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Rosie Thomas is a study in contrast, a chance to ponder the peculiar juxtaposition of things. The comic and the melancholy. The plain and the beautiful. Modern and old-fashioned. She glistens with artistic ambiguity. 

Her performance at this year’s Cornerstone Festival couldn’t have been a better case in point.

Rosie comes out dressed rather “cowgirl-ish,” wearing brown boots and a dress that belongs in the 50’s. Her speaking voice is quite high-pitched; so much so that you wonder if it’s a put-on. She is making jokes about how she took toilet paper out of one of the porta-potties and put it in her ears “…so, if I talk like an imbecile, I won’t hear it.” Often her goofy remarks are followed by a squeaky, little-girl giggle. When the audience laughs or applauds she says, “Thank you very much,” in a manner most reminiscent of Andy Kaufman.

Then she sings.

Rosie’s singing voice is a lovely revelation that brims with talent and heart; it is nuanced and mature, sweet and sad. You’re forced to blink. It’s like Olive Oil proving to be a great opera singer--you can’t quite believe it.

But there it is, as unexpected as a rice cake that tastes like a bottle of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (1945). You find you have a poetic affection for this woman because she’s made you laugh out loud and nearly-cry, both in less than five minutes.

On some songs she picks at an acoustic guitar. On others she sits at the keyboard. 

Song after song you are delighted, teary-eyed with laughter at her silliness then teary-eyed again with profound pleasure at how easily she moves you with her music, draws you into the moment and the emotion. The arrangements are simple and uncluttered yet thick with subtlety and every day truths. In her voice you hear bits of Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan ,Tori Amos and even Alanis Morissette. 

Rosie Thomas has a split personality. There is a super-dorky, neck-brace-wearing, glasses-with-tape-on-them, pizza delivery girl named Sheila dwelling within her. Literally. Occasionally this manifestation escapes and performs a comedy act. 

Rosie is the sad-clown paradigm personified. 

You ought to discover Rosie Thomas yourself, in all her baffling, magnificent duality. Grab her latest CD, “If Songs Could be Held,” and give it a good listen. Then go catch her live.

You’ll discover her to be gifted and you’ll be blessed. 

Regarding these facts you’ll sense no ambiguity whatsoever.