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Central Reservation by: Beth Orton

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Publisher: Heavenly
Release date: 15th January, 2001
Media: Audio CD

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Track List

• Stolen Car
• Sweetest Decline
• Couldn't Cause Me Harm
• So much more
• Pass in time
• Central reservation
• Stars all seem to weep
• Love like laughter
• Blood red river
• Devil song
• Feel to believe
• Central reservation (2)

Editorial 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

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Average rating - (more reviews)

Rating: - 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.

Rating: - 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'

Rating: - 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.

Rating: - Sweetest Ascent!

I bought this CD after listening to an interview and a few tracks from Beth Orton on the radio. This is really good album that succesfully blends a number of different styles. The romantic 'Sweetest Decline' is a definite highlight. Then there are the two versions of Central Reservation - one verging on folky the other fairly and squarely in the dance category. Stolen Car is also a really good track. Pass in time is both sad and uplifting at the same time. This is Dido with an additional something. Beth Orton has really done well on this and Trailer Park to combine a wide variety of styles on one CD. One of my favourites. On this CD there is only one dud track in twelve - buy this if you are in any doubt!

Rating: - Impossible to dislike, without being Middle of the Road

God bless her, she’s a saviour! I agree with one of the other reviewers here, when he says that Beth Orton is almost a genre unto herself. If I had to describe her music, I would definitely say that she has elements of folk, chillout, pop, rock and even trip-hop. It sounds crazy but it really works! Some good comparisons to other artists would be Sheryl Crow or Dido (without all the hype). If Beth Orton had Dido’s marketing she would be just as big, but more deservedly so. This is probably Beth’s best to date, and a good place to start if you’re a newcomer to her work. But don’t you dare miss her first album, Trailer Park and the Best Bit EP. Standout tracks include Stolen Car, Central Reservation and Devil Song. I find myself singing along to many of the songs on this album, which is a bit silly when you’re a bloke! Usually I only write reviews on this site when no-one's reviewed them before, so I have a chance to win the £50 :) But in this instance, I really feel like spreading the word. It’s truly, food for the soul.

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