Customer Reviews

Redemption Road

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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This CD is an amazingly consistent and beautiful recording. Eliza Gilkyson's music is melodic and often haunting. "Pools of Eden" opens as a midtempo track, "The soul belongs to no one & some things are never known." My favorite track on the CD is the sexy "Unless You Want Me." Eliza combines a distinctive melody borne by acoustic guitar and piano with a playful allure, "Don't take your clothes off or bare your soft skin, unless you want me now." "Our Time" is another distinctive melody with a beautiful chorus, "I hope you make it through; I'll be watching for you in the shadow of our time." "Sleeping" combines a sputtering rhythm with a haunting melody while Gilkyson's vocals ache with feeling, "Through open windows I love to watch you sleeping." "Rose of Sharon" is a pretty folk tune, "I shall not stir him from his bed while he does so embrace me." "Solitary Singer" is a soft tune with acoustic guitar; and the "Road Not Taken" is a peppy tune that'll have you tapping your toes. "Prayer 2000" cowritten with Mark Andes is as gorgeous as it is inspirational, "Thank you for my true love's face & our lives and love consume ... Thank you for the things that don't go wrong & the hopes that don't give up." "Her Melancholy Muse" is a slow music box tune followed by the beautiful instrumental "Through A Glass Darkly" where the piano sounds like a harpsichord that floats lightly and builds gracefully. "River of Gold" is another acoustic guitar song where the stark arrangement allows Eliza's voice to float angelically like a songbird. The CD concludes with the title track, a slow tune with a pretty melody, "I don't care if I'm alone; I've got a dream of my own." The commercial market is so fast and fluid that a CD that's 5 years old may strike some as antiquated; that's sad especially when the music is as consistently good as it is on "Redemption Road."

From the first song, I got the feeling this was going to be special .. and it was. Eliza sings, she does not try to entertain. The words are perfect for the melody that carries them, she does not force the lyric or try to be clever...she dosn't need to.. because the song are so well written. The production is well done, in part I am sure to the fantastic players Eliza can bring to the musical table. Mark Andes bass and vocals (as always)are just what you want and just when you need it. (Funny how that works with Mark..Canned Heat, Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne, Firefall,Heart..just to name a few. Matt Andes does some keen slide work on his trusty National and combines with Eliza's brother for a awesome marriage of guitars on Road not Taken. Treat yourself..it's great story telling,singing and playing...and excuse me.. I found the recording to have a romantic quality that goes great with a good bottle of Cabernet...Jewel would do well to listen to this one after her one demensional last effort. Sincerely, Rod Ensminger

I bought this CD because of the cut, "Prayer 2000." It's a song of gratitude at the the deepest level, and the music is beautiful. The rest of the music came as a wonderful surprise and a gift. Gilyson has a lovely voice and writes beautiful melodies. The lyrics speak for women who are awake and aware. I find her music to be a bit of kd lang, a bit of Maria Muldaur, Carol King, and maybe a touch of Emmy Lou Harris. Yet her voice and sensibility are unmistakeably her own. Give it a listen!

This is one of the best albums I have ever heard! Gilkyson reminds me a bit of Sophie B. Hawkins, Sam Phillips, the Cowboy Junkies, and Mazzy Star, but (not to take anything away from these artists) her music, vocals, and lyrics or so much smoother, sweeter, and more sensual. Especially her lyrics: they are amazing poems, stunning in both content and technique. Her music is the light of the silver moon and love by candle-light. Perfection.

I heard the Song Rose of Sharon on the radio and had to buy this album. It's flawless. I intend to buy all her other albums now.

It's been ~30 years since Eliza Gilkyson's 1st recording - some 14 albums later, Gilkyson continues to write intricate, complex songs, with depth and presence far beyond her name recognition (or lack thereof). Eliza Gilkyson is one of my favorite contemporary folk singers, and she consistently creates albums like Redemption Road that offer so more than the standard fare of acoustic folk and mellow rock. More to come from this amazingly talented artist.

GENRES: Contemporary Folk.

BUY IF YOU LIKE: Joni Mitchell, Patty Larkin.

MUST HEAR TRACKS: "Road Not Taken," "Pools of Eden," "Unless You Want Me."