The Best of Bonnie Raitt on Capitol 1989-2003

1	Thing Called Love 3:50
2	Nick of Time 4:05
3	Love Letter 4:05
4	Have a Heart 4:48
5	Something to Talk About 3:47
6	I Can't Make You Love Me 5:31
7	Not the Only One Radio Edit Version 4:10
8	Love Sneakin' Up on You 3:40
9	You 4:27
10	Dimming of the Day 3:39
11	Love Me Like a Man Live 4:48
12	Spit of Love 4:41
13	One Belief Away Radio Edit Version 3:57
14	Lover's Will Radio Edit Version 3:37
15	I Can't Help You Now 3:12
16	Gnawin' on It 4:48
17	Silver Lining Radio Edit Version 3:37
18	Hear Me Lord 5:33

Barnes & Noble

Bonnie Raitt has been perfecting her blues-inflected rock for the better part of three decades, but it took some time for the singer-guitarist to hit the mainstream. This nicely paced 18-song collection does a pretty complete job of covering the period since her breakthrough, drawing from all six of Raitt's Capitol label releases, from strutting pop hits like "Thing Called Love" to more pensive ballads such as "I Can't Make You Love Me." The disc delivers all of Raitt's chart hits, as well as a passel of lesser-known, but equally compelling tunes. Fans who missed, say, the sensually slurry "Gnawin' on It" or the rending "Hear Me Lord" the first time around will be glad to have another shot at soaking up their pleasures. Packaged with a detailed booklet featuring song-by-song liner notes by Raitt herself, this is an ideal compendium of all the elements that make her such a strong thread in rock's tapestry. David Sprague

All Music Guide

The Best of Bonnie Raitt on Capitol 1989-2003, its 18 tracks handpicked by the artist herself as a portrait of her renaissance years, are indicative of the high-quality work ethic she has imposed on herself. Sometimes these songs reveal the queen doing a definitive read, such as on John Hiatt's "Lovers Will" (a song that deserves far, far more than it got -- the ache in her voice is the real grain of somebody who has been on both sides of love's hot broken arrow and still has faith enough to sing) or "Thing Called Love." Sometimes she's bringing the songs of Paul Brady ("Not the Only One"), Bonnie Hayes ("Love Letter" and "Have a Heart"), or even David Gray ("Silver Lining") and Richard Thompson ("Dimming of the Day") to the masses in ways that define them for a different audience. And sometimes, it's simply Raitt playing her own songs ("Nick of Time" and "Spit of Love") full of a poetic, sensual ferocity that oozes tenderness and commitment. And throughout it all is her trademark bottleneck slide, coaxing love notes or razored snarls out of her Stratocaster. There aren't any unreleased tracks here, but for the money you get the best of the best and her own comments on each song as well as a short essay about what this music means to her. Given that you don't have that box set (yet), that means this is worth whatever you happen to pay for it -- but don't forget about getting some of those Warner albums (Give It Up is a great place to start). Here is the astonishing range, from deep blue-eyed bluesy soul, sheeny reggae-tinged pop, and adult rock & roll that moves and inspires anyone with an open mind. Thom Jurek