Linda Ronstadt (album)
Linda Ronstadt is the third solo studio album by Linda Ronstadt, released in early 1972 on the Capitol Records label. The album was a sales failure, prompting Linda's exit from Capitol Records. It peaked at #163 on Billboard's Pop Album Chart and #35 on Billboard's Country Album Chart. It is considered to be a front-runner in the country rock music genre.[1]
| Linda Ronstadt | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 17, 1972 | |||
| Genre | Country rock | |||
| Length | 31:42 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Producer | John Boylan | |||
| Linda Ronstadt chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Linda Ronstadt | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B–[2] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [3] |
History
Before recording the album, Ronstadt hired guitarist Glenn Frey to assemble a touring band; Frey did so with members of drummer Don Henley’s band Shiloh, who were signed to Amos Records at the same time as Frey’s previous band, Longbranch Pennywhistle. The touring band, augmented by pedal steel guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow and producer John Boylan on guitar, accompanied Ronstadt on six of the album’s ten tracks, including three that were recorded live at The Troubadour nightclub in West Hollywood, California during March of 1971. The other members of the original Eagles lineup, guitarist Bernie Leadon and bassist Randy Meisner, appeared on other tracks as session musicians, with Meisner accompanying Ronstadt on backing vocals with the live band on “Birds” and “Rescue Me”. Frey, Henley, Leadon and Meisner formed the Eagles, with Ronstadt’s approval, after the album’s release. Other notable session musicians on the album include violinist Gib Guilbeau, pedal steel guitarist Buddy Emmons, harmonica [Jimmy Fadden of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band], and Herb Pedersen on guitar, banjo and backing vocals.
The lack of major success with this and preceding albums led to Ronstadt's decision to leave Capitol. After signing with Asylum Records and recording her first album with them, however, Ronstadt was required to release her 1974 album, Heart Like a Wheel on Capitol to fulfil her contract. Ironically, it would become her breakout album.[4]
Track listing
"I Fall to Pieces," "Birds," and "Rescue Me" are live performances.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rock Me On the Water" | Jackson Browne | 3:40 |
| 2. | "Crazy Arms" | Ralph Mooney, Chuck Seals | 3:33 |
| 3. | "I Won't Be Hangin' Round" | Eric Kaz | 3:03 |
| 4. | "I Still Miss Someone" | Johnny Cash, Roy Cash Jr. | 2:42 |
| 5. | "In My Reply" | Livingston Taylor | 3:32 |
| Total length: | 16:30 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Fall to Pieces" | Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Ramblin' 'Round" | Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, John A. Lomax | 3:22 |
| 3. | "Birds" | Neil Young | 3:01 |
| 4. | "I Ain't Always Been Faithful" | Eric Andersen | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Rescue Me" | Raynard Miner, Carl Smith | 2:47 |
| Total length: | 15:12 | ||
Charts
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| United States (Billboard 200) | 163 |
Personnel
Adapted from album's liner notes.[5]
- Linda Ronstadt – lead vocals, arrangements (2, 7), tambourine (10)
- Barry Beckett – keyboards (3)
- John Boylan – guitar (1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9), arrangements (2, 5, 9)
- Glenn Frey – guitar (1, 6, 8-10), arrangements (1), backing vocals (9, 10)
- Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar (1, 2, 6, 8, 10)
- Richard Bowden – electric guitar (2)
- Tippy Armstrong – guitar (3)
- Weldon Myrick – steel guitar (3)
- Bernie Leadon – guitar (4, 5, 7), backing vocals (5, 7)
- Herb Pedersen – guitar (4), backing vocals (5, 7), banjo (7)
- Dean Webb – mandolin (4)
- Moon Martin – backing vocals (4), guitar (8, 10)
- Buddy Emmons – pedal steel guitar (5, 9)
- Michael Bowden – bass guitar (1, 2, 6, 8-10)
- David Hood – bass guitar (3)
- Wesley Pritchett – bass guitar (4)
- Randy Meisner – bass guitar (5), backing vocals (8, 10)
- Lyle Ritz – bass guitar (7)
- Don Henley – drums (1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10), backing vocals (8, 9, 10)
- Roger Hawkins – drums (3)
- Mike Botts – drums (5)
- Jimmie Fadden – harmonica (7)
- Gib Guilbeau – fiddle (2, 4, 6, 7), backing vocals (4)
- J.D. Souther – backing vocals (2), lead and harmony vocals
- Merry Clayton – backing vocals (3)
- Dianne Davidson – backing vocals (3)
- Miss Ona – backing vocals (3)
Production notes:
- John Boylan – producer
- Al Coury – production coordinator
- Don Blake – engineer
- Larry Hamby – engineer
- Rudy Hill – engineer
- Wally Heider – engineer
- Mike Shields – engineer, mixing, mastering
- Ray Thompson – engineer
- Dean Torrence – design
- John Hoernle – art direction
- Ed Caraeff – photography
Studios
- Recorded at United Western Recorders and The Troubadour (Hollywood, California); Muscle Shoals Sound Studios (Sheffield, Alabama).
- Mixed and Mastered at NEMO Productions.
References
- Allmusic review
- Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: R". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 12, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 701. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
rolling stone linda ronstadt album guide.
- Moore, Mary Ellen (1978). The Linda Ronstadt Scrapbook: An Illustrated Biography. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. p. 61. ISBN 0-441-48411-5.
- Linda Ronstadt (booklet). Capitol. 1972.
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