Customer Reviews

Child of the Seventies

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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From the opening bars of her lowdown gritty take on "It Ain't Easy" (also covered by Bowie), Betty Lavette demonstrates her raw talent and virtuoso versatility on these cuts, many previously unreleased in any form. Whoever made the decision at Atlantic Records to shelve this record back in the 70's did Lavette and us a huge disservice.

Every cut gets the full on Muscle Shoals treatment, with horns, strings, electric sitar, etc. The arrangements are brilliant, the songs well-chosen. If you like funky soul (all you Sharon Jones fans!) this record is essential. Had it been released when it was recorded, I think it would be remembered as one of the best records of the 70's.

Buy it - only 7,500 in print!!

Bettye Lavette came on to my radar with her last two albums and I saw her live this summer. She has got it! Great recordings that have that 70s soul sound to bad we had to wait so long for them. Great for fans of old school soul. Can't wait for more material.

I was woefully ignorant of this artist until the recent Kennedy Center Honors. Her performance of the Who's Reign O'er Me was outstanding. This record, recorded 30+ years ago, captures a rare artist not enough people know about today. Talk about life not being fair! She should be a household name, and a lot wealthier!!

Great collection of early work by an undeservedly overlooked artist. Too bad the folks at Atco didn't realize what they had some 30 years ago, but at least the music's out now. There's a lot of "composer unknown" references in the packaging. I don't know if somebody is being lazy or trying to avoid paying royalties, but Souvenirs was written by John Prine and Steve Goodman.