Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions

by

Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt

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As a huge fan of Emmylous Harris and a frequent admirer of Linda Rondstadt, I snatched this disc up immediately. While I enjoyed their work with Dolly Parton on the "Trio" efforts--Parton still can, quite frankly, sing both these women into the ground, at least when she's not laying the sentimentality and schmaltz on too thick--I enjoy this album even more. That has to do both with the sublime song selection and with the gorgous arrangements--even tired old warhorses like "For a Dancer" and "Sisters of Mercy" sound fresh here, thanks, in part, to Glyn Johns' shimmering production. As always, Harris is a paragon of taste, brandishing her slightly cracked soprano with a grace that is breathtaking. Rondstadt, whose voice has deepened through the years, occassionally slips into thoughtless belting (always her downfall) but, for the most part, offers glorious tones that meld with Harris' to ravishing effect. Her version of Sinead O'Connor's "This is to Mother You" is absolutely lovely, one of the many highlights here. With backup from Neil Young and the McGarrigle sisters, and additional songs from Bruce Springsteen, Patty Griffin, Patti Sciafla, and Roseanne Cash, this is that rare album: tasteful, exciting, heartfelt and lavish all at once. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

I'm very fond of both Harris and Ronstadt but I prefer on an album that the same mood is kept all the way. For instance, the new album "Essence" with Lucinda Williams - though varied songs - nevertheless keeps the same mood and spirit all the way. On this CD the tempo is too uneven. When I listen to the album, I always skip the first 3 songs. "Loving the highway man" is much too loudly produced and the song "For a Dancer" is way much better in the original version with Jackson Brown. "Western wall"-"1917"-"Sisters of Mercy"- "This is to mother you"-"All I left behind" and "Across the border" are all pure gold sung with angel voices and harmonies. The other songs should have been replaced as they disturb the unity, mood and balance. The two wonderful women have undoubtably tried to make the album varied - but unfortunately, it doesn`t work here!