​“…A good poet can tell a story with a minimum of text. So when Nora McCarthy tells the story of lies that have been “swept under the carpet / all scramble like roaches in the early morning light,” she extends the idea in a couple of directions at once – with a kind of vocalese, aided by skittery piano bits. The presentation says far more than a couple of paragraphs could, that’s for sure.” Mark Saleski/Jazz.com

​​

​

"Her ability to interpret lyrics with exquisite phrasing and emotional depth has often drawn comparisons to the legendary Jimmy Scott. McCarthy's contributions to jazz are not just limited to her performances; she is also a prolific composer and poet, adding rich layers to her musical expressions."  Matt Marshall

​

McCarthy’s highly expressive burnished alto voice soars on every track. Her broad range is full of lovely textures and nuances and her use of dynamics which is basically a lost art among singers today, is wrought with emotion. Her trademark phrasing and innate sense of rhythm demonstrates not only her expert ability to convey a story but her overall understanding of melodic and harmonic structure—she is a masterful musician. McCarthy uses her complete voice, as an instrument and as an interpreter of the word. Arnaldo Desouteiro

​

​

  "...Nora’s voice is a brand new one for me… fresh and full of the vigor that only well-performed improvised spoken-word can bring…… as you listen you realize you're in the presence of a vocal master (yes, Nora’s voice is definitely an instrument). Rotcod Zzaj

​