38 used & new from $0.55

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
Best Bit EP
 
See larger image
 

Best Bit EP [EP]

Beth Orton
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews) More about this product


Available from these sellers.


10 new from $7.07 28 used from $0.55

Amazon's Beth Orton Store

Beth Orton
Find all the CDs, MP3s, and vinyl, plus photos, videos, biographies, discussions, and more.

Visit Amazon's Beth Orton Store

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Trailer Park (Legacy Edition)

Trailer Park (Legacy Edition)

~ Beth Orton
4.4 out of 5 stars (41)  $15.98
Daybreaker

Daybreaker

~ Beth Orton
4.0 out of 5 stars (68)  $14.99
Comfort of Strangers (with Bonus Disc)

Comfort of Strangers (with Bonus Disc)

~ Beth Orton
4.6 out of 5 stars (5)  $21.98
Central Reservation

Central Reservation

~ D.J.
The Other Side of Daybreak

The Other Side of Daybreak

~ Beth Orton
Explore similar items

Product Details

  • Audio CD (April 7, 1998)
  • Original Release Date: April 7, 1998
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: EP
  • Label: Dedicated
  • ASIN: B00000677U
  • Also Available in: Audio CD
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #163,774 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

 
1. Best Bit
2. Skimming Stone
3. Dolphins
4. Lean on Me
5. Touch Me With Your Love

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Best Bit isn't the revelation its predecessor, Trailer Park, was. With that eye-opening debut, Beth Orton was marked as an uncommonly promising newcomer. Best Bit represents a rest stop between records. That said, the five-song EP is of value, if for no other reason than it unites the Londoner with American folk-soul stylist Terry Callier, who duets with Orton on his own "Lean on Me," as well as a cover of Fred Neil's "Dolphins." The title track provides another highlight; just as with the strongest tracks on Trailer Park, Orton here reinforces the notion that she's the long-sought offspring of such rich-voiced '60s thrushes as Bobbie Gentry, Jackie DeShannon, and Dusty Springfield. --Steven Stolder

Related Artists on Tour(What's this?)
Product Ads

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

10 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (10 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Just hanging out & jamming, March 7, 2002
This collaborative work with the great Terry Callier was an interlude following "Trailer Park", while "Central Reservation" was still gestating. Callier is an icon in folk circles, and Orton celebrates his influence in the "Trailer Park" liner notes. Small wonder, then, that she seems to be having so much fun jamming with him on this release.

Though Orton includes some original tunes on this EP, the middle cuts are the centerpiece. Here, Orton shares vocals and guitar duties with Callier. The result is a burlap collaboration of sweet guitars and plain-jane harmonies. They sound for all the world like they're hanging out in the living room, having a blast. We are lucky enough to watch and listen. The "best bit" is their rendition of Fred Neill's "Dolphins", which I've only ever heard another cover of, that by Linda Ronstadt on the Stone Poneys' "Hand Sown, Home Grown" album. Orton and Callier let the lyrics carry them and they follow along with wonderfully open results.

A common criticism of Orton is that her vocals tend to reediness or wander off-key. Whilst I don't hear the off-key bit much at all, I think the reedy quality to some of her vocals adds to her essential appeal as a "folk" singer. We have become so exposed to slick, highly produced music we seem to forget that most music is organic, hand-made and tends to be messy. The squeak of fingers changing chords, the trail of a note on a last gasp of breath, the sharp inhalation between phrases or notes -- this is the stuff of music. The "rough edges" on these tunes are their beauty. Enjoy!

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Got to have it, November 12, 2002
By A Customer
I've never written a review on Amazon before, although I am a frequent shopper, but this cd is incredible. If you never heard of beth orton or terry callier, who cares? Give it a try. The music is so moving, you won't be able to stop listening to it. Trust me on this one.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Terry Callier and Beth Orton make beautiful music, June 25, 1999
By A Customer
This is one of the best EPs out there. Beth Orton's and Terry Callier's voices match to make the two songs that they are together in soulful, suggestive, and beautiful. The songs are very touching and poignant, especially Callier's "Lean On Me." You should definetly invest your money in this EP, along with Orton's other CDs.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Churning out the hits!
I have been a Beth Head for about four months now and have bought up almost everything I can find by Ms. Orton. Read more
Published on November 2, 2002 by Robert Cope

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Beth
This brief bit of Beth Orton's magic really cannot be missed. Each of the five offerings is, in my opinion, "amazing" (in the words of another reviewer). Read more
Published on February 28, 2002 by W. Carol

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT!
This is a must for all Beth Orton fans. All the songs are absolutely great (excluding the slow dragging 'Dolphins') and Terry Callier's duet with Beth on 'Lean on Me' is amazing... Read more
Published on May 11, 2000 by Green Arrow

5.0 out of 5 stars Any serious music lover must have this
I admit to being a lover of Beth Ortons' work anyway, but this, her second widely available release, is the best. Read more
Published on April 10, 2000 by fuzzy_from_aus

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare Treasure
A short but pleasurable offering by one of the best new female artists. Mellow and emotive, this is a nice record for sitting at home on a cold winter's day. Read more
Published on February 14, 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent EP
While not complete enough to be an introduction for someone completely unfamiliar with her work, this EP does give those of us completely enchanted with Central Reservation and... Read more
Published on June 4, 1999 by Alex Pasternak

4.0 out of 5 stars A must own for fans of "Trailer Park"
I was so pleased to see a follow-up to "Trailer Park" even if it was only an EP. I was even more pleased by the fact that this in itself is also a great, great disc. Read more
Published on July 15, 1998

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Why vinyl? 30 4 minutes ago
Rolling Stones overrated? 16 5 minutes ago
Song question 2 25 minutes ago
Name 10 song titles about... 3383 39 minutes ago
Song Title Tag VI 4567 1 hour ago
Album Title Tag 3 9689 1 hour ago
The 10 Best Indie Bands 94 19 hours ago
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   


Listmania!



SoundUnwound Says...

Best Bit EP opens new browser window by Beth Orton opens new browser window is mainly Alternative Folk, quite Alternative Rock, with hints of Alternative”

Disagree? Cast your vote now! opens new browser window

Share your knowledge and explore the rest of the music world at SoundUnwound.com opens new browser window

SoundUnwound Logo

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?



Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Music by subject:









i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.