Linda Ronstadt Album: “Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions”

Being a longtime Linda Ronstadt fan, as well as a very devoted Emmylou Harris fan, I anxiously awaited this CD from the time I heard it was being done. When I heard of all the wonderful songwriters contributing to the CD, I was even more excited. Now, after four listens, I am ready to make a few comments but let me first say, I love the CD. The choice of songs is interesting and intelligent and I don't care if there's not a top-40 song on it. I like it and would guess other like-minded people will enjoy it as well. Unlike the recent Trio II CD where my favorite cuts were where Emmylou sang lead, there are several cuts where she sings harmony that I like just as well. Probably my favorite cut is RAISE THE DEAD where Emmylou's vocals are particularly strong. FOR A DANCER (written by Jackson Browne) is fabulous. I'm so glad to hear Linda's voice hasn't diminished in all these years and am also glad to see them recording a song of her old buddy Browne.

LOVING THE HIGHWAY MAN, the first cut on the CD, isn't my favorite but perhaps just because I have to turn down the volume about 20 second into the song! It was interesting to note Emmylou's ex-husband, Paul Kennerley on back-up vocals. And note he actually wrote HE WAS MINE, another great cut with lead vocals by Linda.

The title track, WESTERN WALL, a composition by the talented Rosanne Cash is very nicely done with Linda and Emmylou alternating on lead vocals.

1917 is an interesting song by a songwriter I'm not very familiar with, Paul Olney. I note he has also penned other songs covered by Emmylou and this is an interesting arrangement with a Spanish flair, even though the lyrics allude to a French theme. I would be interested in knowing the background of this hauntingly beautiful song.

SWEET SPOT initially was my least favorite cut off the CD, but even that's growing on me the more I listen. FALLING DOWN is another one I don't care much for -- more the arrangement and the background music overtaking the vocals. Much more likely to appeal to my teenagers than myself, I'm afraid.

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Springsteen's songwriting skills add a depth to the CD with Patti's VALERIE and The Boss' ACROSS THE BORDER. Both are a welcome addition to the CD.

SISTERS OF MERCY shows the genuis of Leonard Cohen but I'm not that excited about the arrangement. Perhaps this will grow on me as well - I'd like it too.

Sinead O'Connor is an underestimated talent. Her songwriting skills are quite apparent in THIS IS TO MOTHER YOU. What a beautiful song. Another favorite.

ALL I LEFT BEHIND is one of the highlights of the CD. Written by Emmylou along with Kate and Anna McGarrigle with leads by Emmylou and harmony by Linda as wellas Kate and Anna, it reminds me of early Emmylou, and I couldn't be happier to hear something like this on the CD.

All in all, an outstanding CD ( did I ever have any doubt about this?).

Two of the best vocalists (note the absence of gender qualification) to be found in any genre. And Ronstadt and Harris have surrounded themselves with a stellar supporting cast: Bernie Leadon, Andy Fairweather Low, the McGarrigle Sisters, Neil Young, et. al. Top notch songwriters, too: Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Leonard Cohen and Bruce Springsteen. Even Harris turns in some strong compositions, including the haunting "Raise the Dead." While the songs lyrics make pointed references to Hank WIlliams, Sam Cooke, Bill Monroe and Robert Johnson, the chorus ("I'll never get out of your love alive") has Gram Parsons written all over it.

Some of the tracks ("Loving the Highway Man," "Falling Down") continue the genre-bending approach of Harris's 1995 Wrecking Ball. But most continue more in the vein of 1998's Trio II, which included Dolly Parton. There are sad story-songs ("1917"), songs of lost love ("For a Dancer," "Valerie"), and songs of hope and promise ("Across the Border"). But throughout you get to enjoy the achingly beautiful voices of Harris and Ronstadt. And then add Kate and Anna McGarrigle on tracks like "All I Left Behind" and you'll think you died and are listening to the voices of angels--heavenly! RECOMMENDED

Whenever you see reviews of an album that are as polarized as the reviews are for this one, check it out!! Those listeners expecting Ronstadt and Harris to stay in the same musical box as their previous "Trio" releases will be quite surprised. This music cannot be easily categorized. But it will enter your consciousness and you will find yourself thinking about it long after you've listened to it, and wanting to hear it again. For those who haven't heard it yet, give it a chance. For those who have heard it and dismissed it, listen to it again. For those who have heard it and love it, listen to it again.

On October 4 I had the honor of attending Linda and Emmylou's concert in Nashville TN at the Ryman. It was a special concert. Not only the two greatest artists of our generation were singing flawlessly but the venue (The Ryman Auditorium) was the perfect place to witness such great art. This recording is like a masterpiece painting...each time one encounters it..another aspect is exposed. Everytime I play this recording I get deeper appreciation for the artists and their music. The music is haunting. This is a masterpiece.

This is an excellent album that I still enjoy listening to over and over. Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris has often collaborated together, their voices seem to meant for each other to sing with. Linda's velvety soft voice with Emmylou's songbird type voice, make for a good match. They recorded TRIO albums with Dolly Parton (in fact TRIO II had been released earlier in the year in 1999, even though it was recorded in 1994). However, without Dolly the result is still a great album. WESTERN WALL: THE TUCSON SESSIONS is an interesting collection of cover songs and originals about love and loss. There's some interesting songwriters throughout the set - Patty Griffin, Andy Prieboy, Rosanne Cash, Leonard Cohen, and Bruce Springsteen. I think the best song on the album is the haunting "1917", a song about the soldiers and women in World War I. An interesting cover choice is of Sinead O'Connor's "This Is To Mother You". The sparse arrangements lead to some great focus on the voices, and the harmony. "He Was Mine" is probably the most radio friendly song here, where Linda sounds in top form. Other highlights on the set include "For a Dancer", "Raise The Dead", "Western Wall", "Falling Down", "Valerie", and more. Excellent album!