Reviews
Artist:Eliza Gilkyson
Album:Beautiful World
Label:Red House
Tracks:11
Website:http://www.myspace.com/elizagilkyson
Beautiful World is Eliza Gilksyon's first new studio release since her award-winning Paradise Hotel of 2005. Incorporating the upbeat sounds and topical lyrics, Gilkyson steps out of the usual Folk music sound and pulls in elements of numerous genres of music. Her regular band is enhanced by some notable additions for this album; Cindy Cashdollar (Asleep At The Wheel, Bob Dylan), John Inman (Jimmy LaFave, Jerry Jeff Walker), David Grissom (Dixie Chicks), Alana Jones (Hot Club of Cowtown), Julie Wolfe (Ani di Franco, Indigo Girls, Bruce Cockburn) and her brother Tony Gilkyson. This album has drawn numerous comparisons with Lucinda Williams and John Hiatt.
The seeds for Beautiful World sprang from a monthly gathering of community forums Eliza hosted at venues around Austin, which covered a broad range of topics, including politics, art, spirituality and the environment. The Cd contains eleven original songs, all written or co written by the lady herself. Gilkyson says; 'The first song I wrote was Great Correction, which I penned as a way to console myself as I grieve the devastation of the human and natural world.' In fact this is perhaps my favourite song on this album - there is something in the lyrics that to me is synonymous with hope; that when the Great Correction comes, everything wrong in the world will be put right. I think in today's mixed up world, we all hope that in some way, shape or form, that day may one day come. In fact this was the crux of the project as this anthemic song spurred a whole host of tunes about perseverance and hope for a more beautiful world, obviously the inspiration behind the CD title.
Emerald Street has a more pop sound to it. Rare Bird is probably the most folk-oriented song of the set and the guitar work on this track complements it beautifully. The rock-n-roll sound of "Runaway Train." Almost doesn't sound like a track Eliza Gilkyson would choose but after a couple of listens it really grew on me. Clever Disguise contains some of the most clever lyrics I've heard in a long time and when she sings of being a troubadour, you can't help but suspect she is singing about herself, at least in part.
All in all, this is, without a doubt, my favourite Cd by Eliza Gilkyson, and I didn't think she could surpass Paradise Hotel. I like that she has ventured outside of her musical box and incorporated other styles of music alongside her folk roots. This could ultimately work in her favour as those who are not usually fans of folk, should be encouraged to give this a try - they, along with existing fans of Eliza Gilkyson, are in for a treat.
Helen Mitchell