Nanci Griffith Album: “Other Voices, Other Rooms”

Folkie/singer/songwriters such as Nanci Griffith are the most joyful of live entertainers to watch. Partially because it's almost always in an intimate environment, and you can feel that the performer is almost singing directly to you. Plus the songs have to be heartfelt, or the whole concept just doesn't work.

Problem is, most of them can't sell a record to save their lives. Sure, Bob Dylan isn't starving, but let him try to release a few albums without rock accompaniment and see what happens to his record contract. So what do they do?

Well, how about releasing an album of songs by the masters of the field, as performed by the featured artist? And have the songwriters themselves perform as backup musicians or singers. Then every few months or so, somebody else can do the same thing, and all of a sudden we'd have some pretty good music being released.

For this is one dynamite collection of songs. So what if they're not her songs. They're done in earnest, and open doors to me as to what other artists are capable of. Or sometimes it's nice to hear a song you're familiar with done by somebody else. I actually have had the original album that has "Tecumsah Valley" on it for twenty-five years now. Since we won't be hearing Townes Van Zandt singing anytime soon, this is a great way to revive it. I also find myself playing "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" over and over again, and as the father of four, "Turn Around" leaves me a sobbing ... every time I hear it.

Like I said, let everyone take their turn in the rotation. This is a very special album to me.

This music is soul balm. Every song here is searingly gorgeous. Each an American classic, simply yet elegantly delivered by one of the lushest female voices in the business. With just a touch of Texas twang.

I own Nanci's greatest hits album, as well. It's good, but I have to say that this album is better, since the songs here are just transcendant. I'm unfamiliar with her other albums, but based on these two, I can assure you I intend eventually to collect everything she's ever done.

I really encourage you to buy this album. If you like folk or country, you absolutely will not regret it.

I feel that this shines through as an exceptionally well crafted album - Nanci endeavours to highlight that she owes a lot to individuals who have paved the way for folk musicians such as herself. She includes songs by giants like Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan(she sings this particular song as it is the one that he requested she perform at his historic Madison Garden 30th anniversary concert), Townes Van Zandt, Tom Paxton and many more. But my favourite song on this album is one by a lesser known, but equally as qualified, singer-songwriter - Kate Wolf: "Across The Great Divide" pulls at the heart strings and is treated with tenderness by Nanci, as Wolf would have wanted.

As a 17 year old Nanci fan with nearly every album of hers, I feel that some reviewers are being slightly unreasonable in their criticism of this one and its sequel. I concede that her voice is not quite as strong as when she started out making records but with age has come depth, as is illustrated in her albums subsequent to this, which I advise you to have a listen to(particularly "Clock Without

Hands").

Listen to this album and I guarantee you you'll want to hear more, and her other albums are superb as well. She has a warmth that will reel you in and capture your interest. Her storytelling equals that of some of the individuals being covered on this record, which is something special. Once you've heard Nanci, their's no going back!

From the splendid opening of Kate Wolf's "Across the Great Divide" this CD explores reaches of American music that you'll never hear on contemporary radio. Yet the music is sassy, clever, emotional, and evocative--and that's just the first couple of tracks. I listened to the CD and then began to explore the work of people like Kate Wolf, Townes van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker, and others whose music is as strong and creative--and well worth seeking out.

Nanci Griffith has a beautiful voice and uses it on this album to sing some of the most beautiful songs written by contemporary folk artists. This CD has been one of the most heavily played in my house for the last decade and I never tire of it - in fact I am currently writing a novel and the only CD I listen to while writing it is this one. That is the scope of its breadth and power, of its shimmering and relentless beauty.

It's a captivating work of collaboration that fills the spirit with the sort of haunting loneliness that feels good. Infinitely listenable.