Customer Reviews

Bonnie Raitt and Friends (with Bonus DVD)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bonnie Raitt is certainly one of the most consistent artists of the past 35 years. While that might mean that her work is often predictable, it also means that it is usually very good. Since her debut, Raitt's approach hasn't really changed much at all; she still mixes ballads, rock, and folk-oriented music and infuses all of it with a strong sense of the blues. About the only thing that has changed over the years is the level of recognition that she receives. The combination of her voice and slide-guitar tone is now instantly recognizable by just about anyone, and here numerous Grammy awards have helped elevate her to a semi-legendary status.
"Bonnie Raitt and Friends" celebrates her career by presenting a live performance that captures the essence of her artistry, and pairs her with some special guests. Surprisingly, virtually none of the songs performed are taken from the first half of her career, which I see as a good thing. Although I love the material on her early albums "Taking My Time," "Home Plate" and others, those songs have grown a bit shopworn over the years. "Love Has No Pride" and "Angel from Montgomery" do not make the cut, while newer songs like "Crooked Crown" and "I Don't Want Anything to Change" are prominently featured. I believe the oldest song from her repertoire that appears here is "Love Letter," from 1989's "Nick of Time" album. The emphasis on newer material provides this collection with a sense of freshness that is exceptional, especially for an artist with a four-decade career.
While each song is performed beautifully, the pace of the show varies from lachrymose to lukewarm. Special guests enliven things a bit, with appearances by Keb Mo', Alison Krauss, Ben Harper, Jon Cleary (who is a bonafide bandmember) and Norah Jones. Ben Harper's performance is simply functional, and Norah Jones is predictably laid back, but special mention should be made of Keb Mo' and Alison Krauss. Mo' and Raitt share a natural affinity that is mutually complimentary, as if they had been playing together for years. Krauss, meanwhile, is a perfect partner for Raitt, with a voice that is equally resonant and a musicianship that represents `state of the art' Americana. Any fan of either of these beautiful and talented musicians owes it to themselves to hear their duet on the gorgeous sad ballad "You." The CD and DVD duplicate one another, but the DVD also includes interviews with each of the artists, which are worth seeing if only for the candor and mutual respect they convey. This generosity of spirit is a prime ingredient that defines the music of Bonnie Raitt, and it is abundantly clear throughout "Bonnie Raitt and Friends." B+ Tom Ryan

I was worried about how good this would be when I saw the cover. It is a cheap looking cover. It looks like one of those junky CD's you order on late night TV. Maybe something KTel puts out. It turns out that it is not horrible, is actually pretty good, but it could have been much better.

This is a video of a VH1 produced concert. The video is 90 minutes. It comes with a CD that contains 11 of the 17 songs. The CD is only 52 minutes long. I don't know why they didn't include more songs on the CD. They could have easily gotten 4 to 5 more songs on it. Some of the best songs are left off of the CD.

The sound quality is OK, but could have been much better, especially for a concert that was produced specifically to be recorded. The sound is muddled at times and certain instruments seem far away. The drumming is too far up in some cases. The sound is especially bad on the CD. It gets better if you listen to it in 5.1 on the DVD.

This is one of those cheap and quick video filming and editing exercizes. The camera is always zooming in and out. No shot is held for more than a few seconds. Video are done this way because it is easy. You don't have to know the music or spend any time on the editing if you do it this choppy manner. But, there a few songs near the end where the shooting and editing is a little better. Maybe it is because the camera crew finally figured out which one was Bonnie Raitt.

The song selection and performances are mostly good, but not spectacular. I have seen Raitt and have live recordings that are much better. Most the hits she has done before, and most of the time they were better in the past. Although, none of the songs are bad here.

What I really like is the new material. Maybe that is because I have heard some of the older songs too many times. The newer stuff is different and refreshing. And as she says, they experiment a little more. It is actually more rock oriented.

Ovewrall, it is a nice Raitt CD. It isn't a bad place to start it you don't have anything else by her.

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND HER EARLIER LIVE ALBUM, ROAD TESTED, INSTEAD. IT IS SLIGHTLY BETTER. BUT GET THE DVD AND NOT THE CD.

I'm a long time fan and have seen Bonnie a kazillion times
over the years. This is a unique recording of some great music &
guests on here (Allison Krauss, Ben Harper, Keb Mo and Nora
Jones) and they just add that extra spicey flavor to make Bonnie's music even that much cooler. Funky stuff here,("Love
Letter" w/Keb, "Gnawin on it", "Unnecessarily Mercenary", w/ the
band, "Two Lights in the nighttime" w/ Ben Harper dueling slide
guitars on this one. Beautiful ballards "You" featuring Allison
Krauss and her harmony and fiddle, "I don't want anything to
change" w/Nora Jones, and also with Nora the great duet on
"Tennesee waltz", great recordings of "Papa come quick",w/ Allison, "Something to talk about", "No getting over you",w/Keb
the newer cuts "I will not be broken" and my favorite on
SOULS ALIKE "God was in the water". The sound is superior on
the DVD, crisp you can here every little pluck, everything
is there, never slick but real music from excellent musicans.
Bonnie Raitt has such a huge song cataloge its impossible
to get to everything but she does manage to highlight the
best of what she does. Vh1 classic does a great job with this,
I found the lighting and visuals excellent its busy but it
keeps everything moving right along. This is a highlight in Bonnie Raitts career and
not to be missed. I still can't get over just how awesome the
sound is on my sound system, the surround sound recording
on the DVD is really exceptional.

Bonniw Raitt for years has been a great slide guitar player. Her roots have always been in the blues.
She seems to like the Mississippi Delta Blues players like Mississippi Fred McDowell and Robert Johnson among others.
She also keeps up on current players such as Keb Mo and Ben Harper.
Keb Mo and Ben Harper infact appear on this DVD/CD and are in top form along with Bonnie. Bonnie is very "At Home" with her guests. Ben Harper joins her for a song called "Well, Well, Well, which is a treat to any blues fan. It is also the highlight of the night in my opinion.
Bonnie also invites Allison Kraus and Norah Jones to sing with her. Norah does a bluesy version of Tennesse Waltz, that will give the song new life as you listen to it.
This special gave her a chance to showcase her current album Souls Alike.
Bonnie has one of the finest live bands you will ever want to hear and the sound is phenominal.
I have never had the chance to see Bonnie Raitt live, so I watch this and her other live DVD as well.
Bonnie holds her own with many blues players and over the years has established her own style of slide guitar playing.
Bonnie is now one of the true great blues players in the world and this DVD will let you know why.......I would recommend this to anyone who likes Bonnie Raitt or who likes the blues........

I got this CD+DVD from Amazon UK and found it a great concert. Bonnie has discovered a way to improve even more her songs. The duets with her friends are the best of the entire performance and this is already a reason to buy this pack.

But being a 2005 concert, the visual side is not so great. The background chosen for the event (a giant screen with light dots moving all the time) doesn't help to focus on the performers and the image is not as sharp as it should be. Compare it to concerts recorded lately like Musicares tribute to James Taylor, Mark Knopfler & Emmilou Harris Real Live Roadrunning or Lightning In A Bottle from various Blues legends including Bonnie Raitt and you will understand what I mean. They are pristine clear recordings, almost High Definition quality.

But to worsen the situation when you select the 5.1 Dolby Digital option from the menu, there is no sound at all from the center loudspeaker and very little from the surrounds (just like a delayed eco sound). It makes me think if the original DVD was recorded in Stereo and later "adapted" to 5.1.

As I thought there was a problem with this DVD I asked for a new one just to find it was in the same condition. I don't know if the problem lies in the European batch of records or if it happens the same worldwide. I would appreciate any other reviews about this question.

I gave only three stars to this set because of the edition. The music of Bonnie Raitt and the rest of performers well deserve five stars. The fact is that I don't think of returning it under any circumstances.

I'm a fan of all the artists on here independently, so to find them here in one concert was a treat. The only problem I have with this package is that the CD leaves off the best songs from the DVD. Keb' Mo's blues jam on "No Gettin' Over You" overshadows "Love Letter." I just love the song "Papa Come Quick" so I wish it was on the CD, though Alison has a smaller part than on "You." "Well, Well, Well" is the best song on here, again omitted from the CD in lieu of "Two Lights in the Nightime." And Norah's "Tennessee Waltz" is much more interesting than "I Don't Want..."

This is not to say that the CD is bad, it's not. It's great. But I wish they would have chose the OTHER songs to put on the CD.

I bought this as i'm a big fan of bonnie raitt for a long number of years.
The band she has assembled for this outing is second to none.Great sound,
in 5.1 dolby if you own a home cinema system. The only small gripe I would have is that the cd part of the package doesn't have the same tracks as the dvd.. Otherwise excellent.

Bonnie Raitt is an awesome performer....One of my all time favorites.
But... This video transfer / processing of this standard DVD is horrible. I watched the HD / Bluray version and it was excellent. This standard DVD version is awful. The audio is very well done on this standard DVD - so you can listen to it and it is sonically very good. I wish I could have returned it but no such luck. I have seen many standard DVD concerts with excellent HD transfers from the bluray master and I know from them this could have and should have been done more professionally. That is a good test as to whether to buy the bluray version - rent the standard version and if it is of excellent quality then the bluray will be better yet. lossless video and lossless audio......... Dissapointed - is an under statement for this title............

I'VE LISTENED TO ROCK, POP, BLUES & JAZZ FOR THE LAST 50 YRS.
BONNIE WAS THERE FOR MOST OF THEM. SHE'S ONE OF THE FEW THAT HAS INFLUENCED THEM ALL. THESE DISCS REALLY SHOW HER GIFT FOR COLABORATING & AT THE SAME TIME ILLUMINATING THE GIFTS OF HER CONTEMPORARIES AS WELL
AS HER MUSICAL FOLLOWERS. IF YOU KNOW BONNIES WORK, IT'S A GREAT ADDITION.
IF YOU DONT, IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO GET STARTED.

Fantastic DVD, Bonnie is realy nice singer and composer, and the guests in great performances, good quality sound i recomend, Blues and Country stile.