Since the October release in Europe of Fire on the Floor by Beth Hart, I’ve been waiting to watch the new album stream onto my computer here in the United States. I finally have it and all I can say is WOW!  It is another soul baring and intense foray by Beth! An exhilarating tour de force that runs from soulful to upbeat blues to excruciatingly personal and beautiful ballads, Beth just continues to amaze.  She paints real life scenes in her songwriting, frames them with powerful strong rhythms, and then delivers the final product with a voice that belts out reality.  At times fiery and very often vulnerable, the album is a masterpiece!

On the title cut, Beth delivers another instant classic with lyrics that will cut waning lovers to the core; it is the radio/streaming hit of the album. And you may well need a fire hose to cool off after listening!

The tune, Good Day to Cry, just stunned me. It is as if Beth and Janis Joplin sat down and wrote a song together.  It is what Janis would have written and sung at this stage of her career had she lived…I just know it.

For fans like me of William Gibson and the novel Neuromancer (that forecast the internet back in 1983 and introduced the “cyber punk” cult), the tune Fatman could be a future movie soundtrack cut.  It is a witty biting look into the dysfunctional personality of a drug user and a great upbeat tune.

The song, Coca Cola, brought a laugh and a big smile to my face. For those of you that know me personally or listen to my DJ sets, you know that a cigar and a Coca-Cola can are never far from my hands when I play my tunes. And I would be more than happy to share an ice cold one with Beth any time!

Stylistically, the album takes you several different places. I can see Beth performing Baby Shot Me Down with Dr. John at the Jazz Fest in New Orleans; another song with strong lyric visuals and excellent keyboard work by Beth. Let’s Get Together is a vintage 60’s Motown soul that is a strong suit for Beth’s voice.  Jazz Man hails back to Billie Holiday and the film noire movies that I love so much.  Love is a Lie and Love Gangster are sassy and sultry tunes that harken back to her Bang Bang Boom Boom album. Picture in a Frame and No Place like Home are just great Beth ballads.. vignettes of her soul.

This album is a great listen and a testament to the songwriting, musical talent, and powerful voice of Beth Hart.  I can’t wait to see her perform these songs live….SOON!