2020

by Eliza Gilkyson

Overview

If you're an artist with a politically progressive streak, there's a decent chance you've felt the need to comment on the state of the world since January 2017, and singer and songwriter Eliza Gilkyson certainly falls into that category. Gilkyson surely had no idea when she was recording her album 2020, ten songs that deal in political and social themes with passion and hope, that it would end up being released in April 2020 as a global pandemic was being politicized in a way few could have ever imagined. In the heat of that particular moment, 2020's earnest pleas for social justice and equality ring in an unexpected way, as if she's speaking with honesty and commitment about things that matter but is unable to comment on a particular elephant that has recently stumbled into the room. Context has changed the way 2020 plays in its initial release, yet that doesn't in any way dull the quality of Gilkyson's songwriting and performances, which are splendid. If time has added a faint bit of wear to Gilkyson's voice, it adds a sense of wisdom and gravitas that amplifies the power of her lyrics, and as a writer, these tunes come from the heart while also sounding intelligent and optimistic without feeling delusional, especially the organizing anthem "Sooner or Later" and the gospel-influenced "Peace in Our Hearts." "Beach Haven" finds Gilkyson writing music for a set of unpublished lyrics written by Woody Guthrie in 1952 protesting the racist housing practices of his landlord who just so happened to be Fred Trump, the father of Donald Trump. And if the world may not really need new covers of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" or "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," Gilkyson brings a warmth and resilience to the songs that reminds us some battles may never be won but that doesn't mean they aren't worth the fight. At a time when inspiration and encouragement feel needed in a time of crisis, 2020 delivers on both, and shows Gilkyson is a writer and vocalist whose talents remain estimable. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	04/10/2020
Label:	RED HOUSE
UPC:	0033651031628

Tracks

1. Promises to Keep
2. Peace in Our Hearts
3. My Heart Aches
4. Beach Haven
5. One More Day
6. Sooner or Later
7. A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall
8. Beautiful World of Mine
9. Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
10. We Are Not Alone

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Eliza Gilkyson   Primary Artist,Harmonica,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),National Steel Guitar
Zanna Ouise   Choir/Chorus
Bonnie Whitmore   Choir/Chorus
Noelle Hampton   Choir/Chorus
Raina Rose   Choir/Chorus
Jana Pochop   Choir/Chorus
Jaimee Harris   Vocals
Betty Soo   Vocal Harmony
Bellarosa Castillo   Choir/Chorus
Cisco Ryder Gilliland   Drums,Percussion,Vocal Harmony
Warren Hood   Fiddle
Christine Albert   Choir/Chorus
Chris Maresh   Bass
Mike Hardwick   Dobro,Pedal Steel,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String)
Bukka Allen   Piano,Keyboards,Wurlitzer,Organ (Hammond)
Kym Warner   Mandolin

Technical Credits

Neale Eckstein   Engineer
Jeff Fasano   Photography
Dylan Alldredge   Engineer
Cisco Ryder Gilliland   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Andre Moran   Engineer
Bob Dylan   Composer
Bob McPeek   Composer
Chris Gage   Engineer
Mark Hallman   Engineer,Mastering
Pete Seeger   Composer
Chico Jones   Engineer
Pat Manske   Engineer
Woody Guthrie   Composer
Tim Goodwin   Composer
Eliza Gilkyson   Composer
Ryder Henry   Cover Art
Robert Hakalski   Design