Earlier this week, I listened to Beth Orton's "Trailer Park" for the first time in about 25 years. I found a nice vinyl copy, reasonably priced. I've always liked the record, especially the lead track "She Cries Your Name" and the cover of The Ronettes "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine." But, revisiting it this week was a revelation.
"Trailer Park" is a gorgeous record. I found myself getting more excited as each song finished and the next began. I am very sure I didn't love this record in 1996 the way I do now.
There were a lot of "trip hop" and "electronica" records out at the time, and I enjoyed songs here and there, but I never thought the vibe was enough to sustain a whole record, with the exception of Massive Attack's "Blue Lines," which I think is a masterpiece. Beth Orton's "Trailer Park" was different, yet it must have gotten lost in the mix, because this week's spin hit me in all the right ways. There isn't a bad track to be found. It was as if I discovered gold.
I had another revelation. I had always thought the Ronettes track was released in 1974. I was wrong. That was a remake billed as Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes. It's ok, but the original, which was recorded in 1969, is absolutely stunning. I know I carried the Ronettes anthology CD at the shop, not to mention owning the Phil Spector "Back To Mono" box, but for some reason I assumed the version of "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine" was the remake. (Guess I never made it to Disc 3 on the set.)
And so...this week surprised me with two gems, the brilliance of "Trailer Park" and the original version of the song Beth Orton covers.
The Ronettes are up top.
Beth Orton's is below.
10 comments:
used to give "Trailer Park" to people who I didn't really know, but needed to find a gift for. never let me down.
Great song and thanks for comparing the two versions. Fascinating to me that I'd totally assume Beth's was an original of hers. I like both, but Beth's seems more personal to me.
Beth passed me by when Trailer Park came out - I didn't get on board - only catching up years later when she put out this song Mystery - my favorite song of 2012:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpEafEZbWIE
Later, she covered this Bobbie Gentry song, and it absolutely floors me every time. One of the most powerful songs, and performances, I can think of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D94_Rm0jxQg
Noel,
Listen to "Ode To Billie Joe" immediately following "She Cries Your Name."
It's an amazing one-two punch. A DJ's dream segue!
Beth's new album is pretty good too
Like Noel, I thought this was a Beth original. One of the problems of streaming...
Bill
Great segue, Sal!
It's always a treat to fall in love even more with an album you like. And anonymous, streaming really has made it harder and harder to even remember the names of songs, much less who wrote them. At least CDs had booklets and SOME credits.
I played Trailer Park to death when it came out! Now I have to revisit it. Thanks for the tap on the shoulder.
Thanks for the Ronettes share - more BW enlightenment! Great track!
Have you given a listen to Beth’s follow-up, Central Reservation? A little more polished to my ears but, still excellent.
My introduction to Beth was on the debut Chemical Brothers album and the closing track. Alive Alone, which I love.
Thanks for the share, Sal!
Eric
And a shoutout to @Noel M for the reminder about Mercury Rev’s tribute to Bobbie Gentry!!! Brilliant!!!
Eric
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