| Released 30 years late, Souvenirs (Art & Soul/Melodie) balances it's 18 tracks of deep soul that make Diana Ross (with or without the Supremes) sound like fair ground music. During 'Your Time to Cry' Bettye LaVette portrays the sharp lyricism of a Joe Tex or an Al Green, so dramatic but avoiding the pathos that undoes the reputation of many a gospel singer.
Bettye is in Paris without the Muscle Shoals (too expensive), but with the outstanding sensuality of a young 50 year old.
The level of the Meridian, comfortable saloon where it was once good to sip bourbon when Bobby Blue Bland came to town, is now maybe trying to improve its reputation?
There are only 4 more days, a lifetime, to warm to the love cries of Bettye LaVette, several octaves of southern fury that should put Tina Turner out to retirement |
