INTERVIEW: Linda Ronstadt songbook inspires Elizabeth Ward Land’s new album
Photo: Elizabeth Ward Land’s new album interprets the songbook of Linda Ronstadt. Photo courtesy Justin Patterson / Provided by Fortune Creative with permission.
There are many people who count Linda Ronstadt’s unprecedented success as an inspiration in their professional lives. Count Elizabeth Ward Land as one of the singer-songwriter’s devotees. Land’s new album, Still Within the Sound of My Voice: The Songs of Linda Ronstadt, offers unique interpretations of tunes from throughout Ronstadt’s illustrious career. Listeners can enjoy “Heat Wave” — a track that grows increasingly prescient by the day — “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou” and “Desperado,” among many others.
For the unbeknownst, Land is a successful musical theater performer, who earlier this summer appeared in the Atlantic Theater Company’s production of The Bedwetter. Other credits include Broadway’s Amazing Grace, Scandalous and Memphis. She’ll next appear as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in Norwalk, Connecticut, according to press notes. She’ll also offer concerts, built around her new album, both in Norwalk and at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Land about the new recording, which features Andrew David Sotomayor on piano, Kevin Kuhn on guitar, Jordan Jancz on bass and cello, Arei Sekiguchi on drums and percussion, Joel Waggoner on violin and vocals, and Catherine Porter on vocals. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
When did you first fall in love with the music of Linda Ronstadt? Was there a particular song or album?
I listened to Linda as a teenager — probably “Long Long Time” was my first favorite song of hers. I was also just learning about the different colors in my voice and the ways I could use it in my early 20s (1980s), so as she evolved in her genre-bending career, I used her examples of vocal flexibility and song choices as templates. My first big role in college was Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, and I surprised everyone by getting that part. I just copied how Linda sang it, and it worked!
When you reinterpreted some of these classic songs, were you trying to put your original take on the tune?
Yes, we decided that some songs were so iconic in how they sounded that we either had to do our best at re-creating that sound or take a whole new approach. For the album, we also had the predicament of needing to augment/change some of the arrangements from the way we had done them in the stage version of the show. We felt that without the monologues and the stories I weave in and out of the songs, that they needed to be tailored more for a first-time listener. “You’re No Good” is a perfect example of that. In the show, I use that song to tell some stories about some disastrous romantic choices I made along the way and the underscoring changes in each verse. We decided to do more of a “proper” “You’re No Good” for the album version, and so we augmented the arrangement specifically with that thought in mind.
Is it difficult to interpret songs that come from many genres, such as country, folk and rock?
Well, I have never been a singer that could stay in any one genre, so I love the challenge. My voice [has] always had the ability to fall into a folk sound, country, even. And the rocker in me has evolved — my voice is big — and the older I get, the more I can wail without fear!
Are your solo concerts featuring these songs special evenings? What’s the concert like?
I hope they are as special as I intend them to be! The concert is a love letter to Linda, but also a window into me and my life stories. I mention it in the concert, but I truly think of Linda each time I go to sing, and my voice is still there for me. I can’t imagine how it would feel to not be able to sing anymore. The sound of her remarkable voice drove her career and her life in such exciting ways, and I realized that it my own way, the sound of my voice had tracked my life, too — and I hope that after seeing my concert, you walk away with a great appreciation of her fabulous career and that you feel like you know me and that we are friends.
What was it like performing in The Bedwetter?
Ah, The Bedwetter was so cool! I just loved the show — such a unique piece. Hysterically funny, great songs, witty dialogue, heartfelt performance. You laugh, you cry and you care! It’s always interesting to be on the inside as a new musical makes its debut, and this one was no exception. I will miss it!
How difficult has the COVID-19 pandemic been as a live performer?
Honestly, it was awful. I had a lot of work booked as the pandemic hit, and I lost it all. It was two years of actually being scared to be around anyone when I was singing (since it was shown to be so easy to spread that way), and so it also affected the teaching I do. I didn’t have any in-person lessons until just recently, and any gigs I did have, the masks were there for the audience and any moment you are not performing! You also live in constant fear of getting Covid and not being able to perform and/or giving to others. I know I speak for everyone, but I am ready to move on!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Elizabeth Ward Land’s new album is Still Within the Sound of My Voice: The Songs of Linda Ronstadt. She will perform special concerts this summer in Norwalk, Connecticut, and Millburn, New Jersey. Click here for more information and tickets.
