Elvis Costello has written an essay about Linda Ronstadt, praising the documentary about her life called The Sound of My Voice.
Ronstadt recorded four of Costello's songs over her career, including "Alison," which Costello said helped him and The Attractions stay on the road in the late '70s by providing money to gas up their tour bus.
Costello writes that Ronstadt's talking about Parkinson's impact on her life in the film brought back memories of his father, who died of the disease. "It was a 2019 performance of one of those traditional [Mexican] songs, filmed in Linda's front room, flanked by her cousins that brought me to uncontrollable tears, so much so that I had to slip out of the theatre before the lights came up after the final credits."
Costello posted a video of Ronstadt covering "Party Girl" and adds, "I urge you to see this wonderful documentary, whether or not you regard yourself a fan of the singer or her musical choices. Perhaps there are human qualities that endure beyond the fashionable poses we may have once affected."
Check out the entire essay at ElvisCostello.com.