You can't see her, but her voice is one you remember, maybe heard at a concert, or in a dream.

It soars, spirals, rocks, drops, calls to a lover, tells a story, growls the blues, cries.

If Gamble Rogers and Phoebe Snow had a love child, and that baby was raised by Tracy Chapman, it might sound like this woman.

Who the heck IS she?

Well, it's probably Elizabeth Roth, and you're probably walking by Mi Casa Cafe on St. George Street or O.C. White's on the bayfront, two of Roth's frequent performance venues. She sometimes sings at Tradewinds and Salt Run Tavern, too.

Roth, now an institution on St. Augustine's musical scene, came here in 1985 as a cast member of the famous, but now defunct, "Cross and Sword" outdoor historic play. She met someone special, married and they have two sons.

A Jacksonville native, her musical career began when she was 13 years old. Her father, an amateur musician, gave her an Epiphone FT-120 guitar and encouraged her to play.

"He was my big inspiration," she said. "I was shy. I didn't think I was good enough to perform. But he told me I should play for the love of playing. He was right. Music has given me the most joy I've ever had from anything."

She's played guitar for 24 years now, 12 professionally. But her father didn't get to see how much St. Augustine audiences enjoy her. He died at age 58, when she was 17. The guitar he gave her is now her most precious possession.

Roth is a bit different because she has no defined set played over and over every night. Her huge repertoire of more than 400 songs, which she will do on request, ranges all over the musical map: John Prine, Duke Ellington, the Beatles, Judy Collins, Fleetwood Mac, Sara McLachlan, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Rickie Lee Jones, Simon and Garfunkel

She'll also do songs from offbeat, unusual groups such as Asleep at the Wheel, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Jethro Tull, as well as six or seven of her original compositions.

Another one of her gifts is her clarity. The audience hears every word of the lyrics, unlike too many singers who slur or twist words until they are barely understandable.

"It's important to me to tell a story," she said. "When I go to hear someone sing, I like to hear what they say."

She doesn't tell jokes, but her relaxed sense of humor and a quick wit sometimes bring her to banter with the audience and crack them up with her comments.

"I can't really do much except be myself," she said.

Her sons, ages 15 and 5, are proud of her musical abilities. Roth has sung at their schools a few times.

St. Augustine musician Jim Carrick, also a Jacksonville native, said he remembers Roth when she was about 15.

"She carried a guitar everywhere," he said. "She has a wonderful voice."

Another big fan is Colleen Murphy, also a musician and singer, who calls Roth the best female guitarist in St. Augustine.

Murphy added, "She's earthy and genuine, and has passion for what she does.

She diligently works at her craft but has no idea how she entertains, intrigues and eases the pain of people. She's highly respected by the musicians in this community."

Everyone asks Roth: "You're such a great singer and musician. Don't you ever want to shake this little town and work on a national career? You know, bright lights, big cities and concert tours?"

Roth smiles and shakes her head.

"I've never really felt that desire, even when I was younger," she said. "I'm putting out a new CD of my own songs. I might try to get that played a little bit."

She is also writing a few songs for children and considering doing an album of those.

"I'm happy with what I'm doing. I don't have to travel. I make my own hours and work for myself. I'm still writing songs," she said.

Part of her reluctance to move is because she loves St. Augustine.