Disco de Linda Ronstadt: “For Sentimental Reasons”

The girl's come a LONG WAY since the days of "When Will I Be Loved" and "Different Drummer". Here we have a mature artist giving her own interpretations of these familiar old chestnuts, yet still retaining their original structure and melody. Compared with her 2 earlier CD's, "What's New" & "Lush Life", "Sentimental..." is a quantum leap in Ronstadt's skills and interpretive abilities. It would've been unthinkable for her in the 70s to sing a song like "When You Wish Upon A Star" with the tenderness and clarity that she does here. What adds poignancy to this particular CD is that it contains Nelson Riddle's very last arrangements (in fact he passed away before the final completion).

Linda has been attacked by some in the media for taking on this kind of material, yet I agree with all those who have listened to this set. You will be amazed by her power, phrasing and diction. She is simply BRILLIANT! My fav's are "Am I Blue", "Straighten Up.." and of course the title track, "I Love You for Sentimental Reasons". She really glides on the faster-paced swingers. It's hard to keep the feet still when Riddle's orchestra starts kicking. Stop comparing her to Fitzgerald or Sinatra---it's unfair. It you must compare, pick her own generation of artists who tackled similar material (remember Carly Simon & Pia Zadora??) Need I say more? Linda adds enough zest, polish and individuality to lift these songs to a new level. Enough said---GET THIS CD!! You will be surprised how it will hardly leave your player.

"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." ~ Marc Chagall

The color of love is red. Red is the color of Valentine's Day. And if I have to identify Linda Ronstadt's albums into color-codes, I would say that this particular album, which is my all-time favorite is red, simply because it has the loveliest and the most romantic songs she ever recorded. Every song is a winner! Mr. Riddle and Ms. Ronstadt were musically made for each other and they have made the most beautiful music that we always enjoy listening to through the years. Riddle's fabulous arrangements and Ronstadt's magnificent performances make this recording a one-of-a-kind treat and truly enjoyable to listen to most especially on Valentine's Day. If I have to identify these lovely songs into remarkable 'love quotes' of all-time, these songs would have the corresponding quotations as follow:

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR: "There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart." ~ Michael Nolan

BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED: "A heart that loves is always young." ~ Greek Proverb

YOU GO TO MY HEAD: "Love is the flower you've got to let grow." ~ John Lennon

BUT NOT FOR ME: "Love comforteth like sunshine after the rain." ~ William Shakespeare

MY FUNNY VALENTINE: "Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking together in the same direction. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU VERY WELL: "Those who have courage to love should have courage to suffer." ~ Anthony Trollope

AM I BLUE?: "Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." ~ Charles Dickens

I LOVE YOU FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS: "Love is an attempt to change a piece of dream world into reality." ~ Theodor Reik

STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT: "Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination." ~ Voltaire

LITTLE GIRL BLUE: "Love conquers all." ~ Virgil

'ROUND MIDNIGHT: "Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

If you like Ella, Billie, and Clooney (or even Dawn Upshaw), you probably won't like this set as Linda - great as she is - is not in their class as an interpreter of the standards. On the other hand, if you love or even just like Linda's voice, you might very well enjoy this collection as I have. I cannot think of a better introduction for pop/rock fans to the standards.

I agree --ignore Dave Rimmer's rude assessment. This collection grew on me and it's one of my all time favorites, evoking a mood and season like few other recordings. It's hard to pin down why this recording affects me so much. Ronstadt's work on "For Sentimental Reasons" is sweet, flawless, and moving, and the depth of "Round Midnight" is like no other. It could also be simply because I respect Linda Ronstadt simply for daring to break out of her mold and try something new, and having done such a good job at it.

Love the music of that Era and love the arrangements of Nelson Riddle.