Tornado and COVID changed everything for Gillian Welch (in a good way) We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Normal text size Advertisement Time’s the revelator. Gillian Welch told us 20 years ago. Archaic language, mystical visions and all, the song that opened her breakthrough album was a riposte to those who called her a “pretender” from California dabbling in the dark woods of Appalachia. Ten songs later, a musical revelation of historic proportions was undeniable. But even America’s queen of the bluegrass/old-time folk renaissance couldn’t foresee the silver linings the terrible year of 2020 would bring.