Bettye LaVette

The Profile

Bettye LaVette is an American soul singer from Detroit, active since the early 1960s. Celebrated for her interpretive power, she enjoyed a major resurgence with A Woman Like Me (2003) and the acclaimed I've Got My Own Hell to Raise (2005), produced by Joe Henry for Anti-.

Detroit-born soul vocalist who began recording in the 1960s; performed alongside James Brown. After years of industry neglect, she returned with A Woman Like Me (2003) and the Joe Henry-produced I've Got My Own Hell to Raise (2005) on Anti-, an all-female set of covers (including songs by Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, Sinéad O'Connor, Joan Armatrading, Aimee Mann, and Fiona Apple).

Hal’s review crowns I've Got My Own Hell To Raise as a late-career triumph for Detroit soul singer Bettye LaVette. It celebrates her deep, rough, emotionally charged voice, Joe Henry’s stripped production, and an all-female set of covers (from Lucinda Williams to Dolly Parton and Sinéad O’Connor). The piece frames LaVette’s resurgence after industry neglect, noting roots in the 1960s and performances alongside James Brown.