New Bonnie Raitt album announced: Spring 2012!

[Dodfather]

Hi guys

Bonnie Raitt has announced a new album for Spring 2012. No title or firm release date as yet but... yes!! Awesome, huh? Her last album, Souls Alike, was in 2005. I'm hoping for some tour dates to accompany it, hopefully European. She usually does, I saw her on the Souls Alike tour and she was incredible!

Are there any other Bonnie fans here on The Ledge? If so then what are your favourite albums? I have pretty much all of them and my favourites would have to include Takin' My Time, Sweet Forgiveness, Streetlights, Luck Of The Draw, Longing In Their Hearts and Souls Alike.

All hail Bonnie!

p.s: For a Mac connection there's the unreleased version of No Way To Treat A Lady with Christine McVie on backing vocals. Sadly her vocals were taken off the released version that ended up on the troubled Nine Lives album.

[mylittledemon]

Excellent! I liked that record, and Silver Lining as well. Good to have her back!

[markolas]

That's great news! It's been so long since her last album that I kinda figured she was done recording - I think I heard her talk about how hard it was to find good songs in an interview from around that time.

Souls Alike was okay, but not great; I liked her previous 2 albums (Fundamental & Silver Lining) much better. I'd love to go see her when/if she comes to Austin.

[markolas]

There are only a few of her albums I haven't heard in their entirety:

- Streetlights
- Home Plate
- Nine Lives
- Longing in Their Hearts

Her first three albums are great; I did not care for Sweet Forgiveness at all, but I like The Glow and Green Light quite a bit. Nick of Time is another one of my favorites (and maybe her best), but Luck of the Draw is spotty as a whole, IMO.

[mylittledemon]

Thought this was interesting as I'd never seen it before...

http://rinburbs.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/screen-shot-2011-06-12-at-10-25-28-pm.png

[Dodfather]

Thought this was interesting as I'd never seen it before...

http://rinburbs.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/screen-shot-2011-06-12-at-10-25-28-pm.png

Demon - thank you so much for finding this. Two of my absolutely favourite people together. I'm stealing this picture!

I can see why some people aren't keen on Sweet Forgiveness since it is less bluesy than her other records, although About To Make Me Leave Home is one of the swampiest tracks she's done, but I still like it - especially Two Lives (which was later covered beautifully by the Carpenters on their Voice Of The Heart album from 1983).

I actually think Nick Of Time - a very good album of course - is patchier than Luck Of The Draw.

[markolas]

I actually think Nick Of Time - a very good album of course - is patchier than Luck Of The Draw.

I genuinely like every song on Nick of Time; I think there are about 5 songs that I like on Luck of the Draw.

[Dodfather]

I genuinely like every song on Nick of Time; I think there are about 5 songs that I like on Luck of the Draw.

Different strokes... I guess. :) I like most of Nick Of Time but there are about 3 I'm not keen on, whereas I love every track on Luck Of The Draw.

[markolas]

p.s: For a Mac connection there's the unreleased version of No Way To Treat A Lady with Christine McVie on backing vocals. Sadly her vocals were taken off the released version that ended up on the troubled Nine Lives album.

I think CM appears on the album's closing song (an Eric Kaz song titled "Angel," no less). Too bad this album was BR's Street Angel.

[Dodfather]

I think CM appears on the album's closing song (an Eric Kaz song titled "Angel," no less). Too bad this album was BR's Street Angel.

Nice comparison. Yes, Nine Lives is such a patcy album - likely because of the history of it. Recorded, then they dropped her, years later they were going to release it so she re-recorded some stuff... oh dear.

[markolas]

I've only heard No Way to Treat a Lady and True Love Is Hard to Find from that album, but I've heard clips from the others, and...egads! TLIHTF is a decent little reggae number, but the rest of the album is full of bland mid-'80s rock. I'd love to hear what the original Tongue & Groove album sounds like (the last 4 songs on Nine Lives are evidently from that project) - I'm not sure what possessed Bonnie to record those other songs, because they sound awful, from what I've heard.

I listened to her first three albums and Green Light the other day and had forgotten how good they all were. I especially enjoyed her first album; I don't remember liking it quite that much. I also listened to some clips from Streetlights and Home Plate on Amazon. Streetlights sounds like it might be interesting, although I can definitely tell that her sound was slickened up considerably. Home Plate sounds boring as hell, though. Those are her only two '70s albums that I haven't heard.

[beccamorrisfift]

I'm looking forward to this, I've only started listening to Bonnie in the past week so I don't have any favorite whole albums yet, but watch this space!

P.S Don't you think, in that gorgeous photo of the girls, Stevie really looks like IYD Stevie ? If that makes sense. I know they are obviously the same person :laugh:

[PolishStevieFan]

Good news! I like Bonnie Raitt a lot. My favourite album is 1998's "Fundamental". Great album. I wonder if it's released in Poland...

[Dodfather]

Good news! I like Bonnie Raitt a lot. My favourite album is 1998's "Fundamental". Great album. I wonder if it's released in Poland...

Fundamental is such an unusual Bonnie album - a deliberate choice on her part to work with different producers. I was looking forward to hearing it since it's produced by Mitchell Froom - Suzanne Vega's ex-husband and producer, and I'm a big fan of her work. I really like Fundamental, although I have to be in the right mood for it. Lovers Will is beautiful any time though.

[markolas]

I always liked Fundamental, but I've read some bad reviews - I guess some don't like the production. But it's something different, which is probably what she was going for, and I think it works for her. I didn't know Mitchell Froom was married to Suzanne Vega...I never could stand her, and I honestly can't imagine her being married to or in a relationship with anyone - everything about seems really stoic and frigid.

[PolishStevieFan]

I've never liked Suzanne Vega, even though she was very popular in Poland. There were many radio dj's who were playing her music constantly. She writes decent lyrics but her music and voice are not what I like. I remember listening to one of her albums (I don't remember the title) and it was such a lifeless and dull experience. "Luka" was great single but beyond it there's really nothing intresteing in her discography. And speaking of "Fundamental"... well I don't care what critics have to say. As long as I feel comortable with certain music I don't let anyone's critique overshadow my reception. For me it's just collection of great songs. The other worthwhile album is "Nick of Time" and of course "Luck of The Draw" with that beautiful ballad "I Can't Make You Love Me".

[Dodfather]

More info: The album is called Slipstream and is out April 10th! First single out February 7th.

Hurrah!!

She's planning a tour too and I highly recommend anyone who can to see her live.

[markolas]

Slipstream was released today. I honestly didn't expect to like it this much, I guess because I wasn't that thrilled with Souls Alike (although I gave that one another listen today, and I liked it more than I remembered).

The Gerry Rafferty cover ("Right Down the Line") and the two Dylan covers are some of the best things on the album, and I was glad to hear more uptempo, bluesy stuff than I anticipated. The opening cut, "Used to Rule the World," is especially tasty.

I also relistened to The Glow and Green Light, which reconfirmed them as two of my favorite albums of Bonnie's.

[markolas]

Oh, and I have tickets to see her when she comes to Austin in October. :D

[Macfanforever]

Thats great news.I'm glad to see Bonnie back on the bandwagon recording again.I always liked her music.

[Dodfather]

Slipstream was released today. I honestly didn't expect to like it this much, I guess because I wasn't that thrilled with Souls Alike (although I gave that one another listen today, and I liked it more than I remembered).

The Gerry Rafferty cover ("Right Down the Line") and the two Dylan covers are some of the best things on the album, and I was glad to hear more uptempo, bluesy stuff than I anticipated. The opening cut, "Used to Rule the World," is especially tasty.

I also relistened to The Glow and Green Light, which reconfirmed them as two of my favorite albums of Bonnie's.

I agree with this - Used To Rule The World is great! For once the UK got the album before the US, it came out last Monday here so I've been playing it all week.

Oh, and I have tickets to see her when she comes to Austin in October. :D

That will be great!

[BombaySapphire3]

I was always a bigger fan of her earlier work than her big commercial breakthrough at the end of the 1980s not that it wasn't high quality as well.I bought Slipstream after hearing the first single ..a cool take on the late Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down the Line" and reading some great reviews.I agree that "Used to Rule the World" is great .It has a prime era Steely Dan vibe to it.Overall a strong album and her voice has aged like a fine wine.

[Macfanforever]

Tivo Alert .Bonnie will be on David Letterman 11.30 EST.TONIGHT on CBS.

[Jondalar]

I don't like Bonnie Raitt. I think her Grammy Win was a fake. She doesn't write her own hits. The whole thing is fake. She is uplifted because she was an alcholic and kissed the right ass. Nodody gets on my nerves like her fake success. She is not an artist, just a singer with good connection.

[mylittledemon]

^ I think this comment more closely fits someone like Celine Dion, who unlike Raitt, neither plays any instruments nor writes any songs on her albums. She too has won Grammy awards. That, to me, seems fake.

[Jondalar]

^ I think this comment more closely fits someone like Celine Dion, who unlike Raitt, neither plays any instruments nor writes any songs on her albums. She too has won Grammy awards. That, to me, seems fake.

ummm how many songs did Bonnie wright on her most popular albums? Have you studied it? She is wayy, and I mean wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy overrated!

[Macfanforever]

I don't like Bonnie Raitt. I think her Grammy Win was a fake. She doesn't write her own hits. The whole thing is fake. She is uplifted because she was an alcholic and kissed the right ass. Nodody gets on my nerves like her fake success. She is not an artist, just a singer with good connection.

Oche.Alot of artists are over rated.Some don't deserve a Grammy or any other awards.Bonnie's tunes are ok .but I would not travel to her shows.I'm glad Stevie did not fall into the over rated dept.I remember her mentioning about this in a interview.I can't recall which one.

[Jondalar]

Oche.Alot of artists are over rated.Some don't deserve a Grammy or any other awards.Bonnie's tunes are ok .but I would not travel to her shows.I'm glad Stevie did not fall into the over rated dept.I remember her mentioning about this in a interview.I can't recall which one.

Hell, she shouln't be rated higher than Stevie. The whole thing is bull****. She kissed the right and had the right story.

[mylittledemon]

ummm how many songs did Bonnie wright on her most popular albums? Have you studied it?

Way to disregard all the other valid points I made. Bonnie Raitt has written songs on her records. If you don't like her that's totally fine of course, but to be mindfully ignorant of the facts? That is just silly.

[Jondalar]

Way to disregard all the other valid points I made. Bonnie Raitt has written songs on her records. If you don't like her that's totally fine of course, but to be mindfully ignorant of the facts? That is just silly.

sorry, but she is wayyyyyyyyyy overrated, basically people like her, but they LOVE her story, although it really doesn't live up to her.

[ButterCookie]

I love Bonnie and don't give two hoots about her story. Her music is what I enjoy. Whoops, sorry!

[markolas]

I don't like Bonnie Raitt. I think her Grammy Win was a fake. She doesn't write her own hits. The whole thing is fake. She is uplifted because she was an alcholic and kissed the right ass. Nodody gets on my nerves like her fake success. She is not an artist, just a singer with good connection.

You are an a.s.shole. Please go away.

[Dodfather]

You are an a.s.shole. Please go away.

Well said!

[markolas]

Well said!

:laugh:

Not that Jondalar's posts deserve any more of a response than that, but the idea that someone isn't an artist because they're not a songwriter is preposterous. I think Miss Vicky who used to post here was also of that ridiculous opinion.

ANYway, I've been listening to Bonnie a lot over the last couple of days. I didn't realize that Tchad Blake also helped produce Silver Lining and Souls Alike, in addition to Fundamental. I really enjoy those 3 albums quite a bit; they might even be her best work. Very different from the Don Was-produced albums.

[Macfanforever]

About the Grammy awards. It's politics .They like an artist or they don't. I always think the show was fixed.The awards are voted by their peers in the biz.As they say.I dont remember what they look at for to get nominated for the award.One thing that gets me pissed off is some nobody wins a award .I don't understand that.:shrug:

In the meantime .Bonnie is in the same boat as Stevie and other older seasoned artists with limited or no radio airplay.

[Dodfather]

[QUOTE=markolas;1047758 I didn't realize that Tchad Blake also helped produce Silver Lining and Souls Alike, in addition to Fundamental. I really enjoy those 3 albums quite a bit; they might even be her best work. Very different from the Don Was-produced albums.[/QUOTE]

My favourite Bonnie albums are:

Takin' My Time (1973)
Give It Up (1972)
Luck Of The Draw (1991)
Sweet Forgiveness (1977)
Longing In Their Hearts (1994)

[Blueletter18]

sorry, but she is wayyyyyyyyyy overrated, basically people like her, but they LOVE her story, although it really doesn't live up to her.

I didn't even know her story before I loved her voice and that slide guitar. Streetlights and Sweet Forgiveness are my favorite albums of hers (both before her "story" became a selling point), and I think Slipstream is great as well! I think her voice is wonderful.

Sure, she didn't write hardly any of her own songs, but then what about Linda Ronstadt? She didn't play an instrument either. I love Linda too, but Bonnie has the voice and is a very talented guitarist.

[Blueletter18]

I love Bonnie and don't give two hoots about her story. Her music is what I enjoy. Whoops, sorry!

Amen, sister!

[BombaySapphire3]

Sure, she didn't write hardly any of her own songs, but then what about Linda Ronstadt? She didn't play an instrument either. I love Linda too, but Bonnie has the voice and is a very talented guitarist.

uh I believe he has already expressed a similar opion about Linda.:rolleyes:

[Blueletter18]

Oh, haha, sorry

[Jondalar]

uggg, I forgot about this thread and rant.

[nightbird28]

I noticed no one really has said what they think of SlipStream. I picked it up and feel after listening its definately her best effort since Silver Lining, but not as mellow. Souls Alike had some high points but for me a lot of the guitar riffs seemed repititive. Slipstream doesn't suffer from this same method. It has a good flow and doesn't repeat itself. The opening track Used to Rule The World is amazing, as are all the slide work on this record. I also think this is her first since she did Luck of The Draw to have a lot of hooks in her songs. Especially Take My Love With You feels like it could have been pulled off that record. The rockers on the record remind me a little of the songs on Green Light aka Split Decision. I like how it feels like you listening to her greatest hits because of how effortlessly she used all of her experiences and sounds together.

[Jondalar]

I noticed no one really has said what they think of SlipStream. I picked it up and feel after listening its definately her best effort since Silver Lining, but not as mellow. Souls Alike had some high points but for me a lot of the guitar riffs seemed repititive. Slipstream doesn't suffer from this same method. It has a good flow and doesn't repeat itself. The opening track Used to Rule The World is amazing, as are all the slide work on this record. I also think this is her first since she did Luck of The Draw to have a lot of hooks in her songs. Especially Take My Love With You feels like it could have been pulled off that record. The rockers on the record remind me a little of the songs on Green Light aka Split Decision. I like how it feels like you listening to her greatest hits because of how effortlessly she used all of her experiences and sounds together.

It debut at #6 selling 64,000 copies, so its doing well

[markolas]

I was pleasantly surprised with the rockers on Slipstream. I'm glad she decided not to go with an entire album of songs like the Joe Henry tracks; there's a nice mix. The JH songs are great, but I think Bonnie was right in feeling that a whole album like that would've been a little much.

[Jessica]

I wasn't expecting to like Slipstream, but I do like most of it. Enough to see her show later this week, when I know it will be full of Slipstream and light on her older stuff. My favorite song of hers is actually one she did write, Nick of Time. However, I think she's a brilliant interpreter of songs, regardless of who wrote them. She makes them hers and she makes you believe them. I don't think she could be more authentic or legit.

[mikephxaz]

I love Bonnie. I've loved her music for years. Stevie and Bonnie have similar careers. They have been blessed.

[Jessica]

I really don't think she gets enough credit for her artistic vision, her skills as an arranger of music or the way she continues to stretch herself and trusts her audience to keep up. She certainly works with other producers and musicians, but she's very much her own woman.

[Jessica]

Saw her show tonight. Highly recommended. It's heavy on material from Slipstream, but she absolutely throws it down. Phoning it in? Heck, no! Her voice sounds really good (although she is rather hoarse when speaking to the audience between songs) and her guitar is fascinating. She has a great band and Marc Cohn was a terrific opener.

[Blueletter18]

I love Slipstream- It's in my top three Bonnie albums, along with Sweet Forgiveness and Give it Up. I like how she focused in on the slide guitar parts for this album, they are fabulous, as usual, but less mellow than her most recent efforts.

[Jessica]

There are a few tracks on Slipstream I could take or leave (honestly, and I know it's virtual blasphemy, but I'm not into Bob Dylan at all), but I like a lot of it. Used to Rule the World is my favorite cut (and I'd have made it the single) and it rocks live. Her voice actually sounds better than it does on the record. Her voice is truly an amazing instrument. She can do so much with it.