Bettye LaVette

Ms LaVette s take on Dylan was right on. It was a perfect venue to see the coolness that is Ms Bettye. Had a fantastic night.

it was a real treat to see this show and to experience the dynamic performance of this iconic voice. Cannot wait for the new CD. She was very honest and fun to interact with. Would definitely see her again!!!!

Wow, what a great experience! Lovely lady with a gracious presence. I felt like I was in my living room with a friend and they were doing a private show for me! I even got a hug after the show as I brought her some warm water while she was on stage (it was a cold night in FL). What a voice...loved Ponte Vedra Concert Hall...too bad more people were not there. Billy Buchanan was her Pre show and fun fun ...great night!

Unbelievable vocals! Great band! Incredible it took so long for her talents to get so deservedly recognized. Got to be in the top 3 vocalists i have ever seen

Jon Cleary started the night off with incredible piano playing. That funky New Orleans music is done so well by him. Love his tunes from the new album!! Bettye was awesome!!! She is in incredible shape, with a beautiful voice and persona. Love the different renditions of the songs that she performed. Unique to her!

All I can say is wow! I love Bettye and seeing her live was such a gift!

This show was too funky for the venue. If you like to sit it was great, if you like to get up and move, it was torture. The venue sucks the life out of the show as it demands everyone stay seated at all times. See these acts where you can move to the music.

Every song is so heartfelt, coupled with that voice was a truly amazing experience. We decided on a whim to buy tickets the day before and we are so glad we did!

This is the second time that I was fortunate to see Bettye LaVette live in concert. She did not disappoint! She is a true legend, and a must see performer. She rocked it from her entrance until the final number "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" each note resonating through the theatre silencing the crowd in awe. If you do anything in your lifetime it is to see her perform live. Her voice is truly an inspiration and a gift from God.

I had some high expectations for this show, since "Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook" is one of my favorite albums in my collection. I was not disappointed. Ms. LaVette is charming, real, energetic, crazy-talented, and an absolute delight. I was so sorry to have the show come to an end. The next time she is anywhere near me for a performance I will go out of my way to enjoy her show again.

She is a fabulous & fun entertainer! Her energy and love for her music is contagious to the crowd! She is a phenomenal performer for her age, and she made me smile the entire night!!!!

Where have I been all her career? My 29 year old son lent me her cd and told me to Google her Kennedy Center performance of "Love Reign on Me". I was floored and have been catching up on her music ever since. We were all set drive to Chicago to see her and were thrilled when she added a stop in Ann Arbor at the Ark. She is by far the best soul/blues singer I've ever heard! And that smokin hot bod!

Bettye is a professional in the best since of the word and she brings that experience, energy, and skill to the stage with her. Her bands excels, her voice reflects the emotion of her material and her story telling skills are superb. I was particularly moved by her version of the George Harrison song, "Isn't it a Pity" and by the production values on a Joe Simon classic which she performed while putting the vocal skills of her band on display.

She gave a great show. Her professional attitude and talent is great.

I loved the show even though it was not what I thought it would be. I thought it was going to be blues

Amazing concert. Such a fantastic voice and extremely entertaining.

What were you thinking? , my wife wanted to know when she discovered I had bought tickets. Neither of us particularly likes soul music and Aretha Franklin s screaming is like fingernails on a blackboard. Indeed, what was I thinking? I must not have read the instructions. But we went anyway, had elegant bar food at Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails, and told the barmaid we d be back soon for dessert, fully expecting to walk out of the concert after the second number. But the band was talented and tight with an undercurrent of subtle funk, most numbers were more ballad than raucous and, while there was still plenty of high pitched aural assault, Ms. Lavette at 71 was trim, energetic, immaculately dressed and coifed and, though her voice is (in her own words) not particularly mellifluous, she is possessed of an impressive ability to communicate her songs. She also seemed to have a lot of fans among the typical Arizona (old white) audience. We stayed helped, no doubt, by there being no intermission. We wouldn t do it again, but I must say I enjoyed it for the talent, the emotional conveyance, and the variety of experiencing intimate exposure to a high quality performance in a genre I generally hate. I thought it was a fair trade for missing dessert; my companion: not so much. Jarl

She touched everyone's heart with her bluesy renditions. Her band was spot on. Her energy was amazing. I loved every minute of it.

I'd never seen Bettye Lavette before, only listened on Pandora in advance of the show. I was blown away! She herself acknowledges that she doesn't have a "mellifluous" voice -- but she is an amazing interpreter of song. She communicates the gut-wrenching pain of heart-break and the determined resolve of overcoming!

The people of Jacksonville missed a legend. The tight band played off Bettye like they have played together for 50 years. Every note was on target. I became a fan when Bettye opened for Robert Plant in 2014 in Miami. I try to get to at least 5 concerts a year and if Bettye is within 500 miles I am there.

Simply one of the greatest singers alive today, Bettye LaVette performs soulful passionate interpretations of songs by a diverse range of artists (Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann, Lucinda Williams, The Pogues, Dylan). For anyone who appreciates emotional R&B singing that has substance, grit and incredible energy, she is a must see

Despite not feeling well Bettye LaVette put on an amazing show a the the Carolina Theater in Durham. It was very intimate and Bettye delivered moving vocals from previously recorded albums as well as her soon to be released album. Seeing her live was such an experience that I went online to see if I could catch another show while she was in NC! If you have any doubts about purchasing tickets, take my word for it you will not be disappointed with the depth of her vocals and soul!

Despite having a cold , the Lady soldiered bravely on and delivered a powerful & moving performance.

Her voice is great, band was terrific, she worked really hard and put on a great show. Loved the first few songs, then felt she fell into a pattern of songs that are similar (and a little depressing), but it picked up some. Although it's heavily scripted, her show is well done; she's an amazing person. It was great to hear how much this very special theater means to her.

Two remarkable acts in one evening. Both were terrific. You don't want to miss them if either are near you. One slight problem with the evening: apparently, the Blind Boys have signed with Sony for their new album. There seem to have been a number of people from Sony in the audience supporting them, which is great. What was not so great is that most of them seem to have left after the Blind Boys performed, leaving dozens of good, empty seats for Ms LaVette. That seems pretty rude-she may not be on your label, but she deserves respect. Shame on you all.

Bettye LaVette is an amazing stylish singer who breaks your heart with every cover song she does. Blackbird was a tour de force of adopting a song and making it completely personal not only to herself but to every person in the audience. Her voice cries out for love, acceptance and compassion. I loved every heart-rending rendition, every self-deprecating joke mixed with dignity and humility. I'd see her again!!!

What a great show. Blind Boys always wonderful. Bettye... Wow. Her ability to take a song we all know, turn it inside out and expose it in a new way never ceases to amaze me.

The Blind Boys continue to be a joyous treat. Bettye was spectacular. She leaves nothing for later, it is all on the stage when she is done. My guest ( a music producer) said it right "Bettye is what Billie Holiday might have been like ahd she found peace and acceptance in her life". Her version of "blackbird" is transcendant, and although not on any of her CD"s must be experienced. A most exceptional performance.

BETTY LAVETTE IS AN AMAZING TALENT WHO GIVES HER ALL IN EVERY SHOW WE HAVE SEEN. HER INTERPRETATION OF SONGS IS TRULY AWE INSPIRING.

We were so excited to go to this concert but it didn't live up to expectations. The Blind Boys of Alabama are way past their glory days & Bettye LaVette only played to the front rows ignoring the rest of the audience . The sound was awful , don't know why the sound guy was set up on the side of the stage ?? It probably sounded good to him from that position. Couldn't understand any of the words when the performers were speaking so a lot was lost to us.

Bettye Lavette delivered a powerful performance. I had never heard of her, but thought it might be a good concert. Well, I was glad I decided to attend. Other audience members were more familiar with her work, and showed their approval by their applause and audibles when she introduced each song. As I was departing the concert after the show, I hear one young man say that this was the third time he had heard her perform, and couldn't wait to see her again.

I know Ray Charles retains the title of Genius of Soul but Bettye Lavette is soul's reigning practitioner. Miss Lavette suffered from an unspecified illness the night of her concert at the Jo Long Theater but it didn't seem to slow her down. Every song was given the full treatment and it was a treat for listeners. Her sparse four man quartet - drum, bass, guitar, keyboards - laid down a soulful sound that Miss Lavette's vocals wrapped up like a Christmas package. She sang compositions ranging from hard core country to folk to soul and put every ounce of her slender frame into the interpretation that made them all her own. Her show is a dramatic interpretation of each song and it was a pleasure to hear and see. The Jo Long Theater needs some work on their sound system. The left bank of speakers were driven to clipping throughout the concert which distracted slightly, but didn't deter the band although they kept after the sound man to make adjustments. The theater got awfully warm and I'm one that despises the refrigerated rooms that make a show so uncomfortable because it's so cold, but a little air conditioning would have been welcome during this performance. However, the theater is small and makes for a great concert experience.

Bettye Lavette Looks & Sounds Fantastic. Her Band is also Amazing! I 1st saw Ms. Lavette & her Band on an HBO Special Blues Divas Concert @ Morgan Freemans Ground Zero Club I think in Clarksdale, MS. All the Divas were Great but I enjoyed Ms. Lavette's performance the Best! She sang two songs (It's Over & It Serves Him Right) "It serves Him Right" is my own personal Athem. Lol. The songs from her new CD are Awesome. I am very Happy that I got to see her concert! Blues Divas Rock! The Howard Theatre is a wonderful place and hope to see more concerts in the near future.

1st time I have seen Bettye...The girl has big pipes! Bettye can sing the phonebook and make it sound great. I recommend her to people who enjoy music...Not just blues, jazz and R and B. It is long overdue that Bettye is finally getting her do.

Personable and warm. Talented and treasured. So glad I came.

I was skeptical about going to this show, for some reason, but I should not have been on the fence at all!! I walked out a true fan. She has to be one of the most underrated artists of all time. From the first note until the last, it was a performance with such raw emotion, truth, and soul that I left totally inspired. Seriously, the woman is in her sixties and can get down and go toe-to-toe vocally with anyone. My money would be on Bettye. After the show, I texted a friend and told her I needed to do more with my life because the show was that inspiring. She was humorous and real and if you really want the 411 about her 'overnight success' in the music business, which took about 50 years, you should probably get her book.

Bettye is simply sensational- her voice is powerful and strong as ever, her band tight and funky but most incredible is her phrasing. She enunciates each syllable to show that she completely occupies each song. Add to this she was humble and illuminating in between songs with amazing stories of her life and songs.

I was fully prepared for an amazing show by Bettye Lavette, but never guessed how blown away I would be by the Howard Theatre. Amazing venue, wonderful staff and perfect sound! Bettye Lavette at the Howard Theatre, a show I am so lucky to have seen!

I got there about 20 minutes into the show and thought that I had missed at least 1/2 the show. I was wrong Bettye and her band played another hour, thankfully. She is about as soulful a voice that you will find. Her band was amazing, so much music coming from such a small group of muscians. This is a talented bunch of players. My only problem with Bettye is perhaps her eclectic choice of songs. I find her voice lies somewhere between Mavis Staples and Betty Davis(miles exwife), I love her voice, just don't care for some of the songs. I found many of her songs have more of a country/pop leaning than I prefer. I would like to see her do more Memphis style soul or funky songs. Its not that she didn't wring every bit out of each song, that her voice could muster, I just think that different tunes would've done it for me. Her closing song was rendered accapella and brought the house to its feet. It was a truly spectacular ending to the show and showcased her talent to the fullest. Younger singers take note this is how you "SANG"!

Bettye Lavette gave a show with every ounce and inch of her body. Her voice is fantastic and she gives the audience everything she has. I've been waiting 4 years to see her in concert and it was worth the wait. The crowd gave her several standing ovations. It was as if you couldn't clap long and loud enough to show your appreciation. I only wish she had sung more tunes from her previous album and not all the ones on her most recent release. Also, the band sometimes overwhelmed Bettye's voice. They need to tone it down so we can hear her better. Will definitely go to see her again when she comes back to Boston.

One of the greatest singers in the world, Bettye Lavette received a terrible production from the Toronto Jazz Festival. The tent was hot. The opening act BIG SOUND was a glorified bar mitzvah band that played for ONE HOUR, dissipating the good will of the audience. When Bettye came on the sound mix was horrible. She was shouting over the band for the first half of the show. And worst of all there were two patches of extremely rude, drunk audience members- including a VIP table, and three men standing together by the bar, who consistently made noise during her performance. The venue is not suitable for live music and especially not for such a great artist. A real embarasment for Toronto.

Devastating beautiful and soulful performance by this amazing Grammy nominated Artist (twice) after a 50 year career, starting as Motown Girl. At 66, She moves me... Love, Love, Love her shows... Bettye Lavette, an American treasure

We had high expectations but were somewhat disappointed. Bettye and the band have all it takes to play a great concert but then is was too much of the same: same tempo, same phrasing in singing all songs, no variety! No highlights!