Linda Ronstadt was, along with alt country pedestal girl Emmylou Harris, one of the pioneers of country rock in the 1970s. Like Harris, she has had a prolific and adventurous career, bravely following her muse even when it led her into to the outer darkness of the uncool with Gilbert and Sullivan and pop Puccini. At 60 her voice is as glorious, confident and sensuous as ever in this addictive new duo CD with Cajun singer
Ann Savoy, called
Adieu False Heart.
This CD is unapologetically folk. It is reminiscent of early recordings by Kate and Anna McGarrigle, with reedy sister harmonies, heartbreaking double fiddles and a generous helping of new world French melodies. The album starts off with a melancholy fiddle instrumental, which leads into the naive and reproachful folk song, "Adieu False Heart." Several reviewers have remarked that it is difficult to tell where one singer ends and another begins. Even though the two voices are markedly different in timber and style, with Savoy's being the more weathered and Ronstadt's the more trained, what creates that mirroring sensation is their sympathetic give and take, and the generosity with with each tapers the outer edges of her particularity for the sake of the whole.
The second song, however, is unmistakeably Ronstadt, as she savors her Big Dog moment on Julie Miller's instant classic, "I Can't Get Over You." Every time I listen to it, I hold my breath as her chocolate tones melt over the opening phrases. Savoy follws with the second half of a one-two punch, the devastating Cajun ballad, "Marie Mouri"(Marie Is Dead)). Savoy also delivers a deep and satisfying reading of Richard Thompson's "Burns Supper" (which probably refers to the Scottish poet and not to ruining dinner). The other Thompson cover is the tender and enigmatic "King of Bohemia," which may be my favorite track on the CD. Actually, it's impossible to pick a favorite. Every time I listen to this album I get hooked on another song. I could go on, about the spare and tasteful backing musicians and perfect production, but I'll just say that this is one of the best folk albums I have heard in decades. Five stars, etc. Go and get it. You need it.
posted by Lisa Moscatiello #
6:45 AM |
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