Bettye Swann Special - Part II: The Capitol Years (1968-1970)

The success of Bettye Swann's 1967 single 'Make Me Yours' on Money attracted the interest of Capitol Records, where she recorded what is generally considered her most lasting work. Capitol smartly paired her with veteran R&B producer Wayne Shuler, and together they recorded a series of sides that blended the uptown sophistication of Chicago artists like Barbara Lewis with the earthy grooves then being churned out by southern studios like Stax and Muscle Shoals. This self-titled collection brings together nearly everything Bettye recorded for the label, including the two complete albums The Soul View Now! and Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me (although the tracks are all mixed in together), and a couple of non-Lp B-sides. There is an achingly great southern soul feel to these tunes, which range from fragile soul ballads with sweet harmonies to poundingly righteous stompers. The feel is just loose enough, with roomy arrangements that leave plenty of space for Bettye's sweet vocals, but still with the ability to tighten up and pound at the crack of a whip! Swann is equally adept at slinky, sassy uptown soul like '(My Heart Is) Closed for the Season,' 'Cover Me,' and 'You're Up to Your Old Tricks Again' as well as down-home, heartbroken ballads like 'Little Things Mean a Lot,' the bluesy 'Don't Touch Me,' and Otis Redding's 'These Arms of Mine,' but also unique blends of styles like her Baroque soul take on the Bee Gees' 'Words' and her countrified funk version of Marvin Gaye's 'Ain't It Peculiar.' In fact, she often dipped into country music for material and came up with some impressive songs like her aching version of Patsy Cline's 'Sweet Dreams,' which comes darn close to the original in the heartbreak stakes. Her takes on 'Stand By Your Man' and 'Angel of the Morning' are beautiful and soulful reinterpretations, too. This disc is packed with original, soulful, and exciting music from beginning to end. http://www.allmusic.com/, http://www.amazon.co.uk/, http://www.dustygroove.com/

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