Bettye Crutcher
Bettye Crutcher was an acclaimed American songwriter known for her work with Stax Records. Born on September 16, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee, she passed away on October 20, 2022, in Nashville.
Crutcher served as a staff writer at Stax Records, where she was the only woman in its core songwriting team, contributing to the label's signature soul sound. She collaborated frequently with Homer Banks on hits like "Whodunit" by the Staple Singers and songs for artists such as Johnnie Taylor and The Soul Children.
From a young age in Memphis, Crutcher showed a passion for writing poems and lyrics. Her understated yet powerful contributions earned her recognition as a "quiet powerhouse" behind Stax's legendary output.
Long As You Love Me
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher, Mack Rice
A2 When We're Together
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher
A3 Passion
Written-By – Arris Wheaton, Bettye Crutcher, Mack Rice
A4 A Little Bit More Won't Hurt
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher, Mack Rice
A5 Sunday Morning's Gonna Find Us In Love
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher, Mack Rice
B1 Sugar Daddy
Written-By – Arris Wheaton, Bettye Crutcher, Mack Rice
B2 Call Me When All Else Fails
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher, David Porter, Ronnie Williams
B3 Up For A Let Down
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher, Mack Rice
B4 So Lonely Without You
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher, Mack Rice
B5 Sleepy People
Written-By – Bettye Crutcher
Label: Enterprise – ENS-7505
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Bettye Crutcher's sole solo album, Long As You Love Me (1974), is widely regarded by soul connoisseurs as a "hidden gem" of the Stax Records catalog. Produced by Crutcher and Mack Rice, it features backing from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
Contemporary critics often highlight the album's high production values and "first-class" arrangements. It has been described as an "essential" soul package, particularly in its expanded 2013/2014 reissues.
Reviews of her singing are mixed. Some praise her "mellow-voiced" and "sweetly compelling" delivery, while others find her vocals "limited" or "almost timid" compared to the powerhouse soul singers of her era.
Originally released during the final days of Stax, the album lacked promotion and remained obscure until it was rediscovered by hip-hop producers for sampling in the late 1980s.
Standout Tracks... "Sugar Daddy": An up-tempo track featuring flutes and strings, released as a single; "Passion": An atmospheric, slow ballad later covered by Shirley Brown; "Call Me When All Else Fails": A "churchy," slow gospel ballad noted for its emotional depth; "Up For A Let Down": A mid-tempo track with a pop-influenced Bacharach-David feel.
The Ace/Stax 2013 CD reissue includes six bonus tracks, such as "So Glad To Have You" and "Make A Joyful Noise". Ratings on Discogs currently average around 4.4/5.