Rock Venus – The Songs of Linda Ronstadt performed by Jane Clifton

Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Banquet Room, June 14-15

Review by Honey B

Powerful US singer Linda Ronstadt always marched to the beat of her own drum. It is fitting then that Australian performer Jane Clifton should open her powerful Ronstadt tribute show with her first and one of her most successful hits, Different Drum. Throughout her stellar career Ronstadt won 11 Grammy Awards, was nominated for a Tony and a Golden Globe and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As Clifton explained she was a great interpreter of songs, from country-rock songs written by James Taylor, Jackson Browne and her friends in the Eagles, right through to Gilbert & Sullivan operas, jazz standards and Spanish- language mariachi, a reflection of her part-Mexican heritage. In this show Clifton focused on the rock/country side of Ronstadt to the delight of fans who sang along to many of the tunes. Backed by a tight four-piece band including Clare Moore and Rosie Westbrook of the Southern Belles, Clifton performed a wonderful tribute to Ronstadt. Highlights included The Everly Brothers’ When Will I Be Loved, songwriter Warren Zevon’s Poor Poor Pitiful Me, The Eagles’ Desperado and my ultimate favourite Roy Orbison’s soft rock classic, Blue Bayou. There was no denying Clifton’s passion for Ronstadt and with the first lady of rock now unable to sing due to Parkinson’s disease it was wonderful to celebrate this iconic vocalist’s life in music.