Bettye Swann:Bettye Swann

Title: Bettye Swann

Label: Honest Jons/Astralwerks

Genre: southern soul

Rating: 6 of 7

On the heels of the unforeseen success of the self-titled Candi Stanton album, Astralwerks and Honest Jons have released a collection of Bettye Swann 60s/70s recordings. After only a small success in the late 60s and early 70s, Swann, born in Louisiana (1944), was overlooked by the popular masses. She had a string of moderate hits, but sadly, nothing to make her a household name. The fact is though, Swann, with her poppier soul songs, is the missing link between Motown and Muscle Shoals’ Southern Soul. Her always optimistic voice is soulful with a southern twang, and she is backed by a Motown-esque house band, complete with a mournful piano and triumphant horns. Included in these beautiful recordings are covers of Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine” and Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” to name a few.

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