Bettye Lavette - Surrender

Miss B. sings the Ashford and Simson classic that they originally wrote for Diana Ross, and totally, overwhelmingly, makes it her own. Although she was indeed signed to Motown, and therefore was an obvious contender to become a part of Motorcity, the sassy Miss B. was far more well known for her work prior to Motown, on Atlantic, Calla, Big Wheel, West End, Atco, and on so many other labels. I adore her voice. Amy Winehouse has just made a major pop career by sounding like Bettye Lavette. Not only did Bettye sound fabulous, and still does, but she was drop dead gorgeous too, as her pictures will attest. She was a privilege to have on Motorcity, and to record more than an album's worth of material with her, and, in fact, only recently, her old Motorcity recording of "Right Out Of Time" has just gone massive with a brand new version that we cut, a version that's attracted all the acclaim that the original production never had, and even got played on Radio Two. Bettye's biggest ever hit was "Let Me Down Easy", a record on the Calla label that the late Dave Godin revered as if it were a religious experience. We were fortunate enough in Detroit in 1990 to not only re-record it, but to shoot some wonderful footage of the lady singing her heart and soul out like no one else can. At the same time, we cut this, along with loads of other wonderful performances, in Sylvia Moy's Masterpiece Studios.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Motown
• Northern-Soul
• Detroit
• Motorcity
• Diva
• Girl-Groups
• Soul

[stevechandler1]

is this the bettye lavette that sang doing the best that i can?

[IanLevine]

Yes of course. There is only one Miss B.

[jeffersongenya]

B. overcomes the rather pedestrian arrangement to turn in a GREAT vocal on a song that Diana Ross did all those years ago. Can you imagine what she could have done with the full support of MOTOWN in the 80's and some original Ashford / Simpson songs & production?

Her newie, "Scene Of The Crime" comes out in Sept. on ANTI records.

[IanLevine]

"Scene Of The Crime" ??

That's the title of my new track by Vanessa Haynes on my new album, "Northern Soul 2007"

You can hear it right now, on the MySpace page called northernsoul2007

I tried to post the address but it won't allow me to automatically

[Jobeterob]

Not at all bad.

But I do think it shows that Diana Ross knew where to put the emphasis and how to go for pockets in areas of her songs and make them very catchy and thus, HITS!

[Renatfelix]

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

[kpitt1204]

Man, oh man. I absolutely LOVE this woman. This happened before we even met and I was more familiar with her music. Through circumstances we found ourselves corresponding with one another and bonded before meeting in person. Talk about gorgeous. I saw her attending an event. Thought she was a nice looking young woman. Someone pointed her out to me. I introduced myself (She knew me by name only.), and it has been nothing but love ever since. GO SEE HER IN CONCERT. U will not be sorry!

[oceanbound222]

Diana's version is better, but this one is good, too.

[softsummermover]

This lady gives Miss Ross a run for her money. She takes this song and makes it her own. Wonderful!!!

[joewine50]

They probably wouldn't admit it, but MAN did they drop the ball on not latching on to the skirtails of "The Great Lady of Soul". Yep, she looks stunning and sounds better than ever...make a point to catch her live...you'll be hooked...