Soul Queen Bettye LaVette Deconstructs British Rock Saturday Night At Bayfront Park

In 2005, 60s soul diva Bettye Lavette suddenly reappeared on the scene with her much-lauded comeback album, "I've Got My Own Hell To Raise," a collection of covers by the like of Sinead O Connor  and Aimee Mann sung in LaVette's distinctive gorgeous rasp.  LaVette has the gift of making the the most trivial song sound like the most important thing that has ever gone down, as exemplified by her very entertaining version of Kenny Rogers' "What condition my condition was in."

Five years deep into her comeback finds LaVette promoting her new record: "Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook." It's a worthy return to the tradition of  R&B singers covering British Invasion rock groups ala Otis Redding doing "Satisfaction.". But  what is special about this collection, is that Robert Plant - whose Led Zeppelin tune "All My Love"  is among the tunes covered -  is presenting LaVette's tribute as his opening act at Bayfront Saturday Night. That Plant thought highly enough of a cover tune to bring it to his millions of fans worldwide, is reason enough for you to leave your house an hour early to catch LaVette.

Here's a clip of LaVette stealing the show at the Kennedy Center Honors with her version of The Who's "Love Reign O'er Me."

  

 

Comments

[Oscar]

I was yesterday at Robert Plant's concert. Amazing concert. I was sitting on a corner when this lady showed up. "What the hell is this?", I thought. Man, when she opened her mouth I had to move closer to an empty seat with better view and I couldnt stop following her voice feeling the electricity inside my body. She is amazing, she stole my heart, thanks for coming to Miami!

[Margie]

Bettye LaVette...you rock! I was in Miami Bayfront July 31 2010...you came on stage and I couldn't take my eyes off of you! Not to be rude…but I had never heard of you before then, and what a privilege it was to experience your soulful voice, You kept me dancing, and filled my spirit with sweet joy! I have never experienced any woman who can sing like you can! Talk about making a woman feel sexy, and chills running down my spin…I watched the way you danced, moved, and sang with such power and elegance. I have pictures of you and the band that I will cherish, and in addition an experience I will not soon forget! I will definitely be buying your cd’s and following your career.
Thank you…Thank you …Thank you! And thank you to Mr. Plant for asking you to open for him! What a way to start a show! Come back again?!