Let's get something straight from the start: the only real best of Bonnie Raitt will be a box set of at least eight CDs — most of her Warner catalog would be in it (her first four albums in their entirety to be sure), all of Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw, selections from her other studio albums, one live disc taken from all points of career, and one disc of B-sides, rarities, and collaborations such as her very early appearances with Sippie Wallace at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. Liner notes should be reflections by a host of rock critics, filmmakers, novelists, painters, factory workers, housewives, mechanics, horse trainers, and most of all, broken lovers, broken and otherwise — anybody who's had her music pull them through a long dark night. And if anybody thinks eight CDs it too ambitious, ask a real Raitt fan and they'll tell you. Why there isn't a Raitt box is anybody's guess, but unless it's done properly, it shouldn't be done at all.
As for The Best of Bonnie Raitt on Capitol 1989-2003, its 18 tracks, handpicked by the artist herself as a portrait of her renaissance years — and she's still at the top of her game — are indicative of the high-quality work ethic she imposes on herself. Sometimes these songs reveal the queen doing a definitive read on John Hiatt's "Lovers Will" (a song that deserves far, far more than it got — the ache in her voice is the real grain of somebody who has been on both sides of love's hot broken arrow and still has faith enough to sing), or "Thing Called Love." Sometimes she's bringing the songs of Paul Brady ("Not the Only One"), Bonnie Hayes ("Love Letter" and "Have a Heart"), or even David Gray ("Silver Lining") and Richard Thompson ("Dimming of the Day") to the masses in ways that define them for a different audience. And sometimes, it's simply Raitt playing her own songs ("Nick of Time" and "Spit of Love") full of a poetic, sensual ferocity that oozes tenderness and commitment. And throughout it all is her trademark bottleneck slide, coaxing love notes or razored snarls out of her Stratocaster. There aren't any unreleased tracks here, but for the money you get the best of the best and her own comments on each song as well as a short essay about what this music means to her. Given that you don't have that box set (yet), that means this is worth whatever you happen to pay for it — but don't forget about getting some of those Warner albums (Give It Up is a great place to start). Here is the astonishing range, from deep blue-eyed bluesy soul, sheeny reggae-tinged pop, and adult rock & roll that moves and inspires anyone with an open mind. May she live and make music forever.

1. Thing Called
2. Nick Of Time
3. Have A Heart
4. Love Letter
5. Something To Talk About
6. I Can't Make You Love Me
7. Not The Only One
8. Love Sneakin' Up On You
9. You
10. Dimming of the Day
11. Love Me Like A Man
12. Spit of Love
13. One Belief Away
14. Lover's Will
15. I Can't Help You Now
16. Gnawin' On It
17. Silver Lining
18. Hear Me Lord