Thea Hopkins
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Thea Hopkins

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Review of Peter, Paul & Marys'"

Peter, Paul & Mary's "In These Times" showcases several promising new writers. The standout here is Thea Hopkins, whose "Jesus Is On The Wire'' movingly eulogizes murdered gay student Matthew Shepard." -- Richard Harrington, The Washington Post


- The Washington Post


"Review "Birds Of Mystery""

“Birds of Mystery” was named one of 2001’s Top Ten local albums by the Boston Herald. “A gorgeous dusky voice wraps itself like mist around country-folk songs of tenderness and substance.”

3 & 1/2 stars Local singer-songwriter Thea Hopkins is blessed with a creamy, clarion voice and a vivid observational eye. Those attributes, plus a little help from her friends, make ``Birds of Mystery'' a strong debut -- a blend of country, folk and pop. Catie Curtis lends harmonious help on “Western Town,” and Greg Greenway adds gravitas to the affecting ``Jesus is On the Wire,'' which powerfully takes up the hate-crime murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd. Violinist Mimi Rabson lends the dustily charming ``Down in Egypt'' a smoky quality, and John Curtis contributes a sunny, comforting guitar solo to the lovely romantic ballad ``Say You Will.'' But make no mistake, Hopkins' poetic impressions and dusky vocals that recall Mary Chapin Carpenter and Jennifer Warnes are the star attractions here.
-- Sarah Rodman, Boston Herald

- The Boston Herald


"Review "Birds Of Mystery""



“A refreshingly naturalistic songwriter with a supple, inviting voice.” -- Scott Alarik, Boston Globe

Clarity and poise… Among the more striking passages are "Jesus is On the Wire," a stirring ballad, and the haunting palette of "Blues on the Edge of This Town."
-- Matthew S. Robinson, Boston Globe

- The Boston Globe


"Review "Birds Of Mystery""



From The Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange" by Roberta B. Schwartz,
July 2003

Thea Hopkins has a lovely, rich, sultry, soulful voice that weaves itself around lyrics of great beauty. She has the kind of sound that makes you sit up and listen and wonder where and when you can hear more.
Not only is her vocal style unique and different, but her take on subjects well-worn by singer/songwriters feels fresh and new.
Take the moment when lovers part in When the Moon Walked In. Hopkins describes the scene as "when the moon walked/ in that night/ when you turned in the/ pale cold light/ when the moon walked in you sighed,/ I've had enough of what you hide/ when the moon walked in."
In Down to Egypt she takes us to a place "that has a heart/ sand and stone, broken art/ It has secrets no one knows/ It has rooms, / Where no one ever goes."
The horrible deaths of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming and James Byrd in Texas have been written about in both prose and in song. No one has captured the feel, the place and the emotions involved as well as Hopkins in Jesus is on the Wire. Talented singer/songwriter Greg Greenway adds his expressive tenor to the verse on James Byrd - one of the CD's best moments.
My favorite cut on this well-crafted recording is Say You Will, a simple love song that showcases the beauty of Hopkins' voice. It features John Curtis on guitar with just a dab of Craig Harris on percussion.
Hopkins surrounds herself with stellar support. In addition to Greenway, Catie Curtis provides harmony vocals, Matt Glaser and Mimi Rabson are on violins, with Eric Kilburn on mandolin and harmonica.
This is music to dream by and to love by. It is music to listen to on a lazy afternoon or a rainy day. I would be surprised if no one takes notice of Hopkins' specialness. Even if you have a short list of must have CD purchases this year, add Birds of Mystery to that list and start singing her praises. Thea Hopkins is a star on the rise.


"I saw Thea Hopkins' showcase at the 2002 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference. Her songs are intelligent and beautifully written. Her voice carried me away. I could listen to her sing her songs forever." -- David Pyles, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange.
- The Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange


"Review "Birds Of Mystery""

“Thea Hopkins has one of the sweetest voices you’ll ever hear: clear, powerful, and above all, soulful. Hopkins also displays her songwriting savvy on “Birds of Mystery.” – Metronome


- Metronome


Discography

Birds Of Mystery ( 2001)
4 Song Sampler ( 2004)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

In September 2004, Thea Hopkins was named as a finalist in this year's Boston Folk Festival songwriter contest. There were 350 entries. She won 2nd place in the contest.
Thea Hopkins‘ debut album, "Birds of Mystery," was named one of the Top Ten local albums of the year by the Boston Herald. "A gorgeous dusky voice wraps itself like mist around country-folk songs of tenderness and substance," wrote Herald staff-writer Sarah Rodman.

Her song "Jesus Is On The Wire" was recently included on Peter, Paul & Mary’s first album in nine years, "In These Times." The famed folk trio have performed the song at every one of their concerts in the last three years. It is the only new song to be performed in its entirety in the trio’s new PBS-TV special. In the Washington Post, Richard Harrington wrote that "In These Times" showcases "several promising new writers. The standout here is Thea Hopkins."

Peter, Paul & Mary have written that "Thea Hopkins is one of the most poetic, literate and powerfully moving of the new singer/songwriters to emerge on the scene in the last few years. 'Jesus Is On the Wire' is one of the most important songs we have sung in recent years."

The All-Music Guide, in their review of "In These Times," devoted nearly half the review to extravagant praise of Thea’s song. "The obvious highlight is a song by Boston-based songwriter Thea Hopkins’ "Jesus Is on the Wire," which tells the chilling story of the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard in Wyoming. With sparse, jagged, and highly cinematic lyrics, the song builds the same kind of quiet horror as Billie Holiday’s "Strange Fruit," and its matter-of-fact tone, even on the powerful chorus, makes "Jesus Is on the Wire" absolutely unforgettable."