Grammy Nominee Beth Nielson Chapman Releases New Album

On Beth Nielsen Chapman’s new release, UnCovered, she rolls out a batch of premium songs she’s written but never recorded and that have already been hits or covers by other artists.  Most were top ten hits, seven of which topped the charts at #1. 

This record could have been called “Recovered” except that the idea for this collection sprung out of her digging up songs for her pending boxed set called “Box of Songs”.  The title, UnCovered was suggested by none other than broadcasting legend Bob Harris.  “Once I heard that name I knew exactly what this record needed to be.”  It’s been a crazy few months pulling it together but the universe seems to have been cooperating beautifully.

Recorded in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and her own “Tree House” studio in Nashville, Beth Nielsen Chapman’s new release bursts open with a crystalline piano, which gives way into an infectious groove on “Simple Things”, a song about the stuff that really matters in life, with backing vocals by Kim Carnes (She’s Got Betty Davis Eyes).

UnCovered features a number of amazing guest artists including legendary guitarist Duane Eddy on “Shine On Me”, a song Beth wrote with Waylon Jennings, which also features backing vocals by Waylon’s widow, artist Jessie Colter; Vince Gill duets with Beth on “Here We Are”, a # 1 hit she and Vince wrote for Alabama; Darrell Scott sings and plays on “Maybe That’s All It Takes” a stunning ballad about how to make love last, which was a hit for Don Williams; Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan sing on “Five Minutes” , Lorrie’s first #1 hit.

Amy Grant along with Ruth Trimble and Eilidh Patterson sing on the stand out track “Pray” written with, and featuring guitar instrumentalist extraordinaire Muriel Andersen; “Almost Home”, a Mary Chapin Carpenter single from her Greatest Hits package “Party Doll”, was written by Chapin, Beth and longtime collaborator Annie Roboff who also co-produces several tracks on this collection. “Almost Home” features the rollicking background vocals of “Wine Women and Song” artists Gretchen Peters, Suzy Bogguss and Matraca Berg, alongside Bekka Bramlett who also appears playing blistering tambourine and backing vocals with George Marinelli’s electric guitar on “Meet Me Halfway”, the bluesy deeply groovy track written by Beth, Bonnie Raitt and Annie Roboff for Bonnie’s “Fundamental” release.

The Scottish sessions co-produced with Phil Cunningham, feature top grade musicians including Duncan Chisholm, John McCusker, James Mackintosh, Euan Burton, and Matheu Watson.  Additional recording was done at Squiggle Studios in Harlech, Wales, legendary bassist and longtime sideman on Beth’s UK tours, former Fairport Convention member Maartin Allcock plays on several tracks.

Chapman’s prowess at writing in a wide range of styles shines through on this collection. From the infectious pop sensibilities of “This Kiss” (Faith Hill) and “Simple Things” (Jim Brickman)  to the strains of bluegrass and country in “Strong Enough To Bend (#1 for Tanya Tucker) and “Nothin’ I Can Do About It Now” (#1 for Willie Nelson), the true thread that runs through it all is a her great passion for the well written song.   It is also clear that she has a whole lot of fun performing these songs, and has no trouble bringing them home and making them her own once again.

Thurs Jan 16th    Glasgow, Celtic Connections opening show

Sat Jan 18th       Glasgow, City Halls as part of Celtic Connections

Wed Feb 12th      Pocklington, Arts Centre

Thur Feb 13th      Harrogate, Royal Hall

Fri Feb 14th          Gateshead, The Sage Gateshead

Sun Feb 16th        Sheffield, City Hall Ballroom

Mon Feb 17th      Liverpool, Philharmonic

Thurs Feb 20th   Cambridge, Junction 1

Fri Feb 21st          St Albans, Alban Arena

Sat Feb 22nd        Brighton, St Georges

Mon Feb 24th      London, Barbican 

Tues Feb 25th     Cheltenham, Town Hall

Thurs Feb 27th   Salisbury, City Hall

Fri Feb 28th         Birmingham, Town Hall

Sat Mar 1st            Basingstoke, The Anvil

Sun Mar 2nd         Norwich, Epic Studios