Linda Ronstadt - Don't Cry Now

Don't Cry Now marks a turning point for Linda Ronstadt, her 1973 debut for Asylum and the first of her records to feature Peter Asher as producer.

Asher would go on to shape her most successful years, and the seeds are all here. Working within the thriving Los Angeles country-rock scene, she mixes fresh material with well-chosen covers, moving comfortably between folk, country and pop rock. The band is loose but precise, and her voice has the power to fill a room while still sounding vulnerable, a balance few singers of the era could match.

Her version of the Eagles' "Desperado" is a highlight, slow and stately, with every line given room to land. "Love Has No Pride" is a raw, aching ballad that shows exactly how much feeling she could pack into a quiet song, while "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" kicks up the tempo with twangy, honky-tonk energy. The title track "Don't Cry Now" adds a soft, rolling warmth that ties the whole record together.

For fans who know her mainly from the late-70s hits, this is where that run truly begins. It is a warm, unhurried record that rewards a full side-by-side listen, and it sounds right at home on a turntable.