BILLY STEIN, Linda’s musical director and collaborator, reflects…

“Linda and I have an amazing musical friendship. It really shines through on this CD! I can’t wait for all to hear it!!!”

DAVID FINCK, Linda’s bass player, reflects…

“What a joy to be part of another Linda Eder recording. This project offers listeners a combination of familiar material and some originals. And Linda’s voice soars as always.” 

KIM SCHARNBERG, Linda’s collaborator and orchestrator, reflects…

“It’s been a few years since Linda released her first Broadway CD and this one is a wonderful follow up! We’re still in the midst of recording as I write this, but listening to her vocals on these well known songs reminds me why she’s the finest vocalist I’ve ever worked with. I sure do appreciate being a part of this project!”

THE SONGS OF IF YOU SEE ME

BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY

MUSIC: Jerry Herman

LYRICS: Michael Stewart

BROADWAY SHOW: HELLO DOLLY (1964)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Carol Channing

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Written for Ethel Merman but she turned down the role
• Role also turned down by Mary Martin
• Merman and Martin both eventually played the role
• Originally called DOLLY, A DAMNED EXASPERATING WOMAN! And then CALL ON DOLLY
• Title changed by Merrick after he heard Louis Armstrong sing HELLO DOLLY
• Bad reviews for out-of-town tryouts in Detroit and Washington
• Major changes made including the addition of BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY
• Swept the Tonys with 10 out of 11 categories it received nominations for
• Actresses assuming the role of Dolly after Channing were Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable, Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Diller, and Ethel Merman
• West End production starred Mary Martin in 1965
• BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY recorded in 1999 by Michael Crawford for his album SONGS FROM THE STAGE AND SCREEN
• Four revivals in 1975, 1978, 1995, and 2017
• Most recent revival was in 2017 starring Bette Midler

AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE

MUSIC: Andrew Lloyd Weber

LYRICS: Don Black, Christopher Hampton and Andrew Lloyd Weber

BROADWAY SHOW: Sunset Boulevard (1994)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Glenn Close

Interesting Facts:

• Musical based on Billy Wilder’s 1950 movie of the same name
• World premiere production opened in London in 1993 starring Patti LuPone, who was followed in the role by Betty Buckley, Elaine Page and Petula Clark
• Opened on Broadway in 1994 starring Glenn Close
• Best Actress in a Musical won by Close
• Andrew Lloyd Weber sued by LuPone, who had been promised the Broadway role
• Both the original London production as well as the Broadway production starred Elaine Page
• Revival opened in 2017 again starring Close
• Recorded by Elaine Page for her album ENCORE
• Recorded by Barbra Streisand for her album BACK TO BROADWAY
• Song also on Streisand’s live albums, THE CONCERT and BACK TO BROOKLYN
• Recorded by Jason Munford for his 2017 album A DIFFERENT STAGE
• Sung by Chris Colfer on GLEE

MEDLEY

THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE

MUSIC: Jule Styne

LYRICS: Bob Merrill

BROADWAY SHOW: Funny Girl (1964)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Barbra Streisand

Interesting Facts:

• Mary Martin first suggested that screenplay be adapted for a stage musical
• Original title for the musical was MY MAN
• Producer David Merrick wanted Jule Styne to collaborate with Dorothy Fields to write the score but he wasn’t interested
• Anne Bancroft said she would do the show if she could handle the score
• Five melodies composed by Styne on his own that he thought Bancroft could handle including THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE
• Rest of the score completed by Styne and Bob Merrill
• FUNNY GIRL nominated for 8 Tonys
• Streisand’s label Columbia Records refused to produce the cast album so Capitol Records released it
• Recorded by Streisand in 1999 for her album A LOVE LIKE OURS

THEY CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME

MUSIC : George Gershwin

LYRICS: Ira Gershwin

INTERESTING FACTS:

• First introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 movie SHALL WE DANCE where it was sung to Ginger Rogers
• Astaire and Rogers danced to the song in their last film THE BERKLEYS OF BROADWAY in 1949
• George Gershwin died two months after the film’s release
• Gershwin posthumously nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1937 but he lost
• Song became a Jazz Standard over the years
• Recorded by Sinatra in 1947 for his album SONGS FOR YOUNG LOVERS
• Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong for their 1956 album ELLA & LOUIS
• Recorded by Perry Como in 1957 for his album WE GET LETTERS
• Recorded by Harry Connick Jr. in 1992 for his album THE NEW YORK BIG BAND CONCERT
• Recorded by Sinatra and Natalie Cole in 1993 for their album DUETS
• Recorded by Diana Krall in 1997 for her album LOVE SCENES
• Recorded by Rod Stewart in 2002 for his album IT HAD TO BE YOU: THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
• Recorded by Kristin Chenoweth in 2016 for her album THE ART OF ELEGANCE

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

MUSIC: Richard Rogers

LYRICS: Oscar Hammerstein

BROADWAY SHOW: CARO– USEL (1945)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Christine Johnson and reprised by Jan Clayton

Interesting Facts:

• Sung in the film by Claramae Turner and reprised by Shirley Jones
• Performed by Renee Fleming in the Concert for America to honor the victims of 9/11
• Performed by Barbra Streisand at the Emmys to honor the victims of 9/11
• Recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1945 for his album THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
• Recorded by Judy Garland in 1960 for her album THE GARLAND TOUCH
• Recorded by Doris Day in 1962 for her album YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
• Recorded by The Lettermen in 1964 for their album YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
• Recorded by Michael Crawford in 1987 for his album SONGS FROM THE STAGE AND SCREEN
• Recorded by Susan Boyle in 2012 for her album STANDING OVATION
• Recorded by Josh Groban in 2015 for his album STAGES
• Gerry and the Peacemakers version became the anthem for the Liverpool Football Club

WHAT DID I HAVE THAT I DON’T HAVE NOW

MUSIC: Burton Lane

LYRICS: Alan Jay Lerner

BROADWAY SHOW: ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER (1965)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Barbara Harris

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Based on BERKELEY SQUARE written in 1929 by John L. Balderston
• Film adaptation in 1970 starred Streisand
• New York City Center Encores presented a staged concert in 2000 with Kristin Chenoweth as Daisy
• Revised Broadway production opened in 2011
• Production in the Union Theatre in London in 2013 starred Vicki Lee Taylor
• Recorded by Liza Minnelli in 1999 for her album MINNELLI ON MINNELLI: LIVE AT THE PALACE
• Recorded as a single by Eydie Gorme in 1966
• Released in 2011 on the album THE HITS OF STEVE LAWRENCE & EYDIE GORME
• Recorded by Julie Andrews in 1996 for her album HERE I’LL STAY: THE WORDS OF ALAN JAY LERNER

DOWN WITH LOVE

MUSIC: Harold Arlen

LYRICS: E.Y. Harburg

BROADWAY SHOW: HOORAY FOR WHAT! (1937)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Vivian Vance

Interesting Facts:

• Originally written in 1937 for Kay Thompson
• Performed in the show by her replacement, Vivian Vance
• Recorded in 1940 by Eddie Condon’s orchestra with vocals by Lee Wiley
• Became a pop and jazz standard
• Performed by Judy Garland, Bobby Darin and Blossom Dearie
• Recorded by Barbra Streisand for her 1963 album THE SECOND BARBRA STREISAND ALBUM
• Performed live by Barbra Streisand on The Judy Garland Show
• Garland’s rendition featured in the 2003 movie DOWN WITH LOVE with an additional version by Michael Buble and Holly Palmer

BRING HIM HOME

MUSIC: Claude-Michel Schonberg

LYRICS: Alain Boublil

ENGLISH LIBRETTO: Herbert Kretzmer

BROADWAY SHOW: LES MISERABLES (1987)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Colm Wilkinson

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Musical based on book by Victor Hugo of the same name
• Premiered in Paris in 1980
• Longest running musical in the West End and the second longest production in the world
• Song originally sung by Colm Wilkinson in the West End production as well as on Broadway
• Sung by Hugh Jackman in the 2012 movie
• Sung by Colm Wilkinson in the 10^th anniversary concert in Royal Albert Hall
• Sung by Alfie Boe in the 25^th anniversary concert
• Recorded by Josh Groban for his album STAGES

PURE IMAGINATION

MUSIC: Mark Shaiman

LYRICS: Mark Shaiman and Scott Wittman

BROADWAY SHOW: WILLIE WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2017)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Christian Borle

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 book CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
• Revised take on the London production
• Sung by Gene Wilder in the 1971 movie WILLIE WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
• Sung by Johnny Depp in the 2005 film remake
• Recorded by Fiona Apple used in Chipotle campaign against factory farming
• Recorded by Michael Feinstein for his children’s album PURE IMAGINATION
• Recorded by Kenny Loggins in 1964 album RETURN TO POOH CORNER
• Recorded by Josh Grobin in 2015 for his album STAGES
• Recorded by Barbra Streisand as a duet with Seth MacFarlane for her album ENCORE: MOVIE PARTNERS SING BROADWAY
• Used in advertising by Microsoft, Audi and MasterCard

LOSING MY MIND

MUSIC: Stephen Sondheim

LYRICS: Stephen Sondheim

BROADWAY SHOW: FOLLIES (1971)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Dorothy Collins

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Sung in later productions of Follies by Barbara Cook (1985), Julia McKenzie (1987), Donna McKechnie (1998), Judith Ivey (2001), Victoria Clark (2007), Bernadette Peters (2011), and Imelda Staunton (2017)
• An imitation of George and Ira Gershwin’s “The Man I Love” according to Sondheim
• Recorded by Peggy Lee in 1971
• Released it as a single by Liza Minnelli from her studio album in 1989
• Minnelli’s version (produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelsohn) reached #6 on the UK’s Singles Chart
• Released by the Pet Shop Boys as a remixed version on the B side of their single, JEALOUSY
• Recorded by Donna McKechnie in 1998
• Recorded by Brian Stokes Mitchell in 2006
• Recorded by Barbra Streisand for her 2016 album, ENCORE: MOVIE PARTNERS SING BROADWAY
• Performed by Vanessa Williams on Broadway in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM

MEDLEY

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

MUSIC: Cy Coleman

LYRICS: Carolyn Leigh

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Written in 1959 for Tony Bennett and introduced by him
• Made a popular Standard by Frank Sinatra
• Recorded by Tony Bennett in 1962 for his album I LEFT MY HEART
• Recorded by Peggy Lee in 1962 for her album SUGAR & SPICE
• Recorded by Sarah Vaughn in 1962 for her album YOU’RE MINE YOU
• Recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1964 for his album IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING
• Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1982 for her album THE BEST IS YET TO COME
• Recorded by James Darrin in 1999 for his album THIS ONE’S FROM THE HEART
• Recorded in 2007 by Michael Buble for his album CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE
• Played as a wake-up call for the crew of Apollo 10 in 1969
• Last song Sinatra sang in public
• “The Best Is Yet To Come” is etched into Sinatra’s tombstone

THE MAN I LOVE

MUSIC: George Gershwin

LYRICS: Ira Gershwin

BROADWAY SHOW: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (2015)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Leanne Cope

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Originally published as THE GIRL I LOVE
• First recordings made in 1928
• Originally intended to be part of the Gershwin musical LADY, BE GOOD
• Sung by Adele Astaire at the show’s off Broadway opening
• Song didn’t fit into the musical and was dropped from the show
• Title changed to THE MAN I LOVE and tried unsuccessfully to fit the song into the musical STRIKE UP THE BAND
• Tried again with Flo Zigfield’s ROSALIE in 1928 but again the song was deleted from the show
• Successfully incorporated into the film AN AMERICAN IN PARIS in 1950
• Recorded by Lena Horne in 1961 for her album LENA AT THE SANDS
• Recorded by Sarah Vaughn in 1958 for her album SARAH VAUGHN SINGS GERSHWIN
• Recorded by Eydie Gorme in 1957 for her album EYDIE SWINGS THE BLUES
• Recorded by Streisand in 1993 for her album BACK TO BROADWAY

JUST IN TIME

MUSIC: Jule Styne

LYRICS: Betty Comden and Adolph Green

BROADWAY SHOW: BELLS ARE RINGING (1956)

ORIGINALLY SUNG BY: Judy Holliday

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Sung by Judy Holliday and Dean Martin for the movie BELLS ARE RINGING in 1960
• Recorded by Martin in 1960 for his album THIS TIME I’M SWINGIN’!
• Recorded by Peggy Lee in 1958 for her album JUMP FOR JOY
• Song was a hit by Tony Bennett in 1960
• Recorded by Blossom Dearie in 1959 for her album BLOSSOM DEARIE SINGS COMDEN & GREEN
• Sung by Judy Garland in 1963 on THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW
• Recorded by Barbra Streisand for her recording THE THIRD ALBUM in 1964
• Recorded again by Bennett in 2006 this time with Michael Buble for his album DUETS: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

I HAVE A VOICE

MUSIC: Frank Wildhorn

LYRICS: Robin Lerner

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Recorded and released as a single by more than 70 child actors from Broadway
• An anthem for any kid who has ever been bullied and felt alone as a result
• All profits from the sale of the single go to NoBully.org (through “Broadway Kids Against Bullying”), a non-profit organization that trains schools how to activate student compassion to stop bullying and cyberbullying
• Song among those included in a new musical called THE SONG OF BERNADETTE

IF YOU SEE ME

MUSIC: Jake Wildhorn

LYRICS: Linda Eder

INTERESTING FACTS FROM JAKE’S MOM:

I was excited to collaborate on an original song with my talented son, Jake.

About a year and a half ago he wrote the chord changes and then never got around to writing a melody line or a lyric, but I was hooked on the catchy tune after hearing him play it so often on our piano at home. At the time, the chorus and verse were switched, but I convinced him that what I heard as the chorus was so infectious and had to be the chorus. He gave me the song to finish and it became the title track. It’s different from everything else on the CD, but I see it as a hybrid between a pop and big band song, so for me it fits. As for naming the CD after it, it was the only title that stuck with me.

I hope to write more songs with Jake in the future – that is until he becomes too famous and I have to book time with him through his agent… 🙂

Linda Eder fans, you are doubly blessed! In addition to the new CD, IF YOU SEE ME, Linda is releasing a DVD at the very same time. The title is THE OTHER SIDE.  This special DVD has been compiled from personal moments at work and at home over a three year period and culminating with the making of her new CD. Here’s your chance to get a great idea of Linda’s life behind the scenes. What a wonderful gift for you, her loyal fans!

ONE-ON-ONE WITH LINDA

It’s been quite some time since we last sat down with you for an interview, but we thought this was a perfect time to do it. You’re getting ready to release your 17th solo CD as well as a DVD focusing on your life when you are away from the public eye both at work and at home. There is so much the fans will be interested in learning about these two projects as well as what else you’ve been up to since we last spoke.

VOICE: IF YOU SEE ME is your 17th solo album. How did you determine that 2018 was a perfect time for releasing this latest recording?

LINDA: I actually meant to release it in 2017, but everything just took longer and it was not always easy coordinating everyone’s schedules. I didn’t even realize that this was my 17th solo album until recently. So I guess it all worked out the way it was supposed to.

VOICE: Had you known for a while that your next project would be a combination of Broadway songs and Standards or were there other ideas you were considering as well?

LINDA: I have several concepts for different CDs that I would like to do at some point, but I felt it was the right time to make another Broadway/Standards CD and the fans seem to agree.

VOICE: You made such great use of social media by going on Facebook and asking your fans for suggestion of songs to record. Were you surprised by some of the songs that were chosen most often?

LINDA: Yes, there were some surprises. Mostly I was glad to be spared some of the effort of trying to think of what songs to record. There are so many! I also wanted to make sure that I was recording songs that people wanted to hear.  Everyone’s taste is so different but there are a lot of common threads.

VOICE: Are there any songs you chose to record that were already in the back of your mind before you saw the fan suggestions?

LINDA: Yes, about half the songs are fan suggestions and the other half are songs I chose. I had been thinking about recording “Losing My Mind” for a long time because people have often asked me if I had a recorded version. That is really the song that kicked off this whole CD.

VOICE: What are the most important things you consider when choosing a song to record?

LINDA: I always want to make sure that I can bring something to the song.  Standards and famous songs from Theatre have all been recorded over and over with so many wonderful versions that it can be a little daunting. So I look for what I can bring to it. I often find a way to tweak an arrangement just enough to maintain the integrity of the song’s history but also bring something new.

VOICE: How difficult was it to choose the final list of songs?

LINDA: I stared at the list for quite some time – months. Then ideas started to creep in even in my sleep sometimes. I sang through the songs on my own and started to get a sense of which ones worked for me, spoke to me and also the arrangement I wanted.

VOICE: Fans will be pleasantly surprised when they see that you have recorded a song written by your talented son, Jake, with lyrics by you. Can you tell us a little about the experience of working on this song with your son?

LINDA: Jake wrote this great melody on the piano and he would often play it around the house, but he never wrote a melody line or lyrics. From the moment I heard it, the lyrics for the chorus popped into my head. He ended up not recording it for himself so I asked him if I could take it. We never actually worked together on it. I took a demo that he had made of the music and cut it up using Garageband on my Mac. The reason I did that is because I wanted to flip what he had been calling the chorus to make that part the verse music and use his verse for the chorus. Then I sat down and sang a melody over it and worked out the rest of the lyrics. I kept the recording hidden from him until it was a finished mix because I wanted to make sure he liked it!

VOICE: You have included a song with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Robin Lerner. What is it about this song that inspired you to include it on this latest recording?

LINDA: If it were up to Frank, every song on the CD would be one of his! He did not know that I was recording one of his because I kept it a secret so I could surprise him. I asked his assistant to send me some mp3s of some of Frank’s latest work and I chose the song from that. I thought it was a beautiful song with a really good message about anti bullying.

VOICE: Since you are releasing IF YOU SEE ME on your own record label, you are responsible for every aspect of the process. What is the most difficult part of the process for you?

LINDA: Leaving the farm to go into Manhattan to work!!! I love to be home, but it is fun to make records. I have such a good time with the guys and Billy is a joy to work with. We had a lot of laughs, a lot of long days and late nights in the studio, with never an argument or uncomfortable moment. Really the hardest part for me is you think the CD is close to finished, but there are so many small details that need to be done that take a lot of time.

VOICE: Is this the first time you have recorded in Billy’s new studio? Can you tell Linda’s fans a little about this studio and what it has to offer?

LINDA: Billy’s studio is called Strange Cranium and there are skulls everywhere.  Big, small, ornate because everyone gives him skulls as gifts. There are also keyboards everywhere, up the walls, in every room. He not only plays them he collects them. It is a good studio to work in because the vocal booth actually has a window to the outside world unlike most vocal booths. It’s sound proofed and you can’t open it but you can see the sun. I have recorded music there but this is the first full CD.

VOICE: You are also releasing a DVD, THE OTHER SIDE, which is a look at your life behind the scenes at work and at home. Please tell us a little about this project and how it came about.

Linda’s Musical Director Billy J. Stein

LINDA:  Just driving to the grocery store one day… I recorded a little footage on my iphone, edited it when I got home, and then the idea was born. I had no idea how big the project would become and how long it would take me. I really show a very unglamorous, honest side of myself. I have to say I enjoyed the video editing.  It’s endless hours of work but I do like it.

VOICE: You’ve been recording and have had some assistance recording over a three year period. That’s a lot of footage! Was it difficult for you to decide what to include?

LINDA: No. You get a sense for what works and what doesn’t. I got better at planning my video shoots. You have to film in public sometimes and that is weird but I tried to be discreet. As I accumulated more and more footage, I was able to edit out less interesting parts. Some people may find it boring at times, but others won’t be able to get enough of it.

Voice: What do you think your fans will be most surprised to learn about your life from watching the DVD?

Linda: That I do so much by myself. If they thought that I was kidding when I say I am a farm girl, now they know I wasn’t kidding.

Voice: Is there something that you actually learned about yourself from looking at the many hours of footage as you were editing them down to what fans will see on the DVD?

Linda: I learned that I should have done this 15 years ago! I am getting old and!! J I guess I have seen myself on film and video enough over the years not to be too surprised by anything anymore. I think I am funny. I like to make people laugh….

Voice:  Did anyone object to being in your DVD?

Linda: No. Most people like to be filmed and often are hams. Billy is the biggest ham… well maybe 2^nd to me!

VOICE: What do you think the fans will enjoy most about this DVD?

LINDA: Farmer Linda!!! That is my guess, but I know that it will be “to each his own,” so hopefully there is something in it for everyone.

VOICE: It must be so hard for you to believe that Jake has graduated from high school and is now in college. Please tell us a little about how Jake’s music career is starting to take off.

LINDA: Jake is just getting better and better every day. His writing is incredible.  He just played a brand new song for Frank and me the other day and I was so proud I wanted to cry. He has recorded a full album’s worth of material and is rehearsing with his band to start live gigs. He is also getting great feedback from people in the industry.

VOICE: As long as we are on the subject of your life behind the scenes, let’s talk a little about your other interests. How many horses do you have now?

LINDA: I have 4 horses  – two horses and two minis. I also board a friend’s horse so there are 5 in my barn.

VOICE: We’re sure your fans would be interested in knowing how Hobbit is doing since they probably remember when he was born?

Linda: Hobbit is now 2 years old and getting close to his mother’s size. He is adorable and so cuddly and friendly since he was handled so much since his birth. Now that he is two I have started to train him. I want to train him to drive. I have a little two wheel cart.

VOICE: You have been working so hard down at the barn making improvements. What kinds of things have you done?

LINDA: I doubled the size of my barn. I hired a carpenter for the big stuff but I have been doing a lot of the work myself. I enjoy that. I learned from watching and working with my Dad and my brother. They can build anything.

VOICE: And last but not least, how is Shadow?

LINDA: Shadow is now two years old as well and such a great dog. He is my “Shadow” literally. I can’t make a move without him – even to the bathroom!! He is everything I wanted in a German Shepherd. He also makes me laugh.

VOICE: Congratulations and best of luck with the new CD and DVD!