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Despite having recorded over two dozen acclaimed studio albums on labels including Capitol, Asylum, Elektra, and Verve, Linda Ronstadt never got around to releasing a live album. Happily, Rhino Records is rectifying that with the February 1 release on CD, LP, and digital platforms of Live in Hollywood from the legendary songstress.
Live in Hollywood was recorded on April 24, 1980 at Television Center Studios in Hollywood for an HBO special in which she was accompanied by a top-tier band that included guitarists Kenny Edwards and Danny Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel, bassist Bob Glaub, keyboardist Billy Payne (of Little Feat), pedal steel guitarist Dan Dugmore, and backing vocalist Wendy Waldman. None other than Ronstadt's producer (and the TV concert's executive producer) Peter Asher sat in with the group on percussion and background vocals.
During the course of the evening, Ronstadt performed a number of her most famous songs including "It's So Easy," "Just One Look," "You're No Good," "Desperado," and "Blue Bayou," as well as selections from her new wave-inspired Mad Love, which had just been released in February 1980. Her interpretations of "I Can't Let Go," "How Do I Make You," and "Hurt So Bad" all reached the top ten. Songwriter pals like Warren Zevon ("Poor, Poor Pitiful Me"), Don Henley and Glenn Frey ("Desperado"), Lowell George ("Willin'"), and J.D. Souther ("Faithless Love") were all represented.
The live album has been produced by Ronstadt's longtime associate John Boylan. Rhino quotes him in the press release recalling that the album almost didn't happen because HBO, Ronstadt, and her record label couldn't find the master tapes. An encounter with a Warner Bros. engineer at their sons' hockey practice finally led him to the tapes: "I have no way of calculating the odds of finding the lost tapes through a chance encounter at a hockey practice, but they must be astronomical - like winning the lottery. And in this case of remarkable serendipity, every Linda Ronstadt fan is a lottery winner."
Sequenced in the style of a period LP rather than a modern-day CD, Live in Hollywood features twelve tracks selected by the artist from the concert rather than the complete 20-song show. (Three of those tracks have been previously released.) Fans can stream "Just One Look" now. This thrilling slice of Ronstadt and her crack band rocking L.A. in high style is due on February 1 from Rhino. It can be pre-ordered at the links below!
Linda Ronstadt, Live in Hollywood (Rhino, 2018)
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Links TBD
- I Can't Let Go
- It's So Easy (*)
- Willin'
- Just One Look
- Blue Bayou (*)
- Faithless Love
- Hurt So Bad
- Poor, Poor Pitiful Me (*)
- You're No Good
- How Do I Make You
- Back in the U.S.A.
- Desperado
All tracks previously unreleased except (*)
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How about releasing the whole concert on DVD/Blu-ray? This has been around on bootleg media for years but the quality was pretty bad. It's a great concert and should be properly made available to her many fans.
How does "sequenced in the style of a period LP rather than a modern-day CD" not translate into shortchanging her fans and ripping off consumers? Just askin'...
I’d like to think Linda doesn’t view it that way, but as a completist myself, I certainly do understand your sentiment.
Rhino and/or Linda are being ridiculous about this -- why only include 12 of the 20 tracks? It doesn't make any sense.
I echo the above comments (since I have a boot of the complete show) but I would have preferred the shows featuring Andrew Gold and Waddy Wachtel as a CD.
Evidently John Boylan was contacted by the owner of the Linda Ronstadt Forum and Boylan said it is not technologically possible to fit the entire concert on one CD Disc. I have a major label release of Yo-Yo Ma CD that is 88 minutes long. I have a bootleg DVD of this concert — sound quality not great — and there’s no way it is longer than 88 minutes. Three of these tracks were on the 40th anniversary edition of “Simple Dreams.” Why repeat them here if there’s a concern about time? If they’re going to a limited edition vinyl, then why not a Target or Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition with bonus/extra tracks? This is a slap-in-the-face to those of us who are devoted Ronstadt fans and have been so for 50 years.
Major labels typically do not like to exceed the "redbook" standard of 80 minutes in length for one CD (though, yes, there are exceptions such as the one you mention). A 2-CD set might have been warranted, however, had all parties wished to release the complete concert.
I hear what you’re saying; however, the 12 songs probably amount to 45 to 50 minutes. Certainly there’s room for more than 9 previously unreleased tracks. Why this “dribs-and-drabs” approach” to releasing older material officially?
Two Words: Cash Grab
I see video clips used on good morning America on CBS and more to promote this CD release – I’m dying to get the DVD or the visual version of the concert Dash when will this be released and why hasn’t it already? Can there be consideration to make sure it does get released in a visual format?
This is just another in a series of re-releases from Warners where the consumer is being short changed. I am sure the music itself is going to be great. It is just too bad that the marketing concept leaves a lot to be desired.
(banging head against wall) when ... will.. artists ... and ... labels ... learn ... to ... give ... the ... fans ... what ... they ... want ....
This one goes on my “stream, don’t buy” list.
Seriously, this was a seemingly impossibly to screw up release — deluxe double CD plus Blu-Ray — and amazingly, they’ve managed to screw it up.
Methinks the problem is that Linda and the execs at Rhino probably haven’t had to buy an album in over 40 years and have completely lost touch with the ever dwindling record buying public,
Agree with everything said above. Will not bother buying this and wait for one day, hopefully, comprehensive boxsets of her back catalogue, remastered with bonus tracks.
Guessing that Linda doesn’t want the Mad Love tracks to be part of the album. Too bad — especially for songwriter Mark Goldbenberg. His original versions can be found on his first Cretones album: “Thin Red Line.”
I read this as the track list having to be limited in order to fit the concert on a single vinyl disc as well as CD.
I wish Linda and her management would rethink this release. Her fans are clamoring for unreleased material and she is deserving of a McCartney-type reissue series if only she would allow it...
I still remember being pissed a few years ago when “Silk Purse” was due for reissue to include “She’s A Very Lovely Woman” (a song that I think fits in with the production of the album and which I think Linda was singing on TV programs around the same time) — when it was released it was WITHOUT the bonus track apparently at the request of her manager.
Disappointing half-assed way of releasing a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist's first-ever live concert album. The recording was done almost 40 years ago for a major HBO special, so audio and video quality are certainly up to par. Tossing off 12 of 20 songs on a single CD is ridiculous when there's so much more they can offer and fans desire. Glad I already have a bootleg audio of entire concert!
Hi Joe
The people in your comments section make several intelligent points, but those points do not take into account some of the behind-the-scenes realities of the 21st century record business:
1. Although it is technically possible to put up to about 85 minutes on a CD, the actual Red Book standard mandated in the technical specifications set down by Sony and Phillips states that 74 minutes is the maximum. Yes, I’ve seen some of the longer classical CDs, but chances are very good that they won’t play in many CD players, only on CD-ROM drives for ripping to iTunes. We have tried to adhere to Red Book standards which Rhino prefers. Anything else risks compromising sound quality.
2. In addition to the Red Book issue, there is a fee for every song that appears on a CD. By statute it’s $.091 per song per CD, paid by the record company to the various copyright holders of the songs. Since Linda did not write any of her hits, she is unable to offer a reduced rate to Rhino, so we had to pay full rate for all 12 songs.
3. Even if those first two issues somehow went away, there’s still the matter of the vinyl release – 20 songs would have necessitated pressing four sides, a double vinyl package that is very expensive to produce. To adhere to Red Book standards, we would have had to have a double CD as well, also expensive to produce. This would have priced the package above that which many buyers want to pay.
4. Every musician on the CD deserves to be paid for his or her work, so we adhered to the rules of the American Federation of Musicians and paid a substantial re-use fee to everyone. Those fees are calculated on the number of minutes of music.
5. Of course, we would all love to have a professional standard recording of Linda when Waddy Wachtel and Andrew Gold, and any number of other great players were in the band. I wish such a recording existed. However, this is one phenomenal group of players, all at the height of their game - that's enough for me and should be enough for any Linda fan.
To sum this up, after many hours of discussion (the process was certainly not "half-assed,” believe me), it was decided that the 12-song project was the best combination of art and commerce. The effort to bring this album to fruition took over a year, and involved the work of several lawyers, record company people, and Linda herself, who signed off on everything.
As to the idea of a DVD/Blu-ray reissue, let me say that we are trying to make that viable for the future. Blu-ray is a very advanced format, however, and the master video of this concert is quite dated, technically speaking. It uses the old 4:3 aspect ratio instead of the current 16:9, and it looks sub-standard next to 4K video. However, we’re working on it, with no guarantees.
I realize that none of these reasons, and indeed, none of the financial realities of the 21st century music industry, mean anything to the true music fan, myself included. All we can do is to keep trying. I do. Every day.
Best Regards,
John Boylan
Linda Ronstadt Management - Los Angeles
John,
Thank you so much for so kindly and eloquently sharing your insights and experiences here. I'm confident that I can speak for our readership in saying we're very much appreciative of your taking the time to address the concerns of so many passionate fans. In addition, thank you for all that you do (and have done) to keep the flame of Linda's music burning so brightly.
All my best,
Joe
And than you for letting me post! Keep up the good work, Joe!
John -
As much as I appreciate you taking the time to post here, I found your response disappointing.
First of all, you present a lot of false choices. For example, if presenting the full concert on vinyl and/or CD wasn't feasible due to space limitations, you could have released a "highlights" version on LP and a deluxe version on a 2CD set. And there was (and continues to be) the option of releasing the entire concert as a digital download.
Second, while you apparently decided that a truncated release was "good enough" for Linda Rondstadt fans, do you genuinely believe that the type of fan who is interested in purchasing an album of previously unreleased concert performances would actually *prefer* a truncated release over a complete release? Did you do any market research on this point?
Third, with your point about video quality is well taken, I hope you'll still consider a Blu-Ray release due to the vastly superior audio specs on Blu-Ray. And I certainly hope that if there is a video release, we'll get the entire concert and not simply a video replication of the truncated audio release.
Second,
All the points you make are well and good, it is just that three of the songs were already available, and for that reason alone fans were put off from this new release. I know that I would have a paid a slightly higher price for the inclusion of more songs, even if it was less than the 74 minutes. Here's hoping the rest/missing items turn up in the near future.
yes that is exactly right...I was so beyond thrilled to have those three tracks!!! it just doesn't make any sense to repeat them on this issue of that show and leave the others off?!! John Boylan makes great points above, but the true diehard fans want everything from her they can get, and for that reason these reissues should satisfy the fans who will buy them and not leave us disappointed and wanting/waiting for more?!! hopefully there will be a deluxe Mad Love reissue including the concert DVD/blu ray someday?!! also a What's New deluxe wit the Santa Barbara show DVD/blu ray?!!! one can hope and dream...
As I thought - the vinyl "revival" ruins things for us CD folks again. Sigh.
Linda is deserving of a reissue/release campaign that includes deluxe versions of her albums. If you really think her fans will NOT pay for a 4-LP or 2-CD set of this, I think you underestimate us. I love Linda dearly, but I will not be buying this or any half-assed future releases unbefitting of the Queen of Rock.
Exactly.
Agree Patrick. Who else is going to buy this CD but a Linda fan? And wouldn't any Linda fan rather have the whole concert on a CD set for a few dollars more than this truncated release? I understand Boylan's point but I still wish they'd rethink this, especially since this is the very first live album in Linda's career, not the 21st.
Spot on wesmont! For her first official live album, you'd think they'd go all out! Combined with the fact there sadly won't be any new music from Linda, it just leaves a bitter aftertaste.
While I am disappointed that the entire concert is not presented here in this collection, I will be buying it anyway because something is better than nothing. I appreciate Mr. Boylan's post above, particularly his explanation regarding the costs. But as a long time Linda Ronstadt fan, I would have been willing to pay more at retail for the complete concert on CD, perhaps a double disc set with other extra tracks. Since sadly we will not hear anymore new music from Linda, we fans are hungry for any of these unreleased treasures from the 70s queen of the pop charts. Hopefully they will find more of her unreleased music to give us in the not too distant future. We fans aren't getting any younger 😉
Anytime her glorious voice is transported to us legitimately - I will buy it. Would we love that Offenbach, Germany 1976 show.? Indeed, but I'll take what I can get. How wonderful to read Boylan's words here. Do we dream of more rarities and in concert stuff? - of course (I'd like Linda @ the Palomino '70 and Beacon Theater '95 and live Canciones) Ronstadt, more than many others, deserves the finest preservation. Less hardcore fans will however find her live pipes here splendid. Still should include Party Girl
Completely agree! The 1976 Offenbach Concert was a phenomenal show. I wrote to the local station there, trying to get info on whether or not they had a professionally recorded master tape, but as of yet, no answer. I will keep trying - Jawohl!!!
Thank you John Boylan for your candor and insight - reissues and legacy releases are always tricky and it's impossible to please everyone, as some of these comments prove.
I have been a huge Linda fan since I was a teenager, and have seen her perform live about 40 times. I was fortunate to grow up in NY so I got to see her do rock, big band, opera, mariachi...all her wonderful styles. I am very glad to finally be able to get some professionally recorded live material from my favorite singer.
Thanks for working on this and I'm very hopeful for the video.
Sorry, but I'm not buying this. Is there really someone anyone out there who'd say "I was really looking forward to buying this album, but then I found it it was the complete concert on 2CDs. I'm so disappointed the concert hasn't been edited down to 1 disc." No, I don't think there is. So let's not create these straw man arguments about how it's impossible to please everyone.
I suspect that the reason we aren't getting the complete concert is simply because Linda doesn't want the complete concert released.
I certainly agree with your first paragraph. But what with so many CD releases coming out in various versions for different prices, it would not have been too hard a decision to do this with her material.
But i would not like to think that this puny release of a CD falls onto her shoulders.
You could very well be right, but I would not want to believe it unless there was more proof to it.
In 2019 the fans are lucky to have anything new at all. Putting these things together cost money. For the record company it gives them something profitable enough that they get to stay in business. I for one think it was a brilliant idea to treat this as a virtual release how it would have been done if it came out at the time. It creates a playlist you might actually play more than once.
Bob - Do you work for Rhino? Just curious. And by the way, what makes you think this would have been a single LP release had it been issues in 1980? Double live albums were very common back then.
Thank you to John Boylan for at least giving us hope for a Blu-ray release down the line. Since this was originally an HBO production, I would also welcome a full video Blu-ray release of her HBO Nelson Riddle special, promoting the "What's New" album. Anything that would provide better quality audio and video than those bootleg releases we probably all own already will be most welcome.
THE INCLUSION OF PARTY GIRL REALLY WOULD HAVE SEALED THE DEAL , TOO BAD THEY CHOSE NOT TO ADD THAT TO THE COLLECTION . I LIKE THE RED VINYL AND THE ACCOMPANYING ART WORK . WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE WHOLE SHOW RELEASED ON CD ONE DAY .
Just purchased the vinyl edition of Live in Hollywood. It is absolutely fantastic! I just want to say that I think this
release has been very well done, and I trust Linda's judgement ( as well as all involved ), as to the tracks that were used. God bless you always Linda!
I have had this on video and audio tape since the early '80s and I love this performance, unlike many others here this is my favorite Linda period. Not only are several key songs from Mad Love missing (it was, after all, the Mad Love tour) but also lopped off were Linda's between tracks banter. Has anyone actually timed the entire performance? I do not believe it was over 80 minutes. If it was over 80 minutes, if the between tracks banter remained edited, I am fairly certain it would have clocked in under the Red Book standard.
Also there is substantial remixing which I believe detracts from this disc. The acoustic guitars in "Willin'" are so loud in the mix they do not sound genuine. "Blue Bayou" also sounds heavily remixed to my ears. There are other examples.
Its great that this was finally officially released, but it should have been so much better. I hope a Blue Ray is released eventually --- I think anyone purchasing a concert from 1980 would understand the technology was different 40 years ago.
Hi Ray,
I can assure you that not one second of this CD was remixed. There are no available multi-tracks tapes to mix from. This is the original two-track audio from the concert, recorded and mixed by Val Garay. All that was done to it was some editing to remove the unused songs.
The actual length of the concert is 82 minutes. It might make it to a Red Book CD, but there are many other considerations as well.
If you have had this on audio and/or video since the early 80s, it's probably a bootleg and therefore is of doubtful quality. It certainly was not authorized to my knowledge.
To your point, please see John Boylan’s (Ronstadt’s manager’s) comments. Many of us brought up the same points you did. It seems that not only with Linda, but other artists as well, vinyl considerations are the tail that wags the dog. Of course, it could have been made to fit on a single CD, but Rhino didn’t want to exclude anything off the vinyl and they didn’t want to do a Four-LP vinyl release. We get what we get.
If you get a chance, watch Linda’s Interview on CBS Sunday Morning on YouTube from Sunday, Feb. 2, promoting the “new” release.
Mr. Boylan, please communicate with Ms. Ronstadt that her many fans would very much appreciate a dvd release of her What's New concert with Nelson Riddle. It is ageless music and by no means embarrassing as Ms. Ronstadt has claimed some of the Mad Love material to be due to the passage of time. Secondly, is it at all possible that tracks featuring Ms. Ronstadt appearing on other artists lps be produced much like the Singing with Emmylou cds featuring various artists? Thanks much for all you do for us fans!
Some good stuff here. I'd never really been a far of Ronstadt's cover of 'Willin' (preferring instead the original Little Feat version) but she and the band really nail it here. I have to say that Russ Kunkel is probably one of my favorite drummers. I'm not a drummer, but I have to say I love his choice of fills, accompaniment, etc. Loved him on Jackson Browne's Running on Empty album, too (especially on 'The Road').