Austin City Limits Season 34 Episode 2 Bettye LaVette/Pinetop Perkins

Bettye LaVette and Pinetop Perkins are the featured artists on season 34 episode 2 of Austin City Limits. The show opens with Bettye LaVette singing the hit song "Choices" by George Jones. LaVette expresses her appreciation for Jones' lyrical content and goes on to say that she uses music as her therapy and has a personal connection to each song she sings. She then transitions into “Joy”, one of her own compositions off her album “The Scene of the Crime.”

Pinetop Perkins, who is celebrating his 95th birthday, takes the stage to play his boogie-woogie piano style. Perkins has an extensive music career dating back to playing with Muddy Waters in 1969. His performance includes some of his own hits such as “Pinetops Boogie Woogie” as well as covers of well-known songs such as “Hey Bartender”.

Returning to the stage, LaVette performs a cover of The Who’s “Love Reign O'er Me” and includes a statement of dedication and respect for frontman Roger Daltrey, who was in the audience. She also sings Otis Redding's "Love Man," noting her Southern roots and admiration for Redding.

Perkins returns with his band and delivers the instrumental “Down in Mississippi,” during which he showcases his impressive piano skills and engages with the crowd. The mood shifts when LaVette returns with a live performance of “The Right Love,” an emotional ballad where she lets her powerful voice take the lead. She concludes her set with a cover of Sinead O'Connor's "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" and encourages the audience to focus on the joys in life.

Pinetop Perkins rejoins LaVette onstage for their finale, in the form of Muddy Waters' legendary “Got My Mojo Workin’”. The crowd is on its feet, dancing along to this classic blues tune.

Overall, season 34 episode 2 of Austin City Limits offers a diverse blend of blues, rock, and soul music from two legendary performers. LaVette's powerful voice and emotional delivery complements Perkins' lively piano while the pairing of two artists from different generations offers a showcase of enduring musical talent. This episode is a must-watch for fans of blues and soul music alike.