Beth Orton's first major release was
Trailer Park in 1996, which includes the ghosty, rich single
She Cries Your Name. I heard that track a few times and went straight to
Borders and paid full price for the cd, which I never do. Then
I paid full price again, for Beth's second major album,
Central Reservation. I figured that, given Beth's performance and unpretentious expression on "Trailer Park", she wouldn't disappoint me with her second album, and she didn't.
Both albums are superbly crafted and wholly engaging, in other words, she kicks much booty, check her out. Beth has a more distinct, developed voice on "Central Reservation". She seems to have more clarity about where she's going with her music and where she's coming from. She is delicious. Beth Orton said in an interview in 1998 that before she had the guts to sing in front of people, she used to sing to her vacuum for practice. How could you not love that? She is an old soul with a young voice, and welcomed treat.