Sonya Lorelle

"Independent Woman" is a collection of solid songs from start to finish. On the album, Lorelle showcases her bluesy voice, elegant piano stylings and thoughtful lyrics. Sonically, Lorelle evokes an upbeat version of contemporary jazz vocalist Norah Jones. Lyrically, she is more in the vein of wordy songsmiths like Joni Mitchell or Fiona Apple. - Michael Brothers

Sonya Lorelle is a young woman with a big voice and a lot of soul. All of the songs on this CD are written and performed by her. Sonya writes bluesy sophisticated tunes and sings them with tremendous verse and style, accompanying herself on piano.

Sonya is a vocalist with great chops! She’s got a big vocal range and excellent control over her voice, giving her the ability to do about anything she wants with a song.

The songs themselves have a surprising emotional range and depth for one so young. From “Independent Woman,” the title song about a young woman hitting her stride and striking out on her own, to a great bluesy bossa nova called “Beauty of It All,” to torch songs like “There’s Something”, and “Better Days”, a song about old age written with truth and delivered with love. The songs, both in concept and delivery are of consistently high quality as is her piano playing. This CD is a treat!

- Renee Wood

Sonya Lorelle should be on television. She should have her own regular starring role where she sits at a piano and sings her heart out. Sorta like Vonda Shepard on "Ally McBeal." Sonya could sing mathematical equations and it would sound fantastic.

Sonya, based in Missouri, has a vocal style that is pure gold. It feels good to listen to her sing. Strong. Clear. Seductive at times. A bit of Norah Jones with more volume. A mix of jazz and blues in a cabaret style delivery. Her tunes are basically piano driven with her golden throat carrying the song wherever she wants to take it. She can soar, glide and growl. Her songs are at times torchy and at others melancholy and sad.....
Sonya's delivery is everything. Her strong, well-executed piano is just right (it's gorgeous on "Moving On"). The rhythm of each tune is perfectly suited for each one.

The opening cut "Baby Without You" really gives this CD its signature sound. It's got all the ingredients of a wonderful sounding tune: piano, a mix of a jazzy/bluesy beat and melody and Sonya's confident vocal delivery. On "I deserve Better," Sonya's voice just soars into some heavenly domain and comes back down so gracefully that it just drapes over you.

And, perhaps the CD's best tune of all is the title track. This isn't a fancy tune, but it's got power, a hip-swaying beat, heaps of emotion and passion and that Broadway growl. This song grabs you and pulls you in. Keeps you there. - Les Reynolds

Sonya Lorelle gives a soft sound to Independence. Incredible vocalist from Missouri, Sonya Lorelle, on her CD, "Independent Woman," "Baby Without You," is deep, gutsy…. The title cut, "Independent Woman," is bluesy, jazzy, and puts 'em in their place. Lorelle is easy listening at its best, and her style is her trademark.
- www.womanrising.com

Sonya Lorelle has a cool jazzy, bluesy voice and plays a spunky piano. Think Norah Jones with a jolt of caffeine (I love Norah, but she can be a bit sleepy at times, not so for Lorelle).

Sonya's voice is crystal clear and almost achingly emotional. Her piano playing is very nice. When listening to Lorelle, I imagine I'm in a small intimate club and there are only a handful of listeners who are all a little wine buzzed, paired off and are listening, but are also whispering quietly to each other and nuzzling together. This is pretty romantic stuff.

She gets real jazzy and throaty on "There's Something" which really shows her jazzy style. - Producer of www.CollectedSounds.com