Bonnie Raitt: Road Tested (1995)

Bonnie Rocks The House

Let us take a trip down memory lane to the Boston Common in the summer of that fateful year, 1968. A bunch of us were sitting (on the ground, no less) fairly far back in that locale and then suddenly a woman's voice came booming through the air. Moreover, she was playing not the female de rigueur acoustic guitar but an electric one. Just like the guys! That, my friends was my introduction to Bonnie Raitt and she has been rockin', bluesin' and folkin' ever since. This San Francisco concert from 1995 brings all those musical forms together. For Bonnie Raitt fans, or just the casual blues/folk/rock fan this is a treat. When I occasionally call back memories of the 1960's and say that that was a time when men (and women) played Rock `n' Roll for keeps it is Bonnie that I have in mind as one of the women. She does not fail us here.

Honestly though, after that early introduction to Bonnie on that long ago summer day mentioned above I did not follow her career that closely for a time although I knew she learned here craft later at the feet of Mississippi Fred McDowell and would catch her at various Cambridge night spots (read bars). However, this concert brings all that back. Not only that but the added attractions of Jackson Browne and the legendary blues singer Ruth Brown (a favorite of mine from way back) round out a very nice concert. What's good here: John Prine's Angel From Montgomery; Never Make Your Move Too Soon (with Brown); Chris Smither's Love Me Like A Man and Rock Steady. Nice stuff, well performed with her band and guest artists.



August 15, 2008

road tested rocks

bonnie raitt is excellent. i've been listening to her for 33 years. since about the time she first hit the music scene. yep you can always tell an old hippie but ya cant tell him much-the dvd has most of whats on the cd. maybe all i never checked. but it's great and especially good w/ surround sound. (pass the popcorn) i think you'll enjoy it. i like it even more than the live at montreaux dvd November 8, 2007

Not A Bad Song In The Bunch!

You get a lot for your money here: about an hour and three-quarters of Bonnie Raitt songs, her hits and otherwise. Just about every song is a winner because her voice fits her blues- rock material extremely well and her band is outstanding. She comments at one point about her band being the "best" their is, and she may not be far off.

There is so much music here I often break this up into a couple of viewings, but no matter where I pick this back up in the concert, it's a good starting point because it's simply one good song after another. You'd except a dud here or there, but it's just not the case.

The first part of the concert has more upbeat songs, so it you want a 45-minute fast-moving mini-concert, the first nine songs will do well. It's a good workout disc, too! Later on, Raitt goes through several slow songs in a row and the tape ends with the slow-but-dramatic "Angel From Montgomery."

Guests include Bruce Hornsby, Jackson Browne, Bryan Adams, Kim Wilson and the old blues couple Ruth and Charles Brown. All of them are excellent, as well.

The only thing missing in this DVD is more colorful camera-work. That would have really made this a spectacular concert disc. Hey, the the music is the main attraction here anyway, so I am not complaining. I used to own this on VHS but acquired the DVD because of the better sound.

Obviously, this is very highly recommended. September 9, 2007

Good Concert.

This concert shows Bonnie's versatility as a performer, from her brand of country-rock to blues to pure vocalist. Also appearing are Bruce Hornsby and Jackson Browne. July 29, 2007

Next Best . . .

Thing to being there! Audio is great! Video is well planned with plenty of different angles and shots. If you like Bonnie R, then buy this DVD. May 8, 2007

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