Prior to
Nick of Time
,
Bonnie Raitt
had been a reliable cult artist, delivering a string of solid records that were moderate successes and usually musically satisfying. From her 1971 debut through 1982's
Green Light
, she had a solid streak, but 1986's
Nine Lives
snapped it, falling far short of her usual potential. Therefore, it shouldn't have been a surprise when
Raitt
decided to craft its follow-up as a major comeback, collaborating with producer
Don Was
on
. At the time, the pairing seemed a little odd, since he was primarily known for the weird hipster funk of
Was (Not Was)
, but the match turned out to be inspired.
Was
used
's classic early-'70s records as a blueprint, choosing to update the sound with a smooth, professional production and a batch of excellent contemporary songs. In this context,
flourishes; she never rocks too hard, but there is grit to her singing and playing, even when the surfaces are clean and inviting. And while she only has two original songs here,
plays like autobiography, which is a testament to the power of the songs, performances, and productions. It was a great comeback album that made for a great story, but the record never would have been a blockbuster success if it wasn't for the music, which is among the finest
ever made. She must have realized this, since
served as the blueprint for the majority of her '90s albums. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine