Nanci Griffith Album: “Winter Marquee [DVD]”

I was fortunate enough to catch this concert live at the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville, TN. As you will hear and see, it was a magical night and Ms. Griffith was at her very best. I've followed Nanci's career for many years, and attended numerous concerts -- this ranks among the best ever. I especially appreciate the simple arrangements which magnificantly showcase one of the most beautiful voices in contemporary music. Favorite tracks include the Towne's Van Zandt cover "White Freight Liner Blues" and Nanci's signature "Gulf Coast Highway" with James Hooker on vocals. The night was made complete by the presence of Emmylou Harris. This is a must have DVD/CD for anyone who appreciates quality acoustic music. Nanci's loyal fans will love it, and it's sure to attract many new listeners. Enjoy!

Shawn Kimbro

My wife Sarah bought me this DVD for my birthday in June - I took her to see Nanci live back in April as I felt I couldn't let her miss out on the experience, and watching the DVD brings back so many memories, it's almost as wonderful as actually being there. Sound quality is superb and on our 42 inch plasma widescreen TV, Nanci and the Blue Moon Orchestra are presented brilliantly; every camera angle gives the band members coverage as much as focussing on the great Nanci herself.

Not only this, YOU ALSO GET EMMYLOU HARRIS, TOM RUSSELL AND ANDREW HARDIN guesting!! Now to the songs. Great choice. LOST HIM IN THE SUN comes across much better live, as does CLOCK WITHOUT HANDS. Great cover of the Bob Dylan classic BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER as well, and everyone together on Townes Van Zandt's awesome and rocking WHITE FREIGHTLINER - watch out for some superb guitar riffing and solos here that would put rock musos to shame!

A track called HOME ON THE RADIO is also featured here as a tribute to Harlan Howard, you cannot get this anywhere else - this DVD is a must for Nanci completists then. This concert has some truly moving moments too - the performance of GOODNIGHT NEW YORK for instance, a Julie Gold song. When Emmylou appeared, my heart just burst as I just love hearing Nanci and Emmylou sing together, and as for the song itself, it was all the more poignant with memories of 9/11 and how the event affected Julie Gold herself. I just cried my eyes out during this song - and also, the touching TRAVELLING THRU THIS PART OF YOU is performed as a tribute to Nanci's ex-husband Eric Taylor, I could swear her voice was breaking here with all the emotion of it all and memories of her trips to Vietnam and Cambodia. Just amazing. A song we should all keep in mind, not just for Vietnam, but for people, both civilian and military, who died in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is also reflected on CLOCK WITHOUT HANDS, once again stronger live, where she campaigns for a landmine free world. Well done Nanci, I support that cause and in my next novel OPERATION ASTUTE the issue of landmine clearance is covered in a chapter - Nanci, thankyou for inspiring me here!

Now, there some utter classic songs featured as well - TWO FOR THE ROAD, I WISH IT WOULD RAIN, GULF COAST HIGHWAY(with James Hooker doing some great vocals) - though as for the line about Texas being the only place bluebonnets grow, that is wrong - we have some growing in our back garden! LAST TRAIN HOME is a song John Prine ripped off on his equally great THE GLORY OF TRUE LOVE and also I loved the inclusion of I'M NOT DRIVIN' THESE WHEELS and WHAT'S THAT I HEAR - a song Nanci learnt on guitar when she was a child. YOu also get a great version of IF I HAD A HAMMER.

Overall, a concert performance which can be enjoyed by diehard Nanci Griffith fans and if you're new to her, I would recommend you check this out - the DVD is better than the CD as you get the additional songs and the between-song patter which makes the live experience worthwhile!!! It is also suitable for all ages to watch, which in this day and age is a godsend.

I've always enjoyed listening to Nanci Griffith and this DVD was a wonderful gift. Performance is a big part of music. It's wonderful what the engineers do in the recording studio, but I think the true test of a song and a singer is what happens when they stand alone on the stage in front of an audience. A live DVD is not the same thing as being there, but it's much closer than a live album. Bravo.

This is a great DVD of a great live performance. It starts out a little subdued, but then Nanci hits her stride, when she starts playing some of her older material. I love her in between song talking, she sounds like someone you have known all your life. The CD version cuts all this out. Also this has 5 extra songs not included on the CD. I saw Nanci perform about two weeks after this was recorded, and this is a fine represenation of her live shows. Don't miss her if you get the chance to see her live.

I've been a fan of Nanci Griffith for years. I couldn't wait to buy this DVD when I saw it was available. Like the other reviewers, the music is great. What's not to like? But.....I couldn't believe that she would issue a DVD in only 2-channel sound. Why on earth would you use the latest technology of DVD, and then not utilize 5.1 channel sound? This was a huge disappointment, and prospective customers should know this, since the package does not specify the sound specs.