By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 03:15 pm:

I'm a record reviewer today. Bettye was kind enough to send me her latest CD. Well I am happy to report that it is wonderful. As one would expect, her vocals are powerful and bluesy. Perfect for the genre of the
CD which is very much blues oriented. The tracks are slick and very well done. ( As we would expect with anything that Rudy Robinson would be involved with.) There are some great horn parts as well as some very cool back-up vocals. Alan Mirikitani gives up some tasty guitar licks throughout the length of the CD. However what really makes this CD is Bettye. Her unique, gutsy, bluesy voice cuts through the well executed tracks and drills right into you. From the rocking opening track " Serves Him Right " to the gut wrenching " Thru The Winter " which is a song many will relate to, nothing disappoints. Take a listen to the extremely provacative " Thinking About You " , guys and you'll be throwing away your Viagra.
I honestly didn't know what to expect when I knew I would be getting Bettye's CD. I wanted it to be good because I happen to like Bettye very much. We barely knew each other all those years ago but we're similarily rooted to that era. I have the deepest respect for her. She is without a doubt genuine. The term " diva " has been so abused these last few years, but the powers that be are welcome to put Bettye's name on the list. It certainly would give better credibility to the conversation.
I hope that the entire Soulful Detroit family will support Bettye by enjoying her CD. I promise you, you won't be disappointed. Bettye, all the best of luck with this fine CD. Go out there and kill them baby.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 03:27 pm:

Ralph:
Thanks. I will definitely check out Betty when she comes to Joe's Pub here in NYC on August 1st.
I'll bring my 45 of "Let Me Down Easy" with me.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 04:10 pm:

Wish I could join you Kev.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 05:17 pm:

You'll be there in spirit, Ralph.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Davie Gordon (212.159.94.2) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 05:07 am:

Ralph, God forbid that Bettye should be lumped in
with the "divas" - I hate that word ! - to mean it
means somebody who has technique over feeling and
usually an oversized ego to boot. It's also usually a term given by some silly queen who doesn't know any better.

Let's just call her one of the greatest soul singers and leave it at that - she's really in a class of her own.

End of morning rant ! :-)

Davie

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 09:34 am:

I'll buy that Davie.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 09:41 am:

"Diva" is of course something of a buzz-word these days, which seems to refer to any female singer who isn't Britney Spears. It was - I assume - borrowed from the world of opera, so if this trend continues, I expect very shortly to see every hack musician (who happens to be famous) being hailed as "Maestro" ;o)

By cookie holley (148.63.178.93) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 03:12 pm:

I have to agree, Ms LaVette really smokes on this album! Not a bad cut on it.

I specially like "It Serves Him Right" and "Right Next Door" both songs showcase the emotion she generates when she gets down.

Great stuff!

By Wonder B (81.51.205.225) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 03:23 pm:

Has anyone here on his shelf the fabulous THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC/ATCO RECORDINGS...? which feature Bettye LaVette's never before released songs she recorded for the Atco label in the early 70's...
THis album is a gem... it was released by a french label called ART & SOUL... if you dig deep I think you'll be able to find it and if you are as much a fan of Miss LaVette as I am I know you will be delighted....

Wonder B

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 03:45 pm:

Word of warning - there are bootleg (CDR) copies of the Art & Soul CDs doing the rounds, so beware.

By boynextdoor (65.238.91.181) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 09:20 pm:

I can't wait to get Bettye's new CD. I must admit, I love her Motorcity CD. "Good Luck" is one of my all time favorites. I don't think anyone could sing it like Bettye. Glad she's still out there "kicking it"!

By Wonder B (81.48.89.4) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 04:23 am:

Ritchie thanks for the tip... I personnally know the owner of Art & Soul (and a personal friend of Mrs LaVette) and I will tell him about it to see if he can stop that...

Wonder B

By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 05:30 pm:

Bettys CD is the absolute Bomb...there is no need to comment further on perfection. I have seen her perform the album sides live and in person. Let no man even hint that she is not a Diva, because she is the living embodiment of the word. Betty Lavette Rules.......and she's even finer in person than on her album cover. I am a fan, I have met her and kneeled before the true Detroit Queen. If you dont know you better ask somebody. Or you can come to Chicago and I'll educate ya !!!!

By SteveS (68.41.250.190) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 06:23 am:

Concert review from today's New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/05/arts/music/05LAVE.html