singer/songwriter Beth Orton combined the passionate beauty of the acoustic
folk tradition with the
electronic beats of
trip-hop to create a fresh, distinct fusion of roots and rhythm. Born in Norwich, England in December 1970,
Orton debuted as one half of the duo
Spill, a one-off project with
William Orbit which released a cover of
John Martyn's "Don't Wanna Know About Evil." She continued working with
Orbit on his 1993 LP Strange Cargo 3, co-writing and singing the track "Water From a Vine Leaf" before appearing with the group
Red Snapper on their first singles "Snapper" and "In Deep." In 1995
Orton teamed with
The Chemical Brothers for "Alive: Alone," the ultimate track on their Exit Planet Dust LP. After assembling a backing band comprised of double bassist
Ali Friend, guitarist
Ted Barnes, keyboardist
Lee Spencer and drummer
Wildcat Will, she finally issued her 1996 debut EP She Cries Your Name; her stunning full-length bow Trailer Park, produced in part by
Andrew Weatherall, followed later in the year. In 1997,
Orton released the superb Best Bit EP, a move towards a more organic, soulful sound highlighted by a pair of duets with
folk-jazz legend
Terry Callier; the full-length Central Reservation followed in 1999. "Stolen Car" was a moderate hit among college radio and tours across the U.S. were also successful. Three years later,
Orton emerged refreshed with her third album Daybreaker. This time around, she collaborated with ex-
Whiskeytown frontman
Ryan Adams and
The Chemical Brothers. In early 2006,
Orton released her fourth album, Comfort of Strangers. The 14-song set was recorded in two weeks with producer
Jim O'Rourke. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
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Comfort of Strangers
Trailer Park/Central Reservation