Customer Reviews

Don't Cry Now

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

While it took HEART LIKE A WHEEL to make Linda Ronstadt rock's first female superstar, DON'T CRY NOW was her first certified hit record. DON'T CRY NOW peaked at #45 on the charts and was certified Gold, which was a large improvement (in commercial terms) over her previous recordings. It was also her first record on David Geffen's Asylum label, though HEART LIKE A WHEEL, released the following year, was issued by Capitol Records. Ronstadt's style had changed noticeably over her previous two albums. The breathtaking-roots-country approach of SILK PURSE had been replaced by a smoother country sound on LINDA RONSTADT. With DON'T CRY NOW, most of the country influence is toned-down (the steel guitar is used frequently, but the fiddle appears only on "Silver Threads And Golden Needles"). In 1973, many reviewers commented that if Linda Ronstadt would become a pure country singer, she'd be the industry's best. The soft-rock sound of DON'T CRY NOW is magnificent, it reminds me somewhat of Carole KIng's TAPESTRY, but DON'T CRY NOW has a more forceful style. Its one of Linda Ronstadt's most richly emotional albums. J.D. Souther takes full production command on four of the album's songs (three of which are his own), working with John Boylan (who produced her 1972 album) on two and Peter Asher (who she'd work with from 1974 to the early 1990s) on another two. Boylan takes the helm solo on two additional tracks. Ronstadt cuts three of Souther's songs on this album, she had never recorded any of his tunes prior to DON'T CRY NOW, but he would remain a notable presence on her work through the 1970s. Souther's "I Can Almost See It" opens the record with a subtle harmonica introduction. The recording is remarkable, though the song didn't chart well. "Love Has No Pride" did. Linda Ronstadt delivers the definitive version, using her skills as music's finest torch singer to bring additional emotional resonance to the recording. "Love Has No Pride" was produced by John Boylan. The country warhorse "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" had already been featured on Ronstadt's solo debut HAND SOWN...HOME GROWN is all-stops out rock/country (I mean it literally) arrangement. The DON'T CRY NOW version is superior, the album's only pure-country recording, one of the two uptempo songs on the album, produced by Boylan and Souther. Herb Pedersen, who was indispensable in the alternative country scene of the 1970s contributes harmony vocals and acoustic guitar. Its one of my favorite Linda Ronstadt songs, either version, but I like this one just a little bit better. The Eagles had used "Desperado" as the thread for their sophomore album, an unsuccessul concept album of the same name. Their recording of the song is an Eagles classic. Ronstadt offers a soulful rendition far greater than the original, and hers succeeds without the western connections of surrounding songs Souther's finest composition on the album is the title track, which Ronstadt gives a powerful edge through her extraordinary voice and singing skills. Like "I Can Aklmost See It", "Don't Cry Now" was a brand new composition at the time of recording. Peter Asher would be at the helm of her rock records from HEART LIKE A WHEEL to CRY LIKE A RAINSTORM-HOWL LIKE THE WIND (I'm not sure who produced MAS CANCIONES and FRENESI, though I think it was Asher). He co-produces "Sail Away" and "I Believe In You" with J.D. Souther. Randy Newman's "Sail Way" is a brilliant composition, but Ronstadt has been criticized severley for her version of the song. Ronstadt delivers a soulful rendition with some gospel overtones, but the ironic humor of Newman's original is missing. So what. Ronstadt's performing energy makes this track a worthwhile listen. "Colorado" was one of the few notable tracks on the Flying Burrito Brothers first post-Gram Parsons album. Rick Roberts, who played a crucial role in the discovery of Emmylou Harris, composed the song; a gentle sorrow-filled tune, which is given an exceptional reading on DON'T CRY NOW, produced by Boylan. I've always felt that Souther's song "The Fast One" was somewhat of a missed opportunity; there are exceptional pieces to the song, but the verse/chorus and the bridge aren't well-matched. Ronstadt version of the song, however, is excellent. William Bell had made a classic out of "Everybody Loves A Winner" and Ronstadt offers a marvelous rendition of the song. Boylan and Souther produced this song which features a horn arrangement. Neil Young's exceptional "I Believe In You" is the album's best song, and the best album closer in Linda Ronstadt's catalog. Ronstadt's vocal is filled with emotion as it rings out among the marveous string arrangement and breathtaking chorus. This is the definitive recording. It took me a while to enjoy DON'T CRY NOW, mainly because of the lack of uptempo material, but after I listened to it a couple times I think of it as an essentiaal. Not to mention a crucial step in Linda Ronstadt's path to superstardom.

A transitional album for Linda Ronstadt in sound only, "Don't Cry Now" has more of a country-rock sound than later albums. Her first recording for Asylum, "Don't Cry Now" gets the deluxe reissue that it always deserved. The recording doesn't sound compressed or like it has been brickwalled pumping out volume at the expense of the dynamic range of the original recording.

Shawn Brittan does a marvelous job remastering this classic album. The album is a limited, numbered edition and is presented in a replica of its original gatefold sleeve (as with The Allman Brothers "Idlewind South" Mofi reissue). Like Steve Hoffman's excellent remaster of her Greatest Hits collection, "Don't Cry Now" has all of the advantages of CD without the disadvantages of most modern remasters.

I first discovered Linda Ronstadt with this album, one of those that defined Country Rock in the 1970's, and it started my tremendous admiration for this wonderful artist with the purest, loveliest voice in pop/rock/country/mariachi (whatever she chooses to sing). She would acquire a lot more finesse, subtlety and sophistication later on, but there are still some unforgettable gems on this work. "Colorado" is a wonderful showcase for her voice in all its honey-sweet purity, and her version of "Desperado" is on an equal footing with The Eagles original, and certainly more vocally powerful. "Love Has No Pride" and "Don't Cry Now" are great ballad powerhouses for her also. All in all, a strong indication of what was to come, and an album that still largely holds up quite well today.

Although this contains more rock and less country than her previous albums, it has more of a country feel to it than much of the music coming out of Nashville in recent years. This was Linda's fourth solo album - she had also recorded some with the Stone Poneys - but although it was her best selling album up to that point in her career, it did not make her a big star - that happened as a result of the album after this, Heart like a wheel. This album is fairly mellow, being mainly a mix of ballads and mid-tempo songs with only a couple of up-tempo songs (Silver threads and golden needles, The fast one).

The songs include three originals (I can almost see it, Don't cry now, The fast one) written by John David Souther, a songwriter that provided Linda with songs during the seventies. Love has no pride (co-written by Eric Kaz, another songwriter whose songs Linda made good use of) has also been covered by Bonnie Raitt.

The album includes plenty of great covers including Desperado (Eagles), Sail away (Randy Newman), Colorado (Flying Burrito Brothers), Everybody loves a winner (William Bell) and I believe in you (Neil Young).

This album includes Linda's second recording of Silver threads and golden needles, a country standard first recorded by Wanda Jackson, which became a top twenty American hit for the Springfields in the early sixties. Linda originally recorded the song on Hand sown home grown, which I've already reviewed.

This album, on vinyl, was my introduction to Linda's music and it remains one of my favorites. Linda has recorded many different types of album and you need eclectic tastes (like Linda and I do) to enjoy them all. To enjoy this one, you need to like mellow country rock music, such as you can hear on the early Eagles albums.

I couldn't agree more with the reviews here. I thought I was crazy for spending so much on one CD, but I guess I'm not alone! Spending $30 for one CD may seem strange to others, but "Don't Cry Now" is one of Linda Ronstadt's finest albums, and it is perhaps my favourite of her albums. It's worth every penny, especially now that is has been remastered.

Indeed, the album is mostly ballads, but Ronstadt's biggest strength as an artist, besides her vocal ability, is her choice of material; it's impeccable. My three favourite tracks on the album are generally associated with other artists: "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" (Dusty Springfield), "Desperado" (The Eagles) and "Love Has No Pride" (Bonnie Raitt). As much as I like those artists and their versions of these songs, nobody does them better than Linda. To me, they are the definitive versions. Particularly "Desperado", perhaps one of the most-covered songs in music history. Linda's version is powerful in its simplicity, and her vocals are both pristine and pack an emotional wallop.

The remastering on this CD is superb, particularly since many of Linda's '70s recordings on CD need to be remastered for today's listeners.

Still a relatively young artist, she had not hit her stride yet. After listening to many of the albums from her repertoire, I have to say that this is her best one so far. The album is one of her most emotional and solemn, even more than her classic "Hasten Down the Wind'. It opens with the brilliant Harmonica driven "I Can Almost See it" and you can almost feel her heartbreak. "Love Has No Pride" is a torch singer's pride, she rips this one to shreds with her honesty and leaves no prisoners. She provides a good version of "Silver Threads and Golden Needles' but alittle too bluegrass driven, Janis Joplin's version is a little more superior. "Desperado" is the best song on this record and possibly the best in her whole catalog. The title track is just beautiful, she sings it so nicely with her friend Wendy on the harmonization. "Sail Away" is a definite miss, the chorus behind her is uplifting but this one drags. "Colorado" is a almost visual masterpiece and she almost melts your heart with her vocals. "The Fast One" is one of the two uptempos on this album and the best out of both of them. This one is cool. "Everybody Loves A Winner" is another winner. It's heartbreak in the lyrics but you can sense some optimism. She's a great interpreter. If you're looking for uplifting Linda, check "Get Closer" but if you want ball and chain carrying, heartrending Linda. Definately buy this one and "Hasten Down the Wind". Bow down to one of the greatest vocalists of our time.

One of LINDA RONSTADT's most endearing projects ever! This is the album that LINDA RONSTADT found her all time enduring voice on(it was THERE from "Different Drum" on!), and that Americans became solidly and universally intrigued with her! There are FOUR notable singles here that subsequently guided, inspired and catapulted all future(well into the 1990's) Country/Pop artists into the stratosphere of national and international recordings arts fame. Those quintessential tracks are her universally acclaimed DEFINITIVE version of SILVER THREADS AND GOLDEN NEEDLES(her PERSONAL Rock redefining update & future C&W/Classic Rock Radio staple), superior to her previous 1969 version, and immense improvement over Ronstadt hero Dusty Springfield's early 60's version!)- RONSTADT's INCOMPARABLE power ballad version(Eagles version paled, failed & avoided on radio at the time!)of her 1970's FM Rock Radio staple, DESPERADO - her intensely played and celebrated charting single, LOVE HAS NO PRIDE, which overshadowed all other versions - "SAIL AWAY", her classic Randy Newman cover which also recieved coast to coast American FM Radio airplay during the mother LP's run...and last, but not least, her memorable mid-70's FM radio staple, "COLORADO" which drove RONSTADT even deeper into the hearts of American music fans - yes(!) we felt her "pain" and identified quite well with this GODDESS of torch songs, whether male or female! DON'T CRY NOW is an ESSENTIAL American Recording - it remains the "cliff hanger" to HEART LIKE A WHEEL, and dominates all pop-rock-country music libraries of its era and beyond.

This major 1973 release finds Ronstadt still solidifying her position as rock's premier interpretive singer. The country rock of the Eagles and producer/writer John David Souther remains the idiom, but Ronstadt has the voice, style and background to deliver this commercialized roots music with little loss of authenticity. Unlike Bonnie Raitt or Janis, she is relatively free of blues or R&B influence. In another singer this might seem a liability, but it allows Rondstadt unusually direct access to the emotional wellsprings of the country and folk which defined post-sixties rock music. Whether on the Eagles' own "Desperado," the country warhorse "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" or Neil Young's "I Believe In You," Rondstadt's powerful contralto emerges as a representative voice of a musical generation just coming of age.

Recorded at a pivotal time in Los Angeles country-tinged rock, "Don't Cry Now" moves Ronstadt a few steps away from her previous, and more rustic, albums, and closer to the pop-edged sheen of her later mainstream work. Although the production is muddy in places, the musicianship throughout is stellar. Standout tracks include the definitive cover version of "Desperado" and the bar-band staple, "Silver Threads and Golden Needles." Her covers of Neil Young's " I Believe in You" and Randy Newman's "Sail Away" are not quite as incisive as one would hope, but her take on Booker T. Jones' "Everybody Loves a Winner" is achingly true. Other quality tracks are "Love Has No Pride" and "Don't Cry Now," both of which play to her strengths of power and subtlety. "Heart Like a Wheel" and "Hasten Down the Wind" both waited around the bend for this artist, but "Don't Cry Now" marks an important transitional point in her career.

She already had the respect of fans and the musicians she worked with, but even in 1973, Linda Ronstadt had yet to get any sustained success. DON'T CRY NOW was clearly a step in the right direction.

Although slightly imperfect in terms of production, DON'T CRY NOW is a startling leap forward for the raven-haired Tucson, Arizona native in her eventual solo domination of country-rock. For the first time ever, there are at least three songs that she makes her own: "Love Has No Pride", "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" (which she did originally in 1969), and the Eagles' "Desperado". The fact that all three come consecutively is just plain brilliant.

Linda had showed moments of brilliance before, but not necessarily at such a level up to this point. This album shows that she would only get better and become one of the most influential female singers in pop music history.