Lavelle White - Into the Mystic (2003)

Lavelle White's third album for the Antone's label asks why she isn't as revered as some of Texas' other famous female vocalists. Into the Mystic gathers a dozen old favorites from disparate sources such as the Box Tops ("Soul Deep"), Merle Haggard ("Today I Started Loving You"), and the Edwin Hawkins Singers ("Oh Happy Day") and mixes in five of the Austin blues belter's own soulful compositions. "Livin' for the City" takes the Stevie Wonder hit and redesigns it for White's gutbucket vocals and Guy Forsyth's wicked guitar, while her timely "Computer Blues" isn't far behind on mojo. On an album packed with stellar local players, White and her magnificent voice are the stars.