The Main Refrain

by Charles DonovanThe Main Refrain goes some way toward recapturing Waldman's original enthusiasm. On "Eagle and the Owl," she has the ample support of Linda Ronstadt, and where the material on her previous outing was somber and sluggish, here it shines. "West Coast Blues" and "Goodbye Summerwind" both boast elegant, frisky accompaniments courtesy of some of the finest studio luminaries, including Waddy Watchel and Waldman's usual musical bedfellows, Karla Bonoff and Andrew Gold. Too bad that Warner Brothers failed to flex any of its promotional muscle in exchange.