Beth Heart
Bang Bang Boom Boom
Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group
Producer: Kevin Shirley
Score: 8 out of 10
Following her jaw-dropping performance (with Jeff Beck) where she paid tribute to Buddy Guy, Hart spreads her wings with her eighth full-length album. Hart and producer Kevin Shirley have instilled this recording with a nostalgic, retro vibe that recalls smoke-filled cabarets. Often reminiscent of Etta James and Janis Joplin, Hart’s vocals mine emotions at levels so deep they would scare most singers. But the eclectic nature of the material, as well as the myriad stylings that range from the sultry chanteuse of “Baddest Blues” to the roadhouse rowdy in “Better Man,” indicate a transition period. Hart is obviously exploring new horizons beyond the blues, and her musical journey will fascinate fans who want to savor her evolution as an artist and person. – Bernard Baur
