" Linda Ronstadt Box Set
"
Initially labeled a country-rock heartbreaker,Ronstadt
moved on to establish beachheads in everything from new wave
to light opera, from pre-rock pop to traditional Mexican music.
Such restlessness has been interpreted as flightiness among doubters,
but her headstrong eclecticism has, with time, taken on weight,
which is reflected in this suitably hefty four-disc career overview.
Here is Ronstadt the musician, an erstwhile Cal-rock pinup girl
who refused to sit still for the next photo shoot while churning
out more rock-radio fare. Indeed, some of the least interesting
material found here is the post-Heart Like a Wheel rote rock
culled from 1978's Living in the USA and 1980's Mad Love. Blessed
with a starburst of a voice and the determination to put her
gift to the test, she shines brightest when she's outside her
familiar orbit. The Box Set opens with two CDs that essentially
serve as best-of sets. Disc three consists of duets with the
likes of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Aaron Neville, and Frank
Sinatra. Disc four, the real windfall here, offers rarities,
including her three excellent contributions to Randy Newman's
Faust and a contribution to Carla Bley's ambitious jazz opera
Escalator Over the Hill. --Steven Stolder |
Customer review from Amazon
Reviewer: Rachel and Michael Butts from
WV USA
Few contemporary vocalists have demonstrated their versatility
and musical finesse as well as Ronstadt. From the beginning of
her career with the Stone Ponys to her forays into 40's music
with Nelson Riddle, her Spanish collections, and her countless
hits, Linda shows what a fine vocalist she is...one of the best!
Highlights of this massive collection are "Dreams to Dream,"
the overlooked song from "Feivel Goes West"; "Please
Remember Me," her duet with Aaron Neville, overshadowing
the versions by Tim McGraw and Rodney Crowell; "Somewhere
Out There," her award-winning duet with the great James
Ingram. Actually, any of these songs are examples of why Linda
has shown brighter than most of her contemporaries. If Linda
should retire, as is rumored, we certainly would be at a loss.
But relish these tunes, listen to her previous CD's, and be thankful
we have been blessed with such a talent! How about a duet album
with Gary Morris, the male vocalist, who is as diverse and talented
as Linda? |
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