Hasten Down the Wind
Encyclopedia
Hasten Down The Wind is a 1976 album by singer/songwriter/producer Linda Ronstadt
and was Ronstadt's third straight million-selling album. Ronstadt was the first female artist in history to accomplish this feat. The album earned Ronstadt a Grammy for "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female" in 1977, her second of 10 Grammy Award
s. It represented a slight departure from 1974's Heart Like A Wheel
and 1975's Prisoner In Disguise
in that she chose to showcase new songwriters over the traditional Country Rock sound she had been producing up to that point. A more serious and poignant album than its predecessors, it won critical acclaim from critics and the general public alike.
The album showcased songs from artists such as Warren Zevon
("Hasten Down The Wind") and Karla Bonoff
("Someone To Lay Down Beside Me"); both of whom would soon be making a name for themselves in the singer-songwriter
world. A reworking of Patsy Cline
's classic "Crazy' was a Top 10 Country hit for Linda in early 1977.
Ronstadt's third album to go Platinum, Hasten Down the Wind spent several weeks in the Top Three of the Billboard
album charts. It was also the second of four #1 Country albums for her. Linda's subsequent album was 1977's Simple Dreams
, one of her best-selling ever.
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
and was Ronstadt's third straight million-selling album. Ronstadt was the first female artist in history to accomplish this feat. The album earned Ronstadt a Grammy for "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female" in 1977, her second of 10 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s. It represented a slight departure from 1974's Heart Like A Wheel
Heart Like a Wheel
Heart Like a Wheel is Linda Ronstadt's fifth solo album release and the last-ever of her studio projects for Capitol Records, released in late 1974. It is universally considered to be Ronstadt's all-time high watermark masterpiece recording and a pioneering blueprint of Country Rock...
and 1975's Prisoner In Disguise
Prisoner in Disguise
Prisoner In Disguise is Linda Ronstadt's sixth solo LP release and her second for the label Asylum Records. It followed Ronstadt's Multi-Platinum breakthrough album, Heart Like A Wheel, which became her first of three #1 albums on the Billboard album chart in early 1975.This album has never been...
in that she chose to showcase new songwriters over the traditional Country Rock sound she had been producing up to that point. A more serious and poignant album than its predecessors, it won critical acclaim from critics and the general public alike.
The album showcased songs from artists such as Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
("Hasten Down The Wind") and Karla Bonoff
Karla Bonoff
Karla Bonoff is an American singer-songwriter, primarily known for her songwriting.As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, and "Isn't It Always Love" by Lynn Anderson...
("Someone To Lay Down Beside Me"); both of whom would soon be making a name for themselves in the singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
world. A reworking of Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
's classic "Crazy' was a Top 10 Country hit for Linda in early 1977.
Ronstadt's third album to go Platinum, Hasten Down the Wind spent several weeks in the Top Three of the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
album charts. It was also the second of four #1 Country albums for her. Linda's subsequent album was 1977's Simple Dreams
Simple Dreams
Simple Dreams is one of the most successful albums of Linda Ronstadt's career, spending five consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in late 1977. It also knocked Elvis Presley out of No...
, one of her best-selling ever.
Track listing
- "Lose Again" (Karla BonoffKarla BonoffKarla Bonoff is an American singer-songwriter, primarily known for her songwriting.As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, and "Isn't It Always Love" by Lynn Anderson...
) - 3:34 - "The Tattler" (Ry CooderRy CooderRyland Peter "Ry" Cooder is an American guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in roots music from the United States, and, more recently, his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.His solo work has been eclectic, encompassing...
, Russ TitelmanRuss TitelmanRuss Titelman is an American record producer and songwriter. He has to date won three Grammy Awards. He earned his first producing the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love", and his second and third for Eric Clapton's Journeyman and Unplugged albums...
, Washington PhillipsWashington PhillipsWashington Phillips was a Texan gospel singer and musician. Phillips died in 1954 in Teague, Texas.- Biography :Phillips recorded eighteen songs, all between 1927 and 1929, though only sixteen survived...
) - 3:56 - "If He's Ever Near" (Karla BonoffKarla BonoffKarla Bonoff is an American singer-songwriter, primarily known for her songwriting.As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, and "Isn't It Always Love" by Lynn Anderson...
) - 3:15 - "That'll Be the DayThat'll Be the Day"That'll Be the Day" is a song written by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison and recorded by various artists including The Crickets and Linda Ronstadt. It was also the first song to be recorded by The Quarrymen, the skiffle group that subsequently became The Beatles...
" (Jerry AllisonJerry AllisonJ.I. Allison is an American musician, best known for being the drummer for The Crickets and co-writer of their Buddy Holly hit "Peggy Sue"....
, Buddy HollyBuddy HollyCharles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
, Norman PettyNorman PettyNorman Petty was an American musician, songwriter, and pioneer record producer who helped shape modern popular music, including pop and rock....
) - 2:32 - "Lo Siento Mi Vida" (Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Kenny Edwards, Gilbert Ronstadt) - 3:54 - "Hasten Down the WindHasten Down the Wind (song)"Hasten Down the Wind" is a song written and recorded by Warren Zevon and featured on his eponymous major-label debut album. The song was later covered by Linda Rondstadt, who would use the song as the title track for her seventh solo LP....
" (Warren ZevonWarren ZevonWarren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
) - 2:40 - "Rivers of BabylonRivers of Babylon"Rivers of Babylon" is a rastafarian song written and recorded by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton of the Jamaican reggae group The Melodians in 1970. The Melodians' original versions of the song appeared in the sound track to the 1972 movie The Harder They Come and the 1999 Nicolas Cage movie...
" (Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton, S. McNaughton) - 0:52 - "Give One Heart" (John Hall, Johanna Hall) - 4:07
- "Try Me Again" (Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Andrew GoldAndrew GoldAndrew Maurice Gold was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" , as well as the singles "Thank You for Being a Friend" , and "Never Let Her Slip Away" ....
) - 3:59 - "CrazyCrazy (Willie Nelson song)"Crazy" is a ballad composed by Willie Nelson. It has been recorded by several artists, most notably by Patsy Cline, whose version was a #2 country hit in 1962....
" (Willie NelsonWillie NelsonWillie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
) - 3:58 - "Down So Low" (Tracy NelsonTracy Nelson (singer)-Youth in Wisconsin:Nelson was born and grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. There she first learned about R&B music from WLAC radio in Nashville. In her teens, Nelson sang folk music in coffeehouses and with a group called The Fuller's Wood Singers and was lead singer in a band called The Fabulous...
) - 4:08 - "Someone to Lay Down Beside Me" (Karla BonoffKarla BonoffKarla Bonoff is an American singer-songwriter, primarily known for her songwriting.As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, and "Isn't It Always Love" by Lynn Anderson...
) - 4:28
Core band
- Linda RonstadtLinda RonstadtLinda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
- Vocals, Background vocals, Handclapping - Andrew GoldAndrew GoldAndrew Maurice Gold was an American singer, musician and songwriter. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" , as well as the singles "Thank You for Being a Friend" , and "Never Let Her Slip Away" ....
- Organ, Keyboards, Arp String Ensemble, Finger Cymbals, Sleigh Bells, Handclapping, Clavinet, Background vocals, Vocals, Piano (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar (Electric), Clavichord, Piano, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic) - Dan Dugmore - Electric & Steel guitar
- Waddy WachtelWaddy WachtelRobert "Waddy" Wachtel is an American musician, composer and record producer, most notable for his guitar work...
- Electric guitar, acoustic guitar - Kenny EdwardsKenny EdwardsKenny Edwards was an American singer/songwriter. He was a founding member of The Stone Poneys and a long-time collaborator with both Linda Ronstadt and Karla Bonoff.-Biography:...
- Bass, Mandolin, Vocals, Background vocals - Russ KunkelRuss KunkelRussell Kunkel , also known as Russ Kunkel, is an American drummer and producer who has worked as a session musician with a number of well-known artists.Kunkel was born in Pittsburgh, PA...
- Drums - Michael Botts - Drums
Additional musicians
- Clarence McDonaldClarence McDonaldClarence "Mac" McDonald is a Los Angeles based pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. He is a co-writer/co-publisher of the #1 Billboard and Grammy nominated song "Everything To Me" performed by Monica. Most recently McDonald performed on the all-star benefit album entitled Jazz For Japan...
- Piano, Keyboards - Herb PedersenHerb PedersenHerb Pedersen is an American musician, guitarist, banjo player, and singer-songwriter who has played a variety of musical styles over the past forty years including country, bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, folk, folk rock, country rock, and has worked with numerous musicians in many different...
- Vocals, Background vocals - Paul Polivnick - Viola
- Bill Thedford - Vocals, Choir, Chorus
- Ken Yerke - Violin, Viola
- Ron Hickland - Choir, Chorus
- Gerry Garrett - Choir, Chorus
- Sherlie MatthewsSherlie MatthewsSherlie Matthews is an American singer, songwriter and record producer, best known as a backing vocalist for Pop, R&B and Rock groups from the mid 1960s to the present time.-Early life:...
- Vocals, Background vocals - Clydie KingClydie KingClydie Crittendon is an American singer, best known for her session work as a backing vocalist....
- Vocals, Choir, Chorus - Wendy Waldman - Vocals, Background vocals
- Peter AsherPeter AsherPeter Asher is an English guitarist, singer, manager and record producer. He first came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the vocal duo Peter and Gordon before going on to a successful career as a record producer.-Early life:He was born at the Central Middlesex Hospital, a child actor and...
- Guitar, Wood Block, Shaker, Producer, Handclapping, Vocals, Tambourine, Percussion - David Campbell - Conductor, String Arrangements, Viola
- Charles Veal - Violin, Concert Master
- Richard Feves - Bass, Double Bass
- Gerald Garrett - Vocals, Choir, Chorus
- Jim Gilstrap - Vocals, Choir, Chorus
- Pat Henderson - Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Background vocals
- Ron Hicklin - Vocals
- Dennis Karmazyn - Cello
- Becky Louis - Vocals, Background vocals
- Karla BonoffKarla BonoffKarla Bonoff is an American singer-songwriter, primarily known for her songwriting.As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, and "Isn't It Always Love" by Lynn Anderson...
- Vocals, Background vocals - Don HenleyDon HenleyDonald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
- Drums, Vocals, Harmony Vocals
Production
- John Kosh - Cover Design
- Ethan RussellEthan RussellEthan Allen Russell is a photographer, author and video director, mostly of musicians. He is known as "the only rock photographer to have shot album covers for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who."...
- Photography - Jim Shea - Photography