Beth Orton Cabot Hall, London E14

Almost a decade after she first emerged on to the music scene, Beth Orton still has trouble with the basics. During the first few songs she forgets lyrics, spends endless minutes tuning her guitar and then comes to a complete halt during 'Concrete Sky' ('I'm so sorry').

The little-girl-lost routine still works because Orton is very shy and her 'come-down' folk music can be transcendental, although her first album, Trailer Park , remains her most adventurous. She performs a number of new songs from the album she is currently recording in Wales. 'You can tell me if you want to hear anything,' she says. 'You're mainly going to hear nothing that you know.'

After a shaky acoustic start when she plays a languid version of 'Stolen Car', she hits her stride when joined by two guitarists, Kieron Hebdon and Adem, who add texture and warmth. 'Carmella' swings with Celtic soul, while her tremulous voice is stretched to the limit on 'Sweetest Decline'.

Judging by the new material, Orton has embraced Americana. There are wonderful bluegrass touches on 'Heartland Truck Stop' and 'Weather Report', which are more robust than you might expect. She finishes with a brilliantly forceful rendition of 'Pass In Time' that is unrecognisable from Central Reservation .

Then, just as I am wondering why the rest of the show wasn't this good, Orton bids us good-night and makes a swift exit.