Barb Jungr – Love Me Tender
Love Me Tender, released by Linn in 2005, reinterprets a collection of songs strongly associated with Elvis Presley alongside two Bob Dylan compositions. Barb Jungr does not attempt to reproduce the original performances. Instead, she turns familiar material into intimate, jazz-inflected interpretations, supported by piano, strings, rhythm instruments and carefully shaped studio arrangements. The SACD edition adds both stereo and multichannel possibilities.
TRACK LIST
- LabelLinn
- CountryEurope
- Release date2005
- GenreJazz
- FormatSACD-ISO 2ch&6ch + Flac 16bit/44.1kHz
Sound Quality
Jungr’s voice is recorded with impressive intimacy and a strong sense of body. The arrangements create a rich but controlled midrange, while piano, cello and percussion add layers around the vocal. A good system should preserve the difference between the close vocal perspective and the deeper instrumental field. Bass needs to remain warm and tuneful, while the upper midrange should reveal breath and articulation without turning hard.
Audiophile Listening Experience
The album is particularly useful for comparing stereo and multichannel presentation. In stereo, the focus is on vocal placement and the depth behind it. Multichannel playback can expand the surrounding acoustic and make the supporting instruments feel more naturally distributed. The music itself is also useful for testing micro-dynamics because Jungr frequently moves from restrained phrases to stronger emotional peaks.
Reference Tracks
“Heartbreak Hotel” is a strong test of vocal presence and rhythmic clarity. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” exposes breath, phrasing and low-level detail, while “Love Me Tender” highlights the warmth and intimacy of the voice. “I Shall Be Released” and “Tomorrow Is a Long Time” offer additional material for judging depth and the emotional scale of the arrangements.
Audiophile Verdict
Love Me Tender is more than a collection of covers. Its carefully arranged performances and intimate recording make it an excellent vocal reference, particularly for comparing imaging, tonal balance and spatial presentation. The Linn SACD is especially rewarding when a system can preserve the emotional texture of Jungr’s voice while keeping the surrounding instruments open and dimensional.
