Search - Ronnie Spector :: She Talks to Rainbows

She's Still Our Baby! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...

Kat Ramone | 02/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I heard that Joey Ramone was co-producing an EP for Ronnie Spector, and would sing on it, I thought, "YES!" Not only will I hear my fave female singer of all time, but I would have a chance to listen to a "Joey Ramone" production. Perhaps one of the true tests of how great an artist measures up is, "what do your children think?" The relevence? As I was listening to this five-song EP, my daughter came into the room and said, "she sounds great--the same, just a little older"! Here's the scoop: This album rocks! Ronnie proves she's still "got it" with an excellent selection of tunes that not only show off her vocal talent, but firmly establishes her place as an original, much imitated voice in rock n' roll. From the Beach Boys, to The New York Dolls, to the Ramones, Ronnie's influence is showcased--the story goes that Brian Wilson wrote "Don't Worry Baby" for her, but she was not allowed to sing it--Well, now she can, we can enjoy it, and listen to how the song is her song. The title track, "She Talks to Rainbows", is written by Joey Ramone--the Ramones version is great, but again, Ronnie makes it her song, while she proves that she can rock the gamut from ballads to metal. What a song! "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory", a Johnny Thunders rocker, is almost anthemic, including great background vocals that include Joey Ramone. "I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine", is a Ronette's goodie, but again, Ronnie updates it, and leaves the listener appreciating her gorgeous vocals. When Ronnie changes her voice from a rather alto-ish, "then maybe..." to the sound that made her famous--"I Wouldn't Mind The Rain"...We hear why she was referred to as "the female Frankie Lymon." It brings chills of joy up and down the spine! I've saved the best for last--"Bye Bye Baby", her duet with Joey Ramone, is to be appreciated and treasured. The song not only rivals some of the greatest "love" duets ever recorded, one just need listen once to hear that the great punker, Joey Ramone, had great influence from Ronnie Spector. Especially with Joey gone now, this song will carry special meaning to all those who love the Ramones, Joey, and Ronnie Spector. What a beautiful, fabulous production. If this song is not the favorite track of the listener, I would be surprised. This EP is well worth the listen. If one has never listened to Ronnie Spector, but has heard of Joey Ramone, listen to this EP for the sheer genius of production. If one has never listened to The Ramones, listen to this EP to hear Ronnie's influence on of all things--punk rock. For the fans of both, listen to it for the pure beauty of Ronnie's voice and her choice of songs, plus the added bonus of Joey Ramone. She's still got it, she still rocks, and she'll always be our baby. This EP sends chills of enjoyment throughout my body everytime I listen to it. I never get tired of it, and hopefully, neither will anyone else! Ronnie Spector--a true original whom I believe is not as appreciated as she should be."

Shows how a beautiful voice can mature beautifully

T. Adshead | 10/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I put this record on to a minidisc and followed it with a recording of her greatest hits.The juxtaposition is amazing - the greatest hits are the songs of a teenage girl, looking forward to the joys of first love and marriage, and Ronnie Spector's voice perfectly conveys that optimism. The voice is still optimism personified, but with a dark tinge, that shows that great voices, like great wines, age beautifully.The first song, "She talks to rainbows" starts with the words "She's a little lost girl in her own little world, she looks so happy, but seems so sad" sets the tone for the album. The sound is early-80s new wave, and evokes Ronnie Spector talking about her earlier self.The second song, a reworking of the Beach Boys' "Don't worry Baby" works only because Spector's voice gives the vapid words a depth that they don't really possess. This version is much better than the original. What sounded wimpy in the mouths of the Wilson brothers sounds wistful in Spector's."You can't put your arms around a memory" is the best song on the album, in my mind. The essential exuberance in her voice, tempered with experience, gives the song power that no one else could give it."Bye Bye Baby", a duet with Joey Ramone, is breezy enough to have been sung by the Ronnettes. Only they never sang about a couple breaking up because they drive each other crazy. Thirty years on, Ronnie has done that, so can sing about it, but has kept her youthful tones, which extract all the bitterness."I wish I never saw the sunshine" again has a hard edge to it that is in stark contrast to the sunniness of her earlier work. This is live, showing that she doesn't need a studio to bring out that voice.If you like music for mature people, like Bob Dylan's "Time out of Mind" or "Infidels", or Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" you will like this. A unique talent giving us all a lesson in how to accept time and experience."

One of the best rock albums ever

Don Lynch | NY US | 12/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ronnie Spector has been and still is one of the best female rock'n'roll performers, a fact that seems to be ignored massively by the public, though she has her followers and fans. No one else could have cut a better recording of "Say GoodBye to Hollywood", Billy Joel wrote it with her in mind, her version was ignored while he later had a hit with this song. Although her 1999 rendition of "Don't Worry Baby" (also initially written for her by Brian Wilson) keeps the fresh essence of the Beach Boys' recording, it doesn't sound dated, she manages to make it sound fresh. If you listen to her "Dangerous" CD you'll find her 1987 album "Unfinished Business" entirely included in it, with wonderful lushy power ballads, it was the sound of late 80s, which makes strange to believe that failed to chart, she also recorded a reworked (dance beat) version of Elvis' "Burnin' love" whichs sounds truly well. The leading Single was Diane Warren's "Love on a Rooftop", produced by Desmond Child. It was a fruitful period for Diane Warren, and this is one of her best songs, later recorded by Desmond Child himself and by Cher for her album "Heart of Stone" (with "If I Could Turn Back Time" as opening track) which would be the starting point for a long string of hits and a new and increasing successful time which continues today. It is used to say that nothing is predictable in music business, anyway I think that Ronnie Spector needs to find the right producer who can take the best from her and a label that takes care of publicity to get the massive popularity she once had as lead vocalist of The Ronettes. She still has the voice, that voice that got the admiration of John Lennon, Joey Ramone, George Harrison, Johnny Thunders, Brian Wilson, Eddie Money, Billy Joel, Keith Richard, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Cher and David Bowie. Could they all be wrong?"