BETH HART: Fire On The Floor (ROCK,Blues): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

To say that with "Better Than Home" (2015), Beth Hart's career has taken a new direction would be almost reductive. Indeed, even if the American woman already enjoyed considerable recognition, with this album, she saw her record and concert ticket sales explode. It was high time, as the singer has shown such extraordinary talent since the beginning of her career. But it is true that it is not always easy to find your audience for an artist who refuses to let herself be trapped in a too narrow musical niche. Faithful to her principles and probably wishing not to let enthusiasm fall, the Californian returns with a new album produced by Oliver Leiber (Rod Stewart, The Corrs, Paula Abdul...) and entitled "Fire On The Floor".

By the author's own admission, "Better Than Home" had been a painful album and was affected by its generally melancholic atmosphere. Without denying her style, Beth Hart decided to take the opposite view for her new work. To do this, she is supported by a team of legendary musicians brought together by Oliver Leiber. Among these greats, we will mention guitarists Michael Landau (Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis...), Waddy Watchel (Iggy Pop, Bryan Ferry, Linda Ronstadt...) and Dean Parks (Joe Cocker, BB King, Elton John, Stevie Wonder...), or drummer Rick Marotta (Aretha Franklin, Peter Gabriel, John Lennon...). A true vocal demonstration, without falling into exuberance, "Jazz Man" plunges the listener directly into the bath. Energetic and positive, this big jazz band is launching the album on the right track.

The rest is still Beth Hart and some titles continue to venture into sad and painful atmospheres, but whether it is on the disillusioned "Love Is Is A Lie" with controlled anger, on the eponymous title reflecting the distress of a person who does not know how to help a loved one in distress, or on the delicate "Woman You've Been Dreaming Of", the message is more positive, encouraging to rise from the trials imposed by life. Although dominated by bluesy influences, the whole set of tracks continues to sweep a fairly wide musical spectrum ranging from a powerful and catchy rock ('Fat Man') to a delicate and finely chiselled pop reminiscent of Norah Jones' early works ('Picture In A Frame'), through a groovy R'n'B and hammers ('Baby Shot Me Down') or a light and playful pop, a real breath of optimism ('Let's Get Together'). Add to that the reptilian "Love Gangster" with its hypnotic chorus and a lascivious and casual "Coca Cola", combining blues, rock, soul and jazz, and you have an opus that is unstoppable.

Once again, Beth Hart succeeds in offering a varied and coherent album in which her voice remains the main thread. Able to express all emotions by touching the listener in the depths of his soul, the singer takes him to sunnier and more optimistic horizons than on her previous album. "Fire On The Floor" confirm the talent recognized at "Better Than Home" and settle on the highest peaks occupied by these rare artists with a strong and honest identity. - Official website

BETH HART

FIRE ON THE FLOOR

PROVOGUE RECORDS

ROCK