Well, isn't Mika looking particularly regal, this morning! Unnecessarily judgmental, yes....but, also regal! Thanks for the FR&B mention, Michael!
Just noticed that singer/songwriter/guitarist, Ms. Margo Price is a new Substacker....she's an artist about whom I, regrettably, know little, but am anxious to learn (and hear) more! She recently recorded a Tom Petty tribute song (with Heartbreaker, Mike Campbell), "Ways to Be Wicked," on the new Petty Country Tribute album!
And, one I'll be interested in looking into (having written about Orville Peck before)....her August duet with Peck on (what I'm guessing is) the tender ballad, "You're an Asshole, I Can't Stand You (And I Want a Divorce)." I'd love to hear that on the radio, and hear the jock intro- and back-announce that one!
Mr. Zevon's song and album were released in the late 70s and my guess the “Ronstadtland” thing was some newspaper or magazine writer who may have been a frustrated and ultimately talentless musician. Or just a critic being critical - controversial stuff probably sells more ad space than gushing over everything. My favorite artist retort is John Prine's song,"When I Get To Heaven" where he calls them "syphilitic parasitics"....
I peaked at that link and def getting that book. Not my era but I grew up listening to them all. Huge appreciation for each one and the collective scene/history.
I wasn't aware of the "Ronstadtland" term/issue before. Were critics complaining that his music was too much in her vein or that he used her too much on his albums? My recollection is that she appeared on albums by a LOT of artists at the time.
I haven't read it, but the Amazon blurb names most of the groups/artists that the "Ronstadtland" epithet probably refers to. Likely whoever the critic/writer was didn't get invited to many parties there.
I think the term was meant by the critic as sort of a label for some of the (admittedly to some degree) homogenized sound of the era, and needed a label to describe it - maybe aimed at the "Laurel Canyon elite"... dunno.
Whoever wrote it was probably doing what critics do, criticizing - and needed a catch phrase. Bet there was regret when some of the groups and music that defined an era - Eagles, CSNY, - came out of there (at least until grunge - LOL)...
Well, isn't Mika looking particularly regal, this morning! Unnecessarily judgmental, yes....but, also regal! Thanks for the FR&B mention, Michael!
Just noticed that singer/songwriter/guitarist, Ms. Margo Price is a new Substacker....she's an artist about whom I, regrettably, know little, but am anxious to learn (and hear) more! She recently recorded a Tom Petty tribute song (with Heartbreaker, Mike Campbell), "Ways to Be Wicked," on the new Petty Country Tribute album!
And, one I'll be interested in looking into (having written about Orville Peck before)....her August duet with Peck on (what I'm guessing is) the tender ballad, "You're an Asshole, I Can't Stand You (And I Want a Divorce)." I'd love to hear that on the radio, and hear the jock intro- and back-announce that one!
Many of us have heard that already… the phrase, if not the song….
Thank you kindly for the shout out. Looking forward to sharing more posts in the future.
I love all those Laurel Canyon artists and that time period had such an incredible impact.
Have to better understand and reflect on this ronstadtland situation.
Well deserved!! I really enjoyed reading "Rise", hope to see more of your work soon!
I haven't read this book, but as I replied to Dan earlier on here, this looks like an interesting who's who of Laurel Canyon - https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Scenes-Inside-Canyon-Laurel/dp/1909394122
Mr. Zevon's song and album were released in the late 70s and my guess the “Ronstadtland” thing was some newspaper or magazine writer who may have been a frustrated and ultimately talentless musician. Or just a critic being critical - controversial stuff probably sells more ad space than gushing over everything. My favorite artist retort is John Prine's song,"When I Get To Heaven" where he calls them "syphilitic parasitics"....
I peaked at that link and def getting that book. Not my era but I grew up listening to them all. Huge appreciation for each one and the collective scene/history.
And controversy unfortunately always sells. Lots of hurt feelings and frustration always flying all over the place.
Heartbreak sells for songwriters and poets, though….
Currency of bestsellers
I wasn't aware of the "Ronstadtland" term/issue before. Were critics complaining that his music was too much in her vein or that he used her too much on his albums? My recollection is that she appeared on albums by a LOT of artists at the time.
https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Scenes-Inside-Canyon-Laurel/dp/1909394122
I haven't read it, but the Amazon blurb names most of the groups/artists that the "Ronstadtland" epithet probably refers to. Likely whoever the critic/writer was didn't get invited to many parties there.
Cool! I may have to check that out! There's also that great documentary that came out in 2020 called simply "Laurel Canyon."
I think the term was meant by the critic as sort of a label for some of the (admittedly to some degree) homogenized sound of the era, and needed a label to describe it - maybe aimed at the "Laurel Canyon elite"... dunno.
Whoever wrote it was probably doing what critics do, criticizing - and needed a catch phrase. Bet there was regret when some of the groups and music that defined an era - Eagles, CSNY, - came out of there (at least until grunge - LOL)...
Good points. I've always been a sucker for some of those "Laurel Canyon" artists!
Same - they pretty much define my youth, at least until Dire Straits came along....