Bonnie Raitt
Album: Slipstream
Label: Proper
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.bonnieraitt.com

I was really delighted to be asked to review Bonnie Raitt's new album, her first in seven years [her previous studio album was 2005's "Souls Alike"]. Why the long gap? The reason is that in the intervening period Bonnie has suffered a number of personal tragedies .She lost both her parents and her brother, as well as a close friend and took a break to spend time with family and friends after many years on the road. Indeed, her first album was released in 1971 and this new one is her sixteenth!

This album came about as the result of a suggestion by Allen Toussaint to three-time Grammy winning songwriter and producer [and Madonna's brother -in-law] Joe Henry that he should work with Bonnie. After a lengthy 'phone call they decided to work together and the result was eight songs produced by Henry, four of which appear on this album. Working with Henry enabled Bonnie to "get her mojo back" and she went on to record the rest of the new album. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. This is a cracking album and is undoubtedly one of her best.

The album gets off to a flying start with the funky " Used to Rule the World ", which was written by Randall Bramblett and which features Bonnie's trademark slide guitar and soulful vocals [and some great Hammond organ work ]. Next up is a reggaefied version of "Right Down the Line" by the late and much lamented Gerry Rafferty. It shouldn't work but it does and it is a fine tribute to the great Scottish songwriter.

The album features two Bob Dylan songs [both from "Time Out of Mind"] which were produced by Joe Henry. The first, "Million Miles", is a slow -burning blues number with excellent vocals by Bonnie and more great slide guitar. The song is so authentically blues that you can just imagine John Lee Hooker singing it. The other Henry-produced Dylan track "Standing in the Doorway" is a beautiful song and features Bill Frisell on guitar and Greg Leisz on pedal steel.

Joe Henry also contributed two of his own songs "God Only Knows" and "You Can't Fail Me Now" [ co-written with Loudon Wainwright III]. The former is a gorgeous song with simple piano accompaniment and closes the album on a pensive note. The latter is a lovely ballad with soulful vocals by Bonnie . The lyrics are of the quality that you would expect from two master songwriters like Wainwright and Henry.

The album features a mixture of ballads and raunchy rock numbers. In the second category are "Down to You" and "Split Decision". The latter is packed with boxing metaphors and was written by Al Anderson [formerly of NRBQ] who also contributes some great guitar work. Al also plays on "Ain't Going to Let You Go ", which features some of Bonnie's signature slide and the spirit of John Lee Hooker reappears.

"Marriage Made in Hollywood" has an interesting background. It was written by Bonnie's ex-husband Michael O'Keefe and Irish singer songwriter Paul Brady, although it isn't about Michael and Bonnie's own marriage ! In fact, Michael has written some of Bonnie's most successful songs, such as "One Part Be My Lover" and the Grammy -winning "Longing In Their Hearts". It isn't a new song -it appeared on Paul Brady's 1995 album "Spirits Colliding".

As well as the rockers, the album has a soft centre in the shape of two gentler songs , " Take My Love With You" and " Not Cause I wanted To ".The former is a catchy, radio-friendly number and the latter is a tender acoustic ballad of regret, beautifully sung by Bonnie.

Overall, this is a superb album and a great way for Bonnie to make her return after a seven year gap since her last album. It's great to have her back!

Peter Cowley