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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ronnie the survivor documented, 19 April 2006
This review is from: The Last of the Rock Stars (Audio CD)
If you're expecting just a nostagia trip here, forget it. As the title might imply, this
is to some extent for RS something akin to Marianne Faithful's "Broken English," or Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose." The smooth and perfect pop of the Phil Spector years is replaced by a rock band (on most anyway) and songs that speak of both survival and bitterness, but with also a nice sense of fun on some like "Work Out Fine"-- with Keith Ritchards on guitar & vocals, or the rootsy/catchy "Hey Sah Lo Ney" (orig. a 'Northern Soul' song c'60, but here raw, almost 'punky garage,' and vaguely evoking her Spanish Harlem roots). Guests include (besides Keith), The Raveonettes, Patti Smith, and Joey Ramone , and really a nice mix of material-- a few old, several new. The voice sure has some miles on it-- her wide 'cigarette' vibrato & sometimes shrillness might really shock those who haven't heard her recently-- but she still has fine timing, committment, and knows how to phrase and sing within her limitations. (And sometimes beyond them, as on the 'oldie' closer, "Out in the Cold Again." Still though a nice testament to good friend Frankie Lymon; but quite way from vocally from, say, Dinah Washington). And I just think it's really cool to have Ronnie sing fine songs like Amy Rigby's "All I Want" (catching just right I think Rigby's love of rock and roll AND a 'feminist' self-awareness), or the Ramones "Here Today and Gone Tomorrow" or "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" (close as we'll get to her singing with the band I think). There's a sense of 'pop' heart enough I think for older fans; but also appeal to anyone who would smile at the thought of Ronnie with a rock band.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
RONNIE IS BACK., 4 Feb 2006
This review is from: The Last of the Rock Stars (Audio CD)
I have been given an advanced copy of this EXCELENT new album from the first lady of rock!! Wow it has been well worth the wait, there are such great tracks as ''All I Want'' with Keith Richards written by highly acclaimed song writer Amy Rigby, this will be the new single, other tracks with Patti Smith, Joey Ramone, & the Raveonettes etc. are all so good & pure rock n roll, this has been a long time coming but well worth the wait, for the first time ever Ronnie is in complete control, & has co-produced three of the tracks her self.For rock n roll fans this is a MUST... just TRULY AMAZING Ronnie's voice is even better than ever. well done Ronnie, keep on rockin....
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In One Word- absolutelyamzinglybrilliant, 22 April 2006
This review is from: The Last of the Rock Stars (Audio CD)
Having only heard Ronnie Spector from her early years in the Ronnettes, I really didnt know what to expect from a new album, only the small bits and pieces I had heard during the promotion of it- and I most certainly wasn't disappointed.
I have to say, there isnt a duff track on the album, each song sounds different, and it certainly stands out amongst the crowd. Ronnies voice is superb on the album, having lost none of its uniqueness from the 60's Wall of Sound days.
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