Rita Coolidge (2)

RITA COOLIDGE - AND SO IS LOVE (2005)

1. Come Rain Or Come Shine   
2. Save Your Love For Me   
3. Cry Me A River   
4. I Thought About You   
5. We're All Alone   
6. Estate   
7. More Than You Know   
8. Sentimental Journey
9. The Masquerade Is Over   
10. I Don't Know Enough About You   
11. Don't Smoke In Bed   
12. Don't Go To Strangers   

Personnel: Rita Coolidge (vocals); Chuck Berghofer, Darek Oles, Dave Carpenter (bass instrument); Larry Koonse, Sandro Albert (guitar); Stefanie Fife (cello); Bob Sheppard (flute, alto flute, soprano saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Herb Alpert (trumpet); Russell Ferrante (piano, synthesizer); Alan Pasqua (piano); Dave Samuels (vibraphone); Ralph Humphrey, Terri Lyne Carrington (drums); Alex Acuña (percussion).

RITA COOLIDGE - THE LADY'S NOT FOR SALE (1972)

1- My Crew
2- Fever
3- Bird on a Wire
4- I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
5- A Woman Left Lonely
6- Whiskey, Whiskey
7- Everybody Loves a Winner
8- Donut Man
9- Inside of Me
10- The Lady's Not for Sale

Rita Coolidge's third album is a fine mixture of covers and originals that manages to showcase her fine vocal abilities as well as show off an impressive array of friends. Booker T. Jones contributes not only his fine flute skills, but also two songs. Noted guitarist and songwriter Marc Benno also lends his impressive, laid-back guitar work all throughout the album. His "Donut Man" adds an air of lazy funk to the proceedings. Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" probably gets the most soulful reading, with Coolidge's take on Leonard Cohen's "Bird on a Wire" following close behind. Kris Kristofferson is represented at the tail end of the album with the title track. She may not have had the most distinctive of voices, but Coolidge definitely captured the sort of laid-back energy and approach associated with early-'70s country-rock. If Rita Coolidge's voice and stellar class of backing musicians aren't enough to sway you, consider the cover that shows her bedecked in what looks to be several pounds of turquoise, or the gatefold in which she appears pensive, with Stonehenge not too far in the background. ~ Jon Pruett, All Music Guide