This lifetime "Girl Scout Folkie" opened with a cover of Peter, Paul and Mary's signature tune "Carry It On," introducing a fine backup band consisting of her faithful bass player Joan Griffith, backup singers Traci Tracy and Mary Bussman along with ASL interpreter Amy Weedman and SJA's indispensable piano/accordion accompanist Dan Chouinard. She followed with her composition about high school reunions or as she calls them, "20 years of living in 30 words or less," performing the song "Roll On By" from her 1995 album 'Life Gets Real.' A short set about roads continued with her familiar tune "Every Long Journey" from 1992's 'By Request' and "Love's a Long Road Home" from 1991's 'Road of the Heart' while Chouinard accompanied on accordion.

Reed's rich distinctive alto voice cut out numerous times at the end of phrases during the previous four tunes but the muffled sound came together clearly for Reed's dynamite cover of "Crazy," the 1961 Willie Nelson composed Patsy Cline staple. Reed, minus guitar, expanded her vocal range here with startling nuance showing a great affinity for Cline's smooth style while Chouinard fluttered his keyboard with smoky honky tonk abandon along with steady strumming from Griffith's jazzy bass. The sound proved exquisite from this point until the finish of the concert thanks to the marvelous work of soundman Doug Lohman.

Believing that we're not playing instruments anymore, we're playing computers, Reed paid respects to musicians by treating us to some Celtic style playing with Chouinard back on accordion and Reed on her 12 string guitar for "Loch Lomond." The lovely ballad "Carolyn's Party" from her 2000 album 'Through the Window' featured Chouinard on piano. Chouinard jumped back to accordion for Reed's strong cover of the Beatles' "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" complete with a boisterous audience sing along during the chorus.

Reed's easy banter between songs strikes an equal balance of wise cracks and astute observations of life's absurdities. She gamely reinvents the lyrics of the classic melody "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" exchanging power tools for diamonds because "a kiss may be grand but it won't fix the plumbing." Indeed. "Power Tools," from 1997's 'Timing Is Everything' offered the best of Reed's playful wit, Chouinard's piano tinkling and Griffith's frisky bass strumming. To finish the first set, Reed returned to her guitar and Chouinard his accordion for "The Fair," from 1992's 'By Request,' one of four songs Reed has written about our Minnesota State Fair. Yes, from the Queen of Crop Art and what you can put on a stick, to cups and pronto pups; all are fair game for fodder here. One guy introducing himself to Reed during a past Fair appearance, exclaimed "I'm the second verse of your song!"

After a 15 minute intermission, Reed came to the stage alone for a haunting a capella version of Canadian songwriter Karen Howe's "Prairie Wind" displaying superb control of dynamics and phrasing. Picking up her guitar, Reed offered her expert playing at it's finest for her affectionate love ballad "Jaynie" from 1990's 'Back and Forth.' She provided short and sweet renditions of "Love Like This" from 2003's 'Valentine's CD' and "My Grateful Heart," an ode to counting one's blessings.

Chouinard and Griffith returned on piano and bass respectively accompanying Reed on "Stay That Way," a song about the urgency of standing up for one's beliefs. The three were all romantic and homey on the old 1961 Hank Cochran composition "She's Got You." It received some splendidly cheeky tinkering of lyrics by Reed: "I've Got your picture . . . your laundry, . . . your class ring, It turned my finger green." Reed continued with the title tune from her 1995 CD "Life Gets Real."

Probably one of Reed's biggest fans continues to be her 85 year old mother who just recovered from a bout with lung cancer. The power of certainty is without limits when it comes to her mom. In tackling her ordeal, she said "take me in, take the thing out, patch me up and I'll be fine." Perfect to dedicate Reed's popular 2002 hit "Leap of Faith" from 'Gift of Age' to a true survivor, her mother. Reed's poignant lyrics and resonating vocals were truly inspiring here.

This gifted song bird closed with her homage to the "Heroes" in her life, the 1993 tune from 'Hole In the Day.' This song examines the many women who continue to do what's right with their hearts and souls in the face of adversity and Reed expertly spouts off a litany of famous women in couplets from the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt and Katharine Hepburn to Gloria Steinem and Joan of Arc among many. Plenty moved, the audience responded with a standing ovation.

For a rousing encore, Reed dug up the old 1934 Huddie Ledbetter chestnut "Goodnight Irene" for an audience sing along with Chouinard offering an ambient accordion accompaniment. Her final selection was a stirring a capella treatment of "Even a Reunion," with gorgeous poetic lyrics: "Like a feather riding on a river, even in a reunion, there is parting." With Ann Reed the parting is only temporary. You'll likely return again and again.

SJA's 2004-005 Concert Series has finished for the year. We gratefully thank Dan Chouinard, Anna Vagle and the SJA concert planning committee and volunteers for their dedicated efforts in coordinating a truly successful year. Please consider becoming a season ticket subscriber for 2005-006.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

Peg LaSota comes from a photography background. She now works in the digital world, computer instruction, and with "videography" and the restoration of family films. She is enthusiastic about capturing family memories and preserving them digitally. Along with that, her time is spent with her family and her love for learning Spanish, piano, recorder.....and of course singing with the choir!