Bettye LaVette

Funny the timing of this post. About three or four days ago I was listening to WWOZ in my car and this song came on. I wasn't really paying attention at first but then I realized I recognised it as a cover of (and a really horrid one at that)  "Love reign over me" by the Who. The vocal itself was okay but the styling and tempo of the cover was just god awful. And the artist, of course, none other then Bettye LaVette, with whom I was, up to that point, unfamiliar with. It seemed like a really odd choice of material to cover by a performer of her specific talents. Audition it if you dare.

That cover is from a different, and in my view, inferior recording she did a while back.  I urge you to listen to either Blackbirds or Things Have Changed, you might be surprised and impressed.  

Got in a sealed copy of "The 1972 Muscle Shoals Sessions" on ROG this week plus "Blackbirds"

The song 'Love Reign O'er Me' can be found on her album call 'Interpretations', as a bonus track. A british rock songbook of 60s and 70s tunes by Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Traffic, and  Elton John.

You will hear these songs under a new light. They were transformed.  A great album.

This was the 1st LaVette album I purchased. Just got 'Blackbird. Will look for 'Things have Changed'. 

Thanks!

When I discover a voice like LaVette's, I want to go back to her early roots. Listening to "1972 Muscle Shoals Sessions" now. Wonderful!