Approximately half an hour into Beth Hart's concert Wednesday night, I found myself - almost in a trance – scratching down two words down in my notepad.

When the concert was over, I realized that I could have left the pad at home and have taken notes on the back of a pack of cigarettes. Those two words were the only ones there:


Fucking Hell!

Hardly a statement that pushes me first in line for this year's Pulitzer Prize, I know. Be that as it may. Those words describe almost to perfection my response to particularly the first half of Beth's concert in Amager.

Beth and the band hit the stage with "Sinner's Prayer" and she had not sung more than a few lines before the little hairs on my arms stood to attention,  a lump in my throat threatened my ability to breathe and joyful chills came pouring through my body in the summer heat.

All right, so I have seen Beth Hart countless times and I know what she,s capable of. Still, I simply can't remember her pouring her beautiful soul out as convincingly as she did on the aforementioned "Sinner's Prayer" and especially the cover of "Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" – I've seen her deliver like that with Joe Bonamassa but not as a solo performer.

Especially in those songs mentioned Beth shone through with a voice drenched in soul, sublime timing and an almost frightening intensity on a level that could have broken the law against indecent exposure. Except that this was anything but indecent but I'm sure you know what I mean.

The Diva Card

In recent years, her cooperation with Joe Bonamassa has finally taught Beth Hart that it's a good idea sometimes to leave the comfort zone behind her keyboards and instead play the diva card. I would like to see that she played that card even more, because it is when she is standing out there stage front with all nerve fibers exposed, Beth Hart is at her best. And when she is, Beth is not only one of today's but damn well one of history's most compelling vocalists.

Just a shame that magic sometimes gets broken because Beth at times can not let go of foolish antics and inferior songs like "Stinky Feet" and "Bang Bang Boom Boom".

In contrast it is perhaps understandable. Because obviously it is costly on a personal account when you present yourself and your inner feelings to the audience as Beth does.

Nevertheless, I hope one day she dares play the diva card an entire concert through. It will undoubtedly be a harrowing experience - for all the right reason. 
Until then; thank you for everything you give us Beth Hart. You are priceless!