Black Widow Spider - Miss Lavelle White

Title: Black Widow Spider

Artist: Lavelle White

Composer: Lavelle White 

Album: It Haven't Been Easy 

Label: Discovery 74719

Year Released: 1996

 

Lavelle White's bio from her record label:

Lavelle White began performing in Houston clubs in the 1950's with the Johnny Copeland Band. Scouted by Don Robey of Duke-Peacock Records, she was signed to that label and cut her first sides with Duke in 1958. She consequently had several regional hits, including "Stop Those Teardrops", featuring Dr. John on piano, and "Yes, I've Been Crying." In all, she recorded nearly a dozen sides for Duke; she also wrote "Lead Me On" for Bobby "Blue" Bland. White also toured nationally throughout the '50's and '60's as an opening act or supporting act for numerous R&B packages, which included B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Sam Cooke, Gene Chandler, Gladys Knight & The Pips, the Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, and Smokey Robinson. After her recording career ended at Duke in 1964, she continued working clubs in Texas and the south, including stints with famed Arkansas guitarist Lary Davis. She left Houston in the late 70's and moved to Chicago, where she beacame the headliner at the famed blues club the Kingston Mines from 1978 -1987. While in Chicago she worked with such notables as Jr. Wells, Buddy Guy and Lonnie Brooks. She returned to Houston in 1988 and once again began working the clubs, including Antone's in Austin. She has since been voted Houstons Blues Artist Of The Year, and recieved three French Academy Awards, including the Bill Broonzy Award and the Charlie Cross Academy award by President George Mitterand for her talent and contribution the the blues. 1994, she recorded her first full album, Miss Lavelle, on Antone's Records and it was voted one of the best blues albums of the year. She recieved three W.C. Handy Award nominations in May 1995, including Artist of the Year. The long hard years of hard work have finally paid off for Lavelle White, as she has finally begun to recieve the recogniztion deserving of her talent.

I caught a glimpse of Miss Lavelle White years ago on an old Austin City Limits show.  I was simply mesmerized.  I thought, "This ol' gal has still got it.  Who is she?"  I found one of her CDs online and immediately ordered it.  The whole album is great, but I particularly like the track Black Widow Spider.   I would love to see her live in concert down in Texas.  I think she is vastly underrated. 

I dedicate this one to Eric, who appreciates both good blues music and black widow spiders.  Enjoy! 

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Comments

[Eric]

.... fuuuuuunky, Jerry...... and most excellent!...