With performances like tonight's, it's no wonder people describe Eliza Gilkyson as America's first lady of folk.  On this last night of her 5 week UK tour, Eliza was relaxed, confident, having fun and totally in charge. Make no mistake, with this kind of performance, Eliza (along with her trusty sideman Jeff Plankenhorn on guitar and slide) would have been equally at home on the stage of London's Royal Albert Hall.

With a huge back catalogue of delicious songs from which to choose, Eliza treated the East Grinstead audience to songs such as 'Easy Rider' (from her 2002 album, 'Lost and Found' and the Old Testament inspired 'Rose of Sharron' (from her recent 'Redemption Road' archive collection).  She also played tribute to Bob Harris for giving airtime to 'The Beauty Way', which was largely responsible for her recently-acquired popularity in the UK.

More recent material included several tracks from her 2005 Grammy nominated CD, 'Land of Milk and Honey''.  These ranged from ballads such as 'Not Lonely' and the beautifully-sung 'Separated', to the politically-charged Hiway 9, inspired by the plight of ordinary civilians caught up in the Iraq conflict, and the moving 'Tender Mercies' (about suicide bombers).  She also included songs from her yet-to-be released CD, including the title track, 'Paradise Hotel' (with its nod to the melody of Procul Harum's 'Whiter Shade of Pale').

The second set began with the singalong 'Welcome Back' and included a number of requests, including the popular 'Hard Times in Babylon' and my personal favourite, 'Coast'.  

The audience were regaled with stories about her father, Terry Gilkyson's, prolific song-writing talents, leading to an encore of one of his most well known songs, the Jungle Book song 'The Bare Necessities'!

This was a night of excellent musicianship from both Eliza and Jeff Plankenhorn, with well-crafted songs delivered with style and passion.  Let's hope it's not too long before she returns to the UK.

Martin