Bonnie Raitt rocks Ryman Auditiorium, repeatedly

"What a gift a beautiful song is," Bonnie Raitt told a sold-out Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday during the final show of her two-day Nashville run. "There's nothing like the power of music."

For two hours, Raitt and her band expertly wielded that power, delivering a captivating set of blues rock that spanned her 45-year career, ranging from her 1971 eponymous debut album to her latest record, "Dig in Deep," which was released in February.

Raitt is a masterful interpreter of songs, and she was at the top of her game Wednesday night, turning out seemingly effortless slide guitar solos and honeyed vocals that broke hearts with one breath and mended them with the next. Fan favorites like "Something to Talk About" and "I Can't Make You Love Me" earned her standing ovations, and her wry stage banter, like when she noted that she'd gone more than four decades "without having to get a regular job," charmed the capacity crowd.

Throughout the evening, Raitt pointed out friends and songwriters in the audience, and invited a handful of collaborators onstage. John Prine joined her for a lovely version of his song "Angel from Montgomery," which Raitt recorded for her 1974 album, "Streetlights," and the final song of the night, "Your Sweet and Shiny Eyes." Delbert McClinton and Keb' Mo' also sang duets with her, and two members of opening act The California Honeydrops contributed bluesy horns to "Women Be Wise," a Sippie Wallace song that Raitt recorded more than 40 years ago.

After keyboard player Mike Finnigan delivered a scorching tribute to the late B.B. King, Raitt remarked, "I'll never get this grin off my face." When the lights came back up, similar smiles could be found in every pew.