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 by Solomon Burke and produced by Berns. He quickly took her to the recording studio and in three takes they had what would be Harris's most enduring work and a deep soul classic, released by Jubilee in 1963.

After a few more releases with Jubilee Harris moved labels to Sansu where she worked with producer Allen Toussaint. She recorded 10 songs with him. Only 'Nearer to You' proved a chart success, but all of them later went on to be well regarded by fans of classic soul.

In 1970 Harris retired from music to raise a family, but after a 35-year absence she re-emerged. She has made several public appearances since and recorded a new album, 'Intuition', released in 2007.

Betty Harris

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