If I Should Fall Behind - Linda Ronstadt, Springsteen, Bruce
Give Me a Reason - Linda Ronstadt, Hall, Marion
Ruler of My Heart - Linda Ronstadt, Neville, Naomi
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues - Linda Ronstadt, Dylan, Bob
Cry 'Til My Tears Run Dry - Linda Ronstadt, Fagen, Donald
I Go to Pieces - Linda Ronstadt, Newman, Troy
Heartbreak Kind - Linda Ronstadt, Kennerley, Paul
Damage - Linda Ronstadt, Wachtel, Waddy
Icy Blue Heart - Linda Ronstadt, Hiatt, John
Dreams of the San Joaquin - Linda Ronstadt, Routh, Jack
Thirty albums into her career, not much uncharted territory remains for Linda Ronstadt, who has shown herself willing, if not always able, to work in any genre. We Ran is a lush but earthy reexamination of material by Bruc... more »e Springsteen, John Hiatt, and Doc Pomus. If matching her with Dylan's "Tom Thumb's Blues" sounds like an exercise in futility, Waddy Wachtel's tremolo guitar, the Booker T.-like soulfulness of the band, and Ronstadt's sweetly weary voice suggest otherwise. Primary producer Glyn Johns (the Rolling Stones, the Who) makes smart choices--though George Massenburg and Wachtel turn "I Go to Pieces" into a breath-fest--and the musicianship of Bernie Leadon and the Heartbreakers keeps pace with Ronstadt's serene vocal ease. --Roy Kasten« less
Thirty albums into her career, not much uncharted territory remains for Linda Ronstadt, who has shown herself willing, if not always able, to work in any genre. We Ran is a lush but earthy reexamination of material by Bruce Springsteen, John Hiatt, and Doc Pomus. If matching her with Dylan's "Tom Thumb's Blues" sounds like an exercise in futility, Waddy Wachtel's tremolo guitar, the Booker T.-like soulfulness of the band, and Ronstadt's sweetly weary voice suggest otherwise. Primary producer Glyn Johns (the Rolling Stones, the Who) makes smart choices--though George Massenburg and Wachtel turn "I Go to Pieces" into a breath-fest--and the musicianship of Bernie Leadon and the Heartbreakers keeps pace with Ronstadt's serene vocal ease. --Roy Kasten
Rebecca B. from FRANKLIN, WV Reviewed on 11/20/2006...
If you like Linda Ronstadt, this is a great CD!
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Underrated
gemini_j | Canada | 08/23/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Linda Ronstadt's 1998 release is a snugly wrapped package of well-chosen rootsy material--Dylan, Alan Toussaint, Doc Pomus, two by John Hiatt--well-sung by Linda, who shows no diminution of powers after all her musical peregrinations of the last 2 decades. This is simply the kind of music she sings best and producer Glyn Johns has expertly captured her in a no-frills setting. One might say with some justification that this is just another L.A. session, but at the same time this is Ronstadt's domain, and what impresses is the sympathetic, punchy support she receives from ace guitarists Bernie Leadon and especially Waddy Watchel, who even contributes two originals, "Damage" and the lovely "I Go To Pieces." This last is the album's highlight--a delicate, hushed performance of great musicality. WE RAN ends sweetly with the large Rondstadt clan singing and swaying together to the gentle Mexican strains of "Dreams Of The San Joaquin"."
Ronstadt is once again the queen of "torch & twang"
MartinB@aol.com | New York, NY | 07/29/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
""We Ran" is not just a return to Linda Ronstadt's classic LA-flavored country-folk rock but a terrific album with great songs and superb musicianship centered around her brilliant vocals. Producer Glyn Johns - plus collaborators Waddy Wachtel, George Massenburg and Peter Asher - have wisely relied on great songwriters (John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen) and a production which updates the "Heart Like A Wheel" sound (virtually copied by most Nashville female singers) but gives the disc a classic feel. The cream of LA musicians are on this album, including Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Don Grolnick, Carlos Vega, Waddy Wachtel (who contributes two wonderful songs), Bernie Leadon and Mike Campbell but the spotlight is on La Ronstadt. Its been a long time since her voice gave me goosebumps and made me run across the room to turn up the volume. But listen to how she holds her notes on the title track or the full-tilt gospel wail on "Ruler of! My Heart" (produced by Asher in the stytle of "Dark Side of the Street" from "Wheel") or the passionate heartbreak of "Cry "Til My Tears Run Dry." Although I skip over "Give Me A Reason" (too light for this otherwise first-rate collection) and she stumbles a bit over the thick syllables of "Tom Thumb's Blues" (but so does Dylan), this CD offers additional rewards on further playing (pay attention to the way her voice slides effortlessly to the top of her range, to the maturity in her phrasings or the shimmering acoustic guitar sounds) In the lovely final track, "Dreams of the San Joaquin," Ronstadt is backed up by (count 'em) six members of her family and family. It's obvious she's comfortable with her musical roots and with herself and "We Ran" is superb proof."
Unfairly ignored album from one of rock's premiere vocalists
Erik North | San Gabriel, CA USA | 07/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WE RAN was virtually ignored by radio and the public when released in June 1998. This is a crime, in my opinion. Linda only happens to be one of the greatest singers in rock and roll history, and this album is proof of that. Her superlative huskiness on the John Hiatt-penned title track and "Cry 'Til My Tears Run Dry" is great to hear in a sea of Leann, Whitney, and Celine. Furthermore, look to songs like "Heartbreak Kind" and "Icy Blue Heart", which are Linda's nods to both modern and alternative country music; the former has her harmonizing with former Eagle Bernie Leadon in a very twangy way. Superb production from people like Glyn Johns, Peter Asher, and Linda herself makes WE RAN perhaps the most unfairly ignored album of her career, if not of the entire 1990s."
Ronstadt Rules
Kevin Green | New York City | 01/12/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The brilliant release of "We Ran" confirms once and for all that singer Linda Ronstadt has not only the best female Rock n Roll voice, but can easily dominate in almost any genre. This album takes us through many different styles, areas that Linda seems to easily adapt to. The Country, R&B and Folk covers only accentuate this powerful ability.We Ran takes the listener through an emotional Hiatt tour of emotions while her version of Dylan's Tom Thumb Blues must make Bob blush with its simple yet sophisticated expression of sincerity.This disc is chock full of great tunes written by great songwriers and interpreted by the finest female voice ever recorded."