Before attending one of Linda Ronstadt’s thrilling Canciones live concerts back in the 1980s, I was already a fan. Her singing has always captivated me. So it was a pleasure to watch Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, a wonderful documentary about this amazing chanteuse. The film gives us a chance to hear Ronstadt reminisce about her life while we view nostalgic clips and appearances by famous friends and collaborators including Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne.

Ronstadt takes us back to her early years “growing up in Tucson singing Mexican canciones with her family,” followed by a tour through her folk experience and her country rock days. As we watch, we can’t help cheering her role as a champion for women in the male-dominated music industry and her human rights activism. And we feel so lucky to get another look at some of her unforgettable performances.

Her diversity as a successful singer is quite remarkable. She made her mark in rock, pop, country, folk ballads, American standards, classic Mexican music and soul. And how well I remember her stealing the show in the 1983 movie version of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, The Pirates of Penzance. Her extraordinary voice simply outclassed the rest of the cast.  

To me, the highlights of this documentary are the clips of Ronstadt belting out “You’re No Good,” “When Will I Be Loved,” “Blue Bayou” and “Desperado.” No wonder she won 10 Grammy Awards.      

Nothing gold can stay, as the old saying goes. Ronstadt retired early because of the impact Parkinson’s disease made on her vocal cords. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice ends up being a celebration of this timeless artist and the music she loves. She definitely deserves a poem.   

Linda Ronstadt – how she could sing!

Rich tones, wide range, she’d always bring.

She conquered all musical types

with her glorious golden pipes.

Pop, country or Latin or blues,

at times performing without shoes.

“Blue Bayou” and “Desperado”

Linda sang with such bravado.

Many awards, recognition

until there came this condition.

Parkinson’s hurt our songbird’s tune.

But her life it did not ruin.

This film shows Linda looking back

and helping others stay on track.

An inspiration she now is.

A stunning star of true showbiz! 

(Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeff Friedman; released by Greenwich Entertainment; and rated “PG-13” by MPAA.)

For more information about this documentary, go to the IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes website.