As I mentioned in my previous post, I rarely, if ever, conduct any research on a release prior to listening. Don't want any bias trickling into the process. Been spinning this off and on for seventy days now, feeling especially guilty this month about dawdling towards a post with the holidays almost here. Finally, I reached my decision on "yea, whole album," or "nay, just a few cuts to keep," and started poking around in search of some intriguing videos to play for you. Guess what? My frustration for dragging of feet was unfounded. The damn record won't be out in the U.S. till 2013, and her label narrows it down to "first half." What the f@(k? Now how in the hell does that happen? If you'll click on this post about her collaborative album with Joe Bonamassa a little over a year ago, you will get my historical take on Hart, but why would a record company loiter with the release date when the previous record was the biggest charter of her career? I was literally stunned. Obviously, "Bang Boom x 2" is available overseas but I'm unable to find any performance numbers. I see she's been promoting all through Europe doing shows and meet & greets, even sitting down and playing a piano with fans singing the lyrics. Beth Hart is a changed person...
...and it shows in her songwriting and versatility on this album. The team is essentially everyone 'cept JB (and there is news of Hart and JB going back in the studio next month to do a second album with an anticipated street date in May...now wouldn't that be some shit if it drops here before this one?) and I believe Ms. Hart has turned a corner and learned from her surroundings. These songs aren't as dark and woe-is-me as before, and I like how she's adapted more blues into her repertoire. Here is the title track official video...
Not as much of the warble in her voice, either. As you know, I don't normally like to link vids with a quarter-mil in hits, but the one above was the only thing I could find quickly from the new album, the one that may not be out domestically for six months. And I like the song...very catchy. My supposition is you'll hear it in your head for a couple of days now. But I needed something else for you to hear, and I almost went with another BH & JB track, but alas, thanks to a French radio station, I finally found one of the best lyrical songs for you...
More than seven years of professional radio experience and over twenty years in music retailing have provided many opportunities to introduce friends, family, co-workers and customers to great music in four different decades. Out of the biz now for more than five years, I still seek out new music to add to my enormous collection. Most in my age group gave up on finding new music years ago. To quote a line from Crack the Sky, "Why don't they make music for us anymore?" Well, they do, and I share my discoveries in a manner that is intended for those who know me, but can be appreciated by you who do not. I am not a reveiwer paid to have a piece available upon a recording's release, I write only after several listens and sometimes several weeks of spins. Feel free to comment, suggest, and enjoy!
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