Adieu False Heart

Ronstadt does it again! This time she's made another duet album, and like the excellent one she made with Emmylou Harris, WESTERN WALL: THE TUCSON SESSIONS, it is a true collaboration, both partners sharing equally in the spotlight. As another reviewer here noted, these two voices blend so beautifully that it's hard to tell where one begins and the other takes over. Popping the disc into my changer for the first time, and a half minute into the title song, which comes on the heels of a brief instrumental intro., there were already goose bumps on my skin. Every tune here has its charms, but highlights include two lovely Richard Thompson covers, a fine bluegrass ballad by Bill Monroe, and an understated, gorgeous version of "Walk Away Renee." The John Jacob Niles song, "Go Away From My Window," which I had always associated with Joan Baez, gives Linda an occasion to hit some of those thrilling high notes she's capable of, but elsewhere on this CD, Ronstadt is unusually subdued. I don't mean this in a negative way at all, but it is very different from what one would expect, even from an artist who has done so much genre-jumping in her career. Ann Savoy was never a singer I knew much more about than what I learned upon seeing a couple of recent television interviews about this record with her and Linda together. She seemed like a charming individual, but their conversation did not prepare me for the surprise of this fine album. Guess she is yet another female singer I will want to catch up with, because she easily holds her own with superstar Ronstadt! Anyone who likes great acoustic music and flawless close harmony singing will love ADIEU FALSE HEART. Get it now; you won't be sorry!

I have been a fan of Linda Ronstadt's ever since I heard her first radio hit, "Different Drum" in 1967. What hooked me was the emotionally charged 1970 hit "Long, Long Time." For that recorded performance, Miss Ronstadt received her first of nearly 30 Grammy nominations with 11 wins to date. After hearing this new collection with Cajun singer Ann Savoy (Pronounced Sa-Vwah) it's almost easy to predict an even dozen for this multi-dimensional vocalist. Just when you thought she has covered every genre of music from country to bluegrass, rock, pop, Mexican, and opera, she conquers another musical field that most mainstream artists wouldn't dare go near. Not because the sound of this album isn't delightful, it's just not accessible unless you have a gift as grand as Ronstadt's. If you've ever heard Ronstadt perform with the extraordinarily gifted Emmylou Harris, this album may be a reminder of how well she harmonizes and blends with the best of them. For those who aren't familiar with Savoy's vocals, you will be pleasantly pleased with the understating warmth and beauty of her voice. This only enriches Ronstadt's vocal abilities and allows her to soften the belt a notch that is so familiar and allow her to do some of the best singing of her career. This is most apparent on the track "Go Away From My Window" when Ronstadt channels her soprano muscles and the results are superb. For those who are wary and not sure you're in a Cajun mood, I assure you, this is not a Cajun style album. As a matter of fact, of the sixteen tracks, only two fit that genre and it sounds as if this duo has been harmonizing together longer than the few weeks it took to record these tracks. Their vocals are simply exquisite. The other tracks include an amazing cover of the 1960's pop hit, "Walk Away Renee" that has been slowed down and sung with such passion, their version harks back for the longing heartbreak of the original, but the mood is darker and the harmonies brought chills to my body and tears to my eyes. Most of the album is a shared effort but Ronstadt does take the lead on such highlights as "I Can't Get Over You" and "King of Bohemia" while Savoy takes the reins on "Marie Mouri," "Burn's Supper," the title track and a magnificent take on "The One I Love Is Gone." If you're in the mood to just chill and absorb some of the most luscious vocals ever set down on wax, pick up this magnificent collection. It may be titled Adieu False Heart, but there's nothing false about the contents, it has plenty of heart, and I assure you, you won't ever want to bid it adieu.

This collection of songs is from many genres. There are a few cajun tunes, blue grass songs, and a pop song. Even though the background of the songs is varied, they are pulled together into a cohesive whole on this CD. The vocal harmonizing is lovely, and the selection of accompaniment is perfect. The people performing on this album are serious about their music, and it shows.

The songs are all very smooth and on the quiet side. I suppose as if one were floating down a long slow river in the hot sun. I highly recommend it.

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