Nanci Griffith Album: “One Fair Summer Evening...Plus! [DVD]”

Forget the grainy video quality, this is a must-have for any of Nanci's fans. I have loved the original CD since it became my introduction to Nanci Griffith many years ago. This concert pre-dates most of her more successful releases (Storms, Flyer, Other Rooms), but I am in awe of the budding talent in evidence on this DVD. Her charm and wit flow freely on gems like Love at the Five and Dime and Once in a Very Blue Moon. The inclusion of There's A Light Beyond These Woods (Mary Margaret) is a delightful addition not present on the original CD. Also welcome are the videos of five songs which I had never had the opportunity to previously enjoy.

If you are a new fan, or a long-time friend...you will not be able to resist a smile and will be glad you parted with the few dollars to own this delightful release. I know that I will enjoy it over and over for many years to come.

This is Nanci from nearly twenty years ago, and she sings and looks GREAT (she still does!). As for the on-again, off-again red scarf mystery mentioned by an earlier reviewer, this was obviously caused by the fact that the videos were edited from more than one concert performance. The selection of songs in the concert segment of this DVD is also slightly different from those on the "One Fair Evening" CD--again obviously due to the fact that more than one version of the concert was recorded. In any event, disappearing red scarf or not, this DVD is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, and the bonus videos are a great plus! The only "downside" to this DVD, if any, is that it is not LONG enough! I LOVE Nanci!

I first found Nanci in a small CD shop known for having the best of the best (not just the popular). The CD was on the "highly recommended" rack and I bought it on faith. Since then have bought every one of her albums I could lay my hands on. This DVD is however the first time I've ever seen Nanci perform. The concert video may be noisy (no better than a less-than-average VHS tape), but it doesn't matter. This is a great concert and Nanci's enjoyment of her music comes through clearly. She's having fun. Most important, the sound quality is great. Note that the track list isn't the same as the CD. The bonus videos are of course excellent quality and they round-off the DVD nicely.

Some 15 years ago I found myself flipping through the channels late one Friday night. And the second-and-a-half that I let A&E or PBS or whatever channel it was put Nanci Griffith on my TV's flickering screen was all it took. My thumb stopped flipping, my ears opened, and my heart was touched.

Forget the fact that in the first eight bars of music presented here Ms. Griffith hits you with more emotion and nuance than most performers generate in a career, and that she effortlessly goes from caressing sotto voce to full-throttle in those few seconds. This is above all -genuine- music. A singer. A song. An audience. A venue. All magically joined with the stars aligned and your deity of choice blessing the proceedings. And you understand how you (me), someone who's never been a huge fan of country or folk (despite owning 1,500 CDs) can suddenly be swept away by the sound of a simple six-string and a simpler (but is it really?) voice.

From that accidental encounter on late-night TV, I've acquired this performance on CD (with a slightly different track list), laserdisc, and now DVD. Tragically the DVD video transfer is little improved from the LD: grainy and full of noise. Hence the 4-star rating.

As a musician, I've resisted the urge to view this document as a talisman, as such intimacy and connection with an audience cannot be attained through study or effort or intent. But as a man, 'tis an accurate bellwether: play it for your paramour, and if she doesn't "get it", kiss her gently on the cheek and hand, and send her on her merry way. If she does "get it", enjoy cooking her breakfast ;-).

It was a gift and the recipient loved it. I didn't listen to it so I can't add anything else.