Hard Times in Babylon

by Eliza Gilkyson

Overview

Hard Times in Babylon marks Eliza Gilkyson's debut on Red House Records and shows this talented singer/songwriter in fine form. It is not a record full of insta-hits. That's not what Gilkyson is about. Her focus is on the craft of songwriting and making records. Both the songs and her voice sound warmly familiar, comforting, and timeless. "Coast" certainly lends itself to that description, as does "Engineer Bill." Lyrically, Gilkyson avoids the trite and cliched whenever possible, and achieves some real beauty with her words. Indeed, "Persephone" reads like any great poem should, and would not be lacking had it no melody. Gilkyson's band includes guitarists Matt Andes and Mike Hardwick, bassist Glenn Fukunaga, and drummer Rafael Gayol. Predictably, these guys are not the hotshot A-list players that grace the liner notes of Britney Spears or even Sting, but they are steady, solid, and tasteful, just like Gilkyson herself. It's admirable that artists like this exist, making the music they do and offering it up to the world without trying to be the next big trend. Rather, to artists of integrity like Gilkyson, music is in their blood and breath, and it shows. ~ Kelly McCartney

Product Details

Release Date:	10/10/2000
Label:	Red House Records
UPC:	0033651014621
Rank:	103315

Tracks

1. Beauty Way
2. Hard Times in Babylon
3. Highway
4. Coast
5. Engineer Bill
6. Persephone
7. Baby's Walking
8. Twisted
9. Flatline
10. In My Dreams
11. Walk Away from Love
12. Sanctuary

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Eliza Gilkyson   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar,Harmonica,Pump Organ,Guitar (Acoustic),Kazoo
Matt Andes   Slide Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
John Egenes   Mandolin
David Webb   Organ (Hammond)
Mark Hallman   Accordion,Vocals (Background)
Rafael Gayol   Drums
Mike Hardwick   Dobro,Guitar (Acoustic)

Technical Credits

Eliza Gilkyson   Producer,Composer
Mark Hallman   Engineer,Producer
Mark Andes   Composer