Don’t Cry Now (1973) is Linda Ronstadt’s fourth solo album and a key step in her evolution from folk-rock singer to country-rock powerhouse. Produced in part by Glenn Frey and Don Henley of the Eagles and by John Boylan, the album blends country, soft rock, and ballads with a smooth, radio-friendly polish. Ronstadt’s voice is the star throughout, moving effortlessly from vulnerable and tender on songs like I Can Almost See It to confident and strong on covers like Love Has No Pride and Silver Threads and Golden Needles. The arrangements are clean and supportive, letting the emotional weight of the performances shine. Don’t Cry Now helped define the California country-rock sound of the early '70s and set the stage for Ronstadt’s massive commercial success to come.
