Beth Orton – Trailer Park

Now for a late great British singer-songwriter, Beth is from Norfolk, close enough to my home county Suffolk to be a neighbour.  She was born in 1970, so at 54 a relative newcomer to these pages.  She lost both parents early and drifted a bit, but a chance meeting with producer William Orbit led to her singing on a couple of early tracks.  She released a Japan only album but at age 27 this record arrived.  Her style is a mix of folk and newer electronica, almost trip hop, but also a bit Americana.  As with most singer-songwriters it was the voice which captivated me, very laid-back but clear – reminiscent of Sandy Denny and the backing is quite trip-hoppy and compliments the songs perfectly.  She is, of course, a minor star in the firmanent but I like her.  Best songs ‘She Calls Your Name’, ‘Sugar Boy’ and ‘Galaxy Of Emptiness.’