Bettye LaVette LaVette! LP

LaVette! hits all the marks. Together with Jay-Vee Records, Bettye has the freedom to explore new territory. Produced by Steve Jordan, LaVette! features 11 songs written by Georgia-born musician Randall Bramblett, who has been releasing solo albums since 1975. "Randall is the best writer that I have heard in the last 30 years," says Bettye. "He writes songs that are little soliloquies; they're like little stories about a moment, or a thing."

Bettye is backed by Jordan on drums, Pino Palladino on bass, Larry Campbell on guitar, Leon Pendarvis on keyboards, and Chris Bruce on guitar. Guest artists include: John Mayer, Jon Batiste, Anthony Hamilton, Steve Winwood, Ray Parker, Jr., Rev. Charles Hodges, James Carter and Pedrito Martinez, to name a few.

Even if you didn't know the sharp twists and turns of Bettye LaVette's story, or for that matter, her wide-ranging influences - you can hear the traces of all of it in her voice.

"Bettye LaVette is like a combination of Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Miles Davis," says producer Steve Jordan. "When I prepare a band for her, I make sure we have it together. When she joins us, we're only gonna get one or two takes, because she puts her heart and soul into each performance."