SOULS ALIKE - CD

Personnel: Bonnie Raitt (vocals, acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Bonnie Raitt; Jon Cleary (guitar, piano, Wurlitzer piano, Hammond b-3 organ, Wurlitzer organ, background vocals); Mitchell Froom (Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer piano, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards, mini-Moog synthesizer); James "Hutch" Hutchinson (bass guitar); George Marinelli (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Maia Sharp (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, background vocals); David Batteau (guitar synthesizer); Ricky Fataar (drums, percussion); John Capek (loops); Arnold McCuller, Sweet Pea Atkinson (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Tchad Blake. Recording information: Lairiope Studios, Santa Monica, CA (2004); Sound Factory, Hollywood, CA (2004); Studio D, Sausalito, CA (2004). Photographers: Norman Moore; Sam Jones . Well into the fourth decade of Bonnie Raitt's recording career, SOULS ALIKE finds the beloved vocalist/guitarist showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, this 2005 album marks the first time that Raitt produced her own record (with assistance from longtime associate Tchad Blake), allowing her a new level of creative input. The most significant change on SOULS ALIKE is its lack of overtly bluesy numbers. Although Raitt's emotive singing and guitar playing almost always feature an element of the blues, that vibe is downplayed here in favor of a mellower rock atmosphere exemplified by opening track "I Will Not Be Broken," a laid-back tune with a deceptively defiant message. Other standouts are the dreamy "God Was in the Water" and the funky, loop-laden "Deep Water," as well as the gorgeous closer, "The Bed I Made," which carries a light, jazzy feel and showcases the more delicate side of Raitt's vocals. Though SOULS ALIKE does mark a bit of a departure for Raitt, it's true enough to her style and strengths to retain her old fans while gaining some new admirers.