Bettye LaVette
I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise
I first heard this 60-year-old Detroit blueswoman in March 2006, performing live with Buddy Guy at beautiful Hamilton Place in this
otherwise dreary Southern Ontario steeltown, and her innovative interpretations of various female recording artists continues to
send chills down my spine after repeated listens of this CD.
It begins with a soulful a capella version of Sinead O’Connor’s
"I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got", and the CD just gets better
on the following tracks, notably a funked-up version of Lucinda Williams’
"Joy", sadly forgotten Joan Armatrading’s "Down to
Zero",
a surprisingly haunting entry by Dolly Parton called "Little
Sparrow" and Fiona Apple’s "Sleep to Dream" (the latter containing the
title reference).
Ms. LaVette’s voice has a lot in common with Tina Turner’s, so I’m kind of surprised none of her songs were included, especially
since Turner recorded a rendition of 16-year-old LaVette’s top-10 R&B hit,
"My Man – He’s a Loving Man".
No two songs on this recording sound alike, and the versatility in playing and vocal styles is very much appreciated. Bettye is
variously joined on guitars by Chris Bruce and Doyle Bramhall II, on piano/organ and Wurlitzer electric piano by Lisa Coleman,
on electric bass by Paul Bryan, on drums by Earl Harvin, on upright bass by David Piltch and on backing vocals by Niki Haris
and Valerie Watson.
Although I’m not familiar with the tune, Dee Dee Ford’s "Let Me Down
Easy" has become LaVette’s finale selection (described
in the liner notes as a "gut wrenching showstopper") in her live performances, but I found the woefully under-exposed Apple’s
"Sleep
to Dream" much more memorable as a closing tune, as it appears here.
Whether you prefer the funkier, rocked-up productions or the mellower selections, this album is guaranteed to satisfy the hell-raiser
in every woman.
- Diane Wells -
Southwest Blues CD Review - October 2007
Current Reviews - 2007 Reviews - available at our store
