Linda Ronstadt was a major big deal in my young life. I can vividly remember day dreaming in the back seat of our minivan about singing “You're No Good” to Adam Kezziah, the boy I had a crush on at the time, in the dusty hot pink off the shoulder over sized sweatshirt my sister owned (and I coveted). At six or seven I felt the power of a done wrong woman and dreamt of wielding it in clothes I couldn't fit into.
Later, it was her What's New, Lush Life and For Sentimental Reasons albums in my dad's collection that insured, at age ten, I knew every lyric to all the Gershwin, Irving Berlin type standards (and still do). It wasn't until she got all schmaltzy with?Fievel Mousekewitz that I stopped my love affair with the velvety voiced petite brunette.
In fact, more specifically I can remember sleeping over at a girl's house who I had never slept over with before. In the morning, while cooking breakfast, the entire family sang the song Somewhere Out There acapella. It made me grateful I had been born so lucky into my family. How other people must feel visiting third world countries.
But for all the memories I hold dear with Linda, until recently I hadn't listened to her much for many years. Admittedly, much of her music can be over produced for my current tastes, but Heart Like a Wheel is an enchanting country/pop mainstream classic. It's hits: You're No Good and When Will I Be Loved are just as catchy as songs like It Doesn't Matter Anymore, I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You), and Keep Me From Blowing Away that have gotten less airplay.?
But what do you think?