Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 10, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Redwing Records, LLC
• ASIN: B006R1T40I
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (231 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 album from the Grammy winning singer, songwriter and musician. her first album since 2005's Souls Alike. Produced by Joe Henry, the album is her return to the music scene following the deaths of her parents and brother. The album was recorded with her longtime touring band as well as a handful of tracks with top-level musicians such as Bill Frisell. Features the first single 'Right Down The Line', a cover of the Gerry Rafferty hit.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 118 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Two good cooks= a great stew. April 10, 2012

By r.j. zurek

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

What's going on here? Veteran roots artists have been releasing some of the best music of their careers- B.B. King, Gregg Allman, Dr, John and now Bonnie Raitt have all recorded five star works within the last year or two. Aside from the obvious talents of these artists, there seems to be a common thread at work here: sympathetic producers.

Both B.B. and Gregg worked with veteran T-Bone Burnett to create their strongest studio efforts in years, while the good Doctor was produced by the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach for one of the most unusual (and satisfying) recordings in his canon. On "Slipstream", Bonnie is produced by alt-country artist Joe Henry. He earned serious blues cred with Solomon Burke's "Don't Give Up On Me" and Betty Lavette's "I've Got My Own Hell to Raise", among many others.

Bonnie and Henry recorded ten songs in his home studio with an excellent group of acoustic musicians: guitarist Greg Leisz and pianist Patrick Warren are joined by the rhythm section of bassist David Piltch and Jay Bellrose, the drummer who played the skins on Gregg Allman's "Low Country Blues". Four of the songs made the cut on "Slipstream"- Bob Dylan's "Standing In the Doorway" and "Million Miles" are standouts, while Loudon Wainwright III's "You Can't Fail Me Know" and Henry's "God Only Knows" are ballads that will stay in your head long after your first listen.

Covering Dylan always takes courage, but Bonnie has the ability to take the Bard's songs and make them her own, similar to Mavis Staples or Maria Muldaur. When Dylan sings the second verse from "Doorway", "If I saw you, don't know if I'd kiss you or kill you", his dark humor delivery almost makes you laugh. When Bonnie sings the same line, she ever so slightly draws out "kill you", sounding ominous- very uncharacteristic of Bonnie, and very effective.

After being produced by so many greats over the years, including Mitchell Froom (Los Lobos, Emmylou Harris) and Don Was (nearly everyone), and handling her own "Souls Alike" in 2005, Bonnie learned enough tricks in the chair to self- produce the other eight tracks on the album. Her band has been with her for years: George Marinelli on guitar, "Hutch" Hutchinson on bass and Ricky Fataar on drums. In place of Jon Cleary, Mike Finnigan supplies the keyboard work to augment the band's sound.

A Reggae take on the recently departed Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down the Line" looks like an odd choice on paper, but this track is a standout on an album with no weak ones. Randall Bramblett's "Used To Rule the World" is the type of uptempo funky number that showcases Bonnie's slide guitar, and the underrated fretwork of Marinelli. Bonnie is especially effective on the Dylan songs, with accompaniment from jazz guitarist Bill Frisell.

Al Anderson of NRBQ fame contributed three songs to this project, and his guitar duel with Bonnie on "Split Decision" adds to the album's overall jam vibe. Bonnie in particular wanted to go for the rocking sounds that she creates with Marinelli when they perform live.

Some have commented that the Henry produced songs are the superior ones on "Slipstream", but I respectfully disagree. This album is unique because while two producers contribute, the results are equally successful. Bonnie plans on releasing the remaining Henry produced songs from this session at a later date; hopefully she will add some self-produced tracks to that release as well. This is one case where two good cooks have created a great sonic stew.

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pop? Really Amazon? April 14, 2012

By hihowrya

Format:Audio CD

First of all, MY GAL BONNIE IS BACK!!! Secondly, to classify this album under "Pop" is an abomination of the highest order. Sure, there are a few cuts, like Bonnie's fine cover of Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down the Line" that can be marginally called "Pop", if one is callous enough to do so. But LISTEN to this disc-the whole album-and everyone will find some of the very best blues from one of our very best blues performers. It is soulful and nuanced, at times elegant and then raucous. This is Bonnie at her most awesome and the woman only gets better with age! She has an amazing band backing her up and I can hardly wait to see Bonnie with Miss Mavis Staples on tour! GO BONNIE GO!

59 of 69 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Raitt Returns in Fine Form April 10, 2012

By Rudy Palma

Format:Audio CD

"Slipstream" is first and foremost the story of an artist returning to her realm after a long dry spell, rediscovering her fountain of inspiration and acquiring the drive to once again practice her craft. Since that artist happens to be Bonnie Raitt, one of America's most iconic and important musicians, it comes as no surprise that it is an enlightening, hearty listen with a feels-like-home comfortability.

The seven-year gap between "Slipstream" and 2005's terrific "Souls Alike" is the longest Raitt has taken between studio efforts, understandable since her life in the interim has been fraught with loss - of parents, of brother, of best friend. While that certainly can be read as informing her soul-searching take on Bob Dylan's masterpiece "Standing in the Doorway" and the aching piano/vocal "God Only Knows," the album only occasionally dips its toe into the deep end of introspection. In fact, the only tune Raitt co-writes here is the rambunctious, sing-songy "Down to You."

This is music with a joyful edge, crafted for the simple pleasure of craft (an artist of Raitt's stature taking such a long gap between records indicates a lack of prioritizing sales or hits) and therefore of great interest to her longtime devotees. It doesn't have the radio-friendly edge of earlier recordings, and it need not. A few songs have a similar bite, especially at the core of the LP, but listeners on the market for a new Raitt album - and there are more than a few of them - will certainly be pleased.

Randall Bramlett's "Used to Rule the World" kicks off the album with funky, slamming, kinetic instrumentation. Raitt's playing is prominent, large and boisterous, firmly establishing that time has not frayed her resolve. Similar can be said of Paul Brady and Michael O'Keefe's witty, biting "Marriage Made in Hollywood," which Raitt wraps her voice around with cool, supple assurance, as well as "Right Down the Line" with its Caribbean flourishes and sure-footed percussion.

The meditative, silky "Take My Love With You" and "Not Cause I Wanted To" showcase Raitt's elegant, quiet passion as a vocalist. The intimate, unobtrusive nature of the recording allows the songs to furrow into the mind and summon repeated listens. This is music that breathes, as the lady behind it surely intended.

With "Slipstream" Raitt resurfaces in radiant, surefooted fashion, confident in her abilities, hungry to record new tunes and hit the road to play them for audiences. After 40 years in the business she retains a disproportionate amount of soul, vigor and longing. Listeners are blessed to have her.