How do you chronicle a talent like Linda Ronstadt? How do you pin her musical contributions down? It seems an insurmountable task to encapsulate the maverick life and accomplishments Linda Ronstadt (LR) has achieved. "The Sound of my Voice" is a fluid and coherent doc. that blends footage of LR's performances, artists' interviews and her own words into a fascinating feature that hits all the rights notes. The immensely talented, fiercely independent and generous human being tells us "We sing for the joy of being alive and to maintain a legacy of our dreams and delights." The well paced biopic is a cogent exploration of an extraordinary talent and remarkable woman. The film is bookended with LR in 2019. LR is living with Parkinson's disease that has thwarted her greatest passion and vocal gifts but not her unflappable joy. LR's family & personal history is told with warmth, love and augmented by astounding black/white photos. The footage of LR's performances are phenomenal. We're shown a prodigious talent who broke into the good ole boys club of recording artists fearlessly and harmoniously. Her love life and love for life are abundant. The efflusive admiration from her talented peers is heartfelt. Of particular note are the interviews from Bonnie Raitt, Emmy Lou Harris and Dolly Parton. LR was the confluence of major artists breaking onto the musical scene. The takeaway from this entertaining and endearing biopic is the remarkable essence of a great artist with a generous spirit and iron willed determination. Never satisfied with being pigeon holed or fettered she sought out major recording talent, producers and arrangers to fulfill her visions. LR conquered broad musical genres including folk, country, pop, Mexican and opera with her beautiful & expansive vocal range. She's a groundbreaking artist that collaborated & supported ungrudgingly her peers. The movie is a well deserved besotted feast to LR. One can't help loving her so whether singing on Sesame Street or in a Broadway operetta show. Award winning doc. filmmakers Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman somehow captured a majestic artist and beacon of positive energy. A thoroughly captivating doc. that is finely orchestrated.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Diana Krall Dazzles with her Piano Virtuosity and Sizzling Vocals at Sonoma State
Diana Krall wearing a long suede coat with tall leather boots and blonde tresses come on stage looking every bit a runway model. She's a sexy siren with an exceptionally enticing voice and prodigious piano skills. Her radiant good cheer warmed the audiences. "I love playing here. I feel back at home." She asked we "Get out of the present and into the present," and broke into "Do I Love You" with her sensual jazz libretto. The program consisted mainly with standard jazz classics like "Nothing at All" and "Love is All I Can Give to You." Her artistic interpretations transform the ballads into nothing like you've heard before. Many of the numbers were bookended by her deep rich vocals bridging the smooth jazz and allowing for blowing changes. Krall's jazz fusion sound was augmented by a quartet of phenomenal musicians. The bass player gave a mesmerizing solo simultaneously strumming & plucking the strings combining a cadence of both jazz & classical. Diana asked for a sing-a-long on "Love is All I Can Give to You" but didn't get fed back from the crowd and picked up with it in good humor. The numbers were never introduced although most were identifiable classics. They performed one original composition she wrote with 2 of her bandmates. I would have liked her to name the song and her favorite Irving Berlin song which was a beautiful love ballad. Krall is a two time Grammy winner with numerous jazz albums topping the jazz billboard charts. Krall constantly amazed with blowing changes and her sensual sound that marks her unique style recognizable while transcending any one musical genre. The roaring standing ovation brought them back on stage for 2 memorable encores: "Cry Me a River" and "Doing Much Better Now." Live jazz performances don't get much better than this and was an especially welcomed respite from today's tumultuous times.
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