Home

Singer-songwriter and activist Eliza Gilkyson may not be a household name but she has pedigree. In a five-decade career her songs have been covered by, among others, Joan Baez, Bob Geldof and Rosanne Cash. She also has a fascinating heritage as a songwriter: her father Terry Gilkyson wrote songs for Dean Martin, Johnny Cash and Doris Day and – fun fact – was the composer of The Jungle Book showstopper ‘The Bare Necessities’.

Like many pandemic albums, this release celebrates family, friendship and home. ‘How Deep’ is an affecting duet with Robert Earl Keen reminding us to be thankful for the important things in life. Another duet, ‘Sparrow’ – with Mary Chapin Carpenter – acknowledges the importance of an audience to a songwriter while ‘Safety Zone’, inspired by a serious car accident, is a slow, shuffling blues reminiscent of Merle Travis’ ‘Sixteen Tons’.

Producer/multi-instrumentalist Don Richmond does a sterling job of providing just the right kind of instrumentation for each track, be it baritone guitar, mandolin, pedal steel or even hammered dulcimer.

Home, with its blend of folk, country and Americana, is a warm, comforting collection from a veteran songwriter.