Nanci Griffith Album: “The Dust Bowl Symphony”

I am a long time Nanci Griffith fan. I really like her voice and her songs. The problem I had with this album is that her voice just does not go well with a full orchestra -- it tends to get lost. It would have been better to have a smaller group -- a chamber orchestra. My other complaint is related -- the vocals didn't have the 'bite' that I'm used to (thats not the right word but I can't think of a better one). Her songs have been about personal trials, triumphs and tribulations. Its like she sings to me personally. You can't get that same feeling when there's another 100 people (the orchestra) in the room.

I give it three stars because I still love to listen to her voice. For people not familiar with her music I'd recommend another album.

Oh, and the version of 'Its a Hard Life Where Ever You Go' is horrible -- you can't hardly hear it with the drums pounding.

I was a little skeptical about this album. Many of these songs are old ones redone with an orchestra. I already loved the old versions and couldn't imagine she could improve on them. I was wrong. Not only does the orchestra add a certain richness to the old songs, but the maturity that Nanci has gained with age, makes many of the old messages more profound. I think "Its a Hard Life," is much deeper (if that is even possible) on this album, than on the original. Same goes for many others. As for "pre-war Kimball," I have heard it called "quirky," and "b-side," but I think it is one of my new favorites. The story behind it is that Nanci Griffith donated her piano to a children's music school. After she donated it, the school was fire-bombed and, presumably, the piano lost. The song has a lot of self-deprecating humor, for instance about her inability to play the piano with both hands, her desire for a "better" singing voice (as if that were possible), etc. Because of that, I feel like the real Nanci comes through. Anyway, buy this album!

Excellent for a seasoned Nanci fan. Beautiful renditions of favorites. If you're a novice, start with something like "Late Night Grand Hotel".

I had never heard of Nancy Griffith, but I did trust my brother-in law's taste in music. What a wonderful CD! What an incredible artist. From the first song to the last, over and over it gets played no-stop at work and all weekend at home. Her words ring so true to life's wide and varied experiences. The opening song "Trouble in the Fields" makes me want to buy a field and a John Deere Tractor just so I can say those words to someone, one day. Songs about things we are willing to sacrifice, things we are willing to give up, things we could never give up on. "These Days.." spoke to so many facets of my life and I felt like it was written and sung just for me. Nancy's voice is a delight to listen to, so rich and graceful. The symphony accompaniment is such a beautiful touch. Everybody I know: You're getting this for Christmas!

The Dust Bowl Symphony completely blew me away. I had never even heard of Nanci Griffith until I just happened to listen to this album at a listening station. When I tell people her album is a combination of Irish folk and dust bowl country they think I'm crazy. The lyrics and melodies stick with me for days after playing the CD. All in all one of my favorite albums of 1999.