Naomi Sommers: Press

Review of Naomi Sommers live show at the Space, Hamden, CT.

I’m not sure where to begin with Naomi Sommers, she plays and sings thoughts and sounds I’ve never heard before…a dreamer’s find…a lamp lighting the way to the most heartfelt songs I’ve heard in a long time… Deep, rich, melodic; the tunes carry you to a wonderful place and her warm voice touches parts of you long forgotten or long ignored. Not only are the songs thoughtful and original, they are a heady release from the mish-mash of pop sentimentality… The sound is pure Naomi Sommers. With a voice like hers, that’s enough. I don’t think it matters what kind of music you like, (her music is) a personal experience I don’t think you should miss.

Sommers’ strickingly beautiful folk songs, ones that don’t fall into the trap of many current folk records: Just how good? (She) transcends the folk paradigm…Some have it; Sommers is one of those.

I pronounce this woman the new Americana Folk Diva! Miss Sommers has a gripping voice that lilts, twists, and flows around her guitar and unique instrumentation. A kazoo could back her enchanting voice and it would instantly gain the status of a sweet violin by association.

Surprisingly mature offerings from a young singer-songwriter…a broad range of musical influences can be felt throughout…Sommers’ delivery is clear-voiced and unaffected, and the simplicity of her approach serves to enhance the understated emotional punch of her songs…So if you find yourself in the mood for songs in an acoustic vein that manage to be simultaneously simple and sophisticated, combining richly drawn lyrics with melodic hooks that will soon have you singing along (this) is a nice place to start. It’s the kind of music that takes you pleasantly by surprise…I dare you to listen without a little catch in your throat.

Naomi Sommers’ sound is gorgeous…but equally important it’s creative and innovative. Each song has something more to offer. ‘Watershed Song’, wonderfully composed and sung with a lovely vocal. This original song might be compared to the music of Leonard Cohen.

…Packing an impressive bag of self-penned tunes that nurture both the spirit of Americana and bluegrass. With surprising grace and maturity, Sommers songs possess an era of tunefulness and lyrical sophistication that comes naturally to this Kerrville Folk Festival finalist…stunning and heartfelt.

With a contemporary blend of folk, bluegrass and blues, Naomi is a natural storyteller with mature lyrics and skilled musicianship, who experiments by uniquely combining instrumentation heard in jazz or classical music.

Naomi has soaked up a lifetimes worth of musical wisdom. She sings with an uncanny naturalness and confidence far beyond her years… Rooted in American folk but playing around the edges of blues and jazz, surprisingly sophisticated songs, Sommers understands subtlety of lyrics and melody, and brightens them both with imaginative hooks.

Stirring vocal harmonies… An elegant collection of contemporary folk music that pays homage to traditional values…

It’s some of the sweetest most melodic music you’ll ever hear…a quality of folk music that brings to mind travel and the romance of the road. Lyrics (that) cut to the bone of human drama, it’s probably the secret ingredient. With a rollicking, skillful instrumental work, subtle layers of voice and string instruments create a warmth and depth rarely found…

All the songs have a rootsy acoustic flavor. If Norah Jones had a slant towards traditional music as opposed to jazz, she might put out a CD this good.

In harmony with nature…youthful exuberance and boundless enthusiasm… the music is inviting, very personable, filled with charisma…Naomi Sommers delivers a stunning set, highlighting her remarkable voice and strong guitar work.

This young singer-songwriter nicely blends blues, bluegrass, jazz, roots, country and more. Strong songwriting as beautiful as you are likely to hear anywhere…lyrics that read like good poetry.

‘Slowgrass’… Original country and bluegrass tunes with airtight vocal harmonies…play it on a snowy winter night, stoke the fire, kick back…better yet, just make out.