Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As a mere 16-year-old, Bettye LaVette began belting out soul during its formative years for Atlantic Records, recorded for a multitude of other major labels throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, went to Broadway and finally found a post-2000s renaissance.

Now 78 with over six decades of show business under her belt, the song stylist from Michigan is truly a national treasure, so much so that both the R&B and Blues Hall of Famer recently scored the coveted opening slot for The Rolling Stones’ “Hackney Diamonds” Tour at Solider Field.

However, when she filled up the acoustically ideal Old Town School Of Folk Music, joined by keyboard player Thomas West, it gave fans a chance to fully encounter her excellence at covering others or going deeper into the latest “LaVette!” album.

The project was produced by Stones’ beat keeper Steve Jordan, in addition to guest collaborators Steve Winwood, John Mayer, Ray Parker Jr. and Jon Batiste, amongst others, but Bettye’s distinctive voice towers above such star power, just like it did taking command of this intimate environment for 100 or so spellbinding minutes.

Much of what made LaVette’s performance so remarkable was the ability to deliver everything from Bob Dylan’s “Things Have Changed” and “Emotionally Yours” to Nina Simone’s “I Hold No Grudge,” Kenny Rogers & The First Edition’s “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In),” The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” Tom Waits’ “Yesterday Is Here” and John Prine’s “Souvenirs” as if she was the originator.

Tracks off the newest album seemed to flow out as effortlessly, including “In The Meantime,” “Sooner Or Later” and “Concrete Mind,” alongside the golden oldie “Let Me Down Easy,” sampled extensively by electronic super duo Odesza.

Though she was the first to admit not being too keen to write, Patterson Hood from alternative rock/country band Drive-By Truckers convinced her to pen “Before The Money Came” during their collaboration, making for a fitting summation of the headliners’ illustrious history in the process.

Yet it didn’t matter the period, style or source of LaVette’s selections since they each could’ve comprised a master class in interpretation and communication for the esteemed educational institution, which hosted the living legend on many previous occasions, but perhaps none was more compelling than the current one.

For additional information on Bettye LaVette, visit BettyeLaVette.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Old Town School Of Folk Music include Songs Of Good Cheer (Dec. 12-15); Mariachi Herencia de México (Dec. 20-21); The Nut Tapper (Dec. 22); Cracker (Jan. 12); Siriya Ensemble (Jan. 18); Dylan LeBlanc and David Ramirez (Jan. 30); BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet (Feb. 15); Solas (Feb. 21) and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Feb. 23). For additional details, visit OldTownSchool.org/Concerts.

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