What People Say
“she’s got the soul.... she’s got rhythm...she’s got spirit... she’s going to be the next big thing”. Curtis Fuller and Fathead Newman, Nov. 17, 2007
"Elyssa Mahoney literally knocked the socks off of everyone as she can only be
described as nothing less than amazing". "Along with blind guitar playing
prodigy Lucas Haneman, Mahoney's band, which includes Carleton Place's own Peter Brown...
left the audience spellbound with their breathless closing version of
"Superstition". "Haneman's incredible guitar licks combined with Mahoney's
powerful voice left the crowd buzzing at the end of their exceptionally powerful
set." Of Cotton's Band who had Elyssa up with them to perform, "a rockin'
version of the timeless Flip Flop Fly that took crowd up to Blues Heaven."
The Mississippi Weekender, Agust 3, 2007.
"Ottawa's little Blues Lady" Hot Toronto Magazine July 16, 2007
"Je commencerai ma 24ième année d'enseignement en septembre et je doit vous dire que votre fille (Elyssa Mahoney) a été une des meilleures élèves dont j'ai eu le plaisir d'enseigner. Elle a beaucoup de talent, un comportement exemplaire et une maturité musicale remarquable. " (M. Daniel Sirard, enseignant de musique, École Catholique Franco-Ouest, Juin 2007)
"...What could possibly come out of this tiny little package? Well I'll tell ya'; I was amazed. She had the grace and voice of a superstar. Totally took me by surprise...This young lady from Ottawa, Canada is going places... turned out to be a stick of dynamite. She has a new CD (Jeff Healey is on it) the title: "Try To See Me Like That". Hm...Imagine that." Gary Eckhart, Blue Monday Vol. 1 Issue 34 Mar. 2007, Owatonna, Minnesota, USA
"...packed Ground Zero (Clarksdale, Mississippi) and jammed with entrants in the area
for the IBC (International Blues Challenge)... Elyssa Mahoney from Ottawa, Canada brought
the house down with her version of "Stormy Monday Blues" that climaxed in a
face-off with (Papa Tas) Cru on electric slide." Don Wilcock, Feb. 22, 2007, The
Record, Troy , N.Y.
" What she's amazing at, she knows how to lead the band - how to count the band in and out, how to cue the band" said Downchild saxophonist Pat Carey, The Mississauga news Aug. 25, 2006
"...Elyssa Mahoney is one of the most promising young talents in the country."
Chuck Jackson (Downchild Blues Band) June 16, 2006
"Special Guest little 12-year-old Elyssa Mahoney stepped up and did several songs with the band (Jack de Keyzer) – singing like a seasoned veteran - and blew the audience away! What a voice and what an incredible future lies ahead for this young artist. " James Doran, Choose the Blues, Jan 31, 2006.
"One of the finest vocalists in the country" Jeff Healey Aug. 19, 2006
"Now the petite 12 year old with the wonderfully big voice and growing reputation in the blues arena has added an album to her credits... this recording debut promisses future greatness" Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen, Nov. 13, 2005.
"If you’ve ever had the pleasure of
seeing the young singer/performer live, then you won’t be that surprised at how good
this collection of 13 invigorating, yet seamless tracks is, and which, in essence, is
simply an extension of her energetic stage presence." Jean-Pierre Allard
Nepean Weekender (Sept. 15, 2005) and the Barrhaven Weekender (Sept. 2005)
"Mahoney is easily a better singer than half the seasoned vets who release this kind of music..." James Hayashi-Tennant, 701.com (Mississauga)
"My favorite song on this CD is definitely the title track, ‘Try To See Me Like That’ – vocal styling simply beyond her young years shows that Elyssa has arrived!" Mike Graham, for OB Scene, Fall 2005 (Ottawa Blues Society)
"I expected to have to make concessions on the "tightness" of the album based on your age, and for that I apologize. Your CD can stand up against anyone's, regardless of age!!!" Diana Thibodeau, Oct. 10, 2005
"Try To See Me Like That ... is a remarkable album, one that offers glimpses of how promissing the future bodes for this exciting new artist". Jean-Pierre Allard, freelance journalist, Nepean Weekender, Sept. 15, 2005. Barrhaven Weekender Sept. 2005.
"One of the most professional individuals I've ever worked with in over 30 years as a musician and producer". Pat Carey, Producer, Iridescent Music / Downchild Blues Band. June 30, 2005
"Sung with charm and poise... An outstanding job!" Penelope Dale, Royal Conservatory of Music, Kiwanis Music Festival, April 2005.
"What a wonderful voice! Great presence and focus" Gregory Cross, Sheridan College, Kiwanis Music Festival April 2005.
"Elyssa has an unbelievable talent like no other I've ever seen before, anywhere" Jeff Healey, Nepean Centrepointe Theatre, January 28, 2005
"...She (Elyssa Mahoney) is an incredible, marvelous unique and jarring individual in a very positive way. Elyssa is a soul beyond her years... She knows how to lead the band, and it's not corny or cutesy." Jeff Healey, Nepean This Week, Jan. 28, 2005
" ...a phenomenal talent, incredible... absolutely unbelievable" Jeff Healey, Healey's Club, Toronto, Dec. 30, 2004
"Terrific breath control for such a young singer." Elizabeth Turnbull, Canadian Music Showcase, Nov. 19, 2004
"The performer who impressed me the most is Elyssa Mahoney. WOW! She's a natural and very professional" It's as if she's been performing for 20 years..." The Ottawa Blues Society OBScene, Fall 2004, "Volunteers' Views: A Collage of Bluesfest Memories"
"I got to see OBS' youngest member, Elyssa Mahoney singing on the Main Stage with Eddy the chief Clearwater! Amazing talent and what poise..." The Ottawa Blues Society OBScene, Fall 2004, Linda Yarema.
"if it's variety you like, 11 year old Elyssa Mahoney can deliver. From Aretha Franklin to Amanda Marshall, Elyssa strikes a chord with listeners". NewRO@ six and @11, August 21, on site at Super Ex.
"You absolutely ROCK girl!!! Best of luck in all you do, and I hope to see you again sometime soon!" Dawn Tyler Watson, August 2, 2004
"Elyssa and her band are true pro's and added a lot to the Festival"..." They were a major hit"..." Blew people away in the (Centennial) Park and at Rob Roy's."..." How does a wee wisp of a thing like you hold a note for so long?" Smith's Falls Chocolate and Railway Festival, July 17, 2004
"This is a very beautiful voice! Very clear and pitching is bang on! ... Bravo! This was a very polished performance!" Elizabeth Parsons, Kiwanis Music Festival, Vocal Solo Under 10, April 13, 2004.
"Keep on Singing Elyssa" Amanda Marshall, Feb 26, 2004
"Some people call her my Miny Me!" Maria Hawkins, Dec.29, 2003
"Lovely voice, excellent pitch and rhythm...Excellent work" Dr. Elizabeth Ekholm, Canadian Music Showcase, Nov. 21, 2003
"Nice inflections "Alla" Amanda Marshall...presence very relaxed... confident and fun". Lisa Martinelli, Kiwanis Music Festival Pop vocal solo. May 4, 2003
"Very good voice with a solid sense of singing tone and sustaining of musical phrases... You are very talented with a lovely presence as a young performer - Thank you very much!" Dr. Ingemar Korjus Canadian Music Showcase, Nov. 22, 2002
"This kid's a trooper, she's a killer. We had about a 10-15 minute rehearsal with her and I thought that's all we need, this is gonna cook, this is just fine. " Les Emmerson, The Hitmen, June 2002.
" We're all gonna be Ike, 'cause we've got Tina (Turner)."... "She can do it, yes indeed." Les Emmerson, The Hitmen, June 2002.
"...very theatrical... good intonation, lovely lyrical line... very musically and heartfully sung, well supported sound... A very musical performer, a natural on stage". Gail Hakala, Kiwanis Music Festival, Junior under 10, Musical Theatre, April 22, 2002
"I hear a flare for musical theatre in this voice". Roland Fix, Kiwanis Music Festival, Junior vocal, April 15, 2002.
"A very mature sound, good pitch...good energetic, spririted performance... good belt, very free... strong. Very impressive work... You are very musical". Lisa Martinelli, Kiwanis Music Festival, Pop vocal solo, April 13, 2002
"... I couldn't take my eyes off you. Great job! Big future. Keep working." "What a beautiful presentation! Poised, sweet, simple, direct, clear. This was gorgeous! Thank you!" Jeanette Dagger, Kiwanis Music Festival, Musical Theatre, under 10, May 2, 2001.
"Lots of talent... beautiful voice... lovely stage presence... excellent interpretation" Dr. Elizabeth Ekholm, Canadian Music Showcase, Nov. 24, 2000
"Excellent diction... tricky song - good for you!". David Rogers, Kiwanis Music Festival, Musical Theatre solo under 10, May 3, 1999.
Of the former band Simply WOW.
"This local band of young performers had the crowd
dancing and singing in no time. They were truly amazing to watch and listen to, and their
ages in no way prepared the audience for the incredibly professional show they put
on"
Heather Sommerville, Special to Nepean this Week, Dec. 26, 2003
"These kids are Simply WOW"
A VISITOR to last August's SuperEx might have been tempted to dismiss Simply WOW as four
pipsqueak popsters.
But then they'd notice the fearless persona and booming pipes behind a swinging version of
Mustang Sally. Pint-sized front girl Elyssa Mahoney, who is just 10 and stands not much
taller than her retro microphone stand, is just the first introduction to a band which
seems impossibly mature and nonchalant for a group of youngsters playing music their
parents grew up to."
Ottawa Sun, October 8, 2003. Complete story published.
" The best thing about the Ex (2003) is a young band
called Simply WOW.... Don't miss them".
Max Keeping, CJOH News, Aug. 20, 2003.
"Kudos (to Simply WOW) for doing something a little different"
Reporter Jennifer Morrison from the Ottawa Citizen, Aug. 22, 2003.
Leanne Cusack and Michael O'Byrne, CJOH March 27, 2003, News at Noon
Speachless!
Robert W. Knight from Ottawa's #1 Classic Rock radio station Chez 106.1,
says "it's very important for people in the media to rally around and support great
talent such as we have with: "Simply WOW". RWK's support is greatly appreciated
and we thank him and all media for helping to spread the word about this young inspiring
group of musicians.