Well now, there’s a bracing little jolt of commentary. And just when I was getting all mushy with pride over the remarkable fact that Neo’s post and every single comment was positive and/or sympathetic towards Ronstadt–in spite of her liberal/left politics.

I have no way of verifying Brooks’ post, but it certainly rings true, comports with the behavior of many other pop stars, and utterly lacks the vitriol characteristic of a personal attack. While Ronstadt’s situation is poignant, it does not exempt her from criticism–like that delivered above in such a restrained, matter-of-fact and pitying manner.

Nevertheless, I still admire the big-heartedness of the people whose comments above overlooked Ronstadt’s politics, expressing only esteem and compassion. I exclude myself from this group because, while I vaguely recalled some leftist stuff, I simply felt Ronstadt’s music was more interesting to write about. Also, I have a head-in-the-sand policy towards many entertainers: the less known, the better. I would advise such a policy for those who wish to retain pleasant memories of Ronstadt, untainted by distasteful politics.

Roque Dalton was both a guerrilla leader and acclaimed poet. He was killed in 1975 at the order of a revolutionary tribunal, as a suspected CIA informant. Joaquin Villalobos, who later led the FMLS. was one of the responsible parties. Years later, the charges appear to have been bogus. Interesting factoid: Roque Dalton has appeared on postage stamps in El Salvador.

http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/members/congress-papers/lasa2009/files/AtwoodRoger.pdf

Rod Stewart and others jumped on the bandwagon of reinterpreting old pop “standards”, but Ronstadt was way ahead of them. My recollection is she was the first major star to do this. Her first album with Nelson Riddle came out in 1983 (“What’s New”, which included your track).

If you haven’t heard Ronstadt’s version of “Crazy”, take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihhCt6aOAVk

(Blasphemy alert!)
I like it a bit more than Patsy Cline’s definitive recording.

La huasteca* is in mourning
Its huapanguero has died
You can no longer hear that falsetto
Which is the soul of the troubadour.

Rogaciano he was called
Rogaciano the huapanguero*
And they were sones of the sierra
mountains
The songs of the troubadours.

Azucena and Cecilia
Are crying, crying inconsolably
Malagueé±a Salerosa*
Their bard has gone.

The cane is ready
Today begins the milling
The sugar mill is in mourning
And sighs with each turn.

In the green coffee plantations
Far beyond that pasture
There are those who say that in the
nighttime
The huapanguero appears.

Azucena and Cecilia
Are crying, crying inconsolably
Malagueé±a Salerosa*
Their bard has left.

*huasteca: a region
huapanguero: a singer of huapangos
sones- sounds, songs..

As with all great singers, such as Amalia Rogrigues, you do not need to know the lyrics to emotionally connect with the song, but it helps. IIRC, Linda Ronstadt didn’t know Spanish, but sang the lyrics nonetheless- in a very acceptable Spanish accent.

Roy was very gratified that Linda Ronstadt took “Blue Bayou” into the top 5, as he felt that contributed to validating him as a songwriter as well as a singer [most of Roy’s own hits were written or co-written by him, but he was very pleased when someone of Linda’s stature wanted to record his composition].

Ray (3:33 pm), I too remember well Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys [“Different Drum”]. She had a terrific voice.