Am I man enough to take on Bettye LaVette Twice In One Night? Yes I am.
The High Preistess of emotionally drenched, gut-punch, way-down-deep-inside soul and R&B singing, Bettye LaVette is playing The Purcell Room in London on Thursday night.
Actually, Bettye is playng two shows: one at 8pm and 10pm. I’m pulling double duty and going to both. There is no way that I could allow myself to leave the venue knowing that Bettye was coming out to deliver the (more) goods.My love affair with Bettye started when my good friend, The Kingfish, turned me on to her album, “Child of the 70′s“. After that I latched on to “I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise” (check our her version of Lucinda William’s “Joy”) and “Scene of the Crime“. This last album was recorded with the Drive-By Truckers and Spooner Oldham backing her up. Patterson worked with Bettye to write the song, “Before the Money Came: The Battle of Bettye LaVette”. Are you unfamiliar with Bettye’s story? Do you want to find out about her in under five minutes? Just hit play, brothers and sisters. (all those album links I gave you are to reviews…worth the read)
Here are the songs I mentioned plus a few others that make my water boil:
Now, I am flat out hooked on her new album, “Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook”. To everyone of the artists that she covers on this set…sorry, Bettye owns these songs now. This video is her rendition of The Who’s, “Love Reign O’er Me”, performed at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2008. Surely you have seen this, right? If not…buckle up.
I’ll post my review of the night’s two shows. Bettye is my fave female singer of all time. I won’t sacrifice her at the Alter of Unmet Expectations (assuming I set them too high)…I am just happy to get the chance to see her…twice.
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My concert going is about to pick up a mighty head of steam. I have already seen Winwood/Clapton and Willie Nelson…and now, Bettye on Thursday. After that I take off in an all out sprint until I hit the Wilco gig in September. Here is what is on the menu (for now):
- The Hold Steady
- The Black Keys
- Stevie Wonder / Alejandro Escovedo / Carinne Bailey Rae / Florence Rawlings (festival)
- Jackson Browne
- Jeff Tweedy (solo gig)
- Buddy Guy
- Leon Russell
- Kris Kristofferson
- Wilco
Yeah…LOTS of concert reviews coming up.
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You can do it, mate. A double-whammy set of wholesome soul and bone-shaking rhythm and blues. I wish, I wish, I wish . . .
@horringbone Kipster I have an extra for each show…seriously. Bettye LaVette is worth the flight.
On the way to see the Bettye LaVette show…Twice! Have tix for the 8pm & 10pm. If you see me there and need a tix I have a spare for the first show. This is gonna be good…
Bettye x2. Staggering. 2nd show was better. “Isn’t It a Pity”, “Don’t Come Easy”, “All of My Love”, “Love Reign O’er Me” and “Your Time to Cry” were the 2nd show highlights.