Jennifer Onesto's Awards and Reviews

Lorelei Music Magazine - spotlights women in music. A subscription to the magazine includes a compilation CD featuring internationally known female singer/songwriters. They chose to include on their first release Jennifer Onesto's song "Isn't It Funny" The following review appears in the Winter '98 issue of Lorelei Music Magazine:

jennifer onesto

You can buy Jennifer's Twenty Houses CD by sending \\$12 to: Jennifer Onesto, 126 E. Wing St., Suite 207, Arlington Hts., IL 60004; email: garjen_55@yahoo.com;Web page: jenniferonesto.50megs.com You can also purchase Jennifer's CD from Harmony Ridge Music - dedicated to female singer/songwriters - www.rahul.net/hrmusic or by calling 1.800.611.4698

Lorelei Music Magazine - Winter 1998

Rock and Roll certainly isn't dead. In a wake of grunge, hip-hop, and endless sub-genres of alternative rock, Jennifer Onesto carves out her niche by bringing back that four-on-the floor rock that is sadly missing in recent years. Jennifer's new release, Twenty Houses, is an album that offers a true alternative: A fully produced wall of sound. Terrific melodies and harmonies. Big guitar-driven accompaniment. You won't find any spare, jumbled mixes with wispy, off-key lead vocals here. On the contrary, Jennifer has a phenomenal voice, harkening back to the great female rock artists of the 60's and 70's. She has a clear, rich, alto voice of uncommon quality - versatile enough to be equally at home singing a driving rock tune as well as a soulful ballad.

Don't think that Jennifer is a retro rocker, dragging tired classic rock back from the grave - that couldn't be further from the truth. Jennifer is definitely an artist of today, skillfully blending many influences into a tight, focused, cohesive sound with great rhythm and energy. She brings a modern sensibility to production as well. Her arrangements and instrumentation are deep, not nearly as spare as most contemporary alternative rock.

Jennifer's songwriting is an example of what all songwriters should aspire to, regardless of genre. She blends intelligent lyrics and exceptional melodies into memorable and radio-ready hooks; the kind that play in your head days after you've heard them. On the whole, Jennifer Onesto's Twenty Houses is a fresh, welcome approach to modern rock and a great addition to any collection.

 

Review - Read a great review on the Go Girls Music Website where Megan McGehee writes:

"...upbeat percussion and entrapping electric guitar licks accompany a sure, gutsy voice that might have headed for Opry Land in Nashville but took a detour through late 60's San Francisco before landing in make-your-own-sound modern Illinois. Along the way, Jennifer Onesto picked up a feel for performing her own lead and backing vocals that sound at times, amazingly, like offerings from two distinctly different and talented singers....Onesto's voice fittingly breaks out of any cages for the remainder of the recording, approaching the edges of raw emotion in a frayed-edged but solidly founded blues-rock intonation....She writes metaphor and imagery filled songs of love and heartbreak, joy and loss, and performs all with the infectious sincerity of one who truly believes in her voice."

Review - Read a great review on "WCAZ 2000 Internet Radio" where John M. O'Connor writes:

"...I love this CD and give it an enthusiastic rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5 max)."

Review - Read a review on the Flick Music web site where they mention:

"Jennifer has created her own unique spectacular sound ...if she keeps putting out songs like this, and delivering a great sound on and off the stage, she will be signed in a flash." They also rated Jen's vocals a perfect 4.0 out of 4.0!!

Review - Read a review at Amazon.com where Bill McNair writes:

"...there is always hope when you discover an artist like Jennifer Onesto. Jennifer has an absolutely wonderful alto voice that can belt out the big rock songs and even do the more soulful blues songs. It also seems versatile enough to be at home in small clubs or even in large arenas. She has everything you want in a female vocalist..."  He rated Jennifer's "Twenty Houses" CD 5 stars!

Review - Read a review at Listen.com where they write:

"...rock with a big heart. Sultry guitar twang and a well-rehearsed rhythm section back her rich alto."

Review - Read a review at Musical Dicoveries Album Reviews where they write:

"...We were particularly impressed with the vocal production of the album and use of original instruments including steel drums ("Love Changes Everything"), harmonica and sitar. Jen's vocals are mixed way up and layering, when used, is very effective in producing lovely harmonies to support individual tracks' melodies."

Awards - Jennifer Onesto was one of the winners at the annual Winterbreak Games Music Alive Contest held at The Park West Theater on Feb. 13th (sponsored by The City of Chicago). Her "Twenty Houses" CD was picked over 40 other entries by 101.9 The Mix radio station which sponsored her in this contest. Because she was one of the winners, The Jennifer Onesto Band was invited to perform at The Taste of Chicago at Grant Park on July 2nd on The Taste Stage.

Review - Read a review of Jennifer's performance in The Columbia Chronicle, which is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed by students at Columbia College in Chicago. Click here, to see Erin Bonillo's review, where she mentions:

"Jennifer Onesto received a standing ovation after her riveting performance…"

Online Interview - Jennifer Onesto is one of the Spotlighted artists at Rockband.com where they have an interview with her and give a lot of her biographical information.

BMI Showcase - Jennifer Onesto and her band Last Call was the headlining artist at the Broadcast Music Inc. Showcase held in Chicago.

Review - Read a review on the Mood Swings web site where they mention :

"Jennifer has created an enjoyable album that I've played quite a few times when I've been looking for a change from the usual rock fodder that frequents my CD player."

Review - Read a review on the Strutterzine website where they call Jennifer's "Twenty Houses" CD:

"...very catchy and addictive."

Guinness Fleadh Battle of the Bands - Jennifer Onesto and The Big Babies made it to the 3rd and final round at The Abbey Pub . They were one of the 8 final bands out of 50 originally competing.

sdahl.jpg (39723 bytes) Steve Dahl, the well-known Chicago radio personality, broadcaster and musician, likes Jennifer's "Twenty Houses" CD.   A possible musical collaboration could be in the works in the future.  Check out http://www.dahl.com for Steve's Cd's and also check out Lono's website at http://www.mauistylin.com

 


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