Robyn Stapleton
Album: Fickle Fortune
Label: Lavarock
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.robynstapleton.com

A Celtic wonder is within our midst. Robyn is a Scottish gem who blesses the world with traditional Celtic songs from around the Isles.

This debut album reminds me instantly of Julie Fowlis in style and sound but is also perfectly distinctive. Fickle Fortune kicks us off with a brilliant version of 'Two Sister's and really allows you to gets grips with Robyn's special voice. To say that her voice is beautiful would be an injustice, it reaches a whole new level in vocal and really is a pleasure to hear.

We get a very interesting mix in languages in this album as Robyn graces us with 'Bruach Na Carraige Báine'. This song really projects across the emotion of the song and even if you cannot understand the words for themselves, Robyn perfectly projects to u8s the feeling that we need to have from the song. The album has a very well balanced musical backing, choosing the right instruments and sounds to compliment Robyn's vocals.

In regards to the style of album there is a good range of faster more upbeat tracks such as 'Jock Hawk's Adventures in Glasgow' to the slow and soothing 'Blue-Eyed Nancy'. This allows listeners to see the full range of what Robyn can do with her voice and no track is disappointing. This album is definitely one to put on after a long stressful day and you just want to unwind and relax.

Robyn is a blessing to the world of Celtic music and I can only hope she continues to bless us with albums for years to come.

Paul Rawcliffe