Reviews
Artist:Allison Lupton & Craig Werth Album: When Trouble Comes
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 1
Website: http://www.allisonlupton.com
The first time I came across these artists was via a YouTube video of a concert in which New Hampshire songwriter and musician Craig Werth joined Allison Lupton's excellent band PLUS a full orchestra in a rendition of Craig's song Where, O Where My Rising Star?
I was mightily impressed, and made it a priority to seek out more by flautist and singer Allison Lupton, who, as it turned out, is an excellent (and award-winning) songwriter herself. She has also been nominated for Canadian Folk Music Awards Singer of the Year 2020.
Craig Werth is a first-class performer and writer who seems to like hanging out with others of that ilk. In addition to his collaboration with Allison, he is also well-known for his work with Scots/Canadian writer and singer David Francey.
I was therefore very pleased to see a new song from the Lupton-Werth partnership. It's a musical alliance made in Heaven, and my very positive expectations have been more than fulfilled with their new single "When Trouble Comes."
The song was inspired by the dramatic annual spring flood of Ontario's Grand River which becomes a metaphor for the uncertain times in which we currently find ourselves. That metaphor, more of an allegory really, is very tightly adhered to, so that the song can be taken as being simply about a natural danger or as a social comment - or, indeed, as both.
The performance has Werth's expressive, warm voice taking the lead while Lupton's harmonies sit tightly above, emphasising the minor tonality that pervades the song..
It opens with a low harmonica growl (courtesy of Mike Stevens), underpinned by Joseph Phillips bowed contrabass, both of which which weave around Werth's skilful guitar picking and set an atmosphere of dark expectation: trouble is surely coming.
Despite that dark theme, the song itself is sweetly melodic with a tight lyrical structure that keeps curving back to the "Trouble Comes" hookline. It's a song of warning that nevertheless counsels us to "rise above the tide of fear" and "search for stars." A song for our time.
Bob Leslie
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Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
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