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Linda Ronstadt/Nelson Riddle

Just picked up a 3 record box set of Linda Ronstadt singing old standards with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. I think the records may be original Asylum/Electra pressings made in the early/mid 80s.

Folks, Linda Ronstadt and Nelson Riddle were very special artists. I suggest that if you can source these classics on vinyl or CD that you treat yourself to real music.

@Oregonpapa ... I think the Linda/Nelson experience is being helped along by my ARC Ref 150 SE amp which just came back from the factory. Out if the box, it's very magical.
bifwynne
lewm
12,556 posts
 
Bif, Now listen to Sinatra sing What's New, on his 1958 album, "Only the Lonely". Make sure there are no sharp instruments around when you do listen to it. Of course, the song was written for him.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
Lewm ...

I have that Sinatra album ... its a killer, especially if you're a little depressed. Great sound. Funny how with a great system the personalities of the singers just comes through along with the music. Sinatra was such a great singer. I've read that he was so good that he'd walk into the studio and do one take ... and that was all she wrote. Good right from the get-go.

Here's another album you guys should get:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANDREAS-VOLLENWEIDER-White-Winds-Original-PROMO-LP-from-1984-CBS-FM-39963-/361281480275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item541e0de653

Bifwynne ... this album will make your Maggies sing for sure.
gvasale's avatar
gvasale
99 posts
 
I have had "What's New?" for ages and just got "Sentimental Reasons." The last, I think is Lush Life. "What's New"
is the better of the two. Have to wait and see about "Lush Life."
lewm
12,556 posts
 
Dear Oregon,
Seriously? Andreas Vollenweider? Never heard of that dude.

On "Only the Lonely", Sinatra takes about 12 ballads and hits every one of them out of the park. It's an unbelievable display of talent and sensitivity to lyrics. I bought that album when it first came out in 1958, as a kid too young to drive, and I have lived with it all my life since. However, only as an older adult did I take up the art of jazz singing for myself, as an avocation, and through my own experiences as a singer, I appreciate Frank's work on that album, and many others of course, all the more.

Dear Gvasale, Frank recorded "Lush Life"? I am not aware of that, nor have I ever heard of the album "Sentimental Reasons", which may be why. But legend has it that Frank rejected the idea of singing Lush Life after hearing it played. Supposedly he thought it was too hard and said so in no uncertain terms. The quintessential version of Lush Life is of course Johnny Hartman's, accompanied by Coltrane. But I will have to hunt down "Sentimental Reasons". Other than "Only the Lonely", another other great Sinatra recording with emphasis on ballads is "Wee Small Hours", made in 1954 or 55 I think.
lewm
12,556 posts
 
Dear Gvasale,
A search on Google revealed the following quote from Wikipedia and nothing else about Sinatra ever having recorded Lush Life:

"On May 25, 1958, Sinatra unsuccessfully attempted to record Billy Strayhorn's ballad "Lush Life". A bootleg recording of Sinatra's attempt at "Lush life" exists; this was the only time Sinatra sang the song in his career."

In fact, it seems he might have been planning to include it on "Only the Lonely". Nor can I find that Sinatra recorded an album titled "Sentimental Reasons". However, he did record the song by the same name.
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