Originally posted on my blog
Artist: BettySoo
Album: Heat Sin Water Skin
Label: Self Released
Well, another album review. This one is so good I just had to do a review of it. Bettysoo is going down as my discovery of the year, how I managed to miss her prior 3 albums is beyond me, but you can bet I will be exploring her back catalog after hearing this wonderful album.
Now first let’s get the obvious out of the way, Bettysoo….that is her name, in her own words “I guess Asian-American songwriters aren’t that common. At least, not in Texas”. Well songwriting and singing of this caliber aren’t that common anywhere honey.
If I had to try to explain her sound well I would say she has the voice of an angel, similar to Allison Krauss, but with a swagger and honesty that is more closely related to early Lucinda Williams. Of course some of that Lucinda-ness may be attributed to producer extraordinaire Gurf Morlix (who has also produced Lucinda, Slaid Cleaves, & Ray Wylie Hubbard just to name a few). Here he pulls guitar duty as well as production giving the album his trademark “grit and groove” sound which matches seamlessly with Bettysoo’s vocal stylings. Songs like “Never Knew No Love” and “Get Clean” showcase this perfectly. With Gurfs trademark guitar and organ sound blending with Bettysoo’s words and voice like Bailey’s blends with Coffee.
But don’t think it’s all “grit and groove”, no there is also a softer tender side to this album. With songs like “Just Another Lover”, “What We’ve Got”, and “Forever” echoing not just the aforementioned Allison Krauss, but artists like Eliza Gilkyson and Nancy Griffith as well.
The album closes with the song “Next Big Thing”, which is not only a beautiful song, but I hope a little bit of foreshadowing for Bettysoo’s career.
Recommended if you like: Lucinda Williams, Eliza Gilkyson, Kasey Chambers, Allison Krauss, Nancy Griffith, Kathleen Edwards, Pieta Brown, Patty Griffin….
