August 07, 2005

Bettye LaVette - Showcase

Followers of classic soul will already be familiar with the indominable Bettye LaVette, but for those unfamiliar, hopefully it will suffice for me to let you know that Bettye is a classic soul singer who has a new record produced byall around music geek (which is a good thing) Joe Henry, who if I'm not mistaken, also leads her band. On her latest release, I've Got My Own Hell to Raise, Bettye belts out tunes written by some powerful ladies, including Sinead O'Connor, Dolly Parton, and Lucinda Williams among others. If you liked what Anti records did for Soloman Burke,on his Don't Give Up on Me" release, you're gonna want to prick up your ears for this one. She will be playing a rare showcase at the Echo in Silverlake, and best of all it's a freebie. Get your groove on. The show is August 11th, at 7:00pm. DJ Egon (he who spins on Stones Throw Records) will be setting the mood. My favorite of the invite is the bit where Elvis Costello gets as gushy as a twelve year old girl when he talks about her.