Throughout her lengthy career in music, Beth Nielsen Chapman
has garnered enough respect, credibility among her peers and lavish praise to
be allowed a little self-indulgence. However when the result is as exquisite as
UNCOVERED, the latest addition to her back catalogue, then the pleasure has
well and duly been planted within the minds of the listener. On the back of a
Grammy nomination for her most recent album, a collection of children’s songs titled MIGHTY RED SKY, Beth has re-visited a selection of sculptured tracks that she had either a
partial or complete control of their composition but for a variety of reasons
never got round to recording herself. Not that the songs were left in a cupboard,
as seven of them earned number one status and were chosen by a very high
calibre of artists from both the country world and those of a contemporary adult
persuasion.
The line-up of musicians that Beth enlisted the services of
reflects her standing on both sides of the Atlantic ranging from the adept talent
of Vince Gill to the Celtic virtuosity of Phil Cunningham. From a record that
included recording locations of Scotland, Wales and Nashville Tennessee Beth
has mixed and matched the production duties to capture an accomplished sound
that weaves a thread through strains of traditional and popular country as well
as a sprinkling of classical folk and easy listening ambience. Overall the
result is a collection of skilfully produced and well-crafted tunes from an
adroit song writer displaying the peak of her talents.
From a personal viewpoint the most recognisable track was ‘This Kiss’ which Faith Hill took to the
summit of the country charts around a dozen or so years ago and the line of the
song ‘it’s subliminal’ goes a long way to describing Beth’s version as well.
However this recording of the massive hit had to make way for another country
number one as the album’s stand out track which belongs to the luscious and
palatable tones of ‘Five Minutes’, a
country classic taken to the ultimate heights by Lorrie Morgan. Lorrie and Pam
Tillis joined Beth on vocals for this re-recording that gave a pertinent reminder
of how to write a wide reaching country chart topper.
This track which shares its title with a song from Gretchen
Peters latest record leads us neatly into ‘Almost
Home’ where the Wine Women and Song trio of Suzy Boggus, Matraca Berg and
Gretchen provide gospel-eque backing vocals on a song made famous by Mary
Chapin Carpenter on her PARTY DOLL AND OTHER FAVOURITES album. The name
dropping of artists who have either recorded Beth’s songs or collaborated on
this album has only really just begun. The core of this album sees another pair
of successful country rollers take their place with ‘Nothing I Can Do About It Now’, taken to the top by Willie Nelson
and ‘Strong Enough to Bend’ getting
the same treatment from Tanya Tucker. Beth’s versions are no pale imitations
and you are left to ponder why her own recording career fell short of such
heights in terms of chart success.
The mutual love of Beth from our side of the pond is
reflected in the beautiful folk infused ‘Pray’
where the Celtic influence of its producer and Transatlantic Sessions stalwart
Phil Cunningham laces a gorgeous track with scenery inducing whistles. Further
UK input into the album came in the form of its title being suggested by keen
Beth Nielsen Chapman advocate Bob Harris. This album should also provide a
centre piece for the UK shows Beth has planned for February.
The pick of the rest probably lies with the Vince Gill duet
on Alabama’s number one ‘Here We Are’
closely followed by the Duane Eddy guitar contribution to ‘Sweet Love Shine’. Spritely album opener ‘Simple Things’ showcases Beth at her best in how to write a pure
and catchy pop record while her versatility surfaces in the bluesy ‘Meet Me Halfway’ previously recorded by
Bonnie Raitt. Of the final two tracks, ‘One
in a Million’, a minor hit for the late Mindy McCready has a pleasing
chorus while Darrell Scott lends a hand on ‘Maybe
That’s All It Takes’ which was a low reaching chart entry for Don Williams.
UK release date 20th January 2014
www.bethnielsenchapman.com
Beth plays Birmingham Town Hall in February details here
