All three of the Linda Ronstadt/Nelson Riddle collaborations are wonderful, but this is my favorite. IMO, these versions of Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark" and Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" - two extraordinarily difficult songs to sing - are the equal of ANYONE else's attempts at these songs. (I have yet to listen to the harmonica on Skylark without getting chills.)

To me, it doesn't matter that Linda's voice is not ideally suited to this material. Or that the success of these efforts is probably more the result of Nelson Riddle's arrangements and taste in material. The more important matter is that Ronstadt GETS IT. Whether she intuitively understood what makes these songs "tick," or whether she merely followed Nelson Riddle's road map, she deserves the highest praise for richly capturing the mini-drama contained in each song.

The recent failed attempt by Rod Stewart and Phil Ramone to capture the same magic, proves my point. I am an admirer of both men's other work, but it is obvious to me that Stewart has none of Linda Ronstadt's understanding of what he is singing.

If you have any heart at all for this kind of music, buy this CD. Or better yet, pass this one by and buy the three-CD collection "Round Midnight" which includes this CD.