Linda Ronstadt Don't Cry Now

Personnel includes: Linda Ronstadt (vocals, tambourine); J.D. Souther, Herb Pedersen (acoustic guitar); Jerry McGee, Larry Carlton, Glenn Frey (electric guitar); Sneaky Pete, Ed Black, Buddy Emmons (steel guitar); Nino Tempo (saxophone); Mac Johnson (trumpet); Gail Martin (trombone); Spooner Oldham (piano); Lee Sklar (bass); Russ Kunkel, Dennis St. John (drums); Clydie King (background vocals).

Audio Remixers: J.D. Souther; Al Schmitt.

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.