I’ve been listening to Beth Orton’s brilliant Weather Alive album once again. I say once again - I never really got going with the 2022 release.
As ever - I’m a slow listener, reader, watcher.
Beth has been under my radar for the past thirty years or so. I’ve always been aware of her, and in particular the singles. But I’ve never really taken it further.
And then three years ago, she put together an incredible live set for Gilles Peterson at Maida Vale to promote the Weather Alive album. I was hooked.
An ebay deal was done for the album. The entire back catalogue soon followed.
Weather Alive is a haunting album. Her voice sounds so fragile, almost to the point of breaking down. The lead song Friday Night is my soundtrack for walking the streets of South London alone in the evening.
There’s a strong hat tip to John Martyn. I think the Weather Alive album title might even be a reference to Bless the Weather?
So what if I’m running three years behind here. Music is right, right? Any listening is good. Especially if it’s Beth Orton.