#492 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt (1989) sits at #492 and earns every bit of it. The back half of the RS500 is where the interesting debates live. The Capitol pressing is built for vinyl playback — the kind of album that sounds better on wax.”
Bonnie Raitt is an American blues and rock singer-songwriter born in 1949 into a musical family—her father, John Raitt, was a Broadway star. She emerged in the 1970s as a distinctive interpreter of blues standards and original compositions, establishing herself with albums like "Give It Up" (1972) and "Takin' My Time" (1973). After years of critical acclaim but limited commercial success, Raitt achieved breakthrough stardom with her 1989 album "Nick of Time," which won four Grammy Awards and established her as a major force in mainstream rock. Her subsequent albums, including "Luck of the Draw" (1991) and "Fundamental" (1998), solidified her status as one of rock's most respected female artists.
Style
Raitt's music blends blues, rock, and folk influences, characterized by her distinctive husky vocals, fingerstyle slide guitar work, and emotionally direct songwriting that draws from both traditional blues and contemporary material.
Significance
Raitt is significant to vinyl collectors for her genuine mastery of blues-rock traditions and her role in bringing blues music to mainstream audiences during the 1990s. Her early albums on Warner Bros. and Capitol Records are prized for their authentic instrumentation and production quality on vinyl.
Nick of Time marked a dramatic commercial breakthrough for Bonnie Raitt after two decades of critical respect but modest sales. Recorded in 1988-1989 at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, the album was produced by Don Was, known for his work with B-B King. Raitt collaborated with a stellar lineup of songwriters including John Hiatt ("Thing Called Love"), Pam Tillis ("Every Whisper of Your Heart"), and others who provided material perfectly suited to her soulful, blues-inflected style. The recording process focused on capturing authentic performances, with Raitt's slide guitar work remaining central to her sound while the production modernized her presentation for contemporary radio.
Historical Context
Released in February 1989, Nick of Time arrived at a pivotal moment when adult contemporary radio was expanding its formats. The album's lead single "Thing Called Love" became an unexpected hit, establishing Raitt's presence on mainstream radio for the first time. At the Grammy Awards in February 1990, Nick of Time won a stunning four awards including Album of the Year, making Raitt the oldest artist to win that honor at 40 years old. The win validated her decades of groundwork and introduced her artistry to a much broader audience, transforming her from a respected blues-roots performer into a mainstream star during the tail end of the 1980s pop dominance.
Pressing Notes
The original Capitol Records pressing features dynamic, warm mastering typical of late-1980s analog recording and digital technology. Early pressings on vinyl are readily available and sound excellent, with the album receiving good weight and groove depth. The LP benefits from strong engineering that captures the intimacy of Raitt's vocals and the clarity of her slide guitar against the full band arrangements. Collectors should note that the album has remained in print consistently since release, making original pressings accessible without significant premium pricing. Later 180-gram audiophile reissues exist, though the original Capitol pressings are equally valued for their authentic sound character.
Also Appears On
Own this record? Track it in your collection.