Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt is an eponymous studio album by American singer Linda Ronstadt. It was originally released on January 17, 1972 via Capitol Records. It was third studio album in Ronstadt's solo recording career and featured ten tracks. The album mixed original material from new singer-songwriters, along with covers of country, folk and R&B songs. Two singles were spawned from the album including the charting song "Rock Me on the Water". Background and recording By 1972, Linda Ronstadt had recorded two studio albums as a solo artist: Hand Sown ... Home Grown (1969) and Silk Purse (1970). Both discs were inspired from the country genre. Her 1972 self-titled studio album would further dive into the genre while also embedding more of a country rock sound. The album was recorded at several studios, beginning with Quadraphonic Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. However, the majority of the sessions were held at the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and United Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. Three album tracks were recorded in a live format at The Troubadour, a venue located in Hollywood as well. The album was produced by John Boylan and featured session work from Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Both musicians had joined Ronstadt's band before forming the Eagles. Content Linda Ronstadt consisted of ten tracks. Its opening track was the Jackson Browne-penned "Rock Me on the Water". Ronstadt's version appeared a few months prior to Browne's own version. Other new recordings included "In My Reply", which was penned by James Taylor's brother. Additional songs that were new releases included "I Won't Be Hangin' Round" and "I Ain't Always Been Faithful". The album also featured covers of country standards: "Crazy Arms" (first a single for Ray Price), Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone" and Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces". The album also included a cover of Fontella Bass' R&B single "Rescue Me" and the folk song "Ramblin' Round". Eight of the tracks were cut in recording studios, while "Rescue Me", "I Fall to Pieces" and "Birds" were cut live at The Troubadour. Release, chart performance, singles and legacy Linda Ronstadt was originally released on January 17, 1972 by Capitol Records and was her third solo studio album. It was originally distributed as a vinyl LP and cassette (the first Ronstadt album to be released on cassette). Both formats featured five songs on each side of the discs.