Back catalogue:

Review: The eighth studio album by American folk and country rock singer Linda Ronstadt, Simple Dreams was the best-selling album of her otherwise long career, and at the moment of its release in 1977 was also the second best-selling album by a female artist of all time, second only to Carole King’s Tapestry. From the upbeat ‘It's So Easy' to the poignant 'Blue Bayou’, the album seamlessly weaves Ronstadt’s trademark rock, country, and folk influences while saliently attending us to her gripping alto; her distinctive flutter was emblematic of the great American folk sound of the ‘40s onwards. Spanning everything from ballads to line dances, the album is most notably marked by the lonesome lament ‘I Will Never Marry’, on which Ronstadt imparts the extent of her dreams’ simplicity, and her strength: “I expect to live single all the days of my life."

Review: Linda Ronstadt's Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind marks her return to pop with grandeur and power. Backed by a stellar lineup of session musicians, including Aaron Neville, Ronstadt delivers a collection of 12 quality songs by esteemed songwriters. The album's magnitude is evident in its lush orchestration and powerful arrangements, courtesy of the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. While the grand scale occasionally overshadows Ronstadt's vocals, her refined phrasing and vocal prowess shine through, particularly in her duets with Neville. Engineer George Massenburg's impeccable recording work elevates the album to near perfection, capturing every instrument with clarity and balance. Cry Like A Rainstorm not only heralds Ronstadt's return to pop/rock but also showcases her remarkable musical development, making it a strong contender for the best album of 1989.