Bettye Lavette - Backstage Interview

[@marknorthwest93]

One class lady who has the grace to let us catch up to her. Some fine wine is best not served before it's time and NOW is Bettye's time to shine and be appreciated!

[@Kdubya]

I agree with Mr. Penn, the camera loves her and she is the consumate professional. Her recent success is a fine example of her dedication to her craft. I have had the pleasure of meeting her several times, usually after one of her shows and she is exactly the same affable and appreciative person that you see and hear in this video clip. Friends and neighbors when she appears in your area buy a couple of tickets and have youself a great time. . I absolutely love the woman.

[@1joker88]

I love how real she is.

[@MELPHOTOWORKS]

Such humility! She exudes grace and wisdom...those behind her can learn much from the dues she has paid. I just adore her!

[@akaziaj]

Thanks for sharing this gift. I'd not heard of Ms. Lavette.

[@davetube68]

It's a trip to see somebody who's seen so much history and yet is so alive and engaged in what's happening right now. I saw her at Stern Grove in SF yesterday, and she won over a whole bunch of people who'd never heard of her before.

[@rocknrollniglet]

I just discovered Miss Lavette today and man she is quite an inspiration to me that we all can be a great singers but to be an artist is a different story!

[@phatdic11]

Wow! What a soulful blessing ! My God, what a ghostly haunting treasure!

[@tcbfla]

Never heard of Bettye until last night, heard her singing "Love Reign O'er Me" on Kennedy Center Honors. Nothing but respect for this woman now. Her voice makes my soul tingle.

[@nico3641]

discovered her for the 1st time last night on Austin City Limits. I'm glad

[@Melilam56]

She's an inspiration on every level!

[@janellesadler]

Wow. This interview is so honest and natural! Bettye was turned onto me by her wonderful drummer Daryl Pierce... As a singer of 30 years experience myself and still full time in the biz, I find her remarks to be very inspiring and real. Pro singers definitely understand what she's talking about! Thanks B! Someday we'll all sit down and share our own very unique stylings of "Lush Life"! HA! Janelle Sadler

[@eddieherold3882]

She really has it going on !

[@PTheory]

An absolutely beautiful insight from an amazing artist...GO BETTYE!!

[@tellit2]

Thanks for sending Raz,and thanks for post reelback,and here you go Stompie.

[@razelma]

Absolutely trmendous..i'm gonna share this with a dozen of my you tube pals here in the north of England who love Bettye since we first heard "Let me down easy"...thanks so much for posting this.

[@lenorem.7889]

Read her book, excellent!

[@125or200px]

legend.full stop.

[@soulfan2]

cheers for sending me this Raz.. superb interview and what a voice she has...also thanks to reelblack for posting

[@loln957]

DIDDO on that tcbfla! And what she says at1:32...I needed to hear that today!!! Thanx Mrs. LaVette!!

[@bakeredward1]

Granglepuss: Lush LIfe is an immortal jazz composition by Billy Strayhorn. Stray was Ellington´s composer and arranger, and there are countless Elliington songs that were composed by Stray. Lush Life is one of the most difficult jazz songs to sing, and the best version I know is by Johnny Hartman, recorded maybe 40 years ago. I would love to hear Bettye sing it.

[@nialldcrowley]

It's great to see Ms Lavette doing really well and still performing but she REALLY underestimates how good she was when she was younger. Her 60s recordings are as good as anything recorded in that decade.

[@stompietheowl]

Thanx Steve ;o)

[@imnokid]

Please note that the keyboard player heard here was a substitute for Bettye's regular keyboard player/musical director, Alan Hill, who was not available to do this gig. imnokid

[@bakeredward1]

Granglepuss: a quick post datum. The Johnny Hartman version of Lush Life that I was thinking of was done with John Coltrane and his quartet. Trane died in 1967, so the recoring must be from 1965, give or take.

[@bobjones864]

She's one of the best American singers of all time. She's like Nina Simone crossed with Billie Holiday.

[@51tomtomtom]

BTW : she was not born in Detroit !