The first Beth Orton song I ever heard was Couldn’t Cause Me Harm, track 3 from today’s Album of the Day, “Central Reservation.” I was drawn to the overall chilled groove, beat, vibe, thing it had going for it; a near five minutes of cool. From there I sought out the rest of Orton’s follow-up record to her wonderful debut, “Trailer Park;” shout-outs to She Cries Your Name, Galaxy of Emptiness, Tangent and Someone’s Daughter. Like “Trailer Park,” “Central Reservation” is the near perfect combo of a beautiful acoustic atmosphere and a folktronica pallet. The colors that this album conjures up for me are deep violets and blues alongside subtle pinks and oranges. The finished picture works. I also relish Orton’s interesting lyrics. Here’s Sweetest Decline’s poetic nectar:
“She weaves secrets in her hair
The whispers are not hers to share
She’s deep as a well
She’s deep as a well
Another day wastes away
And my heart sinks with the sun
A new day’s dawning
And a new day has not yet begun
So, anyway, there I was
Just sitting on your porch
Drinking in your sweetest decline
Your sweetest decline
What’s the use in regrets
They’re just things we haven’t done yet
What are regrets?
They’re just lessons we haven’t learned yet
Another day draws away
And my heart sinks with the sun
It’s like catching snow on my tongue
It’s like catching snow on my tongue
So, anyway, there I was
Just sitting on your porch
Drinking in your sweetest decline
The sweetest decline
What are regrets?
What are regrets?
They’re just lessons we haven’t learned yet
It’s like catching snow on your tongue
You can’t pin this butterfly down
Can’t pin this butterfly down” ^
I am quite fond of that tune, the aforementioned Couldn’t Cause Me Harm, Stars All Seem to Weep, So Much More, Stolen Car, Love Like Laughter, Pass in Time and both versions of the title track. I shall also throw a nod out there to some of the interesting guest musicians that appeared on this LP; Dr. John, Ben Harper, Terry Callier and Ben Watt.
Beth Orton continues to be one of my go to artists. She makes many a playlists and always makes me feel a mixture of melancholy and joy. And for all you holiday shoppers out there, that is a gift that can’t be bought.
^ words and music by Beth Orton.
365, Album of the Day 2014 