Linda Ronstadt Albums Ranked

Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is an American former singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, and an ALMA Award. Many of her albums have been certified gold, platinum or multiplatinum in the United States and internationally. She has also earned nominations for a Tony Award and a Golden Globe award. She was awarded the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Recording Academy in 2011 and also awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2016. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014. On July 28, 2014, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts and Humanities. In 2019, she received a star jointly with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their work as the group Trio. Ronstadt was among five honorees who received the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. Here are all of Linda Ronstadt albums ranked.

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10. Get Closer 

“”Get Closer” is Linda Ronstadt’s most underappreaciated album, at least in commerical terms. Albeit, this album didn’t sell as well as her previous records, it was the best she released during the 80’s. The strong element of the album is Peter Asher’s production, that in many cases takes little songs and turns them into big, memorable and powerful numbers.”

9. Mad Love 

“The cover alone makes it worth buying but there’s much more to this album than just bunch of great pictures. The most important thing about “Mad Love” is that it isn’t Punk album. In 1980 many critics were writing that Linda recorded Punk album and it isn’t true at all. I can’t hear any Punk influences here. “Mad Love” is New Wave/Pop/Rock album.”

8. Cry Like A Rainstorm – Howl Like The Wind 

“This ballad-heavy collection has many fine performances, including four duets with Aaron Neville. It includes compositions from pop music giants Jimmy Webb and Mann/Weil, but the writer who really shines here is the lesser-known Karla Bonoff who contributes “All My Life” and “Goodbye My Friend”.”

7. Prisoner In Disguise 

“I just love this album, with this album she she became a MAJOR superstar. Incorporating country “Love is a Rose”, motown “Heatwave” and “tracks of my tears” to mournful balladry “I will always love you”. It’s just a perfect album, and proves why Linda was the best female singer of the 1970’s…”

6. Living In The USA 

“Linda Ronstadt’s thrid chart topper “Living In The U.S.A.” ranks as one of the finnest pieces of her catalouge. There are few rock and roll hits like “Back In The U.S.A.”, and few outstanding ballads like “Oh Baby Baby”, “When I Grow Too Old To Dream” and beautiful rendition of all time classic “Love Me Tender”. Other noteworthy tracks include “Just One Look”, “White Rhythm And Blues” and “Blowing Away”. It’s one of the best late 70’s albums that proves greatness of Linda’s talent as a singer and interpreter.”

5. Greatest Hits 

“This was a fairly short album length even when it was originally released on vinyl – needless to say, it’s a rather small sampler covering only her major commercial stops from the late ’60s through the mid ’70s. But for what the album title claims it to be, it does a great job.”

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4. What’s New 

“I’ve heard everything she’s ever done, every genre that she’s tackled, and I tell you this: She never sang any better than she does on this album! To me, she is the best vocalist of all time; I could listen to her sing just about anything. On this album; Ronstadt really nails every one of these classic tunes in a way only she could do. This is one you have to hear at least once.”

3. Hasten Down The Wind 

“Despite her lovely voice and very listenable and well produced albums, I often find Linda Ronstadt to be a bit slick and formulaic. This album is the exception. It contains very heartfelt songs about the yearning for love and loss. It also contains some original material co-written by Linda R. and not just covers of familiar songs. “Lo Siento Mi Vida” is especially noteworthy. I wish more of Linda Ronstadt’s albums were as authentic as this one.”

2. Simple Dreams 

“Most of her hits were covers, although she did sing some good originals as well. It’s So Easy, originally a rockabilly song by The Crickets, got a modern rock arrangement ny Pete Asher. The original ballad Simple Man, Simple Dream showcases her vocal expression. I Never Will Marry is a traditional with a slow waltzing rhythm. Dolly Parton sings a second voice in the chorus. The Roy Orbison cover Blue Bayou has a habanera rhythm and a country sound. She turns songs by Warren Zevon and The Rolling Stones into her own. The general atmosphere is intimate and warm.”

1. Heart Like A Wheel 

“Linda has a nice voice which conveys the listener that she is, in fact, feeling as the lyrics suggest. However, despite that, this isn’t a very original album. Sometimes it gets repetitive, every track follows the same soft pattern of country/soft rock we all know. Heart Like a Wheel is fairly satisfying most of the time, but it never gets close to being more than it is.”