(25 May 2009) Originally from Boston, indie artist Beth Wimmer lived in Santa Monica honing her craft. She since moved to Switzerland and is located there today. Her second album is entitled Miracle Girl (Beth Wimmer (USA) 8 59700 71280 1, 2008) is a collection of ten folk songs that showcases a folky sound with an Americana edge. She sings her folk/rock songs with richness and passion. Beth also did all the photography used in the package and designed the package herself. She wrote all the songs and performs these creations with heartfelt emotion. Her music and style vibrates within the unique family of Americana - embracing alt-country, indie-rock, and folk music.

As we wrote in our review of Live Within Live Without, she was fascinated by rock and roll music at an early age, and as she listened to various artists, she became inspired. Some strong musical influences include notable artists such as Neil Young, Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Pretenders, Police, Tracy Chapman, Aimee Mann, and Elliott Smith.

There is an earthiness to Beth's musical style. Beth says some of her inspirations in her music and life are "My travels and people, other countries’ stories, Amnesty International, the practice of complete and unsafe love, blissful states of mind…utter distress--all kinds of music and musicians and artists."

Her songs are infused with lush vocals and guitar laiden accompaniment. Her luxuriant voice mesmerizes the listener, wanting more and more. She tugs at the heart strings with her songs of humanness, hope, painful honesty, love lost and love found, and personal and spiritual redemption, all with a sense of humor. This tapestry of human emotions is beautifully woven and quite captivating. She is supported on this album by the same musicians as her former work. The group includes: David Raven on drums; Taras Prodaniuk on bass; Billy Watts on electric guitar; and Danny McGough on keyboards and hammond B3.

Miracle Girl picks up where Live Within Live Without left off. Again, Beth treats listeners to her unique blend of Americana and folk with a touch of rock and a lovely cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart." The album opens with the title track, "Miracle Girl," where Beth's heartfelt and tenderly delivered lead vocal are delivered over a foundation of slide and acoustic guitar. Some listeners will go for the big Americana sounding tracks on the album like "Ten-Four" and others are likely to be enthralled with the folk numbers or upbeat rock tunes.

The fast paced "Lover From Last Summer" is a fast paced verse-chorus styled track that must be equally great live as it is on the album. The mix on the track is superb, clearly highlighting the power and range of Beth's voice. "I Couldn't Do It" and "Powerful Love" are a bluesy ballads with an Americana tinge and "Dreams Bring Me Down" is a more upbeat, almost country song, especially with the addition of rich vocal harmonies. Listeners are certain to be reminded of the Olde West in these songs' stylings.

The album's lightly arranged folk-styled tracks like "O My Brother" and the heart wrenching "My Name Is Love" are perfect for the Sunday morning coffee house setting and serve to illustrate the range and depth of Beth's well-honed talent. Miracle Girl ends with the stomper "Self-Righteous Sone of a Bitch." A song certain to draw attention when performed in a bar setting with everyone singing along, it is a great conclusion to Beth's second album.

On Miracle Girl Beth Wimmer has continued to hone her craft, expand her listener base and work with the same supporting craft from her debut album. The album is available today at CDBaby and amazon.com. Now based in Switzerland away from her band, it will be interesting to see and hear what she does next.