Lavelle White

August 15 - 22, 1 9 9 6 [Off the Record]

*** Lavelle White

MISS LAVELLE

(Antone's)
This effort by the feisty Houston blues singer (who made her first splash with the Duke label in the '50s) initially sank beneath the weight of financial troubles at the Austin blues label Antone's three years ago. Which was a damn shame, because it was worthy of a lot better, as a spin through its collection of elegantly produced soul-tinged blues and R&B covers and originals quickly demonstrates. Now, through a new deal with Discovery, it's being re-distributed.
The Louisiana-born White proves to be one of the best-kept secrets traveling today's overcrowded blue highway on tracks like the sassy "Why Do Young Men Go Wild" and the funky "Wrapping Up Our Love." Throughout, White yells and hollers with the gusto of someone half her age while one of the world's best studio bands -- led by guitarist Derek O'Brien and anchored by drummer George Rains -- lend support as if they'd been behind her for life.
-- Mark Edmonds
(Lavelle White performs at Johnny D's next Friday, August 23.)