One of the few musicians with a voice that truly stands out from the crowd and begs to be heard is Beth Hart. Her singing originates from deep within her spirit and is performed in a way that creates a visceral and frequently cerebral experience.
She is a lady who has occasionally lived on the edge, and her most recent album, You Still Got Me, is a collection of songs that are primarily autobiographical and expose all of her lived experience. She has even recruited two co-conspirators who have the same smokey back-bar tough persona—Slash and Eric Gales.
She exudes a sinister charm as a performer and songwriter, which frequently manifests as a femme fatale persona but is also equally contrasted with a fragility and vulnerability. Because of her “complexity of being,” her admirers are drawn to her and trust her because they know that what they see (and hear) is what they receive. Knowing that she can use what some may consider her shortcomings as a form of catharsis and eventually transform them into strengths is also energizing.
Her vocal skills put her in the elite group of singers that includes Etta James, Grace Slick, and Susan Tedeschi; she is soulful but also possesses a strength and poise that, when used by these exceptional vocalists, conveys the entire gamut of emotions. There is even a song on the album which describes one of her greatest vocal abilities, titled Machine Gun Vibrato (“But I can’t help it, It’s just the way that I roll, Machine gun vibrato, It’s all that I know“).
Her tenth album, You Still Got Me, is probably one of her best works. While many of her contemporaries have either faded into obscurity or completely lost their magic, her ability to produce a work of this caliber well into her career is a monument to her longevity and continued profession.
From the opening two rocking tracks, Saviour With A Razor (featuring Slash) and Suga N My Bowl (featuring Eric Gales), to the incredibly powerful Don’t Call The Police (a tribute to the racial tragedy and outrage of the George Floyd murder), to the Vaudevillian song Never Underestimate A Gal, complete with its carny-inspired vocal, the album is jam-packed with highlights.
The singer’s range is evident as she showcases her skills on country/rockabilly vibes (Wanna Be Big, Bad Johnny Cash), sultry jazz-tinged ballads (Drunk On Valentine), and outright rockers. The title tune, which is a heartfelt ode to her spouse who has supported her through good times and bad, demonstrates her ease around a lovely ballad.
The album’s excellent musicianship throughout and Hart’s ability to give each band member their day to shine are two other noteworthy aspects. The band’s (Tom) Waitsian musicianship on Never Underestimate A Gal and guitarist Randy Flowers’ outstanding solo on Don’t Call the Police are the best examples of this.
Kevin Shirley produced the 2023 recording of You Still Got Me at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Beth and Kevin Shirley have a long history together, dating back to her 2012 studio album Bang Bang, Boom Boom and her three albums as a collaborator with Joe Bonamassa (Don’t Explain, Seesaw, and Black Coffee).
Provogue/Mascot Label Group published “You Still Got Me” on October 25. It can be found at all good music retailers and streaming platforms.