Linda Ronstadt-Hand Sown, Home Grown

Hand Sown-Home Grown

While this is not a typical Ronstadt album, nor one recorded when she was really in her prime, it is a very early solo album that shows her potential for cranking out hits as well of those seemingly effortless and sometimes facile interpretations of other people's songs, showing just how original an artist she was. Like the legendary Johnny Rivers, who always seemed to have a magical touch for turning other people's work into brilliant covers and best-selling albums, Ronstadt here does a star turn with other people's songs. She shows here just how versatile and eclectic her approach to some interesting material could be. From a raucous hit song like Buddy Holly's "Break My Mind" to a sweet and soulful interpretation of the classic country tune, "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" or the plaintive "Number And A Name", Linda pulls out all of the stops, and although the album was panned critically, it was also her first album that really showcased her tremendous eclectic abilities.

Her fans knew what they liked, and they sure seemed to like this terrific collection of so many different genres gathered under a single tent. The opening tune, "Baby, You've been On My Mind", is a haunting, powerfully performed song. Then too, the soulful rendition of "Long Way Around" is powerfully interpreted. "Ill Be Your Baby Tonight" and "It's About Time" are sizzling, as is a well-arranged version of "Dolphins". She soars with an interpretation of the traditional "Bet Nobody Ever Hurt So Bad", and a lovely effort at blue-eyed soul with "Give One Heart". My personal favorite here is "We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus (And A Lot Less Rock and Roll", with its satirical messages about the dynamics of being human. All in all, this is a terrific album and one that is really a showcase for Linda at her early best. Enjoy!