We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
If I had a time machine one of the places I would go is Los Angeles California from 1965-75…Yeah I know I would have to put up with smog, and all kinds of other problems…but I could also bear witness to some of the greatest music of the era…much of it emanating from the Troubadour nightclub. In 1971 you might have been fortunate to see Linda Ronstadt playing shows at the venue backed by the musicians that would soon form the Eagles.
Ronstadt’s 1972 self-titled LP features a number of performances from those shows that include Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon. The other folks on this album are a cream of LA music at the time including Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Herb Pedersen, Mike Botts, Gib Guilbeau, JD Souther and Jimmie Fadden. John Boylan produces and plays guitar on the record. And one of the songs, “I Won’t Be Hanging Round” was recorded at Muscle Shoals with Barry Beckett, David Hood and Roger Hawkins doing their thing.
This album did not make Ronstadt a star but it showed where she was going. Melding classic country with younger players and recording songs from strong song-writers of the time served her well. That big voice was the star but if youre going to do covers, it helps to have strong songs.
She gives a fine reading of Jackson Browne’s new song “Rock Me On The Water” and delivers on country classics like I Still Miss Someone from Johnny Cash (Cash would have Ronstadt on his TV show) Crazy Arms from Jerry Lee Lewis and I Fall To Pieces, the Hank Cochran/Harlan Howard song that was a hit for Patsy Cline. Gil Gilbeau’s beautiful fiddle adds to the mood on these and Souther, who I believe was romantically involved with Ronstadt at the time, gives us some excellent harmonies on Crazy Arms.
The other side of the coin are the more modern song choices. Along with Browne she mines the tunes of Neil Young (Birds), Eric Kaz (I Won’t Be Hanging Round), Eric Andersen (I Aint Always Been Faithful) and Livingston Taylor ( In My Reply). She also tackles the Leadbelly classic ‘Ramblin Round” and a live version of “Rescue Me” finishes things off.
I’ve been a Ronstadt fan since the beginning and really can’t believe this collection didn’t make her a star. But it was coming. The voice was too big and powerful…and too sad and plaintive….to be kept down for long. Sad that disease has stilled that wonderful instrument but we will always have her recorded work to listen to. Enjoy part of her embryonic journey.
