Review: Raitt's eclectic jams electrify fans
Omaha World-Herald, 11/12/05
by NIZ PROSKOCIL
On the eve of her birthday, it was Bonnie Raitt who gave Omaha a gift.
Bonnie Raitt plays songs from her new album, "Souls Alike," at the Orpheum on Monday. Raitt, who turns 56 today, delivered one of the best concerts Omaha has seen this year.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 2,500 fans Monday at the Orpheum Theater, the singer, songwriter and slide guitarist rocked the house during an electrifying, genre-jumping set of blues, soul, folk, adult pop and everything in between.
You would expect Raitt, a nine-time Grammy winner, to put on one heck of a show - just like you would expect to see that streak of white in her long red hair.
Opening with Koko Taylor's sassy "Man Size Job," Raitt delivered a spectacular hour and 45-minute set that was a mix of classic hits, cool covers and several tracks off her recently released 18th album, "Souls Alike."
Included were "Nick of Time," "I Can't Make You Love Me," "Luck of the Draw," "Papa Come Quick (Jody and Chino)," "Love Sneakin' Up on You" and "Something to Talk About."
Looking striking in a green velvet blouse and tight black pants, Raitt and her four-man band - including top-notch New Orleans pianist/vocalist Jon Cleary - drew thunderous applause and numerous standing ovations.
After her three-decade-plus music career, the California native boasts a strong voice and magnetic stage presence. She chatted with the crowd and was gracious throughout the show, thanking her band, her crew and her fans.
Raitt - who was fighting a cold - at one point referred to herself as a "phlegm fatale."
Concert highlights included the slow-burning Sippie Wallace blues number "Women Be Wise," which Raitt recorded in 1971, and a fabulous take on John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery," which was the night's final song.
Singer-songwriter Maia Sharp, who co-wrote three tracks on Raitt's latest album, opened the show with an engaging 45-minute set of well-crafted, intelligent folk-pop songs.
During Raitt's set, Sharp came back onstage and played sax and sang with Raitt on a couple songs, including a gorgeous rendition of "I Don't Want Anything to Change."
Here's hoping that Raitt hightails back to Omaha soon for another knockout performance.
