Winter Light (Linda Ronstadt album)
Encyclopedia
Winter Light is an out of print New Age
-styled album
by American
singer/songwriter/producer Linda Ronstadt
, released in late 1993. Although it sold less than 300,000 copies in the US, it stands as one of Linda's most acclaimed albums.
not produced by Peter Asher
. She elected to produce it herself along with George Massenburg
. The album marked Ronstadt's increased responsibilities and confidence behind the boards, this time achieving a multi-layered New Age-oriented sound, as in Anna McGarrigle
's "Hearbeats Accelerating"—the album's first hit single—and Brian Wilson
's "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)".
Other aspects of the album show Ronstadt paying tribute to great female vocalists of the 1960s with a combination of rock n roll
, oldies
, and rock ballads. Ronstadt selected classic compositions from various songwriters such as Burt Bacharach
, Carole King
, Jimmy Webb
as well as contemporary ones such as Tish Hinojosa
. The album also showcased Ronstadt the singer-songwriter and music arranger, introducing her own composition, "Winter Light," which was notably covered
by Sarah Brightman
on her 2001 album, Classics
.
The title track was also prominently used in the Warner Bros. distributed 1993 film production The Secret Garden
, but was not featured on the film's original soundtrack release.
magazine rated the album '4' (out of a possible '5') stars. Ironically, it was a rare commercial failure for Ronstadt and peaked at #92 on the Billboard
album chart. The disc had disappointing sales, moving approximately 200,000 copies in the US, and as of 2008, was Ronstadt's only Elekra/Asylum release out of print. (In 2009 several more classic Ronstadt albums were deleted from her catalog.)
Allmusic critic Jose Promis praised the album and wrote "Winter Light could arguably be classified as Linda Ronstadt's best pop album of the 1990s... there is not a single dud on this impeccably produced album, which, in fact, gets better and better with each listening. This sadly overlooked album is nothing short of a shining gem, and an absolute must for fans of this amazing singer."
The original 1993 USA release as Electra 61545-2 had the songs on the back of the tray card listed incorrectly. One can notice that there is no track number 8 listed. The listing order goes from track 7 to track 9. The glitch had gone unnoticed when it went into print. Although all the songs are listed there, it would give the impression that there are 12 tracks on the CD instead of eleven. The discrepancy would then be noticed when the CD was being played because the playback readout would truly show its 11 tracks.
Production notes:
New Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
-styled album
Music Album
Music album is the name of:* Music Album , a 1970s Canadian television series* Album, a collection of music tracks...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer/songwriter/producer Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, released in late 1993. Although it sold less than 300,000 copies in the US, it stands as one of Linda's most acclaimed albums.
History
Winter Light was Ronstadt's first solo album since Don't Cry NowDon't Cry Now
Don't Cry Now is Linda Ronstadt's fourth solo LP and the first of her studio releases for Asylum Records, following six albums recorded for and released on Capitol Records...
not produced by Peter Asher
Peter Asher
Peter Asher is an English guitarist, singer, manager and record producer. He first came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the vocal duo Peter and Gordon before going on to a successful career as a record producer.-Early life:He was born at the Central Middlesex Hospital, a child actor and...
. She elected to produce it herself along with George Massenburg
George Massenburg
George Y. Massenburg is a recording engineer and inventor. Working principally in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Macon, Georgia, Massenburg is widely known for his 1972 paper on the parametric equalizer.-Background:...
. The album marked Ronstadt's increased responsibilities and confidence behind the boards, this time achieving a multi-layered New Age-oriented sound, as in Anna McGarrigle
Anna McGarrigle
Anna McGarrigle, CM is a Canadian folk music singer/songwriter who wrote and performed as a duo with her sister, Kate McGarrigle, until Kate's death in 2010.-Musical career:...
's "Hearbeats Accelerating"—the album's first hit single—and Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
's "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)".
Other aspects of the album show Ronstadt paying tribute to great female vocalists of the 1960s with a combination of rock n roll
Rock N Roll
-Personnel:*Ryan Adams - Bass, Composer, Costume Design, Guitar, Keyboards, Multi Instruments, Vocals, Vocals *Billie Joe Armstrong - Vocals *Melissa Auf der Maur - Vocals...
, oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
, and rock ballads. Ronstadt selected classic compositions from various songwriters such as Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Carole King
Carole King
Carole King is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, King had an album, Tapestry, top the U.S...
, Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer, and singer. He wrote numerous platinum selling classics, including "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen", "All I Know", and "MacArthur Park"...
as well as contemporary ones such as Tish Hinojosa
Tish Hinojosa
Leticia Hinojosa is a folksinger recording in both Spanish and English. Hinojosa was the youngest of 13 children. Hinojosa's parents were Mexican immigrants...
. The album also showcased Ronstadt the singer-songwriter and music arranger, introducing her own composition, "Winter Light," which was notably covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She is famous for possessing a vocal range of over 3 octaves and singing in the whistle register...
on her 2001 album, Classics
Classics (Sarah Brightman album)
Classics is Sarah Brightman's 2001 album, between La Luna and Encore. It consists in part of previously released material, such as "Time to Say Goodbye" and "Pie Jesu", and new titles such as "Ave Maria" and "Recuerdos de la Alhambra". Entertainment Weekly, although calling Brightman a "stronger...
.
The title track was also prominently used in the Warner Bros. distributed 1993 film production The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden (1993 film)
The Secret Garden is a 1993 British drama film based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Agnieszka Holland.-Plot:...
, but was not featured on the film's original soundtrack release.
Reception
Considered one of Ronstadt's most underrated and highly acclaimed recordings. Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine rated the album '4' (out of a possible '5') stars. Ironically, it was a rare commercial failure for Ronstadt and peaked at #92 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
album chart. The disc had disappointing sales, moving approximately 200,000 copies in the US, and as of 2008, was Ronstadt's only Elekra/Asylum release out of print. (In 2009 several more classic Ronstadt albums were deleted from her catalog.)
Allmusic critic Jose Promis praised the album and wrote "Winter Light could arguably be classified as Linda Ronstadt's best pop album of the 1990s... there is not a single dud on this impeccably produced album, which, in fact, gets better and better with each listening. This sadly overlooked album is nothing short of a shining gem, and an absolute must for fans of this amazing singer."
Track listing
- "Heartbeats Accelerating" (Anna McGarrigleAnna McGarrigleAnna McGarrigle, CM is a Canadian folk music singer/songwriter who wrote and performed as a duo with her sister, Kate McGarrigle, until Kate's death in 2010.-Musical career:...
) - "Do What You Gotta Do" (Jimmy WebbJimmy WebbJimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer, and singer. He wrote numerous platinum selling classics, including "Up, Up and Away", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", "The Worst That Could Happen", "All I Know", and "MacArthur Park"...
) - "Anyone Who Had A Heart" (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Hal DavidHal DavidHarold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
) - "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)"Don't Talk " is a song written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It is the fourth track on the album Pet Sounds.- Information :...
" (Brian WilsonBrian WilsonBrian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
, Tony AsherTony AsherTony Asher is an American lyricist who co-wrote much of The Beach Boys 1966 album Pet Sounds in conjunction with front man Brian Wilson, including such classic songs as "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice"...
) - "Oh No Not My BabyOh No Not My Baby"Oh No Not My Baby" is the name of a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The song's lyrics describe how friends and family repeatedly warn the singer about a partner's infidelities, but the singer refuses to believe them...
" (Gerry GoffinGerry GoffinGerry Goffin is an American lyricist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 with former songwriting partner and first wife, Carole King. he has co-written six Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers.-Career:Goffin enlisted with the Marine Corps Reserve after graduating from...
, Carole KingCarole KingCarole King is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, King had an album, Tapestry, top the U.S...
) - "It's Too Soon To KnowIt's Too Soon To Know"It’s Too Soon To Know" is an American doo-wop ballad by Deborah Chessler, performed first by The Orioles. It was number one on the American Rhythm and blues charts in November of 1948...
" (Deborah Chessler) - "I Just Don't Know What to Do with MyselfI Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself"I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.-Original version:"I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" was first recorded by Tommy Hunt in a session produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, with Burt Bacharach arranging and conducting...
" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) - "A River For Him" (Emmylou HarrisEmmylou HarrisEmmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
) - "Adonde Voy" (Tish HinojosaTish HinojosaLeticia Hinojosa is a folksinger recording in both Spanish and English. Hinojosa was the youngest of 13 children. Hinojosa's parents were Mexican immigrants...
) - "You Can't Treat The Wrong Man Right" (Jimmy Webb)
- "Winter Light" (Eric KazEric KazEric Kaz, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1947, is a singer-songwriter active mainly in the late 1960s and the 1970s.-Biography:He first appeared on the popular music scene in the mid-60s playing piano in a band called Children of Paradise with Happy and Artie Traum...
, Linda Ronstadt, Zbigniew Antoni PreisnerZbigniew PreisnerZbigniew Preisner is a Polish film score composer, best known for his work with film director Krzysztof Kieślowski.-Life:Zbigniew Preisner studied history and philosophy in Kraków. Never having received formal music lessons, he taught himself music by listening and transcribing parts from records....
)
The original 1993 USA release as Electra 61545-2 had the songs on the back of the tray card listed incorrectly. One can notice that there is no track number 8 listed. The listing order goes from track 7 to track 9. The glitch had gone unnoticed when it went into print. Although all the songs are listed there, it would give the impression that there are 12 tracks on the CD instead of eleven. The discrepancy would then be noticed when the CD was being played because the playback readout would truly show its 11 tracks.
Personnel
- Linda Ronstadt – vocals
- Dean ParksDean ParksDean Parks is an American session guitarist and record producer from Ft. Worth, TX.-Albums:Dean was member of The North Texas State One O'clock Lab Band before moving to Los Angeles to work with Sonny and Cher in 1970. Dean is best-known through his many contributions to albums by Steely Dan...
– guitar, mandolin - Leland SklarLeland SklarLeland "Lee" Bruce Sklar is an American musician, singer-songwriter and film score composer. A prominent bass guitarist, Sklar has contributed to thousands of albums as a session musician...
– bass - Bob GlaubBob GlaubBob Glaub is an American bass player and session musician. He's played with such artists and bands as Journey, Jackson Browne, Bee Gees, Eric Carmen, Linda Ronstadt, Leo Sayer, Warren Zevon, Rod Stewart, Donna Summer, Bonnie Raitt and many others....
– bass - Russ KunkelRuss KunkelRussell Kunkel , also known as Russ Kunkel, is an American drummer and producer who has worked as a session musician with a number of well-known artists.Kunkel was born in Pittsburgh, PA...
– drums, percussion - Matt Rollings – piano
- Robbie Buchanan – piano, Hammond organ, synthesizer
- Jon Clarke – flute, recorder
- Dennis James – harmonica
- Dave Boroff – saxophone
- Plas JohnsonPlas JohnsonPlas John Johnson Jr. is an American soul-jazz and hard bop tenor saxophonist, probably most familiar as the lead on Henry Mancini’s "The Pink Panther Theme"....
– saxophone - Joseph Powell – background vocals
- Alex Brown – background vocals
- Donny Gerrard – background vocals
- Mortonette Jenkins – background vocals
- Marlena Jete – background vocals
- Valerie CarterValerie CarterValerie Carter to James J and Dorothy Carter, is an American singer-songwriter...
– background vocals - Arnold McCuller – background vocals
- Aaron NevilleAaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
– background vocals - Emil RichardsEmil RichardsEmil Richards, born Emilio Joseph Radocchia on September 2, 1932 in Hartford, Connecticut, is a percussionist who plays a variety of different percussion instruments.-Biography:...
– vibraphone
Production notes:
- George MassenburgGeorge MassenburgGeorge Y. Massenburg is a recording engineer and inventor. Working principally in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Macon, Georgia, Massenburg is widely known for his 1972 paper on the parametric equalizer.-Background:...
– producer, engineer, mixing - Linda Ronstadt – producer, mixing, engineer
- Doug Sax – mastering
- Gavin Lurssen – mastering
- Kevin Scott – assistant Engineer
- Craig Silvey – assistant Engineer