Songwriter Micah Gilbert performed both as a solo artist and in various bands including “Glass Bead Game” before resettling in Athens, Georgia, a town whose music scene is legendary. There he developed a following as the main songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist for the popular band Magister Ludi . The band was loved by fans and respected by critics. Hailed as‘a breath of fresh musical air’, Magister Ludi picked up considerable radio airplay and was lauded by the press for the compelling songs, strong vocals, ‘ringing guitar hooks’, and ‘infectious groove’. After Magister Ludi, Micah released his 11-song solo CD, Book of Changes (Mellifluid), co-produced with New-York-based producer/engineer Garry Rindfuss and recorded at John Keane’s studio in Athens. The CD captured the admiration of listeners and critics alike, twice earning invitations to perform at South-by-Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. He then made the international move to Scotland, where he is busily focused on songwriting and on recording both his own music and that of others. Micah’s songs have been appreciated on many levels, for their ‘distinct and memorable melodies’, ‘skilful, well crafted, intelligent lyrics’, ‘vivid images’, ‘catchy subtlety’, and ‘fine details’. ************************************************************************* Micah Gilbert Book of Changes All songs written by Micah Gilbert © Micah Gilbert. All rights reserved. Produced by Garry Rindfuss and Micah Gilbert. 1) One and One Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: John Keane Vocal, electric & acoustic guitars, piano: Micah Gilbert Backing vocals: Micah Gilbert, Garry Rindfuss, John Keane 2) Domino (Birds Sings) Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: Dave Furlong Vocal, acoustic & electric guitars, piano: Micah Gilbert French horn, muted trumpet: Shannon Mims Saxophone: Melinda Kershner Tambourine: Garry Rindfuss Backing vocals: Micah Gilbert, Garry Rindfuss 3) This Restless Time Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: Dave Furlong Vocal, electric & acoustic guitars, piano, organ: Micah Gilbert Electric guitar: Eric Chial Tambourine: Garry Rindfuss Backing vocals: Micah Gilbert, Garry Rindfuss 4) Brighter Than the Day Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: John Keane Vocal, acoustic & electric guitars, piano: Micah Gilbert French horn: Shannon Mims Clarinet: Melinda Kershner Percussion: Garry Rindfuss 5) Waking from a Dream Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: Dave Furlong Vocal, acoustic 6-string guitar, electric guitars, piano: Micah Gilbert Acoustic 12-string guitar: Eric Chial Bagpipes: Adam Gilbert Backing vocals: Murray Attaway, Micah Gilbert, Garry Rindfuss 6) The Chain Breaking Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: John Keane Vocal, acoustic 6-string guitar, electric guitars: Micah Gilbert Acoustic 12-string guitar: Eric Chial Organ: Damon Denton 7) Her Paradise Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: John Keane Vocal, electric & acoustic guitars: Micah Gilbert Harmony vocal: Murray Attaway Accordian: Shannon Mims Tambourine: Garry Rindfuss Handclaps: Micah Gilbert, Garry Rindfuss, Eric Chial 8) Silk and Sand Drums, congas: Scott Stewart Bass: Dave Furlong Vocal, acoustic & electric guitars, piano: Micah Gilbert Electric guitar: Eric Chial Cello: Jane Scarpantoni 9) Shadowland Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: David Furlong Vocal, acoustic & electric guitars, organ, congas: Micah Gilbert Congas, floor tom, cabasa: Garry Rindfuss Congas (with mallets), claves: Mark Cooper Smith 10) Cloaks & Daggers Drums: Scott Stewart Bass: Dave Furlong Vocal, acoustic & electric guitars: Micah Gilbert Electric guitar: Eric Chial Piano: Damon Denton Saxophone: Melinda Kershner 11) Sparrow’s Song Vocal, acoustic guitar: Micah Gilbert Cellos & cello arrangement: Jane Scarpantoni Recorders: Adam Gilbert This is the reissue of the 1993 CD "Book of Changes" by Micah Gilbert. Produced by Garry Rindfuss and Micah Gilbert. Recorded and mixed by Garry Rindfuss at John Keane Studios, Athens, GA, April 12-27, 1993. Pre-mastering by John Keane. Artwork and photography by Katherine Drake Chial. Production coordinated by Suzanne Gilbert. Murray Attaway appears courtesy of Geffen Records. Special thanks go to Eric Chial & Katherine Chial for making this record possible; Garry Rindfuss for bringing his talent, commitment, and energy to the project; John Keane for his invaluable assistance in the studio, and John & Jo Keane for their hospitality; all the musicians for their time and talent; Russell Carter for his advice and watchful eye; Dan Carroll for last-minute details; Mike Manieri and John Golden for taking a chance; Kathy Vinson, Chelsea Snelgrove, Jason Edwards, and Rick Strickland for their longstanding support; Magister Ludi and fans for good memories; my family and friends, who have been supportive of my efforts; and finally, Suzanne for her love, advice, and faith. This music is dedicated to Suzanne Gilbert and Elizabeth Gilbert. ******************************************************************************* What they’ve said about Micah Gilbert . . . ‘[Gilbert’s songs] are colorful, pleasingly rich in fine details . . . loaded with hooks and wry, thoughtful gems of insight as catchy as they are pointed’. (Jeff Payne, Flagpole, Athens, Georgia) ‘He is able to interweave some wonderful aural moods with lyrics that evoke vivid images, and while most songwriters use sparseness to draw attention to their lyrics, Gilbert uses the musical and lyrical elements of a song as complements, and we are left transfixed by both of them’. (David Bash, Amplifier, Massachusetts) ‘Book of Changes is Micah Gilbert’s first album, but it’s hardly a fledgling effort. Gilbert has been writing and playing his songs as a solo artist and in bands since he was a teenager in Columbia [South Carolina]. These songs, though, are the most fully developed and exciting of his career. . . . Possessed of an exploratory intelligence and few prejudices, Gilbert has absorbed a variety of musical styles and influences. His adventurousness and attention to detail are evident in the songs and arrangements of Book of Changes . His songs acknowledge the past without becoming moribund museum pieces or superficial nostalgic kitsch. He simply writes great songs and plays them with imagination and commitment. . . . Book of Changes is consistently entertaining without pandering to the listeners’ lowest expectations, and is intriguing without indulging in hip obscurantism. . . . Taken together [the songs] make up an extraordinary vision of the possibilities of contemporary songcraft’. (Chelsea Snelgrove, The Point, Columbia, South Carolina) About Book of Changes: ‘Yet another gem from the musical oasis of Athens, GA. Gilbert spent time with a popular Athens group called Magister Ludi, but this dreamy, melancholy set of almost-baroque pop tunes is likely to raise his profile considerably. Many tunes exhibit bits and pieces of a John Lennon/Revolver-era Beatles influence, but mostly Gilbert’s minor key excursions into the mystic are his own. A keeper’. (Luke Torn, The Austin Chronicle, Austin, Texas) ‘What Gilbert does, he does well. . . . distinct and memorable melodies and intelligent lyrics within the same song . . . Gilbert’s pop craft is in abundance on Book of Changes. . . . [He is] someone who actually writes and sings with intelligence but doesn’t forget that the key element of pop is melody’. (Bruce Folkerth, Flagpole, Athens, Georgia) ‘This guy WRITES songs, not just plays them. Skillful, well-crafted intelligent lyrics, catchy Crowded House, John Lennon subtlety . . .’ (Bruce Brodeen, Not Lame Recording) ‘You can expect to hear more about this intelligent pop singer/songwriter . . .’ (Jeff Clark, Creative Loafing, Atlanta, Georgia)