Best known for the 1967 bubblegum soul hit, “Make Me Yours”, Bettye Swann was born one of a family of fourteen children in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her impassioned vocals (just ever so slightly off-kilter) bring to mind the kindred spirit of another somewhat overlooked trailblazer: Wendy Rene. A bold statement, perhaps, but dig this: Swann’s 1969 cover of The Casino’s barbershop ballad “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye."
A glorious paradigm of late 60s / early 70s country-soul, Swann’s rendition has a rooted authenticity with her vocals exuding a smoky naturalism without sacrificing her key ingredient . . .
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