Bonnie Raitt, Dig In Deep | Album Review 💿

All in all, Dig In Deep is yet another terrific and consistent album from versatile veteran musician, Bonnie Raitt.

Could the timing be any better for veteran musician Bonnie Raitt? Raitt recently “killed it” at the 58^th Annual Grammy Awards.  She delivered mean electric slide guitar and vocal skills during a tribute to B.B. King.  The tribute also featured Chris Stapleton and Gary Clark, Jr. Raitt has consistently been a special, versatile musician. Her latest album Dig In Deep, a mix of originals and covers, shows why she’s the crème de la crème!

“Unintended Consequence Of Love”

Original “Unintended Consequence Of Love” kicks off the album funky. Raitt’s pipes remain as soulful as ever. Age has ripened her instrument as opposed to weathering or weakening it. The production is tasteful, with everything fitting in its rightful place. “Need You Tonight” finds her covering INXS’ “Need You To Tonight,” a Hot 100 no. 1 single back in 1988. While the song maintains its rock qualities, Raitt and band certainly make it conform to their sound and sensibilities.  “Need You Tonight,” hence, is funky, bluesy, and soulful. “I Knew” follows, maintaining the utmost consistent without objection. Pat McLaughlin is the songwriter, with “I Knew” hailing from 2006 LP, Horsefly.

“What You’re Doin’ To Me”

“All Alone With Something To Say” (composed by Gordon Kennedy and Steven Dale Jones) slackens the pace, but still maintains a distinct groove propelling the song forward and maintaining the momentum of the three previous songs. This is ultimately a nice change of pace, offering the softer and smoother side of Raitt. Things don’t remain slow for long though as Raitt’s original “What You’re Doin’ To Me” returns to the funky, bluesy fare of which listeners are accustomed to from the versatile musician.

“Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes” (a Los Lobos cover from their 1987 album By The Light Of The Moon) switches from funky blues to country/folk-tinged Rock with a rollicking pace and emphatic Raitt. The pace once more slackens for radiant, emotional country ballad “Undone,” written by up and coming country singer/songwriter Bonnie Bishop. While “Undone” is the antithesis of “Shakin’ Shakin’Shakes,” it’s a brilliant contrast that Raitt nails – who’d expect any less.

“If You Need Somebody”

Another Raitt original comes next with “If You Need Somebody,” with guitarist George Marinelli composing the music and Raitt handling the lyrics. What stands out on this mid-tempo number is not only Raitt’s assertive, gritty pipes, but also the harmonic progression with its distinct twists and turns. So much of contemporary music lacks adventuresome chords and relies on a tried and true script, but “If You Need Somebody” features enough quirks to keep things fresh.

“Gypsy In Me,” written by Gordon Kennedy and Wayne Kirkpatrick, continues to place Dig In Deep on the consistent, there are no misses to be found track. Keeping the speed moderately-paced, Raitt bests a respectable “If You Need Somebody” which was no slouch in itself! Maybe it’s the mean sounding guitars or the “hit you in the soul” B3 organ. “The Comin’ Round Is Going Through” provides another original, keeping on pace with Raitt interpreting others works and adding some of her own, this one another collaboration with guitarist George Marinelli. This cut has the feistiness and attitude of a burning country song and blues-rock fused into one.

“You’ve Changed Me”

Penultimate record “You’ve Changed Me” comes by way of Grammy-winning Americana singer/songwriter and producer Joseph Lee Henry. Chilling and incredibly emotional, the tenderness which Raitt executes with here is stunning. Controlled yet electrifying, “You’ve Changed Me” is nothing short of radiant. The use of upright bass doesn’t hurt – particularly during the bowed portions. “The Ones We Couldn’t Be” concludes Dig In Deep fittingly in the hands of Raitt, who covers all songwriting duties appropriately. While typically ballad following ballad isn’t always a winning formula, it is in the case of Bonnie Raitt.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Dig In Deep is yet another terrific and consistent album from Bonnie Raitt who honestly can’t seem to have an off album as of late. Raitt is one of the best musicians who is a consummate professional and upstanding in every way. There are no misses whatsoever here, with covers and originals alike being exceptional.

Gems: “Unintended Consequence Of Love,” “What You’re Doin’ To Me,” “Gypsy In Me” & “You’ve Changed My Mind”

Bonnie Raitt • Dig In Deep • Redwing • Release: 2.26.16

Photo Credit: Redwing