Log in to your account
Stats
Biography
Bonnie Raitt could well be the last major artist discovered in the New York folk scene, despite the fact that she’s a California girl born and raised. However, since her father was a succesful Broadway star, I suppose it was only a matter of time before his offspring went back to perform there. The young Raitt picked up the guitar at an early age, when she was given a Stella guitar for her 8th birthday to be precise. However, it wasn’t until she moved to the East Coast to attend Radcliffe College that she started performing, inspired as she was by her friendship with Dick Waterman, an old school bluesman, and a semester spend with him and some musician friends in Philadelphia.
I bring up the New York folk scene not because she was a singer songwriter plying her trade in the big apple, but because her first break was being spotted by a Newsweek journalist performing in the legendary Gaslight Café. This was in 1970, the year before the café closed, and very soon afterwards she was being courted by a number of record labels. She chose to go with Warner Bros., who released her debut album “Bonnie Raitt” in the winter of 1971. At the time there were very few women getting recognition for their guitar skills, but Raitt was far more than a novelty, and became critically acclaimed for her abilities as a guitarist, singer and interpreter.
However, critical acclaim doesn’t pay the bills, and though her first three records were raved about critically they weren’t selling anywhere near as much as they should have. By 1974 she was trying to experiment with a more mainstream sound at the time with her album “Streetlights” and its follow up “Home Plate”. Unfortunately that led to her losing the critical notices that she’d gotten early in her career, even a 1975 cover feature in Rolling Stone magazine couldn’t reverse her fortunes. Things were not looking good, but fortunately her 1977 “Sweet Forgiveness” saw her score her first true hit with a cover of Del Shannon’s “Runaway”.
The critics might not have been enamoured, but it revitalised her commercial fortunes, and led to a major bidding war between Columbia and Warner Bros. for her record deal. The WB won out but her luck was to end there, and neither of her follow-up albums sold anywhere near as much as her label hoped. In 1983, Raitt was finally dropped from her label, while in the midst of mounting drug and alcohol abuse problems. It’s a massive testament to her self-belief and strength that she was able to find a way out of a hole that many others would lose themselves in, and by 1987 she was clean and sober.
It still didn’t solve her commercial issues though, and after the failure of 1986’s “Nine Lives”, she was out of a contract with Warner Bros. However, in one of the most heartening comebacks in rock history, 1989 saw the release of “Nick Of Time”, an album that swept the board at the 1990 Grammy awards and topped the charts very soon afterwards. The 1990’s were uniformly kind to Raitt, with its follow up “Luck Of The Draw” selling bucket loads and netting Raitt another fistful of Grammys. 1994’s “Longing In Their Hearts” did the same. Two decades after her career began, she was the success she should have been ever since the mid-seventies.
Ever since then, she’s continued to be as succesful as they come, hailed for her guitar skills, her primal holler and her unrivalled way with a lyric. Her story continues to be one of the most inspiring ones around, and in concert, anyone can see just how utterly deserving she is of her success, no matter how late it might have come. Highly recommended.
Live reviews
Omigod, what a concert!! Right from the beginning, it was fantastic. The feeling in the room was electric - I am a musician in Vancouver and lots of my peers were there so it was a crowd that was ready and super appreciative before it even got going. Royal Wood came on right at 8 on the dot - punctuality is a lovely thing. He and his trio were stellar. I had heard of him but wasn't familiar with his music or live show. Well, he is a class act. Great songwriting, great storyteller, funny, respectful of Bonnie and his audience - he and his bassist and guitarist were great. He was very sad that it was the last show of the tour which added a bittersweet tone to his already kinda sad songs.
Then it was the queen herself. This is my fourth time seeing Bonnie Raitt and she never disappoints. As always, her band was in fine form - a nice addition this time was Mike Finnigan on keys (wow!) - and they played songs from the new album and lots of the old stuff. She has so much material but managed to choose exactly what everyone wanted to hear and then played it with aplomb. Her banter was quite sad this time because of her comments about the political situation in the US right now. We all felt VERY lucky to be Canadian and she complimented us many times on our hospitality and ability to coexist across cultures with maturity and peace. She played my two favourite songs: Angel From Montgomery and I Can't Make You Love Me (which brought me to tears AGAIN!) as well as David Byrne's Burnin' Down The House, many of her own songs, the blistering INXS tune off her new album and lots more going from heartbreakingly sad to foot-stompin' barn burner. She was incredible. And this is the first time I've seen her play so many instruments! A VERY good show all around. We have a treasure in Bonnie Raitt and I hope she continues to thrill us with her music for many years to come.
lesismoremusic
i usually hate when I go to a rock & roll show & the band plays something off the new album but I must say even tho she only did one off new album I loved it, I was very disappointed in bonnie for not allowing photos at show, she turned away a fan who had an album from 73 she wanted signed even before and after the show she refused photos, , this is 2016 and people like to take one photo , bt to have fans thrown out of the show ( 3 rows in front of me ) I was appalled, tickets are not cheap ,to me it was petty i enjoyed her show i left halfway thru tho , because i just had a bad feeling in my gut after seeing her turn away from that autograph from an old fan only 1 fan it wasnt like there were 100s ,its summertime on cape cod its a party relaxed atmosphere , bonnie also had to insist on thanking the Kennedys for there work with helping Cape Wind, eveyone around me laughed at her, because on Cape Cod we all know the Kennedys are for saving our sound and dead set against any cape wind farm, my favorite of the night was angel from montgomery ,her voice is beautiful and I did love the fact she knows how blessed she is as a woman to be where she is today, but then turn down an elderly womans request for her autograph , was it talk or is she real ?
maureen-mcbride-1
My Songkick gigography says I have seen BR seven times but its more like 21 times because the date rosters don’t go back or include all the shows I have seen…..! The first time I saw BR at a small college … ‘member the bleachers that folded into a stage?…we sat on the floor. I have been an avid fan ever since.
Besides being one of the best pickers/slide guitarists and blues players around, BR has recorded some of the most soul touching, insightful lyrics out there. Sometimes they are her words, sometimes the lyrics of others, always fully owned by her delivery.
Her voice has been described as simultaneously honey and pebbles – I can’t really improve that imagery. I remember the feeling I had when I saw her win her first (sweep of 4) at the 90s Grammys. I knew I would be sharing a secret that had become almost a daily part of my life – happy for her, worried that she would go mainstream….Nah…stayed true both to her long-term fans and more importantly, to herself. Always engaged with the audience, and plays every show like it’s the last night of the tour! She loves it…”the road” is her middle name!
lalara
At the age of 65, Bonnie Raitt is one of the most achingly cool pensioners in the entire world. The Californian blues rock musician has been working the circuit for over four decades and it is clear that music and performance is this lady's ultimate passion. The 10 time multiple Grammy award winner appears invigorated when stepping onto to stage and there is no denying she continues to throw herself into every single performance.
She struts from side to side of stage for the entirety of her ninety minute show and thrashes out delicious instrumentals on a large variety of guitars. The new tracks including 'Used to Rule the World' sound fresh and considered, sitting up against classic material such as 'Come To Me' and 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. Bonnie's recognisable vocal is as powerful and solid as ever, she puts her own spin on a number of covers including a raucous rendition of 'Million Miles' by Bob Dylan. The accompanying musicians help Raitt to recreate the very best selections of her albums and the audience applaud her boisterously following the show's conclusion.
sean-ward
No question one of the best concerts I've seen. We were at the June 19 show in Vancouver and sitting a mere three rows in front of the stage. Loved how Ms Raitt introduced The show with "Need you Tonight" showcasing her amazing talent and stellar backup musicians. She also managed to treat us to some of our favourites "Angel from Montgomery", "I can't make you love me" and " Something to Talk About" penned by our own fabulous Shirley Eikhard!
She just keeps getting better - her voice has that fine range with a tinge of gravel. Her slide guitar style is perfection. No slowing down for her! Loved, loved the BB King tribute by keyboardist Mike Finnegan.
The thing about Bonnie is she is fully engaged with her audience with no pretensions or unnecessary flash. I believe she truly loves to perform and the emotion she portrays on stage is very real.
Royal Wood for a warmup act was the perfect choice. He and his group performed a fantastic array of his tunes showcasing his song writing ability and smooth vocals. I am a newly minted fan!
mares55
Bonnie Raitt was one of the last people on my Must See List so I was extremely excited when I saw that she would be performing in Chicago. Unfortunately, neither her performance or the venue lived up to my expectations. First, of all, while the Chicago Theatre is a beautiful venue, for some reason, the acoustics left something to be desired. Additionally, there were no cameras allowed, which was an extreme bummer. And finally, while Bonnie Raitt is a very good entertainer, she played very few songs from her best selling albums Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw. As a matter of fact, she didn't even do Nick of Time, which I was really looking forward to seeing live. Therefore, I was extremely disappointed and really did not feel that the show was worth the $100 price of admission that I paid for each ticket. That being said, I would see her again because she's a good performer. However, I'll be sure to see her at a different type of venue and I won't pay $100 for each ticket.
shannon-bandy-1
Anyone who hasn't seen Bonnie Raitt live has missed something rather special. She just seems to get better and better, and Thursday night for me was the best I have ever seen her.
Her style crosses a number of genres, but her voice adapts effortlessly. Bonnie has the voice of an angel, and has no peer on slide guitar.
Everything she sings is delivered with warm sincerity, and when she states that she feels honoured to still be able to come out and perform for us, you know she means it. Yet I feel that she is prepared to travel to Manchester makes us the ones who are honoured.
The highlight of the night had to be 'Angel from Montgomery'. You could have heard a pin drop as she sat at the front of the stage and delivered it with a depth of emotion seldom heard.
The rapport between Bonnie and her band is that of friends which is confirmed by the amount of years they have toured with her.
A true professional whom I just can't wait to see again.
jason-carl-mason
Simply Amazing, The combination of Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor was so enjoyable! I smiled through out the entire concert. The music was incredible! The amphitheater was packed with folks from all ages as the talent from these artist reaches everyone's heart and soul. This was my first time seeing both artists and I was not disappointed in any way. I count myself as very fortunate to have been able to enjoy concerts from the greats like Paul McCartney, Elton John, Roger Hodgson, in the last few years. I now count Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor as one of these very special performers whose concerts are filled with something more than "just a song", these songs and performances were stories that reached into your heart as only a true artist can do. Thank you to Bonnie Raitt & James Taylor for such a great concert experience! I absolutely loved it!
amy-harmon-kowalski
Caught the Bonnie Raitt show at The Palace in Louisville, KY last night. This was my first time to The Palace and it did not disappoint! Visually it was stunning...and the acoustics were amazing. The California Honeydrops opened and were a pleasant surprise. Bonnie played several cuts from her new album "Dig In Deep" released in February. The band was tight and Bonnie's voice strong, smooth, and soulful. Of course her guitar playing was amazing. She rotated between her signature unpainted "Strat", a painted brown Strat and a Guild acoustic. She slightly changed the arrangements on some of her standards but her current versions of John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery" & Mike Reid's "I Can't Make You Love Me" tore me up! It was a great great show!
billy-dorag-carroll
Bonnie Raitt always has the greatest rapport with Minnesota audiences, sharing sweet stories about her brother Paul and the TC Jammers, Willie Murphy, Maurice Jacox and the West Bank. She feels like an old friend.
Her voice was as clear and beautiful as ever and that woman plays the slide guitar like no other. When she sang Angel from Montgomery we were silent - no doubt some of us weeping. Last night was inspirational - it was uplifting and the night breeze combined with the presence of this kickass woman, her amazing musicians and music that could break your heart and make you fall in love, made it magical.
susan-marschalk
Videos (3)
