Better Than Home

by Beth Hart

Overview

Separating from producer Kevin Shirley for the first time in three records, Beth Hart chose to work with Rob Mathes and Michael Stevens for 2015's Better Than Home. A change in producers helped Hart change direction, letting her depart from the down-and-dirty blues belting she specialized in throughout her time with Shirley, reconnecting slightly to her singer/songwriter beginning while emphasizing deep soul roots. Despite opening with the tight Memphis groove of "Might as Well Smile," most of the album is grandly introspective -- majestic brooding ballads with a clear debt to early Elton John. This cinematic landscape provides a nice contrast to Hart's raw, nervy vocals, accentuating the aching in her delivery. This emotional immediacy compensates for the sometimes elliptical songs, songs that take a little while to settle, but the risks Hart's taken on Better Than Home pay off: this is a distinctive, ambitious record that takes advantage of her natural talents in surprising ways. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/18/2022
Label:	Provogue
UPC:	0810020506952
Rank:	111076

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Beth Hart   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Peter Lale   Viola
Martin Loveday   Cello
Angela Clemmons   Vocals (Background)
Andy Snitzer   Sax (Tenor)
Larry Campbell   Mandolin,Pedal Steel,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Jeff Kievit   Trumpet
Charley Drayton   Drums,Percussion
Rob Mathes   Piano,Keyboards,Horn Conductor,String Conductor,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Vaneese Thomas   Vocals (Background)
Aaron Heick   Sax (Alto),Sax (Baritone)
Zev Katz   Bass (Upright),Bass (Electric)
James "D-Train" Williams   Vocals (Background)
Mike Davis   Trombone
Nikki Richards   Vocals (Background)
Perry Montague-Mason   Violin

Technical Credits

Peter Lale   Leader
Martin Loveday   Leader
Beth Hart   Arranger,Composer
Kevin Peterson   Assistant
Ed Cherney   Mixing
Wayne Warnecke   Engineer
Rob Mathes   Arranger,Producer,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Scott Hull   Mastering
Isobel Griffiths   String Contractor
Mike Casteel   Music Preparation
Lori Casteel   Music Preparation
Rune Westberg   Engineer
Jamie Siegel   Editing,Engineer
Greg Watermann   Photography
Kimberlee Wertz   Production Coordination
Jonathan Allen   String Engineer
Perry Montague-Mason   Leader
Michael Stevens   Producer
Roy Koch   Artwork
Raphael Lee   Assistant Engineer
Thomas Van Der Kooi   Artwork
Alex Vengeur   Engineer
F.X. Feeney   Liner Notes
John Cerrone   Editorial