Gilkyson / Gorka / Kaplansky - Red Horse

The July 13 Red Horse project comes to us from three major voices in contemporary American acoustic songwriting: Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky, artists who record for the noted folk and roots label Red House and who have worked together in the past (both Gilkyson and Kaplansky made guest appearances on Gorka's 2009 album So Dark You See). During plans for a tour together earlier this year they saw an opportunity to expand their creative synergy in the studio as well and Red Horse was born. "If I had to use only one word to sum up this project I would use the word  'harmony'" observes Gilkyson, "not just in terms of the vocals but also in the way that we relate to each other. We're friends, we love each other's work and we love to sing together."

Over the course of the album's twelve tracks, each of the trio takes the lead on four: one original song, one each from the two other members and then one "outside" song from another writer. Among the highlights: Gorka premieres the new "If These Walls Could Talk", Kaplansky delivers a moving version of Gilkyson's "Sanctuary" and the trio make Neil Young's "I Am A Child" a richly harmonied splendor. Red Horse is "a project conceived, developed and released with a sense of play" says Gorka, and it's precisely that loose, spirited camaraderie -- and obvious seasoned skills on display -- that give the album it's special feel. Highly recommended.

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Red Horse - "Sanctuary" (Songwriter: Eliza Gilkyson, Vocal: Lucy Kaplansky) (from the album Red Horse)

Red Horse - Album Sampler ("Walk Away From Love", "Don't Mind Me", "Blue Chalk")