Bang Bang Boom Boom
Artist: Beth Hart
Label: Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group
Released: April 2, 2013
Reviewed: March 31, 2013

I was first turned on to Beth Hart in late 2011 with her duet project, Don’t Explain, with guitar great, Joe Bonamassa.  While I was blown away by the first five tracks, I was skeptical that she could win me one hundred percent by covering the Etta James classic, I’d Rather Go Blind.   

I was dead wrong.

After hearing her OWN that tune, I became a Beth Hart fan for life and was thrilled to get my review copy of her latest solo effort, Bang Bang Boom Boom. Produced by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Page/The Black Crowes, Dream Theater), the album gives the listener eleven amazing multi-genre tunes – blues to rock, cabaret to jazz, and, of course, soul like it can only be sung by Beth.

Shirley brought together some of the best musicians in the business for Bang Bang Boom Boom. On drums is Anton Fig (Late Show With David Letterman, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen),Curt Bisquera (Josh Groban, Mick Jagger, Elton John) and Herman Matthews (Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Celine Dion); Michael Rhodes (the Dixie Chicks, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill) on bass; on keys is Arlan Schierbaum (Joe Bonamassa, John Hait), and guitarist Randy Flowers (Meat Loaf, Wynonna Judd).

Right out of the gate, Hart shows her stuff with the awesome Baddest Blues. Wow! The rest of the disc about didn’t get heard as I kept hitting the repeat button on this tune. Yeah, it’s that great and is at the top of the Boomerocity three that we’ll focus on.

The second tune on the Boomerocity list of three favorites is beautiful, bluesy Caught Out In The Rain. Again, once I got to this tune, it took me forever to move to the next cut because, in case you haven’t gotten the clue yet, Beth is the best at singing soulful blues and this tune showcases it! 
The third entry on the Boomerocity three is There In Your Heart. My impression is that this song is about someone Beth has known for a very long time and who seems to be at the end of life’s rope. It’s a darkly beautiful tune song of love for someone going away.  One of the most soul touching songs I’ve heard in quite a while.

Believe me when I say that, if you’ve never heard Beth Hart before and you buy this disc, you’ll be a fan for life.

Yeah, she’s that good.