Secularia [LP]

Vinyl LP pressing. 2018 release. Secularia is renowned Grammy-nominated folksinger Eliza Gilkyson's 20th album. Gilkyson's music, in the classic folk music tradition, has always offered a vivid reflection of the times we live in. Secularia is a collection of spiritually charged songs that do not fit within the parameters of traditional religious beliefs, challenging us to embrace a more inclusive perspective, to respect all life and to be accountable for our actions in these divisive times. The album features a stunning performance with the internationally acclaimed Tosca String Quartet, (David Byrne, Bob Schneider), vocal cameos by Shawn Colvin and gospel singer Sam Butler, and a duet with her friend, the late Jimmy LaFave, as well as two songs adapted from poetry written by her grandmother, Phoebe Hunter Gilkyson, co-written with Eliza's father, folksinger Terry Gilkyson. Recorded with what she calls a "spare urban folk approach," the album features songs of grief, gratitude and wonder. As always, she's assembled a group of some of Austin's finest players to back her in the studio: Chris Maresh (Eric Johnson), Warren Hood, Kym Warner (The Green Cards), Andre Moran, Mike Hardwick (Jon Dee Graham, Charlie Sexton), Betty Soo and more.