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The Sound Of Music
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![]() OK maybe folk singer is a bit harsh. Beth sings songs unadorned by the sorts of backing and sweeping arrangements that have kept people everywhere from realising that Robbie Williams can’t actually sing. She is unlikely to come out with a country number about cordwangling, ganderbags or similar agrarian nonsense. She’s more accurately the sort of terribly serious female singer/songwriter I would have had a massive crush on when I was an idealistic teenager. Think of Joni Mitchell but with better hair. Think of Janis Ian, but taller and thinner…and indeed better hair. But Three Rock Mountain is not about the looks, it’s about the music! ![]() Anyways, back to Beth! Her debut album in Europe Trailer Park was released in 1996 and the best known track is the simple but striking ‘She Cries Your Name’. In much the same vein was the languid ‘I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine’ while ‘Someone’s Daughter’ sets out to rock but ends up as a crustie dance-along that Fairport Convention wouldn’t have disowned. This was followed up with Central Reservation in 1999. An album of very nice and sweet but indistinguishable songs left me thinking I didn’t need to buy another Beth album if I can’t tell these ones apart. ![]() But time heals all wounds and in 2006 when Comfort of Strangers was released I was prepared to re-examine my prejudices. I’m glad I did. Beth & I have both mellowed a bit with age. It rocks. It rolls. It bounces along merrily in good humour and has a lot more fun than its predecessors did. Beth has rediscovered her smile and so have I. Samples of her music can be heard at www.bethorton.mu |