SONiA: Live at the Down Home
Winthrop Records

'Sweet Ballads and Proud Rock and Roll'

Listening to 'Live' I am transported from my tiny little New York City apartment, to the boozy, rowdy 'Down Home' in Tennessee where SONiA performed and recorded this album: I can almost feel the intense (but gentle) energy SONiA brings to the stage. Further, when I turn up the volume, I can feel the goosebumps forming as I recall the first time I heard this artist live and was immediately enthralled by her sweet ballads, clever lyrics, emotional delivery, skilled guitar work, and proud rock'n'roll energy. And with no one listening over my shoulder, I can even sing along as the breathless long notes of 'Be the One,' 'Me too,' and 'Fix my Life' touch my soul.

On this solo effort, excellent production, audience harmonies and African drums (on a few tracks) bring new life to old(er) and more recent favorites. As a longtime fan of disappear fear (predicate band) and SONiA (now solo) I was tremendously pleased with this intimate, energetic album. Surely, true music (and poetry) lovers should not let this artist go unnoticed; this collection of songs provides a fine introduction. Overall, and despite some awkward shyness and lack of dialogue between songs, this album showcases SONiA at her best: LIVE!