Jenny Bird - Eternal Flight

All Music Guide

Jenny Bird is a perfect example of a veteran singer/songwriter who isn't nearly as well known as she deserves to be but is highly regarded by those who do know about her. The underexposed Bird has her admirers, but it's regrettable that she doesn't have a lot more of them--she is certainly deserving of greater exposure and recognition. Released on Bird's own Earthlight label in 1994, Eternal Flight contains some of her best writing and is arguably her most essential ‘90s release. Several noteworthy guests join the New Mexico resident on this CD, including singers Eliza Gilkyson and Rory Block (both of whom provide background vocals) and guitarist Erich Avinger. But the main attraction is, of course, Bird herself, and she shows herself to be an artist of considerable depth on reflective, contemplative folk-rock offerings like "Real World," "Oneness," "Nighthawk" and "Awake". Nature and the environment have been a recurring theme on Bird's Earthlight discs; Eternal Flight is no exception...--in fact, just about every song on this 1994 release has some mention of nature. And Bird, true to form, brings a very spiritual outlook to her songs; for Bird (who produced Eternal Flight with guitarist Greg Martin), nature and spirituality are often interconnected. This CD isn't the only Bird release that is worth owning; by being proactive and putting out discs on her own label, she has built a solid catalog over the years. But if one is getting into her work for the first time, Eternal Flight would be an excellent starting point. - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Read more Less