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A Woman Like Me Page 20


  Nearer to You: The SSS Recordings, Charly UK, 1990 (import CD); Snapper UK, 2012 (import CD)

  Tracks: “He Made a Woman Outta Me,” “Nearer to You,” “Do Your Duty,” “Love’s Made a Fool of Me,” “My Train’s Coming In,” “Games People Play,” “At the Mercy of a Man,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go” (with Hank Ballard), “Hello Sunshine” (with Hank Ballard), “We Got to Slip Around,” “Easier to Say (Than Do),” “Let Me Down Easy” (Calla), “I’m in Love,” “Feelings” (unreleased TCA), “Living Life on a Shoestring” (unreleased TCA)

  Not Gonna Happen Twice, Motorcity, 1990 (import CD)

  Tracks: “Not Gonna Happen Twice,” “Love Caught Me Out,” “Out of the Blue,” “Have a Heart,” “Right Out of Time,” “Too Great a Price to Pay,” “Let Me Down Easy,” “Good Luck,” “Jimmy Mack,” “Time Won’t Change This Love,” “Danger, Heartbreak Dead Ahead,” “Surrender”

  Living the Nightlife, Various Artists, Kent UK, 1993 (import CD)

  Track: “(Happiness Will Cost You) One Thin Dime” (recorded as a demo for Scepter Records in 1964)

  Lost Soul, Various Artists, Sony, 1994 (CD)

  Track: “You’re a Man of Words, I’m a Woman of Action”

  The Very Best of the Motorcity Recordings, Motorcity, 1996 (CD)

  Tracks: “Good Luck,” “Right Out of Time,” “Have a Heart,” “Jimmy Mack,” “Let Me Down Easy,” “Out of the Blue,” “Time Won’t Change This Love,” “Not Gonna Happen Twice,” “Surrender,” “Too Great a Price to Pay,” “I’m Ready for Love,” “Love Caught Me Out,” “Danger, Heartbreak Dead Ahead,” “Reach for the Sky”

  Betty LaVette & Carol Fran, Bluesoul Belles, The Complete Calla, Port & Roulette Recordings, West Side UK, 1999 (import CD); Emd Int’l, 2005 (import CD)

  Tracks: “Let Me Down Easy,” “Only Your Love Can Save Me,” “Stand Up Like a Man,” “What I Don’t Know “(Won’t Hurt Me),” “Cry Me a River (Take 1),” “She Don’t Love You Like I Love You (Take 5),” “I Feel Good All Over (Take 1),” “I’m Just a Fool for You (Take 2)”

  Let Me Down Easy: In Concert, Munich, 2000 (import CD)

  Tracks: “My Man,” “Damn Your Eyes,” “Right in the Middle,” “You’ll Never Change,” “Almost,” “Your Turn to Cry,” “He Made a Woman Outta Me,” “Let Me Down Easy”

  Souvenirs, Art & Soul, 2000 (import CD)

  Tracks: “It Ain’t Easy,” “Fortune Teller,” “Our Own Love Song,” “Soul Tambourine,” “Your Turn to Cry,” “Ain’t Nothing Gonna Change Me,” “All the Black and White Children,” “If I Can’t Be Your Woman,” “Outside Woman,” “The Stealer,” “My Love Is Showing,” “Souvenirs,” “Heart of Gold,” “You’ll Wake Up Wiser,” “My Man—He’s a Lovin’ Man,” “Shut Your Mouth,” “You’ll Never Change,” “Here I Am”

  A Woman Like Me, Blues Express, 2003 (CD); W. C. Handy Award Winner for Best Comeback CD

  Tracks: “Serves Him Right,” “The Forecast,” “Thru the Winter,” “Right Next Door,” “When the Blues Catch Up to You,” “Thinkin’ Bout You,” “A Woman Like Me,” “It Ain’t Worth It After Awhile,” “When a Woman’s Had Enough,” “Salt on My Wounds,” “Close As I’ll Get to Heaven,” “Hey, Hey Baby (Bettye’s Blues)”

  Vanthology—A Tribute to Van Morrison, Various Artists, Evidence, 2003 (CD)

  Track: “Real Real Gone”

  Remembering Roots of Soul, Vol. 2: Birth of Motor Town, Various Artists, RPM/Shout UK, 2004 (import CD)

  Tracks: “Witchcraft in the Air,” “You Killed My Love”

  I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise, ANTI-, 2005 (CD); DBK Works, 2005 (LP)

  Tracks: “I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got,” “Joy,” “Down to Zero,” “The High Road,” “On the Surface,” “Just Say So,” “Little Sparrow,” “How Am I Different,” “Only Time Will Tell,” “Sleep to Dream”

  Get In the Groove—Live, Various Artists, Norton, 2005 (CD)

  Tracks: “Night Time Is the Right Time,” “Tailfeather Finale”

  Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country, Various Artists, Trikont, 2005 (import CD); Trikont, 2009 (import vinyl)

  Track: “What Condition My Condition Is In”

  Take Another Little Piece of My Heart, Varèse Sarabande, 2006 (CD)

  Tracks: “At the Mercy of a Man,” “Do Your Duty,” “Easier to Say (Than Do),” “Games People Play,” “He Made a Woman Outta Me,” “I’m in Love,” “Hello Sunshine” (with Hank Ballard), “Love Made a Fool of Me,” “My Train’s Comin’ In,” “Nearer to You,” “We Got to Slip Around,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go” (with Hank Ballard)

  Child of the Seventies: The Complete Atlantic/Atco Recordings, Rhino Handmade, 2006 (CD)

  Tracks: “It Ain’t Easy” (LP version), “If I Can’t Be Your Woman” (LP version), “Fortune Teller” (LP version), “Your Turn to Cry” (single version), “Soul Tambourine” (single version), “All the Black and White Children” (LP version), “Our Own Love Song” (LP version), “Ain’t Nothing Gonna Change Me” (LP version), “Outside Woman” (LP version), “The Stealer” (LP version), “My Love Is Showing” (LP version), “Souvenirs” (LP version), “Waiting for Tomorrow” (previously unreleased), “Livin’ Life on a Shoestring” (previously unreleased), “Your Turn to Cry” (mono single version), “Soul Tambourine” (mono single version), “Heart of Gold” (single version), “You’ll Wake Up Wiser” (single version), “Here I Am” (single version), “You’ll Never Change” (single version), “My Man—He’s a Lovin’ Man” (single version), “Shut Your Mouth” (single version)

  Do Your Duty: The Complete Silver Fox Recordings, Sundazed, 2006 (LP); Sundazed, 2009 (CD)

  Tracks: “My Train’s Comin’ In,” “Do Your Duty,” “Love Made a Fool of Me,” “At the Mercy of a Man,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Easier to Say (Than Do),” “He Made a Woman Outta Me,” “Nearer to You,” “We Got to Slip Around,” “I’m in Love,” “Games People Play”

  What’s Going On, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Shout! Factory, 2006 (CD)

  Track: “What’s Happening Brother”

  Song of America, Various Artists, Thirty Tigers, 2007 (CD)

  Track: “Streets of Philadelphia”

  The Scene of the Crime, ANTI-, 2007 (CD); ANTI-, 2007 (LP) Grammy Award Nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album

  Tracks: “I Still Want to Be Your Baby (Take Me Like I Am),” “Choices,” “Jealousy,” “You Don’t Know Me at All,” “Somebody Pick Up My Pieces,” “They Call It Love,” “Last Time,” “Talking Old Soldiers,” “Before the Money Came (The Battle of Bettye LaVette),” “I Guess We Shouldn’t Talk About That Now”

  The Lost Soul Gems, Various Artists, Sony Music Japan, 2008 (import CD)

  Tracks: “You Made a Believer Out of Me,” “You’re a Man of Words, I’m a Woman of Action”

  Change Is Gonna Come Sessions, ANTI-, 2009 (download-only EP)

  Tracks: “Change Is Gonna Come,” “’Round Midnight,” “God Bless the Child,” “Lush Life,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby”

  By the People, For the People: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, Various Artists, Proceeds to United Way, 2010 (download from iTunes only)

  Track: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (live duet with Jon Bon Jovi)

  Live from the Artists Den: Season 2, Artists Den, 2010 (download from iTunes only)

  Track: “Jealousy” (with Drive-By Truckers)

  Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook, ANTI-, 2010 (CD; import LP); Grammy Award Nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album

  Tracks: “The Word,” “No Time to Live,” “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “All My Love,” “Isn’t It a Pity,
” “Wish You Were Here,” “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Salt of the Earth,” “Nights in White Satin,” “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” “Love Reign o’er Me” (live)

  Walter Gibbons—Jungle Music—Mixed with Love: Essential & Unreleased Remixes 1976-1986, Various Artists, Strut, 2010 (CD)

  Track: “Doin’ the Best That I Can” (Walter Gibbons 12-inch mix)

  The 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute: Live from the Beacon Theatre NYC, Various Artists, Theatre Within, 2011 (download only)

  Track: “The Word”

  Dedicated: A Salute to the 5 Royales—Steve Cropper, 429 Records, 2011 (CD)

  Tracks: “Don’t Be Ashamed” (duet with Willie Jones), ”Say It”

  Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan, Various Artists, Amnesty International, 2012 (CD), Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International

  Track: “Most of the Time”

  Will Porter, Will Porter, 2012 (CD)

  Track: “Make You Feel My Love” (duet with Will Porter)

  Thankful N’ Thoughtful, ANTI-, 2012 (CD) ANTI-, 2012 (LP)

  Tracks: “Dirty Old Town,” “Crazy,” “Yesterday Is Here,” “Thankful N’ Thoughtful,” “Time Will Do the Talking,” “The More I Search (The More I Die),” “I’m Not the One,” “Everything Is Broken,” “Fair Enough,” “I’m Tired,” “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” “Dirty Old Town” (alternate version)

  Thankful N’ Thoughtful, Deluxe Edition, ANTI-, 2012 (CD)

  Tracks: “Dirty Old Town,” “Crazy,” “Yesterday Is Here,” “Thankful N’ Thoughtful,” “Time Will Do the Talking,” “The More I Search (The More I Die),” “I’m Not the One,” “Everything Is Broken,” “Fair Enough,” “I’m Tired,” “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” “Dirty Old Town” (alternate version), “Old” (bonus track), “Whole Lotta Lonely” (bonus track), “Welcome to the Good Times” (bonus track)

  Unreleased tracks: “Baby Doll,” (Big Wheel, 1966), “Light My Fire,” (Karen, 1968), “Close to You” (TCA, 1971), “Stormy” (alternate version; TCA, 1971), “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (TCA, 1971), “No Way to End a Love Affair” (TCA, 1978), “Dancing in the Streets” (TCA, 1978), “Bend a Little” (TCA, 1978), “Tell Me a Lie” (original; 1978), “Losing Your Love” (1978), “Brickyard Blues” (2006), “Instant Karma” (ANTI-, 2009), “Save Some Time to Dream” (ANTI-, 2012)

  WANTED

  I am searching for audio copies of any of my Schaefer Beer or Salem Cigarette commercials. For that and any other inquiries, please contact my management company, Panacea Entertainment, at: info@panacea-ent.com.

  My mama, “Pretty Pearl” Haskins.

  Me at eighteen months.

  My daddy, Frank Haskins, and me, about six months old, outside the house in Muskegon.

  662 Trowbridge, where my career began.

  With my daughter, Terrye Mathis, when she was ten years old.

  With my sister, Mattie, around 1969.

  Marrie Early, the beauty to all, at Sir John’s in Miami, 1965.

  (Courtesy Rene Hill)

  Clarence Paul, the greatest love, the greatest scoundrel.

  Me and my ponytail in 1963.

  At Phelps Lounge in Detroit, 1963.

  At the Royal Peacock in Atlanta, 1963.

  Me and Jimmy Joy at the 20 Grand in Detroit, 1963.

  At the Royal Peacock, 1965.

  With Gorgeous George, singer and tailor to the stars, at the Royal Peacock, 1963.

  With the band at the Royal Peacock, 1965.

  With singer Ted Taylor at the Royal Peacock, 1965.

  The Three: my driver and confidant Raymond Philpot, me, and Jim Lewis in 1968.

  With my manager and mentor, Jim Lewis, 1972.

  My first band, The Fun Company. Andrew Jones (drums), Don Hatcher (bass), Billy Hatcher (guitar), and Rudy Robinson (organ, musical director), circa 1968.

  The tape box of the first debut album, which was not released at the time, circa 1970. The smudges are from tears.

  With Don Hatcher (The Fun Company) in 1968. I loved my miniskirts!

  Cousin Margaret Nell and Mama in the “Blue Room” on Trowbridge, circa 1991.

  With David Ruffin and Isaac Hayes, circa 1969.

  With deejay Hal Jackson at Palisades Park, New Jersey, circa 1970.

  Dressed as a 1920s character in Bubbling Brown Sugar, circa 1978.

  With engineer Steve Melton at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in 1972, recording the second debut album that was not released at the time. (Courtesy David Hood)

  At the Old Absinthe Bar in New Orleans, with Phil Parnell (keys) and Jim Markway (bass) of my band Etcetera, 1981.

  With Robert Hodge, my road manager, advisor, and friend for life, 1989.

  With my second husband, Donnie Sadler, 1984.

  Me and Margaret Nell, my oldest and dearest friend, in 2010.

  On set, preparing for my weekly segment on Barden Cablevision in Detroit, circa 1991.

  With “Saint Frederick” Wilhelms III at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, California, 2002.

  With John Goddard, the Crypt Keeper, in 2002.

  (Photo by Catherine Lyons-Labate. Courtesy Village Music Archives)

  With Tom Gold, my personal agent, and Mike Kappus, president of the Rosebud Agency, in 2007.

  Rehearsing a duet with Joe Henry and Mose Allison in Germany, 2008.

  With Andrew Kaulkin, my guru, and president of the ANTI- record label, at Joe’s Pub, 2005. (Courtesy Julius “Juice” Freeman)

  Me and my husband, Kevin Kiley, in 2007.

  (© Joseph A. Rosen)

  Bonnie Raitt presenting me with the Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, 2006.

  (Courtesy Julius “Juice” Freeman)

  Rehearsing with Drive-By Truckers’ Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood at FAME Studios, 2007.

  Jon Bon Jovi, me, and Rob Mathes freezing and rehearsing in a tent for Barack Obama’s pre-inaugural concert, 2009.

  Me and Barack Obama, the first black president of the United States of America, 2009.

  Working out arrangements with Rob Mathes at Water Studios, Hoboken, 2011.

  Me and my guys at the Café Carlyle, New York, 2012. Back row: Darryl Pierce (drums), Charles Bartels (bass), Brett Lucas (guitar), Alan Hill (keys, musical director). Front: Me and Robert Hodge (road manager).

  With my granddaughter, Marissa Ross; my daughter, Terrye Mathis; and my grandson, Randall James Coats, 2011.

  • • •

  Click here or visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv7TxQuTIuQ to watch an interview with Bettye LaVette discussing her new memoir, A Woman Like Me, and her new album, Thankful ’N Thoughtful.

  Index

  The page numbers in this index refer to the printed version of this book. To find the corresponding locations in the text of this digital version, please use the “search” function on your e-reader. Note that not all terms may be searchable.

  ABC Records, 126

  Absinthe Bar (New Orleans), 165

  “Ain’t That Peculiar,” 60

  Alcohol, in BLV’s early life, 5–6, 8–9, 10, 29–30

  “All the Black and White Children,” 111

  Allen, Debbie, 147

  “Almost,” 97

  “Am I Blue?,” 87

  “America the Beautiful,” 136

  American Bandstand, 15

  ANTI- (record label), 218–22, 223–27, 231–33, 239

  Apollo Theater (Harlem), 55, 65

  Arista (record label), 168

  Armatrading, Joan, 220

  Armstead, Jo, 73

  Ashford, Jack, 50

  Ashfor
d, Nick, 73

  “At the Mercy of a Man,” 104

  Atco (record label), 205

  Atkins, Cholly, 150

  Atlantic Records, 22, 118, 191; Aretha Franklin with, 67–68, 91–92, 103–4, 109; artists for, 27, 31, 37, 121–22, 126; BLV’s records for, 27, 37, 110–14, 205; European release of BLV material for, 205–6; parting of BLV from, 53–54, 58, 61; prestige of, 43; support for BLV from, 30, 32, 37, 50, 97–98, 119–20, 121–22, 122–23

  Autry, Gene, 7

  “Baby, Don’t Do It,” 40

  Baby Grand (New York club), 55, 65

  Bacharach, Burt, 53, 54

  “Bacon Fat,” 41, 43

  Baker, LaVern, 27