Customer Reviews

Road Tested

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She had been around for over two decades, appearing live in the Cambridge, MA jazz and blues clubs long before she had her first recording contract. She had been on stage with all the greats of the business. She had received triple Grammies for her 1989 release "Nick of Time." Her fans, ignited by her fiery live appearances, had been clamoring for a live album for years. Yet, it took Bonnie Raitt 25 years, a personal and professional roller coaster ride, and a succession of three bestselling albums ("Nick of Time" and the early 1990s releases "Luck of the Draw" and "Longing in Their Hearts," all produced by Don Was) until finally, in 1995, a series of live appearances in Oakland, California and Portland, Oregon were recorded and blended together in this album, appropriately titled "Road Tested."

When the project was put together, Bonnie called on a number of friends, with whom she had shared the stage many times before and whose songs, having found a whole new interpretation in her performance, had become staples in her live repertoire long ago. And they all came: R&B legends Ruth and Charles Brown ("The jewels in our crown up here," Raitt commented when introducing them on stage), as well as rockers Bryan Adams, Kim Wilson, Bruce Hornsby and Jackson Browne; in addition to her seasoned stage band, led by Ricky Fataar (drums) and "Hutch" Hutchinson (bass), without whom, to this day, a Bonnie Raitt live appearance is simply unthinkable. And as always, Bonnie was deeply appreciative of everybody who showed up for the occasion: "Special thanks ... for coming to add so much to this long awaited project. This was the time and you were the reason," she wrote in the album's liner notes, thanking her musician friends, and in true style, she did not overlook a single member of the audience, either, commenting that "I'd like to thank you up in the balcony, too; I can see you!"

Short of experiencing Bonnie Raitt live on stage, "Road Tested" is the best evidence why rock and blues music, particularly when performed by an artist with such an unmatched passion for her work and skill as a guitar player as is Raitt, is a vastly different experience than listening to a studio album. The blues is meant to be performed live first and foremost; similar to jazz and gospel (and often, more so than rock music) it depends on the spontaneous interplay of the musicians, and the interaction between stage and audience. This is, of course, most obvious in the songs performed as duets here; but just listen to this album's slow, intense version of "Love Me Like a Man;" one of Raitt's oldest songs - it's from her second album, 1972's "Give It Up" - one of those pieces that would have an uninitiated listener, if any such still exist, become absolutely convinced that they're listening to a recording made in a small Southern blues club, not on a big West coast stage. And indeed, immediately after that song follows Mississippi Fred McDowell's "Kokomo Medley," in the introduction of which Raitt quotes her old friend and touring partner's words: "I do not play no rock'n roll" - and she adds that "when he got to playin', man, that's all the rockin' I'll ever need."

Most of the 22 songs contained on this double album are longtime staples in Raitt's live appearances; and given her extraordinary repertoire, it comes as no surprise that this is an outing jam-packed to the brim with gems. CD No. 1 starts with a quintuple slam: Her opening duet with Bruce Hornsby on John Hiatt's "Thing Called Love," one of the standout hits from "Nick of Time" ("When I wrote the song, I had no idea that a pretty redhead named Bonnie Raitt was going to make it such a big thing one day," Hiatt once commented), followed by "Three Time Loser" (originally published on 1977's "Sweet Forgiveness" and one of her trademark "I've had it" songs with lyrics such as "How many hours [for] your love I'm gonna wait? How many heartaches you really think I'm gonna take?"), the Jazz Crusaders' infectious "Never Make Your Move Too Soon" (featuring Bonnie Raitt with Ruth and Charles Brown and Kim Wilson) and one of the hits from "Luck of the Draw," "Something to Talk About." Other standouts on the first CD are "Have a Heart" (likewise from "Nick of Time") and the heartbreaking ballad "Louise" (from "Sweet Forgiveness").

CD No. 2 begins with the title song of "Longing in Their Hearts," Raitt's last studio album before this live double outing, and a small series from that album and its predecessor "Luck of the Draw" ("Come to Me" and the rocking "Love Sneakin' Up on You"), and then Bonnie and crew get ready to bring down the walls again with the Talkin' Heads' "Burning Down the House." Thereafter it gets quieter once more, with Bonnie Raitt's version of "I Can't Make You Love Me" (and again, Bruce Hornsby on keyboards), after which the daughter of pianist Marjorie Haydock Raitt herself takes the keys for the rocker "Feeling of Falling;" followed by a nonstop succession of duets with all her famous guests: from more good oldfashioned rock'n roll in "I Believe I'm in Love With You" to the hard-driving "Rock Steady" with Bryan Adams (who specifically wrote the song for this appearance with Raitt), the ballad "My Opening Farewell" with that song's creator Jackson Browne, and last but not least, perhaps Raitt's biggest signature song, the John Prine classic "Angel From Montgomery," which here becomes an emotional finale, in which she is joined by all of her guests.

"We were going for something really special," producer Don Was, who would pass the helm to Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake for Raitt's next studio album, 1998's "Fundamental," commented on "Road Tested." And something special they created indeed - only to be surpassed by the experience of an entire evening of a Bonnie Raitt live appearance.

Also recommended:
Give It Up
Fundamental
The Bonnie Raitt Collection

The way to hear an artist like Bonnie Raitt perform, is live, and if you can't see her perform live, then this album is the next best thing. Joined by a host of well known talent, including Bryan Adams and Jackson Browne, this is one of the best live albums I have. This is blues/rock at it's best. And the 16 page booklet is packed with photos of her live performance, including all the guest musicians and band. This is an album that any fan of Bonnie Raitt should own.

I love all of Bonnie Raitt's music (always have, always will) but this one ROAD TESTED is exceptionally special to me. (Love Me Like A Man, Feeling Of Falling...so sexy!) Not only do I listen to this set just about every day (the neighbors have never complained about it blasting out of my house), but I had the privelage of watching her and her band of angelic musician friends (Bruce Hornsbey, Jackson Brown, Shawn Colvin and others) belt out these beautiful, soulful blues (up close and personal) last summer at a live concert at the Gorge in George, WA. At one point as I was in my fit of ecstasy screaming to get her attention, she pointed right at me and said "Yah, I see ya there, you know what I mean!" I almost passed out....that woman rocks me! If you haven't heard this stuff...Run (don't walk) and get this CD. Your life will never be the same! God Bless You Bonnie!.. Your faithful fan sending Angels to watch over you! ...PQ

In Bonnie Raitt's first live album recording, she delivers her magic better than in any recording studio. That fine southern voice, slickness of her slide & energetic great duets with some of today's finest provide the live atmosphere in the listener's head.
Raitt's vocals are best justified by "Angel of Montgomery" when you can feel the passion. Another personal fave has to be "I can't make you love me"- a woman who shares an experience we have all, at one time or another, shared. She puts words to music so beautifully.
"Burning Down the House" makes me want to rewind & listen to again - immediately...but my absolute favourite has to be her duet with Bryan Adams "Rock Steady". My most listened to track of the year. The chemisrty of their performance is so powerful that the listener can feel it without watching them!

This is just a brilliant album, from start to finish & shows Raitt at her best- performing.
Go buy, you won't regret!!

Her version of, "I Can't Make You Love Me", on this album gives me goose bumps. You can really hear the passion in her voice. Bruce Hornsby, Jackson Browne, Brian Adams, and others join her for some great songs. This is one album that stays in the car, always! The quality of the sound is great too. I happen to like live albums - they make you feel like you're there!

GET THE DVD INSTEAD.

This is from a 1995 concert that was staged to be filmed. The total time is 105 minutes. You can get this on DVD instead, which I would recommend.

This CD sounds like it is ripped right from a video. There is just something about it, with the dynamic range and the way it is mixed. When I first played it on my stereo, I kept involuntarliy looking over at my TV, expecting to see some video.

Overall, it is a nice peformance from Bonnie Raitt, but it isn't the best one I have heard. It is better than the one released in 2006. However, I have heard other radio shows and CD's that are better, but for some reason currently aren't officially available.

One of the problems with this show and her latest live CD's is that they try too hard to come up with polished product. So, all the hits are here, but they are done too close to the studio versions. She doesn't open up like when she isn't under the pressure to create a video.

The other problem is too many guest stars. People always go nuts when there are famous guest stars on these videos. Sometimes there are magic moments. But usually, they are just a distraction. These guest stars do not practice with the band, don't really know the songs and just go through the motions. I would rather hear more of Bonnie Raitt than some inferior performance by Bryan Adams.

In spite of the sound quality and some stale moments, this is still a very nice CD and I would recommend it to anyone who likes any of Raitt's songs.

I purchased this CD after a fan at a Jackson Browne concert told me that the duet Bonnie recorded with Jackson Browne called "My Opening Farewell" was worth the price of the album. He was right! This version is even more wonderful than Jackson's original recording from the '70's. Bonnie's "Angel from Montgomery" and "Dimming of the Day" are other favorites.

I am biased about this album as I am a Bonnie fanatic. However, the version of "i Can't Make You Love Me" on this album is amazing. It is more heart-breaking and heartfelt than any other recording. Also, this rendition of "Montgomery" is slower, but I like it

Bonnie Raitt is wonderful in the rockin' live recording. Standouts are "Three Time Loser, "Louise", and Burning down the House." Jackson Browne and Bruce Hornsby are featured along with other top proformers for an outstanding CD. If you are looking for your first Bonnie Raitt recording or your 21th this is it.

This is quite possibly the best live album ever recorded. Raitt is superb, as is the production. The US version, unfortunately, arranges the songs in an order which isn't quite as balanced as the non-US version, but it's still terrific.

If you like Bonnie Raitt, this is an absolutely essential album for your collection.