Album Review: Diana Upton-Hill 'Do Love Well'

Iowa native Diana Upton-Hill is making her debut on the country scene with the release of her album Do Love Well. The record contains six songs, including the lovely title track written by Mitch Goudy, on which her Broadway ready voice relays an encouraging and inspiring message. 

Upton-Hill has said, "As a woman, I understand many of the day-to-day triumphs and struggles we experience in life,” says Diana. “If we focus on what's going wrong, that is all we see. But if we step back and look at all our blessings, all our beautiful perfections (and imperfections), we realize that life is full of wonder. Our spirit can be overflowing with love & joy if we would only allow it. To get love, we not only must give it; we must show it and we must do it. That's where ‘Do Love Well’ comes from. It's not about a feeling or emotion; it's about taking action and making choices to put love first.”

Things take a vibrant, rocking turn on "Southern Gentleman" an ode to those God fearing boys from Alabama, Mississippi and other southern states who treat girls like ladies from pulling out a chair to carrying your bags and saying yes ma'am. "Aim's Gettin' Better" has an old time-y acoustic introduction then goes full on dance hall number about a country girl with a broken heart and what shes' going to do about it while "Remember the Fighter," about following your heart, and dreams, leans slightly more pop. "What My Love Sounds Like" and "Take Me Away" round out the record. The former is a sweet mid-tempo love song while the latter, and closing track, is a ballad about how in a relationship, actions speak louder than words.

"Do Love Well" is an album that is, well...done well. The record is varied, yet a cohesive unit and Upton Hill's voice, clear and rich, is one that was meant for radio (or the stage).

Recorded with Grammy-award winning producer Bryan White, Do Love Well will be released on March 10th. That particular date was chosen because of its connection to Women’s History Month and National Women’s Day Sunday, March 8th. 

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