What's New (CD - 1983)

Personnel includes: Linda Ronstadt (vocals); Nelson Riddle (leader); Tommy Tedesco, Dennis Budimir (guitar); Bob Cooper, Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone); Anthony Terran (trumpet); Chancy Welsch (trombone); Don Grolnick (piano); Ray Brown, James Hughart (bass); John Guerin (drums).

Unless you count Ringo Starr's SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, 1983's WHAT'S NEW, the first of three albums Linda Ronstadt recorded with arranger Nelson Riddle, is perhaps the first major attempt by a bona fide rock artist to come to terms with the Great American Songbook of the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and the other great songwriters who set the musical tone for American life and love before the advent of rock & roll. Possessed of considerable yet unpretentious vocal chops, Ronstadt is a good candidate for this formidable task. She clearly reveres this music and acquits herself winningly by turning in a well-chosen, well-performed set of familiar Sinatra and Billie Holiday-associated songs. Riddle's arrangements lightly support the singer and never upstage her. This late in the game, the master arranger's famous taste is fully in evidence.

Unless you count Ringo Starr's SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, 1983's WHAT'S NEW, the first of three albums Linda Ronstadt recorded with arranger Nelson Riddle, is perhaps the first major attempt by a bona fide rock/pop artist to come to terms with the Great American Songbook of the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and the other great songwriters who set the musical tone for American life and love before the advent of rock & roll. Possessed of considerable yet unpretentious vocal chops, Ronstadt is a good candidate for this formidable task. She clearly reveres this music and acquits herself winningly by turning in a well chosen, well performed set of familiar Frank Sinatra- and Billie Holiday-associated songs. Riddle's arrangements lightly support the singer and never upstage her. Even this late in the game, the master arranger's famous taste is fully in evidence. minimize