I got to know Nanci Griffith through the seminal music paper Beat (norwegian music magazine), this music magazine has been extremely important in my musical upbringing. They made it ok to say that you loved country music. This was a big step for us rock/punk youth. Anyway, they praised Nanci Griffith very early and we listened and we agreed, this was very special indeed.
Her voice, her way of singing, especially other people’s’ songs, it was and is beautiful. My first entry into her world was John Prine’s The Speed of The Sound of Loneliness, it is still the best song in her catalogue. Hell, it would be the best song in almost anybody’s catalogue!
Speed of the sound of Loneliness (with John Prine who wrote this masterpiece):
Nanci Griffith, (born Nanci Caroline Griffith, July 6, 1953, Seguin, Texas) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter based in Austin, Texas.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”mulled_wine” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-quote-left”]Straddling the fine line between folk and country music, Nanci Griffith has become as well-known for her brilliant, confessional songwriting as her beautiful voice. A self-styled “folkabilly” singer, Griffith began as a kindergarten teacher and occasional folksinger. The country scene took her to heart in the mid-’80s, giving her a reputation as a quality songwriter through hit covers of Griffith’s songs by Kathy Mattea and Suzy Bogguss. Finding no luck with commercial country radio however, Griffith recorded several pop-oriented albums and then returned to her folk roots by the mid-’90s.
-John Bush (allmusic.com)[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Another wonderful cover version, Tecumseh Valley (with a nice intro):
Let’s include a fantastic Dylan interpretation, Boots of Spanish leather:
The album of the day, Other Voices Other Rooms:
Happy birthday, Nanci!
– Hallgeir & Egil
Finally, got my music to listen to on the telephone!
Thank you, Egil,for this incredible birthday wish to one of my favorite artists. As Nanci’s decades-long fan, Nanci’s music has given me joy though most of my life, so thank you to you both.
I first saw Nanci when I wandered into the Alamo Lounge on 6th and Guadalupe. Her blondish brown hair was draped to her breast. She had such a full bodied voice that I could not help but compare her to Joni Mitchell. I would come know that she had a distinctiveness all her own. She was compelling enough to keep me dropping back in; first at the Alamo and then at Emma Joe’s. After that she broke through. I still did catch her at the Cactus. Unlike most artists, she pushed herself to evolve. I have seen a few thousand acts in clubs and halls. Nanci’s delivery is subtle and delicate. But tuning in to her wavelength one enjoys a forceful entertainer.
I was born July 7, 1953. Have never heard of Nanci nor her beautiful voice until today. Thank you for blessing so many people and a belated birthday gift to me.
Merry Christmas, Nanci! 2019 is fading fast.
Live that true natural voice. She sings from the heart. What a wonderful voice what a wonderful lady Texas proud. Happy belated birthday Clint Brown in Galveston Texas keep up the good job