Album Notes

[Reviews of this CD] “To share your heart and soul through song is one of the deepest and most profound of all human experiences. Naoko’s debut CD has tapped into this musical magic in a big way. The power and emotional honesty of her voice will move you and rock your world from top to bottom!” Alizon Lissance, Keyboardist, Professor, Berklee College of Music “Soul. It's a rare commodity, a no-holds-barred honesty that transcends musical styles, tastes, and trends. When a singer connects with that honesty, her music can touch the heart of the human experience. Naoko Okamoto sings from the deepest part of her soul with a passion that speaks of pain, love, struggle, and triumph. It has been my privilege and pleasure to follow the musical journey of this gifted artist. Listen, and the pleasure can now be yours.” Didi Stewart, Vocalist, Professor, Berklee College of Music “I met Naoko as she first arrived in the US. Her transformation from the shy girl who barely spoke English to the confident, passionate, powerhouse of a singer she has become is nothing short of amazing. She sings with the intensity of someone who has paid her dues and now cherishes every note of every song. Naoko rocks the house!” Mark Baxter, Vocal Therapist, www.voicelesson.com “Naoko put all of her love and energy into this recording. As you listen you may feel her suffering, sorrow and of course joy and love through the music. Yes, this is her life. A new journey has started for Naoko with this CD. Her originality really comes through on "The Rose" and "From Heaven". She is especially in her own voice on those two tracks. I look forward to her continued growth. I already can't wait for her next release.” Toya, Producer, Composer “Naoko Okamoto’s singing offers the listener strength, honesty, integrity and humanity in every note. Her connection to the true emotion of each song will take you on a journey that speaks to the heart and soul of what music can and should do.” Lisa Thorson, Vocalist, Professor, Berklee College of Music “Like her idol before her (Janis Joplin), Naoko is one of the most passionate singers I've ever heard.” Jude Crossen, Vocalist, Songwriter “I found Naoko to be extremely talented and dedicated to her music. She has a beautiful voice and is a fine musician.” Gloria Bennett, Voice Teacher & Vocalist “Naoko has a passion for Janis Joplin. Very interesting interpretation of Janis/Big Brother songs. Naoko has a feel for the bluesy, mellow song, brings the feelings out.” Re' Antoine, N.E. Informer, Music critic, www.neinformer.net [Biography] Naoko started playing the piano when she was 3 years old. When she was 5 years old, she sang a children's song and played the piano in her concert, which was her first stage in her life. When she was in junior high school, she picked up the clarinet, and had a goal to go to a music university in Japan. she wanted to be a professional clarinet player, so she enrolled in a high school that had a winner brass band in Japan Kansai district. Finally she entered the Music Department of Soai University in Osaka, Japan. She was selected to "Evening of Ensemble by the Society of Music University" which was sponsored by the Japan Kansai District as a representative of the university. She could participate in "Okinawa Music Camp" through a nation wide audition. Her playing was reviewed by the magazine, Music Today. She wanted to study advanced technique in Germany to be a professional player, but unfortunately the dream never came true because of her parents' opposition. She gave up her career as a clarinet player in tears when she graduated from the university. After quitting the clarinet, Naoko started working for companies as an accounting, a clerk, a computer programmer, a keypuncher, and a secretary. When she was 25, she lost someone who was very special for her. The event killed all of her emotions. she even stopped listening to music because it would be too painful if the music stimulated her fragile heart. When Naoko was almost 28, she met a famous Japanese rock singer by chance. she was influenced by him and started singing and writing songs. She found her new dream as a musician again and was looking for her own music. She entered into Japanese music business. She had worked with famous singers in Japan. She was fascinated by hard rock music. Especially, Janis Joplin was the one who Naoko identified with. She always felt Janis’ feelings when she sang Janis' songs: pain, sadness and desire for love. Naoko's way of singing was very direct, passionate and emotional and hard rock was the best way to express her emotions. She realized that music reflected all the emotions of human beings. She used her own body fully to express herself when she sang. The strong movement and her voice were like storms that came out from her deepest place naturally. She had had gigs around Osaka and Tokyo with her band, and three tapes with her original songs were sold by office NOWAY (Naoko Okamoto’s WAY) which was her own music production. Naoko started teaching voice and songwriting at three music colleges in Osaka when she was 33. She also established her own school and managed and taught. She had over 100 students in a month. Her school was featured in the newspaper, Daily Fuji and the magazine, Learn and Study. One day, Naoko realized that she wanted to improve her career by becoming a professional singer in the United States, so she decided to enroll in Berklee College of Music in Spring 2001. She earned a place on the Dean’s list in Spring 2001, Fall 2002, and Fall 2003. She also was chosen as Top Ten Rock Singers in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Her audiences loved her performance because her emotional singing touched them, and they often called her the Japanese Janis Joplin. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee with Performance Major of Professional Music Diploma in August 2004. Naoko started performing with Berklee professors Alizon Lissance, Didi Stewart, Jim Kerry, and professional musicians Steve Brown, Myanna Pontoppidan, Walter Platt, Richard Rosenblatt, Randy Bramwell, Fabio Pirozzolo and so on. Finally she released her new CD album, Touch Your Soul, and had her CD release party in Cambridge MA on September 23, 2007. Naoko is also studying Music Therapy and Expressive Therapy in Master of Art at Lesley University to make her career deeper and wider.