Track Listing

1. My Man
2. Damn Your Eyes
3. Right in the Middle (Of Falling in Love)
4. You'll Never Change
5. Almost
6. Your Turn to Cry
7. He Made a Woman Out of Me
8. Let Me Down Easy

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63764 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Live, Import
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Album Description
2007 Grammy finalist for Best Contemporary Blues Album for CD The Scene of the Crime (Anti).

This live concert presents a performance of majesty, richness, and depth featuring the feisty singer's theme song, "Let Me Down Easy," a starkly atmospheric and beautiful tune. She has won countless awards, including a W.C. Handy Award and the Living Blues Critic Pick for Best Female Blues Artist of the Year.

"Is there a more wrenching soul singer alive than Bettye LaVette?" -- Entertainment Weekly

"LaVette's chill-inducing performance is without question one of the finest you'll hear all year." -- USA Today

"LaVette's nuanced singing evokes prime Tina Turner with even more command." -- Rolling Stone

Billboard
"Raw. Gritty. Gut-wrenching...Proof that some things only get better with time..."

Time Out New York
"Bettye Lavette's latest album is easily the finest of her nearly 40-year career..."

Customer Reviews

The Great Bettye LaVette "Live"!
Bettye LaVette had to be all smiles after she read the reviews for the recent release of her "lost album", THE CHILD OF THE '70S which she recorded in Muscles Schoals for Atlantic Records. It was picked up by a European record company called Arts and Soul and released to ranting raves reviews. The CD is now called SOUVENIRS.

Now, Bettye LaVette, one of the great soul, blues, r & b singers ever, has a new CD, recorded "live" in Holland in 1999. This after her astonishing performance at New York's Columbia University where she garnered standing ovations and new admirers.

This CD captures some of the excitement of a singer who loves to sing and is determinded to give her audience what it came for...a great show.

There is no holding back with LaVette. When she hits the stage, she give 110%! That's why they love her throughout Europe and pack the clubs and blues festivals to see her perform. She opens with her first hit record, "My Man". It's faster here than on the original, but it's still hot and Bettye tells the truth as only she can. This song was also covered by Tina Turner when she was with Ike and by Ann Peebles when she was on HI Records. The song was so hot, it became a staple with practically every female r & b singer at the time, just like Wilson Pickett's "Midnight Hour" which was picked up by soul singing men and rock groups world-wide.

Bettye's version of Etta James' "Damn Your Eyes" is a highlight of the set. An original, Bettye doesn't copy Etta's version, but gives it new life and a fresh and exciting interpretation.

LaVette's renowned "Let Me Down Easy" always brings down the house. The original recording is now considered a classic, but the other covers of the song don't match Bettye's original. In concert, LaVette has given the song "wings" and she soars like a Phoenix leaving her listeners exhilerated. One of my favorites is "Almost", an early hit for LaVette. It's an easy-going swinger which wowed the audience at Columbia with Bettye adding a few choice dance steps.

With all of the non-singing that is dominating the airwaves lately, it's a pleasure to hear a singer that can still make you sit up and listen. LaVette's voice is unique in that she dosen't imitate anyone and gives everything she sings, guts and soul. If she feels like shouting, she'll shout, if she feels tender she can break your heart with a whisper...and if she get's "happy" she might do a little screamin' for ya. But, one thing, she does all of this with CLASS.

To me, she is among my favorites like Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Etta James, Ann Peebles, Shirley Brown and Loleatta Holloway.

And, if you ever get a chance to see Bettye in person. Do.

Bettye Has Never Let Her Listeners Down
There are few words to define Bettye's recent musical accomplishments. Her great performances in the past speak for themselves. Her soulful offerings of today prove the most valuable things in life improve with time.

Rarely, we have the opportunity to enjoy the "Real Thing", on recordings as well as live performances. Bettye LaVette is the "Real Thing"!!

'Let Me Down Easy' is a wonderful Concert. All the songs are great. ("Damn Yours Eyes" and "My Man" ARE REAL KNOCKOUTS)

If possible, it is a must to see her perform 'live'. If not, her recordings will demonstrate the tireless energy she puts in every song. Truly, soulful and refreshing.

thrilling, bluesy and moody
You only have to listen once to this album...... the introduction and then you will get lost in the moods of the artist. Her voice is going dwon from your ears to your tooths. Fantastic voice. A CD for your car, your room, your holiday.