Opera Singer Reacts to Linda Ronstadt Blue Bayou | Audio Analysis | 

I think it was Emmylou Harris that said, "Linda isn't the only one who lost her voice. We all lost her voice." I'm not a very emotional guy, but I feel sad when I think about Linda's illness. And I still get emotional listening to her sing "Long, Long Time" or "Adios". Great reaction and analysis by the way.

Linda Ronstadt is one of the greatest female singers of all time. Another review is Linda singing Mariachi.

Man, that girl could sing. Clear, unadorned, power and longing. Best of all Linda sang as... herself. Nothing pretentious or pretend. Her belting is the real Southwest Senorita at its best. Thanks.

She was vocally giving the feeling of the ebb and flow of the tides!

Yes! You have identified all very well. The best of Linda which I have always loved. I am 82 Years old and have played the steel since I was 8 years old and I think the Steel break in this song is one the best I have ever heard.

to hear Linda's versatility lend an ear to her singing La Charreada (the rodeo) in Spanish from her show Canciones de mi Padre (Songs of my Father) she will amaze you

The effort you put in to honor Linda's magnificent vocal prowess is remarkable. Definitely earned my sub )))

I was a 9 year old boy watching the Johnny Cash show when I first heard her sing. I think she was 17.. I was in love.

The sweetest voice and she was so pretty. All us boys loved her.

As John Mentioned below, she can do it all. I love her Mabel in Pirates of Penzance and also her album Canciones de Mi Padre. She truly can do it all. So very devastating that she can no longer sing.

Finally! someone who seems to REALLY appreciate her one of a kind talent. There will never be another Linda. When you were closing your eyes and saying Yes Yes that’s exactly the way I felt.

I really appreciate your analysis of Linda's song. I saw her in concert in 1972 with Jackson Browne in an intimate theatre in Boston. She was phenomenal and for a long time the number one female performer in the USA. She could sing pop, country western, rock and opera and ultimately did just that. This was a popular song, but there are many more that showcase her incredible talents. Thanks again for your great breakdown.

every breath is spectacular.....LOVE HER

If you search the dictionary for the word awesome, you'll see Linda Ronstadt's beautiful, smiling face. I have followed her since the 70's and one thing is crystal clear; she nails every single genre she attempts. She has given the world her heart and soul, and will continue to be listened to by future generations...You can bank that!

Lets give a shout out to the original artist of Blue Bayou...Roy Orbison. Jess...if you want to hear one of the greatest male (falsetto) voices and an originator of Rock n Roll....PLEASE analyze the great Roy Orbison!!! Crying or Running Scared are two great choices.

I love Linda Ronstadt’s voice. ❤ At a talk, she was asked about that last long note. She said,”it was all Mexican.” Her heritage and her influence.

Linda was the most successful female voice for nearly 20 years. If you love this, you have to listen to 'Whats new', with the Nelson Riddle orchestra. Her version of 'LA Charreada' is an absolute jaw dropper. Love to hear you reaction to those. Maybe even 'Tracks of my tears",too.

Amazing singer in many genres. Amazing woman. She was pushing things forward for women in the music industry back in the 70s when it was not a welcoming environment (to say the least). Appreciate the appreciation for her.

Since you're an opera singer you might be interested in hearing Linda singing Gilbert&Sullivan's "Poor Wandering One" from The Pirates of Penzance where she displays a wonderful operatic soprano voice.

There is a youtube video of Miss Ronstadt singing Blue Bayou in concert. It might give you an idea of what she's doing physically when she goes into the belt.

What a fantastic technical reaction to Linda's singing, it adds a brand new dimension while listening to it.

Well. I have seen Ms. Ronstadt several times. Many memories. One in particular: Late 70's at Berkeley's Greek Theatre. Linda performed this song. Perfect rendition. Probably better than her studio version. When she ended on that last heavenly high note you could have heard a pin drop. That is until some random woman let loose with a loud long yearning sigh. Then the crowd went nuts!

Another Song of Linda`s with the steel peddle guitar in it is a cover of Patsy Clines song Crazy , the best Ive heard is from Linda`s 1976 concert in Offenbach Germany , posted by Pretzelfarmer .

I've loved Linda most of my life. She can literally sing the tears out of your face.

Great job Jess! Linda was the voice of a generation! She moved effortlessly from Soft rock, Rock, Mariachi, Big Band to even Broadway. Her versatility was endless. To be honest...the only artist I have seen since Linda to be that versatile is Morisette Amon. PS...Thats Don Henley of the Eagles singing backup....not too shabby!!!

THANKS FOR THE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF RONSTANDTS BEAUTIFUL RENDITION OF THE SONG! ONE OF MY FAVORITES!

OMG What a great analysis and explanation......totally priceless.

Listening to the 70's-80's, music was amazing. Linda R. Was one of the greatest.

My sister's personally favourite artist, and wow, Im so thrilled by your reaction to Linda's stellar qualities, plz if you ever consider doing another Linda Ronstadt reaction, would you think about doing her Desperado.. preferably the live version? you wont be disappointed, theres just a special connection between Linda and that song! Thanks so much I really enjoyed this video!!!

She charted on multiple charts at the same time. Primarily the pop and country charts, but has charted on the Soul/R&B chart as well. I could put her entire catalogue on a play list and listen to it for a month and not get tired of her voice. She also was involved in the creation of another iconic rock group The Eagles.

This originally a Roy Orbison song, another singer with tremendous range. He was gifted with a great falscetto.Not a lot of singers can sing Roy Orbison songs. Usually you have to have an operatic range. Linda does and nails it, making the song her own.

The best song the Linda did in her career! I loved it and from the time she recorded it, I play it often. I have played the steel for 68 years and Dan Dugmore on his Sho-Bud Pedal Steel played on Blue Bayou was one of the best breaks I have ever heard. ❤️

Love Linda. No one like her. Purity, clarity and power in her voice. Jess, enjoyed your analysis.

I so love it when an accomplished singer (like yourself) explains and appreciates without hijacking or competing. You are lovely but so many divas on here are so arrogant. Dive in my friend, her catalog is inconceivably deep and expansive. Listen to her opera and jazz standards. There is NOTHING this woman can't sing!

Loving the gorgeous rich tones of the voice of .Linda Ronstadt. Thank you. Great reaction. Very informative.

Awww......one of my favorite 70's singer. She's so awesome! I'm 72 yrs old and never get tired hearing her beautiful music! ❤❤❤

This reaction certainly adds to an appreciation of Linda Ronstady, thank you.

You need to listen to her version of “If I Grow Too Old To Dream”. Absolutely sublime!

Listening to Linda sing is like being cuddled up in a warm fuzzy blanket. My favorite forever.

One of my favorite singers ever. Such a rich sound! And she sang whatever she felt like. At the height of her fame, she decided to do walk away for a while and do the soprano lead in a Gilbert and Sullivan revival on broadway. Country, bluegrass, Mexican, big band... she could do it all.

Great reaction, great music , from my younger years

i love all the little growls and yodels linda ronstadt just casually throws into this song as ornamentation.

Awesome analysis. Ronstadt was a goddess in the 70s. She was huge.

A beautiful piece sung magnificently by one of most favorite artists that I have known and loved for almost forever I think. (Both song and artist) A wonderful analysis that let me clearly understand the many components and how they fit together, revealing to me why I love this song. Great job, Jess! Yes I had heard of the pedal steel guitar. Decades back I read a short piece on it in a magazine (Stereo Review?). But I never saw one or realized that was what I was hearing until now.

Thank you for giving Linda her due in this modern age. These days she has lost her ability to sing. It was always said that Linda never though she was good enough, but she was the best. Thanks for a great reaction video and analysis.

I'm a huge Linda Ronstadt fan with about 20 of her albums on vinyl. She's my favorite singer of all time, male or female, period!!! I believe it to be a true loss to the world of music that she can no longer sing because of her medical condition. She was like Floor Jansen, my favorite singer still performing and recording, in that she had the versatility to be able to move from one genre to another with what seemed like no effort and be great at it. I spent my youth with her pop/country sounds and continued to follow her through all her changes in genres. My favorite now, and maybe it has to do with age is her three albums she did of American Standards with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra. If you haven't heard this music please listen to it, even you don't do a reaction to it, just do it for your own pleasure. I promise you will not be disappointed. Great reaction by the way, awesome job breaking it down and yes I've heard of the Pedal Steel Guitar. My musical taste are all over the place and Country music is part of that which uses the Pedal Steel more than any other genre. Take some pop, rock, gospel, country, big band, blues, jazz, symphonic metal, a little opera and symphonic music whether classical or musical theater, then you will have most of what I listen to. But I also love folk, Americana/Roots music, Irish/Celtic Traditional music and Mongolian Throat Singing. My kids, who are all grown now, have turned me on to a lot of music that I might never have heard and had the chance to love but my favorite will always be whatever LInda Ronstadt sang, Thanks.

Linda also had big success with her SWING era recordings. I was lucky enough to see her perform live and I can tell you she really didn't need a mic .. such was power and control she had.

Love the music you bring to the table and your reactions are like 🍒 s on top keep up the outstanding work darlin 👍

I love to listening to Linda through your ears. The peddle steel is almost as standard in country music as the fiddle. Heard it all my life.

Linda's catalog and musical diversity takes a back seat to very few if anyone. The respect she had in the early '70's when female singers were treated more as 'meat' than talent was extraordinary. She appeared on numerous friends records like Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" and Paul Simon's "Under African Skies". There is a very popular bootleg video concert on RU-vid from her in Boston from 1995. And she covers the Hollies "Can't Hold On". Check that out and listen to the strength that her voice has and the breath control she had where she olds a singular note for an astounding 8-bar guitar solo. Sadly, Parkinson's disease has silenced her voice as she no longer appears in public. However, her legacy will survive and thrive for as long as there is a planet. She'll always be represented.

Your explaination of Linda's technique of singing is the best that I have heard. I would really like your review of her singing in the "pirates of Penzance" and her singing "la charreda".

This was quite an excellent breakdown. Top notch reaction video.

I love her voice. As soon as I hear her singing, emotion just wells up in me. I want her to know that she is a gift that keeps on giving, a real treasure!

Love this women's voice!

Your endeavor to learn of the pedal steel is very commendable. In my humble opinion it is the penultimate instrument right behind the human voice. Wonderful reaction video.❤

Check out the live recording. She was just as perfect live.

I always liked this song but I appreciate it even more now. Just goes to show how much thought was put into composition.

Thank you for this! I’m a die hard Linda fan and now I’m a fan of yours.

You might like her duet with Aaron Neville of "I don't know much"...

Linda's always been one of my favourites , gorgeous voice and this is one of her greats. Thanks for the memories Jess 👍👍💗💗

Great song, great performance, great analysis!!!

Loved your expert opinion. She does have a beautiful voice. I love her songs. It’s so hard lately to heart his kind of talent. Today singers require all the bells and whistles on the stage. Thank you for your wonderful,reaction.

Linda is one of my favorite singers from my youth. The yodelly (is that a word?) ending gets me every time. Thanks always for your professional analysis. Love your reactions.

I really like your analysis. You're pointing out a lot of aspects that other reactioners skip over. Thank you!

Thank you so much for your genius and heartfelt commentary, We love Linda for the feeling created; but the knowledge of her technical skill only enhances our appreciation. 💋

Linda Ronstadt was my favorite female vocalist. I am glad you gave her the credit she deserves!

Brilliant and insightful analysis! Thank you!!

Another excellent reaction - I am learning alot from you - thanks! As a young teenage boy in NM I used to listen to this song over and over until my dad and brother thought they couldn't take the oversaturation. I still love Linda's rendition of this song at 61 years old. Roy Orbison's is up there too - but this is the one that transports me back in time!

she's SOMETHING ELSE....always amazing

I am 71, and like other men my age, we had big crushes on her…The Greatest female vocalist the Century! Should have done her live…it’s even better! Check out her Mariachi set…live a must! 😎❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I loved the song and the passion in her voice. There was a video on one of the seasons of "The Voice America" where the eventual winner sang this song for her blind audition during the show. It was quite sweet and a little mesmerizing. Nice to hear the original singer.

I hope you watched her sing this song live. Saying it's better than the recording isn't enough - she is a national treasure and a legend 💜

I was lucky enough to see her perform 56 times in my life. I love the pedal steel guitar

awesome commentary Miss

Very nice analysis. I love how she sings examples. Everyone knows Linda is great. This reviewer has a beautiful voice too!

I remember when this came out. I STILL love it! Thx!

It was 50 years ago this month (Feb. 9, 1974) that my ex and I saw Linda in concert, it was our first concert together. Half a century...WOW!

That final note is so special

I have never heard a voice like Linda Ronstadt to present time and I have that range one of a kind❤

Thank You for putting this rendition in musical context. I enjoy the heartfelt appeal this song brings to bear and the way you seem to capture the essence of Linda's vocal intonations. Your own emotion says much as well. First heard this song by her in 1977 on an FM station out of Portland, Or. Made me sit straight up. I'm so sad she's having medical difficulties today.

My mom used to play "Under the Double Eagle" on pedal steel...

This is my first time hearing you and I positively become excited watching and hearing your reaction to Linda sing this iconic song of hers. You are the first I have heard describe her wide vibrato and glasandi like you did. You have a beautiful voice as well and could surely do a good rendition of Blue Bayou. I'm looking forward to hear more so I'm subbing. 👍👍

the effort this must have taken. i love that you go beyond reactions. these are actual breakdowns, and i feel so fortunate having access to content like this. you come with so much talent and experience and knowledge. that combination is already so impressive, but you add the generous skill of teaching people, of sharing what you know, which allows us see all these beautiful facets of music, from the big bombastic things to all the tiny little aspects that can easily be overseen by people. and coming from a classical background but being so open to discussing and enjoying other types of music, including pop, something so many classical people turn their nose up on, thinking it pedestrian, low-brow, too "easy." aaah honestly.you are so good. happy i found your channel. glad i get to learn through you..

this was so popular when I was a teenager- we used to sing along- I left my baby's behind in Bluuue Bayou---It's still funny-but it's still a beautiful song made even more so Linda R

I absolutely love your reaction!

I hadn't heard this song in years. I forgot how great it is. Your analysis is fantastic

Always learning something new with you Jess! I had never heard of pedal steel guitar. Thank you for the description of its features!

The longing and pleading in her voice always makes me cry.

Thank you for making me appreciate Linda and this song even more, and thanks for having the volume right between you and the song.

Nice! I have watched a lot of reaction videos, but yours is the best for vocalists because of our extensive knowledge and depth of emotion for the song- wonderful! And, from what I could hear of your voice, I think you could match her superb voice if you ever do your version of this song with the same background backup.

Thanks for your informed, educated, heartfelt reaction to my favorite vocalist! Lovely reaction. I love how first reactions to this always make folks's eyes bug out, haha. Long time fan, just two years younger than she... hearing Linda sing often makes me weep... more so now knowing she can no longer sing... *sigh* Great song here, but her live performances were often better. Try hearing her in Atlanta 1977 - on Rhino. That final phrase where the last note is an exquisite three-step (crescendo, I think?) - always knocks me out! ❤❤❤❤❤ I'm curious to hear/see your reaction to her Pirates of Penzance performance. Oh... and... her "Adios"... her duets with Aaron Neville... oh yeah and her Mexican songs! La Cigarra, La Charreada... oh... on and on and on ❤

Hi Jess. Linda is one of my all time favorites. She recorded beautiful music in Folk, rock, country and light opera. Also in both English and Spanish. In fact I think back in the day Ms. Ronstadt (pronounced Ron-stat) even performed in Pirates of Penzance as Mabel for which she was nominated for a Tony. Linda has sadly been forced into retirement by a health condition and is no longer singing. As for the pedal steel, I love it. I have VERY eclectic taste in music and have since back in my rock days been a country music fan as well. Traditional country though not so much the new pop country. Nothing wrong with it, just not country lol. Anyway I really like instruments like the steel, dobro, and fiddle. They can be so versatile. This was only the second video of yours I had seen, but I subbed today. With all the nonsense on YT it is always a joy to listen to someone who knows what they are talking about. First video I watched of yours was your 1st time seeing and hearing Home Free (Man of constant sorrow). Knowing that you appreciate great bass singers, I would suggest you check out their video of Ring of Fire with guest Avi, another bass. Tim at the very end of the song hits what another talented and trained opera singer said is a G1. It is floor shaking. Will be watching more of you. Stay safe and well! Here are 2 links for you to listen to. They are the same band on the same night doing 2 very different songs. Both country, but one very deep and almost a dirge, while the other is very upbeat. The mood changed by the instruments (primarily the fiddles). Hope you enjoy. 1. You'll never leave Harlan alive ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1n57WBtvtC4.html 2. Pretty Little Miss ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Nj67hHp5GQ0.html both performed by Patty Loveless.

Your observations are delightful and instructive to this singer!

beautiful voice analysis. thanks.

Nice analysis. Thank you! 👍🏻

I saw Linda perform live 3x... It's not enough. What a voice!!!! Beautiful!!! Makes me stop what I'm doing whenever I hear her songs come on.

If you really want to be blown away by Linda Ronstadt’s voice watch “La Charreada”! You will be amazed!!!❤️

Yes love this song and the pedal steel as well.

I learn something new every time! especially how to appriciate good music! and a little bit of English 😅 kisses from Italy 🇮🇹🎶

I thought I'd watched this but I must not have because I wouldn't be surprised by Jess's discovery of the pedal steel. A great instrument.