Central Reservation - Beth Orton

This is another one to 'blame' on my Dad. Many years ago I compiled a Mini Disc of tracks from Uncut and Mojo CDs that came with his magazines. It was quite an eclectic mix wandering from Americana to Pop and every shade in between. Nestled between Townes Van Zandt and Mary Coughlan was 'Couldn't Cause Me Harm' by Beth Orton.
That track turned out to be a really good trailer for the rest of the album. Laid-back electronic tinged melancholic folk pop songs with contributions from Dr John, Ben Watt and Ben Harper.
It is criminal that she has not received the commercial success like those that followed her - refusing several offers to raise her public profile on ethical grounds no doubt played a part in this. In our X-Factor 'inspired' music era where fame is the ultimate goal this must seem like an strange stance to have taken. Calvin Klein's loss is my gain as this is the perfect album for a Sunday afternoon chill-out; mug of tea in hand, after walking along Saltburn beach.