Bettye LaVette "I've Got My Own Hell To Raise" – Soul sister from the '60s/'70s. Here on her new album she is doing all covers, but manages to make them sound like her own. Several songs have new lyrics and some have a completely different feel. The music ranges from tough lowdown funk to soulful ballads to more almost adult contemporary music. Some of the music is a little too polished for my taste, but the vocals really make up for it. Her voice is raw and rough (a little like Tina Turner) and full of emotion. She doesn't just sing the words, she's lived the songs and that really brings them alive. I'm so happy to hear her voice is just as powerful as ever, and even happier that there aren't any casio keyboards on this album! FCC violation on track 8.
My Picks: 1, 2, 7
Katie P. 10/4/05

1)Acapella piece. Raw emotional vocals. Beautiful and simple. Almost sounds like a traditional song.
2)Tough fuzzed out guitar and bass. Solid midtempo funk with raw rough vocals. Nice organ too.
3)Acoustic guitar strumming and piano. Full band comes in to a slow dragging midtempo. Again the vocals are nice and raw.
4)Slow ballad with piano and guitar. Soft drums and bass. Sad lyrics with a great smoky voice. She doesn't just sing the lyrics, she's lived it.
5)Funky dragging midtempo. Fuzzed out guitars. Backup female vocals. Sad yet tough lyrics.
6)Slow and quiet guitar. Raw intimate vocals. This is so sad.
7)Slow, deliberate, creeping, and heavy. Wow, Dolly Parton's “Little sparrow” will never sound the same. This is FUNKY!! Damn!
8)FCC: says “fuck” in the middle. Solid midtempo with a bit of a bounce. Guitars and piano. Definitely has an Aimee Mann feel to it, but with a bit more roughness and funkiness.
9)Funky and lowdown. Nice organ along with fuzzed out guitar and bass. Fun wah-wah too. Faster midtempo. Tough sassy vocals.
10)Starts with percussion. Slowly adds in the guitars, etc. Vocals are slightly processed. Definite lowdown funky feel.