Bettye's begging four times 'please!' toward the end of this record, make yer knees turn to jelly! I used to use Bettye's early records as benchmarks to aspire to when coaching a girl who wanted to be a soul singer. By the way: Check out Jean Stanback's little voice crack in 'I Still Love You' on Deep Soul Treasures V1, for another sublime moment! These albums were Dave Godin's selection of great and mostly lost singles, and the first three at least were blinders!!!
WOW! This arrangement blows away the original and really draws her out. She loves it and it shows. Thank you Bettye Lavette and thank you Motorcity for this FABULOUS! recording.
I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard of Bettye Lavette until she was at the Kennedy Center Honors doing an outstanding job singing The Who's "Love Reign On Me". She is phenomenal. Her voices makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Beautiful voice!!!!!!
to say this song is underrated in the music r&b world is an understatement....they only play it on satellite radio whic is think is a crying shame...i live in houston and i can honestly say they don't play this damn song on our rythm and blues station....thanks
I have heard other songs entitiled Let Me Down Easy.Little Miton's used to be my favorite, until i heard Mrs.Lavette's version. The lyrics are hauntingly familiar and deep. This lady is an outstanding singer and performer. Do your thang MOMMIE!!
Shame on all native americans (just joking). I'm a middleaged white man, born and raised in Sweden (Europe). I heard of Bettey LaVette for more than 25 years ago. Her voice is outstanding along with Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples.
When she recorded "Let Me Down Easy" a guy she was in love with was in the studio . They had just broke up.When she finished singing her heart out on this song (the original is much slower than this one) everyone in lthe control room was in tears -except that guy! Check out the original.
This sister has the same "soul feelin'" as Etta James!! 'Bout time that she gets a little respect. And a travelin' buddy of Otis Redding! What a duet that would have made!!
I had never heard of Bettye LaVette until yesterday when I saw her sing with Bon Jovi on the Washington Mall. I was stunned and came to YouTube to find out more about her. She is truly talented.
I never heard this lady before but when I heard her sing on at Obama inaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial I was blown away by her raspy voice and soul. I have to read up on her. I live music I don't know how this talent passed me. I am a fan now. Excuse me I have to look and listen more of Ms. Lavette lol nice post tyvm.
Unfortunately, for me, I had never heard of Bettye Lavette until I saw her stunning tribute to Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry on the Kennedy Center Honors last night. You can bet, I am going to use up all those gift cards I got for Christmas, catching up on Ms. Lavette's music. She is awesome!
GORGEOUS!!! - This "were" the first 3 words comin in my mind! SUPERB!!! like this style... and it goes very nice with long drives :D for me at least ...
My biggest experience was to see Bettye in life performing ,i was just amazed ,it was one of my biggest experience of my life ,who cares she win awards or not she is the best anyways .Please make a live DVD. I love you very much and wish all the best and health and happiness and lots of new albums and show the big young generation what sing is all about .GOD Bless YOU , hope one day i be able to say thank personally and give you hug that you will never forget .With love your admire Rene
others did versions of this...another soul sista...anybody know who?? i neverheard sista bettye's version until just now and WOW!!!! i;m fixin 2 go 2 amazon right now and order up!!! what a BIG soul!!! but sumbody tell me...there is another sista version of this that is slow and bluesy..HELP ME OUT YALL!!!!
It may in fact be Bettye's version also. I heard her on Morgan Freeman's Blues Divas and the music was much slower and more on a blues genre. Hope this helps!1
My god, what a singer, so underrated it's a crime ! Her phrasé, style voice, way of singing is so perfect it is quite unbelievable !Saw her live in Paris, never forget it. Thank you Miss Lavette
she is getting her due now, what with appearances at the kennedy center honors and also at the we are one obama concert. our girl is about to blow up!!!! i am so excited.
I totally agree with you.Since i discovered her 4 years ago, i have been astounded every since.She is amazing. She has been the best kept secret in music!!
Saw her perform this [the ORIGINAL recording. Not this Ian Levine production from the 80's] on "Shindig" in 1965. Have been a fan ever since.
B. is finally getting the accolades and recognition from a wider audience she has deserved from the very beginning of her career back in '62!
With the attention given to '95s "I've Got My Own Hell To Raise" & "Scene Of The crime" from last year don't let "A Woman Like Me" & "Tell Me Lie" [just out] go unheard.
I saw Bettye last night...singing this very song..I swear to God it was amazing...just sitting 6 ft. away from her...it was sheer Blues power...crying out soul.The gig was yearly Blues Festival here in DK. Come and hear...next year.Alan
I have a 12" version of "I cant stop" I cant stop this feeling. Found it in 99Cent store and the song is invaluable to me. I wanna make a remake remix.
Even Lucinda Williams covers Betty's "JOY" but singers like Betty only come about once in a lifetime. This is the true voice of R&B together with Fontella Bass,Sugar Pie DeSanto, Ann Peebles. Amy Winehouse/Joss Stone have got alot of work to do!
I first heard about her in an interview on NPR. She said that her mother would speak baby-talk to her to get her to sound like a baby, that, in Bettye's own words, she's "always sounded like James Brown". What a wonderful singer!
Thanks to the greatest music writer Don Baird who just wrote about this woman in the sfbaytimes dot com - I just found out about her. I think she's amazing. I have chills.
I was priviliged to see Ms. LaVette in Louisville, KY in 2006. She brought the venue to its feet. This woman cam eout and wooed that crowd of white folk like a soul siren. She is a package of energy,voice and artist. Get her music and you will drop your jaw at her sound. One BAD lady!!!!
I've bought a couple of downloads of this song, in both cases the tempo is slower-somebody please let me know the title of the album or direct me to where I can buy THIS rendering of the song, being recorded in this video, now that it's the version I'm hooked on. It's a perfect thing. That little thing she does with her shoulders halfway through plays in my head dozens of times a day, too. Viva Bettye! Thanks very much.
lol , they dont sound just alike. Amy Winehouse writes her music and lyrics and then performs it. She grew up listening to this music and her dad has got some background in jazz so no wonder she reminds you of Miss B. or any other motown ladies.
Hi, I'm Søren from Denmark. I hope that people who like this music will join up to receive "Reaching For The Best - The IAN LEVINE Newsletter". I'm doing a regular e-mail newsletter for people who are fans of Ian Levine's music, just like myself. If you too are a genuine fan of his productions, and you love seeing these videos, then send me a message with your e-mail address and I'll add you to the list. It's all free, it's with Ian's full co-operation, so please join in!
I have always loved Betty back in the day. I never forgot her. She has always been one of my favorites. Thanks so much for posting. I can watch her anytime I wish. Wonderful voice.
WOW! She is my FAVORITE singer of this genre. Hands down! She is also, oneof the most wonderful people I have ever met in my life, and I am honored to be able to call her a friend! If you have never seen her live act, RUN AND GET A TICKET. I will refund you money if you do not enjoy her. Oh, and she is SOOOOOO FINE!
There's no one like the great Ms. Bettye LaVette. She brings so much soul into each one of her songs. She is what soul and r&b is all about. I love her!
great great great great!
laurap90 2 years ago 23
wow she's amazing. and i can totally see where Winehouse gets it from.
wendlw 2 years ago 5
Bettye's begging four times 'please!' toward the end of this record, make yer knees turn to jelly! I used to use Bettye's early records as benchmarks to aspire to when coaching a girl who wanted to be a soul singer. By the way: Check out Jean Stanback's little voice crack in 'I Still Love You' on Deep Soul Treasures V1, for another sublime moment! These albums were Dave Godin's selection of great and mostly lost singles, and the first three at least were blinders!!!
teleblasted 2 years ago
Quality
69Skarab 2 years ago
Soulful and so well delivered..Bettye in concert will leave you in a state youve never experienced.
Bettye rules the world.Love her.
zarofrench 2 years ago 9
I am a new fan of this wonderful talent. Has I listen to her lyrics, she is giving voice to "me" as I deal with me. In her music, she is "me."
mabuddy50 2 years ago 2
WOW! This arrangement blows away the original and really draws her out. She loves it and it shows. Thank you Bettye Lavette and thank you Motorcity for this FABULOUS! recording.
KJacks62254 2 years ago 2
damn , just finish watchin her on PBS, , first time too. shes is just great.
lomaxz49 2 years ago
Awesome stuff... love the change at 1:20..
spratscat 2 years ago
you need to look for quality if you want it...i think i found more than enough..she's great...
ursuioana 2 years ago
this is crazy..she's wonderful..great...such a good singer...
ursuioana 2 years ago
I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard of Bettye Lavette until she was at the Kennedy Center Honors doing an outstanding job singing The Who's "Love Reign On Me". She is phenomenal. Her voices makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Beautiful voice!!!!!!
gogrizzliesum 2 years ago
she has an amazing voice. its very unique. and i can relate to everything she sings about. i can listen to her all day!
lashea1934 2 years ago
what a voice
pinkilady17 2 years ago
makes me cry out loud.
Thank you Bettye (and Ian) for this jewel.
Are these re-recordings released on vinyl as well?
drkosa 3 years ago
for her to be such a small person, she's got a huge voice. i guess big things do come in little packages.
lashea1231977 3 years ago
I love this song and this artist as well. She is extremely talented vocally.
alwayssupafly 3 years ago 6
to say this song is underrated in the music r&b world is an understatement....they only play it on satellite radio whic is think is a crying shame...i live in houston and i can honestly say they don't play this damn song on our rythm and blues station....thanks
mazaratialbum 2 years ago
Yo Betty,you rock it out,ive just seen you for the first time on Jay Leno,You RoCk the SoUL.
rockerpunkz 3 years ago 2
What can you say. The best.
crawfish999 3 years ago 3
I have heard other songs entitiled Let Me Down Easy.Little Miton's used to be my favorite, until i heard Mrs.Lavette's version. The lyrics are hauntingly familiar and deep. This lady is an outstanding singer and performer. Do your thang MOMMIE!!
msjiles1 3 years ago
Mrs.Lavette, you r the best!!
Do ur thang MOMMY!!
msjiles1 3 years ago
Shame on all native americans (just joking). I'm a middleaged white man, born and raised in Sweden (Europe). I heard of Bettey LaVette for more than 25 years ago. Her voice is outstanding along with Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples.
klitzhoff 3 years ago 4
Comment removed
68shamoa 2 years ago
i'm new to bettye lavette...this is the best soul singer i have ever heard.
tneknamgork 3 years ago 2
Great voice!
68shamoa 3 years ago 4
WHAT A VOICE!!!!!!!!!
68shamoa 3 years ago 2
Wonderful!
68shamoa 3 years ago
When she recorded "Let Me Down Easy" a guy she was in love with was in the studio . They had just broke up.When she finished singing her heart out on this song (the original is much slower than this one) everyone in lthe control room was in tears -except that guy! Check out the original.
eel1115 3 years ago
Love her!
2Tall2BAShorty 3 years ago
This sister has the same "soul feelin'" as Etta James!! 'Bout time that she gets a little respect. And a travelin' buddy of Otis Redding! What a duet that would have made!!
killkraut 3 years ago
WOW! Soul Pure!
edmondhall 3 years ago
I had never heard of Bettye LaVette until yesterday when I saw her sing with Bon Jovi on the Washington Mall. I was stunned and came to YouTube to find out more about her. She is truly talented.
anniejulius 3 years ago 5
Betty Lavette is the BUSINESS!
doualadebi 3 years ago 4
I never heard this lady before but when I heard her sing on at Obama inaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial I was blown away by her raspy voice and soul. I have to read up on her. I live music I don't know how this talent passed me. I am a fan now. Excuse me I have to look and listen more of Ms. Lavette lol nice post tyvm.
ziggysway 3 years ago 5
What a charisma in her voice! Great song!
FrenchBeatz 3 years ago 4
increible
baggysound 3 years ago
She's the woman version of James Brown.
schleppauto 3 years ago 3
Unfortunately, for me, I had never heard of Bettye Lavette until I saw her stunning tribute to Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry on the Kennedy Center Honors last night. You can bet, I am going to use up all those gift cards I got for Christmas, catching up on Ms. Lavette's music. She is awesome!
BronxBob 3 years ago 2
Bettye Lavette Is Awesome...
ladyalproductions 3 years ago 2
nice track
motown250 3 years ago
shivers
jolandasterbloem 3 years ago
GORGEOUS!!! - This "were" the first 3 words comin in my mind! SUPERB!!! like this style... and it goes very nice with long drives :D for me at least ...
denisapricop 3 years ago
I'm speechless, gorgeous song!!
QuieroRegresar 3 years ago 14
My biggest experience was to see Bettye in life performing ,i was just amazed ,it was one of my biggest experience of my life ,who cares she win awards or not she is the best anyways .Please make a live DVD. I love you very much and wish all the best and health and happiness and lots of new albums and show the big young generation what sing is all about .GOD Bless YOU , hope one day i be able to say thank personally and give you hug that you will never forget .With love your admire Rene
Renatfelix 3 years ago 4
Beautiful voice. I guess I can be proud again to say I am from Detroit.
tool68und 3 years ago 2
others did versions of this...another soul sista...anybody know who?? i neverheard sista bettye's version until just now and WOW!!!! i;m fixin 2 go 2 amazon right now and order up!!! what a BIG soul!!! but sumbody tell me...there is another sista version of this that is slow and bluesy..HELP ME OUT YALL!!!!
butterbeebrown 3 years ago
It may in fact be Bettye's version also. I heard her on Morgan Freeman's Blues Divas and the music was much slower and more on a blues genre. Hope this helps!1
msjiles1 3 years ago
Gorgeous voice breaking with such emotion... Wow, I am stunned.
lamp2211 3 years ago 8
My god, what a singer, so underrated it's a crime ! Her phrasé, style voice, way of singing is so perfect it is quite unbelievable !Saw her live in Paris, never forget it. Thank you Miss Lavette
jeromedemontpellier 3 years ago 43
she is getting her due now, what with appearances at the kennedy center honors and also at the we are one obama concert. our girl is about to blow up!!!! i am so excited.
kameelion 3 years ago 5
I totally agree with you.Since i discovered her 4 years ago, i have been astounded every since.She is amazing. She has been the best kept secret in music!!
msjiles1 3 years ago 4
Great*****
LindaGail 3 years ago 4
Thx for this Gilly. Excellent ! What a voice she has Ktf
tonypilki3 3 years ago 4
Saw her perform this [the ORIGINAL recording. Not this Ian Levine production from the 80's] on "Shindig" in 1965. Have been a fan ever since.
B. is finally getting the accolades and recognition from a wider audience she has deserved from the very beginning of her career back in '62!
With the attention given to '95s "I've Got My Own Hell To Raise" & "Scene Of The crime" from last year don't let "A Woman Like Me" & "Tell Me Lie" [just out] go unheard.
Older recordings but ESSENTIAL listening
jeffersongenya 3 years ago
Godbless YouTube!! Another great find! I discovered the equally fantastic Miss Sharon Jones. Fuckin Aye Bettye!! SING IT GIRL!!
czahnie 3 years ago 2
I saw Bettye last night...singing this very song..I swear to God it was amazing...just sitting 6 ft. away from her...it was sheer Blues power...crying out soul.The gig was yearly Blues Festival here in DK. Come and hear...next year.Alan
secelin 3 years ago 3
Wat een stem !
Sou7man 4 years ago
Another thanks to youtube. I would've missed this powerful singer. "LET ME DOWN EASY' Thats some deep stuff, Bettye.
replyform 4 years ago 5
Amazing song,and what a superb delivery.Bravo Miss,see u @ JAZZ CAFE IN London on 13 april.
zarofrench 4 years ago
I have a 12" version of "I cant stop" I cant stop this feeling. Found it in 99Cent store and the song is invaluable to me. I wanna make a remake remix.
DJ Omar Century CLub L.A.
1uneek 4 years ago
she's so good.
I'm going to the concert the 19th of april,
in Paradiso^^
freekje1 4 years ago 3
Vergeet niet op 9 april naar Paradiso te gaan... ;-)
Sou7man 4 years ago
unbelievable voice. way better than that kid Amy
panousis 4 years ago 2
My apologies..."Joy" was truly written by Lucinda Williams not Betty ..although Betty's version knocks Lucindas for six! LaVette is gorgeous!
mojoelem 4 years ago 4
Even Lucinda Williams covers Betty's "JOY" but singers like Betty only come about once in a lifetime. This is the true voice of R&B together with Fontella Bass,Sugar Pie DeSanto, Ann Peebles. Amy Winehouse/Joss Stone have got alot of work to do!
mojoelem 4 years ago 2
I first heard about her in an interview on NPR. She said that her mother would speak baby-talk to her to get her to sound like a baby, that, in Bettye's own words, she's "always sounded like James Brown". What a wonderful singer!
MRawn 4 years ago 5
Thanks to the greatest music writer Don Baird who just wrote about this woman in the sfbaytimes dot com - I just found out about her. I think she's amazing. I have chills.
musiclover1958 4 years ago
great betty...
jolandasterbloem 4 years ago
dam, amy is jacking her vocal style
msbadu2003 4 years ago
I was priviliged to see Ms. LaVette in Louisville, KY in 2006. She brought the venue to its feet. This woman cam eout and wooed that crowd of white folk like a soul siren. She is a package of energy,voice and artist. Get her music and you will drop your jaw at her sound. One BAD lady!!!!
Welshbluesman 4 years ago 4
This song is great. Got the original and the re-recorded one and they´re both super.
komuse 4 years ago
good voice
jolandasterbloem 4 years ago
A N T H E M...KEEP THE FAITH ;o)
stompietheowl 4 years ago
I've bought a couple of downloads of this song, in both cases the tempo is slower-somebody please let me know the title of the album or direct me to where I can buy THIS rendering of the song, being recorded in this video, now that it's the version I'm hooked on. It's a perfect thing. That little thing she does with her shoulders halfway through plays in my head dozens of times a day, too. Viva Bettye! Thanks very much.
Grey3Vox 4 years ago 6
This version was done for The Strange World Of Northern Soul DVD set.
I need to ask Soren what CDs it was actually released on. He knows everything, even more than me.
IanLevine 4 years ago
lol , they dont sound just alike. Amy Winehouse writes her music and lyrics and then performs it. She grew up listening to this music and her dad has got some background in jazz so no wonder she reminds you of Miss B. or any other motown ladies.
cassiesinfo 4 years ago
I have never heard of her before. I loooooooove her voice.
ginginnyme 4 years ago 2
Hi, I'm Søren from Denmark. I hope that people who like this music will join up to receive "Reaching For The Best - The IAN LEVINE Newsletter". I'm doing a regular e-mail newsletter for people who are fans of Ian Levine's music, just like myself. If you too are a genuine fan of his productions, and you love seeing these videos, then send me a message with your e-mail address and I'll add you to the list. It's all free, it's with Ian's full co-operation, so please join in!
Discoboy1974 4 years ago
A benchmark in how to take classic recordings into new eras. First port of call - respect the original. Wannabee DJ/producers take note.
limlamlom 4 years ago
Sang the Song, Betty!!!!
Is Betty on myspace?????
baabygirl1 4 years ago
I have always loved Betty back in the day. I never forgot her. She has always been one of my favorites. Thanks so much for posting. I can watch her anytime I wish. Wonderful voice.
baabygirl1 4 years ago
Thank you Bettye and Ian
photoguy2 4 years ago
Bettye can make a song hurt.
jusiper 4 years ago 2
amazing voice, love this track, keep the faith
shydi19 4 years ago 2
WOW! She is my FAVORITE singer of this genre. Hands down! She is also, oneof the most wonderful people I have ever met in my life, and I am honored to be able to call her a friend! If you have never seen her live act, RUN AND GET A TICKET. I will refund you money if you do not enjoy her. Oh, and she is SOOOOOO FINE!
kpitt1204 4 years ago 2
love you Bettye
Renatfelix 4 years ago 2
There's no one like the great Ms. Bettye LaVette. She brings so much soul into each one of her songs. She is what soul and r&b is all about. I love her!
normanfidel 5 years ago
I like the album version a bit better -but still: she's wonderful!
Yetses 5 years ago
Thanks to you, mr. Levine, I discoverd Bettye Lavette ! I've had the luck to see her perform, last year, here in Belgium.
Just awesome, without doubt, one of the most underated singers.
FANTASTIC recording.
ginomons 5 years ago