Profile of Beth Orton on Famous Like Me

Elizabeth Caroline Orton, commonly known as Beth Orton, (born December 14, 1970), is best known as a British singer-songwriter.

Perhaps best described as a folk/electronica artist, the six-foot-tall Orton was born in East Dereham, Norfolk and moved to East London at age 14. Orton found success as a musician late, having been more interested in acting during her early career. She first gained notice for her vocals on the Chemical Brothers' track "Alive Alone" and is well known for her collaboration (stemming from a relationship) with William Orbit in which she lends her voice for the Strange Cargo albums. The best-known Strange Cargo track featuring Beth singing lead is probably "Water from a Vine Leaf". Orton also collaborated with American pop artist Beck on his Midnite Vultures album, providing backing vocals on the track "Beautiful Way".

Beth's debut album was the difficult-to-find Superpinkymandy, which was released in Japan alone. Some of its material was recycled for her worldwide debut, Trailer Park, which was released on Heavenly Records in 1996 and earned her two Brit award nominations in 1997.

She toured that summer with Lilith Fair, as well as releasing the Best Bit EP. Her next album, Central Reservation, was released in 1999 and led to her Best British Female award at the 2000 Brit Awards . In July 2002 she released the album Daybreaker, followed in 2003 by The Other Side of Daybreak, an album consisting mainly of remixes of songs from Daybreaker, created by artists such as Roots Manuva.

A double-album "Best Of" album entitled Pass In Time was released in 2003.

The highlight of her career came arguably on 31 March 2002, when she played to a packed Royal Albert Hall in London.

Her consistent band since 1999s Central Reservation has been Ted Barnes on guitar, Sean Read on keyboards, Will Blanchard on drums and Ali Friend on bass. This is no longer the case, as magazine reports state she has acquired a new backing band for her forthcoming tour and album.

In mid-October 2005, it was announced a new album would be released, Comfort of Strangers. The anticipated date of release is Feb 2006. Tracks are expected to include Comfort of Strangers, Absence, Endless Sky, Pieces of Sky, I Want It, What We Begin and Heartland Truckstop, all of which have been previewed at recent concerts. It is unknown through which record label she will appear on, but it is known that it won't be Heavenly.

She is a well-known sufferer from Crohn's Disease.

Discography

Albums

• Superpinkymandy (Japan only - 1993)
• Trailer Park (1996)
• Central Reservation (1999)
• Daybreaker (2002)
• The Other Side of Daybreak (2003)
• Pass In Time: The Definitive Collection (2003)
• Comfort of Strangers (expected Feb 2006)

Singles

1. "Don't Wanna Know 'Bout Evil" (as Spill) (1992 - Virgin VST 1441)
2. "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine" (1997 - Heavenly HVN56)
3. "She Cries Your Name" (26 Sep 1996 - Heavenly HVN60)
4. "Touch Me With Your Love" (1996 - Heavenly HVN64)
5. "Someone's Daughter" (24 Mar 1997 - Heavenly HVN65)
6. "She Cries Your Name" (2 Jun 1997 - Heavenly HVN68)
7. "Best Bit EP" (14 Dec 1997 - Heavenly HVN72)
8. "Stolen Car" (22 Feb 1999 - Heavenly HVN89)
9. "Central Reservation" (13 Sep 1999 - Heavenly HVN92)
10. "Concrete Sky EP" (15 Jul 2002 - Heavenly HVN115)
11. "Anywhere" (2002 - Heavenly HVN125)
12. "Thinking About Tomorrow" (2002 - Heavenly HVN129)

Filmography

• Southlander

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