Francesca Amari

Different Drum: The Music of Linda Ronstadt

The Palm Canyon Theatre, Palm Springs, CA, February 15, 2023

Reviewed by Bill Lanese

Palm Springs-based cabaret singer Francesca Amari provided us with the history of the songs from the vast music catalog of the one and only Linda Ronstadt in a beautiful and loving tribute to this iconic singer. With grand support from pianist Wayne Abravanel, Amari opened with “Heat Wave” (Brian Holland/Lamont Dozier/Eddie Holland) and offered many of the songs from Ronstadt’s career.

From “Stoney End” (Laura Nyro) to “Just One Look” (Doris Troy/Gregory Carroll) to “You Took Advantage of Me” (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart) and peaking with “What’s New” (Bob Haggart/Johnny Burke), Amari provided the audience with fond memories of this talented performer and of the many songs from the era of the Stone Poneys, The Eagles, Glenn Frey, and Jimmy Webb which included country, rock, jazz, and Spanish-language classics.

“Blue Bayou,” (Roy Orbison/Joe Metson) and “Desperado” (Frey/Don Henley) were the highlights of the evening. Closing the evening were two famous songs “Still Within the Sound of My Voice,” (Webb) and “Different Drum” (Michael Nesmith). All of these were beautifully executed, and they were well received by an adoring audience. The show was conceived and crafted by Amari and producer/entertainer Rickie McCabe.