Beth Orton - London Electric Ballroom, 9/7/2002

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 17 / 7 / 2002

intro

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

I have been watching Beth Orton live on stage since '96 and whereas originally she would appear accompanied just by her guitarist, Ted Barnes, her new band, which still includes Ted Barnes, completely fills the stage tonight at the over packed Electric Ballroom. She comes on at about 9pm and plays till past 11pm. This gig shows how she come on as both a songwriter and a live performer. She has always come up with the goods, but now is totally at home on the stage, telling us three jokes, two which were terrible, one that was alright and easily handling hecklers. Dressed all in black and coming on solo and ending the set solo too, she pours out most of her new album 'Daybreaker', which sounds very powerful on the Camden audience's ears. I first heard the majority of these songs at Beth's Rough Trade show last March, but then it was a stripped down gig, so we didn't really hear how well thought out these songs were and at that stage in which direction they would go. The new songs sound better developed, more orchestral and at times are a bit Bjork-ish which isn't a bad thing in my book. At times Beth is having such a good time that some of the songs suffer as she rushes them. 'Someone's Daughter' was unrecognisable for a while, and even 'She Calls Your Name', while maintaining its sweet taste of violin, loses its heavy bass and the funky introduction at its beginning. On the whole if you had to describe tonight's show, it was very Beth. It was more orchestrated, more folky, more dancey, but in a mature way which would appeal to non clubbers. Just really a great night with a great girl !

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