Betty Harris "I'm Evil Tonight" 45 Sansu

This record is not much of a secret, Betty Harris is rightfully regarded in the top tier of (female) soul voices despite a limited discography. After a brief stint and some success working with the (awesome) Bert Berns in New York for Jubilee Harris began working with another outstanding talent in the form of Allen Toussaint and releasing music on his label Sansu. While this record wasn't the highest charting it's arguably been one of the most enduring of her hits, not that we need to really rate the records, they're all really amazing and worth your ear's time. I'm Evil Tonight is a super heated mid-tempo (though I can't muster the mind to dance to it) track that absolutely oozes emotional intensity in both the understated, restrained verses into the release of "if you don't minnnnnd" of the chorus. Allen Toussaint's arrangements are, no surprise, so strong and mirror the subtlety and explosiveness of the Harris' performance, from the muted guitars during the verses to the strings and vocals buried in the background behind a ominous piano and the definite punctuation of the xylophone. Ultimately, you could have Betty singing along to a damned spoon and whistle orchestra and you'd still feel this song like a punch to the gut because she's that good of an artist.