The sixty-year-old American singer Linda Ronstadt also well known as an interpreter of other songwriters’ creations has turned to a vast variety of styles since her music career began. She has got an imposing number of awards including more than one Grammy, and has collaborated with different folk and country artists. The quantity of her albums commands respect as well, and many times the albums are conceptual like a special Christmas collection or songs for children. For her new album Adieu False Heart Linda has joined another talented vocalist Ann Savoy; the two women have already some experience of working together and find it very interesting. The record consists of several covers and other ballads with superb transcriptions and amazing instrumentation background. Those possessing a good ear can define the sounds of fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and accordion and naturally the guitar is present on practically each song. The general feel on Adieu False Heart is rather melancholic and bittersweet, for the topics of the tracks are the sadness of departure, loneliness or even death. Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy’s vocals create a hypnotizing harmony and impress with their expressiveness.
From the very beginning the album makes one absorbed in listening and get dissolved in the wonderful music and contrasting vocals. Starting with an instrumental Opening, it immediately passes over to the title track – a beautiful lyrical ballad, on which the singers sing in unison and their voices merge into one. The sad song I Can’t Get Over You, written by Julie Miller, is about the memories of an old love, and Marie Mouri is devoted to death. King Of Bohemia and Burns’ Supper are the creations of Richard Thompson, that have required a special sounding on Adieu False Heart, as well as Bill Monroe’s The One I Love Is Gone. There is a strong feeling of despair on Rattle My Cage and the gentle womanliness on the French track Parlez-Moi d’Amour, which is about 70 years old. Two interludes help the listener relax and think of what they have heard, the second one preparing for the album’s first single Walk Away Renee, a cover of the Left Banke’s hit that was one of the most popular song in the mid 1960s. Despite being quite old too, the song still sounds fresh and may seem to many even more beautiful than its original version. Too Old To Die Young adds some philosophy to the album and leads it to the logical ending on Closing. Adieu False Heart penetrates deeply into the soul giving peace and light sadness.
Linda Ronstadt has once been a member of a band Stone Poneys, a part of a trio and a solo artist. She has been called a The Queen of Country Music and The Queen of Rock Music, has released numerous albums and is loved by the audience. Among her songs there are witty compositions, funny country songs and many others, sung in English, French and Spanish. Linda’s soprano is easily recognized and it has refined many albums of other artists. On the new album Ann Savoy’s alto emphasizes it and serves a means to make each cover sound surprisingly anew. The choice of the songs witnesses the singers’ desire to share their personal feelings and experience. As for the genres, the lyrical ballads are alternating with bluegrass and French songs creating the melancholic mood. Some tracks can make most sensitive listeners cry, but mostly they influence the mind making think of the future, past and present and remember what you had long ago and were happy about. Usually such mood is associated with autumn, and the image of the falling leaves is often evoked while listening to Adieu False Heart. The only thing that brings some light to the gloomy album is the feeling of hope, invisibly present on many songs, for inevitably after sadness there comes delight. Today Linda Ronstadt has lost herself in musing, and tomorrow she may well be joyful again.
Pala 2011
Молодые и дерзкие Friendly Fires выпустили свой второй студийный альбом. Долгожданная пластинка получила название Pala и увидела свет в мае 2011 года. Что ж, мы получили красочный музыкальный коктейль
