Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Linda Ronstadt- Silk Purse

Silk Purse
SILK PURSE displays a heavy country sound in the arrangements and vocals, but the character is definitely unique, reflecting neither the Nashville Sound of late-1960s country nor the rock influence in much of the country-rock movement. Two of the album's best defining features are Linda Ronstadt's confident, powerful, and beautiful vocals, and the incredible arrangments that surround each of the songs. "Lovesick Blues" leaps out of the speaker with a stunning vocals start. The song has been recast as an uptempo rocker, though the fiddles are especially prominent. Her vocals also start "Are My Thoughts With You," which continually builds both musically and emotionally during the song. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" is one of the best songs on the album, and one of my favorites. The arrangement is superb, opening with a ringing guitar sound, and featuring a brilliant vocal performance. The track melds both girl group, country, and great pop, and the result is a remarkable success that is above describtion. I've never understood why this song hasn't been featured on a Linda Ronstadt CD compilation (last was RETROSPECTIVE (I really miss that collection) in 1977, unless you count the small Capitol compilations from the 1980s (which aren't listed in her discography). Linda Ronstadt's vocal performance is the best feature of many of these songs, especially "Nobody's" written by Gary White. Gary White duets on "Louise," which features only an acoustic guitar, but delivers a powerful performance. One of Linda Ronstadt's greatest recordings is "Long Long Time," which resulted in her first solo hit ("Different Drum" was credited to the Stone Poneys) and her first Grammy nomination. The song is perfect, the arrangement of pedal steel, fiddle, harpsicord, and bass create a sound the is unbelievably emotional. Linda Ronstadt's vocal is powerful beyond the use of words, and the devastating lyrics bring new meaning to the term "sad song". The song has been recorded a few times since, but no version comes close to this gorgeous classic. "Mental Revenge" is considerably lighter, and the song is very entertaining, with her vocal delivery, arrangement, and lyrics that aim ill-wishes at the unfaithful partner from a former relationship. "I'm Leaving It All Up To You" was a pop hit in the early 1960s, but Linda Ronstadt ups the emotional quotient significantly, turning in a spectacular country recording. "He Dark The Sun" ranks with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "Long Long Time" as my favorite recordings from this album. It was originally "She Darked The Sun" in bluegrass form on the first Dillard & Clark album (written by Gene Clark and Bernie Leadon). This recording rests largely on the soulful power of Linda Ronstadt's voice, Bernie Leadon contributes the harmony vocal, and the arrangement frames the vocal performance. Its worth a second listen everytime I play the disc. "Life Is Like A Mountain Railway" is reminiscent of an Appalachian spiritual, sung in harmony with the Beechwood Rangers. Its a unique way to conclude this immensely satisfying album. SILK PURSE is filled with spectacular performances, great arrangments, and unique songs. The critiques on the quality of all the songs really isn't that big a problem; I like those songs on the early albums which made up in emotional power whatever was missing on paper. SILK PURSE is an amazing album, probably the one I play most often, which is a very different experience from HEART LIKE A WHEEL, LIVING IN THE U.S.A. or, SIMPLE DREAMS. Highly recommended.


Linda Ronstadt-ZOZO Sisters

ZOZO Sisters-ADIEU FALSE HEART
Ronstadt does it again! This time she's made another duet album, and like the excellent one she made with Emmylou Harris, WESTERN WALL: THE TUCSON SESSIONS, it is a true collaboration, both partners sharing equally in the spotlight. As another reviewer here noted, these two voices blend so beautifully that it's hard to tell where one begins and the other takes over. Popping the disc into my changer for the first time, and a half minute into the title song, which comes on the heels of a brief instrumental intro., there were already goose bumps on my skin. Every tune here has its charms, but highlights include two lovely Richard Thompson covers, a fine bluegrass ballad by Bill Monroe, and an understated, gorgeous version of "Walk Away Renee." The John Jacob Niles song, "Go Away From My Window," which I had always associated with Joan Baez, gives Linda an occasion to hit some of those thrilling high notes she's capable of, but elsewhere on this CD, Ronstadt is unusually subdued. I don't mean this in a negative way at all, but it is very different from what one would expect, even from an artist who has done so much genre-jumping in her career. Ann Savoy was never a singer I knew much more about than what I learned upon seeing a couple of recent television interviews about this record with her and Linda together. She seemed like a charming individual, but their conversation did not prepare me for the surprise of this fine album. Guess she is yet another female singer I will want to catch up with, because she easily holds her own with superstar Ronstadt! Anyone who likes great acoustic music and flawless close harmony singing will love ADIEU FALSE HEART. Get it now; you won't be sorry! 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Townes Van Zandt

Townes Van Zandt
John Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – January 1, 1997), best known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American singer-songwriter. Many of his songs, including "If I Needed You," "To Live is to Fly," and "No Place to Fall" are considered standards of their genre.

While alive, Van Zandt had a small and devoted fanbase, but he never had a successful album or single, and even had difficulty keeping his recordings in print. In 1983, six years after Emmylou Harris had first popularized it, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard covered his song "Pancho and Lefty," scoring a number one hit on the Billboard country music charts. Despite achievements like these, the bulk of his life was spent touring various dive bars, often living in cheap motel rooms, backwoods cabins, and on friends' couches. Van Zandt was notorious for his drug addictions, alcoholism, and his tendency to tell tall tales. When young, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and insulin shock therapy erased much of his long-term memory.[

Van Zandt died on New Years Day 1997 from health problems stemming from years of substance abuse] The 2000s saw a resurgence of interest in Van Zandt. During the decade, two books, a documentary film, and a number of magazine articles about the singer were created. Van Zandt's music has been covered by such notable and varied musicians as Bob Dylan, Norah Jones,Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Cowboy Junkies, Andrew Bird, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss Gillian Welch, and Devendra Banhart.