Queen Bettye came on my radar when she sang with Bon Jovi at Obama's first inauguration. I was on my knees at the alter of the Queen. You will find singers like bettye if you look hard. You will never find them on the radio, all you get there is rubbish. Look for the gems they are hard to find but worth the search. Hail to the Queen Bettye Lavette. Go to one of the music sites and download one of her live albums, then tie yourself down or you will be blown away. Love me some Bettye Lavette.
And isn't it a sad commentary that radio prefers to play "rubbish" these days. I discovered Etta James on PBS about 18 years ago. Great singers are out there. Why do we only find them on youtube?
where in the heck have I been...on another planet???! She's amazing! So full of raw emotion..she made me feel like I lived every word she sang in this song...I'll be looking for more of her songs, you can bet on that.
Wow, like so many others I cannot believe I have missed out on this woman's wonderful voice until today. Why is is we have so much mediocre rubbish pushed at us when there are wonders like this to be had? Ms Lavette, you give in full-blooded depth, makes all the others look anaemic, thank you for the very great pleasure
Yesterday, I bought a brand new CD of one of my favorite sopranos, Kristin Chenoweth's Comin' Home. On it she beautifully sings Little Sparrow. I've already heard her version at least 20 times. Today, I decided to RU-vid Dolly's version and with a bluegrass sound, it's as beautiful as with Kristin's soprano version. As I was listening to Dolly, I read some comments and came across someone saying to hear Bettye's version. That's how I'm here. Only one thing to say... Good Lord Almighty, awesome version!!!
Holy cow! I love this song. I love Ms LaVette's version and I love Dolly's version (well two that I've heard - Bluegrass and Appalachian). All are completely different sounding, but all fantastic variations on a wonderful song. Thanks for this posting, I would never have imagined this song sound like this! :D
I have to say that I am Dolly Parton's biggest fan and her original self-writen version was the best (in my opinion). But it is still always nice to hear her music being widely performed.
I didn't enjoy this version. This kind of soul treatment of a melody like this isna for me. Her voice is very like Janis Joplin's, and I didna like JJ either. It's a perfectly valid thing to do with a song, but it doesna work for me. I'm not keen on the accompaniment either. Still, if it works for you, lucky you. You're enjoying something I don't. I'll just have to go back to Dolly!
