Elly Roberts reviews
Betty Lavette and Carol Fran:
Bluesoul Belles: The Complete Calla, Port and Roulette Recordings
Distributed by
Stateside (EMI)
- Cat.no: 8609672
- Released: March 2005
- Rating: 10/10
Deciding which of this pair is the best singer is tough - so it’s a draw.
Lavette is a soul-blues shouter in the Tina Turner tradition. Fran is has more
at her disposal with probably the most accessible larynx. It beggars belief
that neither made the big time.
Soul ballads and ‘Northern Soul’ style dance tunes make this essential listening,
particularly if you like obscure tracks that never surfaced on mainstream
compilations such as North Of Watford Vols 1&2, Soul All Nighter etc. It makes
you realise how criminally underatted they were during their time in the mid-60s.
Neither Fran or Lavette made commercial progress with singles or albums in the
UK, though they did gain high respect from their contemporaries. Discerning ears
will lap all this up. There’s nothing wrong with the singing, in fact it’s
outstanding, but the instant ‘pop’ nature pursued by Tamla Motown during the
same period never crossed over onto these recordings.
Essential and highly recommended collection.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
