February 4, 2009
Mysterious Merlefest 'TBA' announced
Posted by Stacy Chandler at February 4, 2009 11:55 AMEver since the announcement last fall of the Merlefest schedule for 2009, there's been a tantalizing "TBA" under Sunday.
The mystery was ended this morning, and, um, it's ... Linda Ronstadt?
I mean, nothing against Linda Ronstadt. But ... Linda Ronstadt?
Hey, old folks have gotta eat too, y'know! And at least she'll be coming from the position of someone who was raised riding horses instead of tattoo parlor chairs...
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at February 4, 2009 1:25 PMLinda Ronstadt! Linda championed Warren Zevon and his songs over thirty years ago and that's enough for me. Do you think people will be listening to Tift Merritt in thirty years?
Posted by: Hal at February 4, 2009 7:08 PMshe's got a great voice/presence live...saw her in a Casino sometime ago, she was great until she got thrown out of the place for running her mouth about the war or something...(seriously) but very good. Worth listening to anyway.
Posted by: Mathew at February 4, 2009 11:31 PMI haven't heard much of it myself, but Linda was part of the "Trio" mini-band with Emmylou and Dolly. I've heard it quoted as some of the best female harmonizing ever.
Hmmm... so I agree Linda doesn't strike me as particularly relevant, but maybe she's starting a comeback?
Posted by: larry at February 5, 2009 6:42 AMWow, this You-Tube video really makes me want to grab that "Trio" album.
(beware! big hair alert!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M07PRsjKdw
Yeah -- Trio and Trio II are "must-haves" for anyone that enjoys Dolly, Emmylou, Linda, or perfect harmony.
Posted by: Shane O. at February 5, 2009 8:02 AMLinda Ronstadt is one of America's great popular voices. Her album "Heart Like A Wheel" is a classic Americana album (or any genre). Don't dis Linda, her staying power and her willingness to follow her own pathway always merits respect.
Posted by: Vaughn at February 15, 2009 10:13 AM
