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Post by Richard W on Jul 2, 2013 10:09:22 GMT -5
The "danger" of a fan forum like this one is that we are now so aware of just about every facet of Ronstadt's life and career that a memoir by her threatens to hold few surprises, even as we eagerly anticipate its publication.
Whereas now we can argue back and forth over the most trivial minutia about her life and music, before the internet and forums we were pretty much left in the dark. Heck, we probably would not even be aware that a memoir was in the works until we saw it in the bookstore, just as, back in the day, we might not have even known when a new album was coming out unless we haunted the library and read about it in Billboard.
So while there may -- may -- be nothing new for us under the Ronstadt sun in her book, just reading that quote from her in the review gets my juices flowing in anticipation of actually reading it. You have to read just that one quote several times to mine all the meaning from it. Based on that quote, Linda has the writerly goods.
Yes, it would be nice to know, for example, how she met and why she continued to see Pete Hammill or Jerry Brown, but ultimately what I want to know about is her music. After all, if I had a chance to sit down and talk with her for an hour, believe me, every question I asked her would be about music.
As of right now, I think I will cut myself off from any further discussion about Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir. You know how so many movie previews and reviews reveal too much about the movie you want to see, sucking so much of the delight of self-discovery from the actual film itself? I feel as if I'm in the same danger here about Linda's book.
The posted review and the quotes from it are enough preview for me. I want to discover the rest of it for myself.
But I'll be seeing you in other topics.
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Post by Richard W on Jul 1, 2013 19:02:34 GMT -5
She's no Linda.
Cole's voice has always struck me as one-dimensional.
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Post by Richard W on Jul 1, 2013 10:46:06 GMT -5
Or a Linda "Heatwave," Eddie. I heard that song yesterday at the grocery store -- where I tend to hear Linda more often than on the radio.
Although I did hear "Just One Look" on XM 7 a couple of days ago, as well as "Different Drum" on XM 6.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 29, 2013 9:30:30 GMT -5
How funny that OBB even made a mark on the C&W chart considering it is decidedly not country or western in any way. I think even such a modest charting reflected country music's continuing (if deflating) love affair with Linda.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 28, 2013 9:39:34 GMT -5
You got that right, Dianna!
Interesting remarks from Britt about how Linda has mentored her, basically telling her (cousin) to find a family of musicians and create and perform with them, as Linda, et al, did in L.A.
Although I have to say that was one lame interviewer.
Thanks, Erik, for finding this.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 28, 2013 9:20:36 GMT -5
"Just One Look" on XM 7 yesterday.
"Blue Bayou" on a normally R&B station is notable, Erik. To my knowledge, it wasn't a hit on the R&B singles charts. I don't think any of Linda's hits charted there.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 27, 2013 10:36:20 GMT -5
Well, he wrenched my mind plenty in my youth. So much so that I don't think it ever quite again found its original position.
And you're right, Matheson specialized -- and excelled -- in depicting isolated individuals struggling against their environment (The Shrinking Man) or society (I Am Legend) and making you feel their terror and paranoia on a very personal level.
The Shrinking Man, besides being a terrifying story of domestic horror (surviving in the spider-dominated domain of his own basement), provocatively raises the existentialist question of what makes us human. At the most basic level, how small are we allowed to be and still be considered part of the human race? If a man shrinks to the size of a dust mote, is he still human? Does he still have a soul? What about microscopic level?
In my opinion, The Shrinking Man is, besides being a bang-up adventure story, is one of the most thought-provoking novels of the '50s.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 26, 2013 19:05:21 GMT -5
Oh, don't get me wrong, Erik. If you saw my collection of Matheson's work I think you'd be impressed. It's more that his later work fell far below and lacked what his best work did. (Even "Now You See Me" wasn't that good, but still better than, well, you know...)
I remember reading his short story, "Crickets", when I was a tween babysitting and it creeped me out, in a delicious way that only the finest horror stories can. As did "Being."
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Post by Richard W on Jun 26, 2013 13:02:38 GMT -5
"Hunted Past Reason" is just larded with sloppy writing such as, "his mind screamed" and "he screamed to himself" (lots of internal screaming in that one) something for which he, or his editor, should have known better. (I'm actually impressed, though, Erik, that you read that book. You are only the second person I know who has.)
And the whole "Deliverance"-style male rape scene was not only gratuitous, but downright offensive in its moldy, outdated politics, and I'm not someone who is easily offended. (I certainly wasn't by the same sort of scene in "Deliverance," either novel or film.)
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Post by Richard W on Jun 26, 2013 12:53:53 GMT -5
"Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues" was the tune that converted an old friend of mine to a Ronstadt fan. Shocking considering Joe was a huge fan of Carey's, Houston's and Dion's. I love Ronstadt's version of it, but not the tune I would have expected to convert a vocal grandstand fan. I just love that song as sung by Linda. It's a top 10 on my list of favorites. I can see where it could convert a non-fan who, perhaps, isn't so big on all of those heartbreak ballads, say, but perhaps not one such as yours, Mike. I would think something like "I Keep It Hid" would make a better "converter" in his case! It's often perplexed me that people who have a penchant for big female voices often don't include Linda in their cadre of favorite female singers. I have a friend who is a huge, although not uncritical, fan of Streisand, and who is also fond of Celine and even, gulp, Jennifer Lopez, but who can't stand Linda. There are times when I question why I am friends with him...
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Post by Richard W on Jun 26, 2013 9:58:57 GMT -5
We all have the same taste in some matters but different tastes in others, which is what makes this forum so interesting and lively. If we all agreed all of the time and sat around nodding our heads in agreement this forum would have tumbleweeds blowing through it. An opinion is just that. It is not a fact.
As for me, "Lover's Return" is the best song on FLH while "High Sierra" is the worst!
And yet I value the very considered opinions of my fellow Ronstadt fans enough to accept that others feel the exact opposite way about these two songs.
But what about the overlooked "Morning Blues"? For me, that's a song I had to grow in to. I thought it boring filler for years and then one day heard it with a "fresh ear" and now love it.
And I have to agree with Sean that FLH is miles above T2, which has a "let's just get this friggin' thing over with" feeling to it.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 25, 2013 10:46:48 GMT -5
I just don't hear the "soul" in his voice. All I hear is mumbled shrillness.
Then again, I don't get Van Morrison, either. I simply cannot listen to him. Morrison's supposed to be soulful, too, but all I hear is quacking. Yep, even "Moondance" will send me scurrying from the room. And "Brown-Eyed Girl"? I'd rather be stabbed in the head.
I have slipped on my bullet-proof vest...
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Post by Richard W on Jun 25, 2013 10:28:06 GMT -5
I have several signed, limited editions of Matheson's books. I have been a fan of his since I was a teenager, with the film adaptation of his marvelous book, "The Shrinking Man", being one of my favorites of all time (as is the book itself).
His novel "Hell House" is still one of the most frightening books ever -- one of the very few times I actually jumped while reading -- and the best haunted house story.
His late career output was overwhelmingly disappointing to me, with his novel "Hunted Past Reason" being one of the worst books I've ever read.
Still, anyone who can produce "I Am Legend", "Hell House", and "The Shrinking Man", not to mention his many great short stories, is a giant in my reading world.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 22, 2013 14:32:04 GMT -5
Poor Poor Pitiful Me on XM 7.
That gets played fairly often, which kinda surprises me since it wasn't that big of a hit.
Now if I can only get XM 8 (the '80s channel) to play Hurt So Bad and How Do I Make You, which I have never heard in over 4 years of subscribing.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 22, 2013 8:22:06 GMT -5
As I teenager of the '70s, I loved the Doobies (even before I knew what a "doobie" was). "Black Water" was an especially fine single that dropped from my 45 spindle a lot. But Michael McDonald ruined them for me, essentially turning the Brothers into a backup band for his strained, shrill "blue-eyed soul" vocals. I cannot bear him.
Still, the Doobies should be in the RRHoF, or, at the very least, they should be nominated.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 21, 2013 21:33:25 GMT -5
Cracker Barrel?
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Post by Richard W on Jun 21, 2013 15:58:37 GMT -5
Still, that was some wicked CSI work!
I had never heard that song before, or if I had I'd forgotten about it. How is that possible? (No need to try and answer THAT one.)
Thanks to your brilliance, I've purchased the song from iTunes and am listening to it now. For the 5th time...
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Post by Richard W on Jun 21, 2013 11:34:17 GMT -5
That's it!
OMG, I didn't remember anything about it except "Mr."
Thank you so much, musicaamator! You rock. Considering the little information you were given, how did you come up with it so fast?
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Post by Richard W on Jun 21, 2013 10:46:49 GMT -5
"Rock, Salt and Nails" by Linda and Tracy is just amazing, one of the best country songs Linda ever recorded. They both just, well, nail it.
"Silver Wings" is a little disappointing to me. It's a beautiful song but Linda doesn't seem that engaged. It should break your heart, and with Linda singing it, it should not only break your heart but stomp all over it. I just don't feel it. Then again, my expectations may be getting in the way. That's been known to happen.
As for instrumentals, I just love "Whipped Cream and Other Delights" by Herb Alpert. I know it's dismissed as suburban-barbeque music, but I tell you, you put that album on and it takes you to a different place.
OK, maybe someone here can help me. I was listening to XM 6, the '60s channel, the other day in the car and they played a song I'd never heard before. And I just loved it. It had sort of a bossa nova sound, with soft male vocals, and the name of it -- obviously I tried to remember but failed -- was something like "Mr. Chill." "Chill" or "Chilly" or "Chilled" was definitely (?) in the title, as was "Mr." I also forgot the name of the group. I'd never heard of them before so maybe they were a 1-hit wonder. I've searched iTunes to no avail.
What caught my ear was that this song sounded like a dead ringer for some of the work done by the contemporary band The Aluminum Group, right down to the vocals. So much so that it was spooky. I don't know how many of you know The Aluminum Group, but if you do it may help you help me find this song.
I couldn't think of a more knowledgeable group of people to ask.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 20, 2013 16:46:23 GMT -5
Graphic design (self-employed).
I also walk dogs.
And write. I wrote a screenplay that won 2nd place in 2011 in the Chicago screenwriting competition. Alas, having no Hollywood connections, it now languishes in a drawer...
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Post by Richard W on Jun 20, 2013 14:57:03 GMT -5
"10 prime cuts from the loin that gave us 'Long, Long Time'"
The "loin"?
Good grief...
Great album cover, though, one no one else has managed to duplicate!
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Post by Richard W on Jun 20, 2013 10:02:47 GMT -5
I agree this concert is a true gem. Usually I am blown away by live versions of her more rock-n-roll songs (That'll Be The Day/You're No Good). But here, I am absolutely overwhelmed by this version of Love Has No Pride. I cannot stop listening to it. I know! I've always loved the album version, but her phrasing here is even better. And those final "oh-oh-ohs"! Also very impressed with her version of "The Tattler" here. She really brings out the humor in the song. And how about that version of "Down So Low"? Jeepers!
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Post by Richard W on Jun 18, 2013 13:17:13 GMT -5
(I wonder what Dave Marsh is doing these days?) Very funny, ronstadtfanaz. It does give you pause... Yes, her management has had a very laissez-faire attitude toward public communications and I can't imagine Linda ever putting the kibosh on any of the sites dedicated to her. On the other hand, that book contract she had to sign may have had some legal stipulations in it we don't (and can't) know about. But then, that in itself is pure speculation. At any rate, my deepest sympathies for Rich and I hope he gets to the bottom of it.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 18, 2013 11:05:38 GMT -5
I feel your pain, Rich. I get frustrated when I have to rewrite an email when my mail program messes up, let alone the thought of reconstructing an entire -- and most excellent -- page on Facebook.
But I have difficulty believing that Linda's management had anything to do with your page disappearing since the "unofficial" LR website (http://www.ronstadt-linda.com/) is still up and running with its photos, links, etc. However, be that as it may, I can offer no explanation for what's happened to you and your work except to say that it's probably Facebook related and not part of a broader "conspiracy."
Like Eddie, I, too, have felt a ground-swelling interest in Linda lately, with more people positively commenting on her YouTube videos, more people questioning her exclusion from the RRHoF, the Eagles documentary, the recent art show dust-up, etc. Some sort of convergence is happening.
That this apparent convergence coincides with your Facebook mystery, Rich, is likely just that -- a coincidence. (It's difficult for me to imagine some sort of marketing/management genius suddenly taking control of all things Linda, especially since your Facebook page was actually promoting interest in her forthcoming book.)
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Post by Richard W on Jun 15, 2013 22:47:05 GMT -5
I Can Almost See It: the, well, aching way she sings that word in "the aching in your heart begins to show." A favorite moment 40-some years ago, still one now.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 15, 2013 22:43:46 GMT -5
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered: from the charmingly innocent way she sings the line "but now I'm like sweet seventeen a lot" to that gorgeous final sustain. Fabulous version of that song and one that can stand next to the best of them.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 13, 2013 13:29:46 GMT -5
"Lies" is one of her most underrated rockers. Love that guitar solo, too.
I, too, like the way that song abruptly jumps into "Tell Him"," even if that intro guitar chord jangles my nerves throughout the song.
Still, a nice homage to the girl groups.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 13, 2013 13:26:02 GMT -5
I've always loved Emmylou's version of "When I Stop Dreaming" but I love Linda's bootleg just as much, especially -- and this is one of those moments -- the way she adds the extra oomph to "I" in the chorus. Just lovely.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 13, 2013 11:04:20 GMT -5
That Abe. Always ahead of the curve.
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Post by Richard W on Jun 13, 2013 9:50:56 GMT -5
Farther down the scroll, there's the famous picture of dress-flipiing Linda with Jerry Brown, et al, incorrectly identified as being taken in 1970.
The photo was taken in the '70s but definitely NOT in 1970.
You can't believe everything you read, especially on the internet.
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