Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir

The publisher of this memoir wants readers to know the book wasn't ghostwritten, that Ronstadt can write with skill. Indeed, the swift prose is conversational and informed, much like Ronstadt's music. But it's difficult to call her a writer because her first book leaves so much left unsaid This isn't a tell-all autobiography, it's simply Ronstadt's quick recollections of her life from childhood to rising country rock star to Grammy-winning conduit of traditional Mexican music, all with a tone as welcoming as the singer's sweet face and emotive voice. But where her songs often showed traces of turmoil or unrest, this title doesn't touch anything more complicated than the passing of friends and family. Most alarming, there's no insight, or even mention, of how this lifelong singer is coping with the effects of Parkinson's disease on her singing abilities. The title is nothing beyond a musician's journey through a career in song, suspiciously devoid of pitfalls and depression. This is disappointing, because the lore of Ronstadt often seemed more interesting than her music: the romantic life that shifted from musicians to politicians; the public activism; and the burdens and delights of being the highest paid woman in music. Those aspects of her life aren't here. It's curious, as that's something a true writer would not omit.