Doctor Feelgood
Sleepin' on a concrete bench
Can I get a witness?
~Randall Bramblett (Used To Rule The World)
So begins Bonnie Raitt's new album slipstream with the song Used to Rule the World. On that note, Bonnie has found a witness in me to testify that this album is utter brilliance, emotional brilliance at that. Words elude me when it comes to describing this gem. What I am left with is a pain in my throat from holding back the tears because of the way these songs resonate with me; this is especially true when I let my guard down from having a glass of wine or two.
You took a part of me that I really miss
I keep asking myself how long can it go on like this
~ Bob Dylan (Millsion Miles)
None of the songs on Slipstream are of Bonnie's creation but they certainly are of her thoughtful, if not divine, interpretation. Never is the listener left feeling anything other than that she's singing out of experience.
I know that fan is moving air
I can see it in your hair
But I can't bear to breathe it in somehow
I'll rise and fall with you
Cause you can't fail me now
~Joseph Lee Henry/Loudon Wainwright III (You Can't Fail Me Now)
That voice, that voice ... to emote such honesty and pain simultaneously is a rare gift that all too many could only hope to have. That music, that music ... the quality of musicianship on this CD is nothing short of superb. Buy it, and find out all the players. Know though, that Bill Frisell is a featured artist.
Daylight I think about you
And wonder where you are
Night I'm wishin'
Looking at the stars
But I don't worry bout you
I know that soon you'll be home ...
~Gordan Kennedy/Wayne Kirkpatrick/Kelly Price (Take My Love With You)
Another outstanding guitarist in this lineup is George Marinelli whose solos are rich with the sounds of yesteryear. This is especially noticeable on Take My Love With You.
Well I'm calling you
Cause you deserve to know
You were not the reason
That I had to go
Late at night in these hotel rooms
I think of all I've lost
And what I put you through
~Al Anderson/Bonnie Bishop (Not Cause I Wanted To)
It takes a true artist, one who is extremely confident in her own abilities, to give of themselves to another's work the way that Bonnie has done on Slipstream. As with love, it would be nothing short of sadness if you never experience it.
Darkness settles on the ground
Leaves the day stumbling blind
Coming to a quiet close
And maybe just in time
We've almost lost the heart to know
How to keep our best in mind
We've almost lost the heart to know
How to keep our best in mind
~Joseph Lee Henry (God Only Knows)
Songs
Used to Rule the World
Right Down The Line
Million Miles
You Can't Fail Me Now
Down To You
Take My Love With You
Not Cause I Wanted To
Ain't Gonna Let You Go
Marriage Made In Hollywoord
Split Decision
Standing In the Doorway
God Only Knows
