Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions

Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 24, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Asylum Records
• ASIN: B00000JZBQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (130 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,639 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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88 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical excellence from two of the best, December 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions (Audio CD)

As a huge fan of Emmylous Harris and a frequent admirer of Linda Rondstadt, I snatched this disc up immediately. While I enjoyed their work with Dolly Parton on the "Trio" efforts--Parton still can, quite frankly, sing both these women into the ground, at least when she's not laying the sentimentality and schmaltz on too thick--I enjoy this album even more. That has to do both with the sublime song selection and with the gorgous arrangements--even tired old warhorses like "For a Dancer" and "Sisters of Mercy" sound fresh here, thanks, in part, to Glyn Johns' shimmering production. As always, Harris is a paragon of taste, brandishing her slightly cracked soprano with a grace that is breathtaking. Rondstadt, whose voice has deepened through the years, occassionally slips into thoughtless belting (always her downfall) but, for the most part, offers glorious tones that meld with Harris' to ravishing effect. Her version of Sinead O'Connor's "This is to Mother You" is absolutely lovely, one of the many highlights here. With backup from Neil Young and the McGarrigle sisters, and additional songs from Bruce Springsteen, Patty Griffin, Patti Sciafla, and Roseanne Cash, this is that rare album: tasteful, exciting, heartfelt and lavish all at once. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

66 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!, August 25, 1999

By 

Beachreader "BeachReader" (Port Townsend, WA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions (Audio CD)

Being a longtime Linda Ronstadt fan, as well as a very devoted Emmylou Harris fan, I anxiously awaited this CD from the time I heard it was being done. When I heard of all the wonderful songwriters contributing to the CD, I was even more excited. Now, after four listens, I am ready to make a few comments but let me first say, I love the CD. The choice of songs is interesting and intelligent and I don't care if there's not a top-40 song on it. I like it and would guess other like-minded people will enjoy it as well. Unlike the recent Trio II CD where my favorite cuts were where Emmylou sang lead, there are several cuts where she sings harmony that I like just as well. Probably my favorite cut is RAISE THE DEAD where Emmylou's vocals are particularly strong. FOR A DANCER (written by Jackson Browne) is fabulous. I'm so glad to hear Linda's voice hasn't diminished in all these years and am also glad to see them recording a song of her old buddy Browne.

LOVING THE HIGHWAY MAN, the first cut on the CD, isn't my favorite but perhaps just because I have to turn down the volume about 20 second into the song! It was interesting to note Emmylou's ex-husband, Paul Kennerley on back-up vocals. And note he actually wrote HE WAS MINE, another great cut with lead vocals by Linda.

The title track, WESTERN WALL, a composition by the talented Rosanne Cash is very nicely done with Linda and Emmylou alternating on lead vocals.

1917 is an interesting song by a songwriter I'm not very familiar with, Paul Olney. I note he has also penned other songs covered by Emmylou and this is an interesting arrangement with a Spanish flair, even though the lyrics allude to a French theme. I would be interested in knowing the background of this hauntingly beautiful song.

SWEET SPOT initially was my least favorite cut off the CD, but even that's growing on me the more I listen. FALLING DOWN is another one I don't care much for -- more the arrangement and the background music overtaking the vocals. Much more likely to appeal to my teenagers than myself, I'm afraid.

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Springsteen's songwriting skills add a depth to the CD with Patti's VALERIE and The Boss' ACROSS THE BORDER. Both are a welcome addition to the CD.

SISTERS OF MERCY shows the genuis of Leonard Cohen but I'm not that excited about the arrangement. Perhaps this will grow on me as well - I'd like it too.

Sinead O'Connor is an underestimated talent. Her songwriting skills are quite apparent in THIS IS TO MOTHER YOU. What a beautiful song. Another favorite.

ALL I LEFT BEHIND is one of the highlights of the CD. Written by Emmylou along with Kate and Anna McGarrigle with leads by Emmylou and harmony by Linda as wellas Kate and Anna, it reminds me of early Emmylou, and I couldn't be happier to hear something like this on the CD.

All in all, an outstanding CD ( did I ever have any doubt about this?).

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic, November 29, 1999

By 

Tim Stanard (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions (Audio CD)

I've been a Linda Ronstadt fan for about 20 years (more than half my life), but even I was astounded by the beauty and simplicity of this collaboration. As much as I enjoyed the two Trio albums, this surpasses them in its emotional heft and pure listening enjoyment. A little bit bluegrass, a little bit avant-garde, it's a truly new, original sound -- and that is so difficult to come by in the current cookie-cutter music business. Linda and Emmylou's voices have also never sounded better!