![]() While some critics may have preferred Joni Mitchell's intellectualism, Bonoff and Ronstadt tapped directly into the internal experiences of the American everywoman. Related: Our Album Rewind of Hasten Down the Wind With 1977’s Simple Dreams, Ronstadt became as big a music star as there was. When the material is first-rate - such as 'That'll Be the Day' or 'Crazy' - Ronstadt's performances are terrific, but on the subpar songs - such as the three Karla Bonoff numbers - she's dragged down with her. Instead of the rush of newfound love, “Lose Again” deals with the tribulation of maintaining long-term relationships after the bloom is gone. Again, Linda Ronstadt repeats her slick, Californian pop/country-rock formula on Hasten Down the Wind. Together they formulated a realistic, grownup perspective for female pop music. Ronstadt brings soaring authenticity to Bonoff’s resolute words. Tracy Nelson gave Ronstadt “Down So Low,” a husky blues about a rough breakup, while Karla Bonoff-who wrote “Lose Again,” “If He’s Ever Near," and “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me”-is the album’s hidden star. But more crucial is its inclusion of contemporary women songwriters. 'Tattler' and 'Try Me Again' are sizzling, as is a well-arranged version of Bonhoff's 'Lose Again'. Then too, Patsy Cline's 'Crazy' is powerfully interpreted. Like its predecessors, the album looks to Ronstadt’s peers (Zevon, Ry Cooder) and her formative idols (Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day,” an extra-sultry version of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”). The title tune, written by songwriter and performing wildman Warren Zevon, 'Hasten down The Wind', is a haunting, powerfully performed song. Like its predecessors, the album looks to Ronstadt’s peers (Zevon, Ry Cooder) and her formative idols (Buddy Holly’s That. Named for the celebrated Warren Zevon song of the same name (sung here with Don Henley), Hasten Down the Wind shows Linda Ronstadt outgrowing the boisterously girlish persona that had made her a hippie icon. Named for the celebrated Warren Zevon song of the same name (sung here with Don Henley), Hasten Down the Wind shows Linda Ronstadt outgrowing the boisterously girlish persona that had made her a hippie icon. ![]()
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