Natalie Gelman is a subway guitarist from New York City. She travels the countryside, but managed to stop by at Ashland University to give us a fun show in the Eagles’ Landing Friday, Sept. 24.

Gelman landed a record deal with Sweatshop Studios after winning Facebook Idol, an online competition for unknown musical artists.

She drew a good crowd and it felt like a coffee shop performance. She sang about 13 songs, including: “Street Lamp Musician,” “Laugh so Hard You Cry,” “The Summer Song” and “Long Stemmed Rose.”

She also performed covers of songs by Stevie Nicks, Lady Antebellum, Alicia Keys, Lady GaGa (she sings better than GaGa), Kesha (ditto), Gnarls Barkley and Carole King. .

In between songs, she talked to the audience and got a few laughs out of them. Her charisma truly shone through on stage.

For some songs, she tried to get audience participation. The crowd sang along and two people got up to dance in order to win a free CD.

Gelman had great volume and sound. Sometimes her diction was a little off, but for the most part her words were clear.

Gelman had a fine range and she started out singing with a nice alto sound, but went up to some soprano octaves. She also was very enthusiastic.

I could tell she enjoys her music and I know that I certainly did too.

The great thing about Gelman’s music is that her songs really make you think. Her lyrics are relatable to most people’s lives. Her music seemed like a mix of rock, folk, and country.

She also dedicated her song “One More Thing” to her dad which, like most of her songs, she wrote herself.

I liked her music, but there were a few snags in the show. Along with her diction issues, there were times when she held notes out too long or at inappropriate times.

All in all, Gelman put on a good show. I hope she does well and comes back to Ashland sometime soon.

I give Natalie Gelman 4 stars out of 5.