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Post by eddiejinnj on Aug 27, 2015 11:34:26 GMT -5
Well said,tony. It had a big review in rs who raved about the first side and the duet with james but wasn't quite as gush about the rest of side 2. I think mostly because of the 2 songs at the end though I think they said something about Mr. Radio (which is one of the most biographical songs Linda could have done). Some reviewers loved "My Blue Tears" (which imo should be on trio III) and "Sometimes You Just Can't Win" was a moderate country hit. Get Closer for as disappointing as it supposedly is/was earned 3 Grammy noms including Best Female Pop Vocal, Best Female Rock Vocal and Best Album Package which Kosh did win. eddiejinnj
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Post by eddiejinnj on Aug 27, 2015 19:52:18 GMT -5
I received my copy today. The front cover is a little darker than I thought it would be. It is hard to see her hair in pic but with that face it doesn't matter lol!!! I do like the blue orange combo on the cover. I do like that they focused on Linda's eyes on each cd (hence the title "Just One Look"). The inner cover pic is from an early session where she is in her striped dress sitting on a curb and it must have been windy. This photo imo looks better a little farther back and not as a close-up. The pkging overall I would say is good. Hard plastic trays for the cds. Love the back cover photo from the Simple Dreams era. I listened to one cd on not my best stereo player so really at this point I can't comment on the re-mastering which I will attempt to do over the next few days!!!! eddiejinnj
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Post by 70smusicfan on Aug 27, 2015 21:35:25 GMT -5
I don't think this one is going to chart very high. Walmart is the biggest retailer of CDs nationwide, and I visited two stores and neither one had this in stock. I just got my copy at Walmart - at $14.88 cheaper than Amazon, so I got to remove it from my cart. Walmart had two copies of it and two copies of Duets - and Linda now has her very own plastic Name Tag Separator (like Rolling Stones and Rush). Moving up in the Walmart World. I usually stop by the music section and move Linda to the front of the shelf and, if they have a cheap ~$5.00 copy of something I already have, I buy it to trash in the car (I've gotten Greatest Hits and What's New that way in the past couple of months).
So, maybe Linda has a chance of keeping on the chart.
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Post by fabtastique on Aug 28, 2015 0:25:21 GMT -5
Well said,tony. It had a big review in rs who raved about the first side and the duet with james but wasn't quite as gush about the rest of side 2. I think mostly because of the 2 songs at the end though I think they said something about Mr. Radio (which is one of the most biographical songs Linda could have done). Some reviewers loved "My Blue Tears" (which imo should be on trio III) and "Sometimes You Just Can't Win" was a moderate country hit. Get Closer for as disappointing as it supposedly is/was earned 3 Grammy noms including Best Female Pop Vocal, Best Female Rock Vocal and Best Album Package which Kosh did win. eddiejinnj Agree - Get Closer album is under appreciated possibly because its a mixed bag - but Linda is in fantastic voice, coming off her Pirates Of Penzance run - TMAHM is a wonderful performance
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Post by simpledream on Aug 28, 2015 21:44:24 GMT -5
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Post by Goldie on Aug 29, 2015 1:32:27 GMT -5
Even if you don't like the selection of songs or there may not be enough songs for ones tastes it sounds like there are some nicely done re-masters with this project. Not all masters are created equal from what I have read and the one person who is the most intimately knowledgeable of things Linda Ronstadt is John Boylan. I am sure he got Linda's input on the song selection and the way they were re-mastered. There may be a reason why more songs weren't included like a time crunch deadline or financial. Who knows? I also thought Get Closer was a great album, way under rated but it was an award winner. Reviewers who may or may not be fans are only one persons opinion. Problem is they have a long reach that may influence the uninitiated Ronstadt fans.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Aug 29, 2015 16:23:08 GMT -5
Goldie, I moved your thread to the ethnic one!!!!! eddiejinnj
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Post by Goldie on Aug 29, 2015 17:22:27 GMT -5
Thanks eddie!
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Post by cymru56 on Sept 3, 2015 6:12:18 GMT -5
Received the album from Amazon uk on day of release. Been listening on an early JVC CD player through Kenwood amp and Mission speakers and have to say the sound quality is excellent, particularly in comparison to the original CDs played through the same set-up. My only quibble - I do wish they'd included "Try Me Again".
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Post by jay15206 on Sept 3, 2015 10:23:37 GMT -5
I just posted my review on Amazon, so it should be there now. When you posted your review did you notice the review by the person who said that the album sounded "overcompressed with limited dynamic range and tinny"? Do you think, obviously having heard the remaster, that this guy has a point? I find it hard to believe that five people found the quality ok to great and one found it horrid-maybe his equipment was messed up. The person who didn't like the sound may simply have a more revealing stereo system than most people have. When I played Linda's CDs using a very revealing pair of speakers, they sounded horrid: shrill, glassy, metallic. It wasn't just Linda, either. Lots of vocals in the upper midrange suffered equally. Cymbal sounds could make me turn the music off. I've read that the sound I didn't like was the result of the application of the Arp synthesizer to Linda's vocals when the music was being mixed during the LP recording process. Because it was part of mixing rather than remastering, it could not be corrected during remastering. I can't explain what that means, but it was a remastering engineer who explained it. I also bought a Rega Planar 3 turntable in the 1990s. I found that in general, I enjoyed rock much more on the turntable than on CD when listening to a "real" stereo system. Now I listen mostly at my desk and in bed, so I don't listen to records much anymore, but I still think LP is the best way to listen to Linda.
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Post by moe on Sept 3, 2015 15:45:35 GMT -5
When you posted your review did you notice the review by the person who said that the album sounded "overcompressed with limited dynamic range and tinny"? Do you think, obviously having heard the remaster, that this guy has a point? I find it hard to believe that five people found the quality ok to great and one found it horrid-maybe his equipment was messed up. The person who didn't like the sound may simply have a more revealing stereo system than most people have. When I played Linda's CDs using a very revealing pair of speakers, they sounded horrid: shrill, glassy, metallic. It wasn't just Linda, either. Lots of vocals in the upper midrange suffered equally. Cymbal sounds could make me turn the music off. I've read that the sound I didn't like was the result of the application of the Arp synthesizer to Linda's vocals when the music was being mixed during the LP recording process. Because it was part of mixing rather than remastering, it could not be corrected during remastering. I can't explain what that means, but it was a remastering engineer who explained it. I also bought a Rega Planar 3 turntable in the 1990s. I found that in general, I enjoyed rock much more on the turntable than on CD when listening to a "real" stereo system. Now I listen mostly at my desk and in bed, so I don't listen to records much anymore, but I still think LP is the best way to listen to Linda. The quote segregation thing didn't work every thing below is Moe You bring up an interesting concept that this CD would sound "better" on a crappy system. I think the key is revealed by the fact that the sound is better on vinyl (analog) than on CD (digital). If I may extrapolate from industrial control systems which I am familiar with to audio (not so much) when you digitize an analog signal (whether it be a singer's voice or a transducers output) there are a couple things to watch out for: one is "aliasing" where the digital sampling frequency interacts with the input to produce spurious signals. This is dealt with by various means, one of which is an anti aliasing filter (yeah I know really creative name). It may be that in a lesser quality system bandwidth limitations act as an ad hoc anti aliasing filter, while in a high quality system lets the bad stuff through. The ARP synth is an analog device that shouldn't be problematic but some models did have a dicey filter that ARP started using after it was sued by Moog. This filter could have some nonlineaities that could produce inaudible signals that combined with 80-190Khz sampling frequency (also inaudible) could produce,in the presence of a wide bandwidth system, the poor quality experienced. The cure is obviously use vinyl (that, tube amps, and giant speakers produce the best sound IMHO anyway) failing that judicious use of an equaliser on the front end may help.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Sept 3, 2015 17:36:45 GMT -5
I have been reading the reviews for the album and the latest one comments on only 30 songs on 2 cds. That a very best of should have this song and that song included and gave it a one star for that. one person commented on his review an hour ago and agreed that a gh album should include such and such and such. I pointed out that not to knock Amazon but the title of this album is not the "Very Best of Linda Ronstadt", it is "Classic Linda Ronstadt: Just One Look". I also pointed put that one of the main points of this album is that 30 of her cuts have been re-mastered. He mentioned "The Collection" 2011 has 46 songs on it. I do not have this compilation as it comes up as an import but then the pkg looks like it has Rhino on it. Was this an official release? Does anybody have it? I have seen this before and always thought of it as an import that was not an official release by her label or a bigger company as in the Starbucks collection or the Icon series which I have both of. eddiejinnj
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Post by Guestadt on Sept 8, 2015 15:17:26 GMT -5
The sound is easily the best remastered for CD and mp3 I have encountered. The negative review seems not to be a verified purchase. Voted up the strong review from Mr. Erik and the others. Adding my own positive review. Anyone who doesn't hear Someone to Lay Down Beside Me anew isn't listening. It is a stand out for sure
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Post by eddiejinnj on Sept 8, 2015 16:57:17 GMT -5
The one thing I have to listen to again, probably in a little while is "Crazy". Am not sure that I can hear or they eliminated some of the ending. After the last "you" in every version I have heard (whether on Hasten or a compilation) she goes into an almost hum high note that fades away so torchy and sexy. I hope it is still there. Do people know what I am referring to at the end of the song!!!!! You are correct that STLDBM sounds great. eddiejinnj
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Post by eddiejinnj on Sept 9, 2015 15:14:18 GMT -5
I listened to "Crazy" today when we were working today (left early was brutal here just like florida)and they did keep the ending I love. Thank God!!!!! I have to listen to Patsy's again but I recall that her version just seems less emotional and emotive. Thank God am on this site as I probably would have a hundred opinions on youtube if I posted that there. eddiejinnj
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Post by Richard W on Sept 10, 2015 8:36:00 GMT -5
Oh, yes, Eddie, I know what you mean about that ending. Glad it's still there.
Patsy and Linda took different approaches to the song, Patsy's more formally pop, Linda's more languid and boozy. Your preference for one over the other may depend on which approach you prefer. You will not get trolled here!
Personally, I love them both.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Sept 10, 2015 9:10:53 GMT -5
The album is at 41 on Amazon. The best its been at since its preorder where she was at around number 15. Wonder whether we're going to get a Billboard showing. I checked the other day. It wasn't on yet. Will have to look again. eddiejinnj
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Post by erik on Sept 10, 2015 9:37:02 GMT -5
Quote by Richard W re. "Crazy":
Linda probably comes as close to Patsy's style as anybody who didn't consider herself a country artist in the strictest sense of the terminology is ever really likely to come (IMHO). Patsy's was right for the time she did it, in 1961; and the same can be said of Linda's in 1976.
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jimi
A Number and a Name
Posts: 24
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Post by jimi on Sept 11, 2015 14:26:33 GMT -5
I got my copy the other day and won’t hesitate to recommend it. I like the guiding principles behind the album of digging into albums instead of choosing the obvious string of hits once again and of presenting the many-sidedness of Linda’s talent by setting her variety of styles off against each other – ballads, rockers, country numbers and the big orchestral sound of the Cry like a Rainstorm tracks. Also John Boylan’s work with the masters is very nice, not least with the seventies’ songs – it makes new details come out and it gives you a fresh take on all those songs that you fell for all those years ago for exactly that, their freshness.
It’s possible to find faults: all this and no Jimmy Webb songs??? And just the one Eric Kaz song? Like others here I’m pleased with the attention that has been given to the Get Closer album. But the two best songs from the album (‘The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress’ and ‘Talk to Me of Mendocino’) haven’t been included. However, what we get is great, and as I said, the album very successfully presents the versatility of Linda’s talent, - a very good and worth-while overview for older fans, and a great introduction to her for new fans.
Linda’s albums with standards and her Spanish albums are not represented here. I live in Europe, and much as I treasure the latter two groups of albums, I don’t think they had a very big impact on markets outside the US. So the focus on the Just One Look album is her international career and should be interesting to a great number of markets. – For a complete career overview, the 1999 4cd set is still the one to get.
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Post by Dumbstruck on Sept 11, 2015 15:37:11 GMT -5
I got ... the one to get. What strikes me is that, for an non-American, or even non-Brit, you have perfect communication skills in English. Google tells me that 86% of people in Denmark can speak English. But you can't beat our American exceptionalism, even though many of us can't even communicate in English.
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jimi
A Number and a Name
Posts: 24
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Post by jimi on Sept 12, 2015 13:58:08 GMT -5
I got ... the one to get. What strikes me is that, for an non-American, or even non-Brit, you have perfect communication skills in English. Google tells me that 86% of people in Denmark can speak English. But you can't beat our American exceptionalism, even though many of us can't even communicate in English. I would say that American exceptionalism at its best language-wise is in the lyrics of folk music and parts of country music and of course blues . That is a truly American vernacular, and it has informed some of the best of writers in rock music. And I think you may say that one of Linda’s gifts is her ability to choose songs that are convincingly in that tradition, along with the other styles she chose to work with as well.
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Post by moe on Sept 12, 2015 18:49:14 GMT -5
Got the set Friday and finished the first run through today. I thought the song choice was appropriate if not inspired. First it was chronological so you got to watch Linda grow and change and in a sense stay the same, same in the sense that she was and continued to be a brilliant vocalist. I agree with the squawk of no Riddle and no Spanish not being true to what Linda was. Having said that, I think Boylan had a tough choice: keep near the mainstream but go beyond hits while not scaring people off. I view this set as a bachelor's degree in Linda, hopefully a bunch of people will like this and go for the PHD with the standards and Spanish language material.
As far as sound goes it sounds great to me. The remaster job raised the overall level of the recording (I don't have to turn to "11" to get a big loud sound) also the top end was cleaned up. I actually had to turn down the equalizer at the 5-15kHz band, mostly because I had about 5 db boost there normally cause a lot of discs lacked definition on the high end. This remaster really lets you hear the percussion-a snare sounds right as does a brush and you can actually hear the high-hat. I think Boylan did this on purpose: first `cause like a lot of us his hearing goes in the high end first - the second and serious reason for goosing the high end a bit could have been that even in contralto pitch a lot of the color in Linda's voice is in the higher reaches I think he felt to get the true Linda experience that the highs couldn't be filtered out. Whatever went on it works for this listeners ear.
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Post by erik on Sept 12, 2015 20:13:28 GMT -5
Not that this matters, but while I haven't seen the collection's presence on Billboard's other charts (others can fill in the blanks here), thus far it has peaked at #32 on the magazine's C&W album chart.
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Post by eddiejinnj on Sept 13, 2015 7:54:51 GMT -5
why doesn't it matter, erik? so it is at number 32 on billboard's country charts? well it may make it to the top 200 if it goes a little higher on the country charts. eddiejinnj
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Post by erik on Sept 13, 2015 12:22:43 GMT -5
Quote by eddeinnj:
Just for archaic matters, the C&W Album Chart is the only one I saw it on; and given that it's already been out for several weeks now, it should also have appeared on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart already (IMHO).
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jimi
A Number and a Name
Posts: 24
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Post by jimi on Sept 13, 2015 16:22:19 GMT -5
Like you, Erik, I’m hoping this could be a hit for Linda. But looking at the sales ranking in amazon.uk where I buy some of my cds, it is as yet only enjoying very mild success. People need to see that this is a package put together by people who are very close to Linda and her music, and that there is something to get from the remastering. But it is up against a number of seemingly similar products: The Greatest Hits I and II package is still readily available – and hard to beat in terms of hits. There’s The Very Best of from 2002 – which is very good, but also predictable. And the 2011 46-track Collection which offers a broader scope than Just One Look: it has a few of the Spanish songs and What’s New. But in my opinion it’s messy because it jumps back and forth in chronology and styles. And there is the Original Album Series collection – nothing beats the original albums. – So I guess what it would take is more effort on the part of the people behind the Just One Look set to draw attention to this particular release.
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Post by sliderocker on Sept 13, 2015 18:08:30 GMT -5
why doesn't it matter, erik? so it is at number 32 on billboard's country charts? well it may make it to the top 200 if it goes a little higher on the country charts. eddiejinnj At 32 on Billboard's country charts, I think it should already have been on Billboard's Top 200 in some fashion. But, what I think it's showing is telling customers is that the album is being marketed as a country album rather than a pop or rock album, which may explain its missing in action status on the album pop charts. I don't know how it could not have been on the Billboard pop album chart, other than maybe it had to sell a certain number of copies. But, such is the dishonesty of Billboard's charts as the Elvis Forever cd, sold at the US Post Office in conjunction with their "Elvis Forever" postage stamp, made the top ten on Billboard's album chart, despite the fact the post office was not and is not a normal retail outlet for selling cds. And despite the fact the cd was only available for a limited time. It made the top ten on the basis of selling 27,000 copies in one week. And Billboard wants you to believe Linda's album is not doing as well? Of course, in the past, albums on the country chart were not known for selling a lot of copies, but one does have to wonder in Billboard's Soundscam age, how many copies of Just One Look have been sold?
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Post by eddiejinnj on Sept 13, 2015 19:38:23 GMT -5
32 in country may not mean the top 200 with the number of genres and etc. so it must be the powers that be at billboard that decide to put her in this category and her sales were/are as such in this category. I do not believe that the record company is promoting this as a country album unless they think it will be talked up and given more reception in this now popular genre. As for the choice of songs. I would say that they were not focusing on the country market. I would say 4 songs would be considered country. 5 if you count "Blue Bayou" which is in a league all its own. Even 5 out of 30 is far from a majority of country songs. Though an official release, there have been lots of compilations on Linda and other artists and not all by far make the top 200. This was released the 21st, which is not a normal release date so it would probably go to the next Tuesday the 25th stats wise. So imo, it could only possibly be on the charts the 2nd of September or September 9 tmk. To me in the past sometimes it seems to take a few weeks for the chart to catch up to the release. eddiejinnj
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Post by Goldie on Sept 13, 2015 23:19:51 GMT -5
Is Rock n Roll even relevant anymore?
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Post by MokyWI on Sept 14, 2015 19:02:52 GMT -5
Albums are now released on Friday instead of Tuesday's
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