Once I Was a Bird

This is as true and pure as folk music gets; stunningly performed, a voice that is intoxicating and surely one to usher in the next generation of folk singers. Now I see why Laure Shera was hand-chosen at the age of 18 to appear at the Bob Dylan Tribute at Lincoln Center in NYC and why folks such as Bonnie Raitt, Phil Lesh, Jackie Greene, and Mr. Zimmerman himself, have all had wondrous things to say about Lauren's music and why Abigail Washburn and Kristin Hersh both lent their talents and voices to this recording. The influences of the aforementioned, along with the likes of Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Ani DiFranco, and Dar Williams all shine through. "Once I Was A Bird" is a stellar recording in every way; the stories, the musical imagery woven into each song, indeed does what great folk music should, take you on a journey. My favorites are by far "Storyteller", "Once I Was A Bird", "Stealth", "In The Darkness", the voyage of "Endless Sea", and the last track, "Red Paint", which left me breathless. I could feel the pain and her recovery whereby "slapping on a fresh coat of red paint" on her broken heart, provides the resolution that wraps up this brilliant recording.