Cheap Nanci Griffith: Other Voices, Other Rooms (Video) (Nanci Griffith) Price

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Customer Reviews of Nanci Griffith: Other Voices, Other Rooms

That may seem like excessive praise for a CD that's not overly original and done by a singer who doesn't have one of the great voices of our time. But I love every song on this album -- save "Turn Around." The coincidence of good songs, good arrangements, and the perfect voice for the material makes this CD exceptional. Arlo Guthrie's duet with Nanci on "Tecumseh Valley" (heartbreakingly sad) is one highpoint. Equally sad and equally beautiful is "From Clare to Here." And Bob Dylan's harmonica on "Boots of Spanish Leather" and Don Edward's yodel on a great cowboy song, "Night Rider's Lament," are outstanding. The wonderful "Across the Great Divide" by the late Kate Wolf if another tearjerker. This one is special for me. I've listened to it for years and it never gets tiresome.

Great idea for an album
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.

Wonderful Collection of Songs!
"Across the Great Divide" ... Nanci makes these old precious songs come alive. She has a way of breathing life into a song like no other musician can. She is wonderful to see live.