Beth Orton - Conceived

by Anthony Strutt

published: 22 / 1 / 2006

Label: EMI
Format: CDS

intro

Enjoyable new single from Beth Orton, back after an absence of three years

'Conceived' features Beth Orton"s first new material since her 2002 'Daybreaker' album which she recorded with Johnny Marr. It is is the first single from her new 'Comfort of Strangers' album, which was recorded over two weeks in New York but written over four years. The sleeve has an air brushed 70's style cover and looks very folky. It has been released as a two track CD and two track 7 inch, both with exclusive B sides. 'Conceived' is a a little bit dancey and features a great steady double bass beat,. The vocal is confident and commanding, while the lyrics are bitter and sour about life and what it can do to you on your personal passage through it. It is well composed with strong instrumentation all the way, including a perky guitar, and elegant strings and beautiful cello. 'Endless Day', the other track which appears on the CD, is more fragile. It is as delicate as a Nick Drake track. The vocal isn't as instant, and it is much more 70's in its approach . Beth sounds very much like Joni Mitchell. 'Rectify #2', which is on the 7 inch, is wasted as a mere 7 inch B side that only a few will get to hear. It is moody and jazz based with big double bass beats assisting a minimalist numbe and is as lovely as Beth Orton herself. Welcome back, Beth !

Track Listing:-

1 Conceived
2 Endless Day

Band Links:-

https://twitter.com/beth_orton
https://www.facebook.com/BethOrtonOfficial/
http://www.bethortonofficial.com/
http://www.songkick.com/artists/308960-beth-orton
https://www.instagram.com/bethorton/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xWOwA9yoRanf8fDsNT_YA

Label Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/VirginEmiRecords/
https://twitter.com/VirginEMI
http://www.virginemirecords.com/

live reviews

London Electric Ballroom, 9/7/2002

English singer-songwriter Beth Orton is back with both a new band and an accclaimed new album 'Daybreaker' . Long term fan Anthony Strutt finds her to be on powerful form at a show at London's Electric Ballroom

favourite album

Central Reservation (2014)

In our 'Re:View' section, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, Anthony Strutt reflects on English singer-songwriter Beth Orton's 1999 album 'Central Reservation', which has just been re-released in a new double CD edition

Trailer Park (2009)