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Post by the Scribe on May 23, 2020 5:36:43 GMT
April 27, 1972 Morehead State University, Morehead Kentucky. Linda shared the billing with Earl Scruggs after just having appeared as a guest on his most recent album. I shared the audience with thousands of students with nothing else to do in a dry county out in the middle of nowhere (Daniel Boone National Forest).
AllMusic Review by James Christopher Monger [-] When Earl Scruggs split with longtime collaborator and fellow Foggy Mountain Boy Lester Flatt in 1969, it was evident who of the pair had the more commercial aspirations. While Flatt remained firmly rooted in the bluegrass tradition, Scruggs, much like similar-minded artists such as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Johnny Darrell, and the Dillards, sought to bridge the gap between pop, folk, and the old-timey sounds of yesteryear. I Saw the Light With Some Help from My Friends may sound like it was culled from the buckle of the "Bible Belt" (there are indeed a few spirituals), but the "friends" referenced in the title are merely saviors of the late-'60s/early-'70s country-folk movement. Scruggs gathered both family -- sons Gary, Randy, and Steve -- and contemporaries like Linda Ronstadt, Arlo Guthrie, Vassar Clements, Tracy Nelson, Norman Blake, and the aforementioned Dirt Band, to flesh out an album of covers both sublime (Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings") and surprising (Monkee Michael Nesmith's "Some of Shelley's Blues"). The musicianship is top-notch and the vocals, especially Ronstadt and Nelson -- Arlo Guthrie will always be an acquired taste for some -- are warm and soulful, resulting in one of the more lucid and enjoyable examples of the crossover genre. [In 2005, Columbia/Legacy reissued the record with extensive liner notes and three bonus tracks: "Fireball Mail," "Tramp on the Street," and "The Cure."]ronstadt.proboards.com/thread/271/40-years-ago-today
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Post by the Scribe on May 23, 2020 5:37:11 GMT
April 22, 1972 Cowtown Ballroom Kansas City. The opening act for Linda back on that night in 1972 was Danny Cox, a regular at the Vanguard and Cowtown.As I relished in this Ronstadt milieu, I had a “Stan Plesser moment.” Let me explain. Stan was one of the earliest rock ‘n’ roll impresarios in Kansas City. In the 1960’s, he owned the Vanguard Coffee House, a live music venue for folk singers and emerging rockers, and on occasion, a comedian like the young Steve Martin with an arrow through his head. Stan also hosted a larger venue in the early 1970’s, the Cowtown Ballroom (logo below, and yes, the cow is smoking a joint). Stan died in 2011, but he left quite a legacy in Kansas City.
I got to thinking that Linda Ronstadt’s extensive touring in the early 1970’s might have landed her at Cowtown. So I Googled away and found that she was indeed there on April 22, 1972. I shared this information with some others who I knew would also enjoy a “Stan Plesser moment.” My first stop was Stan’s biggest fan, his wife Carole. Then to Wayne Tenenbaum, Stan’s lawyer back in the Cowtown days. When Wayne became Jackson County Assessor in 1975, he recommended me as the new company lawyer – so that’s how I got to know Stan. I also contacted Chuck Haddix, the premier archivist of all things musical in Kansas City. Chuck is known to many of you as Chuck Haddock (like the fish) who plays jumping and jiving music on KCUR’s “Fish Fry” every Friday and Saturday night. I knew Chuck was my best bet to find Stan’s Cowtown partner Paul Peterson who years ago moved to Los Angeles where he enjoys continued success in the music business. Chuck did indeed have the info and it’s been great to catch up with Paul.
The opening act for Linda back on that night in 1972 was Danny Cox, a regular at the Vanguard and Cowtown. Danny became one of the acts managed by Good Karma, the artist management company owned by Stan and Paul. Other artists at Good Karma included Brewer and Shipley and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. As you might guess, there will be a future Lonnie’s Jukebox about these artists. For today, I’ll just link a clip by Danny. I chose this one because it connects in my mind to the Oscar-nominated film Vice. It would have been perfect to play over the closing credits in the movie. Click here for “Dick Cheney Blues.”
To give you a feel for Cowtown, check out this trailer for the 2009 film Cowtown Ballroom…Sweet Jesus. As noted on the home page for the movie, Cowtown “was only open for 38 months, but in its short life span established an incredible music heritage.” Stan and Paul (below, Stan on the left) are both interviewed in the movie, as well as several artists who performed at Cowtown.
I got another angle on the Ronstadt story from Wayne Tenenbaum. In 1971, Wayne was in Washington DC on business. One night he went to a Georgetown bar where Linda Ronstadt was performing, dressed in what was then her signature outfit, cut-off jean shorts. He thought she was terrific and encouraged Stan to sign her up for Cowtown. Linda was not yet a big name, at least in Kansas City, and Stan’s first attempt was cancelled for lack of ticket sales. But he kept an option for when she came through again, and that led to her successful night at Cowtown in April of 1972.
Linda is the subject of an upcoming documentary, Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, that will be premiered next month at the Tribeca Film Festival. The premiere screening will be followed by a live performance from Sheryl Crow in celebration of Linda.
Thanks to Paul Peterson for tipping me off on this final item. Last month, Linda released her first-ever live album. Live in Hollywood features 12 performances from a 1980 concert filmed for an HBO special. It quickly went to #1 in CD sales on Amazon, and it has been on the Billboard album chart four straight weeks, getting as high as #7. I’ve listened to it, and…she’s so good, she’s so good, she’s so good, baby she’s so good…
Live In Hollywood
So again, thank you Linda.
lonniesjukebox.com/hot-stove-94/
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Post by the Scribe on May 24, 2020 6:14:20 GMT
Ad for a Linda Ronstadt concert at TCC in 1972.
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Post by the Scribe on Oct 7, 2020 0:24:45 GMT
Date: 02/25/1972 02/26/70 Venue: The Backdoor Featured Artist(s): Linda Ronstadt Other Performers: Thomas & Suzanne Ticket Price: $2.50 / $3.50
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Post by the Scribe on Oct 7, 2020 0:26:21 GMT
Date: 07/26 TO 07/31/1972 Venue: Bitter End Featured Artist(s): Linda Ronstadt
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Post by the Scribe on Oct 7, 2020 0:31:55 GMT
Date: 10/02/1972 Venue: Tulagi Featured Artist(s): Linda Ronstadt
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Post by the Scribe on Jun 14, 2021 11:19:12 GMT
February 2-3, 1972 New Monk, Berkeley, CA: Linda Ronstadt/Country (Wed-Thur) rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2020/
Linda Ronstadt had just released her third album (the self-titled Linda Ronstadt) in January of 1972. The New Monk, which did not often book mid-week shows, had her as a headliner for a Wednesday and a Thursday. Linda was known, through the Stone Poneys and a modest hit ("Long Long Time"), but nothing like the star she would become. Two nights in Berkeley were probably to get the band road-tested, and pick up a few bucks as well.
Veteran San Francisco music writer Phil Elwood enthusiastically reviewed the Wednesday night show, published the next afternoon (Feb 3). Elwood glowingly describes the Ronstadt we would all come to know and love. He mentions lead guitarist Richard Bowden and fiddler Gib Gilbeau in her band. Elwood also mentions that Ronstadt played a little fiddle too, something that did not stay in her shows. Needless to say, Linda never played the venue again.
Elwood describes Country as a polished but enjoyable country-rock band. I know nothing else about them.
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Post by the Scribe on Aug 27, 2021 16:21:09 GMT
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Post by chronologer on Nov 22, 2021 6:03:26 GMT
12 August 1972 Lenox Music Inn (Audio)
Linda Ronstadt - Lenox, MA August 12, 1972 Remaster
8 Mar 2022 Out Of Order
Soundboard recording from Lenox Music Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts on Aug 12, 1972. Missing songs were restored, and cuts and dropouts fixed with Wave Pad.
Setlist: 1. Rose City Chimes (Partial) 2. I Fall To Pieces 3. Silver Threads & Golden Needles 4. Rock Me On The Water 5. Lightning Bar Blues 6. Crazy Arms 7. How Long 8. Band Intro / Richard Bowden Monologue 9. Mail Order Dog With Richard Bowden 10. Lovesick Blues 11. Long Long Time 12. Break My Mind 13. Rescue Me (Partial)
Here are the recording notes from Bill Graham Productions for this show:
Linda Ronstadt - vocals; John Boylan - acoustic guitar; Richard Bowden - lead guitar, vocals; Ed Black - pedal steel guitar; Chris Darrow - fiddle; Mike Bowden - bass; Mickey McGee - drums
Live recordings of Linda Ronstadt prior to 1974 are extremely scarce, which makes this 1972 performance, recorded at the comfortable outdoor setting of the Music Inn in Lenox, MA, a particular treat. Recorded shortly after the release of her self titled 1972 album for Capitol Records, this captures Ronstadt performing with an outstanding group of musicians that not only featured the Bowden Brothers and John Boylan, but also included drummer Mickey McGee, the talented pedal steel guitarist Ed Black and Chris Darrow on fiddle. This remarkable performance perfectly encapsulates the earlier phase of Ronstadt's career.
The recording begins with Ronstadt clearly defining her earlier style and form on Patsy Cline's signature song, "I Fall To Pieces." Following this, she delivers a lovely cover of Dick Reynolds and Jack Rhodes classic country number "Silver Threads & Golden Needles," a song she had been singing since her earliest performances fronting The Stone Poneys back in the late 1960s. The gospel quality Ronstadt brings to Jackson Browne's "Rock Me On The Water" indicates the kind of sensitivity she would later bring to the singer/songwriter material that made her a superstar in the years to come. The audience, sprawled over the comfortable lawn of this natural sloping amphitheater, are next treated to rare live performances of "Lightning Bar Blues," a terrific cover of the Ray Price classic, "Crazy Arms," and the engaging country flavored rocker, "How Long." Following band introductions, Ronstadt turns the microphone over to lead guitarist Richard Bowden, who delivers a hilarious monologue which leads into his equally humorous "Mail Order Dog." The remainder of Ronstadt's set is a powerhouse of her strongest early material. John D. Loudermilk's psychedelic country rocker, "Break My Mind," a rip-roaring cover of the Fontella Bass soul standard, "Rescue Me," and "Lovesick Blues" all display the more powerful aspects of Ronstadts' remarkable voice. And of course "Long, Long Time" brings out the lovely and sad emotional qualities that were essential to her best early work. Unlike the slicker sound of her later years, the raw straightforward approach applied to this performance is at the essence of its appeal.
Every artist who achieves career longevity inevitably has recordings that are perceived as career defining moments. For Linda Ronstadt, those albums would be Heart Like A Wheel and Prisoner In Disguise, both realized over the next few years. However, this remarkable performance perfectly captures the elements leading up to those commercial breakthroughs. As this set begins to illustrate, Ronstadt could easily vacillate between heartbroken vulnerability and gutsy rocking. Although still raw and unpolished, her innate charm and versatility made her irresistibly sexy and vocally captivating, regardless of musical categories. These elements would all soon combine to make Ronstadt the first female rock 'n' roll superstar of the 1970s.
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Post by the Scribe on Nov 22, 2021 8:39:48 GMT
The Lenox gig had pretty much the same set list as the one she sang in April that year (when I met her). The main difference was as she was entering the stage the band began to play The Only Mama That'll Walk The Line which was kind of an early signature song of hers. She also sang Don't Go To Strangers (JJ Cale song). Looks like the same band as well.
Out Of Order 2.07K subscribers Soundboard recording of Linda Ronstadt at Lenox Music Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts on Aug 12, 1972. Songs performed: 1. I Fall To Pieces - beginning cut 2. Silver Threads & Golden Needles 3. Rock Me On The Water 4. Lightning Bar Blues 5. Crazy Arms 6. How Long 7. Richard Bowden Monologue 8. Mail Order Dog - with Richard Bowden 9. Lovesick Blues 10. Long Long Time 11. Break My Mind
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Post by the Scribe on Mar 8, 2022 19:24:28 GMT
Linda Ronstadt - Lenox, MA August 12, 1972 Remaster 77 views Mar 7, 2022
Out Of Order 2.64K subscribers
Soundboard recording from Lenox Music Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts on Aug 12, 1972. The missing songs were restored, and cuts and dropouts were fixed with Wave Pad. Setlist:
1. Rose City Chimes (Partial) 2. I Fall To Pieces 3. Silver Threads & Golden Needles 4. Rock Me On The Water 5. Lightning Bar Blues 6. Crazy Arms 7. How Long 8. Band Intro / Richard Bowden Monologue 9. Mail Order Dog With Richard Bowden 10. Lovesick Blues 11. Long Long Time 12. Break My Mind 13. Rescue Me (Partial)
Here are the recording notes from Bill Graham Productions for this show:
Linda Ronstadt - vocals; John Boylan - acoustic guitar; Richard Bowden - lead guitar, vocals; Ed Black - pedal steel guitar; Chris Darrow - fiddle; Mike Bowden - bass; Mickey McGee - drums
Live recordings of Linda Ronstadt prior to 1974 are extremely scarce, which makes this 1972 performance, recorded at the comfortable outdoor setting of the Music Inn in Lenox, MA, a particular treat. Recorded shortly after the release of her self titled 1972 album for Capitol Records, this captures Ronstadt performing with an outstanding group of musicians that not only featured the Bowden Brothers and John Boylan, but also included drummer Mickey McGee, the talented pedal steel guitarist Ed Black and Chris Darrow on fiddle. This remarkable performance perfectly encapsulates the earlier phase of Ronstadt's career.
The recording begins with Ronstadt clearly defining her earlier style and form on Patsy Cline's signature song, "I Fall To Pieces." Following this, she delivers a lovely cover of Dick Reynolds and Jack Rhodes classic country number "Silver Threads & Golden Needles," a song she had been singing since her earliest performances fronting The Stone Poneys back in the late 1960s. The gospel quality Ronstadt brings to Jackson Browne's "Rock Me On The Water" indicates the kind of sensitivity she would later bring to the singer/songwriter material that made her a superstar in the years to come. The audience, sprawled over the comfortable lawn of this natural sloping amphitheater, are next treated to rare live performances of "Lightning Bar Blues," a terrific cover of the Ray Price classic, "Crazy Arms," and the engaging country flavored rocker, "How Long." Following band introductions, Ronstadt turns the microphone over to lead guitarist Richard Bowden, who delivers a hilarious monologue which leads into his equally humorous "Mail Order Dog." The remainder of Ronstadt's set is a powerhouse of her strongest early material. John D. Loudermilk's psychedelic country rocker, "Break My Mind," a rip-roaring cover of the Fontella Bass soul standard, "Rescue Me," and "Lovesick Blues" all display the more powerful aspects of Ronstadts' remarkable voice. And of course "Long, Long Time" brings out the lovely and sad emotional qualities that were essential to her best early work. Unlike the slicker sound of her later years, the raw straightforward approach applied to this performance is at the essence of its appeal.
Every artist who achieves career longevity inevitably has recordings that are perceived as career defining moments. For Linda Ronstadt, those albums would be Heart Like A Wheel and Prisoner In Disguise, both realized over the next few years. However, this remarkable performance perfectly captures the elements leading up to those commercial breakthroughs. As this set begins to illustrate, Ronstadt could easily vacillate between heartbroken vulnerability and gutsy rocking. Although still raw and unpolished, her innate charm and versatility made her irresistibly sexy and vocally captivating, regardless of musical categories. These elements would all soon combine to make Ronstadt the first female rock 'n' roll superstar of the 1970s.
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