Eliza Gilkyson

Eliza Gilkyson

Much like Lucinda Williams, Eliza Gilkyson stands at a career peak where she doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. That luxury allows her to indulge her deep love of storytelling in the folk tradition (Tony Gilkyson's "Death in Arkansas") while also singing wistful ballads ("Blue Moon Night," "Belle of the Ball"), dabbling in a radio-friendly country rocker ("Looking for a Place"), or even taking on a gentle corrido ("Vayan al Norte"). Produced by her son Cisco Ryder, Roses at the End of Time decorates Gilkyson's repertoire with 10 lush offerings instead of a full-bouquet dozen, yet it's as fragrant and evocative as needed. As "Once I Had a Home" closes it's a reminder that listening to CDs start to finish is becoming an antiquated habit, like turning over vinyl on the turntable. That's more the pity, because on that note, Gilkyson always makes the effort eminently worthwhile.