Review
Tera Roberson
Staff Writer
For lovers of soul, there is Aretha. But for fans of the blues, there will always be Bonnie Raitt.
The crowd swelled quickly as the fans packed into the downtown Aerial Theater's new hot-spot, Bayou Place. By 8 p.m. most were in their seats and ready to be entertained, even if it wasn't yet by Raitt.
"A blues fan is a blues fan" would not be an inappropriate way to describe the audience's reception of Keb Mo, who opened up for Raitt. As he walked on the stage and began to play, the audience cheered, but not just out of courtesy - they definitely knew him.
The Los-Angeles born, New Orleans-based singer, songwriter and guitarist had fans of his own, many of whom he shares with Raitt. His blues created enough warmth and comfort to put visions of red clay roads and back porches in even the slickest of city men's minds and the hippest of city girls' thoughts.
Keb Mo filled requests from audience members who felt comfortable enough to shout out the songs they wanted to hear. He joked that they might as well enjoy, because "Bonnie ain't coming out here 'til nine, anyway."
However, Raitt surprised the crowd when she joined Keb Mo on stage to perform "Just Like You" from his 1996 Grammy Award-winning album.
As promised by Keb Mo during his 50-minute set, Raitt returned to the stage at 9 p.m. to perform her set.
As the purple lights glowed on the stage, Raitt got the show started by getting back to the fundamental things. She then pleased the audience and gave them "Something to Talk About."
Besides background and lighting changes during each song, presumably to set the mood, Raitt's show was free of anything but the blues.
During her performance of a song she wrote when she "was in hell," the stage shone with a brilliant red, making her face and auburn tresses glow.
As she was adorned in a cape, with her hair flowing freely behind her, it was hard to see that Raitt was really a small-framed woman. It was only when she took her cape off that you could see her tiny frame and wonder how she still stood after releasing half her soul during her performance.
Unlike so many entertainers whose shows are filled with theatrics, dancers and costumes, Raitt's plaintive two-hour set was exceptionally entertaining.
As Raitt and Keb Mo sat side by side performing, she leaned back with her legs crossed as they played what could have been the score to The Color Purple. It was a great moment.
It was quite evident Raitt was enjoying herself. She squatted down during some of the songs with her guitar in hand, all the while showing her passion and love for her music. At other times, she would dance in the middle of the stage as she encouraged her piano player, guitar players and drummer to play on.
Considered the queen of blues by fans, Raitt paid homage to blues legends before her. She cut time from her own set to perform songs from the Thunderbirds and other artists while audience members danced in front of the stage.
Raitt was like metal and the stage was a magnet. She returned twice before she sang "goodnight" and left for good. After two hours with Raitt, Houston blues fans definitely have something to talk about.