Ticket 2 Ride

Karla Bonoff is a name you more likely remember as a songwriter rather than a performer, although she charted several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  Three songs on Bonoff’s debut album were also recorded by Linda Ronstadt.  The comparisons to Ronstadt were obvious, aside from providing her material. Bonoff’s style is similar to Ronstadt’s, but Bonoff has a softer voice, with not as much range as Ronstadt, but still very accomplished.  No one has a voice like Linda Ronstadt so it is not a criticism.

Growing up in the L.A. area, Bonoff was involved in the music scene at an early age.  She formed a band with Kenny Edwards, Wendy Waldman and Andrew Gold – Bryndle.  They recorded an album but it failed to excite the world.  According to Bonoff’s website, Edwards and Gold joined Linda Ronstadt’s band, playing on her records and touring.  It was through Edwards that Ronstadt heard Bonoff’s demos, which resulted in three songs appearing on Ronstadt’s Hasten Down the Wind album in 1976. This resulted in a recording contract and the release of her first album in 1977, Karla Bonoff.

Songs by Karla Bonoff except “Faces in the Wind” and “Flying High.”  The album was produced by fellow Bryndle member Kenny Edwards, who would also produce her next two albums.

Her debut album was for her recording career, the peak of her success.  As a writer, her songs would still be covered by other artists, but Karla Bonoff was unique.  The songs here were from her personal treasure, they were road-tested and polished.  For me, it’s an amazing first album, and still one of my favorites.  It is hard to replicate letting the genie out of the bottle.

Side one

“Someone To Lay Down Beside Me”    4:06  She lead with her most stellar song, released by Ronstadt as a single the previous year.  Both versions are very good.  The arrangement here is not as grand, but not a big deal.  It’s a mature song and well-crafted.  My personal favorite Bonoff song.  It’s a very sad song, of just wanting someone, to help fill the void, another person who is a passing ship in the night.

“I Can’t Hold On”  3:15  This is an uptempo song.  Fine guitar work.  A single from the album.  I think her strength in is her ballads, her more poignant songs.

“Lose Again”   3:42  Also recorded by Ronstadt and released as a single.  Bonoff’s version is just her and a piano, that’s all that is needed to convey the ache and resilience in her words.  She sings from the heart, feelings we have all experienced and struggle to process.

“Home”  4:19  A country-rock song about the joys found at being home. Lyrical images for anyone who thinks about who it feels to be headed home.  With steel guitar.  Bonoff writes with the maturity of someone much older who has experienced so much more.

“Faces in the Wind” Craig Safan    3:07  An interesting choice, I don’t know the reason she picked this one.  It’s a folk ballad about someone who has traveled in life and that is not likely to change and settle down. A good song, but not better than what Bonoff wrote for this album.

Side two

“Isn’t It Always Love” 3:08  A mid-tempo song with a bright, bouncy rhythm and nice melody.

“If He’s Ever Near”  3:17  The third song recorded by Ronstadt.  Bonoff’s version is just a guitar and piano accompaniment, along with harmony vocals.  Bonoff has a gift for melody, creating memorable songs that never seem to repeat.  A hopeful song about finding love by how his presence makes you feel.

“Flying High” Steve Ferguson   3:29  A bright, upbeat song, with a country-rock style.  A nice addition to the album.

“Falling Star”   4:30  A soft, acoustic arrangement, with a lot of soul.  A very beautiful song about falling, but wanting to love again.

“Rose in the Garden”  4:43  The album closes with a ballad, and a good one. This is a power ballad of sorts, starting with just a piano and building to something more forceful before returning to a soft fade out.

After the album ends, you want to flip the vinyl and listen again.  What you heard moved you.

The main band has some recognizable name:

Karla Bonoff – lead vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, background vocals
Kenny Edwards – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, background vocals
Andrew Gold – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, electric piano, clavinet, harmonium, background vocals
Waddy Wachtel – electric guitar
Leland Sklar – bass guitar
Russ Kunkel – drums

Linda Ronstadt, Wendy Waldman, Glenn Frey, J.D. Souther, Brock Walsh – background vocals

Karla Bonoff is an accomplished performer, playing many concerts each year and occasionally releasing a new CD.

Restless Nights came in 1979, and was more of the same, but the songs did not have the uniqueness of her debut album.  She seemed to be in a holding pattern.  Although the playing and production is fine, you expected a little more.

Wild Heart of the Young followed in 1982.  Same formula as before. If you liked her previous two albums, you will like this one. Not great, but very good.

Her next album, New World, wouldn’t appear until 1988.  Much had changed, a smaller label and new producer. These songs were stronger, Ronstadt covered three and Wynonna Judd featured one on an album.  “All of My Life” won a Grammy Award for Ronstadt and Aaron Neville.