Hello,

Right then, 'cards on the table' time: I *heart* Bonnie, so if you thought that my show reports were rose-tinted before then steel yourself, hah-hah!

I waited a couple of days until posting this because I was trying to find a setlist from anywhere, but drew a blank. All I can tell you is that Ms. Raitt is singing and playing like you wouldn't believe and she still has that incurably sexy demeanour and is still ready with a few come-hither asides. The bad news for Bonnie was that I was sitting right in the front row, well within stalking distance, hah-hah! Wow!

She is touring behind her latest LP ('Slipstream') but the setlist featured songs from all over the place and was played expertly. Her band still has James Hutchinson on bass, George Marinelli on guitar (Strat & Tele heaven!), relative newcomer Mike Finnigan on Hammond & keys and the man who is *still* introduced as Mr. Stig O'Hara...Ricky Fataar on drums. You got the feeling that these guys could literally play anything thrown at them, too.

Bonnie mentioned her age (63) and said that she felt great and that she sat in with The Stones recently and "...that those guys were slammin', so if that what 70 is like then bring it, hah-hah!". They then did a number that for all the world sounded like Keith was playing on it: if only I could tell you what it was...
Anyway, George Marinelli is one heck of a player and fits so well with B.R.'s style.

This show featured the most strict 'no photo' policy ever and because I was lucky to have such a great seat it also meant there was no way that I was gonna risk getting a dressing down from security so that is why I have token end-of-show pictures. Yeah, boo-hoo, right?





...and a clip from their appearance on 'Later...'

[www.bbc.co.uk]

She class.

Cheers,

Simon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013-06-23 10:25 by SimonN.

Going to see her at the RAH on the 27th, REALLY looking forward to it.

[ If you don't believe what I'm singing, at three o'clock in the morning, babe, well I'm singing my song for you ]

Hi PW,

Standard "money back if not 100% delighted" guarantee applies here, hah-hah!
Will be going again in that Liverpool next weekend...

Cheers,

Simon.

Had a great time hearing her do a short but excellent set for the IOW Festival yesterday afternoon - she followed Laura Mvula and said something along the lines of: I'm a great fan of Laura's, and now I'm proud to be here representing the other generation...

She and the band had to contend with the wind blustering and booming in the mikes, and a crowd where many people probably didn't know her, but the cheers got louder after every number, and turned a sunny IOW into a great blues club for an hour.

Hi Brenda,

Ah, great to hear that...BR just radiates love and warmth. Those minutes will have flown by I bet!

Cheers,

Simon.

Thanx for posting! Gonna see her in Hamburg in two weeks.

Tom

Sounds great Simon, kicking myself I turned down an opportunity to see her at Stoke Newington Town Hall tomorrow night!

Sounds like a great night. You do get around a bit, Simon.

Quote
SimonN
Hi PW,

Standard "money back if not 100% delighted" guarantee applies here, hah-hah!
Will be going again in that Liverpool next weekend...

Cheers,

Simon.

I fully expect to be 1000% delighted, so no worries there !!

[ If you don't believe what I'm singing, at three o'clock in the morning, babe, well I'm singing my song for you ]

Hello,

Aaaaaaand once more, folks!
All I can say is that I never tire of Bonnie's soulful but strong voice, her always tasteful and fluid guitar (which B.R. bought for $120 at 3 am back in 1969, or so she told us), her sublime band or her tremendous catalogue of songs, both her own or inspired covers.

Just such an engaging and likeable figure onstage and still at 63 she shows no signs of slowing or 'acting her age': when a microphone needs adjusted slightly she milks the situation with a sly aside about how "...position is everything...right?", and then pretends to chastise herself for being old enough to know better, hah-hah! You'll never change, Bonnie. Good!

Mr. Ricky Fatarr was immaculately turned-out in some fetching millinery: was that a Trilby, Panama or a Fedora? Excuse my ignorance but last night he was the laid-back supplier of the groove: all these guys fit together so well.

If you get the chance please see them, even if it's on TV. Sheer class.




















Cheers,

Simon.

Cardiff next day


Used to Rule the World
Right Down the Line
(Gerry Rafferty cover)
You Can't Fail Me Now
Never Make Your Move Too Soon
Love Has No Pride
Nick of Time
Angel From Montgomery
(John Prine cover)
Marriage Made in Hollywood
Come to Me
Down to You
Take My Love With You
I Got News for You
I Feel So Damn Good (I'll Be Glad When I Get The Blues)
Encore:
I Can't Make You Love Me
Love Me Like a Man
Not the Only One
A Big Hunk O' Love
(Elvis Presley cover)