Eliza Gilkyson, Land of Milk and Honey

Eliza Gilkyson, Land of Milk and Honey

Audio CD

Disk ID: 92969

Disk length: 45m 6s (10 Tracks)

Original Release Date: 2004

Label: Unknown

View all albums by Eliza Gilkyson...

Tracks & Durations

Note: The information about this album is acquired from the publicly available resources and we are not responsible for their accuracy.

Review

Though written in the early 1950s and never previously recorded, Woody Guthrie's "Peace Call" provides a timely conclusion to this collection of politically pointed material. Trading verses with Texas troubadour Eliza Gilkyson on the pacifist anthem are kindred spirits Patty Griffin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Iris DeMent. Much of the rest of the album finds Gilkyson applying her vocal warmth and buoyant melodies to lyrics that probe the darker recesses of the human condition, from the terrorism evoked within the luminous "Tender Mercies" (with Gilkyson's son and daughter joining in harmony) to the revenge by a lifelong abuse victim in "Ballad of Yvonne Johnson" to the Shaker-style hymn of mankind's folly, "Milk and Honey." While Gilkyson brings a light touch to the album's weighty social concerns, the pop buoyancy of "Wonderland" and the rock & roller's ballad "Dark Side of Town" (with its Band-like horn arrangement) extend the album's range beyond topical broadsides. --Don McLeeseAn important new release with infectious and thought-provoking tracks and guest vocal appearances by PATTI GRIFFIN, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, IRIS DEMENT and SLAID CLEAVES!

"Land of Milk and Honey" is a collection of songs that are decidedly socio/political in nature. From the wake-up call to awareness of the current agenda of the "neo-cons" in "Hiway 9" to the "bugle call of peace" in Woody Guthrie's previously unrecorded and timely anti-war song "Peace Call", Eliza Gilkyson spares no punches. This is music for a generation that does not want to stand idly by while losing their dream for a quality of life they hold dear.

Gilkyson once again uses a sparse, edgy organic production, with her longtime teammates, producer Mark Hallman and a cast of some of the best players Austin has to offer, to convey her firm convictions and insight into today's world. Cameos include an enthusiastic Slaid Cleaves on "Hiway 9", and Jon Dee Graham and Stephen Bruton on the soulful "Dark Side of Town", an ode to their old friend and head of Eliza's production company, Al Ragle.

Especially touching is the mother's prayer, "Tender Mercies", with background harmonies by Eliza's son Cisco and daughter Delia. Gilkyson's lush and passionate voice wraps itself around the major themes of her generation, with topics ranging from the anti war movement, abusive relationships ("Ballad of Yvonne Johnson"), personal relationships ("Separated"), and coming to terms with the folly of man ("Milk and Honey"). There is even an old song written by her late father, folksinger Terry Gilkyson, that addresses the "great food chain of life" as Eliza puts it. But through all these weighty topics, Eliza never loses sight of her sense of wonder ("Wonderland") and her hopes for humanity.

The closing song, Guthrie's "Peace Call", was discovered in an old out-of-print songbook from the Guthrie archives while Eliza was on the road with the Woody Guthrie tribute tour last summer. Rendered by a team of like-minded songstresses Patty Griffin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Iris Dement, the song shows a solidarity of intention that truly conveys Guthrie's message of peace in times of war.

Other Versions

Albums are mined from the various public resources and can be actually the same but different in the tracks length only. We are keeping all versions now.

Please note: we do not provide any Eliza Gilkyson music downloads, have no any mp3 music including music samples and music ringtones, and can not assist you where to buy music CDs and used CDs. You can search for it on music sites all over the Internet or visit one of our advertisers. We appreciate any ideas and comments about this experimental music database.