Linda Ronstadt - Heart Like a Wheel

It's often said that this 1974 set, Ronstadt's true commercial breakthrough after a half decade's worth of minor hits, set the formula for the platinum successes to follow: some underrecognized singer/songwriter jewels, a couple of semi-obscure early rock tunes, always with something for country radio as well as Top 40 to grab hold of. But Heart Like a Wheel does it with a magic Ronstadt and her L.A. session crew would never touch again; for one thing, she was rarely again as convincingly tough ("You're No Good") or as fragile (the Anna McGarrigle-penned title track) as she is here. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com essential recording

Total and perfect..

Her voice was at its ultimate perfection by this album. Transition was sort of the name of the game though. What was Linda to do? Country, Rock and roll or serenade us with love ballads. We didn't care did we..? She hit it on all cylinders. This was Linda's "Abbey Road" album. It all came together on this one release. She had later albums that slammed it home but Heart Like A Wheel was the perfect storm of Linda's music. Not to mention that Lindas album covers, including this one, were dripping full of sensuality and sexiness that kept us young boys glued to our speakers and the album covers.. November 17, 2008

An American Treasure (4.5 stars)

This singer is almost unknown here in Europe and this time it's a real MISS-OUT on something great. The rave reviews do not lie. Linda Ronstadt is here singing beautiful tunes from great songwriters (Paul Anka, Phil Everly, Hank Williams and James Taylor, to name a few) and the country/pop tunes are immensely helped by wonderful arrangements. Just the guitar solo in the middle of "The Dark End Of The Street" is a reason enough to get this album. They say she has never surpassed "Heart Like a Wheel" with any other work. They're probably right. Maybe only Joni Mitchell with "Court and Spark" made something equally great in 1974. April 25, 2008

ONE OF MY FAVORITES

I am especially fond of Linda's earlier works. Heart Like a Wheel contains some great country covers as well as some of the best penned tunes ever. My favorite on the CD is Lowell George's "Willing" September 26, 2007

Heart Like a Wheel

Rarely is a recording released that contains 10 potential hits. There is not a bad song on this CD. I remember having the LP back in the 70's when it was released. Linda Ronstadt has one of the most beautiful voices in all of music. This CD has up-tempo songs like "You're No Good" and "When Will I Be Loved" to the country classic "I Can't Help It if I'm Still in Love with You". The title track, "Heart Like a Wheel" is a beautiful ballad in Ronstadt's voice. This CD is certainly a classic for lovers of good music. It is highly recommended! April 17, 2005

Linda Ronstadt's first #1 album

YOU'RE NO GOOD,the #1 smash from this album is probably what made the album a #1 smash. There was only one other Top 20 hit,a cover of the Everly Brothers' WHEN WILL I BE LOVED. YNG came to the attention of Van Halen around 1978 and the band decided to cover the tune. The other songs are good. Linda Ronstadt's Asylum Records labelmate Andrew Gold plays guitar and sings background on YNG. March 2, 2005

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