HOLLYWOOD, CA. (Capitol/EMI
Music Catalog Marketing) -
Linda Ronstadt's four seminal Capitol Records solo albums from 1969 to 1974 have been collected for the first time in a new 2-CD package, "The Best Of
Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years." Due in stores on January 24, the 47-track collection from Capitol/EMI
Music Catalog Marketing includes "Hand Sown ... Home Grown," "Silk Purse," "Linda Ronstadt" and "Heart Like A Wheel" in their entirety, as well as five previously unreleased studio recordings and concert performances.
A leading figure in California's country/folk movement of the late 1960s, Linda Ronstadt began her musical career with the Stone Poneys, releasing three Capitol albums with the folk group before striking out on her own with the 1969 release of her solo debut, "Hand Sown ... Home Grown." Eager to invoke her abilities as a country singer, she tore passionately into Nashville-spawned songs like "Break My Mind" and "The Only Mama That'll Walk The Line."
"Silk Purse" followed in 1970, still showcasing Ronstadt's country and honkytonk prowess, while also stepping into new territory with the gracefully-arranged pop ballad, "Long Long Time" (No 25 Pop), earning her first Grammy nomination. She tapped Elliot Mazer to produce "Silk Purse," recommended by Janis Joplin, who'd worked with him on her "Cheap Thrills" album. Disc 1 of "The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years" is comprised of these first two solo albums and three previously unreleased bonus tracks, "It Won't Be Easy" (an outtake from the "Hand Sown ... Home Grown" sessions), "He Darked The Sun (Nashville Version)" (an outtake from the "Silk Purse" sessions), and "Orange Blossom Special" (recorded live at the Troubadour in 1971).
Ronstadt's convivial associations within the thriving Los Angeles folk/rock music scene often resulted in collaborative gold. For her 1971 self-titled album, Ronstadt enlisted producer John Boylan and some rock-leaning session musicians from the L.A. scene, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner, who would later form the Eagles. They collaborated on an eclectic selection of country and pop/rock songs, including tracks written by Eric Anderson, Jackson Browne and Neil Young, illuminating Ronstadt's versatility as a vocalist and a performer. "Linda Ronstadt" peaked at No 35 on Billboard's Country Albums chart and Browne's "Rock Me On The Water" reached Billboard's Top 100 Pop Singles chart.
1974's "Heart Like A Wheel" was Ronstadt's breakout smash, topping both the Pop and Country Albums charts. She topped the Pop Singles chart with the No 1 hit "You're No Good," doling out a powerful vocal and lyrical lashing. For this album, she partnered with producer Peter Asher and recorded a variety of standards and contemporary hits in creative new arrangements with several Los Angeles session musicians. Ronstadt won her first of seven Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance with "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)," which also reached No 2 on the Country Singles chart. "When Will I Be Loved" hit No 1 on the Country Singles chart and also reached No 2 on the Pop Singles chart and No 3 on the Adult Contemporary Singles chart, further cementing Ronstadt's enduring widespread appeal.
Disc 2 of "The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years" pairs Linda Ronstadt with "Heart Like A Wheel" and adds three bonus tracks, including two previously unreleased live recordings, "Kate" and "Long Long Time," and making its CD debut is "Can It Be True," the b-side to "I Fall To Pieces."
Linda Ronstadt continues to record and tour, regularly performing to sold-out audiences.
"The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years:"
(2-CD TRT = 3:33:20)
CD1
Tracks 1-11 from LP "Hand Sown ... Home Grown" (1969)
Tracks 13-22 from LP "Silk Purse" (1970)
1) Baby You've Been On My Mind
2) Silver Threads & Golden Needles
3) Bet No One Ever Hurt This Bad
4) A Number And A Name
5) The Only Mama That'll Walk The Line
6) The Long Way Around
7) Break My Mind
8) I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
9) It's About Time
10) We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus (And A Lot Less Rock & Roll)
11) The Dolphins
12) It Won't Be Easy [prev. unreleased: "Hand Sown ... Home Grown" outtake]
13) Lovesick Blues
14) Are My Thoughts With You?
15) Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
16) Nobody's
17) Louise
18) Long Long Time
19) Mental Revenge
20) I'm Leavin' It All Up To You
21) He Darked The Sun
22) Life Is Like A Mountain Railway
23) He Darked The Sun (Nashville Version) [prev. unreleased: "Silk Purse" outtake]
24) Orange Blossom Special [prev. unreleased: recorded live at The Troubadour, L.A., July '71]
CD2
Tracks 1-10 from the LP "Linda Ronstadt" (1971)
Tracks 14-23 from the LP "Heart Like A Wheel" (1974)
1) Rock Me On The Water
2) Crazy Arms
3) I Won't Be Hangin' 'Round
4) I Still Miss Someone
5) In My Reply
6) I Fall To Pieces
7) Ramblin' Round
8) Birds
9) I Ain't Always Been Faithful
10) Rescue Me
11) Can It Be True [prev. unreleased on CD: b-side to "I Fall To Pieces" single]
12) Long Long Time [prev. unreleased: recorded live at The Troubadour, L.A., July '71]
13) Kate [prev. unreleased: recorded live at The Troubadour, L.A., July '71]
14) You're No Good
15) It Doesn't Matter Anymore
16) Faithless Love
17) The Dark End Of The Street
18) Heart Is Like A Wheel
19) When Will I Be Loved
20) Willing
21) I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
22) Keep Me From Blowing Away
23) You Can Close Your Eyes
