Interview

‘I’m more mature now’: Bonnie Raitt talks about writing deep lyrics and finding her voice
The trailblazing musician will perform in Grand Prairie on Oct. 8.

on October 6, 2022 No comments
By Thor Christensen
At 72, Bonnie Raitt is considered one of the greatest guitarists alive, and a poignant singer-songwriter as well. She’ll play in Grand Prairie on Oct. 8 in support of “Just Like That…,” her 18th studio album.
© Marina Chavez

Today, Bonnie Raitt is rightfully considered one of the greatest guitarists alive, and a poignant singer-songwriter as well.

But for years, the music industry had absolutely no idea what to do with her.

In 1971, at age 21, she released her critically acclaimed debut, Bonnie Raitt. But after a long string of poor-selling albums, Warner Bros. Records finally threw up its hands and dropped her.

“I was kind of a cult artist for 20 years,” she says. “It was only after I had some success with the Grammys that I crossed over a little bit.”

In April, Bonnie Raitt released “Just Like That…,” her first album in six years.

She’s referring to 1989′s Nick of Time, her first album for Capitol Records: It won three Grammys, including Album of the Year, and topped the pop charts.

Earlier this year, she released her 18th studio album, Just Like That…, her first album in six years. We spoke with Raitt by phone from her home north of San Francisco. Our conversation has been edited for length.

Your new song “Livin’ For The Ones” sounds like a joyous rocker at first listen. But it’s actually a song about mortality, with some of the most serious lyrics you’ve ever written.

These last two years have been an unbelievable train wreck of loss. But the song is also about all the people I’ve lost in my life. I’m at the age where a lot more people are succumbing to cancer, and I’ve had friends pass away from accidental overdoses or suicide.

It takes its toll. I started feeling that way, about livin’ for the ones who didn’t make it, when my brother lost his eight-year battle with brain cancer in 2009. I told him, “I’m going to live every day for the life you didn’t get to have.”

It’s fun to put a serious song to a rockin’ beat. It’s actually cathartic. Every night when I sing it, it’s a call to arms for me to remind myself not to bitch and moan and whine.

“Waitin’ for You to Blow” is funny at times, but you also seem to be saying some deeper things about addiction and compulsive behavior.

I was definitely inspired by Mose Allison and Randy Newman. I love their satirical point of view and their ability to skewer human foibles and be half serious and half joking.

“I was kind of a cult artist for 20 years,” Bonnie Raitt says. © Susan J. Weiand /Shore Fire Media

I’ve been in recovery from drugs and alcohol for 35 years. And I’ve been lucky to manage to stay on that path, a day at a time. But there are still personality defects and ways we slip up, either in white lies we tell our friends, or ways we kid ourselves when we know better, like, “It’s OK to have another piece of cake at midnight.”

I wanted to write about the little devil on your shoulder that’s urging you to mess up, whether you’re an addict or not. We’re all human, and we’re all struggling.

You’ve given credit to several musicians, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, for helping you overcome drug and alcohol addiction. How did they help you?

Bonnie Raitt says she’s been in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction for 35 years, and she found inspiration to get clean and sober in the playing of Dallas native Stevie Ray Vaughan. © Ken Friedman

For a lot of us, when we were in our mid-30s, [substance abuse] was no longer working so great. It became a lot harder for you to recover and remember what you said the night before, and then you couple that with anger and unresolved issues: I got dropped by my label right before a big, long tour and had a romance fall apart, and I kind of medicated myself. Therapy wasn’t going to do it for me.

So I looked around and saw some friends of mine that clearly were in better versions of themselves. I saw Stevie come out of recovery and play one night in Atlanta: He wasn’t sure, but the first time he picked up the guitar, he just burned a hole in the sun. It was a real inspiration.

When I saw him that night, I said, “You know what? That’s it. No more excuses.” It was the last straw. I made the decision, and within a couple of months, I got sober.

You’ve been a strong role model for so many female musicians. What were your experiences in the male-dominated music business decades before the #MeToo movement?

I grew up in show business with my dad [actor John Raitt], so I got a window on how women were devalued and treated as sex objects. As burgeoning feminists in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, we were already blazing a trail, demanding equal treatment and saying, “Don’t talk to me like that.”

I’m not, like, drop-dead gorgeous, so I probably didn’t get hit on like some less sophisticated young women that are super-gorgeous and not as experienced in show business. I spoke my mind, and I put out a vibe — I used to sing “Under My Thumb” with the sex changed.

When people met me, they met me with respect. I just was never in a position to be treated that way, and if I was, I wouldn’t have put up with it. I would have fought back.

Today, the business itself hasn’t changed as much as it could have. Men are still running the entertainment industry. But it’s great that now, nobody is going to put up with that kind of misogyny and inappropriate behavior. It’s been great that all that got blown out of the water.

I’ve seen you several times in concert where you’ve told some very funny risqué jokes. Have any uptight concertgoers ever complained about your off-color sense of humor?

Not that I ever heard about. Mae West was a big hero of mine from when I was a little kid, and in my 20s, I was definitely playing the part of a blues mama. It was an attempt to get rid of this little high soprano voice and a wimpy exterior. I was trying to seem road-worn.

But there’s a fine line before it becomes grossly raunchy. And eventually, after I got sober and I had enough therapy, I realized I didn’t have to hide behind that persona. I didn’t have to smoke cigarettes and try to be like my older blues heroes.

My brain still comes up with [raunchy] stuff, but I’m able to catch it nowadays. The other night, I told the audience, “I almost said something that the old Bonnie would have said.” After the show, my band said, “What was it?” And I told them. They just rolled their eyes.

I’ve settled down a bit. I’m more mature now. Thank God I came to my senses.

Details

Bonnie Raitt and opening act Marc Cohn perform Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. at Texas Trust CU Theatre, 1001 Texas Trust Way, Grand Prairie. axs.com.

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Source: © Copyright The Dallas Morning News

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Bonnie Raitt – Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

on October 4, 2022 No comments
Ray Suarez – Interviewer

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The 1970s were a golden age for the record industry. LPs were flying off the racks. Labels were signing acts, polishing them up and turning them into piles of cash. It was a machine.

Artists, especially solo performers, especially younger performers and especially women, rarely had control over their own careers.

Bonnie Raitt got her first record deal back then with Warner Bros. She was barely old enough to drink at the time. She knew exactly what she wanted when she first talked to executives.

“Don’t ever tell me what to record or with whom. Or how often to record or what to look like,” Bonnie says. “I’m not a singles artist, and I don’t want to be a star – and they still signed me. That was incredible.”

Bonnie still does things on her own terms, and she’s a legend for it.

Now in her 70’s she’s still touring, still shredding and still writing songs. She’s been recording music for over 50 years and she’s won ten Grammys. Bonnie’s also been in the rock and roll hall of fame for over two decades.

Earlier this year she released Just Like That. Her eighteenth full length studio album.

Our correspondent Ray Suarez talked with Bonnie about the new album. She gets into coming into her own as an artist, playing through the pandemic and getting back on the road.

Bonnie is on the road now, check out her tour dates here.

Ray is hosting a podcast: The Things I Thought About When My Body Was Trying to Kill Me.


Source: © Copyright NPR – Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

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Bonnie Raitt Answers the Proust Questionnaire
The award-winning musician and activist on life on the road, everyday heroes, and reaching enlightenment.

on September 28, 2022 No comments

When and where were you happiest? As a kid, my summers at camp in the Adirondacks. And as an adult, when I’m onstage.

What is your favorite journey? Away from chaos and toxicity to more joy and peace.

What is your greatest fear? That injustice, ignorance, and fascism win.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? When I’m self-involved or insensitive to others.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Arrogance and entitlement.

Which talent would you most like to have? To be able to work on highly impactful documentaries.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Perfectionism.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being out in a gorgeous natural setting with time to enjoy.

What is your current state of mind? Grateful for what’s right, pissed about what’s wrong.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Balancing my inner and outer life.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Bringing more attention to musicians and causes that deserve it.

What is your favorite occupation? The one I have: musician-activist.

What do you most value in your friends? Empathy.

Who are your heroes in real life? Those who work all over the world in the most treacherous conditions to alleviate suffering: José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, Doctors Without Borders, International Rescue Committee, the thousands of doctors, nurses, emergency, fire, national guard, and recovery workers who put themselves on the line in all kinds of crises. 

What is your motto? “It’s a situation, not a problem.”

Which living person do you most admire? Dolores Huerta.

What is your greatest extravagance? Taking personal time away from my obligations.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? My older brother would still be here.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? I wish I’d listened to my mom and used sunblock more. Redhead skin in too much sun doesn’t wear well.

How would you like to die? In my sleep in my 90s, after a great gig.

What is your greatest regret? The hidden toll being on the road so much can take on your close relationships.

Where would you like to live? Ireland or Scotland.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? Maybe as someone who reaches enlightenment in their lifetime—young enough to make a real difference in others and themselves.


Source: © Copyright Vanity Fair

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