NOMA FALTA "Straight On!"

by julieanne rau

I lucked out for my first review of 2009 getting to watch Noma Falta play at GIA'S FASHION CABARET on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2009. I did a little research on her prior to the review and discovered that she is a classically trained violinist with a 10 year career with symphonies: what I got to witness was a Hard Rock and Blues girl.

I originally had a problem tuning into the stream. I got confused when I heard “Straight On” by Heart and im’d Gia’s owner Jenny Heying. “That’s not ‘Heart’” she told me, “that’s all Noma and she’s also playing her bass guitar”. I was shocked; it was probably the most professional/realistic performance I have heard in Second Life®.

With over 53 people on the SIM, this girl rocked it and rocked it hard, like Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About”. “Looking for the Kid” is a Hard Rock/Jazz piece with a soulful harmonica and her closing number which she calls her ‘go out and have fun song’; “Go On” by Angela Strehli. The evening was almost perfect with the exception of an uncooperative Second Life® that had her crashing a few times in the first 20 minutes. But this professional never skipped a beat. She’s easy to like, as she apologizes and uses words like “dang” and “Lord have Mercy” to show her frustration. Barring that, her deep rich voice has a smooth transition from one song to the next. You can understand that she’s passionate about her music!

I wish I had more time to talk with this amazing musician but as is typical in Second Life, on to the next concert. I am always impressed when the performer acknowledges the venue, as she did and has a bit of knowledge about the place, as she did. Backtracks are used during the performance but they are clean and clear as she mixes the sounds of her bass guitar to finish them off. As a matter of fact, when she crashed she plucked at a string or two of her bass and that was the only time I could actually tell she was playing it, the blend was that well done. This woman is all professional and I admire her abilities to make you feel a part of the show.

Eight months between performances is too long for me, I’m going to have to make an effort to see more of her. She gives you that feeling of escape during her act, that it’s just you and her listening to tunes in your room. At least that is how I felt.

Check her out at http://www.nomafalta.com/Home_Page.html and tell me what you think. I’m interested to know if you feel like I do?

(video courtesy of tracy serra)

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NOMA FALTA "Queen Of The Blues"

by Jenny Heying

Well what can you say when you attend a Noma Falta concert? SIMPLY AWESOME!! I've seen Noma at least five times before but every time I do, I'm in awe. This time before about 40 people at the 300 Club, Noma showed why she's not only the Queen Of The Blues, but a Master of Rock as well.

Classic in your face rock and blues is what Noma is all about. She opened with two Tom Petty songs before cutting into Ohio by The Pretenders. Her guitar laces into your soul while her voice taps into your heart. Your feet can't help but move and your whole body starts to shake. That's Noma Falta.

But Noma is not all about rock, no sir. On Smokey Robinson's Ooh Baby Baby, Noma commands your attention and instills the blues within you. Her guitar lulls you into that never never land and her voice keeps you there. With the riffs on Why Won't Love Ever Treat Me Right and Love Sneaking Up On You driving you into a frenzy, Noma stirs the pot and you willing go along.

At this performance, Noma was accompanied by Durango Dallagio on guitar, and the two of them were in a zone.

So where does that leave you half way through her show?. Wanting more obviously. Noma delivers with a stellar version of Randy Newman's "Guilty". My favorite Noma Song? Betty's Beeing Bad and she did for me and I loved it again. You haven't seen Noma perform till you hear it. And with The Boy Can't Help It, If I Were You and He's My Everything Noma continues the rush. Noma closed her one hour show with Don't Mess With My Man and I hardly realized that an hour had really passed.

I'm sure you have, but if you haven't seen the Queen Of Blues and the Master Of Rock, what's wrong with you. Go see Noma Falta now!!

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