Other Voices Other Rooms

 (44 customer reviews)

This was my first Nanci Griffith album, and it was something of a gamble (she has her share of critics). But I definitely won in a big way. This album has grown on me so tremendously. This album features an assortment of songs from a long line of great American songwriters (frequently the songwriter is on the track somewhere). The combination of vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation is pure, natural, unforced beauty. The production is clean, bright, and straightforward; no gimmicks or interference. This album is perfect for its genre. Right now, I can't even name the standout tracks. This is a very rare example of an album that is full of standout tracks; not a weak moment from start to finish (and running at just over an hour, with 17 tracks, that's no small feat). True, no new ground is being broken here, but that's exactly the point. It's back to the basics, yet still fresh and modern. Its beauty and simplicity is wonderfully infectious. If this sounds even slightly...Read more

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...Read more

You know the old game about choosing ten CDs to take with you to a desert island to listen to for the rest of your life. Other Voices, Other Rooms would be on my list.

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.

Smallchief