Rock A Little turns 40

[bwboy]

Originally Posted by BLY

I love RAL. I loved it when it came out and still do. Yes, it was a departure from her previous releases but I welcomed the “synthesizer/drum machine” era. If I Were You is sill one of my all time favorite tracks from a solo release of hers.

Me too. Probably more than any other Stevie album, RAL is the one I can listen to from start to finish, with the exception of I Sing For the Things. Even the odder songs like Sister Honey, Rock a Little, and the Nightmare keep me engaged. If I Were You is also one of my all time favorite Stevie songs.

The review from Rolling Stone was interesting, and I think it was fair. I’ve always thought that RAL was Stevie’s attempt to counteract the darker elements of Bella Donna and Wild Heart, as well as her way of lightening up after her friend Robin’s death. Talk to Me, I Can’t Wait, and Has Anyone Ever are probably my favorite back to back singles, in terms of range and genres from one album.