by Jim Brenholts
Yungchen Lhamo is one of the most courageous people in the world. As a child, she was enslaved in her native Tibet by the conquerors of that country. She clung to her religious beliefs, Tibetan Buddhism, and eventually escaped to India. From that refuge she launched her performing career. She sings traditional Tibetan folk songs that she learned from her family and original compositions -- mostly a cappella. On Coming Home she has some musical accompaniment, mostly soft and acoustic. Her sweet and gentle soprano is still the main attraction. Lhamo has every reason to be angry and bitter, but she shows her courage in her kindness, her smile, her unwavering faith, and her spirituality. This superb CD will appeal to fans of Vas, Sheila Chandra, and Loreena McKennitt.