Beth Hart performing her Fire On The Floor Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Sunday 15th April 2018.
Images and Reviews by Kevin Cooper
There are singers, there are good singers and then there is Beth Hart. And last night she came to The Royal Concert Hall to deliver a performance that showcased the power, passion and purity of this extraordinary artist.
Having previously collaborated with A list guitar slingers Joe Bonamassa and the legendary Jeff Beck, last night Hart had her own band of very talented players. Coming onto the stage to deliver a belting Sinners Prayer, the tone was set for the evening’s repertoire of redemption songs.
With a back story that involves addiction, dysfunction and bi-polar disorder, she was not afraid to tell this appreciative audience what her songs were about as she engaged them with her stories. And when she displayed that remarkable voice, a cross between Etta James and Janis Joplin, she threatened to either break your heart or uplift your soul.
Songs from her latest album, Fire On The Floor, featured in the set and sung live they gained an extra intensity and emotion, notably Love Is A Lie and the Leonard Cohen inspired, Love Gangster. But with an extensive back catalogue there was something for everyone. Delicious Surprise and Is That Too Much from her 1999 album Screamin’ For My Supper took the audience down memory lane, whilst old favourite Broken And Ugly was a highlight.
For much of her set she was sat behind her piano, candles flickering on top, for the likes of Coca Cola, Baddest Blues and Them There Eyes and she slowed things right down for Take It Easy On Me which had her voice soaring with emotion across her beautiful piano playing.
Finishing with a fabulous encore of Saved, Fire On The Floor and a beautiful As Long As I Have A Song Beth Hart had proved that she owned all nine little letters that make up one very big word; Brilliant!