Politically and spiritually inspired folk music that's grounded in the earth, flying with the winged ones, carried by a voice thats healing balm for the weary heart.

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FOLK: Gentle, FOLK: Political



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The failure of counterculture, Hunter Thompson said, was that it relied on "the desperate assumption that somebody, or at least some force, is tending that Light at the end of the tunnel." He was referring to the Acid Culture, but his observation could apply to all seekers, those who cast off conventional ways and journey into the spiritual wilderness, going on faith that their adventure will, somehow, bring them to a better existence.

As it turns out, there is someone tending that Light, and it happens to be Sara Thomsen.

The Twin Ports folk singer picks up the torch carried by the balladeers of decades past: Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, and Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Her themes are familiar-peace, love, freedom, social justice, and-dare we say it?-saving the world.

That stuff became fodder for jokes at Republican cocktail parties decades ago, but cynicism can't touch Ms. Thomsen. Her music is simply too beautiful.

Even when she skirts the edges of cliché by getting too issue-specific--anti-war and anti-nuke lyrics--she carries it through.

Her voice is lovely yet strong, held aloft by her faith and conviction.

She's everyone's guide and mother, a goddess who, instead of teetering on a pedestal, stands before you in blue jeans and looks you in the eye.

She could make Conan the Barbarian drop his sword and collapse blubbering.

Say what you will about the practicality of her vision, it's the light we all head for, even though we have no idea when we'll finally arrive.

- (Richard Thomas, The Reader Weekly, Duluth, MN)