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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

Ralph Towner, 80th Birthday Solo Show

March 3, 2020
Karlovo nám. 1/23, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia

A track on Towner’s latest album is called “Saunter”—a verb likely descended from the Middle English santren, “to muse,” which is what it originally meant. Thoreau derived it from Sainte Terre—“Holy Land”—and though lexicographers may scoff, Towner’s way with the acoustic guitar is proof that one who wanders, lost in reverie, can be a pilgrim (another track on the CD) to a place of deep inner peace. —E.E.