OurStage

There is a sparkling clarity to Denise Romas’ voice – pure and sweet – which is just one of the striking elements of this offering. Included are six original songs, two traditional folk songs (with a beautiful rendition of “The Water Is Wide”), and an “inspired” version of the old Zombies hit “She’s (He’s) Not There” offering proof of Ms. Romas’ talent as an arranger as well. “Passing the Torch” (a song to her son) and ‘Teacher’ (about a student who finds more love in a classroom than at home) are especially notable

Denise Romas, whose beautiful voice and guitar accompaniment bring a special sound to well-known songs and her own well-written and poignant originals, released her first full-length CD, Inspired, late last year. A CD release party took place at Soul Growth Café in Lindenhurst on Jan. 26, during which she was joined by friends and fellow musicians. Romas has been touching people for years with her inspiring original songs and nice stylings of choice covers sung in a clear voice, so the title of her debut release is apt. On Inspired, she shares her views on life and love on such self-penned numbers as “A Healing Angel” (a touching song previously released as a single), “Teacher” (inspired by her day job as an elementary school music teacher) and “Passing the Torch” ( inspired by her role as a mom). Engineered by Long Islanders Patrick O’Rourke and Larry Moser, the album also features the musical talents of Lora Kendall, Robert Langley, Charlie Minoia, Bill Davis, Moser and Matt Zebrowski. Its 10 songs include several other original compositions and her interpretations of the traditional “The Water is Wide” and The Zombies’ classic “She’s Not There.” A bonus track on the self-released CD, taken from a family home recording session many years ago, features Romas singing at age 9 — two years before she acquired her first guitar. In the years since, she has been performing at coffeehouses, libraries and other venues on LI both solo and as part of Lonesome Traveler, a musical narrative about Lee Hays and The Weavers, in which she is teamed with Ira Perlman (president of the Folk Music Society of Huntington). An active member of the Island Songwriters Showcase, Romas will be one of its six showcasing artists during the Folk Music Society’s Hard Luck Café in Centerport on March 15.