Episode 9: Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt

In this episode of Backwards Beats, Dan and Carl dive into Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time, a landmark album that was her breakthrough after years in the industry. They explore the album’s unique blend of blues, country, folk, and soft rock, discuss the impact of its production, and highlight some of its most compelling musical moments. Along the way, they touch on Bonnie Raitt’s career resilience, her Scottish ancestry (including a chilling ghost story), and her influence on modern Americana.

Key Points

• Bonnie Raitt’s Career Arc – How *Nick of Time marked her mainstream breakthrough after a decade of persistence.
• *Production & Sound – The album features three distinct production styles, from polished soft rock to raw, intimate blues.
• Musical Deep Dives* – Dan breaks down the harmonic sophistication of the title track and how the arrangement reinforces the song’s storytelling.
• The Mystery of the 500 List – Dan and Carl debate why Nick of Time made Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums list, while Luck of the Draw, her more commercially successful follow-up, did not.

Debora Harry singing Duke Ellington's Prelude to a Kiss

Annie Lennox singing Cole Porter's Every Time We Say Goodbye

Music Referenced

• Luck of the Draw by Bonnie Raitt
• Fleetwood Mac
• Music by 311
• Homebrew by 311
• 311 (The Blue Album) by 311
• Down by 311
• All Mixed Up by 311
• Stop This Train by John Mayer
• Shania Twain
• I Can't Go for That by Daryl Hall & John Oates
• Take Me to the River by Talking Heads
• Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon
• All Summer Long by Kid Rock
• Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits
• David Crosby
• Graham Nash
• Family Dinner - Volume 1 by Snarky Puppy
• Family Dinner - Volume 2 by Snarky Puppy
• Something by Snarky Puppy
• Lalah Hathaway
• On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
• Turn the Page by Bob Seger
• Turn the Page by Metallica
• Herbie Hancock
• Prelude to a Kiss by Duke Ellington