(44) Linda Ronstadt - Heart Like A Wheel (1974)

"Heart Like A Wheel" is Linda Ronstadt's fifth solo album release and the last 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.

Following the same formula as her early records, "Heart Like A Wheel" doesn't appear to be a great breakthrough on the surface. However, Ronstadt comes into her own on this mix of oldies and contemporary classics. Backed by a fleet of Los Angeles musicians, Ronstadt sings with vigor and passion, helping bring the music alive. But what really makes Heart Like a Wheel a breakthrough is the inventive arrangements that producer Peter Asher, Ronstadt, and the studio musicians have developed. Finding the right note for each song  whether it's the soulful reworking of "When Will I Be Loved," the hit "You're No Good," or the laid-back folk-rock of "Willing"  the musicians help turn Heart Like a Wheel into a veritable catalog of Californian soft rock, and it stands as a landmark of '70s mainstream pop/rock.

Not only do you get the hit "You're No Good" and the Everly Brothers' classic "When Will I Be Loved," but the sorrowful title track and Hank Williams' "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" give testament to Ronstadt's legendary feel for driving the emotion home. What's more, if the powerful "Willing" doesn't have you longing for the days of bell bottoms and bandanas, you just aren't feeling it. With production by Peter Asher and guests like Emmylou Harris, Maria Muldaur, J.D. Souther and most of the aforementioned Eagles, Ronstadt crafted a magnificent blend of country, rock and folk that is among the greatest records made in a generation.

Track listing

01.  You're No Good  (Clint Ballard, Jr.) -  3:44

02.  It Doesn't Matter Anymore  (Paul Anka)  - 3:26

03.  Faithless Love  (J. D. Souther) (also singing harmony)  - 3:15

04.  The Dark End of the Street  (Chips Moman, Dan Penn)  - 3:55

05.  Heart Like a Wheel  (Anna McGarrigle)  - 3:10

06.  When Will I Be Loved  (Phil Everly)  - 2:04

07.  Willin'  (Lowell George)  - 3:02

08.  I Can't Help It  (If I'm Still in Love with You) (Hank Williams)  - 2:45

09.  Keep Me from Blowing Away  (Paul Craft)  - 3:10

10.  You Can Close Your Eyes  (James Taylor)  - 3:09

Released:  November 1974

Recorded:  at The Sound Factory, Los Angeles, California

Genre:  Country Rock

Length:  32:19

Label:  Capitol

Producer:  Peter Asher

Personnel

Linda Ronstadt – vocals, background vocals

Andrew Gold – guitar, percussion, piano, drums, keyboards, electric piano, tambourine, ukulele, background vocals

Peter Asher – guitar, percussion, background vocals, cowbell

Ed Black – guitar

John Boylan – guitar

Paul Craft – guitar

Kenny Edwards – bass, background vocals

Chris Ethridge – bass

Jimmie Fadden – harmonica

Richard Feves – bass

Glenn Frey – guitar

Emory Gordy – bass

Tom Guidera – bass

Emmylou Harris – harmony vocals

Don Henley – drums, background vocals

Dennis Karmazyn – cello

Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar

Russ Kunkel – drums

Lloyd Myers – drums

David Lindley – fiddle

Cissy Houston – background vocals

Sherlie Matthews – background vocals

Maria Muldaur – background vocals

Clydie King – background vocals

Wendy Waldman – background vocals

Joyce Nesbitt – background vocals

Herb Pedersen – banjo, background vocals

Danny Pendleton – pedal steel guitar

Dennis St. John – drums

Timothy B. Schmit – bass

J. D. Souther – guitar, background vocals

John Starling – guitar

Bob Warford – guitar

David Campbell – viola, string arrangements