Najwa Walkabout CD - Import

Her new release 'Butterfly,' was produced by award-winning Tom Prasada-Rao and reached #8 on the Georgia Roots Artist Radio Airplay Chart and #13 on the Roots Music Report Folk Charts in Dec. 2007. This CD features 14 tracks of melodic folk-rock that showcase Lapointe's versatility as a songwriter and vocalist. Her songs include themes such as self-empowerment, following your dreams, as well as story songs inspired by living in the South and growing up in Canada. Lapointe's influences include Canadian songwriters Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, and Loreena McKennitt as well as Southern storytellers Bobbie Gentry, Lucinda Williams, and Gillian Welch.

Her song, 'Ballerina Girl" has been published in a national songbook of positive, inspiring music. It is based on a true story about a woman who, after working for 40 years as an accountant, decided to pursue her lifelong dream to become a ballerina. 'The response to this song has been amazing,' says Lapointe. 'There are so many people who think that it's too late to follow their dream. I felt the same way about starting a music career later than most.

' In the spring of 2001, Lapointe was working at her desk job and secretly imagining a life as a singer/songwriter. One Monday morning, however, she decided that life was too short not to pursue her dream. To the surprise of everyone around her, she gave her notice that day and never looked back. Within a year, she was playing full-time at many prominent venues in the Savannah area. She was invited to open for several national touring acts and was a featured performer at the Savannah Folk Music Society's monthly coffeehouse series. Her 2005 release 'Beautiful Shadow' was featured on Georgia Public Radio and aired on 15 stations across the state. The Savannah Morning News described it as 'impressive!emphasizing strong songwriting and showcasing Lapointe's rich alto voice.

' The CD was well-received by venues and fans across the country and Lapointe began touring on a full-time basis. She made her debut at the renowned Bluebird Cafe in Nashville in 2006 and performed at such prestigious venues as the Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, the Jefferson Freedom Cafe in Ft. Worth TX, Anderson Fair in Houston TX, and The Burren Pub in Boston. In the meantime, Lapointe was continuing to write songs inspired by the people and stories she encountered in her travels. Before long it was time to record again. 'I wanted to create a CD that really meant a lot to me personally,' Lapointe says. 'I know this seems like a simple thing, but I think it's easy in the music business to get swayed by what we think other people want. My rule of thumb was that I had to love every aspect of it - every word, every note, every instrument.