Beth Whitney - Into the Ground (2021)

Coming from Washington State this fine singer-songwriter knows how to apply atmospherics, mood & haunting touches to well-written songs. Produced by Brandon Bee this doesn’t sound like anything in contemporary music today. This has touches of progressive rock, woven into folksier threads.

Gently resonating cello & stabbing acoustic effects highlight “Wild Roses.” Beth Whitney (vocals/acoustic guitar/baritone ukulele/banjo) creates an environment that seeps from a film like Janet McTeer’s “The Intended.” Tart violin strains, bellowing backup & marvelous voodoo arrangement underpinning. This is creative. Beth continues with this formula on “You Leave a Light On,” that steps into a more Carole King-type piano-driven song. Good lyrics, sung in a Jewel style. Tight, compelling & damn well-done.

A bit more sublime “Two Sons,” finds Beth’s storytelling riveting. Anchored by deep cellos in a country-noir spirit. It has a sense of magic, incense, moonshine, dusty Bibles, young barefoot boys strumming banjos & old men playing checkers in the smoky mountains. This conjures things.

With “Wild Horse,” a jazzier-pop vibe mixes with the tradition of show tunes & singer-songwriters of the 70s (Judee Sill, Pam Polland, & Cris Williamson). No hippie inclinations just superior pure, honest poetry set to music. Another well-arranged song with drama toward the finale. Beth’s voice has tonality & innocence. An inflection is similar to Melanie Safka (“Lay Down, Candles In the Rain”).

The 11-cut Into the Ground (Tone Tree Music-Drops May 28) have welcome melodies to the naked ear. “In Another Life,” is simple with sustained beauty throughout. A cover of Bob Dylan’s classic “Shelter From the Storm,” is brave. However, Beth passes it from contemporary to traditional. Her banjo rendition makes the song sound as if it’s been sung for generations. This is how certain songs live on & transcend their origins.

“Thunder,” is exceptional. Vocally similar to Natalie Merchant, Maria McKee & Kris McKay. Rich in poignant words, strong melody & performed with sincerity. “I Go,” touches in the realm of Jewel, Joan Osbourne but sung a little more juvenile & captured well with acoustic guitar, the unified vocals of Brittany Alvis & Gina Belliveau (both co-wrote the song with Beth).