Naomi Sommers is a dreamer's find. This CD, Flying Through, is a lamp lighting the way to the most heartfelt songs I've heard in a long time. Not only are the songs thoughtful and original, they are a heady release from the mish-mash of pop sentimentality and techno voices that whine in and out.

I'm not sure where to begin with Naomi Sommers. She's a songwriter, guitar player and vocalist. She plays and sings thoughts and sounds I've never heard before. Blues. First I think she's strong on blues but, just like that, she changes; it's jazz, or it's folk, or it's hill music, or it's country.

All I can figure out is this: the sound is pure Naomi Sommers. With a voice like hers that's enough. The arrangements are going to surprise you, pleasure you and never, ever bore you. Let's see, there's guitar, flute, mandolin, bass, trumpet, flugelhorn, a variety of percussion, bass trombone (I think that's the one I really like, such an oomph that teases her voice), piano, electric guitar, harmonica, dobro, fiddle. Well, you get the picture.

Twelve songs on Flying Through are written by Naomi, and the other one was by Jesse Winchester. I looked at the lyric book before listening to the CD and wondered if anyone could make these intricate, intimate words sound real. She did it. Thirteen must be her lucky number. She had 13 musicians working with her on this CD and she has 13 cuts for you to listen to. Deep, rich, melodic; the tunes carry you to a wonderful place and her warm, creamy voice touches parts of you long forgotten or long ignored.

I don't think it matters what kind of music you like, Flying Through is a personal experience I don't think you should miss.

- Rambles
written by Virginia MacIsaac
published 9 November 2002