tight person of the day: betty harris

When it comes to soul music, there is an unspoken rule. If your name is Betty, then you are primed to be the tightest person around. I mean, really! Betty Harris is a goddess. She looks eight feet tall and ready to dominate in that photo. Luv her.

I first learned of Betty through her cover of Solomon Burke's hit "Cry to Me." Dirty Dancing, anyone? She slowed it wayyyy down and it made things get real sexy. Which is hard to do, considering Solomon's was also sexing things up.

Here's the Solomon song:



And Betty's version:



So, you can see (or hear) that Betty is an amazing vocal talent. In the sixties, Betty was being produced by Allen Toussaint. She released several singles during this time, but never really had the breakout success of some other ladies we know today, like Miz Aretha. I really enjoy Betty's ballads. The song I'm sharing today is from 1968 and is a more upbeat Betty (even though she's singing about a mean man - just go with it).

Betty Harris - Mean Man

tight person of the day: solomon burke

Solomon Burke has a knack for making me cry. I mean, this song I am sharing with you today is amazing. I want to film a dancing scene to a romantic comedy in some New York loft apartment to this song. I think you know what I mean.

Anywayz, Solomon is really tight. For one thing, he's one rare Tight Person of the Day that you could potentially still go see perform live. Another thing, he performs from a giant throne chair. Um, whoa. You can't make this stuff up. Solomon has recorded some really popular and well-known songs as well as dabbling in acting. And, hello, he has fourteen children and 90 grandchildren. I need to be revived. Just thinking about Christmas at the Burke house makes me nauseous. He must go to a High School Musical-themed birthday party every single day! He is still performing all the time though, even most recently at Bonnaroo this past summer. What a baller!

This song is so beautiful. How perfect would this be at a wedding? Or just played in my room while I drink my nightly medicine and have a good cry, nahmean? At any rate, I give this song my vote because he is singing two inches from the microphone. And FEELING it. Just like any good soul singer should.

Solomon Burke - What Am I Living For?