and sincere plea, transforming the song into something else altogether.

Can’t Help Falling in Love, covered countless times, is perhaps a track that should have been left to the King himself. Eder’s has the tone of a lullaby or even a Christmas carol and though her vocal capabilities are obvious – clean, crisp and light - Eder is without doubt a talented songstress, (doesn’t even require a discussion) but sometimes just a little more than strong vocals are required. UB40’s version brought in a cool reggae vibe that made the track unique, whereas Eder’s suffers from a generic quality that can be likened to the monotony of elevator music.

Eder’s Against All Odds is also one of the weaker tracks on the disc. Phil Collins’ unfortunately is the original and it will probably always stay that way. Eder doesn’t reach the same emotional resonance as Collins did, instead sounding just a tad mechanical. Likewise with her rendition of Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do (I Do It For You). Eder’s, vocally conveys the yearning and heartache, and she even states so in her liner notes that while recording the track she was brought to tears, but much of the original’s charm extends from the raspy and gruffness of Adams’ voice. Its a bit rough around the edges and in a way, makes you feel his heart pouring out for you. Which is something that Eder unfortunately can’t recreate sounding, more ethereal than, well...masculine.

Granted, maybe we’re being a bit harsh. Understandably Soundtrack is just that. A soundtrack. A soundtrack to those who peruse the aisles of bookstores, a soundtrack to anxious singles meeting for a first date at the local café and a soundtrack to countless other locales we find ourselves in on a daily basis without us realizing we’ve been listening to a record that soothes and is filled with melancholy. It’s jazzy and lighthearted with classic and nostalgic qualities. Truly, it’s old Hollywood glam.

Available on Verve Records