When
Gypsy Alley was released in 1990, the person folk-pop singer/composer
Sara K. was most often compared to was
Joni Mitchell. There's no overlooking the fact that
Mitchell's influence is quite strong on "After the Blizzard," "The Edge of Town," "There It Is (Never Had a Lot of Money)" and other introspective offerings.
Mitchell's work has obviously taught
Sara how effective subtlety can be. This isn't an aggressive album -- from "Watching You Fall Into Sleep" to "Aura of the Blade,"
Gypsy Alley maintains the type of reflective, quiet ambience
Mitchell is known for. But as powerful as
Mitchell's influence is,
Sara wasn't an outright clone. And as the 1990s progressed, more and more of her own personality would assert itself. With
Gypsy Alley,
Sara was off to a decent start. ~ Alex Henderson