Beth Hart
You Still Got Me
Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group
Singing straight from – and to – the soul, this is a stunning, timeless release that enthrals and entertains. Beth Hart’s jagged, fragile, sincere voice has the power to consistently cut you wide open throughout this record. When her haunting/haunted vox don’t get you, the mournful melodies will. When Beth Hart hits the higher pitch it’s as though she’s appealing to the Heavens. When she spits gritty, low register notes, the album gets gut-wrenching. Beth’s eleventh studio album is a gorgeous blend of empowering, soul-searching contemporary blues. Heartstrings are tugged so hard they could snap, but the edge and spirit of this artist bring everything back from the brink. Wait? What? Slash makes a guest appearance? Which track’s he on then? And that sums up this album. One of the most famous guitarists on the planet plays on ‘Saviour With A Razor’, yet the standard of ‘You Still Got Me’ is so stratospheric that you gotta check the track listing to find yer man in the top hat.
Review by Jo Wright