THE ALTERNATIVE VOICE

the Truly Independent Newspaper of the Quad Cities and Iowa

November 3, 1999

Thea Ennen -- Messenger of Joy

by Michael Richardson

Atomic theory recording artist Thea Ennen, a Wisconsin based singer songwriter, gave area fans two free shows in October. Appearing Saturday, Oct. 23rd at All Kinds of People coffee shop in the Rock Island District and again on Sunday afternoon at Sal's Music Emporium in Iowa City, the talented Wisconsin based singer songwriter delighted small but appreciative audiences.

Opening for Ennen at both shows was Minneapolis based singer song- writer Lisa Kane. Kane set the tone with her warm clear vocals, generous smile, and flowing acoustic guitar work. Both women played their own original songs with a sincerity that immediately grabbed the audience’s attention.

Lisa Kane told the Alternative Voice that it was a thrill to travel with Thea Ennen. "For years I was just a fan in the crowd listening to Thea make her beautiful music. I used to dream about sharing the stage with her, and now it is happening!" she gushed with an enthusiastic smile.

Thea Ennen has been described as a "new folk, country-rock chanteuse" and has garnered considerable acclaim for her exquisite and heart felt songs. Thea explores the edge of human emotions and yet offers hope for the future in her songs. Besides her musical contribution to the culture she is an artist in every sense of the word. When not on the road making music Thea writes poetry, draws, sculpts, created jewelry and designs clothing.

Lisa opened the Rock Island show with many of the songs from her self released CD "Old Strings & All" as the audience grew, attracted by the welcoming sounds drifting out the coffee shop's open door to the sidewalk outside. Each woman performed two sets Saturday night.

Thea accompanied herself on the piano and dulcimer with songs from all three of her Atomic Theory releases. Some of the favorites that delighted the listeners included Thea's first song "Mama Mama" and "Ain’t That Something?" off her first CD "All Aboard." Thea also drew from her second CD "Hold Back The Sun" with the title track and "Zero Objection" and "Better Learn Now".

Thea's sets included material from her third CD "Maintenance Angels" with its highlight "Migration Song". She also treated the intimate gathering with joyful new songs from her next CD, "Live At Amazing Grace", to be recorded in Duluth, Minnesota on November 12th, She closed out the Saturday night show joined by Lisa for two songs, the first time the two actually played together since they have begun touring. Day Two of the tour saw the duo in Iowa City for a Sunday afternoon gig in the aisles at Sal's Music Emporium. Thea and Lisa each did one set while customers browsed the racks and Sal took photos for the store scrapbook. When asked by Alternative Voice for a last word, Thea declared, "I had fun here!"