Why I Love Linda Ronstadt
review by Jerome Elliott, Cabaret Scenes Magazine

Robyn Spangler is fierce, fiery and above all, fearless. All of these qualities are showcased on her second CD Why I Love Linda Ronstadt – a tribute to Ronstadt's fierce independence, fiery persona and fearless genre hopping.

Tributes are fraught with the danger of comparison, even more so when the object of the tribute is still living. On this disc, based on her recent eponymous cabaret, Spangler avoids comparison by delivering fresh interpretations. This takes skill, since a considerable part of Ronstadt's career involved covers of previously recorded material. How do you cover one of the greatest cover artists of all time?

Having Todd Schroeder produce, arrange and accompany is a great first step. Schroeder's lush arrangements, complimented by Tim Christensen on bass and Tom Walsh on drums, give this indie CD a rich, polished and distinctive feel. Choosing wisely from Ronstadt's repertoire is another plus, from the defiant first track, "Different Drum" (Michael Nesmith) to a quiet yet declarative "Desperado" (Glenn Frey and Don Henley) at the end. "Hurt So Bad" (Bobby Hart, Teddy Randazzo & Bobby Wilding) brims with the heartbreak and intimacy of a late night set performed in a nearly empty piano lounge.

Positioned perfectly at track six (much as it was a mid-career move for Ronstadt) is a gorgeous medley representing her groundbreaking collaboration with Nelson Riddle: "What's New" (Johnny Burke & Bob Haggart); "Lush Life" (Billy Strayhorn); and "For Sentimental Reasons" (William Best & Deek Watson). The Great American Songbook showcases Spangler's best qualities – a soaring range, a deft understanding of lyrics, and a well articulated attention to emotional transitions.

Spangler also acknowledges Ronstadt's other innovative collaborations. A trio on Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush" features stunning harmonies with Pat Whiteman and Joanne O'Brien, bringing a haunting quality to Young's enigmatic lyric and plaintive melody. Lee Lessack's rich timbre blends beautifully with Spangler on "All My Life" (Karla Bonoff). David Carey Foster is showcased nicely in a duet on "When Will I Be Loved" (Phil Everly).

Hearing this recording made me want to see Spangler's show to learn more about her affinity for Ronstadt. I understand that I won't have to wait too long as she is currently booking it in clubs around the country.

Why I Love Linda Ronstadt
review by Don Grigware, BroadwayWorld

What has made Linda Ronstadt so popular? She has a lovely voice, indeed, but so do many other vocalists whose voices never emanate past the rafters of a church choir. Ronstadt has always defied description. She's a true rebel. Just when you thought you could put a label on what she sang - pop, country, jazz, out of the blue she'd come up with another big surprise, like lifting her voice several octaves to perfrom Gilbert and Sullivan and The Pirates of Penzance. Then it dropped down again in elegant style as she decided to pay homage to all those lovely Nelson Riddle tunes from the big band era. And she was good, no the best, with every type of music she sang. Well, Robyn Spangler radiates such warmth and finesse as a singer ...and she has the whole Linda Ronstadt collection down pat. And it's not an imitation; she has a singularly and distinctively pretty voice. She also knows how to sing with an easy going style that makes for good listening, and most importantly pays attention to every lyric. She sings from the heart. So what we get in Why I Love Linda Ronstadt is Ronstadt's unforgettably beautiful music sung with a brand new spin by the gifted Robyn Spangler.

Highlights of the album include the gorgeously haunting "Hurt So Bad", the jazzy "Hummin' to Myself", a beautiful duet with Lee Lessack "All My Life", a scrumptious medley of Nelson Riddle hits: "What's New?", Billy Strayhorn's delicious "Lush Life" and "Sentimental Reasons", all rolled into one. Here especially one can feel how Spangler allows the lyrics to work their magic on her. She never pushes for an instant. What comes across is the natural, melodic sound that conveys the songs' romantic mood. It worked well for Ronstadt and undeniably so for Spangler as well. There's a delightful contrast displayed between "Te Quiero Dijiste" sung in a slow, sweet manner with lilting flute accompaniment by Robert Kyle and "You're No Good" with its fast and sassy rhythms. "Desperado"'s point blank message is sung with an adversely gentle sound that really makes it hit the mark even stronger. Todd Schroeder's expert musicianship is heard on piano throughout and he adds nice vocal chemistry dueting with Spangler on "Hasten Down the Wind". Tom Walsh is featured on drums and Tim Christensen on bass.

This is a truly stunning tribute to Linda Ronstadt. We will always remember her music in all its variety and Robyn Spangler's stellar artistry for interpreting it so lovingly.

On A Liquid Afternoon
review by Terry Martinez, MuzikReviews.com

On a Liquid Afternoon is the debut album of Robyn Spangler. Although self-classification puts Spangler in the Cabaret/Easy Listening genre, On a Liquid Afternoon does well to establish Spangler as a viable pop artist with an offering to seduce almost every taste. Arranged and produced by Todd Schroeder, the twelve songs on the album are well-suited to showcase the range of talent of this Schroeder/Spangler collaboration.

On a Liquid Afternoon is available at CD Baby, Amazon Music and iTunes.

While an easy listening CD might sit on the shelf, a gutsy female vocal take on the legendary Lowell George's truck drivers' anthem, "Willin'" propels that CD into circulation. Spangler also takes a notable turn on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and J.D. Souther's "Faithless Love." With these songs, Spangler dates herself, and charmingly so.

Smart and sassy in her song selection and career, Robyn Spangler crosses the boundaries of Cabaret and Easy Listening to be just a great listen. Spangler's tune selections are an impeccable choice to demonstrate the full range of her taste and talents, from jazz to R&B to country to potential mainstream pop hits.

From the opening track of "Everything," Spangler's vocals elevate and enchant. The jazz interpretation is smooth and vocal range impressive on Duke Ellington's "Hit Me with a Hot Note (and Watch Me Bounce.)" Spangler takes a competent and spunky albeit less soulful R&B turn on Smokey Robinson's "The Way You Do the Things You Do."

A beautiful, moving and engaging ballad ensues with Todd Schroeder's original "You're Free, I'm Gone." This potential hit displays the full spectrum of her vocal range with a lingering and poignant interpretation. The closing track of "Live" comes from "Unbeatable: A Bold New Musical" and is beautiful and enchanting.

Even with the exceptional selection of cover tunes, Spangler is perhaps at her heartfelt best with the Schroeder-penned tunes, "You're Free, I'm Gone" and "Live." While Spangler doesn't hit the sustained high notes of Celine Dion, Spangler's vocal interpretations in the Schroeder songs come close to Dion's compelling emotional renderings.

Some albums drag in the middle. Spangler's comes alive on track six with her gutsy choice of "Willin'." Striking a higher range than the Lowell George/Little Feat original and a less country attack than on Linda Ronstadt's cover, Spangler's interpretation is nonetheless compelling as she takes us on her own trip from "Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonopah."

With fascinating credentials (Spangler was the PR rep beside Meg Ryan for the "fake orgasm" press blitz for "When Harry Met Sally"), Spangler's ancestors include an original Barnum & Bailey Circus clown and a favored subject of famed Saturday Evening Post artist C.C. Beall. So pull "On a Liquid Afternoon" off the shelf and be prepared to be elevated. Allow Robyn Spangler to entertain you. You won't be disappointed. It's in her DNA.