Bonnie Raitt is a perfect example of an incendiary talent who was almost shuffled off to obscurity by the whims of the record industry. Her artistic struggles coincided with a rough patch in her life in the early to mid-’80s.
When the clouds started to part in her personal life, it brought light into her art as well. And she channeled it all into the marvelous 1989 song “Nick of Time,” the title track to an album that propelled her to the greatest success in her career.
“Time” Passages
When Bonnie Raitt hit the scene with her first records in the early ’70s, she immediately gained a following with blues-rock audiences, who sensed not just her immense talent but also her authenticity. As the decade wore on, she started to branch out into territory that was based a bit more in the singer/songwriter realm.
While she always earned plaudits from the critics, she struggled to cross over into the mainstream. That problem intensified in the early ’80s when labels started to chase the synthetic sounds of the era. Raitt lost her record deal right around the time she came to the end of a romantic relationship, and soon she was relying on alcohol and drugs to ward off those other problems.
Thankfully, she sobered up in 1987, and as she put her life back in order, she became excited to rev up her career again. A year later, while reflecting on how not only her life had changed but also how friends and loved ones were going through their own periods of upheaval, for good and bad, she began writing “Nick of Time.”
Raitt decided to work with producer Don Was, with whom she had been involved in a previous project. With “Nick of Time” as the centerpiece, her 1989 album of the same name surged to commercial heights and awards love (including Grammy Album of the Year) Raitt had never previously reached, all while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of her classic work.
Diving into the Lyrics of “Nick of Time”
“Nick of Time” wouldn’t have worked quite as well as it does had Raitt simply concentrated on her own problems. Instead, she showed an empathetic touch by looking around her and delving into issues faced by many of her peers. Long known for her interpretations of other writers, the song shone a spotlight on Raitt’s smooth moves as a songwriter in her own right.
The first verse of “Nick of Time” finds Raitt thinking about the time of life when people wanting to start families might start to wonder if it will ever happen for them. She does this through a quick snapshot of a couple with different priorities: And still he can’t decide / Pretty soon she’ll have to choose / And it tears her up inside.
Raitt was inspired by a car trip with her father, the legendary actor John Raitt, to write the second verse: I see my folks are getting on / And I watch their bodies change. That forces her to ponder the fleeting nature of existence: Life gets mighty precious / When there’s less of it to waste.
But Raitt makes sure to express that there is triumph as well as concern and heartbreak to be found as life progresses, using her own example of overcoming obstacles to propel the final verse. She told interviewer Marc Myers in the book Anatomy of a Song it wasn’t any one person who delivered her from her malaise. “The ‘you’ in there wasn’t about any one person in particular,” she explained about the presence in the final verse. “It was about a bigger, more universal love.”
I found love, baby, love in the nick of time, Raitt sings in the final refrain, and you can hear the gratitude in her voice. Nick of Time, the album, sparked a career resurgence that turned Raitt into one of the most beloved performers on the planet. Meanwhile, “Nick of Time,” the song, continues to hit home for anybody dealing with the tumultuous but inevitable life alterations brought about by the pesky procession of the calendar.
Jim Beviglia has been writing about music for two decades, with much of that time spent as a featured writer for both the print and online editions of American Songwriter. During that time, he’s interviewed hundreds of artists for AS, from some of the biggest stars in the industry to promising up-and-comers. Jim has also written for several other music websites and has penned five books. Four were part of the Counting Down Series, which focused on the songs of top artists like The Beatles and Bob Dylan. He also penned Playing Back the 80s: A Decade of Unstoppable Hits, which featured interviews with dozens of the leading artists of the era. Jim also works in broadcasting and lives in Old Forge, Pennsylvania with his wife Marie and his daughter Daniele.
The most heartfelt moment of the night for me, came when Bonnie sang her Grammy Award winning song “Just Like That”. Bonnie opened up about her friend and inspiration, John Prine, who tragically lost his life a few years ago from Covid. She mentioned that she was channeling John when wrote the song..
Bonnie Raitt graced the stage of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland last Wednesday for the second of two shows. The theater was packed with adoring fans, many of whom had not missed a performance since she first started touring. The last time I saw Bonnie in concert was about twenty years ago, so I was looking forward to finally seeing her again, and she did not disappoint! From the moment she entered the stage to her final bow, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. The backdrop was a gorgeous hand painted scene with a sunset over the water, changing color with every song. And throughout the evening there were chants of “We love you Bonnie!” to which she responded “I love you too!”
She started off the set with “I Sho Do”, followed by “God Was in the Water”, “Made Up Mind”, “Love So Strong”, and “Blame it on Me”. I was wondering if Bonnie would make mention of the difficult world affairs, and she did. She talked about how hard it was to wake up to the news sometimes, but that it helps for everyone to get together and listen to music to get us through these crazy times. She reminded the audience to vote, to hopefully bring some light, love, and sanity back to the world. And that led into the next song, the surprisingly upbeat version of “Help me Lord”, as Bonnie invited the audience to sing along.
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Duke Levine at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
James ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson and Glenn Patscha at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Ricky Fataar, James Hunter, Bonnie Raitt, Curtis Salgado at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Duke Levine, Ricky Fataar, James Hunter, Bonnie Raitt, Curtis Salgado, James “Hutch’ Hutchinson at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
James Hunter at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
Bonnie Raitt and Curtis Salgado backstage at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
James Hunter Six at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 10-2-2024
by Diane Russell
The most heartfelt moment of the night for me, came when Bonnie sang her Grammy Award winning song “Just Like That”. Bonnie opened up about her friend and inspiration, John Prine, who tragically lost his life a few years ago from Covid. She mentioned that she was channeling John when wrote the song. “Just Like That” is about a grieving mother who meets the heart transplant recipient of her deceased son. During her performance you could hear a pin drop, and I imagine that everyone in the audience was in tears. I know I was.
Switching to a more upbeat tone, Bonnie sat at the piano for “Nick of Time”, and then sang one of my favorites, John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery”, followed by “Livin’ for the Ones” and Steal Your Heart Away”.
The encore had a huge surprise with Portland’s own Curtis Salgado joining her for the last song. I didn’t realize they had been friends for over forty years, and when she introduced him, the crowd went wild. He thanked her for asking him to join her, and also thanked her for paying his rent when he was in the hospital getting his liver transplant many years ago. Bonnie nodded an acknowledgment, and then they sang “Never Make Your Move Too Soon”. Bonnie then called James Hunter back on stage, as well as all of her band members (guitarist Duke Levine, keyboardist Glenn Patscha, drummer Ricky Fataar and bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson), and the audience was invited to take out their phones to take photos. A perfect end to a perfect evening!
I also want to recognize the supporting band, British singer songwriter James Hunter and his band. He has a great band, with a retro soul and classic R&B sound. His band of six includes drummer Jonathan Lee, Keyboardist Chris Hazelton, bassist Jason Wilson, saxophonist Damian Hand, and saxophonist Lee Badau.
Diane Russell was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She is a painter and photographer. You’ve seen her paintings and drawings of musicians all over town, including in here. And you’ve seen her photography on OMN for many years and we’re happy to be able to have her work on our pages.
Better Than Jail, a new benefit album that contains a 12-track lineup of iconic prison song covers, was released today, Friday, Oct. 4. Bringing together a coveted assemblage of Americana, blues, and country artists, the tracklists shuffles classics from Merle Haggard “Sing Me Back Home,” “I Made the Prison Band”) Bob Dylan (“Hurricane,” “I Shall Be Released”), Lead Belly (“Midnight Special”), Bukka White (“Parchman Farm Blues), and more; intergenerational historical alignment from songwriters and modern-day performers that showcase the ongoing need to enact prison reform and reconsider the effectiveness of the correctional system.
Contributing to the set, and aligning under the mission to raise awareness and support the imminent need to combat criminal justice reform, are Cedric Burnside, Hayes Carll & Allison Moorer, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Old Crow Medicine Show, Raul Malo, Silverada, Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, and The War and Treaty. Better Than Jail celebrates the rich musical legacy of choice pulls while supporting systematic change steeped in the mission: we can, and must, do better. Striking the LP’s charitable slant, proceeds will go toward Equal Justice USA and Free Hearts, a pair of organizations taking part in boot-on-the-ground work to generate thoughtful and effective change.
In picking up the conversation that has percolated lyrically for decades, Price uses her pipes to retell Dylan’s story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, the wrongly accused boxer who faced racism leading to a false trial and triple murder conviction in 1967, “Here comes the story of the Hurricane/ The man the authorities came to blame/ For somethin’ that he never done/ Put in a prison cell, but one time he coulda been/ The champion of the world.” Raitt gives Leroy Carr’s “Prison Bound Blues” similar treatment, bringing listeners back to the lyrics: “When I had my trial baby, you could not be found/ When I had my trial baby, woooo, you could not be found/ So it’s too latе now, mistreating mama, I’m prison bound.”
I’m so proud to have joined in with so many illustrious artists in creating this very special album in support of rural prison reform. Overlooked for far too long, this issue cuts across all cultural and political divides and deserves all our focused attention to finally bring about some swift and meaningful action. Better Than Jail is one of the most inspired and heartfelt albums I’ve been blessed to be a part of and I hope it sets a fire in hearts far and wide to join in our efforts.” ~ Bonnie Raitt
Elsewhere on the compilation, Old Crow Medicine Show delivers Jimmie Rodgers’ “In the Jailhouse Now.” Commenting on the band’s involvement, Ketch Secor offered, “We are proud and truly humbled by the scope and magnitude of this project. Everyday life looks a whole lot different for the men and women behind bars, and, with our inclusion in Better Than Jail we seek to ally ourselves with those organizations shining a light in prisons across the country.” He continued, “The quintessential track “In the Jailhouse Now’ is one of Country music’s most popular songs about the big house. During the global pandemic, prison activists – primarily wives, moms, and children of the incarcerated – gathered on the steps of our state capitol to demand a safer environment for inmates in Tennessee. We kept these family members in our hearts as we recorded this song.”
Bandana Blues is and will always be a labor of love. Please help Spinner deal with the costs of hosting & bandwidth. Visit www.bandanablues.com and hit the tipjar. Any amount is much appreciated, no matter how small. Thank you.
Bonnie has contributed a new recording of "Prison Bound Blues" written by Leroy Carr to a project called Better Than Jail, an extraordinary new album benefiting Free Hearts and Equal Justice USA. Better Than Jail is available everywhere today and features covers of iconic prison songs from Steve Earle, Taj Mahal,Margo Price, The War and Treaty and many more. The album seeks to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to reduce the harm of the criminal justice system. https://found.ee/BetterThanJail.
I'm so proud to have joined in with so many illustrious artists in creating this very special album in support of rural prison reform. Overlooked for far too long, this issue cuts across all cultural and political divides and deserves all our focused attention to finally bring about some swift and meaningful action. Better Than Jail is one of the most inspired and heartfelt albums I've been blessed to be a part of and I hope it sets a fire in hearts far and wide to join in our efforts." ~ Bonnie Raitt
Released on: 2024-10-04 Executive Producer: Brian Hunt Producer: Kenny Greenberg Producer: Wally Wilson Producer: Bonnie Raitt Recording Engineer: Jason Lehning at Sound Emporium Mastering Engineer: Alex McCollough at True East Mastering Production Assistant: Shannon Finnegan Mixer: Justin Niebank at Hounds Ear Music Publisher: Universal Music Corp. Composer, Lyricist: Leroy Carr ℗ Believe Entertainment Group and Wyatt Road Records
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Nothing in Rambling Ft. Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' & Mick Fleetwood
In celebration of the band’s 50th Anniversary, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have just released Struck Down, their first studio album in eight years on Stony Plain Records. The ten-track album includes a wonderful cover of Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling,” featuring longtime friends, T-Birds founding member Kim Wilson, along with Bonnie, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Mick Fleetwood. — BRHQ
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Little Feat - Long Distance Call
“I’ve always loved Little Feat and this new incarnation of the band is bringing some serious heat, cred and new blood to their enduring legacy. Every Feat fan loves us some Sam. I’m so glad he’s now gotten a chance to step out front and center and put his spin on these wonderful blues songs. I loved singing "Long Distance Call" with him, always one of my favorites, and Scott slayed on slide. Know you’ll enjoy hanging out with us at Sam’s Place!" -- Bonnie Raitt
“Long Distance Call” was written by blues legend, Muddy Waters. It has Sam Clayton and Bonnie Raitt on vocals, Scott Sharrard on Dobro, Fred Tackett on acoustic guitar, Tony Leone on drums, and Michael “The Bull” LoBue on harmonica. The album also features Bill Payne on piano and Kenny Gradney on bass.
Little Feat have composed an album that’s their love letter to the blues entitled, ‘Sam’s Place.’ “Long Distance Call” plus many other blues classics are on this album. You can stream and order ‘Sam’s Place’ here: https://orcd.co/samsplace
Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2, the anticipated new John Prine tribute record from Oh Boy Records, is out today. Stream/purchase HERE.
Created as a celebration of Prine’s life and career, the album features new renditions of some of Prine’s most beloved songs performed by Brandi Carlile (“I Remember Everything”), Tyler Childers (“Yes I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You”), Iris DeMent (“One Red Rose”), Emmylou Harris (“Hello In There”), Jason Isbell (“Souvenirs”), Valerie June (“Summer’s End”), Margo Price (“Sweet Revenge”), Bonnie Raitt (“Angel From Montgomery”), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (“Pretty Good”), Amanda Shires (“Saddle in the Rain”), Sturgill Simpson(“Paradise”) and John Paul White (“Sam Stone”). Proceeds from the album will benefit twelve different non-profit organizations, one selected by each of the featured artists.
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Bonnie Raitt - Write Me a Few of Your Lines/Kokomo Blues
60 years anniversary celebration of Arhoolie
December 10, 2020
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Arhoolie Foundation celebrates it's 60th anniversary (1960-2020) with an online broadcast.
Bonnie Raitt - Shadow of Doubt
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
October 3, 2020
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass celebrates it's 20th anniversary with an online broadcast titled “Let The Music Play On”.
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Bonnie Raitt & Boz Scaggs - You Don't Know Like I Know
Farm Aid 2020 On the Road
Sam & Dave classic written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter.
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Sheryl Crow & Bonnie Raitt - Everything Is Broken
[Eric Clapton’s Crossroads 2019]
Eric Clapton, one of the world’s pre-eminent blues/rock guitarists, once again summoned an all-star team of six-string heroes for his fifth Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2019. Held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the two-day concert event raised funds for the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, the chemical dependency treatment and education facility that Clapton founded in 1998.
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'A Tribute To Mose Allison'
Celebrates The Music Of An Exciting Jazz Master
Raitt contributed to a new album, If You're Going To The City: A Tribute To Mose Allison, which celebrates the late singer and pianist, who famously blended the rough-edged blues of the Mississippi Delta with the 1950s jazz of New York City.
NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks to Bonnie Raitt about her friendship with the Mose Allison. They're also joined by Amy Allison — his daughter, who executive produced the album — about selecting an unexpected list of artists to contribute songs to the album.
Recorded on tour June 3, 2017 - Centennial Hall, London - Ontario Canada
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