Wendy Waldman Main Refrain Genres:Folk, Pop, Rock This 1976 release marked another high point in Wendy?s recording career, as her usual bandmates Andrew Gold and Karla Bonoff were joined by Waddy Wachtel and, on the album-opening 'Eagle And The Owl', by Linda Ronstadt!
This 1976 release marked another high point in Wendy?s recording career, as her usual bandmates Andrew Gold and Karla Bonoff were joined by Waddy Wachtel and, on the album-opening 'Eagle And The Owl', by Linda Ronstadt!
CD Reviews
One Of The Great '70's Singer/Songwriter Classics!
Mark D. Prouse | Riverdale (Bronx), NY | 06/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is perhaps Wendy Waldman's most accessible work. The arrangements are lush and intricate, yet Waldman's instantly recognizable voice remains the center of attraction. "Instantly recognizable," at least, for those of us who remember the confusing swirl of musical styles competing for attention in the latter half of the seventies. Waldman did get some airplay on FM radio, but somehow managed to never attain the superstardom that she deserved, and this is all the more mysterious when one listens to THE MAIN REFRAIN today. What is not to like about this record? Impeccable musicianship abounds, including that of Wendy herself, on several instruments, melodies are gorgeous and memorable, lyrics are thoughtful and sometimes quite original, and the singing is pitch-perfect. Wendy Waldman did not possess the most beautiful instrument, but her voice had personality to spare, and she did hit all of the notes (I don't imagine that much fixing needed to be done in the mixing). What really sets this album apart from so many of its type, is the excellent songwriting and stellar playing, with Kenny Edwards, Karla Bonoff & Andrew Gold (her Bryndle partners), Waddy Wachtel, Taj Mahal, Jim Horn, Linda Ronstadt, and David Kemper among the many stars lending support. In the end, though, this is Wendy Waldman's triumph, and includes arguably her very best song, 'Back By Fall,' a lovely ballad, in her own words, "about leaving your own comfort to go help others in need." 'Is He Coming At All' was one of a handful of Waldman's songs to get extensive FM radio play, as was the glorious, sparkling 'Goodbye Summerwind,' with a chorus of horns and Linda, Karla and Wendy on backing vocals. More horns and sublime harmonies grace the "urban shuffle" of the title track, and 'The Frenchman' is Waldman at her most haunting; this song stayed with me for months after I first heard it. If one song could sum up the theme of this great album, it would be 'Living Is Good;' a more joyful ode to Life would be hard to find! THE MAIN REFRAIN is a pleasure to hear from beginning to end. One thing I did not mention in my other W. W. reviews was the fine choice to have Waldman herself contribute liner notes to all five Collectors Choice releases of her Warner Bros. catalogue. Upon reading these commentaries, I learned more about the woman than I ever did back when all of this music was new."
Mid-70s Classic
Headphone Pilot | New Jersey | 12/14/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I don't know how "Is He Coming At All" got left off Wendy's greatest hits album (Love is the Only Goal). This song was a mainstay on the early "soft-rock" stations of the mid-70s.
The quality of the CD is good. There's a little hiss on my copy, only noticeable in the quieter sections while wearing headphones -- still much cleaner than my old LP ever was.
This CD is long overdue."
A childhood favourite of mine
Jo K. Stephenson | Melbourne, Australia | 01/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I used to have this album on tape as a child. The tape got damaged and I have longed to hear this album since. It is one of my ALL TIME faves, and definitely an album that helped to shape my own writing as a musician. If you love cowgirls singing beautiful timeless songs, check it out. A quality album!
Jo Kelly Stephenson"
If you love Linda or Karla, get this
Jeff Anderson | United States | 10/31/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you went to a Linda Ronstadt concert in the early 80s, you may have seen Wendy there, singing songs from Her Main Street album. Wendy's voice is sweet emotion and her lyrics and melodies soar and plunge the depths. Seriously, you have to get this album. Her songs you may have heard over the years--Heartbeat by Don Johnson--yes, Don Johnson--New Grass Revival, Maria Mulduar. But they really only give you a hint of how your 70s MOR Folk Music heart will soar with the piece of music perfection. Life goes on...the main refrain. Play it old style. Let the whole album play through a few times. Remember how we used to that? Take a sick day, open the windows and lay around listening to this slice of time that still works."
Long lost great music
DB | USA | 10/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recorded a couple songs from this album off of FM radio thirty-some years ago. Through the years I continued listening to the music, but forgot the album and artist. Thanks to the internet, I was able to track down this information about the same time that this CD was released. On listening to the CD, I discovered that there are many other equally great songs on the album. The lyrics, arrangements, and singing are all first-rate. Its release on CD was long overdue and I hope that others will re-discover this gem. In my own collection, I rank "The Main Refrain" up with the work of Laura Nyro, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell."
