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Product Description

With one eye on the intimate concept albums Sinatra invented at mid-'50s Capitol, and the other on the gritty yet sophisticated soul records produced at Atlantic in the '60s, this release offers ten songs that tell the story of Bettye LaVette. Recording stints at Motown, Atlantic, Epic, and a host of smaller labels left her with dreams to burn, and she pours every moment of hope and heartbreak from her 44 years in music into her tough-minded new collection. Choosing only songs written by female artists, she spins the tale of a woman in a world where men make the choices. For every moment of fear and loss, there's an answering moment of triumph and defiance. The songs are from such artists as Sinead O'Connor, Lucinda Williams, Joan Armatrading, Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, Aimee Mann, and more.

After four decades toiling in the record business with little more than a fervent cult following to show for it, Bettye LaVette can seem like soul music's equivalent of Roy Hobbs, protagonist of the bittersweet baseball fable The Natural. Whether this riveting collection of ten covers by an eclectic range of contemporary female singer/songwriters will change the husky-throated Detroit native's fortunes seems irrelevant: Its spare, dusky groove and intensely emotional, in-the-moment performances seem utterly disconnected from concerns as trivial as fame and fashion. A forceful, timely reminder that soul thrives on the singer and not the song, LaVette doesn't so much cover these songs as reinvent them from the inside out, be it the chilling, a capella read of Sinead O'Connor's "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" that opens the album, a gritty take of Lucinda Williams' "Joy" where the singer burns with a fire that might make Tina Turner envious or her recasting Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow" as bluesy omen and "How Am I Different" by Aimee Mann as inviting, r&b shuffle. In a musical era where soulful authenticity and emotional resonance are too often virtual, this album is a delicious dose of the Real Deal. -- Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

• Incredible!
  This is no comeback album. Bettye LaVette is right where she's always been, doing what she's always done; reaching into a song, finding its heart and staking a claim to it as her own. This is our chance for the world to catch up with her, and it couldn't be a finer opportunity.
  
  "I've Got My Own Hell To Raise" is ten songs from ten female writers who, at first blush, might be surprised they've written soul songs. In each case, opening with the cappella Sinead O'Connor's "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" and closing with Fiona Apple's "Sleep To Dream," LaVette not only taps the emotional essence of each song, she's able to transmit that emotion with no wasted effort or dramatic puffery.
  
  Even better, the brilliance of her performance is matched by the vitality of the attitude portrayed in each song. There's not a whimper to be heard from beginning to end. There's vulnerability, but no weakness. The show of strength is exhilarating.
  
  For those current day melisma-addicted "neo-soul" singers who think it's necessary to stretch every word over a dozen notes and add senseless swoops and trills as a sign of sincerity, "I've Got My Own Hell To Raise" will be a master class on what it means to sing with real soul. The great delight is that we get to sit in on the lesson any time we like.
  
  LaVette sings on the razor's edge of emotion. Every note, every tone, every pregnant pause has a meaning. It is naked, it is pure, it is powerful. LaVette knows what she wants to say, and even better, she has all the tools to tell us. This is a real voice. When she wants to hammer, she hits hard. When she needs to cut deep, she's a laser.
  
  The production of the CD provides the perfect setting for her performance. It's spare, and stripped down, making sure LaVette is always the centerpiece. Those who think horns are necessary for soul music might be disappointed, but they shouldn't be, because with this CD, horns would just get in the way. This is soul music, distilled to its essence, the way it should sound all the time.
  
  The CD is a flat out gem. You need this CD.
  
  ...more info
• Show Stopping.
  Bettye LaVette can't sing. Lavette can "sang." Time and sour taste has weathered her voice and bent a weird saddened state to her phrasing but it works here. She sounds like the last great gospel singer. She has the kind of voice that Aretha should have if she fell on hard times.
  The entire production is showstopping but the care she gives to Dolly Parton's work is masterful. It's an utter shame that this work might be ignored when awards are handed out but that's not the point. The point is that her work has gravity to it in a time when music is all about prodcution above everything else.
  Only Mavis Staples and the still great Etta James can come close to evoking such an a lived in performance to another's material....more info
• I've Got My Own Reflection to Raise......
  As you might know by now - the life of a Seer who reviews music can get very complicating. Be that as it may, everyday in my candlelit
  office I receive tons of complimentary selections of music. Music from lovers, friends, and guides. All these artists want to be among the select few that Metamorpho will review. Honestly, they all want to ride on my seer's coat tails to success. I can't blame them. A vote of confidence is gold from me and worth a platinum album or two. O.K. if you people can stop snickering, I will proceed.
  I sit here astounded and confounded. With my love of music so vast, how did I miss this? Why isn't she well known? Why have I missed this for so long? Why has everyone? Some generous seer friends of mine (luscious, exciting women apprentices) sent this to your beloved Metamorpho. I have to say I am knocked out by this. Bettye LaVette is fantastic! As a blues-soul singer she is top notch. She will somewhat remind you of Tina Turner, before she got overly polished by the corporation. And she doesn't have the lung power of Aretha - but, believe me people, she more than makes up for it with sheer raw, emotional, down deep ache and attitude that defies classification. The difference here between her and other artists is that she doesn't merely sing - she FEELS what she sings. And that, my dedicated audience, is the difference between good and great.
  This c.d. is a treasure. Such attitude and power here. Bettye is singing from a women's viewpoint of being vulnerable - yet, stating very clearly that she's nobody's fool and doesn't play. I love the empowerment she gives herself with these selections. It's the attitude that you can try to hurt me - but you won't - because I won't allow it. I have listened to this many times since I got it, and it is a fortuitous find. You see? If you are good to the universe, it will be good to you. This music is real soul and heart at it's finest. If you can feel emotion - get this- it's great!
  Some standouts that I should point out.......she begins acapella with "I Do not Want What I Haven't Got" which I thought strange at first. And, me not being a great fan of solo acapella, was wary of it. On repeated listenings I can tell you that it makes all the sense in the world. She is showing you that, right up front, I've got the goods, with or without a band. And, yes Bettye, you made me a believer with this song. Unreal.
  With "Joy" we have Bettye looking for her joy because someone took it. And she looks everywhere for it. Just like your beloved Seer. Nobody should take your joy and if they do - you've got to get it back. "Down to Zero" is one of the most emotional broken-heartened ballads I've ever heard. Bettye's vocals are drenching with hurt. I love "The High Road" for it's honesty and strength through the tears. Bettye conveys this heart with the best emoting I have heard. My heart cries on this one (and many others). She knows the way to hurt and emotion - and she's damn good at it!
  "On the Surface" is a lumering blues-soul tune but very revealing as to the public and private view of all of us. "We can face tomorow, but honey we got to get through today". What a great line. It's not a song written by Bettye, actually none of them are. But it hardly matters. She sings these tunes with more gut-wrenching emotion than most artists do in a lifetime. Take my word, Metamorpho never lies (unless it suits him!).
  I could pinpoint other tunes here, but it would be to no avail. Every one is excellent in it's own right. She is such a stylist - and an excellent one at that.
  Be forewarned - this is not rave up soul or blues. This doesn't kick your bloodcells into frenzied pumping. No. Bettye's music here gets under your skin and slowly works it's way up into your brain. And it's music that makes you feel your humaness - not clinically detract from it- as some music today can do. This is the real deal. You like to feel reality? Well Bettye does this- but she does this with hurt, all the time- while looking for her and your joy. Real good stuff here Bettye. Glad I found you.
  
  I sleep to listen to Bettye----awed---Metamorpho ...more info
• Amazing woman...
  If you're a fan of classic soul, this womans work is a must in your collection. Her powerful, raspy, raw voice, together with some amazing lyrics will have you listening to these tracks over and over. Check out 'Down to Zero'... I can't stop listening!...more info
• great album
  I heard a couple of samples of Betty LaVette on a website. I really enjoed what I heard so I bought the album.
  It was good investment, the album is great, it takes a bit of listening to, and you need to take time out to listen to it, it is not background music. Enjoy ...more info