tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597109012036351539.post2758426492157718992..comments2024-03-11T18:00:02.301+00:00Comments on Monkey Picks: BETTYE LAVETTE at the MELTDOWN FESTIVAL, SOUTHBANK PURCELL ROOMSMonkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07975282714651024572noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597109012036351539.post-57067105259165241712010-06-19T12:51:42.021+01:002010-06-19T12:51:42.021+01:00Nothing planned but will keep that in mind - cheer...Nothing planned but will keep that in mind - cheers.Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07975282714651024572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597109012036351539.post-26528380807793123572010-06-18T22:04:06.551+01:002010-06-18T22:04:06.551+01:00Yeah, mate...we've got it covered!
No, sadly...Yeah, mate...we've got it covered! <br /><br />No, sadly no Salt of the Earth. I was hoping for that one. Funny...I didn't learn about show #2 until a day prior. <br /><br />Do you have any other upcoming shows on your list. If paths cross...first beer is on me.Juddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02555739631887441278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597109012036351539.post-94108994862834162010-06-18T18:38:05.317+01:002010-06-18T18:38:05.317+01:00Thanks for all that Judd. Think we've pretty ...Thanks for all that Judd. Think we've pretty well covered it between us! Would've loved to have seen the second show - didn't even know about it until I turned up last night. Did she sing "Salt of the Earth"?<br /><br />Don't doubt the musicianship of the band, just don't like that style of playing and prefered it when they eased up.Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07975282714651024572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597109012036351539.post-17455487691828756942010-06-18T18:21:06.454+01:002010-06-18T18:21:06.454+01:00Well, we were certainly at the same show, we'r...Well, we were certainly at the same show, we'rent we...nice review.<br /><br />I agree with all of your comments about Bettye's performance last night. It was a shining moment for her. As a huge fan, I felt good for her and for us, the audience, that were witness to this. <br /><br />We know Bettye's story: hard luck case. She is a grinder...she's toughed it out by the skin of her teeth and with a little help from some friends. Her new "Interpretations" album with all Brit covers was on full display last night. Each set was 85-90% new album (the second set was almost completely different from the first). She told a story of a few people from London that "literally kept her alive" during her darkest days. They helped her get noticed and get gigs in London when the US wouldn't have her. They were in the audience last night. Bettye soared. <br /><br />I was huge fan before the gigs...this was my first live Bettye experience (unlike your lucky self). It was a very deliberate and concerted performance. She is an interpreter of songs. Her performance means everything. She squeezed that opportunity dry. She talked about how for the first time ever (!) she has a third album come out on one label...in a row, no less. She talked about how this time in her life was "special" and that she was "in a very good place". It damn well showed.<br /><br />She also made some funny comments about how the songs she was covering were her nemesis back in the day. They stopped here from catching a break and getting on the charts. Also, that they were written by "youth" and now she was doing "adult" versions of them. She said that she had to find meaning for her in each, in order to connect with them. It is no wonder why "Don't Come Easy" resonates. <br /><br />I agree with your comments on the songs..."Pity" was bow-down material. Whew. I am not a fan of "Satin" either. I have to disagree with you on the back-up band. They were excellent musicians...pursed lips and fat bass players aside...they were damn good. <br /><br />I stayed for the second show as well. I have to say, it was better than the first...Bettye was a bit more lose. She had the same "act" in places where the stories went, but here set list was different. <br /><br />The highlights (and there were MANY):<br />- Isn't it a pity (Gut-wrenching, "how-does-she-do-it" 'esque...second fave of the night) <br />- Don't Come Easy ( swampy, bluesy, feel...my fave of the night)<br />- Love Reign o'er Me (Can't imagine what this was like in a place the size of the Kennedy Center Honors. This performance was so big that I felt claustrophobic in that small room)<br />- Your Time to Cry (stunning...all of us in the front were trying to find our jaws on the floor after this...this was show #2)<br />- Don't let the Sun Go Down on Me (she sang this while seated on the floor)<br />- The Word (opener...set the tone)<br />- Let me Down Easy (this one was for her friends int he audience...she delivered the goods)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00214391633528859532noreply@blogger.com