Beware of those who can raise the dead, it's usually the only thing they can do REALLY well.

So speaketh LeNor Barry, the local Torch folk singer, armed with a 12-string guitar and voice full of soul. And on her new album, Healer: With a Twist!, with wide a range of fiery growls to renaissance ballads, it's easy to tell LeNor Barry is not your average female singer/songwriter.

Originally from L.A. but postponing her music career until she hit Minneapolis in 98 -- when she started hanging out with those off the wall artist types -- LeNor has been helping the folk singer community grow these past few years, and she has a couple of gigs coming up that would be worth checking out.

We sat down with LeNor to talk about pain and hell, voodoo and the spirit world...

What exactly is a torch folk vocalist?
This new category of singer was coined by a mystery reviewer at one of my performances who diagnosed my music Torch Folk and it just stuck.

Tell me about yourself and your music.
OK. It took me years to find my voice, I was an imitator as a child. I can sound like many different vocalists if I want to. When I slowly found my voice I got a direct connection to my Self. If I don't sing for a long time I don't notice anything until I begin to sing again and then it is like I am being reintroduced to mySelf that I forgot who I am. So singing is so essential.

What would an audience member expect to hear at a live performance that's different than the album?
I think it's more about what they feel, people are moved to tears hopefully it's not because they are in distress or embarrassed for me...kidding... People tell me they experience great emotional feeling from my performances. Chris Shillock, who I am performing with on May 20th at the Acadia theatre says, LeNor has a voice that plunges you into the depths of dark waters. She has a soul that lifts you out again, cool and clean.

After a few slow songs to start off your album, Healer: With a Twist! definitely turns it up a notch. What's the song about?
It is about a human tendency some people have to keep people just sick enough to need to be taken care of. Or let them get well but not all the way so that they remain dependent on the healer. It happens in psychiatrists' offices and in relationships.