ROOM WITH A VIEW of the blues..... Bonnie Bramlett B.B. King's 02/18/04 Born Bonnie Lynn O’Farrell in East St. Louis, Bonnie began her career singing with Dexter Gordon and later as the only white backup singer with The Ike and Tina Turner Revue. In 1967 she met Delaney Bramlett and they formed a duo shortly after getting married. They joined The Stax Records roster and recorded one album called “Home” which was unreleased. In 1969 Elektra Records released “Accept No Substitute”, one of the best ever merging of country, blues and soul ever recorded. From 1969-1972 they had a string of hits including “Soul Shake”, “Only You Know & I Know” and “Never Ending Song of Love”. Eric Clapton went on tour with them as they were billed “Delaney and Bonnie and Friends”. She co-wrote “Let It Rain” and “Coming Home” with Eric Clapton and also co-wrote "Superstar” with Leon Russell. In 1971 The Carpenters version of “Superstar” topped the charts. In 1973 she divorced Delaney Bramlett and soon embarked on a solo career. She has 4 solo albums and her acting credits include the movie “The Doors” and The Roseanne Barr show where she was a regular. Her last appearance in New York 30 years ago was at Kenny’s Castaways. I just returned from The Bonnie Bramlett show at BB Kings Blues Club and Grill on 42nd St in New York City. The band is called "Mr. Groove" and was funkier than I had expected. She opened with a song written by Delaney Bramlett. She did a song by Ivory Joe Hunter, Percy Sledge's “Cover Me”, Timi Yuri’s “I’m Hurt”, George Harrison's "Something", Dr John’s "When The Battle Is Over", and “Only You Know & I Know” among others. The crowd consisted of knowledgeable Bonnie Bramlett fans eager to see her after such a long time. They were not disappointed, halfway through the performance they started to applaud her at the end of every line she sang. She was awesome! She has both power, and poise and that’s why she has been called “the greatest white female R&B voice to emerge from rock music”. After the show she thanked the audience and personally met with everyone who stayed. I’m already looking forward to the next time she’s in town and hope the wait isn’t quite so long. Her latest release is “I’m Still The Same” on the Audium label. Richard Ludmerer ricdale2@yahoo.com