Bettye Lavette
Bettye LaVette is an influential American soul singer whose career spans over 60 years. She began recording music in the 1960s but only achieved widespread recognition in the 2000s, particularly after the release of her album "I've Got My Own Hell to Raise" in 2005, which revitalized her career and showcased her incredible vocal talent.
LaVette’s unique ability to reinterpret songs has earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Blues Hall of Fame, further solidifying her status as one of the preeminent vocalists in the soul genre.
In December 2025, she released a new album titled "LaVette!" featuring songs written by Randall Bramblett, with "Plan B" as the first single. This album adds to her extensive discography, which also includes notable releases such as "Let Me Down Easy: Bettye LaVette In Memphis" (2022) and "Blackbirds" (2020).
Overall, Bettye LaVette's contribution to music is profound, and her ability to convey deep emotion through her performances continues to captivate listeners around the world.
Tell Me A Lie
A2 Either Way We Lose (Jan Bidewell Buckingham*, Randy McCormick 3:22)
A3 Suspicions (David Malloy, Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens, Randy McCormick 4:14)
A4 You Seen One You Seen Em All (Sam Lorber, Tim DuBois 2:41)
A5 I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield 3:22)
B1 Tell Me A Lie (Barbara Wyrick, Mickey Buckins 3:46)
B2 I Like It Like That (Barbara Wyrick, Suzy Storm 3:28)
B3 Before I Even Knew Your Name (Marty Panzer, Steve Dorff 3:22)
B4 I Can't Stop (Mickey Buckins, Randy McCormick 3:22)
B5 If I Were Your Woman (Clay McMurray, Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer 3:17)
Label: Motown – 6000 ML
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Southern Soul
Bettye LaVette's 1982 Tell Me a Lie, her first album released on Motown, is considered an underrated gem, showcasing her raw, emotional, and "earthy" vocal power on tracks like the country-tinged "He Made a Woman Out of Me" and the quiet storm "Suspicions," proving her soulful versatility beyond the typical 80s sound, with critics praising her unique ability to inhabit and transform songs into deeply personal statements.
The album is noted for using top-tier Nashville and Memphis musicians to create a classic Southern soul feel, a departure from the typical Motown sound of that era. Producer Steve Buckingham recorded LaVette's vocals live with the rhythm section, giving the record an immediate, raw feel.
Critics consistently praise LaVette's "on top form" vocals, highlighting her ability to infuse lyrics with deep emotion and a "gritty edge". Her delivery is described as "earthy" and full of expression, making each song uniquely her own.
While on Motown, the album leans into contemporary soul, quiet storm, and even touches on country-pop (with Eddie Rabbitt's "Suspicions"), demonstrating LaVette's ability to adapt while retaining her unique flavor, according to Funk My Soul.
"He Made a Woman Out of Me" and "Do Your Duty" were R&B hits, while "I Like It Like That" (a precursor to Pointer Sisters hits) and the title track are often highlighted.
Though it only charted briefly, it gained cult status and is seen as deserving more recognition, with its 2008 CD reissue praised for great sound and liner notes by A. Scott Galloway.
Tell Me a Lie is a testament to LaVette's enduring talent, a soulful album that deserves to be rediscovered for its emotional depth and vocal mastery, despite its initial limited commercial success.