Beth Hart has a story to tell. The girl with the big voice not only sings the blues, she has lived them. Tuesday night at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts, Hart brought her “Fire On The Floor” tour to town with an eager conviction. The Blues has always been a genre full of stories. Beth Hart’s story started more than 20 years ago and has seen ups and downs. Her well-publicized battle with the bottle and other vices was on full display in a salty, sometimes downright dirty 20-song show. It seemed like it was half confession and a half vampy romp through the backroads with an adventurous, self-guided circus side show. The good news is she has recovered from her addictions and now performs with a fierce passion and the energy of a much younger woman. Echoes of Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle and Tina Turner play out when she is on stage. From the opening song “Close to My Fire” Hart commanded the audience.
Entering the room from the side door, she walked through the crowd, taunting and teasing audience members with flirty dance moves. Dressed in clingy little back dress with fishnets and high heels, Hart looked healthy, sexy and ready to party. Her shoulder-length reddish hair flailing about as she belted out the lyrics. Appearance aside (she has fashion model good looks), what makes Beth Hart is her voice. It varies from a subtle whisper to a throaty roar, smooth as silk then rough as a kick in the gut when needed. Now in her mid-forties, her voice sounds better than ever.
It’s hard to describe but Hart has a second and even third gear she puts into motion when powering out her vocals. Just when you think she’s out of breath, in comes a higher level. Along with her amazing voice is a mastery of the keyboard and guitar. She revealed that her setlist changes every night and even she gets surprised by the selections. Hart credits her tour manger/husband Scott Guetzkow for the ever-changing song setlist and most of all, keeping her on the right path.
Hart’s song choices for the evening were mostly her own compositions. Drawing from the years she spent with Joe Bonamassa and Jeff Beck, Hart mixed the tempo and pace. “Delicious Surprise” was dedicated to her sister who kept her in a positive frame of mind. “Lay Your Hands on Me” was a smoldering yearning for affection co-written with guitarist Jon Nichols.
“One-eyed Chicken, Two Legged Dog” a autobiographical story of a crazy woman who can’t change brought light laughter from the crowd. “I’ll Take Care of You” was a burning plea of a song written for a former love. “Jazz Man” was about her discovery of a love for new music. As the night rolled on, Hart switched from piano to guitar to singing acapella, displaying a versatility lost to many of today’s young performers. “St. Teresa” was a beautiful ballad dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Hart’s outpouring of emotion during this song led to a standing ovation which would be repeated several times during the evening.
The highlight of the show was “Tell Her You Belong to Me” about her father leaving her mother for the arms of another woman. Hart let it all out on this song, singing with a extra level of power as she told this sad story. It was therapy. A little girl sings to her daddy and comforts her broken-hearted mother. The crowd exploded at the end of the song and stood on their feet, clapping for several minutes. But she had more to give. The show ended with “Leave the Light On” with Hart spot lit at the piano pouring her heart out to her husband with lyrics “I want to love, I want to live” and the final line “I’m crazy about you baby”.
Just when you thought that was the end, Hart returned to the stage for a five song encore that started with a rousing version of the Tina Turner cover “Nutbush City Limits” and ended with the slow and serious “Picture in a Frame”
Beth Hart left the stage that night with her arms waving and head held high, a comeback story of the highest order. The audience left the room that night with a buzz that you could feel was a showing that they had just witnessed something very special. If Beth Hart comes to perform in your area, make sure you go and witness her rare talent. Her story has a happy ending.
Setlist:
Close to My Fire
Rhymes (Etta James cover)
Delicious Surprise
Lay Your Hands On Me
One-Eyed Chicken/Sister Heroin
I’ll Take Care
Jazz Man
Broken and Ugly
St Teresa
Might As Well Smile
For My Friends
Baby Shot Me Down
Tell Her You Belong To Me
Living in the City
Leave the Light On
Encore:
Nutbush City Limits
Chocolate Jesus
Love is a Lie
Fat Man/Waterfalls
Picture in a Frame
Photos by Gus Griesinger
We would like to thank Dave Wedekindt from UB Center for the arts for the credentials to review the show.
