2020 – Ruf Records
Release Date : Sep. 25, 2020
By Phillip Smith; Aug. 23, 2020
Three years have passed since
Bette Smith released her debut album Jetliner. The Good The Bad The Bette, her follow-up
album, is an exquisite explosion of gritty, soulful, and funky music. Recorded at Dial Back Sound in Water
Valley, Mississippi, the record was produced by Matt Patton (Drive-By
Truckers), and Bronson Tew. With Patton on bass guitar, and Tew
on drums, Smith enlists a small army of guitarists comprised of Luther
Dickinson, Jimbo Mathus, Craig Pratt, Jody Nelson, Bronson
Tew, Matt Patton, Curtis J. Brewer, and John Mcleod.
A bodacious cover of Lonnie
Sheilds’ “Fistful of Dollars” struts in with a glamourous, spaghetti-western
disco fashion. The rhythm is downright
funky and sophisticatedly accompanied with strings and horns. “Whistle Stop”, an original from Smith
is extremely bluesy and soulful. Based
on a dream she had shortly before her mother passed, this is a song commemorating
her last goodbye. Featuring Jimbo
Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers ), “I’m a Sinner” invokes the sounds of
sixties surf rock and absolutely cooks. Smith’s
vocals are fearless and from the gut, reminiscent of power-house soul singers Aretha
Franklin, and Sharon Jones. Luther
Dickinson makes a guest appearance to pour some sweet southern soul into “Signs
and Wonders”, setting the stage for an uplifting cosmic spiritual. Smith serves up a big bowl of Muscle
Shoals-style southern rock, with a delightful cover of The Dexateens’
“Pine Belt Blues”. The band is tight as
hell, and Smith’s vocals are rich and superb. More Muscle Shoals-inspired music follows with
a fabulous cover of the late, great Eddie Hinton’s “Everybody Needs Love”,
featuring Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers.
The Good The Bad The Bette is beautiful and flawless. Don’t let this record pass you by.
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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.bettesmith.com/
