NEW ALBUM: ELIZA GILKYSON ~ Songs from the River Wind

[Ruby]

ELIZA GILKYSON ~ Songs from the River Wind



I really like some of Eliza Gilkyson’s stuff – wasn’t enamoured of her 2020 album which was politically oriented and this is not that, thank goodness. It’s an album inspired by the Old West, which I don’t hate, although it does get a bit yeeha in places for my personal taste. Also something of a tribute to her father, Tony Gilkyson, who had a folk band called the Easy Riders. I can hear what she’s doing, so it’s fine – I understand where she’s coming from and totally respect that – she knows how to evoke atmosphere and how to conjure up a mood, which is admirable, IMHO, even if one does not necessarily fall in love with the whole offering. I wonder if MH would enjoy this one? 

Nothing at all wrong with the execution, in fact the production is great, if I'm hearing correctly – a mix of traditional songs, covers and one or two originals that really do summon up the feeling of times gone by – she can undisputedly tell a tale or two (would love to see her and Grant-Lee Phillips collaborate – they’d make a good musical team, methinks!). She has some compadres along for the ride – The Rifters, fiddler Warren Hood and mandolinist Kym Warner.  I do like some of these, I confess - there's something sort of comfortable and well-worn about a few of the tracks - one feels at home in them. The two that stand out the most for me are her own very dreamy, retro sounding “Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me” –





… and “Bristlecone Pine” which was written by one Hugh Prestwood and first recorded by Michael Johnson. Lovely. And I learned something new, about Bristlecone Pines, which are venerable trees indeed! https://www.britannica.com/plant/bristlecone-pine 

I also listened to the original version of this song, so struck was I by both the tune and the lyrics, which are wonderful – very impressed with Michael Johnson’s voice and guitar playing – gorgeous timbre - had never heard of him before – he’s gone now – 2017, and I hope he is somehow under one of those trees! Here’s the original … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEalVBUaquw

Eliza’s rendition … I do feel justice was done here too …