Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal gave ’em something to talk about Sunday night at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.
The two blues veterans, who this summer teamed up for the inspired “BonTaj Roulet” tour, chased away the rainy holiday weekend blues with some high-powered blues of their own. It was a magical evening for fans of both artists.
“It took 40 years for this (tour) to happen,” Taj Mahal said as he and his band kicked off the three-hour, three-set show under menacing clouds.
Taj Mahal looked genuinely thrilled to be sharing the bill with Raitt, a multiple Grammy winner with whom he has had a long friendship and professional association.
With a large “BonTaj Roulet” banner hanging above him, Taj Mahal ripped through a powerful, entertaining set that featured such songs as “Hello Josephine” and “Further On Down the Road” (from his current “Maestro” album), “Senor Blues,” “EZ Rider” (a song from his first album in ’60s) and Bo Diddley’s classic “Diddy Wah Diddy.”
Raitt kicked off her set with “I Sho Do,” “Thing Called Love” and “Nick of Time,” thrilling the capacity crowd bundled up in warm clothing. Raitt had a small heater on stage were she could warm her fingers.
Backing her were the talented “Hutch” Hutchinson (bass), Ricky Fataar (drums), George Marinelli (guitars, vocals) and relative newcomer Ricky Peterson (keyboards, vocals).
For the Isaac Hayes classic, “Your Good Thing (Is About to End),” Raitt brought out Taj Mahal’s Texicali Horns, featuring Joe Sublett (sax) and Darrell Leonard (trumpet). Despite so many musicians on stage, the sound mix was phenomenal.
Taj Mahal strolled out for two songs in the middle of Raitt’s set: “Satisfied” and “Done Changed My Way of Living,” adding a special moment to an already electric show that highlighted Raitt’s famous slide-guitar prowess.
After Taj Mahal left the stage, Raitt offered a tender version of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” followed by “Love Letter,” “I Will Not Be Broken,” “Something to Talk About” and “Love Sneakin’ Up on You.”
The Bonnie-Taj finale, for which the skies remained dry, was an absolute delight despite a stage jammed with musicians from both bands. The set included “She Caught the Katy,” the calypso-flavored “Wah She Go Do,” “My Love Is So Strong” (featuring the drummers from both bands) and “Gnawin’ On It.”
Raitt was generous in her praise of all those involved in the show, from musicians to stage hands. She and Taj Mahal finished the show with “Coming Home” and the humorous “TV Mama.” Here’s a version of the latter song from an earlier date on the tour: