Customer Reviews

For Sentimental Reasons

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is a tragedy that Nelson Riddle died before this album was even finished, because on For Sentimental Reasons, Rondtadt really hit her stride with singing standards. The song choice is excellent throughout, her pitch and control impressive, but most importantly she seems to be at one and comfortable with these songs. Her rendition of "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" moves from playful to powerful by the songs riveting ending. "I Get Along Without You Very Well" is one of Ronstadt's great accomplishments with Riddle; I disagree with those who say it pales against Sinatra's. If anything, it builds on it. It is both delicate and passionate at the same time--a rare feat. Linda offers the most affecting rendition of "My Funny Valentine" I've heard, swings through "Am I Blue," and adds a wonderful male doo-wop to the background of "I Love You For Sentimental Reasons." It is ludicrous to compare Linda Ronstadt with Ella (there's only one Ella); this is a whole different ball game and must be judged on its own merits. Riddle's string arrangements are as layered and beautiful as ever. One of Ronstadt's best albums in her entire, versatile career. I saw Linda and Riddle at Radio City in 1983 and it remains, musically, one of the best concerts I've ever experienced.

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.

FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS was the final album in a chapter of Linda Ronstadt's career where she was doing old standards. Third time is a charm as usual, Linda turned in another great performance on this album. She sounds at ease singing songs like "When You Wish Upon A Star", or "Straighten Up and Fly Right". She does a great version of "My Funny Valentine". You have to commend Linda for trying new things and pushing boundaries, and testing her abilities. She handles her voice well on these standards, and sadly its often overlooked and disregarded. But don't miss this one. She does an excellent version of "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons", doing the romantic ballads on one hand and then the quirky uptempo songs, she has dimension as an artist which is clearly evidence here.

"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 have ever been in love, if you love listening to great music, if you want to linger a bit in the past with wonderful love songs and unsurpassed artists, THEN BUY THIS ALBUM. How can you possibly lose? The artful direction of Nelson Riddle, combined with ageless, moving love songs sung superbly by Linda Ronstadt - ladies and gentlemen - it doesn't get any better than this! In fact, if you want a collection of absolutely beautiful love songs, get all three albums by Ronstadt and Riddle: What's New; Lush Life; and For Sentimental Reasons. There is life after LP albums - thank heavens for remastered CD's. Great music forever saved. BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!

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.

This is a wonderful reexamination of the golden age of American music. Ronstadt's voice has never been more pure and beautiful, and Nelson Riddle's arrangements have never been such a perfect match for their singer. A 5-star effort all around, and an album destined to stand the test of time and become a classic. Don't listen to Dave Rimmer, who wins the award for reviewing grinch of all time. A truly great album all around.

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.

This album is very good but her first "oldies" with the N.R. orchestra still remains my favorite.

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