Just six months after the release of Trio II, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris took a daring step into new creative territory. On August 24, 1999, the two released Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions, a haunting and emotionally rich album that marked a striking departure from their previous work with Dolly Parton.
No longer anchored by traditional three-part harmonies, Ronstadt and Harris gave themselves the freedom to explore more intimate, experimental sounds.
“When it’s just Linda and I, we can do weird and a little more left-field things,” Harris told Entertainment Weekly in 1999. “Linda and I, we live in left field, man. We set up camp there years ago, and we’re not moving. We’re squatters.”
And they proved it. Western Wall ventured beyond the familiar comforts of country, drawing from rock and alternative influences to create a fresh, deeply personal sound. Their carefully curated song list showcased the duo’s admiration for thoughtful, introspective songwriters like Jackson Browne (“For a Dancer”), Rosanne Cash, Sinead O’Connor, and Leonard Cohen, whose “Sisters of Mercy,” led by Ronstadt’s voice, emerged as a standout.
A Record of Their Own
Though Dolly Parton was notably absent from this project, Ronstadt and Harris stood strong in their own right. Western Wall climbed to No. 6 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and earned multiple Grammy nominations, a clear testament to both women’s enduring appeal and fearless approach to music-making.
For Ronstadt and Harris, the album represented more than a collaboration—it was a liberation, a chance to step outside the shadow of Trio and make something uniquely their own. Fans responded to that boldness, embracing an album that balanced vulnerability with fearless innovation.
Linda Ronstadt: Her Own Toughest Critic
Despite a career adorned with 11 Grammy Awards and countless iconic records, Linda Ronstadt has always approached her success with humility—and a critical eye. In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, she revealed:
“When I listen to all my old stuff, I tend to be horrified.”
Yet even the self-critical Ronstadt holds fondness for specific moments in her career, especially her work with Nelson Riddle and the Trio records. Of her evolution as an artist, she once said, “I felt as if I really started learning how to sing in around 1980,” underscoring a quiet humility that has always defined her artistic journey.
Legacy Beyond Labels
Western Wall wasn’t just an album—it was a statement. It showcased two legendary women in full command of their artistry, unafraid to take risks or redefine expectations. In stepping away from the mainstream and embracing something more intimate and reflective, Ronstadt and Harris didn’t just collaborate—they created a legacy.
