Beth Waters: Beth Waters May 2004 By: Ami Lieberman

There's always a bit of hesitation writing CD reviews. What if I get a CD that I dislike, and can't find anything positive to say? So when I tore open my package to find Beth Waters's self titled album, I approached my listening with trepidation. However, with a sweet, soothing voice reminiscent of Tara MacLean and piano talent comparable to Sarah McLachlan, I was immediately taken. Not often does an unknown new artist creep into one's CD player and stay there for weeks. But Beth Waters's CD, with her obvious skill and hypnotically infectious melodies, has landed that locale.

In Philosophy, Waters demonstrates an understanding of the interconnectedness of life. There is no original thought / It's all been done / So when you think that you're alone / You're not the only one / We are all connected / And nothing stands between us / Except for ourselves. One of the reasons I find myself so drawn to this CD is its lyrical charm. While Beth Waters displays a magical understanding of life around her, she also opens up her own personal experiences with her words. The songs are an enchanting blend of private narratives and worldly awareness.

In Sweaters, Waters poeticizes that It called to mind how I'd always felt like I'm / The last one to hear of things / I'm in the back of the room watching all of you / I go unnoticed, but I notice everything. With songs that purvey a great aptitude for perception, I don't think Waters will go unnoticed for much longer in the music world.

In my favorite track on the album, Spun Sugar, Waters sings about the ever relatable experience of telling someone you love them, and fearing the consequences of that attachment. She uses heavy metaphors throughout the song, but the most gripping comes from the first verse. I don't wanna tell you I love you / And watch you wither away, wither away / Like a wildflower I picked and it died in an hour / Like it knew I stole its freedom / And it'd rather die than live that way. The whole CD is full of word play, making it impossible to stop listening.

I could quote her all night long and while, given her talent, that alone would be enough to attract any listener's interest, the only way to fully appreciate this gem is to pick up a copy of her CD. But do it quickly: with songs like these, her CDs will sell out faster than you can say "Beth Waters."

http://www.bethwaters.com