Takin' My Time
Bonnie Raitt · 1973
37 min · 10 tracks · blues
A soulful blend of blues and folk rock that showcases Raitt's powerful vocals and expressive guitar work.
Top tracks — play these first
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You’ve Been in Love Too Long Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy — This track highlights Raitt's ability to convey deep emotion through her voice, capturing the essence of heartache while showcasing her impressive slide guitar technique.
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I Gave My Love a Candle — The song's intricate arrangement and heartfelt lyrics display Raitt's storytelling prowess, making it a poignant reflection on love and loss.
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Cry Like a Rainstorm — This track stands out for its powerful vocal delivery and emotional intensity, marking a high point in Raitt's early career as an artist unafraid to delve into vulnerability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and musicianship, blending blues and folk rock effectively.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow tempo track, gradually introducing more upbeat songs before returning to a slower pace in the final tracks.
- Raitt's guitar work features prominently, often intertwining with her vocals, creating a dynamic interplay between the two.
- Several tracks incorporate elements of folk rock, with acoustic instrumentation complementing the blues foundation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate late-night reflections
- emotional storytelling journeys
- soulful vocal expressions
- moderate tempo engagement
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Helped solidify Raitt's reputation in the Americana and blues genres.
- Career context
- Released in January 1973, Takin' My Time was Bonnie Raitt's second studio album, following her self-titled debut. At this point in her career, Raitt was beginning to establish her unique sound, blending Americana influences with blues, setting the stage for her subsequent rise to prominence in the 1970s music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lucinda Williams· Shawn Colvin· Mary Chapin Carpenter
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Thought I Was a Child
The narrative shifts from innocence to realization, reflecting on lost opportunities and the pain of growing up.
This lyrical pivot effectively contrasts youthful naivete with the harsh truths of adulthood, enhancing the emotional depth of the song.
Tracklist
- 1 You’ve Been in Love Too Long Start here 3:40
- 2 I Gave My Love a Candle 4:20
- 3 Let Me In 3:33
- 4 Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy 3:25
- 5 Cry Like a Rainstorm 3:50
- 6 Wah She Go Do 3:15
- 7 I Feel the Same 4:39
- 8 I Thought I Was a Child 3:44
- 9 Write Me a Few of Your Lines / Kokomo Blues 4:34
- 10 Guilty 2:58
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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