Bonnie Raitt - Longing in Their Hearts

Like its two multiplatinum predecessors, Longing in Their Hearts was produced by Don Was (Raitt is listed as coproducer on the last two) and features the funky rhythm section of ex-Neville Brothers bassist Hutch Hutchinson and ex-Beach Boys drummer Ricky Fataar. As before, Was provides a sympathetic blend of roots rock and radio-ready L.A. pop-rock for Raitt's always-lustrous voice. And yet too many songs on this album just sit there like wallflowers at the juke joint, without enough melody or personality to get the party started. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

It's better than that...

This is a tremendous CD... though definitely not as glossy and smooth as the ones that came after, or as rough and textured as those before. For some reason, even though there are a few songs I can do without, (I Sho Do comes to mind) songs like "Feeling of Falling", Cool Clear Water" and the title track have remained my favorite Bonnie songs since this CD came out.

There is a funky goove here... and enough attitude to show that Bonnie Raitt is no computer enhanced lip-synching pop diva powderpuff. No way - she's the REAL DEAL. Has been for so long I can't remember... and she still belts it out better than anyone. She's made a huge mark in a world that wasn't exactly welcoming to her at first... and this CD shows why. Virtuoso musicianship, a deadly groove, sultry, strong vocals and that sensation of, well... (hey - isn't that what music is all about!!!)~~~

"Longing" has that quality of imperfect genius that makes Bonnie Raitt's music so satisfying.

February 24, 2005

leftovers

If you loved Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw (as I did), you'll like, but not love, this one. More than anything else, it sounds like songs from the first two recording sessions that weren't quite good enough to make it onto those albums. Pleasant enough, but not moving in the way that Bonnie Raitt can be. May 1, 2003

Another very nice Bonnie Raitt CD

This is another well produced Bonnie Raitt CD. It is almost as good as the previous two, Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw. The music is the same, with the slick production of Don Was.

Bonnie Raitt was one of the country-tinged cross over artists from the early seventies, similar to Linda Ronstadt and Emilou Harris. She had a great bluesy voice and played a mean slide guitar. She released her first album in 1971. She had a cult following until 1977 when she released a cover of Del Shannon's Runaway, which became a minor hit.

Raitt, continued to have mild successes and failures until she met up with producer Don Was in 1989. Was was a new wave producer who worked with the B-52's. He gave Raitt a nice polished sound that won her five grammies with the Nick of Time. The only downside is that some of her hard edge is missing and her slide guitar is hardly featured. October 20, 2001

Bonnie is as good as usual

Bonnie Raitt has made another good album. It contains a good dose of her trademark blues/rock, as well as softer ballads such as "You" and "Dimming of the day". The latter is a particular favourite of mine. More of a country sound than a rock sound, nevertheless, it is beautiful. Bonnie Raitt is truly a gifted musician, that can sing, play and write...would that there be more like her. The 16 page booklet contains all lyrics. Recommended for any fan of Clapton, Healey, Vaughn. If you like them, you will be sure to like Bonnie. June 6, 2001

The Best Album of the 90's

i have to admit. when bonnie raitt first came out in the 70's or hit it big in the early 90's, i wasn't one of her devoted fans. at that point, i was heavily into country music. then i started hearing bits and pieces of her songs and soon i thought, what the hell. in the past two months since i first owned a bonnie raitt record, i have bought two others, this being the last one. and i have to say, it's the most impressive of the three.

it opens with the ever catchy "love sneakin' up on your you" and the guitar licks of the title track. this album has, if not the most, the best ballads bonnie raitt has ever done. "You," "Circle Dance," and "Storm Warning" are absolute wonderful, but the remake of "Dimming Of The Day" steals the spotlight. while some songs are perfect for radio airplay ("I Sho' Do"), there are many non-radio tunes that are equally as good, if not better. "Cool, Clear Water" and "Steal Your Heart Away" are great with the sudden tempo and mood changes that show style in the songwriting, daring to fit outside the format. (automatic kudos for that!) "Feel Of Falling" might date back to the days when bonnie got a little "wild" and shows how scary, as she puts it, "all of that mess" can be.

in short, this is bonnie's best. "Luck Of The Draw" comes close in second and "Fundamental" has a few classics, but it's not too disappointing. i hope we see more of bonnie in the future. i for one, am tired of the bubble gum music being made today---in both pop and country. March 10, 1999

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