Eric Lindberg's Common Thread
by A.Ballou
On Common Thread we are introduced to Eric Lindberg, a vocal talent who boldly and unapologetically places himself in the context of the true and great singers of the last American century. On common thread, Mr. Lindberg has chosen to interpret the songs that have become standards in the American songbook. In some contexts these songs are considered clichéd and tired material for the washed up lounge act with no further aspirations, as route exercises for the novice and naive music school student, or, worse yet, for a lameoid like Rod Stewart to mangle while trying to milk a fortune from the scores of tasteless and stupid people everywhere who truly can’t and won’t ever know the difference. These are songs that can easily be dismissed as artifacts from a past era. Why choose to sing and record songs that have been recorded hundreds of times before? Why choose to interpret songs that can passed over or put out to pasture like tired old horses? Let us not forget that this is the material for great singers, and this is the context in which the album needs to be listened to. The songs are lyrically poignant and emotionally charged. They leave room for each singer to distinguish themselves through the dynamics and timbre of their voice, their vocal intonation, and their sense of phrasing. These are songs that are so well written that, indelibly, they have left their mark as the crown jewels on the crown of 20th century American vocal music. In choosing the material for this recording Mr. Lindberg boldly asks to be compared to the great singers in the context that made them great. He begs for the comparison. In these modern times of teeny bopper blonde novelty/sexuality acts, choreographed cheerleader dancing, and modern digital magic, he has unapologetically given us a collection of recordings that contain no edits, overdubs, or pitch corrections. He wants us to judge him as he dons the emperor’s new cloths. So, how good is it? It is very good. Backed by a hand picked quartet, each player chosen for their sensitivity and virtuosity, Eric delivers the goods with a voice all his own. Equally at home using a hushed understated delivery reminiscent of Chet Baker, or belting out in well timed and dynamic enthusiasm, Eric crafts a collection of songs worthy of the comparison he begs for. This is a collection of recordings that captures a man who is living inside the lyrics of each song. One can feel the mournful loss in “You don’t know what love is.” One can feel the longings of a dreamer in “In a sentimental mood.” This is a very honest and intimate album. It draws the listener in and leads them through a different world; it is a tasteful, tender, and sensual world full of longing. It is a world far removed from those of us that live in the everyday grind. Every listen is worth the trip.
