Beth Rowley

I am an absolute sucker for a soulful voice over a sparse, bluesey or jazzy backing band – especially when the song walks at the pace of a New Orleans funeral. So I was grabbed when Beth Rowley’s voice burst out of the speakers, all pure white soul like a latterday Julie Driscoll and with the emotional intensity of PP Arnold.

'Nobody’s Fault But Mine’ is a magnificent hit at a classic Blues number and shows her vocal range off without overblowing it. The simple organ & bass arrangement building to a gently plucked guitar simply underlining the quality of her voice and the superb phrasing she employs. The whole thing is a simple joy.

Her own material veers slightly more towards the jazzy side of her talent, 'Sweet Hours’ simple piano and voice, while 'Only One Cloud’ is a superb piece of N’Awlins tinged wistfulness. 'I Shall Be Released’ has always been an uptempo piece but here Ms Rowley makes it sound as though she isn’t as happy with the changes promised as others have suggested – there is an almost reggae feel to it which she carries off well and as an interpretation of Dylan it stands well above the norm.

Throughout the EP the production is superb; her voice is allowed to dominate without sounding pushed and the arrangements are subtle and relaxed but her voice is the main selling point and I have to admit to being utterly sold..

This is a preview of her 1st album, due early in 2008 and it suggests that the first major new find of the year is already amongst us.