October 18, 2005 | Posted by David B. at 7:35 PM

First class scene-stealer

raising hellWhile browsing through the Anti Records website the other day, I came across the artist page for Bettye LaVette. I had heard about this record, which was produced by singer-songwriter Joe Henry, who also produced Aimee Mann's new album, but I hadn't heard anything from it. Then I did. And it's great.

LaVette is known primarily for work in the sixties and seventies, mostly covering other peoples' songs to great acclaim. She recently signed to Anti, and the resulting record, I've Got My Own Hell To Raise, follows suit. Tracks on the CD were written by Sinead O'Connor, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Lucinda Williams and others. One of the songs is this, by Joan Armatrading:

Bettye LaVette - Down To Zero.

The original track is amazing, and while this isn't better, it certainly follows ably in Armatrading's footsteps. What I love about this recording - in addition to LaVette's great voice - is how Henry produced this in such a tangible way. Everything on the CD sounds perfectly in place, which is particularly important for this song, since the original had the same feel. The whole record is very good.

You can order I've Got My Own Hell To Raise from Amazon.

Comments

I got the album at the start of the month (thanks to Rough Trade) and I was quite suprised at how good it was. Very strong album.

Posted by: Andrew at October 23, 2005 10:21 AM
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