Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky play a special concert supporting their Billboard-charting album Red Horse. Featured on NPR's Weekend Edition, the album has topped the folk charts for several months and has been the #1 folk album on Amazon and iTunes. The concert will take place tonight, April 12, 2013 at the Unitarian Church - North in Mequon, WI.
Although they have been friends for years and recorded on each other's albums, Red Horse is the first truly collaborative effort by Eliza, John and Lucy. Inspired by shows they did during Red House's 25th Anniversary Tour, they decided to make a recording together, which has been a treat for all involved.
"It was a project conceived, developed and released with a sense of play," John says. "Who'd have known solitary types could get along?" Eliza agrees. "If I had to use only one word to sum up this project I would use the word 'harmony'--not just in terms of the vocals but also in the way we relate to each other," she says. "We're friends, we love each other's work and we love to sing together." Lucy adds, "Eliza and John are two of my very favorite artists and people, so it's been amazing to hear my songs sung by these great singers and to have the chance to sing lead on their beautiful songs."
The three friends began by recording their basic tracks in their hometowns of Austin, TX, Stillwater, MN and New York City. Then they worked out the harmonies while on the road together and when they converged for a few days in St. Paul this spring. The result is a perfect patchwork of new and old songs, mixing traditional folk and contemporary Americana.
Red Horse's sparse instrumentation allows these three wonderful singers to carry the magic of great songwriting. Each of these legendary artists solos on classics first made famous by the other two members. Lucy gives a moving performance of Eliza's "Sanctuary," John takes the lead on Lucy's "Don't Mind Me" and Eliza performs John's "Forget to Breathe," available for the first time on Red House Records. The album includes John's new song "If These Walls Could Talk" as well as fresh new takes on Lucy's popular song "Scorpion" and Eliza's classic "Walk Away From Love." Beautifully bookended with covers of Neil Young's "I Am a Child" and the traditional tune "Wayfaring Stranger," Red Horse is a homecoming, a return to their folk roots.
RED HORSE - Gilkyson, Gorka & Kaplansky in concert is set for tonight, April 12, 7:30 pm in the Wisconsin Singer/Songwriter Series at Unitarian Church - North, 13800 North Port Washington Rd, Mequon, WI. Tickets are $16-$25. Call 262-457-4399 or visit www.wsss.org for more information.
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