European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 19, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I in the year old group known As Atlantic crossing from left Jones Norman Lory Darnell and John Reed is part of the resurgence of Folk music. American Trio making a name in Story and photo by Charlie Bowden Munich Bureau blowing in the wind. A generation ago it became the Anthem of the Flower children. A generation later an unlikely Trio of american singers dubbed Atlantic crossing adopted the title for their debut concert Early last year. It was their contribution to what some music magazines Are calling a resurgence of interest in Folk music. The return to Folk and to the stage for classically trained opera Singer Lory Darnell was a Fluke. For Jones Norman who also has a primarily classical background it marked the discovery of Issue based music. And for John Reed a product manager with the Siemens company it was a dream come True. Darnell tired and seeking a change after More than two decades of training her voice for opera approached the amerika Haus in Munich with the idea of putting on a concert. I knew i did t want to do any More opera she says but she wanted to retain her Long standing association with music. I went to amerika Haus with two ideas to do a Gershwin and then i had then this thing about Well Folk music from the 60s," she recalls. I thought it was time and that people would listen to it  amerika Haus liked the Folk music idea but Darnell had no Folk group. Atlantic crossing did not exist. But i said of yes i be got a group you know. I had no group but i was thinking of  Reed an aficionado of Folk music sports a Goatee not unlike that made stylish by Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey of the popular Folk Trio Peter Paul and Mary. Darnell has studied music since she was 6 years old but Reed did not pick up a guitar until College when he began learning to pick for a theater production. Later he began playing and singing in Small clubs in and around Boston and while working on his master s degree hosted a weekly oldies radio show at George Washington University in Washington . Darnell and Reed had been playing and picking for several months primarily for relaxation when they met Norman and the raw foundation of a Folk Trio was formed. Still they mostly uttered singing for the fun of it not worried How their harmonizing might sound amplified to 500 pairs of ears in a concert Hall. That is until Darnell surprised them with her proposal that they form a group and do a Folk concert. Despite having barely two months to prepare a Trio was born with a Premier performance last april that sold out the Hall in the Munich amerika Haus. The singers All with full time jobs followed their successful debut with several stands at other locations in Munich and concluded their year last month with a repeat show at the amerika Haus. Their plans this year include More local shows with a Hope to Branch out to other areas around Germany. I m excited about the whole thing Reed says. It s a lot of fun and something i be always wanted to do but we had no idea what it would turn into when we  despite feeling somewhat Heady Over their acceptance As a Folk Trio the three Are realistic and readily admit that their futures probably Are not As a Trio. Darnell sees it As a transition As she moves from opera to teaching to some other music career perhaps As a soloist in the Mold of Joan Baez or Judy Collins both of whom have classical training. Norman talks about opening a restaurant possibly continuing his work As a travel agent or pursuing his interest in macrobiotics. Reed has his business career. But when it comes to Folk music All three believe strongly that As Folk guru Bob Dylan might put it the times they Are a Changin. People Are becoming More world conscious Norman says. They re thinking More about what s. Going on not Only in the country next door but in their own communities with their  the three Point to the Success of the we Are the world fund raising Effort which also spurred spinoff concerts and stirred an interest in the Issue based songs that were the bread and butter of the Folk Era. The names of old time favourites also Are reappearing on billboards and album covers. Dylan released an album last year and appeared on two others that received critical if not commercial acclaim. Baez went on tour As did Collins. Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen released albums. Peter Paul and Mary reunited temporarily As did the Kingston Trio and the Lime liners. But the real Success Story from last year was Tracy Chapman. Armed with Only an acoustic guitar her scratchy voice and some thought provoking songs Chapman achieved both critical and commercial Success in her debut album and on tour. Although Folk probably never will supplant Rock music in popularity the grassroots theme of Folk music is making itself Felt. Reed cited the Success of such events As last year s amnesty International human rights tour which featured Chapman Bruce Springsteen and sting. It played in 15 countries and raised an estimated $18 million. There s some people out there who Are bringing Folk music Back Reed says. People got involved in these things fund raising concert Sand now it s acceptable once again to do that sort of  while raising Money he says the musicians also Are raising Peoples consciousness whether it s about hunger human rights conservation or nuclear War and that s at the Root of Folk music. 10 stripes Magazine january 19, 1989