Disco de Linda Ronstadt: “Retrospective”

This LP has touched my heart like no other. The songs that were not big hits are terrific and Linda's voice was just so perfect. When I listen I feel as if I'm in another time and place that I wish I go go back & visit. Her voice draws you in.

I only wish that this were being offered on a digitally remastered CD. Life would be closer to perfect.

When this first came out as a 2-record vinyl LP and cassette in 1977, it immediately became one of Capitol's best-selling albums, eagerly snapped up by Linda Ronstadt's many fans. But for some reason this was one that never made it into CD format and that's really too bad because it's a nice mix of some of her biggest hit singles and album cuts at Capitol, both as a solo artist and with The Stone Poneys.

Such a transfer would have at least eliminated the background hiss associated with tapes (although in this case that's not bad at all) and perhaps allowed for liner notes/discography (this has neither). But, tapes being what they were, any that were molded together, as opposed to being assembled with small screws/bolts, tended to sometimes become warped if the tape itself became even slightly swollen, thus slowing down the revolutions when in the tape deck. That's what happened to mine, although I was able to fix it by breaking open the cassette and transferring the spools to another case with the small screws/bolts. Now it works fine.

By the way, if someone does decide to put this on CD, how about a bonus track or two to include a couple of the Capitol hits left out: Up To My Neck In High Muddy Water billed to Linda Ronstadt And The Stone Poneys on Capitol 2110, and a # 93 Hot 100 in April 1968; and (She's A) Very Lovely Woman - # 17 Adult Contemporary/# 70 Hot 100 on Capitol 3021 in February 1971 (the flip, The Long Way Around is in this collection, regarded as a "follow-along" hit on both charts).

The tracks in this release are: A1. When Will I Be Loved?; A2. Silver Threads And Golden Needles; A3. Hobo; A4. I Fall To Pieces; A5. Birds; A6. I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You; B1. Different Drum; B2. Some Of Shelly's Blues; B3. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight; B4. Louise; B5. Long, Long Time; C1. Faithless Love; C2. Rock Me On The Water; C3. Lovesick Blues; C4. Rescue Me; C5. Just A Little Bit Of Rain; C6. The Long Way Around; D1. You're No Good; D2. Ramblin' Round; D3. Crazy Arms; D4. It Doesn't Matter Anymore; D5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow?

Here the beautiful Linda showed she was adept at covering everyone from Patsy Cline to Hank Williams and Buddy Holly to Betty Everett, and for my money anyway (and with apologies to The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), delivers probably THE best version of Some Of Shelly's Blues.

Wow! Words pale, but I'll try to write a few. Additionally, check out "[...]" for a well written history.

This album is a must for any Ronstadt fans, or anyone else who can appreciate an open, honest, very emotional, soulful, powerful and beautiful voice. This double vinyl album from 1974 includes a great group of her songs, dating from 1966 to 1974. In 1966, at only twenty years old, Linda was already a professional singer. Some on the songs on this album were recorded live, most were studio recordings. I found this album online in audio cassette (mine cassette has long since worn out) or on vinyl. For some reason, there has not bee a CD made. That should change.

The album contains some decades old southern blues, some classic rock, and some country classics, along with other genres. It's a great mix of songs, all of which Linda raises to a new level. I highly recommend the "Retrospective" album.

Personally, when I first found it, this album brought me solice and peace. It still does today. BRAVO Linda, and thank you!