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Post by lizawithab on Mar 25, 2015 14:48:42 GMT -5
So what is everyone's personal top 5 favorite albums? And if you'd like to list your 1 least favorite.. feel free to do that as well.
It's hard to rank them.. sometimes it depends on what type of mood I'm in.. so here goes..
1. Prisoner In Disguise
2. Winter Light
3. Hand Sown ... Home Grown
4. What's New
5. Heart Like A Wheel
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Post by fabtastique on Mar 25, 2015 15:07:57 GMT -5
again, depending on my mood, current favourites :
- Frenesi
- For Sentimental Reasons
- Winter Light
- What's New
- Trio
I could cheat and choose no 1 as Jardin Azul : Las Canciones Favoritas and no 2 and no 4 as Round Midnight ....  .... then I would have room for Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind, Feels Like Home, or We Ran !
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Post by lizawithab on Mar 25, 2015 15:09:56 GMT -5
I thought about including Western Wall or Trio but decided I'd keep it solo only. Trio is perhaps my favorite album OF ALL TIME! (Next to Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall)
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Post by Partridge on Mar 25, 2015 15:16:34 GMT -5
1. Heart Like a Wheel
2. Cry Like a Rainstorm... Howl Like the Wind
3. Feels Like Home
4. Get Closer
5. Hand Sown... Home Grown Winter Light
least favorite: Silk Purse
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 15:56:13 GMT -5
This can change often, perhaps daily, but for now:
1. Heart Like a Wheel
2. Prisoner in Disguise
3. Cry Like a Rainstorm
4. Mad Love
5. Get Closer
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Post by PoP80 on Mar 25, 2015 16:04:22 GMT -5
This was really a tough one because I like bits and pieces of many, but here goes:
1.Heart Like A Wheel
2.Prisoner In Disguise
3.Don't Cry Now
4.Cry Like a Rainstorm
5.What's New
Least favorite: Silk Purse
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Post by erik on Mar 25, 2015 19:12:46 GMT -5
There probably isn't a more difficult question in the world to ask a fan of Linda's as to what albums of hers is their favorite, because, in my opinion, it's almost tantamount to being asked "Which child of yours is your favorite?" Probably the second-toughest one, by a slim margin, is being asked which is your least favorite, and then having to swallow hard before giving an answer.
To my taste, each of the studio albums she made between 1974 and 1978 (Heart Like A Wheel; Prisoner In Disguise; Hasten Down The Wind; Simple Dreams; Living In The USA) would be tied for #1 in my book, followed by Mad Love, Winter Light, and We Ran.
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Post by moon on Mar 25, 2015 19:17:56 GMT -5
Frenesia(sp)
Whats New
Adeui false heart
Canciones
Sentimental reasons
I guess its obvious became a fan after her rock phase!!!
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Post by Richard W on Mar 26, 2015 8:30:32 GMT -5
1. Don't Cry Now
2. Heart Like a Wheel
3. Frenesi
4. Winter Light
5. Lush Life
But, man, I want to include Cry Like a Rainstorm because some of my favorite songs of hers are on that one; the reason I don't is because the Neville duets have not held up particularly well for me over the years (sterling as they are), with the singular exception of When Something Is Wrong with My Baby, which is the best duet on the album. Also, I've never taken to So Right, So Wrong, hard as I've tried.
least: Silk Purse. There's just nothing on it I ever play. Not Linda's strongest song selection, the production is ragged, and Linda sounds as if she's trying too hard in a genre (country-rock) that she would later--on her next album!--not only lasso with ease, but originate.
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Post by erik on Mar 26, 2015 9:14:56 GMT -5
Quote by Richard W:
Silk Purse is, I agree, a problematic album of Linda's, but I think it's because she was really trying too hard on it to be straight Nashville country; and for someone who was steeped in country music, but filtered through a combination of her Southwestern upbringing and her immersion in the folk music movement/scare of the 1960s, it doesn't really work. That said, though, I don't think one can fault "Long Long Time" because of the way it was done; it built on what "Different Drum" had started.
I may take a lot of flak for this (if so, fine), but I do feel some of Linda's least successful efforts were done in the 90s, specifically "High Sierra" (I still don't like the way she sings it), and "We Will Rock You" (which makes zero sense as a lullaby). And I am still trying hard as hell to wrap my mind around Frenesi as an album, I'm not sold on it.....yet.
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Post by lizawithab on Mar 26, 2015 9:44:51 GMT -5
Quote by Richard W: Silk Purse is, I agree, a problematic album of Linda's, but I think it's because she was really trying to hard on it to be straight Nashville country; and for someone who was steeped in country music, but filtered through a combination of her Southwestern upbringing and her immersion in the folk music movement/scare of the 1960s, it doesn't really work. That said, though, I don't think one can fault "Long Long Time" because of the way it was done; it built on what "Different Drum" had started. I may take a lot of flak for this (if so, fine), but I do feel some of Linda's least successful efforts were done in the 90s, specifically "High Sierra" (I still don't like the way she sings it), and "We Will Rock You" (which makes zero sense as a lullaby). And I am still trying hard as hell to wrap my mind around Frenesi as an album, I'm not sold on it.....yet. I love Frenesi.. then again I've always loved tropical music! As for High Sierra, I'm noticing that track doesn't get much love from some fans.. I can't understand why personally because her voice sounds exquisite on that song.. I've always enjoyed a good belter and Linda is tops! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2015 10:16:54 GMT -5
Frenesi is my favorite of Linda's Spanish albums. Although I do not speak the language, I find the melodies the most accessible. I also prefer the Cuban Latin rhythms to the Mexican ones.
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Post by HastenDownTheWind on Mar 26, 2015 13:14:41 GMT -5
1. Hasten Down The Wind
2. Hasten Down The Wind
3. Hasten Down The Wind
4. Hasten Down The Wind
5. Hasten Down The Wind
Seriously, it is THE quintessential Ronstadt album. First songs that she recorded in Spanish, two songs she wrote, her liveliest rocker. I love that practically the whole thing is a weepfest. It closes with a song about lonely prostitutes. It's a stunner. In my opinion "Down So Low" The Tattler" and "Try Me Again" are the standout tracks. This album won her the Grammy, not for just the title song, but the whole thing. Plus that LP COVER!
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Post by PoP80 on Mar 26, 2015 13:41:57 GMT -5
You're so right about Hasten--I should have put in my top 5--so hard to choose. Try Me Again alone makes that album a killer (song to slit your wrists by). My bad...
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Post by Richard W on Mar 26, 2015 13:49:04 GMT -5
All the tracks you mentioned are standouts, Hasten, and it is indeed a great album. Maybe #6 for me? But I had no idea that the song HDTW was about a prostitute. I thought it was about romantic concession.
As for Frenesi, Erik, that album was to be the 4th collaboration between ronstadt and Riddle, extending the songbook into tropical Latin, something many standards singers did during the Latin craze in the '50s (give or take a few years either direction), which is why, I believe, that the songs on Frenesi are oft-covered tropical Latin standards. But you know this.
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Post by PoP80 on Mar 26, 2015 14:13:27 GMT -5
I knew Someone To Lay Down Beside Me was about a prostitute, but didn't know about Hasten Down the Wind either (I guess I'm naïve).
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Post by HastenDownTheWind on Mar 26, 2015 14:19:55 GMT -5
"Someone To Lay Down Beside Me" is sung from the point of view of a call girl. Ronstadt was never afraid of controversial topics. If "Heart Like a Wheel" made Linda a true superstar it was Hasten that first gained her the abiding respect of the industry and cemented her as forever iconic. She answered all her critics with this one. She could write songs, she could mail torchy orchestral ballads and everyone took notice. Rolling Stone TIME Magazine etc. I also think when Linda repeatedly talks about it taking 10 years for her to "learn how to sing" I suspect that she may be referring to Hasten as a literal turning point. As crazy as it sounds to some of us, she bitterly complains the most about her vocals for "You're No Good" and "Heat Wave" yet she seems to have nothing but modestly positive things to say about Hasten and the albums moving forward. I know she liked her singing on the entire "Mad Love" album for example.
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Post by HastenDownTheWind on Mar 26, 2015 14:24:27 GMT -5
Someone To Lay Down... Closes the album. Not HDTW which closes side one. Unless I have it out if order.
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Post by PoP80 on Mar 26, 2015 14:37:46 GMT -5
She considers herself to be primarily a ballad singer, so she never really liked the R&R stuff. Another turning point for her vocally was after taking voice lessons for Pirates of Penzance. I think she had a lot more confidence and stage presence following that experience, as well.
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Post by Robert Morse on Mar 26, 2015 15:31:49 GMT -5
Interesting Question. Even though I became a fan in the 70's it's Linda's work after Pirates that really highlights her vocal abilities best. I would list (today anyway)
1. Cry Like a Rainstorm
2. What's New
3. Canciones
4. Trio/Western Wall (tie - even though they are not solo recordings)
5. Hasten Down the WInd
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Post by eddiejinnj on Mar 26, 2015 18:08:25 GMT -5
was just playing hasten. it is an essential Linda album. Hasten (guest) you echo many of my sentiments re: this album. I feel it is,if not it is close to, her most personal, intimate album. Am glad the Grammy was for the whole album. eddiejinnj
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Post by jhar26 on Mar 26, 2015 18:14:06 GMT -5
1. Hasten Down the Wind
2. Canciones de mi Padre
3. Heart Like a Wheel
4. Cry Like a Rainstrorm
5. Mas Canciones
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Post by jhar26 on Mar 26, 2015 18:23:14 GMT -5
There probably isn't a more difficult question in the world to ask a fan of Linda's as to what albums of hers is their favorite, because, in my opinion, it's almost tantamount to being asked "Which child of yours is your favorite?" Probably the second-toughest one, by a slim margin, is being asked which is your least favorite, and then having to swallow hard before giving an answer. To my taste, each of the studio albums she made between 1974 and 1978 (Heart Like A Wheel; Prisoner In Disguise; Hasten Down The Wind; Simple Dreams; Living In The USA) would be tied for #1 in my book, followed by Mad Love, Winter Light, and We Ran. I don't rate Living in the USA as highly as the other four. Those other four each had a character of their own I feel while Living in the USA always sounded like a pretty random collection of songs to me, although they are good songs and they are done well. |
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Post by linda on Mar 26, 2015 18:25:37 GMT -5
1. Hasten Down The Wind 2. Hasten Down The Wind 3. Hasten Down The Wind 4. Hasten Down The Wind 5. Hasten Down The Wind Seriously, it is THE quintessential Ronstadt album. First songs that she recorded in Spanish, two songs she wrote, her liveliest rocker. I love that practically the whole thig is a weepfest. It closes with a song about lonely prostitutes. It's a stunner. In my opinion "Down So Low" The Tattler" and "Try Me Again" are the standout tracks. This album won her the Grammy, not for just the title song, but the whole thing. Plus that LP COVER! The L.P. cover? Oh I know , I love the horse in the background. That's what you meant , right? |
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Post by erik on Mar 26, 2015 18:26:56 GMT -5
Quote by lizawithab:
The reason I myself feel the way I do about "High Sierra" is not only because that kind of belting is inappropriate for that song, but also because she sounds like she's striving too hard for the "high, lonesome" sound of bluegrass/old-timey music in a way that sounds more like strain than ease. It has never worked for me--an opinion that I don't think is a popular one, but it is what it is.
Quote by Richard W:
Yes, I heard that this was more or less the kind of album she and Riddle might have done had he lived a bit longer. It may be only a matter of time before I can get into it, because I think her concept for Frenesi was good. It's just that back in 1992 it wasn't something I was automatically into like I had been in the past when it came to Linda.
Quote by jhar26:
I rate Living In The USA as high as I do because it was the album by which I "discovered" her.
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Post by linda on Mar 26, 2015 18:32:55 GMT -5
1. Hasten Down The Wind 2. Hasten Down The Wind 3. Hasten Down The Wind 4. Hasten Down The Wind 5. Hasten Down The Wind Seriously, it is THE quintessential Ronstadt album. First songs that she recorded in Spanish, two songs she wrote, her liveliest rocker. I love that practically the whole thing is a weepfest. It closes with a song about lonely prostitutes. It's a stunner. In my opinion "Down So Low" The Tattler" and "Try Me Again" are the standout tracks. This album won her the Grammy, not for just the title song, but the whole thing. Plus that LP COVER! The L.P. cover? Yes. That's one of my favorites too. You are refering to the running horse in background , right? |
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Post by Mikey B. on Mar 26, 2015 20:09:18 GMT -5
Simple Dreams
Heart Like A Wheel
Hasten Down The Wind
Cry Like A Rainstorm
What's New
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Post by Guest on Mar 26, 2015 23:11:27 GMT -5
FEELS LIKE HOME
LINDA RONSTADT
FRENESI
HEART LIKE A WHEEL
SIMPLE DREAMS
MAD LOVE
CRY LIKE A RAINSTORM
WE RAN
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Post by Richard W on Mar 27, 2015 8:11:09 GMT -5
Have to agree with Erik regarding High Sierra. Never took a shine to it. For me, it's two things:
1) Linda's singing—the extremely rare instance of her voice not working for me—some call it belting, but to my ear it often sounds more like bellowing. This was the first instance where I had an inkling that something was amiss with her voice. It just sounds, at times, hard. Not hard as in her rocking voice, but more as if she's forcing the sounds from her throat and less letting it pour forth.
2) The song itself is just boring and insipid, IMO. "Did you know the sun shines when it rains?" Crikey. Personal taste, to be sure, as many here love the song as, evidently, did Linda, since she not only recorded it but sang it frequently in concert.
I agree, too, with jhar26, about LITUSA (sorry, Erik). While I love many songs on it, there was always, to me, something rather airless about it. Perhaps this is where Asher's production was overproduction; as a whole, the album feels as if much of the connective tissue has been cut out of it. But, as I said, individually, there are many great tracks here, they just don't hang together as Linda's albums usually do.
But I feel for you, Erik. This was your first Ronstadt album and thus has a special place in your musical heart. Mine was Don't Cry Now. As you can see by my ranking, it's still #1 with me, and I just don't understand why it isn't everyone's favorite! Heck, only one other person, PoP80, even ranked it in their top 5.
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Post by erik on Mar 27, 2015 8:50:55 GMT -5
Quote by Richard W:
Perhaps it is an overused term, but the word "pivotal" is one I would use to describe Don't Cry Now. Although I didn't rank it among my Top 5, I do consider it a pivotal album in Linda's career because it was the one where her own musical instincts in terms of country-rock were rapidly connecting with listeners. It was, after all, the first of any of her albums to chart really up there, at #45 on the overall Billboard Top 200 Album Chart (she had never gone any higher than #100 before this, and even that was with the second Stone Poneys album in late 1967/early 1968), as well as a #5 placing on Billboard's C&W album chart. Not counting the songs ("Love Has No Pride"; "Silver Threads And Golden Needles") that were minor hits, or her version of "Desperado", the track that stands out on the album for me is "Colorado." She may not have been born there, but she still sings the song with the kind of authenticity of someone born and raised in any wide open space of the Far West (IMHO).
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.... then I would have room for Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind, Feels Like Home, or We Ran !
