Ive Got My Own Hell to Raise by
Bettye LaVette
Don't Miss This!
After four decades toiling in the record business with little more than a
fervent cult following to show for it, Bettye LaVette can seem like soul
musics equivalent of Roy Hobbs, protagonist of the bittersweet baseball
fable The Natural. Whether this riveting collection of ten covers by an
eclectic range of contemporary female singer/songwriters will change the
husky-throated Detroit natives fortunes seems irrelevant: Its spare, dusky
groove and intensely emotional, in-the-moment performances seem utterly
disconnected from concerns as trivial as fame and fashion. A forceful,
timely reminder that soul thrives on the singer and not the song, LaVette
doesnt so much cover these songs as reinvent them from the inside out,
be it the chilling, a capella read of Sinead OConnors I Do Not Want What I
Havent Got that opens the album, a gritty take of Lucinda Williams Joy
where the singer burns with a fire that might make Tina Turner envious or
her recasting Dolly Partons Little Sparrow as bluesy omen and How Am I
Different by Aimee Mann as inviting, r&b shuffle. In a musical era where

soulful authenticity and emotional resonance are too often virtual, this
album is a delicious dose of the Real Deal. -- Jerry McCulley
Personal Review: Ive Got My Own Hell to Raise by Bettye
LaVette
As you might know by now - the life of a Seer who reviews music can get
very complicating. Be that as it may, everyday in my candlelit
office I receive tons of complimentary selections of music. Music from
lovers, friends, and guides. All these artists want to be among the select
few that Metamorpho will review. Honestly, they all want to ride on my
seer's coat tails to success. I can't blame them. A vote of confidence is
gold from me and worth a platinum album or two. O.K. if you people can
stop snickering, I will proceed.
I sit here astounded and confounded. With my love of music so vast, how
did I miss this? Why isn't she well known? Why have I missed this for so
long? Why has everyone? Some generous seer friends of mine (luscious,
exciting women apprentices) sent this to your beloved Metamorpho. I have
to say I am knocked out by this. Bettye LaVette is fantastic! As a blues-
soul singer she is top notch. She will somewhat remind you of Tina Turner,
before she got overly polished by the corporation. And she doesn't have
the lung power of Aretha - but, believe me people, she more than makes
up for it with sheer raw, emotional, down deep ache and attitude that
defies classification. The difference here between her and other artists is
that she doesn't merely sing - she FEELS what she sings. And that, my
dedicated audience, is the difference between good and great.
This c.d. is a treasure. Such attitude and power here. Bettye is singing
from a women's viewpoint of being vulnerable - yet, stating very clearly that
she's nobody's fool and doesn't play. I love the empowerment she gives
herself with these selections. It's the attitude that you can try to hurt me -
but you won't - because I won't allow it. I have listened to this many times
since I got it, and it is a fortuitous find. You see? If you are good to the
universe, it will be good to you. This music is real soul and heart at it's
finest. If you can feel emotion - get this- it's great!
Some standouts that I should point out.......she begins acapella with "I Do
not Want What I Haven't Got" which I thought strange at first. And, me not
being a great fan of solo acapella, was wary of it. On repeated listenings I
can tell you that it makes all the sense in the world. She is showing you
that, right up front, I've got the goods, with or without a band. And, yes
Bettye, you made me a believer with this song. Unreal.
With "Joy" we have Bettye looking for her joy because someone took it.
And she looks everywhere for it. Just like your beloved Seer. Nobody
should take your joy and if they do - you've got to get it back. "Down to
Zero" is one of the most emotional broken-heartened ballads I've ever
heard. Bettye's vocals are drenching with hurt. I love "The High Road" for
it's honesty and strength through the tears. Bettye conveys this heart with
the best emoting I have heard. My heart cries on this one (and many
others). She knows the way to hurt and emotion - and she's damn good at
it!

"On the Surface" is a lumering blues-soul tune but very revealing as to the
public and private view of all of us. "We can face tomorow, but honey we
got to get through today". What a great line. It's not a song written by
Bettye, actually none of them are. But it hardly matters. She sings these
tunes with more gut-wrenching emotion than most artists do in a lifetime.
Take my word, Metamorpho never lies (unless it suits him!).
I could pinpoint other tunes here, but it would be to no avail. Every one is
excellent in it's own right. She is such a stylist - and an excellent one at
that.
Be forewarned - this is not rave up soul or blues. This doesn't kick your
bloodcells into frenzied pumping. No. Bettye's music here gets under your
skin and slowly works it's way up into your brain. And it's music that makes
you feel your humaness - not clinically detract from it- as some music
today can do. This is the real deal. You like to feel reality? Well Bettye
does this- but she does this with hurt, all the time- while looking for her and
your joy. Real good stuff here Bettye. Glad I found you.
I sleep to listen to Bettye----awed---Metamorpho
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