The 2019 documentary film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019, is about American singer Linda Ronstadt who could probably sing the dictionary and make it awesome!
From the first time I heard Linda Ronstadt (and the Stone Poneys) singing Different Drum, I was a fan. I loved every genre she tackled with her own unique styling and her voice—oh my goodness, that voice!
The Voice
She sang old-time country songs written by Hank Williams and made rock fans of the 1960s and beyond embrace the mournful songs. She sang opera, the music her parents loved, Mexican love songs and mariachi songs which her family sang at home when she was growing up, and the golden age music by Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, etc. that her mother loved.
Consequently, she made: rock albums and filled stadiums, Gilbert and Sullivan album from the Broadway hit musical she starred in, Mexican mariachi album that became the biggest-selling Mexican music album of all time, Great American Songbook with music arranged by Nelson Riddle, who had arranged the American standards sung by Sinatra and the other famous voices back in the day.
Documentary Details
Directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, it features interviews with many of Linda's friends and music industry professionals. The film won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2019 Provincetown International Film Festival.
After the premiere, it was released to theaters and on Digital HD from Amazon and iTunes and then it went to DVD and Blu-ray. After watching it, I wasn't surprised to learn it won Best Music Film at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
That nomination was Linda's first competitive nomination since 2006. As you will learn from the film, Linda developed Parkinson's Disease, the same as her mother.
Parkinson's may have stolen her voice, but nothing can take away the gift Linda Ronstadt made to the world. Her recordings endure. This film is also available to rent or buy from Amazon Video if you want to avoid the ads.
Takeaway Truth
If you've never heard Linda's music, watch Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice. You'll want to get her music—probably in every genre in which she sang. Enjoy!
We love Linda Ronstadt. I knew she had an immune disease, but not which one. My Hero also has Parkinson's, as did my sister. I hate that Linda's voice has been stolen by it. She has left us a great legacy with her recordings.
ReplyDeleteThoughts of her are always tangled up with the times. I can still close my eyes and here the ring in her voice when she sang "Blue Bayou."
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