"Playing live is the consequence to making music," she said with a laugh. "It's true. I love walking into a bare room with good musicians and knowing that there is nothing in the room but talent. I love creating music. And I find that when I'm almost done with a project, I want to start another right away."

In the '80s, Ronstadt worked with bandleader Nelson Riddle on three traditional pop albums — "What's New" (1983), "Lush Life" (1985) and "For Sentimental Reasons" (1986). "I'm still very proud of those albums. They were comprised of songs from the Great American Songbook and are all rich in their complexity. And they work well live with a symphony.

"I like to perform with an orchestra, and the songs tell my stories. They tell how I felt when I was 16, 35 and now. In fact, I'm happy with all my achievements in music.

"What I'd like to do next is an album of Mexican trios. And that style, in itself, is divided into three areas. So there is a deep resource of musical creativity there."

If you go

What: Linda Ronstadt, Utah Symphony

Where: Abravanel Hall, 123 S. West Temple

When: tonight, 8 p.m.

How much: $65

Phone: 355-2787, 888-451-2787

Web: www.arttix.org

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com