Don't Cry Nowby Anonymous

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

September 05, 2007: Linda had some difficulities under the Capitol Records banner. She made albums that cost more than they sold and she spent much of her time touring making her a well-known cult figure. When she switched to the Warner's group she released this minor masterpiece. Many have complained this disc is more ballad oriented and it's a legitimate observation as only 2 of the 10 tracks are up tempo. With all of Ronstadt's vinyl that has been released on disc, the sound is compressed. One is better off playing the original vinyl. Mobile Fidelity has taken this pre-stardom gem from the original analog master and recorded it in "real time" "not fast duplication used in most CDs" and recorded on a 24k gold disc in a numbered limited edition digipak. And the results are astounding. You are right in the recording studio with her. She has taken several songs associated with others and made them her own signature tunes including The Eagles "her former backup band" DESPERADO and Bonnie Raitt's soft and plaintif LOVE HAS NO PRIDE and given them new life. Long time collaborator and co-producer "this CD has 3" J.D. Souther wrote 3 of the 4 new songs she performs here including the simply complex "no play on words here" title track and the best track on the disc--Neil Young's I BELIEVE IN YOU. She is her finest recording up to the time this disc was released in 1973 and produced by her soon to be mentor/manager/starmaker Peter Asher. This limited edition has 5 digits but that does not equate to 99,999 copies available. So get it while you can. It is an investment and well worth for just the incredible sonics alone. However, this is a historic recording in every aspect. Her next recording almost 2 years later finally catapulted her into well-deserved superstardom. A must for serious correctors and nostalgia fans alike.