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Post by Robert Morse on May 15, 2012 12:01:37 GMT -5
NEW YORK – Glenn Frey has wanted to record an album of standards for nearly 30 years — ever since his old friend Linda Ronstadt launched her hugely successful foray into the Great American Songbook.
"The records that Linda made with Nelson Riddle— to me, that's where the bar was set" for such projects, says Frey, referring particularly to 1983's What's New and 1984's Lush Life. "There have been nice records since then, but in my humble estimation, those were the best."
Yet for his new After Hours, Frey — who played with Ronstadt before co-founding the Eagles more than 40 years ago — didn't limit himself to songs of a certain vintage. Tunes by Brian Wilson, Randy Newman and Burt Bacharach are featured alongside such pre-rock classics as (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons, My Buddy and (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66.
"I didn't want to do a period piece," explains Frey, 63, on a visit to Manhattan before flying to South Africa for an Eagles concert. "My idea was to just do a bunch of songs that I really like and that fit my voice."
He had a head start in the selection process. "In the early '90s, I became a partner in a restaurant in Aspen along with Fred Mayerson, a Broadway producer. He wanted to open a place that was a little on the highbrow side, and he told me, 'I'd like you to put together the music.' So I went out and bought everything. The restaurant came and went, but I was left with all these CDs."
They came in handy several years later, when Clint Eastwood asked Frey to perform two songs, including one older standard, at a party for volunteers at a celebrity golf tournament.
"I drove around in my car, listening to these songs I'd used for the restaurant, trying to figure out where my vocal range is," he says. "It turns out it's very close to Tony Bennett's." (The Good Life and I Wanna Be Around, both popularized by Bennett, are included on the deluxe edition of After Hours.)
Though After Hours marks Frey's first solo outing in 20 years, he has recorded and extensively toured with the Eagles, who commemorate the 40th anniversary of their self-titled debut album this year.
"That's a number to be proud of, but we're not doing too much," says Frey, who recently played with the band at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. "We're working on a two-DVD documentary, trying to get that finished. But there are a couple of other bands I really admire celebrating their 50th this year: the Beach Boys and the (Rolling) Stones. I think we'll lay low and let them do their thing."
Frey has launched his own tour (with stops Thursday in Englewood, N.J., and Friday in Bethlehem, Pa.) but says his "primary job" these days is playing father to his three children, ages 9 to 21.
"Both Don (Henley) and I started late on the family thing, so now we're right in the middle of it," Frey says. "And that takes precedence. I work when I can, but I try not to miss things."
He would like to eventually record another album of covers. "I've written enough contemporary songs and spilled my soul and given my world view. I don't have anything to prove."
Frey quickly adds, "That's not to say that I don't have any songs left to write. But I'd like to do something else in the vein of After Hours. There are so many great songs — I feel like I've just scratched the surface."
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Post by erik on May 15, 2012 12:38:13 GMT -5
It's really good to know that Linda is still inspiring those whom she was close to back in the day, including Glenn. Therefore, it's kind a sad thing, in my opinion, to know that she has retired, because it would be nice to see her and the Eagles back together, if just for one show, whether it's for standards or the stuff they all touched the world with.
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Post by cymru56 on Jun 25, 2012 4:51:08 GMT -5
Glenn Frey, talking about his latest album on BBC tv "Breakfast" this morning, gave a massive credit to Linda.
A clip's not available yet (one may appear in next few days), but basically he praised Linda's albums with Nelson Riddle as the finest in that genre by a contemporary pop artist.
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Post by cymru56 on Jun 25, 2012 7:54:32 GMT -5
Damn ! Its been edited out of the clip now showing on the BBC news site. Hopefully the full interview will be published somwhere.
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Post by erik on Jun 25, 2012 9:18:25 GMT -5
In other interviews he's done for After Hours, Glenn has mentioned Linda's Nelson Riddle albums a lot as his inspiration for it, although I think the approach he took is more in the style of what Linda did on her 2004 album Hummin' To Myself.
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Post by Cornish Pirate on Jun 25, 2012 12:55:52 GMT -5
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Post by cymru56 on Jun 25, 2012 13:26:52 GMT -5
Thanks Alan.
The mention is at 2.15
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 25, 2012 17:26:58 GMT -5
Glenn got a "royal grilling" by the hosts.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 26, 2012 8:37:44 GMT -5
Glenn got a "royal grilling" by the hosts. You have to wonder what it is about the Brits that allows them to get away with things that American interviewers could not. I have to say my eyebrows jumped when Frey was asked about becoming "a monster." He seemed unperturbed by it and addressed the issue calmly. I can't help but feel that the same accusation would have gotten an American interviewer a sharper response. And did anyone else get the feeling that these two had never heard of Linda's Riddle albums? There was such an evident lack of acknowledgement of Frey's praise that it seemed they'd maybe never even heard of Linda Ronstadt herself. |
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Post by erik on Jun 26, 2012 8:52:52 GMT -5
Quote by richwar: Yes, that part seemed to sail over their heads; and they never bothered to ask about Linda's involvement with helping put the Eagles together. But then again (and I know this is deeply cynical of me), you could say that about our entertainment media here in America too.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2012 9:42:26 GMT -5
I would hope he would show gratitude.. Linda was not only responsible for him getting the opportunity but gave her blessings when they wanted to form the Eagles..that is a lifetime pass, IMO!
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Post by cymru56 on Jun 27, 2012 18:46:23 GMT -5
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Post by eddiejinnj on Jun 27, 2012 20:51:41 GMT -5
great press and well deserved!!!! eddiejinnj
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Post by erik on Jun 27, 2012 21:37:42 GMT -5
I have a copy of said CD, and it's a very good one (you can find my review of it at Amazon). Incidentally, does anyone find it ironic that two of the songs on it are ones that Linda herself has done ("For Sentimental Reasons"; "It's Too Soon To Know")? And about his version of "Route 66"--I do hope he's reminded of the fact that it goes through Winslow, Arizona (hint, hint).  |
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Post by FEDUPSTADT on Jun 27, 2012 22:29:45 GMT -5
On a somewhat related note, I seem to remember Annie Lennox being told in an interview that "......Linda Ronstadt thinks you have the most beautiful voice in the world....." or something like that and Annie's response was "....that is great but who is she?....."
I can't say I am surprised since Linda was never a hit maker in the UK.
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Post by cymru56 on Jun 28, 2012 5:46:50 GMT -5
Linda was praising Annie's album"Medusa" in 1995 saying she was
"the best female rock singer from the 70's onward, hands down," adding, "There's emotion permeating every brilliantly executed twist and turn"
Interestingly that is an album of cover songs!
If Annie responded as reported that is shocking ignorance or a smartarse comment- someone of her age and involvement in the music industry should know of Linda. Being from the UK is no excuse. From my experience Linda had a fair amount of coverage in the UK back in the day.
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Post by erik on Jun 28, 2012 8:47:52 GMT -5
Quote by cymru56:
She may have gotten a fair amount of coverage, but the question then becomes "What kind of coverage?" (IMHO). If I remember right, I don't think the English rock press treated her fairly, at least not then.
As for Annie Lennox's comments about Linda, I don't recall them being that ignorant. I think she was very gracious about what Linda had said, and that she was aware of Linda, but that they really didn't hear much of Linda on British radio. And it's true, in the sense that she had maybe a handful of hits that jumped onto the British charts.
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 28, 2012 16:27:35 GMT -5
On a somewhat related note, I seem to remember Annie Lennox being told in an interview that "......Linda Ronstadt thinks you have the most beautiful voice in the world....." or something like that and Annie's response was "....that is great but who is she?....." I can't say I am surprised since Linda was never a hit maker in the UK. I wonder if that is true as in conversations with a true Lennox fan (who is supposed to know these things) she said Annie has complete praise for Linda. Maybe after she said that she looked her up but I can't imagine her not knowing about Linda. Annie is a fine person and great talent and wouldn't mean it snidely. Then again, Linda has said similar things about some other music artists as she shuns the celeb thing and with no tv and just listening to npr anything is possible. I couldn't tell you who most of the top 100 songs are from these days. |
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Post by markm on Jun 28, 2012 20:02:56 GMT -5
What you're remembering is that after being told what Linda said, Annie was asked by the interviewer: "What Linda Ronstadt song would you like to cover?" Lennox apparently thought for about a minute and couldn't come up with any. She did not say anything negative about Linda--in fact, if I recall right, she said something like: "She said that? That's really sweet of her." But it was odd she couldn't conjure up the title of any of Linda's songs...
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Post by philly on Oct 20, 2012 23:22:36 GMT -5
Hours of favourites
SIMON COLLINS, The West AustralianOctober 17, 2012, 10:31 am
When hell froze over in 1994, prompting the Eagles to reunite, singer and guitarist Glenn Frey put his solo career on ice and returned to the road with the Californian rock legends.
The band have since been regular visitors Down Under and so it felt natural for Frey to include Australia on his itinerary for next year's solo tour. The 63-year-old is especially looking forward to getting back to Perth where "the sun sets in the ocean the way it's supposed to".
Frey is chatting from Sydney, where he has lobbed to "stir the pot" for the tour, which will see him perform with orchestras around the nation and follows the release of his first solo album in 20 years, After Hours.
The covers collection draws from the Great American Songbook. Frey re-recorded standards made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett, as well as the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Brian Wilson and Randy Newman.
"They call these songs standards and I think they call them that because they set the standard for what a great song is and what a great vocal is," Frey says. "They've withstood the test of time."
The Eagle grew up listening to some of the songs on After Hours, which were hits from the 1930s-60s. He says his parents played many of them around the house when he was growing up.
"My parents are still alive and I wanted to get this record done because it's really an homage to the music they grew up with," Frey says.
While the material comes from close to home, Frey was also inspired by the three jazz/pop albums Linda Ronstadt cut with late bandleader Nelson Riddle in the mid-80s.
He sent a copy of After Hours to Ronstadt, who replied with a note telling Frey she loved the record, in particular the cover of Newman's Same Girl. "Only Randy Newman could write a song about a young junkie hooker and her pimp and turn it into a tearjerker," Frey laughs.
In recent years, the Great American Songbook has been fertile territory for a number of big- name artists seemingly running short of ideas - everyone from Paul McCartney and Rod Stewart to Robbie Williams and Barry Manilow.
Frey denies he was taking it easy. "This record we put together like a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle," he explains. "We worked on it diligently, you know, over about two-and-a-half years . . . and I paid for it with my own money.
"I wanted to make this record and I didn't have a record deal but I didn't want to let that stop me. I didn't have a record company come up and say 'You should do some standards, other people are doing 'em, it might give your career a shot in the arm'."
Of course, with such bankable rock standards as Take It Easy, Desperado, Lyin' Eyes and Tequila Sunrise under his belt, Frey doesn't need to do it for the money.
And the Eagles, whose second incarnation has run longer than their first, always have a few lucrative irons in the fire.
Frey and his songwriting buddy Don Henley are working with producer Rita Wilson on a Broadway musical incorporating their music, called Hotel California.
They have enlisted director Michael Mayer, famed for the rock musicals Spring Awakening and Green Day's American Idiot, and the script is currently being polished. The only sure thing is that the musical will feature wall-to-wall Eagles hits.
"That's the point and it's not just the songs from Hotel California," Frey says. "One of those Nights, Desperado, Lyin' Eyes, The King of Hollywood, Witchy Woman - there's so many other songs that fit into what happens at the hotel . . . hopefully we'll have something together for 2014."
The father-of-three says he's happy to be busy 40 years after the Eagles released their self-titled debut album.
"At this point in my career, I'm just trying to be honest and do work I'm proud of and you let the chips fall where they may," Frey says. "I've certainly had a run of tremendous luck.
"Because of all the songs Don Henley and myself, and the other guys in the Eagles, wrote together and recorded together - that's why I'm still here 40 years later."
After Hours is out now. Glenn Frey performs with WASO at Kings Park on February 24. Tickets from Ticketmaster and WASO.
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Post by erik on May 17, 2013 22:19:51 GMT -5
Mr. Henley and Mr. Frey, in London to promote the Eagles' documentary, talk about Linda (nothing but good things to say), and that nagging thing about her not being enshrined with them in Cleveland:
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Post by rick on May 18, 2013 0:58:40 GMT -5
Mr. Henley and Mr. Frey, in London to promote the Eagles' documentary, talk about Linda (nothing but good things to say), and that nagging thing about her not being enshrined with them in Cleveland Erik, what a great find! That answers the question about Linda's decision not to be filmed present day for the documentary. Am so glad that Glenn Frey and Don Henley acknowledge Linda's talent and the political aspects to her non-inclusion in the Hall of Sh(F)ame. |
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2013 8:19:03 GMT -5
thanks for posting... hopefully this will be a start of a 'tipping point' to get Linda the recognition she so richly deserves..
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Post by Richard W on May 18, 2013 10:54:40 GMT -5
Glenn and Don, here! here! Huzzahs! Bravo!
But it still doesn't answer the question as to why she didn't want to be part of the documentary, present day. She is, after all, ground zero in the formation of the Eagles.
Credit to these two for not displaying -- or even, apparently, harboring -- any bitterness toward her decision. Whatever her reason, it was evidently good enough for them.
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Post by erik on May 18, 2013 11:31:13 GMT -5
Quote by Richard W:
My theory, for what it's worth (again, probably not much [LOL]), is that, while what she might have said would likely have been important, the talk on all the blogs and Internet forums, except for this one, might not have been about that, but instead on her physical appearance: the usual stuff about her not having "aged well" and "letting herself go." I'm not saying, of course, that such talk is right; but I do believe that's where the talk would have been. I think out of an abundance of caution over those issues, she declined.
But seeing as how Glenn and Don had no problems with her decision, and how they are still advocates for her talent and grateful for her having been there for them back in '71, I don't think I can complain too much.
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Post by sliderocker on May 18, 2013 11:42:05 GMT -5
Glenn and Don, here! here! Huzzahs! Bravo! But it still doesn't answer the question as to why she didn't want to be part of the documentary, present day. She is, after all, ground zero in the formation of the Eagles. Credit to these two for not displaying -- or even, apparently, harboring -- any bitterness toward her decision. Whatever her reason, it was evidently good enough for them. My guess would be, based on an interview I read a few months back (on the unofficial LR website, which has articles and magazine interviews on Linda from the past) is that maybe she doesn't see herself as a celebrity. She alluded to feeling that way sometimes when others wanted her for projects (like a concert) and she hadn't done anything in some time. In the article I remember reading on that site, she mentioned turning down Don Henley and Jackson Browne, I think, on some concert they wanted to do and wanted her to do, saying she didn't feel like a singer or celebrity anymore, and more like an ordinary person. I think the article in question was from the late 90s, at a time when she was still performing. But, her reasons then could've had more to do with her health than anything else. Don and Glenn alluded to the fact Linda is retired as a reason for her non-participation in the video, so maybe she feels more like an ordinary person than a once famous singer. And hopefully, not any health related issues. |
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Post by rick on May 18, 2013 12:00:12 GMT -5
My guess would be, based on an interview I read a few months back (on the unofficial LR website, which has articles and magazine interviews on Linda from the past) is that maybe she doesn't see herself as a celebrity. She alluded to feeling that way sometimes when others wanted her for projects (like a concert) and she hadn't done anything in some time. In the article I remember reading on that site, she mentioned turning down Don Henley and Jackson Browne, I think, on some concert they wanted to do and wanted her to do, saying she didn't feel like a singer or celebrity anymore, and more like an ordinary person. I think the article in question was from the late 90s, at a time when she was still performing. But, her reasons then could've had more to do with her health than anything else. Don and Glenn alluded to the fact Linda is retired as a reason for her non-participation in the video, so maybe she feels more like an ordinary person than a once famous singer. And hopefully, not any health related issues. Slide, that is interesting and I agree that she likely does consider herself to be one's average, ordinary citizen. However, on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 1999, Linda was the opening act for Jackson Browne and The Eagles here in Los Angeles. From what I read on the board at the time, Linda was on stage exactly at 7:30 p.m. on the dot (no allowance for late-comers or stragglers) and did a 30-minute set and she was gone. Evidently, instead of being there to go on stage with Jackson and The Eagles, Linda had "left the building." I am sure Linda wanted to be home with her family at the stroke of midnight and is her right. Linda still lends her name to causes she believes are important. We have seen her appear on CNN to fight for immigration reform and against the draconian laws in Arizona. I also had the same thought that Erik expressed. Unfortunately, the way the blogosphere (and certain TV shows) are all about glamour and thinness and body image, etc., sadly Linda has become the punchline and one can understand why she would want to skip that. |
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Post by sliderocker on May 18, 2013 13:46:56 GMT -5
Slide, that is interesting and I agree that she likely does consider herself to be one's average, ordinary citizen. However, on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 1999, Linda was the opening act for Jackson Browne and The Eagles here in Los Angeles.
Seeing herself as an ordinary person set her apart from most, if not all of the other show business celebrities, even though ordinary she was not. But, she has always described herself as a homebody and not one who liked touring and being on the road. I guess she saw for herself first hand, what the road can do to one's health or saw people she worked with or admire, leave this world too soon because of the road. I think if she could've gotten away with it, she would've confined herself to just making albums and maybe tv appearances to promote her recordings. But, the record companies were keen on artists touring to promote their albums, which I don't see the correlation between the two. I know of artists who toured, had albums out at the time and...they just didn't sell in the numbers one might expect. But, the record companies and fans always claimed tours helped spur the sales.
From what I read on the board at the time, Linda was on stage exactly at 7:30 p.m. on the dot (no allowance for late-comers or stragglers) and did a 30-minute set and she was gone. Evidently, instead of being there to go on stage with Jackson and The Eagles, Linda had "left the building." I am sure Linda wanted to be home with her family at the stroke of midnight and is her right.
That would've been in keeping with her being a homebody and putting her family first. But, I've also wondered about the health issues since I recall seeing mentions of Linda being ill in the 90s. Since she's also a super privacy freak (can't and won't say anything about that as I'm a super privacy freak as well), whatever her health problems have been have been well guarded from the press. There was some mention of her having some kind of surgery that was needed in 2006, and the reason for the surgery wasn't disclosed, other than it wasn't for cancer. I doubt she will discuss the health matters in her forthcoming autobiography or anything she considers to be private and off limits. Her right to do so, but her health issues could be another reason she retired. Hope not.
Linda still lends her name to causes she believes are important. We have seen her appear on CNN to fight for immigration reform and against the draconian laws in Arizona.
She stands up for what she believes in, which is good. What's worrisome is that in doing so, she manages to tick off the psychotics on the extreme right. She made them crazy when she called George Bush an idiot (truth hurts) and her dedication of "Desperado" to Michael Moore drove them even crazier. Many called her unpatriotic, a modern equivalent of Jane Fonda. That kind of thinking demonstrated what is truly wrong in this country and how certain politicians, mostly Republican, are exploiting it for personal gain, rather than telling the psychotics to tone it down.
I also had the same thought that Erik expressed. Unfortunately, the way the blogosphere (and certain TV shows) are all about glamour and thinness and body image, etc., sadly Linda has become the punchline and one can understand why she would want to skip that.
I haven't heard much in the way of negative comments directed Linda's way because of her weight. Then again, I rarely watch tv, don't listen to radio very much either and don't buy or read any gossip style magazines. But, it wouldn't surprise me if there's not some out there who get their chuckles from making fun of Linda because of the weight. It's probably the same bunch who gave Elvis a hard time, and then gave Heart's Ann Wilson a hard time and Stevie Nicks a hard time when they all had weight issues.
They just think it's so funny that celebrities have problems with their issues. And the only thing that seems to shut it down, at least for a time, is when the celebrity dies. I doubt the nasties will ever shut up, because as long as we have celebrities with all too human foiables, there'll be someone willing to have a laugh at the celebrity's expense.
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Post by Dianna on May 18, 2013 13:53:06 GMT -5
Quote by Richard W: My theory, for what it's worth (again, probably not much [LOL]), is that, while what she might have said would likely have been important, the talk on all the blogs and Internet forums, except for this one, might not have been about that, but instead on her physical appearance: the usual stuff about her not having "aged well" and "letting herself go." I'm not saying, of course, that such talk is right; but I do believe that's where the talk would have been. I think out of an abundance of caution over those issues, she declined. But seeing as how Glenn and Don had no problems with her decision, and how they are still advocates for her talent and grateful for her having been there for them back in '71, I don't think I can complain too much. That is very possible Erik.Even if she was a "rock star" celebrity and sex symbol in her younger days She has never been totally secure with herself, IMO. She has made comments, which lead me to believe she wishes she had more self confidence.. even if in my own opinion for someone to get on that stage and do what Linda has done .. had the career.. there has to be a generous amount of self love or someone who loves to ham it up.. yet if she wanted to she had the option, like so many in showbiz to turn back time.lol.. I would assume Linda would find that not very appealing... I did think it was strange how she blurted out kind of matter of fact.. "i can't sing anymore." I know her illness had to do with this..how much it has affected her singing I don't know, but she is a perfectionist... and I know despite her health issues.. Linda has taken care of her self pretty good, health wise, she doesn't drink, do drugs or smoke.. which especially smoking can ruin a beautiful singing voice.. |
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Post by Richard W on May 18, 2013 14:02:43 GMT -5
Hatsimodo's thyroiditis.
Type 2 diabetes.
Hysterectomy.
All within a short span of time.
That would make anyone re-evaluate their priorities.
And I have no doubt that Linda would still be singing (and perhaps she does in the privacy of her own home) if she could. She's always defined herself as a singer, and to take stock of herself and come to the conclusion that she is no longer what she's defined herself as all her life is no cavalier decision.
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