Betty Harris is an icon of deep soul best known for her slowed down gospel
rendition of 'Cry to Me'. She was born in Orlando, Florida, some time in the
late 1930s or early `40s but raised in Alabama. The daughter of preachers, her
church roots ran up against her desire to sing secular soul, but ultimately it
was the music that won.
Harris left home at 17 to pursue music and in 1960 found herself in California
recording the single 'Taking Care of Business'. From there she moved to New
York, where she performed a slowed down gospel version of 'Cry to Me',
originally recorded b...