TUCSON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Linda Ronstadt's new album, "Hummin' to Myself," brings the veteran singer back to pop standards for the first time in 18 years.
Ronstadt recorded three albums of standards with conductor/arranger Nelson Riddle in the 80s. But when Riddle died in 1985, Ronstadt said she "gave up the idea of recording standards anymore, because he was the best in that genre." But eventually she felt the urge to record some songs she never got around to with Riddle.
"I finally realized I was just being silly," Ronstadt said. "There were a number of songs I was really in love with that I wanted to record. The idea of doing them without a Nelson arrangement makes me sort of sad, but I just kept thinking about them and I really wanted to do it again."
"Hummin' to Myself" features songs by writers Cole Porter and Frank Loesser, as well as tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Betty Carter. The songs were recorded with small ensembles, including noted musicians such as Christian McBride, David "Fathead" Newman, Peter Erskine, and Roy Hargrove.
