Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook

Bettye LaVette brings the British Invasion home to its American R&B roots on Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook. Produced by Bettye, Rob Mathes and Michael Stevens, the album is a 13 song journey through compositions by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd among others, concluding right where the very idea for Interpretations started: Bettye s visceral rendition of The Who s Love Reign O er Me from the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors, which appears here as a bonus track. That performance which first brought Bettye together with Stevens (the event s producer) and Mathes (its musical director) showcased for a national television audience what her devoted fanbase already knew: Bettye LaVette is without parallel as an interpreter of popular song. The success of this performance lead to another astonishing moment on the national stage, her duet of Sam Cooke s Change Is Gonna Come with Jon Bon Jovi at the Obama Inaugural Concert.

Now comes Bettye LaVette s first release since those extraordinary performances. Finding new excited fans at her shows, Bettye decided to explore more of the repertoire that had brought her all this attention. From the wistful naiveté of The Moody Blues Nights in White Satin, which Bettye matures into a deep and unshakeable lament, to the funky workout of Ringo Starr s It Don t Come Easy, Bettye inhabits these songs, revitalizes them and exposes the humanity that makes these 13 tracks not just pop songs, but enduring works of art. read more..

Hot Deals : Click to see Hot Deals


Maybe I'm amazed by Exguyparis
If American Idol wants someone who can demonstrate the art of "making a song your own," they need to reach out to Bettye LaVette. On this album, LaVette takes classic British rock songs and offers radical renovations that play to her powerful soul and funk artistry. There is a lot of poetic justice here, as 60's British rockers borrowed heavily from the Motown/soul catalogue during the 1960s.



LaVette is one of those soul artists that "almost made it" in the 1960s, faded from sight, and resurfaced decades later, with blazing talent (check out Howard Tate and Solomon burke for other superb examples). Her voice packs a powerful emotional punch; you believe her when she sings "It Don't Come Easy," and you hear the pain when she sings ""Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."



Each of the songs here is a work of art; there is no "filler." Standouts for me:



1. The driving, funky delivery of the Beatles "The Word": beautiful brass, outstanding back-up singing, and Bettye's silky/sandpapery vocals.

2. "Isn't It a Pity": George Harrison's words take on additional poignancy thanks to the sparse, slower arrangement and Bettye's incredible vocals.

3. "It Don't Come Easy": Ringo Starr's pop song is transformed into a classic, classy Blues number. Bettye speaks with authority about "paying some dues."

4. "Maybe I'm Amazed": McCartney's beautiful song is a perfect vehicle for the raw power of LaVette's voice.

5. "Salt of the Earth": I'm a sucker for masterful back-up singing, and this twist on the Stone's song delivers a small sample of perfection (LaVette arranged the background vocals on all the songs on the album).



The CD contains a bonus track: LaVette's performance of "Love Reigns Over Me," that blew Pete Townsend's mind at the Kennedy Center Honors" concert in 2008.



If you can get your hands on it, be sure to check out "Child of the Seventies," the album LaVette recorded decades ago that remained unreleased until a few years ago, and her last two albums, Scene of the Crime and "I've Got My Own Hell to Raise."