Great Album

In my opinion, this is the best of Linda's efforts over the last decade or so. Actually, if one listens closely, this CD marks the beginning of the decline in Linda's vocal ability. Don't get me wrong, at her worst, Linda can still sing circles around any of the so-called "Divas" of today. Still, it is a little depressing to hear this once-strong and soaring instrument, begin to decline in quality--which are resulting from her health condition, I can only surmise. Every album Linda has done since FLH (there have only been a handful) sound as though Linda is simply tired and disinterested. Her voice still sounds good, but Linda just no longer has the ability to make it soar like she used to.

I understand that she is supposed to release a new jazz project some time this year, which I eagerly await.

Into everything

I appreciate things that are familiar, and music is an area of art that allows people to think small and never try to appreciate anything as large as the Wagner Ring cycle of (German) operas. These songs are all in English, but the title song, "Feels Like Home" by Randy Newman comes from his version of "Faust," a very German theme. Linda played Margaret (the poorest, nicest and most beautiful girl in South Bend) in the CD version released in 1995, but Bonnie Raitt sang the best song in the show on that CD, and this version by Linda with Emmylou Harris singing some harmony, with the title of the song on the cover, does everything these musicians could do to steal this song. This version might be more popular than the Randy Newman collection because the rest of the songs live up to the title so well.



"The Waiting" by Tom Petty is a great way to start anything. When I say the music is familiar, I truly mean: where have you been if you have not heard this one? The final song, "Lover's Return" by A. P. Carter from 1935 has Alison Krauss on fiddle, and that should seem familiar from the best movie soundtracks lately, as well as from "Walk On" (the second song on this CD).



"After the Gold Rush" (1970) by Neil Young has an exciting piano part, updated with string synthesizers, glass armonica, and an orchestra for this recording, which features trio vocals: Valerie Carter, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. I think I previously heard a jug band version of "Morning Blues." "The Blue Train" has the expected theme: "I'm taking it one way to nowhere Afraid you might be there . . ."



I've had the album so long, all the songs seem familiar now, and that was what they were aiming for when they released it. This is music you can live with as well as through.

One of Linda's best albums from the 90s

There is a bit of a backstory with this album. Many of the tracks were recorded in 1994, intended for the sequel to the popular collaboration album with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton from 1987 called TRIO. There were label issues and behind the scenes shuffles, and ultimately TRIO II did not get a release until early 1999. However, many of the tracks appear on this album, with slightly different arrangements. Those songs that appear on both include "High Sierra", "Lover's Return", "Feels Like Home", "After The Goldrush" and "The Blue Train". Some might say that's a bad thing, but they are all great songs, and it's nice to hear them as a Trio on one hand, then to just hear Linda's versions. FEELS LIKE HOME is a nice, if overlooked, album. It opens with an inspired cover of Tom Petty's "The Waiting", which is an instant highlight. The songs that ended up on TRIO II that are also on this disc, are highlights. The whole album is pretty relevent, and she still sounds pretty good.