Heart Like A Wheel, released in November of 1974, is the first #1 album for Linda Ronstadt , a multi-platinum hit that stayed on the charts for a year. With Peter Asher producing and Andrew Gold arranging, Linda found a winning blueprint for every 70's album to come.
Here, you'll find a mix of new songs and well chosen oldies that hit that "country crossover" sweet spot. The #2 hit "When Will I Be Loved" was written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers.
"It Doesn't Matter Anymore" was written and recorded by a Ronstadt mainstay, Buddy Holly. The Dan Penn/Chip Moman tune,"Dark End of the Street", was a hit for James Carr and recorded by the Flying Burrito Brothers. Linda also recorded Hank Williams's "I Can't Help It ( If I'm Still in Love With You" as a Grammy winning duet with Emmylou Harris.
But of course her biggest hit is "You're No Good", a cover of a minor 1963 hit for Betty Everett. Below you can hear Andrew Gold telling drummer Mike Botts about spending all night recording the George Harrison-esque middle section of the hit.
When Linda first heard what he'd done, she didn't like it.
"What the hell is all this Beatle stuff all over this track?" she asked Gold.
Eventually, with Asher's insistence, she accepted the arrangement.
Among the newer tracks is the lovely title cut by Anna McGarrigle, who would release a debut album with sister Kate in 1975.
Linda rocked our youthful hearts and then some. Pure singing, great musicians, great tunes. Warmth and power all once.
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