Go immediately to "Is This Anyway to Fall in Love?" and listen to the arrangement, then the lyrics, then her phrasing. Take it apart piece by piece, listen to the song as a whole and then try to tell me that song is not the most perfect interpretation of a song filled with emotion and energy. If that one doesn't work for you - listen to "'Til you come Back to Me" and if you're not hooked by the bright brassy vibe I don't think any true "swing" will get to you (saxes: Mike Migliore, Ted Nash, Andy Snitzer, Danny Wilensky and Ed Maina; trumpets: Tony Kadleck, Bob Millikan and Chris Botti). Each track takes full advantage of instruments that compliment her voice. For example - the guitar in "When I Look in Your Eyes" by Jay Berliner is soft and accents her long luxurious notes. Jeff Beal's fugelhorn for "All the Way" is magnificent with Linda's acapella verse.

My favorite tracks are: "The Man that Got Away" and "Smile" because they really showcase her voice and the melodies are timeless classics - just like her. The first time I heard her rendition of "Smile" my eyes welled it was so moving (the violin by Robert Peterson is so melancholy and the flute solo by Ed Maina is so sweet).

So many have compared Linda Eder to Streisand but really she is unique. The power of every note she sings is irrefutable. She has her own ownership of commanding lyric and phrasing.

I had heard of her, but never HEARD her. In a word, I was captivated. This cd was being played at a music shop and I stayed to listen. Not only did I purchase the album, but the first day I had it, I listened to it about 5 times in a row. She is simply marvelous. This CD is a definite sound investment.

I have read some of the other reviews of this album- granted, not everyone likes that these aren't all new tracks. In this world of other stars who pump out 15 or so new songs where many of them sound redundant or tiring, hey, I'm happy to have some new gems and some re-done tracks by this woman with the voice of an angel. Linda Eder has so many different sounds depending on the song she sings. They can be anything from lush and soulful to resounding and downright Herculean. And then, opening up a new door, she sings a beautiful opera aria. I'm thinking, "This is a woman who never had vocal training- unbelievable!"

The Streisand comparisons keep coming up, which in most ways is a compliment to both artists. But the criticisms of some reviewers in this album don't fairly apply to Linda. Barbra never tackled Linda's level of demanding material. We overlooked the overriding nasal, wavering strength and tremoring vibrato on those long notes, etc., because we saw all the other strengths in Babs. Similarly, Linda is not perfect, but it's her sheer potential from this late bloomer- a shy farm girl from a non-musical family; it's the realization that this woman can sing anything and give audience members absolute cold chills. No comparisons!!