Beth Hart- Leave the Light on (German Version) (2006) VBR

Beth Hart- Leave the Light on (German Version)

Year 2006

Tracks
1 Lifts You Up
2 Leave the Light On (new recording)
3 Bottle of Jesus
4 World Without You (new recording)
5 Learning to Live (new recording)
6 Easy
7 Over You
8 Missing You
9 Lay Your Hands On Me
10 Broken & Ugly
11 Lifetime
12 Monkey Back
13 Sky Full Of Clover

Beth Hart shows a strong return to form - and to her blues/soul roots - in her third release "Leave the Light on". The title track is an incisive take on the adult outcomes of abuse - perhaps exorcising some of the singer's own inner demons. Whatever the motivation, it's a powerful piece, easily on par with her previous hit single "LA Song". That single is repeated on the CD as a bonus track, along with an up-tempo remake of "Is it all too much to ask?" also from the last CD. Fears of an artist running dry of material are, however, easily put to rest by a full-on, exuberant 'live in the studio'- style performance. Other tracks range from the celebratory "Lifts you up", which kicks off the CD, rockier numbers like "Bottle of Jesus" to more blues/gospel influenced confessional tracks ("God only knows") where the Joplin influence comes through strongly. Although recorded in various places (including here in NZ) the diverse parts make a satisfying whole, showing an artist who's more at ease with herself and her situation, but still speaks eloquently to matters of the heart. "It's all good, baby" says Beth, to lead off one track. She's right.