BETH Nielsen Chapman’s back catalogue is an abundant treasure trove of timeless story songs to discover and cherish.

A wonderful solo performer, Beth is also a magnificent collaborative songwriter and artist. Indeed her last project, Liv On, saw Beth on tour last spring with Amy Sky and Olivia Newton-John.

Hearts Of Glass features both new songs and new interpretations from that superlative cannon of work. Of the new songs Come To Mine is a collaborative work with Kevin Montgomery and 10cc’s Graham Gouldman.

Producer Sam Ashworth also shares a co-writing credit on Enough For Me. Apart from that, all are BNC originals. Fans will be thrilled that Beth has eventually recorded If My World Didn’t Have You, a song she donated to Willie Nelson, and Old Church Hymns And Nursery Rhymes, likewise a BNC song given to Waylon Jennings.

Hearts Of Glass is a truly gorgeous album to enjoy in its entirety before Beth plays Pocklington Arts Centre on March 8 and Leeds City Varieties on March 27.

Ian Sime