Product Description

Like Orton's debut TRAILER PARK, CENTRAL RESERVATION combines folk-pop reminiscent of Sandy Denny and Nick Drake with '90s production sensibilities. While the first record benefited from some well-placed electronic touches, CENTRAL RESERVATION is more organic, the slightly jazzy arrangements based largely around acoustic instrumentation. The production hereis not spare however, as Orton makes good use of a string section, the piano work of Dr. John and the vocals of Terry Callier (with whom she recorded the EP BEST BIT).
The cooldetachment of Orton's Sandy Dennyish voice keeps the inviting, friendly arrangements from getting too warm and fuzzy, even when her guitar and voice are the sonic focus. Guest producers David Roback (of Opal and Mazzy Star fame) and Ben Watt (half of Everything But The Girl) lend a good deal to themoody soundscapes, particularly on the electronic-tinged second version of the tile song. With its added layer of textural atmospherics, CENTRAL RESERVATION is intriguing, accessible folk-pop at its best.

Track Listing

1. Stolen Car
2. Sweetest Decline
3. Couldn't Cause Me Harm
4. So much more
5. Pass in time
6. Central reservation
7. Stars all seem to weep
8. Love like laughter
9. Blood red river
10. Devil song
11. Feel to believe
12. Central reservation (2)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9253 in Music
• Released on: 1999-03-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Single

Amazon.co.uk Review
Is Beth Orton the folkie Beck? Or is Beck an Orton with beats? Since both graze from genre to genre like goats feasting on whatever strikes their fancy, drawing parallels is tempting ... and perhaps pointless. After all, both artists were born in 1970 and emerged at a time when musical categorisation became an exercise in futility. English thrush Orton's third release--like her critically hailed debut and the Best Bit EP--prompts one to flash on an ever-swelling range of influences. Since she's blessed with the rich, warm voice of a true pop singer, it's easy to imagine her sharing space on some out-of-time radio playlist with Dusty Springfield (listen to the elegant, string-laden "Sweetest Decline"), except Orton's music draws on 1990s trip-hop elements as well the jazzy folk of Tim Buckley and vet Terry Callier (reprising his Best Bit cameo). Orchestration, upright bass, vibes and Orton's own resolute guitar give long, languid tracks such as "So Much More" and "Pass in Time" an Astral Weeks-like feel. All those touchstones and no fewer than six producers might imply that Central Reservation is something of a mishmash. In truth, Orton's overriding vision is all that's needed to create cohesion. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

It has all been said..
Thank you Beth for a beautiful collection of songs. If you like melodies and honest songs sang with emotion, this is a CD you should buy.

Orton is the voice of an angel not Charlotte Church!
How can you fault a woman who obviously puts all her emotion into her music? In my opinion you can't. This is the new breed of folk music at its best. The tracks are easy to listen to, gentle on the ear, yet can provoke emotions because it is obvious that her music is so true to herself. Her voice is gentle, but haunting, and the music emphasises this is such a beautiful way. Some of the stand out tracks are the opener 'Stolen Car', the title track, and 'pass in time'. She shows both sorrow and optimism within her words and has created a truly heart rendering album in 'Central Reservation'

heavenly
beth Orton is one of the most striking singer/songwriters we have produced from this land, and this album (her 2nd) blows you away with beats, folk, soul and depth. If you havent heard Beth before, get this album and Daybreaker - in fact get all of her albums incl. trailer park. her voice soothes and is original and unique and the music is spot on and totally Beths, all from her heart. And, lets be honest, heart music is better than any other.Keep writing and singing pls Ms Orton. See u at the Dome in March.