More gems from a gem
Open Ears | NYC, NY | 07/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is a wonderous and deceptive ease that informs Amy Allison's very accomplished songcraft. Her rendering of heartache has wit and pathos, vulnerability, tenderness as well as bite. She has a great knack for coining or manipulating cliche without falling prey to banality. This disc's great title track is a good case in point. While this entire effort doesn't pack the same punch for me as either No Frill's Friend or the Maudlin Years there is plenty of effective melodies, unexpected turns of phrase and emotionally honest moments to make it clear she is one of her generations best songwriters. Speaking of great songwriters--her reading of her father's tune "Was" here is really lovely. Finally, the obligatory acknowledgement of the nasality in her voice and warning to those who can't hear the beauty in it: it's here, get real, get over it."
Don't I know anything?
Van DeLisle | Chicago, Illinois United States | 12/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Last night we went to go see Jimmie Dale Gilmore at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Someone named Amy Allison was opening.
Well..... Amy Allison just blew me away. How come I've never heard of her before? I loved every song she sang. No wonder Elvis Costello likes her! VERY clever songwriting, a beautiful and interesting voice, and great style. I'm sorry that I only picked up this CD on the way out. I now wish I had gotten all four. This is a fabulous record. Even though last night was Robbie Folks' 'Secret Country' this is really a finely crafted pop record. I was playing it while we were making dinner and my wife said 'Wow, this is really good.'
Amy is my new favorite singer!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1