Bonnie Raitt is a blues singer and guitarist who began her musical career in 1970. In the 1970s, she released several albums to critical acclaim that incorporated blues, rock, folk, and country. However, she did not attain commercial success until 1989 when she released the album Nick of Time, which was her first in a string of albums that were all multimillion sellers. I'm not sure exactly how many albums this saga will be since Nick of Time is her tenth studio album. Most likely, it will stop at her twelfth studio album Longing in Their Hearts from 1996, if not a little earlier.
At first, I thought this record was too casual for its own good--I almost forgot about it after two listens. But focusing more carefully on the subtlety in her singing as well as her wonderful slide guitar, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she becomes one of the premier blues artists of her time. The two originals on the album--"Thank You" and "Finest Lovin' Man"--suggest a strong songwriting future and her basic dedication to the blues allows her to tastefully expand the arrangements of the cover songs she has such reverence for. I'm also sure it will be a very pleasant album to return to once her talents are fully realized. B+
