What's New Linda Ronstadt & Nelson Riddle Orchestra

"What's New?" is a 1939 popular song composed by Bob Haggart, with lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was originally an instrumental tune titled "I'm Free" by Haggart in 1938, when Haggart was a member of Bob Crosby And His Orchestra. The tune was written with a trumpet solo, meant to showcase the talents of band-mate Billy Butterfield. Crosby's orchestra recorded "I'm Free" the same day it was written.
The following year, the music publishers hired Johnny Burke to write lyrics for the tune. Burke's telling of the torch song is unique, using one side of a casual conversation between former lovers. Thus the song was retitled using the song's first line, "What's New?" The song was recorded with the new title in 1939 by Bob Crosby And His Orchestra With Vocalist Teddy Grace. The song reached a peak chart position of #10.
Other popular 1939 recordings of "What's New" include Hal Kemp and His Orchestra with Vocalist Nan Wynn, which peaked at #11, Benny Goodman and His Orchestra with vocalist Louise Tobin, which peaked at #7, and a recording by Bing Crosby which peaked at #7.
"I'm Free" was "lyricized" again in the 1990s, this time by Catherine O'Brien, who also provided lyrics to the Haggart tune "My Inspiration." O'Brien's version, publsihed in 1996, retains the original title, "I'm Free."
"What's New" was the title of a 1983 album by Linda Ronstadt, and was the first of three albums of recordings of standards by Linda Ronstadt singing with The Nelson Riddle Orchestra with arrangements by Riddle.

[@royzone12]

Linda at 65 looks just as great and still with it. We all get old but it's what we leave behind that counts,and Linda has left the world with her voice and music that will last forever ! A very talented, very smart, giving LADY ! I'm gonna see her some day,,that's for sure.

[@darchylde612]

two words, superb and timeless. linda's version is coming up on the 30 year old mark and it is as fresh today as it was in 1983. music such as this transcends the generations.

[@freedom4mealways]

Linda Ronstadt was truly the epitome of American classical musicians. She was great in both the genres of country and jazz music. This forty year old song is testament to that.

[@mickeydogtube]

A classic. Representative of a more elegant period of time in America's history. Rich, poor, it didn't matter, people could be elegant and classy because it was a state of mind and how you projected and carried yourself. Wouldn't it be nice to see them return?

[@kraigmann9181]

Linda's voice is the gold standard for contemporary artists tackling the American Songbook. Nice try by gaga and the rest but they ain't got what Ronstadt had. A gorgeous warm powerful set of pipes, Riddle's arrangements and a big sad eyed doll face to look at. Loved her then - love her now.

[@royzone12]

Love this perfectly put together woman forever. Man if we had met 30 years ago we would have been married since,,,,,,,what a voice the angles are jealous of,,,,missed her in Vancouver last year,,damnn

[@gonetoutah]

What a set of pipes. Nobody, NOOOObody can sing like her.

[@davidcunningham2984]

agreed

[@jackeeo824]

I was 21 when I lost my father. The last weeks of his life, every time I got in the car with him, this song would be playing on the radio. Now it represents what I think is a question he poses to me about how life has treated me since he left. Thank you Linda..........

[@gumbeam]

I wasn't even aware that there was a music vedeo done for this song or any others off of any of the the three Albums. This was sweet to see this. So pretty and voice for the ages to sing these standards. Having seen her in concert in Seattle singing these she is absolutely amazing I wish she would do some more Standards. To whoever posted this, THANK YOU...

[@hiddenfearnomore5877]

Many contemporary singers try these tunes but Ronstadt had the most gorgeous voice. Always her own southwestern infused style - sad and joyous. Her recordings with Riddle were the game changer for the American Songbook. She looked like a sweet dream as well.

[@Dashriprock4]

Yes it was. It reintroduced these wonderful songs to a new generation. For that alone she should be thanked.

[@royzone12]

This is simply the " THE BEST VIDEO " I have ever seen. I didn't know it was out there untill last month when I saw it on youtube. Befrore this I thought I had seen all of the Linda Ronstadt videos and listened to all of her recordings,,BUT,,this one is by far out of everyone's reach to make better. She is in a class of her own with this one. No wonder Nelson Riddle died with a smile on his face in 1986 having writtin this and having Linda Ronstadt perform it on video. The most gorgeous woman

[@pbrucpaul]

Wow she compares to the greatest of that era (30's), now and forever. She could handle a note as good as any of them. I saw her in 1975 in Tucson and although petite and nervous, when that band started up (with You're No Good) she became a Brilliant singer and performer. She actually, in my opinion, was the greatest all around female singer.

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

Nelson Riddle was the top of the heap...Sinatra's band leader. His arrangements were pure genius. Everything sounded like honey for the ears...just listen to those beautiful chord changes. .... What George Martin was to the Beatles, Riddle was to all the best singers of the 50's through the 70s..the class acts. And his Route 66 Theme from the t.v. show is a work of art.

[@Lasse-wf4dh]

Awesome song Very Beautiful performance travel in on other world back in magic time....Amazing Album....one of the best ever!!!!!

[@FLE22P]

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS SHE??wow AND THAT VOICE????YUMMY

[@jonathanrimorin2494]

MTV used to play this video all the time, back in the day when they played videos. First time I'd heard of Linda Ronstadt, actually.

[@erinlast2627]

Linda - just about as wonderful as a vocalist could be. Naturally pure and gorgeous. She and Nelson saved these tunes - others tried but Linda hit the musical ball out of the park.

[@goldwing850108]

My favorite version of this song was by Joe Williams and Count Basie, that was back in 1958. I bought the' What's New' album back in 1984 and have loved Linda's version since. What a gal. Nelson Riddle can get the best out of all singers.

[@billpurdy7212]

thepri d THE PRICE OF A1930 QUARTER. 6

[@MrMusicman488]

Kuddos to Ira&George Gerswin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and many others who wrote these wonderful masterpieces and Nelson Riddle who arranged these new versions. Great Job!!

[@clarkclark1808]

Linda was superb. Gorgeous gal with a big, warm, beautiful voice. Wishing her peace and happiness.

[@troyfeltes3996]

Her Voice Changed an entire industry . I have always liked her music . No notes out of place with her . I liked the hint of big bands in the background .

[@alan1963]

An encore for Linda Ronstadt....singing "What's New?" until sad news came along from Ms. Ronstadt just moments ago today, stating to us that she has diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and she will never sing again. We need to keep Ms. Ronstadt in our prayers for her healing and trying to recuperate.

[@kingbrotherman]

I am a fan of Nelson Riddle!! Lush arrangements float my boat BIGTIME!!

[@lylecosmopolite]

I bought this CD 30 years ago. It opened with this song, and I instantly became an admirer of Linda Ronstadt as the greatest torch singer of her generation. I also discovered Nelson Riddle.

[@tearmann]

what a fantastic way to re-introduce the great american songbook to the world. ronstadt took a chance - think she succeeded. great music, great lyrics, great orchestrations. . . and, listen a second time and you'll find the orchestra is following ronstadt! the orchestra hangs on her words. she's leading the orchestra - a talent very few singers have.

[@coachpill]

In Feb.1983 Linda performed at the Grammy Awards where she was nominated for Best Pop Female Vocalist and Best Rock Female Vocalist. In September of that year she released the first of the three Nelson Riddle albums. They all went platinum. The 80's was a successful decade for her. She released 9 albums in various genres and they all went platinum. She was nominated and won several Grammys and she was nominated for a Tony for Pirates of Penzance in 1981!

[@dennisengram4437]

Linda has a voice that gets anyone’s attention !

[@ronstadtfanaz]

yes. thanks for the history lesson. wonderful song.

[@gustavinok4685]

She's like a Big Eyes Keene painting come to life. Great pipes and lux arrangements.

[@eddieboyky]

Damn! That note at thend. Tears right through ya!

[@lesterb7690]

Gorgeous voice. Hardcore crush.

[@aeolianneharp1230]

Oh how smooth, it invites you to dance.

[@xHolyCrapx]

One of the best female vocalists ever, from my point of view. I'm sure glad she recorded these classics with the Nelson Riddle orchestra, priceless.

[@whitefam2000]

She said when she was working to record this that, she already had voice control, but couldn't get over how much more she needed in order to do the standards. Great cover of a great song.

[@nemo227]

Probably one of the best music/lyrics matches. And, of course, Linda's performance is flawless.

[@courageouscat7]

One of the greatest voices ever......

[@lylecosmopolite]

That the Linda Ronstadt of the Stone Poneys could sing like this 15 years later absolutely stunned me. She is a very great torch singer. Especially the way she delivers the last line.

[@smilecitybabe]

The way Linda smiles and sings straight at you is ..so uplifting and magical

[@CarlD2]

These were stunning songs. We owe Linda a thank you for reintroducing these standards to a new generation, while still respecting the originals. I wish more today gave a fig.

[@reginahelenaoliveiradesign3707]

Beutiful Linda Roostad in that music so nice!1!KX!!!

[@AngryNewAger]

As close to perfection as we can get on this ol’ Earth❤

[@royzone12]

You mean someone still does that ? Leave it alone and just listen to the best there will ever be.

[@larryshaver3568]

a mesmerizing arrangement and recording

[@LGranthamsHeir]

Very sorry to hear about Linda's illness :-(. She's certainly in my thoughts and prayers.

[@PhilipGeorgeHarfleet]

I like the version, very much. I like so many versions of this great song, it's simple yet heartfelt lyrics tell a tale of break-up and a chance meeting, but no resumption of the love that once existed. Mind you, how could any man ditch Linda!

[@royzone12]

I admit I never heard this before until 5 years ago. It confirmed for me that she is the greatest female sjnger of all time. Even today Linda still has more greatness than most of the artists still performing. I can't think of anything she has sang that is even close to bad. Linda is still the Class of the Female Vocalists ! She is a solid 10++ and all the others are under 7.

[@bebesunburst5653]

classic voice, rock and ballad..wat a voice!!

[@Changbastard]

Can't say much for the video, but the song is one of the most beautifully sung songs off all times.

[@Susan10093]

Note that the black strapless gown Linda is wearing towards the end of this video is the exact one she wears during the video with her singing "I've Got a Crush on You".

[@FreddieMfan45]

She's gorgeous and that voice! I'd kill to be her!

[@4nicks1]

When first released, I bought this for a Lady friend. But the magic behind this hit album was the great arrangements of Nelson Riddle Who also helped Frank Sinatra with his new styles back in the early 50s and made the biggest come back and Capitol Records made a fortune with one album after another, Long Live Nelson's style. NickyD

[@Smokyieus]

Wonderful version & what a voice she has, thanks

[@4Rachy]

Ok, this is a simple tune. The magic, the spine tingling of the third verse is all Linda. The ground shakes when she jumps up there!

[@moonlightandlove]

lovely velvet and clear voice and control and tone. Mostly known for her Country sounds, shame she did not record more jazz, I would have loved to have heard her, before she got too ill to sing,

[@royzone12]

Linda's 64th birthday is July 15 ,,,After all she has given to us maybe we should give something back to her! I would like to propse that every year on July 15 th,,,should be named "" LINDA RONSTADT DAY "" everywhere she has performed. Maybe let your local radio station know what we are doing and soon. I think she deserves it totally.

[@MDzVQPln]

CityRhythmPart1.....THANK YOU... love this song.... the entire cd....is wonderfully done..... LOVE reading all of the "bio" behind the talent....very interesting!!!!

[@dynsim]

Agree, I never thought I would see this again - ever! Thank you, thank you...

[@slickone9135]

She's got a big, clear voice 👌 Amazing.

[@jimwest1967]

When she looks right at the camera it like shes looking at me and i just melt

[@LGranthamsHeir]

The song was released nearly 30 yrs ago and it still gave me a thrill today. Probably the best rendition of the song ever!!

[@voicesonthebluff]

Wonderful video set to this lovely song and singer. Beautiful things never change or grow old. Love this, all the best to her always

[@bholly8964]

This is so well done. This was an an mtvv video. My mom would ask me if I liked it I said then she would talk about Miss Ronstadt . I never knew why

[@themom0925]

Thank you for posting this... According to my mom, my grandfather, Jim Murdock managed Bob Crosby and the Bobcats for a while. I've only know Bob Haggart as Uncle Bobby. I was fortunate enough to visit with him and his lovely wife, my aunt Windy when he came to play 3 piece for one of the first Cherry Blossom Festivals held in Macon, GA. He could still play beautifully and it was a blessing to me to hear him play.

[@lylecosmopolite]

The way Linda ends this great torch song tore me up when I first heard it 30 years ago. It still does.

[@bthvnyt]

what a gem of a tune. perfect for her voice. grand slam.

[@babscoleman6997]

Such a beautiful song!

[@jenniferfelan694]

The female at 1:37 is singer and songwriter Elizabeth Lamers who also sang backup on this tour. She was in the Red and The Red Hots portion of that show and she also co-wrote "Too Much Love Will Kill You" with Brian May of Queen.

[@lovemypiano111]

This song still brings me to tears...

[@coachpill]

Danny Kortchmar plays her magician boyfriend. He is a popular session player in L.A. He was a member of her band as well as James Taylors'. He has worked with numerous artists including Billy Joel, Carly Simon and Stevie Nicks. He played guitar on Carole Kings Tapestry.

[@redallywood377]

Such a powerful voice.

[@erwienchen]

so romantic

[@BarbaraDicksonOfficial]

Never thought I'd see this - fantastic! Thanks so much for posting. She was born to sing these songs!

[@tomszewczykowski8712]

This was my first CD 1984 .

[@CarlD2]

Thanks. I have always loved this video. It's very classy and moving. I think this was the genre Linda's voice best fit -- her vocals were so lush, and the old wartime standards were right up that alley.

[@garysaraceno30]

1 of my favorites for sure.........

[@33Luger]

Sad to hear about the Parkinson's. The best thing? We have all these great recordings to listen to still. I loved her 70's stuff, but this song is my favorite, seems more like she meant it here.

[@Chuck1974]

Wasn't Linda Ronstadt the first pop singer to record an album of standards? Lots of people have followed in her footsteps. But she was still hitting the pop charts when she decided to try singing standards, unlike a lot of pop singers whose careers have long faded and they try to make some money by singing standards. Linda was driven to do it because she loved the music. Love this version, thanks for posting it.

[@ashutoshvaishnav8293]

lovely songs one of them it is so good but magic beyond by her..........

[@6644charlie]

Absolutely, one of the best from her, I love this one.

[@maximroth]

unbelievable voice

[@parma71]

Linda won me over with the standards when I heard this-her version of "my funny valentine" is the most beautiful rendition ever. I wish she would record more classics-her voice is so appropriate-in other words she can SING.

[@Theaddora]

A great rendition! Not easy to sing with many flats! She does a wonderful job!

[@theblueangel28]

this was the first song I ever played on my very first record player

[@Dashriprock4]

Happy birthday Linda....

[@level242]

They used to play this video on HBO's video juke box all the time back in the 80's

[@janicehouston9237]

Flawless🎤🎵❤💕

[@davidcunningham2984]

thanks for posting

[@FreddieMfan45]

Such a rare beauty and talent ;)

[@LiltinMissTiltonFan1]

Thanks for this wonderful video; my first time to see it or hear it. All the information and your hard work are appreciated.

[@showcasetvn]

Reminds me of the days when they were really good!

[@MrLuvOldies]

Very Nice.mmmmmmm

[@kingbrotherman]

@hammeron39 I agree, and I didnt know the history of the arrangement. Thx for the info...

[@MrTubacle]

Till Death, Do You Park? Tear drops on the window pane Gather ye flowers of disdain Autumn rains and chill bane Dropping our eyes not to explain A house divided, A house in pain The war began with the autumn rains Ex-spouses sent to hollowed plains In a foreign land to hold remains Seeking legality in lovers' lanes.

[@deha11mo]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever beleiveth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

[@YaroSz16]

...bajkowy głos, bajkowy świat...

[@MsPandaRosa]

Sinatra needs a worthy lover to respond, this is THE woman, who doesn't just sing the words back but makes them her own, that he will always regret losing her, even as she does not reveal a thing.

[@sharksport01]

So beautiful, quite Natalie Wood-ish. That VOICE! What could she ever have seen in Jerry Brown???

[@davids.794]

SharkSport It was the 70's.....

[@sharksport01]

David S. and……? He was a creepy wimpy weirdo back then too.

[@davids.794]

SharkSport LOL....maybe she was attracted to powerful men. And who would have thought Jerry would be back after all those years, and moved politically more towards the middle?

[@sharksport01]

David S. :)

[@sharksport01]

i know, Ive seen him making out with John Podesta.

[@Johnnydoxx]

this is so excellent!

[@corrend1]

@dannys2222 The guy is Danny Kortchmar aka Kootch, guitarist and long time friend of singer songwriter James Taylor :-)

[@cyranothecat]

Carly Simon was the pioneer concerning the American songbook trend. Her album "Torch" was one of the very first in "81. Incredible vocals and smoky jazz. Ronstadt came along a couple years later with this which is much more commercialized and generic. I like many of these versions but Simon deserves credit for doing it first.

[@clayclown8255]

Carly Simon was not an inspired, pure, or emotional vocalist like Linda. In addition she didn't have the arrangements of Riddle, the ability to pull it off LIVE or wrap her voice around a melody like Ronstadt does so warmly. Simon could never put her "vain" attitude away. Ronstadt and Riddle were at the time radical and triumphant. Simon bombed in this realm and for good reason. Linda, genre be damned, is a vocalist extraordinaire. To each their own but

[@cyranothecat]

Have you listened to the album Torch? If you have then one could certainly never pass the album off as lacking emotion. Sondheim's Not A Day Goes By Simon makes you feel each stab of pain. I dont think there was anything more radical than Simon choosing to do a standards album when her label discouraged her against it at the time.

[@clayclown8255]

cyranothecat Have listened to Torch several times including when it was released. While Simon has written and recorded some wonderful tunes -Torch was cold. Harry Nilsson, Willie Nelson had already done interesting, creative interpretations of standards - so she was not pioneering nor did she change the public perception that this was their parents music. Ronstadt, who was still a pop/rock/country superstar at the time went platinum with each of her Riddle releases -not because they were "commerical" sounding (that would be Rod Stewart) -it was due to the sound of her voice wrapping around those lush arrangements and great tunes. Linda's voice once inside you - never leaves. That is why we are hardcore defenders of Ronstadt and find comparisons ludicrous. Nothing against other contemporary performers embracing the standards - including Bob Dylan's latest foray but Linda in all her musical adventures just has the purity, passion, power and natural talent to draw attention to whatever she sings. Oh and she is precious to look at - even now.

[@cyranothecat]

I do not think Torch was cold, but that's my opinion. I am a huge fan of Ronstadt's voice so I'm not disagreeing with you about her vocal talent or ability. In fact, I believe Ronstadt had THE voice to be reckoned with at the time. However, I still think Simon's lp was smokier and more emotional. Her choice of songs on Torch reflected a time of pain and sadness in her life. As far as a female rock pop artist at the time- I don't recall any of them making a standards album before Simon. Simon is also lovely at look at..still.