BETTY HARRIS: “Intuition”
Artist: Betty Harris (www.evidencemusic.com)
Album: “Intuition” (Evidence)
Following a hiatus that has lasted for more than three decades, dynamic soul singer Betty Harris is back. The 16 tunes on her first release since the late ’60s shows that Harris — who worked and recorded with Big Maybelle, Allen Toussaint, Lee Dorsey, Otis Redding and James Carr — still has pipes and attitude to spare.
The opening, “Is it Hot in Here,” is a swaggering and rocking R&B track that at its best moments sounds like Etta James fronting the Stones. While the songs (mostly written by producer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Tiven and the bassist, his wife Sally) fall mostly on the rock side of soul, which is not necessarily Harris’ strongest suit, she aggressively grabs hold of each tune, determined to make it her own.
“Since You Brought Your Sweet Love,” a soulful duet with Freddie Scott, stands out, as does the bluesy, minor-keyed rocker “Who’s Takin’ Care of Me” and the slide guitar-driven “Time to Fly” (co-written by Bonnie Bramlett). “Need” sounds ready-made for a duet with Bonnie Raitt but it’s the closer, “Happiness is Mine,” co-written by Harris, that clearly sums up the attitude of someone who, after decades, is reveling in once again doing what she loves.
— By Michael Lipton
