Delaney & Bonnie and Friends - To Bonnie From Delaney (Mono) (Édition Studio Masters) (2014) Hi-Res

To Bonnie from Delaney was the third studio album by the duo, coming on the heels of Home and The Original Delaney & Bonnie & Friends (Accept No Substitute), both of which were released in 1969, but on Stax and Elektra, respectively, but it was actually their first studio album for Atco. It was not, however, the first album they released on Atco: that honor went to On Tour with Eric Clapton, released earlier in 1970.

The attachment of Mr. Clapton’s name to the album no doubt had something to do with the fact that On Tour was Delaney & Bonnie’s biggest chart success, but from a studio-album standpoint, it’s To Bonnie with Delaney that provided them with their highest placing, with the album peaking at #58 on Billboard’s Top 200 in October 1970. It took them into the Billboard Hot 100 as well, with “Soul Shake” hitting #43 and “Free the People” hitting #75, but if these titles don’t ring a bell, consider these selling points instead: among the Bramletts’ “friends” on the album, you’ll find Little Richard, Duane Allman, King Curtis, and legendary steel guitarist “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow.

The eclectic pop/rock duo Delaney & Bonnie presents a set of charming tunes on this early-1970s outing, which includes 'God Knows I Love You,' 'They Call It Rock & Roll,' and 'Alone Together.' Delaney and Bonnie hit their pop-soul prime on this, their first Atlantic Records album.

Buoyed by their acclaim from their first Elektra album, as well as their association with Eric Clapton, the group switched record labels and recorded this, probably their most definitive album. Backed by an awesome cast of musicians which included Jim Gordon (drums), Kenny Gradney (bass -- later of Little Feat), and many others, this record shows why anyone connected with the band became a tambourine-shaking convert to soul-based rhythm & blues rock.

Some great vocal performances by Bonnie Bramlett, especially the low-down 'The Love of My Man,' show why she was put in the same league as Janis Joplin. One of the more definitive albums of the period.“ (Matthew Greenwald)