Great Women - Julie London

Honestly, I first came to know Julie London as Nurse Dixie on the TV series Emergency! in the early 70s, at least that is what I thought. Turns out, on of my Mother's favorite torch singers was Ms. London, and she had an LP I had listened to, just didn't realize they were one and the same! So in honor of my mother, the next in my series on great women singers is Julie London.



Ms. London sang the lost-a-love blues with a hint of smoke and self-amusement in her voice, a true jazz stylist. And she was quite the sexpot! She passed away after a long illness in 2000 at the age of 74.

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Great Women - Linda Ronstadt

I do notice that my music collection is rather testosterone driven, filled with male singers. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate some great female singers, and one of those is Linda Ronstadt. From her days with the Stone Ponies to now, the woman has a magnificent gift with that voice of hers. I remember when she was singing country-fried rock, pop, rock, standards, Mexican music for her father, to the amazing things she did with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris in Trio.

She was a pinup girl in the 70s, he posters selling along side Farrah Fawcett. Her albums sold huge numbers, combining great music and outrageous vocals. She covered Roy Orbison and The Rolling Stones with ease. I can ever be sure which album is my favorite, it could be Simple Dreams, Hasten Down The Wind, or Prisoner In Disguise. Here is a clip from a live concert, Linda singing Down So Low from Hasten Down The Wind.

But I have to say, I do love Blue Bayou. It is from the album Simple Dreams, and it showcased her control and exquisite phrasing. Not an easy song, and she delivers just perfectly.

Linda Ronstadt has no official website, but there is a rather complete unofficial page.

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