Press Releases and Reviews

Songs My Mother Taught Me - St James Theatre, Wellington. December 10/09.

"Ferguson is a superb musician with a gorgeous, golden voice. Every song is beautifully sung with complete assurance and stylistic control. She seems to have a real affinity with Leonard Cohen's songs and her performance of 'Suzanne' was a highlight for me. She rises to the challenge of representing multiple characters with some believable and often very funny characterisation, particularly that of Cilla and her boyfriend, the chauvinistic Johnnie. Wardrop and Wood are the consummate supporting duo: subtle, inventive, stylish and responsive. I enjoyed this show. It's a shame that this was a one-off performance and I hope there will be more opportunities for Ferguson, Wardrop and Wood to perform it in Wellington." Vicki Thorpe www.theatreview.org.nz

Christchurch Arts Festival 2009
      'Songs My Mother Taught Me' - Original Show

...the story of Cilla's misspent year and a half, during which she slides uncritically and deliciously into free-thinking, moderate amounts of sex, drugs and alcohol, the Ngaruawahia Festival and some rather unrewarding relationships and missed opportunities. There are seamless segues into songs which crystallise the moments Cilla is going through, or illustrate an aspect of them. [Ferguson is] a mature singer with a fine voice in great command of a wide range of music. Wardrop [Graham] and Wood [Murray] provide beautifully timed instrumental support. They do not ever take centre stage, but their expert ease with the range of music being performed adds to the comfort and elegance of the evening. Ferguson's monologue is amusing and engaging.The show was very well-received with a lot of recognition hilarity. www.theatreview.org.nz

Naomi Ferguson and The Three of Hearts: Live at the Musicians Club
"We were enthralled with her vocals, her compositions and the talent of her band. This band is so talented, the harmonies, the sheer enjoyment we saw on their faces made this concert a pleasure to attend." Musicians Club Newsletter May 2009

An Evening at The Garibaldi Club, Wellington: Naomi Ferguson Benefit Concert February 2009

Her versatility is amazing from serious to comedy, upbeat to soul searing sadness... she has so much talent and vitality... Naomi was superb, especially her performance of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah... She is such a vibrant performer and such a wonderful range of repertoire... She has a great voice and was so poised in her delivery that she had the audience in the palm of her hand... We loved the numbers she chose to perform because they illustrated beautifully her full range of ability, exciting in its dynamics and variety. She gave Leonard Cohen's " Hallelujah" such depth and feeling.  A gifted and beautiful performer with so much promise.   response & tweets from numerous fans

Brassed Off! - Repertory Theatre

· Special applause is due to the accomplished performance of Naomi Ferguson as the feisty flugelhorn player, Gloria. The Christchurch Star March 2008

Cosi – Repertory Theatre

· To single out individuals from such a fine ensemble seems churlish but I can’t resist mentioning… Naomi Ferguson’s vampish Julie…the duet by Bartram and Ferguson was a memorable ending to the first half. Metropol September
· The haunting duet by Naomi Ferguson and Jillian Bartram was a real highlight. The Star 12/09/07

Cats

· For it all to work, however, you need a good Grizabella, because that's who carries the show's big song (Memory) and the main dramatic moment. Naomi Ferguson was superb, delivering a truly memorable performance that had real pathos. The Christchurch Press 16/04/07
· Grizabella was more than aptly played by Naomi Ferguson who delivered the musical’s signature track Memory with haunting melodic gusto. Canta 30/05/07

The Christchurch Arts Festival

· Ferguson has that rare ability to wrap you up in her songs and, caressing every syllable, tell her story with directness and warmth… Top of my list tonight was Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, which I sincerely hope she puts on her next album exactly the way she did it in concert - just her, her piano and that sleepy 'round mid night feel. The set started and finished with Bob Dylan. For those who heard Dylan live, this was a real treat because with Ferguson's careful well-placed diction at least we got to hear every word, not something the master is known for. The Christchurch Press 11/08/07

Night and Day – The Cole Porter Story

· Naomi Ferguson on vocals is an absolute jewel. I wonder if we really appreciate the exceptional talent we have in this beautiful young woman with an incredible voice. The Christchurch Musicians Club September 2007

Repertory Variety Show

· Naomi wowed the audience with her Jerome Kern medley…including the beautiful love song ‘Bill’ which she has made her own. Her French Chanteuse numbers demonstrated not only her singing ability but also her acting skills. The Christchurch Star July 2007

The Real Inspector Hound

· …the sultry empty-headedness of Lady Muldoon played by Naomi Ferguson shone. The Christchurch Star 25/10/06

Fly Me To The Moon

· The highlight of the evening for me was Naomi Ferguson, her performance was stunning and her version of “Somewhere” brought tears to
my eyes. The Christchurch Musicians Club August 2006
· Naomi Ferguson came off better. She has an interesting voice with strong character that became quite exciting in its higher register. Her greater expressive variety was definitely to her advantage, and I would like to have heard more of her. The Press 17/07/06
· Naomi Ferguson’s Georgia produced total meltdown in an audience already in a state of surrender, this powerhouse of talent later unleashed in the manner of the old time torch singers – her I Can Cook sheer fun and entertainment. Metropol 21/07/06

Album Review

· She is the absolute master of the soulful ballad and her voice is one of the most character-filled I have heard coming out of New Zealand in recent years. Her technique is flawless and she approaches each song with a genuine love, savouring every line with carefully placed diction and a teasing edge to her tone. The Press 25/02/06

Westend To Broadway III

· For sheer professionalism, passion and power, Naomi Ferguson rocked. The Christchurch Star 12/10/05

The Bacharach Years

· For me, Naomi Ferguson and Juliet Reynolds-Midgley were the standout performers. The Press 13/04/05
· The other Bacharach Belles did superbly well backing and in their own solo slots in the second half. Ferguson’s Knowing When To Leave was a belter.
The Press 27/06/04

The Little Mermaid

· The quartet are confident and convincing in their roles: Naomi Ferguson in particular playing the 13-year-old mermaid most winsomely.
The Christchurch Star 24/09/04

Luck Be A Lady

· Naomi Ferguson could be, and often was flamboyant. There was no doubting her enjoyment of the outrageous in Frank Loesser’s Take Back Your Mink. The Press 19/07/04

Nelson Winter Festival

· Ferguson charmed the audience with some Gershwin … [and] was relaxed and in control from the start. The Nelson Mail 10/07/04

Songs of the Leading Ladies

· Talking of treasures, a singer currently making a name for herself is Naomi Ferguson. I thoroughly enjoyed her set of Songs of the Leading Ladies, delivered with a great sense of style and well-judged humour. It was a treat to wind down at the end of a busy day to this talented singer. The Press1/08/03
· With the look, the voice, and the stage presence, Naomi Ferguson places her inimitable stamp on any song she performs. The Press 31/07/03

Orton Bradley Park with SOLPAK

· Naomi Ferguson is a fine artist. The Press 2001