Raitt's 'Nick of Time' is among 'Definitive 200'

"Nick of Time" was a turning point for Bonnie Raitt. The 1989 album elevated the blues singer-songwriter to a new level of success and earned her three Grammy Awards.

Now it's part of the "Definitive 200" list of albums and soundtracks co-sponsored by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The list, which was chosen by a committee of music retailers within NARM, was released Tuesday.

Raitt, 57, told The Associated Press that her album was "the right album for the right time." "Nick of Time" is ranked at No. 137, between Sarah McLachlan's "Surfacing" and Metallica's "Ride the Lightning."

The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" tops the list. The rest of the top 10, in order: Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon," Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Led Zeppelin's "Led Zeppelin IV," U2's "The Joshua Tree," the Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street," Carole King's "Tapestry," Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited," Nirvana's "Nevermind" and Pearl Jam's "Ten."

Raitt, who's made her share of best-of lists over the years, said she'd find it difficult to rank albums by her favorite artists.

"I'm always asked about things ... 'What are the most significant, you know, 10 of this or 20 of that,"' she said. "But what's important is that it's not a contest. You do your best work and everybody's got a subjective opinion about what albums mean the most to them."

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On the Net: National Association of Recording Merchandisers: www.narm.com; www.rockhall.com; www.bonnieraitt.com