Chemical Reaction

Beth Wimmer

February 20, 2020

Beth Wimmer’s timely new album “Chemical Reaction” ignites with themes of love, death, a fox, and chemistry.

Thurgau, Switzerland—Beth Wimmer, ’Switzerland’s Americana Songstress’ releases her fifth album, “Chemical Reaction” (bookmark music). “Chemical Reaction” picks up where Wimmer’s October 2017 album, “Bookmark”, left off. “Bookmark” reached Number 18 on the Euro Americana Charts in early 2018. It won dozens of enthusiastic reviews in Europe, the UK and USA, and songs from “Bookmark”, as well as from Wimmer’s previous three albums, are in regular rotation on Radio Swiss Pop, Country Radio Switzerland, and many terrestrial and internet radio stations across Europe.

“Chemical Reaction”, co-produced by Billy Watts and Beth, is concocted of ten new Americana songs written by Wimmer and performed with her long-time musical partners from Los Angeles, the Mojo Monkeys’ David Raven on drums (Shelby Lynne, Keith Richards, Norah Jones); Taras Prodaniuk on bass (Merle Haggard, Lucinda Williams); and Billy Watts (Eric Burdon & the Animals, John Mayall, Jackson Browne) on guitars. The well-respected rootsy musicians, who formed their swamp-rock power-trio Mojo Monkeys 30 years ago, also recorded with Wimmer on “Bookmark” (2017), as well as her first two albums, back in Beth’s Los Angeles days.

Billy Watts’ decades of intuitive, soul-studied, conversational guitar-playing has earned him a signature style appreciated by fans and fellow musicians worldwide. This unique and sensitive style informs his creative choices as music producer. Throughout “Chemical Reaction”, it’s Watts who brings the smoldering, radiating electric presence to the songs’ productions, and offers grounding, soulful background vocal arrangements. In 2019, Watts, a native Canadian, was nominated for the prestigious Grammy award as guitarist in the band Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, in the contemporary blues album category. Billy says, of “Chemical Reaction”: “Beth has written a selection of wonderful songs with themes that touch the hearts of us all.”

The variously themed songs of “Chemical Reaction” are graced with select guest musicians. There are more than a few songs on the topic of love, yet each one is written distinctly within its own theme. The title track, “Chemical Reaction”, sings praises for chemistry that bonds a couple even through ‘inclement weather’ and is written in terms of chemistry. “Better Than You Think” visits the slightly noir side of a romance and features silky keyboard parts from Christof Waibel, of Hohenems, Austria, accented with tasty classical guitar, samba style, from Watts. “Restless Melody” lulls the listener through a lush ballad of love about the dance of songwriting, while Aaron Till’s viola soars sweetly throughout. Then we learn about Wimmer’s faults in the rocking “My Bad Side”, where she tells the truth and strives to be a better person. “When I Die” is a surprisingly upbeat, country-informed number where Wimmer speaks to the universal question, and shares her worries of what will happen to her when she dies. “Heavy” is a soul-infused confession of vulnerability and offer for emotional support. “Fox On The Highway” haunts with hopelessness over man’s inhumanity to man, and animals. All the while, Watts’ electric guitar swells, his dobro speaks, and his lap steel weaves through these themes, with voices and agreed phrases of their own.

“Chemical Reaction” glows warmly to the end, with songs of love strong and lasting because of chemistry: “Beating Better”; and through the seasons: “Cold Rain”, again with rich viola presence from Till and swirling keyboards from Waibel. The album's last number is a frisky shuffle, a plea for good night kisses and “dessert in bed”, in “Sugar Daddy”. It’s here we hear the playful voice of country singer, Suzie Candell (DE), on harmony vocals, chiming in for sweet measure.

The Texas-born, long-time “Angeleno”, David Raven, mixed the ten tunes of “Chemical Reaction” in his Honky Abbey Studio in Los Angeles. Watts and Wimmer were confident in turning over the recordings to Raven’s capable hands, and ears, knowing his role as drummer, percussionist and vocalist on the album would lend him special feeling for the right mood for each song.

The combined chemistry among this team of sensitive players formulates a sea of powerful grooves, upon which Beth Wimmer’s warm, honest and experienced voice floats, dives deep, and soars above (“like the birds she loves” - ‘My Bad Side’) throughout the flow of “Chemical Reaction”.

The album will be presented live throughout 2020. Confirmed dates: 21. Feb, Kirchgemeinde Dennach, BW, DE. 24. Feb, Montagsblues Winterthur, ZH, CH. 26. Feb, Restaurant Frohsinn, Weinfelden, TG, CH. 29. Feb, Unikum My Local Pub, Schaan, Liechtenstein 14. March, Bürli Schiirli, Kultur am Galenstock, Oberwald, VS. 20. March, Sportbar Pontresina, GR, CH. 21. March, Hard Rock Hotel Davod, GR, CH. 26. March, “CHEMICAL REACTION” CD RELEASE concert!, Eisenbeiz, Frauenfeld, TG, CH. 27. March, KulturPunkt Flawil, SG, CH. 28. March, Zytclub, ZG, CH. 3. April, Bar de La Ferme, Nyon, VD. 11. April, Sonne Seuzach, ZH, CH. 17. April, Einstein Hotel, SG, CH.

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Chemical Reaction 3:53

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Better Than You Think 3:01

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My Bad Side 3:27

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Restless Melody 4:41

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When I Die 2:56

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Heavy 3:21

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Fox On The Highway 3:48

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Beating Better 3:21

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Cold Rain 2:44

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Sugar Daddy 3:50

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Bookmark

Beth Wimmer

Intelligent, playful and dreamlike songs, guitar-based grooves and ambience with mature vocal delivery... stories from experience, fantasy and empathy. Here are nine new original songs from Beth, and one fantasy-fulfilled cover of David Bowie's Starman.

Beth Wimmer, raised on both east and west coasts of the US, now transplanted on swiss soil, writes and sings songs from experience, fantasy and empathy. 'Bookmark', Wimmer's fourth album, offers nine new original songs, and one fantasy-fulfilled of covering the late David Bowie's 'Starman'. 'Bookmark' is co-produced by guitarist Billy Watts (Mojo Monkeys) and Wimmer, and features lush musicianship from Watts (electric and acoustic guitars), David Raven (drums) and Taras Prodaniuk (bass) of the Los Angeles swamp-country-rock power-trio, Mojo Monkeys, and from Beth's acclaimed band-mates in Switzerland, singer Suzie Candell, bassist Rodrigo Aravena, and multi-instrumentalist Dänu Wisler.

Karsten Rube at Radio Skala, Berlin, Germany writes (translated from German): Songwriter Beth Wimmer grew up in Boston on the American East Coast. Later, she moved to the American opposite pole to Southern California. Under the sun of the South she found a lot of inspiration for her music. And then she moved to Switzerland, where she has lived for several years. On her current album "Bookmark" she proves, however, that she has not changed her wit against the Alpenjodeln with her move. She presents ten songs on the CD, all of which were written by her besides the Bowie song "Starman". "Starman" is her homage to the 2016 deceased musician. Beth Wimmer scores with a very clear voice that has a slightly darker timbre and reminiscent of Edie Brickell in some passages. Their songs are pleasantly catchy and can enhance the quality of many a radio program. Titles like "Loosen my Grip" and "Mexico" are rousing and sound like Californian oranges taste: refreshing. "Louisiana" a classic Americana song that you can hear again and again and with "The Last Part" she delivers a slow, dreamlike love ballad. On the radio scale, Beth Wimmer's album "Bookmark" is a recommendation for the month of November, as it protects the listener from depression in this gray season, and with a cheerfulness that does not require exaggeration.

and from The Netherlands... Marten van der Laan, Country Stew, Radio Compagnie, Netherlands writes.... "Dear Beth, I've listened to all ten songs... I think you did a great job. Have no favorite song yet, but listened to your 'Starman' twice; like the moments in the song where you 'can hear Bowie'. Good to hear that you found the last part of your jigsaw puzzle. Lovely song, and heartfelt. It's so good to have a soulmate. I think you did a fine job on the composing and arranging part. All of the songs have a natural and comfortable flow, kind of laid back feeling whilst listening. Beth Wimmer's 'Bookmark' sparked my heart. Thank you Beth. To describe my feelings/thoughts after listening to several songs I would like to use a metaphor: a river floating through the landscape..... it led me to the following quote: 'A gentle current, at times strong, carries the lyrics on Bookmark through a changing lovely landscape leaving a mark on its shores after each bend'. "

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Bookmark 4:15

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Loosen My Grip 3:00

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Louisiana 4:10

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Mahogany Hawk 5:07

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Mexico 3:27

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Pretty Good 3:49

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Simplicity of a Man 5:42

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Starman 4:20

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The Last Part 4:14

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We Can Do This 5:06

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Peace At Christmas

Beth Wimmer

Peace At Christmas, by California-Swiss americana artist Beth Wimmer. Wishing you peace and envisioning a world of humanity where acceptance, support, and respect are practiced with love.

Peace At Christmas Words and Music by Beth Wimmer c2009
Beth Wimmer - acoustic guitar, bells, tambourine, lead and harmony vocals Suzie Candell - harmony vocals Roger Szedalik - electric guitars, bass, and harmony vocals Lawrence Lampert - mandolin Produced by Beth Wimmer and Roger Szedalik Recorded and mixed in October 2015 by Roger Szedalik

Peace At Christmas LYRICS...

I had a dream, snow covered every land All buildings winterized
warm glowing light inside and we realized we're all the same with our differences, we still share one flame and we sang

Chorus: Peace at Christmas, Serenity in the New Year Peace at Christmas - hoping that Paradise, Paradise is near

Oh in this dream, a homeless man gave me communion then lit the Menorah and Pope Francis danced the Horah with a Palestine tribe on the Israeli side and a Cherokee band spirit-danced 'cross the land singing...

Peace at Christmas, Serenity in the New Year Peace at Christmas - hoping that Paradise, Paradise is near

I had a dream, snow covered every land all women and every man and children in harmony harmony sang

Chorus (x2): Peace at Christmas, Serenity in the New Year Peace at Christmas - hoping that Paradise, Paradise is near Peace at Christmas, Serenity in the New Year Peace at Christmas - hoping that Paradise, Paradise is near

about Beth Wimmer and her music... (auf Deutsch, bitte sehen Sie unten...)

"...she has the sass to match the sweet." ~ Mike Davies, NetRhythms UK

"An honest voice, full of heart and soul and incredible songs." ~ Swa, ROOTSVILLE.be, Belgium

Hi, I'm Beth Wimmer, and i thank you for taking a moment to read about me and my music...

At the moment i play a lot of live shows, as a solo artist and with various other talented friends, in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, and sometimes my dear old USA. i'm writing new songs as well with no set plans for recording my next album, but plans to record songs individually when the time and places present themselves.

Autumn 2011 saw the release of my third, full-length album "Ghosts & Men", which continues to receive praise and airplay in Europe and the USA. "Ghosts & Men" was recorded in Como, Italy, with multi-instrumentalist Damiano Della Torre, a native of that beautiful region.

I was born in New York state, the youngest of five children. i grew up in rural Massachusetts close to the woods, the Merrimac River and Atlantic Ocean - with dogs, cats, ducks, my brother, three sisters, and our poet-artist, 9am-5pm-working single mom.

My very funny, bright blue-eyed, guitar-pluckin' Grampa, Robert Croston, was my darling. (see his picture in my 'Photos' section.)

My brother and sisters got into rock and roll and all its side effects when I was about five years old. I saw my mom cry quite a few times, but thankfully, laugh a lot more...

My destiny was put into place when i couldn't stop listening to The Who, Heart, Jethro Tull, Bruce Springsteen... i dreamed of being a singer in a rock band. i created an entire stage play based upon Cat Stevens' "Tea For the Tillerman" album. The Pretenders and Led Zeppelin became essential to my survival as a teenager.

At 18 i moved to southern California, where my father lived. i sang harmonies live and in studio with various bands in Hollywood, but i continually had an ache to be my own songwriter, my own voice.

I met and fell in love with a swampy-rock band in LA: Mojo Monkeys. they broke my heart and inspired me to write songs.

I picked up the broken guitar i'd had for years and i started playing with it. words poured out of me and they never did stop. i cried, sang, and strummed. three chords. then five. now i think i know a good 8 or 9 chords. ;~)

First came my all-acoustic CD called 'beth wimmer'. it was mainly for my mom to hear what i was writing. that collection is available still on CD Baby - www.cdbaby.com/cd/beth2 - and it pleases me greatly that people continually download the songs from my first release.

I wrote constantly and to my sheer delight, the guys in Mojo Monkeys played on my next CDs. drummer David Raven co-produced, and i was blessed to have Billy Watts playing electric guitar, and Taras Prodaniuk play bass on my records!

My first, full-length album "Live Within Live Without" was released in 2004. it was exactly the album i wanted to make, a dream come true. and thank the gods it was to the liking of many people around the globe.

In 2006 i made an EP. i had a smokin' rock song ready called "Self Righteous Son Of A Bitch". i entered "S.O.B." in some contests and the song has won awards and lots of airplay.

2008 saw the release of my full-length "Miracle Girl" CD. again, co-produced with Raven and with the talents of Watts and Prodaniuk, now my dear friends. this album felt like my soul growing older, more joyful, with more compassion.

I took "Miracle Girl" with me to Switzerland in 2008 - toured, had an amazing time! in 2009 and 2010 i was honored with praise from the Europe music world: they wrote about "Miracle Girl", said it was a great album! they played it on the radio and offered me more shows.

Now i write, sing, tour in Europe and beyond. i meet interesting people, eat the best chocolate and drink delicious wines. i love seeing so much more of this globe than just sunny California, which is still always sweetly just beneath my skin.

I feel special, but i know i'm just lucky. i'm happy. i'm healthy. i love humanity even though the most powerful and famous people mainly just sadden and bewilder me. a lot of things break my heart, but everything inspires me.

Once again, i thank you for reading. more information than you can possibly imagine is below. :-)

ciao!! Love, beth

"Wimmer unleashes painterly-like observations packaged amidst some of the catchiest hooks this side of Elvis Costello." - T. Reilly, Primerica Music Review, USA

Über Beth:

Aufgewachsen in der Nähe von Boston, von ihren älteren Geschwistern mit Janis Joplin und Neil Young infiziert, zog es Beth Wimmer mit 18 Jahren nach Süd-Kalifornien. Hier fand sie den perfekten Nährboden für ihre Inspiration. Unter der Anleitung von Roots-Rocker David Raven und Billy Watts (Keith Richards, Norah Jones. Dixie Chicks, Eric Burdon) feilte sie an ihrer Bühnenpräsenz und perfektionierte ihr Songwriting.

Beth schreibt mit viel Fingerspitzengefühl und Humor Songs über Menschen, das Leben, Träume und die Tücken der Liebe… Letztere zogen sie vor sieben Jahren dauerhaft in die Schweiz.

Mit ihrer warmen eindringlichen Stimme und dem Mix aus Blues/Folk und Americana gewann Beth die Herzen des Europäischen Publikums schnelI für sich. Nach zwei veröffentlichen Alben in den USA, läutete “Ghosts and Men”, eine neue Ära ihres musikalischen Schaffens diesseits des großen Teiches ein.Von Kritikern hoch gelobt, und im Radio gerne gespielt, fand man einige ihrer Songs unter anderem bei namhaften Song-Wettbewerben unter den Finalisten wieder!

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Ghosts & Men

Beth Wimmer

Americana, Modern-Folk tales of men past, present, and dearly departed. Confident, worldly and warm - a la Aimee Mann, Tracy Chapman, Chrissie Hyde.

"Ghosts & Men is one of those albums which when you find, you wish you'd found earlier. Wimmer places two standout tracks in front of us--- one a standard, a cover of CCR's 'Bad Moon Rising'. While it is a song I usually can do without (I think I've just heard it way too many times), Wimmer slows it down and Damiano Della Torre grits it up with such class slide work, I find myself actually liking it. The other standout song is 'For the Living'. The slight ska beat and the shifting background vocals reminds a lot of certain songs on Steve Winwood's Back In the High Life, the intertwining rhythms giving it an energy beyond, if you will. Nice work, Beth. May others hear what I hear." -Frank O. Gutch Jr., RockandReprise.net

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Lover On the Run 4:40

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Sweet Tragedy 4:47

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Bring You Back 4:14

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Blame Yourself 4:09

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Beautiful Friends 3:24

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Easier Life 4:06

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My Babe 3:07

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Makin' War 3:17

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Bad Moon Rising 4:27

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Damn Angel 4:31

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For the Living 4:09

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Miracle Girl

Beth Wimmer

With quiet fire from Beth's glowing, folk-informed voice come ten new songs of power, love, brotherhood and realization. Blending qualities of Folk, Americana, and Rock - with a couple of surprises.

"Beth Wimmer embraces Americana with alt. country, rock and folk...The result may be called astonishing. Wimmer with the title track immediately indicates a very clear business card: '..with a miracle like me...brave and crazy things I do...I'll bring magic to your world, I'm a miracle girl.' Superb song! An honest voice. Miracle Girl is full of heart and soul and incredible songs." -Swa, Rootsville.be, Belgium

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Miracle Girl 4:26

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Ten-Four 2:15

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Lover From Last Summer 3:20

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I Couldn't Do It 5:43

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O My Brother 5:25

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Dreams Bring Me Down 3:05

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My Name Is Love 2:51

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Powerful Love 3:50

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Only Love Can Break Your Heart 3:08

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Self-Righteous Son of a Bitch 3:46

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Live Within Live Without

beth wimmer

Soulful and psychedelic folk-rock. Earth-warmed songs of Love lost and found and personal redemption.

"Wimmer has a visually attractive product that's as warm and earthy as her music. Most striking is this performer's hearty, folk-informed voice, complemented by violin and B3 organ. Wimmer sings effectively about self-realization ("Move On") and even gets psychedelic on "Live Within..." which includes bells and gongs..." -Music Connection Magazine, Los Angeles

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Situations 4:46

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Move On 4:46

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Live Within Live Without 5:49

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With Our Eyes Closed 3:07

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Hey Babe 4:29

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Lose My Way 5:03

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Saturated 3:42

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Calling All Hearts 3:55

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Hard 5:05

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The Wheel 4:48

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Holdin' Out 4:58

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Every Time 3:36

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Lover from Last Summer

beth wimmer

Beth Wimmer is the conscious person's songstress - here are four fearlessly sensitive songs addressing the completion of one-sided relationships and unrequited Love, with honesty and humor.

Beth Wimmer traverses a panoramic, emotional palette with her gut-straight songs of humanness, hope and humor - and personal and spiritual redemption. Her music vibrates within the unique family of Americana - embracing Alt-Country, Rock, and Folk music.

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Lover from Last Summer 3:18

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Self Righteous Son of a Bitch 3:47

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Weather 4:17

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Break My Heart 4:44

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beth wimmer

Intimate, acoustic/soul/folk - 8 quiet but certain songs of Love and self-discovery.

"Beth Wimmer's debut CD is brilliant and heartfelt. Even with its simple approach of just vocals and guitar, the songwriting is deep and intricate. With songs like "Break My Heart", "River" and "It's For You", Beth Wimmer has a bright future ahead." - Armen Hambar, Future World Music

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River 4:54

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Guard Myself 4:46

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Hooked On You 3:25

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I Can't Say 4:35

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Break My Heart 5:21

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It's For You 4:56

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You 3:19

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Like I Do 5:01

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Chemical Reaction

Beth Wimmer

Bookmark

Beth Wimmer

Peace At Christmas

Beth Wimmer

Ghosts & Men

Beth Wimmer

Miracle Girl

Beth Wimmer

Live Within Live Without

beth wimmer

Lover from Last Summer

beth wimmer

beth wimmer

beth wimmer

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