Simple Dreams
This is a classic Ronstadt album, recorded when she was really in her prime, busy cranking out the volume of hits and 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 "It's So Easy" to a sweet and soulful interpretation of the plaintive "Simple man, Simple Dream", Linda pulls out all of the stops, and although the album was panned critically, it was also yet another of a string of hers to go platinum. Well, so much for them pesky critic fellas!
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 single best effort is likely the reinterpreted Roy Orbison song, "blue Bayou" in which Ronstadt simply soars with a voice that echoes the heartache of someone really longing for home, and which was a number one hit as well. "Carmelita" is a haunting, powerfully performed song. Then too, the Rolling Stones' "Tumbling Dice" proves to be a perfect showcase for Linda's bluesy interpretation of it. With a well-arranged version of the traditional "I Will Never Marry", she give a nice turn at a folk interpretation, and her nice rendition of "Sorrow Lives Here" is done with a country style that is almost bluegrass in its tones and approach. My personal favorite here is the title song, "Simple Man, Simple Dreams", and of course, "Blue Bayou". The title song is, of course quite reminiscent of a number of the songs from her previous albums such as "Hasten Down the Wind", "Prisoner In Disguise" and Long, Long. Time". All in all, this is a terrific album and one that is really a showcase for Linda at her very best. Enjoy!
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 single best effort is likely the reinterpreted Roy Orbison song, "blue Bayou" in which Ronstadt simply soars with a voice that echoes the heartache of someone really longing for home, and which was a number one hit as well. "Carmelita" is a haunting, powerfully performed song. Then too, the Rolling Stones' "Tumbling Dice" proves to be a perfect showcase for Linda's bluesy interpretation of it. With a well-arranged version of the traditional "I Will Never Marry", she give a nice turn at a folk interpretation, and her nice rendition of "Sorrow Lives Here" is done with a country style that is almost bluegrass in its tones and approach. My personal favorite here is the title song, "Simple Man, Simple Dreams", and of course, "Blue Bayou". The title song is, of course quite reminiscent of a number of the songs from her previous albums such as "Hasten Down the Wind", "Prisoner In Disguise" and Long, Long. Time". All in all, this is a terrific album and one that is really a showcase for Linda at her very best. Enjoy!
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