Very Best Of

2015 collection Bettye Swann had one big hit 'Make Me Yours', another five respectable ones and four more that made the lower reaches of the charts. But the twenty-odd singles and three LPs issued were of such high quality that although her soul styles crossed from the Motown sound, to country and on to the Philly soul era, she is spoken of with much respect and some awe by all soul fans. Recording with Arthur Wright at Money, Wayne Shuler at Capitol, Rick Hall at Fame and Atlantic and later Tony Bell, Phil Hurtt and LeBaron Taylor at Atlantic gave her recordings the best credentials and in nearly all cases, sympathetic productions for Bettye's beautiful voice. Despite the brilliance of her released sides, it could be argued that Atlantic left the best number in the can: 'Either You Love Me Or Leave Me'. Also neglected was the superb mid-tempo beauty of 'I Want Sunday Back Again'. She has largely kept her own counsel since her final 45 issued in 1976, which has added to her mystique.