LINDA EDER — Now (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There is a certain irony to the title of Linda Eder's reunion with her musical partner, theater composer Frank Wildhorn. Naming the album Now calls attention to the contents, which consist of newly written Wildhorn compositions with lyrics by the likes of Leslie Bricusse, Don Black, and Maury Yeston. But not only is the style of the music not current, it is rooted in a particular time. Back in the mid-'60s, pop singers like Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand used to make albums that sounded a lot like this by picking and choosing material from Broadway shows and movie themes of the day. Another good source was South American or European songs with newly commissioned English lyrics. But here, Wildhorn has written tunes that sound like the traditional pop of the mid-‘60s, set to string orchestras and big bands, with Eder singing in her typically passionate style. Reused titles like "Ordinary People," "The Heat of the Night," and even "Now" (there was an earlier song by that name sung by Lena Horne in the ‘60s) emphasize the neo-retro nature of the project. While most of the music may have been written especially for Eder, one song, "Mad Hatter," anticipates the next Wildhorn musical, Wonderland, and is the album's jazziest, liveliest number. The overall style, however, is lush and romantic, appropriate for Eder, who is, as always, something of a Streisand soundalike. One might say, in fact, that her Streisand-lite approach is often more enjoyable than the real thing, since, while Eder's voice bears definite similarities to Streisand's, as does her phrasing, she isn't as mannered as Streisand. Still, music written in the style of an era Streisand dominated can't help but evoke the earlier singer. William Ruhlmann
Tracklist :
1.    Not Gonna Fall This Time    3:21
 Jack Murphy / Frank Wildhorn 
2.    No Finer Man    2:52
 Leslie Bricusse / Frank Wildhorn 
3.    Ordinary People    3:41
 Brenda Russell / Frank Wildhorn 
4.    The Heat Of The Night    3:35
 Jack Murphy / Frank Wildhorn 
5.    What Did You See Inside The Stars?    5:40
 Nan Knighton / Frank Wildhorn 
6.    Now    3:22
 Frank Wildhorn / Maury Yeston 
7.    The Mad Hatter    3:04
 Jack Murphy / Frank Wildhorn 
8.    A Woman In His Arms    3:46
 Nan Knighton / Frank Wildhorn 
9.    Good Bye    3:26
 Jack Murphy / Frank Wildhorn 
10.    What's Never Been Done Before    3:08
 Nan Knighton / Frank Wildhorn 
11.    More Than Heaven    4:28
 Robin Lerner / Frank Wildhorn 
12.    Living In The Shadows    3:36
 Leslie Bricusse / Frank Wildhorn