MT. WATATIC MUSIC FESTIVAL – Bonnie Raitt, Gary “U.S.” Bonds, John Hall, Dr. John and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee in concert at the Mt. Watatic Ski Area on Sunday.
MT. WATATIC, ASHBY – For the second time this summer, more than 6000 people flocked to this tucked-away hillside to hear music. Considering the show was thrown together in only 18 days – almost unheard of for a festival of this size – it came off as smoothly as if it had been planned for months.
It was, as headliner Bonnie Raitt said later, “the most creative bill I have ever played on.” Blues, rock, funk and R&B acts all came together harmoniously. The afternoon was a steady delight, as each performer, charged by the creative atmosphere, seemed to reach back for a little extra octane. Colored balloons again dotted the hillside, and fans freely sprinkled through the surrounding woods and fields. Unlike Watatic’s Arlo Guthrie show in July, however, there were fewer blissed-out hippies and far more beer-slinging rowdies, though no one blew his cool. Feeling no pain became the state of mind by Raitt’s set, during which she fanned the mood by saying, “Watch those Frisbees. Don’t hit anybody, though no one would probably feel it.” To this she added to great applause: “Don’t worry, I’m going to get just like you after this show.”
A needed release before the onset of autumn, the show began with a sparkling set of traditional blues from Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. Old enough to be nearing retirement, but still young enough to laugh at the ravages of time, the duo pumped out the blues with authority and sass. Following was Dr. John (nee Mac Rebennack), the New Orleans Night Tripper who served up hot gumbo piano boogie. Making his first Northeast swing in years, the good doctor still cooked when he had to, later joining Raitt and bringing her song, “Your Good Thing (Is About to End),” to a slow boil. The toast of the festival backstage, the 41-year-old John was even told by one performer: “I’ve been into you ever since dropping acid in high school.”
Next was John Hall, the antinuke activist whose set was an unexpected dose of hard rock. “I can’t be tasteful all the time,” he said later, after belting out a convincing set that spanned Jimi Hendrix’s “Wait Until Tomorrow” and Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place to Go.” Hall’s new band included ex-Pousette Dart Band bassist John Troy and ex-Ian Hunter drummer Eric Parker, who brought an impressive grit to the proceedings. Consistent with his politics, Hall also blasted the “pro-nuclear’’ stance of Massachusetts Gov. Edward J. King.
Gary “U.S.” Bonds, Bruce Springsteen’s rediscovery, outdid himself with a fever-pitch set, containing much more raw R&B energy than his Boston club appearance of a few months ago. He still got too ingratiating at times (“Glad to be back, God bless ya!”), but his energy had the hillside crowd digging into their coolers with abandon.
Raitt’s show was the capper, by which time the sun was setting and the crowd was literally and figuratively aglow. Emcee Jimmie Smith (a member of Boston’s Comedy Connection) brought her out, and she’s never sounded better. She opened with a bluesy retrieval of Buffalo Springfield’s “Bluebird,” plucked out some slide guitar soul, turned the corner with the country ballad “Darlin,” and romped home with selections of old blues, funk and a new rocker, “Me & the Boys,” by NRBQ.
Music in the Air, the agency that hustled to pull this show off, hopes to be back next season with more. So does Bonnie Raitt. “You’re a great audience to play for,” she wailed. “Let’s do this again next year.”
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Bonnie has contributed a new recording of "Prison Bound Blues" written by Leroy Carr to a project called Better Than Jail, an extraordinary new album benefiting Free Hearts and Equal Justice USA. Better Than Jail is available everywhere today and features covers of iconic prison songs from Steve Earle, Taj Mahal,Margo Price, The War and Treaty and many more. The album seeks to raise awareness and support for the urgent need to reduce the harm of the criminal justice system. https://found.ee/BetterThanJail.
I'm so proud to have joined in with so many illustrious artists in creating this very special album in support of rural prison reform. Overlooked for far too long, this issue cuts across all cultural and political divides and deserves all our focused attention to finally bring about some swift and meaningful action. Better Than Jail is one of the most inspired and heartfelt albums I've been blessed to be a part of and I hope it sets a fire in hearts far and wide to join in our efforts." ~ Bonnie Raitt
Released on: 2024-10-04 Executive Producer: Brian Hunt Producer: Kenny Greenberg Producer: Wally Wilson Producer: Bonnie Raitt Recording Engineer: Jason Lehning at Sound Emporium Mastering Engineer: Alex McCollough at True East Mastering Production Assistant: Shannon Finnegan Mixer: Justin Niebank at Hounds Ear Music Publisher: Universal Music Corp. Composer, Lyricist: Leroy Carr ℗ Believe Entertainment Group and Wyatt Road Records
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Nothing in Rambling Ft. Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' & Mick Fleetwood
In celebration of the band’s 50th Anniversary, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have just released Struck Down, their first studio album in eight years on Stony Plain Records. The ten-track album includes a wonderful cover of Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling,” featuring longtime friends, T-Birds founding member Kim Wilson, along with Bonnie, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Mick Fleetwood. — BRHQ
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Little Feat - Long Distance Call
“I’ve always loved Little Feat and this new incarnation of the band is bringing some serious heat, cred and new blood to their enduring legacy. Every Feat fan loves us some Sam. I’m so glad he’s now gotten a chance to step out front and center and put his spin on these wonderful blues songs. I loved singing "Long Distance Call" with him, always one of my favorites, and Scott slayed on slide. Know you’ll enjoy hanging out with us at Sam’s Place!" -- Bonnie Raitt
“Long Distance Call” was written by blues legend, Muddy Waters. It has Sam Clayton and Bonnie Raitt on vocals, Scott Sharrard on Dobro, Fred Tackett on acoustic guitar, Tony Leone on drums, and Michael “The Bull” LoBue on harmonica. The album also features Bill Payne on piano and Kenny Gradney on bass.
Little Feat have composed an album that’s their love letter to the blues entitled, ‘Sam’s Place.’ “Long Distance Call” plus many other blues classics are on this album. You can stream and order ‘Sam’s Place’ here: https://orcd.co/samsplace
Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine, Vol. 2, the anticipated new John Prine tribute record from Oh Boy Records, is out today. Stream/purchase HERE.
Created as a celebration of Prine’s life and career, the album features new renditions of some of Prine’s most beloved songs performed by Brandi Carlile (“I Remember Everything”), Tyler Childers (“Yes I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You”), Iris DeMent (“One Red Rose”), Emmylou Harris (“Hello In There”), Jason Isbell (“Souvenirs”), Valerie June (“Summer’s End”), Margo Price (“Sweet Revenge”), Bonnie Raitt (“Angel From Montgomery”), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (“Pretty Good”), Amanda Shires (“Saddle in the Rain”), Sturgill Simpson(“Paradise”) and John Paul White (“Sam Stone”). Proceeds from the album will benefit twelve different non-profit organizations, one selected by each of the featured artists.
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Bonnie Raitt - Write Me a Few of Your Lines/Kokomo Blues
60 years anniversary celebration of Arhoolie
December 10, 2020
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Arhoolie Foundation celebrates it's 60th anniversary (1960-2020) with an online broadcast.
Bonnie Raitt - Shadow of Doubt
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
October 3, 2020
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass celebrates it's 20th anniversary with an online broadcast titled “Let The Music Play On”.
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Bonnie Raitt & Boz Scaggs - You Don't Know Like I Know
Farm Aid 2020 On the Road
Sam & Dave classic written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter.
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Sheryl Crow & Bonnie Raitt - Everything Is Broken
[Eric Clapton’s Crossroads 2019]
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Raitt contributed to a new album, If You're Going To The City: A Tribute To Mose Allison, which celebrates the late singer and pianist, who famously blended the rough-edged blues of the Mississippi Delta with the 1950s jazz of New York City.
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Recorded on tour June 3, 2017 - Centennial Hall, London - Ontario Canada