This month, musician Bonnie Raitt and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola were both honorees of the Kennedy Center for their contributions to American culture. We're revisiting interviews with both of them. First, blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Bonnie Raitt spoke with Terry Gross in 1996 about her early years, finding her blues sound. And Francis Ford Coppola told us in 2016 the story of casting Marlon Brando in The Godfather. And film critic Justin Chang reviews two new movies: The Brutalist and Nickel Boys. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
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I'm David Biancooli.
One of this year's Kennedy center honorees is singer and songwriter Bonnie raitt.
She's a 10 time Grammy award winner, best known for her soulful voice and her hit singles from the late 1980s, something to talk about and I can't make you love Me.
She's also known for her depth of knowledge of classic blues.
We're going to listen to Terry's 1996 interview with Raitt.
At the time, she had released a live double CD called Road Tested.
That collection featured duets with some of the singer songwriters and rhythm and blues performers who had shaped her musical style.
Raitt was a 20 year old college student when she got to know and learn from them.
Terry invited Bonnie Raitt to bring and play some of the blues recordings that most influenced her.
Before we hear them, let's listen to a song from her first album, which was released in 1971.
This is the Robert Johnson song Walking Blues.
Woke up this morning I'm feeling.
Around in my shoes, you know, bad that I must have had them while walking blues woke up in small.
Well, you know, bad that I'm also held down while you do.
Bonnie Ray, welcome to FRESH air.
Hi Terry.
It's a pleasure to be here.