Linda Ronstadt

Be it rock, country, pop or traditional Mexican music, singer-deluxe Linda Ronstadt delivers the tunes with finesse and beauty. Same for Ronstadt’s forays into the area of jazz standards—her work with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra (1983’s What’s New and 1984’s Lush Life, for instance) is fabulous. Her latest standards album, Hummin’ to Myself, is likewise very listenable. Ronstadt, sounding as strong and lovely as always, is backed on most of the tunes by heavies Bob Mann on guitar, Christian McBride on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. Alan Broadbent does excellent double-duty as pianist and arranger. The title song’s lyrics and effective arrangement are notable, with trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso and clarinetist Dan Block adding just the right jauntiness: “I’ve got the words/ I’ve got the tune/ I’ve been rehearsin’ under the moon/ But I’ve got nobody to hear my song/ So I’m hummin’ to myself…” McBride’s fine playing on “Blue Prelude” adds the perfect touch to Ronstadt’s pleasingly suave interpretation.