The Album Club: "Other Voices | Other Rooms" by Nanci Griffith
 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ciGriffith.jpg

And so we launch into round seven, and as usual it's me that kicks it off.
Vote, rate, discuss, debate and comment here.

I don’t have to listen to this now because I’ve owned this album for years and I’ve listened to it many many times. I bought this the year it come out.

I’m not a musician but I understand that a major chord is the least dissonant. I’m pretty sure that a common technique of Griffith when interpreting these songs is to lean on major chords and to make sure everything resolves.

Before this album came out a cassette culture zine that played an important role in introducing me to new music called Sound Choice ran a long article on Kate Wolf. I remember the author talking about putting down our “punk swords” and opening up our hearts. At the time cassette culture was all about experimental noise and I had been heavily immersed in experimental music for a few years. Kate Wolf was welcomed into my life like an ice cold keg of beer in hell.

When other voices came out a lot of things were changing in my life. I graduated, I moved, I got new job and this album (that I would probably **** on if I first heard it now) really REALLY hit the spot. Her sweet syrupy interpretations were delicious.

The cover that I probably love the most is Morning Song for Sally. Obviously the brilliance is Jerry Jeff Walker’s but Griffith’s interpretation also works so well.

I could go through song for song. It’s a great collection of covers. I loved it then and I love it now.

How assailable would you say that it is?

It has clear vulnerabilities that make it easily assailed.

She got that snob laugh. And did she write that book with the same title?

Not sure where you're getting that from (not that it's important) - Nanci is one of the most humble and down-to-earth artists you can come across. And no, obviously she did not write the book: it's just a favourite of hers. From which she took the title for the album. Which I now see I've ****ed up. D'oh! Can a mod change the thread/album title for me please? :banghead:

It's not important but from the cover alone this bitch is already irritating me.

Gonna start listening to it now.

Look at the book she is holding, it titled "Other VOICES | Other ROOMS" weird how that is the opposite wording of the album title "Other Rooms, Other Voices." Is she laughing cause she titled her album the opposite of the book she is holding? Is that the inside joke?

That cover does inspire misogyny. That exposed neck is calling out for a tight grasp.

She thinks she's soooo funny. And sophisticated. And white.

https://s25.postimg.cc/4vpobhdtb/Oth...ther_ROOMS.png

^ Figured it out. She's laughing at Trollheart for getting the title backwards.

:laughing:

Ugh... I hate this kind of soft radio country. I'm not sure there is a worse genre.
This is like that crap my parents listen to in their car all the time. Not quite as bad, but close. This is going to be the most difficult album club week yet for me.

Sorry Troll, but this kind of music is my Achilles heel.

Maybe I'll be less grumpy about it in a few days, so I'll wait with listening to the whole thing (can I pay anyone to do it for me?)

What do think of the synth in the introduction to "Speed of The Sound of Loneliness" first track from "Other Voices | Other Rooms" by Nanci Griffith, does it sound more like Jack Horkheimer's "Star Hustler" or Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" theme?

"Star Hustler"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUWlVLQ-6Nw


"Comos" theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNxY_8sHOjg

I was impress who was on the album so I copy/paste the credits. It has a few of my favorite Country artists like Emmylou Harris, Iris DeMent, Chet Atkins and American Primitive guitar player Leo Kottke. There is a good songs selection. I was familiar with a few. They were written by Kate Wolf (I love Kate), Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan et al. Initially I didn't like the weak keyboards, but seeing people I love in Country I think that alone will push this from a "meh" (for being a TH pick) all the way up to a "Loved It."

"Other Voices | Other Rooms" by Nanci Griffith
Tracklist:
1 Across The Great Divide 3:57
Acoustic Guitar, Harmony Vocals – Lee Satterfield
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Drums, Percussion – Fran Breen
Harmony Vocals – Emmylou Harris
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Pete Kennedy
Mandolin, Violin – Stuart Duncan
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Piano – James Hooker
Words By, Music By – Kate Wolf

2 Woman Of The Phoenix 2:42
Acoustic Guitar – Lee Satterfield
Arranged By [String] – Nanci Griffith
Drums – Fran Breen
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Frank Christian, Pete Kennedy
Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Mandolin – Stuart Duncan
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Piano, Harmony Vocals – James Hooker
Strings, Bass – Edgar Meyer
Strings, Cello – John Catchings
Strings, Viola – Andrea Zonn
Strings, Violin – Alison Krauss
Words By, Music By – Vince Bell

3 Tecumseh Valley 4:30
Acoustic Guitar – Frank Christian, Pete Kennedy
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Piano – James Hooker
Violin – Stuart Duncan
Vocals [Duet], Harmony Vocals – Arlo Guthrie
Words By, Music By – Townes Van Zandt

4 Three Flights Up 3:32
Drums, Percussion – Fran Breen
Guitar [Cathedral Bell Harmonic] – Pete Kennedy
Keyboards – James Hooker
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Frank Christian
Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Words By, Music By – Frank Christian

5 Boots Of Spanish Leather 5:17
Acoustic Guitar – Pete Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Fran Breen
Harmonica – Bob Dylan
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Frank Christian
Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Words By, Music By – Bob Dylan

6 Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness 4:20
Acoustic Guitar – Pete Kennedy
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Philip Donnelly
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals [Lonely] – Nanci Griffith
Drums – Fran Breen
Harmony Vocals [Lonesome] – John Prine
Keyboards – James Hooker
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Words By, Music By – John Prine

7 From Clare To Here 5:11
Acoustic Guitar [Diamonds On Acoustic Guitar] – Pete Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Fran Breen
Keyboards – James Hooker
Lead Guitar [Acoustic], Electric Guitar – Philip Donnelly
Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Vocals [Irishman's Duet], Harmony Vocals – Pete Cummins
Words By, Music By – Ralph McTell

8 Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound 3:16
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Drums – Fran Breen
Guitar [High String Acoustic Parlor], Acoustic Guitar – Philip Donnelly
Harmony Vocals [Duet] – Carolyn Hester
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Pete Kennedy
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Piano – James Hooker
Words By, Music By – Tom Paxton

9 Do Re Mi 2:53
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith
Double Bass [Upright] – Roy Huskey, Jr.*
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Pat Flynn
Percussion, Drums – Pat McInerney
Words By, Music By – Woody Guthrie

10 This Old Town 3:00
Banjo – Bela Fleck*
Drums – Fran Breen
Electric Guitar, Guitar [Acoustic High String] – Philip Donnelly
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Pete Kennedy
Lead Guitar [Acoustic], Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Piano – James Hooker
Words By, Music By – Janis Ian, Jon Vezner

11 Comin' Down In The Rain 3:45
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Drums – Fran Breen
Electric Guitar, Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Pete Kennedy
Harmony Vocals – Lee Satterfield
Mandolin – Stuart Duncan
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Piano, Organ [B-3] – James Hooker
Words By, Music By – Buddy Mondlock

12 Ten Degrees And Getting Colder 2:40
Acoustic Guitar – Pete Kennedy
Drums – Fran Breen
Harmony Vocals, Vocals [High Lonesome Tag] – Iris DeMent
Lead Guitar [Acoustic] – Pat Flynn
Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Piano – James Hooker
Words By, Music By – Gordon Lightfoot

13 Morning Song For Sally 4:56
Acoustic Guitar – Frank Christian
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Electric Guitar – Pete Kennedy
Mandolin – Stuart Duncan
Percussion – Fran Breen, Pat McInerney
Piano – James Hooker
Words By, Music By – Jerry Jeff Walker

14 Night Rider's Lament 3:57
Acoustic Guitar – Pete Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Fran Breen
Lead Guitar [Acoustic], Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Percussion, Bells [Dinner Bell] – Pat McInerney
Piano [Barrel House] – James Hooker
Violin – Stuart Duncan
Words By, Music By – Michael Burton*
Yodeling [Camp Cookie's Yodel Extraordinaire] – Don Edwards

15 Are You Tired Of Me Darling3:12
Acoustic Guitar – Chet Atkins
Acoustic Guitar [Lead], Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Harmony Vocals [High] – Iris DeMent
Harmony Vocals [Low] – Emmylou Harris
Percussion – Pat McInerney
Words By, Music By – G.P. Cook, Ralph Roland

16 Turn Around 3:19
Cello – John Catchings
Classical Guitar, Resonator Guitar [Del Vechhio],Lead Guitar – Chet Atkins
Lead Vocals – Nanci Griffith
Words By, Music By – Allen Greene*, Harry Belafonte, Malvina Reynolds

17 Wimoweh 1:47
Banjo, Tap Dance, Vocals – John Hartford
Double Bass [Upright], Vocals – Roy Huskey, Jr.*
Percussion – Mary Ann Kennedy, Pat McInerney
Twelve-String Guitar [Acoustic] – Leo Kottke
Vocals – Holly & Barry Tashian*, Dave Mallett*, The Indigo Girls*, James Hooker, Jim Rooney, John Gorka, John Prine, Kennedy-Rose*, Marlin Griffith, Nanci Griffith, Odetta
Vocals [Kennedy-Rose] – Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose
Vocals [The Indigo Girls] – Amy Ray, Emily Saliers
Written-By – Traditional South African*

info provided from: https://www.discogs.com/Nanci-Griffi...elease/9641866

This album has been an interesting experience, on one hand i got a bit bored of it at first cause it was too country but on the other hand, i kinda loved it. Almost instantly i found her . voice very charming and at some points she sings with this sweet country twang i found adorable. I saw OH and Neapolitan mention these are covers so it's this like a "Nanci sings all the country greats" kinda album? I mean idk anything about this girl or country in general but i found like 5 songs in this album i really like. Turn Around, This Old Town, Speed of The Sound of Loneliness (lol) and my 2 fav tracks, From Clare to Here and Boots of Spanish Leather.

This album quickly grew on me and it still is, so I'm giving an 8/10 loved it. Good pick TH.

These are folk songs.

Glad you enjoyed it after your initial poor impression of her, Francis. Yeah these are songs that are important to her, artists that she admires and in some cases worked with, in others just influenced her work. It's interesting that you liked her voice; one thing about Nanci is you either love or hate her voice, as it's very distinctive and I feel could turn a lot of people off. Anyway glad you found something to enjoy in it.
Oh folk off! :D

I was kidding with that TH. I never had anything against her. :p:
I just found the album cover a bit funny.

Nice try but they're country.

It won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

How the **** is it so hard for the tards on this site to tell country from folk?

Whtvr it is, i liked it and yea, it's hard for me to differentiate the 2 at times but the album is also listed as country.

She's a country artist first and foremost, but yeah, Hawk is right: those are all folk songs. "From Clare to Here" is, you'll not be surprised to hear, an old Irish traditional folk song.

Grammys can be used as a genre authority? What the hell has this place come to?

If it quacks like a country duck, it's a country duck.
Luckily, country is also folk, so we don't need to have this discussion.

Lovely one too but i am surprised to hear that! How bout Speed of Loneliness and This old town, are those folk too?

I knew the first time I heard it 25 years ago it was folk music.

The way I understood that was I listened to it and they’re folk songs by folk singers, like Townes Van Zandt.

Yes ffs

So this album has no country tunes? I'm just trying to learn how to differentiate the 2.

Folk appeals to the political and sentimental in you

Country appeals to the drunk and horny in you

Folk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP8QbOx7nck

Country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpFaI0dKAHc

If you want to hear pure country from her, check out either The Last of the True Believers (was going to be my pick but I changed it at the last moment), Once In a Very Blue Moon or Lone Star State of Mind (I know: those titles, huh?). Her later albums tend to be a little more on the poppy side, and the ones before those kind of veer more in the folk direction.

Edit: Clare is a county in Ireland, which is why the song is titled "From Clare to Here". It's a lament from an Irish immigrant for his homeland. Not actually as old as I thought: written in 1976.

That chick in the Luke Bryan video looks like she’s older than me and holy **** his wife is hideous

What video? Nanci's 65 now, as it happens.

https://youtu.be/yjaQEZXvtdU

How is this country? This is the same stuff i heard on this album. :confused:

TBH I'm not sure where the divide with folk and country is, but this was her last with a label which concentrated on folk, so maybe there's folk in there. But to me it's always been a country album.
Try this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9C-huUmaxk
or this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo9CqczEnWI
or maybe this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZAxIcw8y1Q
They're all good songs.

"Folk" in the original sense was music passed on for generations from person to person, not through any recorded means like books or records. Folk is now called Traditional music. Most people consider American Folk Revival as "Folk" so what was once called Folk (originally) is now called Traditional Appalachian music. Even in Germany they make a distinction between Volksmusik and Volkstümliche Musik.

Country is really a genre of Pop music, and has its own charts like pop music does. Country includes influences are wide and varied from (Traditional) Folk, Country Blues. Cowboy Songs, Gospel, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Old Timey etc. Country can be broken up into things like Bakersfield sound, Nashville sound.

Bluegrass has five instruments:

1. Fiddle
2. Mandolin
3. (Acoustic) Guitar
4. Banjo
5. Stand-up Bass

There are no drums in Bluegrass, if you hear drums it's not Bluegrass or they're violating the Golden Rule etched in stone by Bill Monroe.

If the music is influence by Appalachia traditional music, consist of predominantly acoustic instruments and the sounds lies somewhere between "Folk," Country and Bluegrass I would consider it "Old Timey."

St. Olav's Gate The song was also done by Russell and Nanci Griffith together. Since the music is mostly all instrumental it's more Old Timey than Country music. The lyric is closer to Marty Robbins' story telling style and Honky-Tonk drinking song. It's also in 3/3 Waltz time.
Fly By Night twangy guitar, pedal steel and drums makes it definitely more Country
Looking For The Time Country with Old Timey fiddle.

Meh. These songs didn't need a country-fied interpretation. Did make me want to go listen to some Brooks & Dunn and Pure Prairie League though, so guess that has to count for something.

6 out of 10

Finally Trollheart shows some interest in half decent music and all you could do for him is a "5 out of 10?" We should be encouraging him, not discouraging him. :rolleyes:

I upped it one point because the songs are good even if I don't like the interpretations too much.

Yeah, it's not like I've suddenly become interested in this. I've been a fan of Nanci since back in the late eighties. Admittedly, Lone Star State of Mind, released 1987 (though I can't be sure when I heard it, say it was close to release date even so) was I think the first time I listened to country without sneering. Hey, I was younger and more stupid then (hard to believe the latter could be true but there you go...) :p:

Thanks for the very helpful notes on separating folk from country, btw! :thumb: