Musical Reviews
“In the hands of a virtuoso with an imagination, the possibilities are endless.” Margaret A. Howard, Nightlife, Carbondale, IL
“A remarkably accomplished flutist...able to use a country style ballad like Johnny Cash's Folsum Prison Blues as a launching pad for improvisational soaring!” Paul Harris, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis, MO
“Linda Gifford...Illinois Soul Songwriter,” Alladin Theater review of Del McCoury's IBMA 2004 Award Winning Album of the Year, "It's Just the Night," which contains Del's rendition of my song, “Fire and the Flame”.
"...a quirky, eleven-song fantasy for flautist and ensemble" that "...delivers." William Fury, Illinois Times, Springfield, IL. Fury ends his review with, “We can expect great things from Gifford. May God and the world give her room to grow and make more music.” Amen to that! Hopefully you like it, 'cause I’m recording 7 albums back to back presently. Got to do a minute of motherhood catch up!
I had the pleasure of talking with David Amram, American composer, arranger, penny whistle master, flautist, and conductor of orchestral, chamber, and choral works, at length in a picnic table chat following a spontaneous performance at Kerrville Folk Festival. He told me I’m the second best flute player in the world, lol. Lies, but I’ll take it! But, seriously, that’s gave me the needed confidence to put out my originals under my own name for the first time. Thanks for recognizing me and taking the time to talk. Moments like these are life-changing to us meer mortals in the music industry!
*This album began as a five song demo, recorded live in Grandma Pat's farmhouse. A mutual friend played it for Jonathan Pines, internationally renowned engineer, having worked with the likes of Alison Krauss, Wilco, and Counting Crows to name a few favorites. This led to his invitation to record my full-length album at his Private Studios. Thank you, again! All Love, Linda