Bonnie Raitt Recs

cookie · September-29th-2005, 01:34 AM

Any Bonnie Raitt fans?

I've always liked Bonnie Raitt, but never owned any of her albums. I bought her new one today and I love it and I realize how terribly remiss I have been. I really should own some more of her music.

Any recommendations on what I might start with?

...so much music; so little time/bread.

kenny weir · September-29th-2005, 01:52 AM

Cookie, her second - Give It Up, from 1972 I think - is a masterpiece. A really cool mix of blues, jazzy touches and west coast rock, including Love Has No Pride, Stayed Too Long At The Fair and a fabulous version of Jackson Browne's Under The Falling Sky, with great harp (Musselwhite, I think). Great band, and produced by Michael Cuscuna. Amazing to think Bonnie was all of about 20 when this mature classic was cut.

Deadlift · September-29th-2005, 06:54 AM

Takin' My Time, her third, is still my favorite after 30 years. Up tempo, ballads, blues, calypso, and a beautifully bleak version of Randy Newman's "Guilty". Still makes me cry when it hits me just right.

I don't think she wrote any of the songs, but the selection of material fits her voice and style perfectly. Some great session musicians in the band, and those 70's Warner Brothers recordings just sounded sooooo freakin' great.

One of the 10 best rock albums I've ever heard.

Her later stuff, anything after Sweet Forgiveness, isn't as strong. Green Light isn't bad.

Chris D · September-29th-2005, 12:34 PM

I still like her first one -- recorded on an island in Minnesota -- and it holds up the best (but then, all those early ones do). So fresh, and the supporting cast is brilliant.

"Streetlights" is great, too. It has a fabulous version of Joni Mitchell's "That Song About the Midway" and a reference take on John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery." Kenny and Deadlift are right about the records they talk about.

"Green Light" is one of her most rocking records. It has not one but two NRBQ tunes, the title track and "Me and the Boys." "Willya Woncha" is another fine smoker on there. That was a fun time to see her live.

cookie · September-29th-2005, 04:12 PM

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the direction.

On which album did she record Mose Allison's "Everybody's Cryin' Mercy"? Just curious. I have that cut on a mix disc.

Chris D · September-29th-2005, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie

On which album did she record Mose Allison's "Everybody's Cryin' Mercy"? Just curious. I have that cut on a mix disc.

That was on "Takin' My Time."

Xavier · September-29th-2005, 09:03 PM

I used to be a big fan. I loved her first four recordings and then she became more pop and less blues focused. She's a good pop singer, could have been a great blues singer. Seems to me she made a wrong turn in the road. It's a shame - the big clock is ticking.

Captain Hate · September-29th-2005, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny weir

Cookie, her second - Give It Up, from 1972 I think - is a masterpiece. A really cool mix of blues, jazzy touches and west coast rock, including Love Has No Pride, Stayed Too Long At The Fair and a fabulous version of Jackson Browne's Under The Falling Sky, with great harp (Musselwhite, I think). Great band, and produced by Michael Cuscuna. Amazing to think Bonnie was all of about 20 when this mature classic was cut.

I agree with everything Kenny sez except it was Paul Butterfield on harp. Dave Holland even plays on a cut or two. Great band is right: John Hall, Amos Garrett. Whatever happened to Freebo??

frankiepop · September-29th-2005, 09:32 PM

bonnie approaches music with this laid back understated approach at time, she seems like she is not trying or doesnt care or..., yet she spins out so much heart...quite remarkable performer i think.

Dr Dave · October-4th-2005, 08:56 AM

I dunno. I used to love "Give It Up," but it seems kinda one-dimensional now. "Nick of Time" is what put her over the top, and with good reason: Good songs, good players, super-professional production (oh, all right: "slick"), and her singing shows far greater emotional depth than on "Give It Up." She was a kid when she did that album; she was a grownup for the later one.

Gary Sisco · October-4th-2005, 09:48 AM

I've always liked her first one, the most. When it was a new record, she played at an outdoor festival where I was also on the bill with a different band. The night before, all of the musicians were in a hotel bar getting with it. Bonnie was lying on a couch with a bottle of sour mash, watching Dan Hicks And The Hot Licks on television. All of a sudden Bonnie yells to her bass player of the time, Freebo, "Hey, Freebo! Look at that cock!"

My kind of girl, and I told her so at the time.

Root Doctor · October-4th-2005, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

Whatever happened to Freebo??

http://www.freebo.com/

Gary Sisco · October-4th-2005, 10:03 AM

She's very funny. A few years back she remarked that all she ever wanted to be was an old blueswoman, and now, she is.

Gary Sisco · October-4th-2005, 10:06 AM

Freebo and my pal Will Patton, an excellent bass player and great mandolinist, with whom I made much music in the 70s/early 80s, were in rival high school bands in Philadelphia, where both are from. It was at that festival where Will spied Freebo playing his Fender fretless. Will's been playing one ever since, more than 30 years, now.

Captain Hate · October-4th-2005, 08:57 PM

Thanks Root; looks like he aged pretty well.

I saw Bonnie open for Little Feat in 72 or 3. I think Freebo played bass and maybe John Hall was along for the ride; real nice time. Nobody's mentioned it (subject to going back and looking) but she always played a nice gnarly slide.

Dr Dave · October-16th-2005, 09:25 PM

Bonnie Raitt has few peers on slide guitar. Many can play more notes; hardly any can match her for sheer soulfulness. The only one who can cut her on on her own turf, in my opinion, is Ry Cooder. And there's no shame in that. Besides, she sings a lot better than he does.