Beth Hart’s bio to this point in her 20-plus-year career is very nearly a blues cliché. A youthful beginning, doing great work while toiling in obscurity, struggling with alcohol and substances intended to keep her centered and grounded. It’s a boilerplate blues story, told many times with slight variations. Thankfully, Hart’s recent triumphs have counterbalanced her ancient travails. Last December, Hart took the stage at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., along with guitar icon Jeff Beck, and performed Etta James’ classic “I’d Rather Go Blind” to celebrate Kennedy Center honoree and blues legend Buddy Guy. Hart’s scorchingly soulful vocals and Beck’s sinewy guitar lines brought Guy and the audience to their feet; that performance has been added to the commercial pressing of Bang Bang Boom Boom (Provogue/Mascot), Hart’s powerfully diverse new album. Hart will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new feature on her.
Beth Hart: Keeping myself in the moment. The present is not so easy for me. Certain smells or sounds can bring up memories, and I tend to ponder. However, if I can catch myself and become aware of the importance of living today, I get back on track. If I’m feeling scared or lonely or tired, I know I can still force myself to get out and experience the day. Yes, tragedy can happen but so can delicious surprises. To hide away may avoid a tragedy, but I will miss the possible miracle waiting for me. Today is the only thing that is real, so I try to get out of my head and live my life today. It’s such a gift to be alive.
