Beth Hart: Sister Heroine

I have recently gotten into Beth Hart, another fantastic female rocker. Bjorn's mom introduced me to her a few years ago, but I only owned one song she did with Neal Schon (Journey guitarist) at a Les Paul anniversary gig. She recently released her 6th album, "My California" - and that is what Elly shared with me.

I LOVE IT.

Beth has a unique, raw voice that can croon ballads and belt out angry, angsty rock numbers equally as well. She is known for the latter, but apparently, on this latest album, her producer wanted her to "write her story" and keep the songs mellow and emotional. Beth was reportedly hesitant, and insisted that if she didn't like the completed project, she'd wipe it and start all over. But once it was done, she was satisfied.

The tracks tell her story - of her unfortunate childhood and adolescence in Los Angeles, the pain of addiction, losing and finding herself again, and the danger of mistrust and fear of other people. The 7th track, "Sister Heroine," is my favorite song on the album - and also the saddest. It's a tribute to her own sister, who died of heroin abuse, and is so powerful I can't stop listening to it.

It starts out as a soft, sad ballad, but picks up with deep emotion. In a way, it is even more powerful than it would be as some sad Barry Manilow lost-love song (which can be beautiful in their own way, of course). It reflects her pain, her struggle with closure, and honors the memory of her sister beautifully. And notice how the title is "heroine" - with an 'e' - to refer to her sister as a tragic female hero, rather than calling her the drug.

And what's cooler is that Slash (former guitarist of Guns N' Roses) guest performs on the track.

Lyrics
It's gonna be a dark cold December
With shaking lilies in the yard
Your sweet face I will remember
And how I'm gonna miss your stubborn heart

So forgive me for my weakness
I guess my faith is a little stoned
The angels cried on a Friday
The day that God walked you home

So goodbye, Sister Heroine
I'll remember everything
I love you, I love you, I love you
Goodbye white trash beauty queen
Your crooked heart and your beat up dreams
I love you, I love you, I love you

It hurts to laugh here without you
A piece inside of us is gone
Mama tries to smile too
You've never seen that woman try so hard
No more working Alvarado
No more liars, tramps or thieves.
Your skin and bones don't cast no shadow
On an empty bed in Motel Six

So goodbye, Sister Heroine
I'll remember everything
I love you, I love you, I love you
Goodbye, white trash beauty queen
Your crooked heart and your beat up dreams
I love you, I love you, I love you

We all threw roses at your feet
While you burned our crosses in the street
So if you're looking down on me
I love you, love you...

Goodbye, Sister Heroine
I'll remember everything
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you
Goodbye, Sister Heroine
And to the hell you were living in
I love you, I love you, I love you

Goodbye, white trash superstar
Shine on, wherever you are
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you.