The Beauty of Song, Part Two: Bonnie Raitt

The one and only. (You'll notice how I don't use that phrase here often. :-))



Bonnie Raitt is the daughter of Broadway musical star John Raitt, and her own musical style - a mix of country, blues and rock and roll - couldn't be farther from the show tunes her father performed. She enjoyed a strong reputation for being one hot rockin' blueswoman in the 1970s with classic albums such as Give It Up, Takin' My Time, and Home Plate.

Commercial success finally came for Bonnie Raitt in 1989 with her LP Nick Of Time, which one three Grammys - Album of the Year, Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and, for the title song, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Other hits from the record included "Have a Heart" and a cover of John Hiatt's "Thing Called Love." Her 1991 album Luck Of the Draw was an even bigger success, and it featured the hit singles "Something To Talk About" and "Not The Only One."

She looks more beautiful with age. She turns sixty this November 8. :-)

The Beauty of Song, Part Two: Katy Perry

Katy Perry is part of a new generation of edgy female singer-songwriters - she is not the second coming of Joni Mitchell! - and she gets as much attention for her fashion sense as her music. And her music is getting a lot of attention.



Her breakthrough hit was 2008's "I Kissed A Girl," not to be confused with the song of the same name from Jill Sobule. Perry, the daughter of evangelical ministers, defends the song in these terms:

"Love it, hate it, for me it was about us girls. When we're young, we're very touchy-feely. We have slumber party sing-alongs, we make up dance routines in our pajamas. We’re a lot more intimate in a friendship than guys can be. It’s not perverse but just sweet, that's what the song is about."

The Beauty of Song, Part Two: Country singer Beth Nielsen Chapman

Beth Nielsen Chapman is a country singer-songwriter with huge crossover appeal.



Her songs have been recorded by other artists, and she's had several hits of her own, such as "All I Have," "I Keep Coming Back To You," and the achingly beautiful "The Moment You Were Mine."

The Beauty of Song, Part Two: Sarah McLachlan

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is as beautiful as her music.



Known for her mezzo sporano voice, McLachlan is known for her heartfelt, enmotional ballads. Her hits include "Angel" and "I Will Remember You."



She's also known for her charity work, particularly with promoting animal welfare. :-)