Cynthia Summers

...This is going to be part of the
You Have to Trust Me That She’s Great
Music Series
featuring
Cynthia Summers
You trusted me on Spencer Bohren and you were not at all disappointed! In fact, about 65 of you were converted into fans of his. And so you have to trust me on this, as well.

Cynthia Summers was part of the Chris Smither singer-songwriter workshop that was held here a few weeks ago. On the last night of the workshop, all the participants gathered at Elmer’s to play for each other and for Chris. It was closed to the public, but since I own the joint, I got to be here.

Scared the crap out of most of the musicians to play outloud, by themselves for Chris, but this woman Cynthia Summers just blew everyone away with her voice and, with the first song she sang for the group. She was so good! They went around the group, performing and then came back to Cynthia again. This time she did a rendition of George Gershwin’s “Summertime” that knocked everyone out again! So at the end of the whole session that night I asked if she would come back to Elmer’s to play, solo, and she said yes.

So she will be here on Saturday the 19th of February playing at Elmer’s.

AND, our guest chef that night will be Son! Do you remember Son? My godchild from New Orleans who used to cook here? Well, since you last saw him he has been studying at Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Providence Rhode Island and cooking at the Hotel Northampton, and, as they say in New Orleans, my boy can burn! (Meaning: He’s a really good cook.)

So he will come back that night as our guest chef, standing on his own with his dinner!

He’ll be serving:
Adobo Grilled Chicken con Cicharrones
Caribbean Faro Risotto
Veggies (I’m not sure which yet)
Green Salad

Dinner will be $10 and the concert will be $5 and I promise you will be impressed by both!!
- Elmer's Store/Nan Parati

Ms. Summers has a really fine voice, and writes seemingly simple songs about domestic life that explore larger truths. ... I've been playing tracks from her demo disk (if you've been listening regularly, you'll recognize her as the singer who does that great rendition of "Buttermilk Hill" you've heard for awhile on the Online Folk Festival).
- Greg Grant

file:///Users/usummcy/Desktop/Ridgewood%20Patch%20-%20Cynthia%20Summers:%20Sunday%20at%20the%20Library.webarchive - Ridgewood Patch

In the world of contemporary folk music, where these days most female singer/songwriters sound like they can't find their way to the exit gate at the last Lilith Fair concert, Cynthia Summers CD, "Love At Every Turn," is a soul-moving, delightful first effort! (Nothing wrong with the "Lilith Fair" thing mind you!) The vocal and writing influences of the likes of Joan Baez, Cheryl Wheeler (check out the title cut "Love At Every Turn" or "Crying Stopped"), Richard Thompson ("Words--Song for Keats") and others are evident, but never overpower her own unique talent or musical sense of self ("Who Are You Looking For?", "I Don't Like The Fighting"). Haunting, sensual, and playful, Cynthia Summers's vocals powerfully but gently draw you into her world and invite you to find yourself in her words and music. Accompanied by a talented group of musicians, her instrumental style is nevertheless fully obvious on this beautifully crafted CD. - CD Baby

The intricate imagery in Cynthia Summers' songs reflects her past life as an award-winning poet. Her country-tinged melodies are lushly supported by top studio players including Duke Levine and Dave Mattacks, as well as a string trio. But the star here is Cynthia's crystalline but powerful soprano, eerily reminiscent of a young Judy Collins. A strong debut for this New Jersey native. (Sing Out! Vol. 51 #1, Spring 2007) - Sing Out!