Search - Linda Ronstadt :: Get Closer

Ronstadt starts to find her true voice

Mark Mussari | Old Pueblo | 11/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Get Closer is the first pop album Ronstadt made after doing Pirates of Penzance--and it shows in her voice, full of more muscle and control than ever before. Especially affecting are the two Jimmy Webb ballads, the beginning of Ronstadt and Webb's long musical affiliation: the bitter "Easy For You to Say" and the pensive "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress." Ronstadt is in top form here. There's a powerhouse cover of "I Knew You When" with an octave jumping ending that just grabs you. Also touching is Ronstadt's "Mr. Radio" with its eerie arrangement and the imagery-laden "Talk to Me of Mendicino." A must for any Ronstadt aficionado."

Unfortunately overlooked

Mark Mussari | 06/20/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Around the time of this album, Linda Ronstadt's popularity began to slide, which is unfortunate because the reasons had nothing to do with the quality of the music she was putting out or her voice. I think it can be tied to two reasons: her artistic experimentation and growth through different styles of music alienated some in her old fan base, plus the music industry, for female singers, is still geared around sexuality and looks. As Ronstadt reached her forties, she grew out of her 60's and 70's sex kitten phase and when a female singer ceases to want to or be able to be a pinup for teenage boys it is unfortunately bound to have repercussions on her popularity. That's life, but it has nothing to do with the quality of this album, which, while uneven, has some truly great performances on it. "I Knew You When" is a vocal tour de force, while three terrific ballads, Jimmy Webb's "The Moon's A Harsh Mistress", "Easy for You to Say" and the McGarrigle Sisters "Talk to Me of Mendocino" show just how subtle and sophisticated a singer she had become. How any of the three could be bettered is hard to see. Also, there are fun,punchy, garage band style versions of the old 60's hits "Lies" and "Tell Him" and a rather surprisingly smooth and sexy duet with James Taylor on the old Ike and Tina Turner hit "Think Its Gonna Work Out Fine". To sum up, this is not one of the top rank Linda Ronstadt albums, but still well worth a purchase."

Classic Ronstadt!

sherri j. thorne | brooklyn, new york United States | 08/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Linda Ronstadt does not make bad albums. Period. "Get Closer" is an excellent work! From the rockin' title track, to track 3's "I Knew You When," where she shows off her upper register, to the smooth "Easy For You To Say," you are immediately hooked. The duet with James Taylor on the old Ike & Tina hit " It's Gonna Work Out Fine," is a great pairing, and I wonder why they have not worked together more often! Not one song disappoints, and her stylistic range of music is excellent. This is a classic!"