photo: Jacob Blickenstaff
Last week we posted a video of Bettye LaVette’s intimate performance at Joe’s Pub. Now we’ve got an mp3 of her interpretation of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold,” which Bettye introduces by saying “one thing’s for sure…I was the only black chick in the ghetto singing it.” Listen here.
Music journalist/author/songwriter Dimitri Ehrlich wrote in Uptown Social: “She sings, she smolders, she testifies…standouts included a shiver-inducing cover of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold,” as well as re-workings of songs by the Beatles, Ray Charles and her old friend Otis Redding. LaVette still brings a world of pain to every note. An extraordinary combination of raw emotion and sublime musical intelligence enhances a voice hinting at decades of disappointment, cigarettes, tear stained pillows and benders. Times may have changed, but the yearning and unbearable soul-bruising are still there.”
In other recent news, Bettye made her Tonight Show debut performing “I Still Want to be Your Baby (Take Me Like I Am)” from her Grammy-nominated CD The Scene of the Crime. On April 4 Bettye will join Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eddie Vedder, Moby and Donovan, among others performing at Radio City Music Hall for the David Lynch Foundation’s Change Begins Within Benefit Concert.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Randy Peterson // Mar 16, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Beautiful version of Neil’s song, of course, we’d love Bettye singing the phone book!
2 Matt Patuto // Mar 17, 2009 at 5:09 am
Bettye singing Neil is a treat one doesn’t get everyday so I’ll savor it and play it twice!!
3 Dhaveed // Mar 17, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Stupendous. I look forward to a whole ceedee.
4 Stan's Shack // Jul 21, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Great Song!! ! Looking forward to seeing you at \Blues Under the Bridge\ Colorado Springs Hope to here this song at Under the Bridge!
5 Margie Gauthia // Aug 12, 2009 at 10:00 am
I am really enjoying hearing heart of gold. I first heard her perform at the Obama’s inaugural celebration performing with Bon Jovi. I would love to hear her perform live. I live in the Los Angeles Area and would like to know when she will be in this area.
6 Carla Bagnerise // Oct 26, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I’d like to get in touch with Margie Gauthia. I used to work with her waaa-ay back when.
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