The album captures Ronstadt in transition between the country influence of HEART LIKE A WHEEL and the rock orientated direction that would become dominant on LIVING IN THE U.S.A. Actually, HASTEN DOWN THE WIND is probably the most interesting of Ronstadt's 1970s rock records. began certifying platinum status that year). The cover is also perhaps her most teasingly sexual, an indication that by now she was perhaps starting to become more well known as a sex symbol than a serious artist by the general public.ĭespite the reaming it got from critics, Linda Ronstadt's 1976 album HASTEN DOWN THE WIND was her first platinum release. With the advantage of hindsight, it's easy to see this album is really the precursor to her later famous forays into Mexican folk music, classic jaz/pop standards and an overall more eclectic vocal mix. With this album it's easy to sense that Ronstadt is growing restless and tired of singing just rock-pop and is acheing to venture into more complex musical territories.
Then there is a wonderful a capella moment with "Rivers of Babylon" that totally comes from left field, but completely works. Close seconds are her plaintiff "Try Me Again"(one of my favs to sing in the shower, what a great hook in the bridge!), the powerfully sad "Down So Low" and the touching "Lo Siento Mi Vida". Ronstadt injects just the right amount of pathos and heartbreak into the track and gives it a nice simplicity mixed with moments of extreme vocal power. The highlight is easily the wonderful "Lose Again" written by Karla Bonoff. As eclectic as she tries to be, she seems to produce her best work when she is singing something simple and original. The flaws are never in her vocal work, but rather, in her inability to emotionally connect with some of the material. She even tries (not entirely successfully) to cover Buddy Holly ("That'll Be The Day") and Patsy Cline ("Crazy"). Linda sings everything from country-rock to pop to soul to reggae with admitedly mixed results. Her vocal range is stunning and the song choices on this disc seem hell-bent on stretching that range as much as possible. Customers Rating :Īlthough this may not be most people's favorite Linda Ronstadt album, I have a particular fondness for it, mostly because it was the first entire Linda album I ever listened to from start to finish in one sitting. Ronstadt has explored many musical styles in her career, and HASTEN is no exception, as country, rock, pop, Spanish music and reggae come together to form a winner. Linda does a powerful and searing rendition of Patsy Cline's "Crazy," as her soprano sheds new light on an old classic. Ronstadt goes the Jamaican route with "Give One Heart," a reggae love song. The title track is a ballad written by Warren Zevon and features fellow Californian Don Henley on harmony vocals. Linda decides it's time to rock out with a kickin' version of Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day."Ronstadt delves into Spanish territory with "Lo Siento Mi Vida," a beautiful acoustic number. "Lose Again" is a country rock ballad written by Karla Bonoff. It's a very real, raw album with Ronstadt's sweet vocals pierced by a touch of grit. It also garnered her a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Description : Personnel: Linda Ronstadt (vocals, hand claps) Dan Dugmore (electric & steel guitars) Charles Veal (violin, viola) Ken Yerke (violin) Paul Polivnick (viola) Dennis Karmazyn (cello) Richard Feves (acoustic bass) Kenny Edwards (bass, mandolin, background vocals) Russ Kunkel, Michael Botts (drums) Peter Asher (percussion) Herb Pederson, Becci Louis, Pat Henderson, Sherlie Matthews, Gerry Garrett, Jim Gilstrap, Clydie King, Ron Hickland (background vocals).HASTEN DOWN THE WIND was a number three smash and Ronstadt's first million- selling disc.
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