Bonnie Raitt - Road Tested

A sense of self-confidence permeates Road Tested. If the '70s were marked by promise and the '80s by disappointment, the '90s, thanks to three smash studio albums, have been sheer triumph for Raitt, and she sounds damned satisfied. Her first live recording after 24 years in the business, Road Tested is an all-things-to-all-people effort, unsurprising given its creator has become all things to an awful lot of people. Steadfast favorites, '90s hits, and fresh additions to her repertoire are spiced by guest appearances by Bruce Hornsby, Ruth Brown, Charles Brown, Jackson Browne, Kim Wilson, and Bryan Adams. Raitt is in fine voice, her playing is great, and the band is solid. What's missing? Maybe some of that vanquished brashness and desperation. --Steve Stolder Amazon.com

GREAT!! GREAT!! GREAT!!

I first bought this CD set sometime in '96 or '97. I expected to like two or three songs. However, there are no bad songs on either CD. I never touch the skip button when these CD's are in my player.

During a move I somehow lost my CD's. I like this CD set so much that I am purchasing it for the 2nd time. February 7, 2008

Possibly the best song ever

"Angel From Montgomery" may be the best live performance every recorded. I certainly think so. Even after years of owning this record this song still stops me in my tracks and makes me listen intently. There's always more to hear. Love it. September 26, 2007

Sounds like it was made for video

GET THE DVD INSTEAD.

This is from a 1995 concert that was staged to be filmed. The total time is 105 minutes. You can get this on DVD instead, which I would recommend.

This CD sounds like it is ripped right from a video. There is just something about it, with the dynamic range and the way it is mixed. When I first played it on my stereo, I kept involuntarliy looking over at my TV, expecting to see some video.

Overall, it is a nice peformance from Bonnie Raitt, but it isn't the best one I have heard. It is better than the one released in 2006. However, I have heard other radio shows and CD's that are better, but for some reason currently aren't officially available.

One of the problems with this show and her latest live CD's is that they try too hard to come up with polished product. So, all the hits are here, but they are done too close to the studio versions. She doesn't open up like when she isn't under the pressure to create a video.

The other problem is too many guest stars. People always go nuts when there are famous guest stars on these videos. Sometimes there are magic moments. But usually, they are just a distraction. These guest stars do not practice with the band, don't really know the songs and just go through the motions. I would rather hear more of Bonnie Raitt than some inferior performance by Bryan Adams.

In spite of the sound quality and some stale moments, this is still a very nice CD and I would recommend it to anyone who likes any of Raitt's songs. December 18, 2006

a superb show with superb guests

I won't say much about the content, as others have covered that subject well. She gets help here from Ruth and Charles Brown, Bruce Hornsby, and Jackson Browne. The band is completely tuned into these songs -- everything is right on cue, sympathetic to Bonnie's vocals and solos. Slammin'!!

True, Bonnie doesn't sing classic blues on this album. She filters it through the rock and pop genre. So what? Anyone who can't hear the blues in her slide guitar is just constipated.

I own both the CD and the video version on laserdisc. The CD set is very reasonably priced if you buy it used, but you might do well to consider buying the DVD to get all the visual excitement too.

I've seen Bonnie live once. She is a professional. She is a natural live performer. Arguably these live takes are better than the album versions. I think she thrives on an audience. If you like Bonnie Raitt, above all don't miss *this* album. It may be her best, in addition to being one of the best live albums I've ever seen/heard on film. September 6, 2006

Bonnie Raitt at her best

I had never heard much Bonnie Raitt. I was at a CD store one night and ran across this live CD. I had heard a few recent songs of hers and decided to buy the CD.
I took it home and much to my surprise I could not stop listening to it.
The Cd and the DVD for that matter includes some friends of hers, such as Bryan Adams, Charles and Ruth Brown, Jackson Browne, Bruce Hornsby and Kim Wilson.
She does her classics Thing called Love and Something to talk about. She also does a mean acoustic version of Love me like a man which is certainly one of the highlights of the performance.
Dimming of the Day and Love sneaking up on you are also great performances.
The highlight of the evening to me is when Charles and Ruth Brown come out and sing Never make your move too soon. Charles Brown plays a very mean piano solo that will make any blues lover get excited as Ruth sings away.
She also closes the album with her classic Angel from Montgomery.
If you dont already have some Bonnie Raitt CD's this would be a very good one to start with. I would also recommmend the DVD.
This is Mississippi Delta blues at its best..........enjoy July 15, 2005

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