Customer Reviews

Streetlights

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm SHOCKED that anyone has rated this album anything lower than five stars. This album is haunting, moving, unexpected . . . and well worth having in your collection. It's a record you can listen to again and again, from start to finish, and with every rotation, you'll notice or feel something you missed the time before.

In the 70's, the album "Streetlights" was my introduction to Bonnie Raitt. At the time I was living in Minneapolis. I was browsing in a record store and this album just happened to be playing. I was actually looking for another album, but the music really caught my ear, so I asked the clerk who the singer was. He showed me the album and I purchased this album on the spot! I have been a fan of Bonnie Raitt ever since. Since I also sing, I could appreciate a great performance. All the numbers are great, but if I were forced to select my favorites, it would be "Angel From Montgomery" and "Rainy Day Man". Bonnie cannot be categorized into a particular genre. She appeals to a cross section of fans! If you haven't heard this album/cd, it will be a real treat! Right on Bonnie! Keep us humming, singing along and dancing!

While Bonnie is more popular today than when this record was released in the mid-70's (don't remember the exact year, sorry), it stands up to any of her recent recordings. Bonnie's unique fusion of folk and rural blues with popular music makes this record a bit more distictive than her fine 90's output.

The first five songs, which were the first side of my beloved LP version, are the highlight -- when I say that I played the record over and over again, I really mean that I played side A over and over again. "Angel From Montgomery" is stunning, a song of memory, regret and longing with a gorgeous, soaring chorus. "That Song About the Midway" and "Streetlights" are similarly affecting.

The second side is not quite up to the same mark, but on the basis of songs 1 through 5 it makes my top ten most listened-to CD's in all genres. It's a lovely record for a quiet evening in front of the fireplace alone, and even better with company.

This album always makes me feel good and that is really all I ask. This is my favorite album of all time.

Since the previous reviewer gave this a bad review I just wanted to set the 'record' strait here. This one is my four favorite 'Bonnie' recordings next to 'Sweet Forgiveness' and 'Bonnie Raitt', and 'Give It Up'. The song that sticks out in this one is the cover of John Prine's 'Angel From Montgomery' in which her most beautiful voice shines like the Star of Bethlehem (yes, it does). And the entire rest of the CD is great listening too. And we have Steve Gadd on drums and Ralph McDonald on percussion...what more can you ask for? OH, I know the other wonderful cover songs: 'Rainy Day Man', Joni Mitchell's 'Midway', Bill Payne (Little Feat, Doobies, Bob Seger, everybody) has the title track, and, of course, a song from that guy from New Orleans, Alan Toussaint 'What Is Success?'. Well, success is this album. But don't take my word for it. In short, if you can't relate to this recording your taste of music lack good taste IMHO.

Remember those albums you really loved best-the ones you WOULD put on your Desert Island List, the classics? In the old days of vinyl you had to replace them over and over-I know I did!

Well, here you have a helping of seminal Bonnie, smoky, stately, unbearably yearning. Every song is a "good" one-no duds-and her cover of songs like Angel From Montgomery is understated, yet unique. Many songs here are about pain, yet BR manages to stand, bruised about the heart, yes, but stand tall and proud as she demonstrates feisty, whole- hearted triumph over the pain. Somehow this is knowing but never shrill, as in Rainy Day Man and Ain't Nobody Home.

For the newcomers to the Bonnie bandwagon, (welcome!), you're in for a treat. Vintage BR with touches of Delta blues, folk and plenty of sass! Great rainy day or road music, too.

The first time I heard this album, years ago, the voice and the guitar on "That Song About the Midway" said smoky, seductive,the voice of a woman who has been there and come back, and she plays great blues guitar!The folk roots are more evident than in her more recent work, but the rocking beat and gutsy voice are there already - a lower key Melissa Etheridge.

This cd is so awsome, I listen to it all the time. I love hearing her soulful voice and her unique style. One of my all-time favorite cds.

This is early Bonnie Raitt,maybe her first LP. This remaster CD replaces the LP I had.I really like "Rainy Day Man",my fave. Then "Got You On My Mind" and "What is Success",are the ones that made me get this.Plus the price was too good to pass up.

Length:: 0:33 Mins