"What'll I Do?" Linda Ronstadt

"What'll I Do?" written by Irving Berlin in 1924 was recorded by Linda Ronstadt for her 1983 album, What's New, on the Elektra/Asylum label. The album which was arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle is available on CD.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Linda
• Ronstadt
• American
• Standard
• 1980s

[Russell230870]

I'm really glad the legendary Nelson Riddle went out in a blaze of glory before he died as he was largely forgotten by the time Linda Ronstadt made this album. After swing and big band went out of fashion he pretty much semi retired in the 70's. Chris Riddle, Nelsons son said he was ever so grateful to Linda for picking him to orchestrate these couple of albums they did as it made people remember his talents.

[catman916]

@Russell230870 So am I. Nelson Riddle was one of the greatest arrangers of popular music in the late 20th century.

[oknwht]

I heard this song many years ago and heard it again recently. I wanted to know who had that wonderful voice to do such justice to this one tune. I found out who. Linda Ronstadt. I am indebted. My thanks for sharing your voice with us. And now I need to find a CD so that I can play it on my player and 'crank it'. My computer volume just doesn't cut it.

[catman916]

@oknwht You're welcome. You can find "What's New," "Lush Life" and "For Sentimental Reasons." , the albums she recorded with Nelson Riddle on Amazon.

[nvdirtbiker]

I have all three albums Linda did with Nelson Riddle. She is amazing. She is on my BOSE hardrive along with Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, fran Sinatra, Dean Martin, Micheal buble...you get the idea. Linda is amazing. I bought this when it was an ALBUM, on vynyl, when it came out in the 80's. I now have it on CD, and I love it more now than I did even then. Simply an incredible work.

[catman916]

I agree. We have similar musical tastes, nvdirtbiker.

[Manderley22]

this is the most beautiful version of the most beautiful song.

[playio]

not many contemporary artists could pull this off.

[TheLongbeachdad50]

Here I am , I have no one to talk to, cry with laugh with or dance with ... I miss my Donald. I wish I were with him.

[PierreRagout]

@Manderley22

Harry Nilssen's version is different but also wonderful.

[Maureen712]

I love all the songs that Nelson Riddle orchestrated for Linda Ronstadt.....Priceless!!!! A collaboration made in Heaven! :D

[irishwolf1953]

I have had the pleasure of seeing Linda several times during the 70's and 80's - what a great voice. These 'flashback' tunes done with N. Riddle were fantastic pieces with Linda's incomparable voice. For a different sound to this tune, try the version done by Paula Cole with Chris Botti. It's more of a "torchsong singer" sound and it also very stirring in its own way.

[dog1net]

@balers101 From Nelson Riddle -The Official Website -- "In a 1985 “People Magazine” interview he spoke of their collaboration and of her amazing voice: “She’s got a strong, beautiful voice and really unbelievable power. God, when she belts out ‘What’s New,’ you really believe it.”

[gwhayden3]

For Chase.

[ZestyLemonBoi]

This song makes me weepy :(

[robcas631]

What a kindred heart!