Allison Lupton
Album: Half My Heart
Label: Learig
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.allisonlupton.com

Allison Lupton is a Canadian singer and flautist. This is just her third studio album since 2001 so she could never be accused of flooding the market for commercial gain.

The latest album "Half My Heart" contains a number of self-penned songs, tunes from guest composers and two original Scottish traditional songs. The album is very much inspired and influenced by the Gaelic sound.

Allison has a delightful crystal clear voice, not unlike Mary Hopkin, the Welsh Songstress. Allison has surrounded herself with the some magical musicians giving the music a truly remarkable and at times original sound. The fusion of the mandolin, fiddle and voice are, at times, absolutely sublime.

The album opens up with a real barn dance of a song "Bonnie and May" and is guaranteed to get your foot tapping. The second and title track of the album "Half My Heart" is a stunning piece of music and probably epitomises what Allison is about. It came as a real surprise after the opening track with its fabulously simple piano introduction!

There is a wonderful mix of music and styles on the album which includes some traditional folk instrumentals. Allison's writing is of the highest order, imaginative, sensitive and amazingly combines both modern and traditional on the one album.

Take a listen to the track "Over the Ocean to Canada" and witness how cleverly a piece of very recognisable music has been woven into a brand new song. Inspirational may just about cover it. The album closes with the acapella "One more day" containing beautiful three part harmony. This song highlights the clarity of Allison's stunning voice at its very best.

Overall, a delightful, clever and musically brilliant album from a very talented singer and musician! Yet another superb Canadian artist.

Rory Stanbridge