Nanci Griffith's Other Voices: A Personal History of Folk Music [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Nanci Griffith's distinct blend of pop, rockabilly, and folk has made her one of the most respected, popular, and loved singer-songwriters working today. Having released fourteen of her own critically acclaimed albums as well as recording countless guest appearances on other artists' albums and contributing to film scores, Nanci creates music that has taken root all over the world--her melodies and lyrics resonating wherever they are heard. The Grammy award-winning album Other Voices, Other Rooms--one of the most successful albums of contemporary folk music ever--marked a watershed moment in Nanci Griffith's career. Not only is it her sole album of cover songs, but it is also a seamless blend of tradition, collaboration, and innovation. The follow-up album, Other Voices, Too: A Trip Back to Bountiful, continues that tradition of passing on other writers' work and presenting folk music as a vital force in today's music.

Go behind the scenes with Nanci Griffith and listen in on a very special conversation with Joe Jackson, an acclaimed music journalist, as they explore the roots and inspiration for Nanci's extraordinary career and trace the history of the folk music movement.

This book is a guide to Nanci's trip back to bountiful--to the place where inspiration springs freely. With more than one hundred behind-the-scenes photographs and candid interviews with Nanci and her collaborators, including John Lomax III, Emmylou Harris, Dave Van Ronk, Pete Seeger, Odetta, the members of the Blue Moon Orchestra, and many, many others, this book offers a rare glimpse into the artistic heart and soul of one of this country's greatest musical treasures: Nanci Griffith.

From the Inside Flap

Nanci Griffith's distinct blend of pop, rockabilly, and folk has made her one of the most respected, popular, and loved singer-songwriters working today. Having released fourteen of her own critically acclaimed albums as well as recording countless guest appearances on other artists' albums and contributing to film scores, Nanci creates music that has taken root all over the world--her melodies and lyrics resonating wherever they are heard. The Grammy award-winning album Other Voices, Other Rooms--one of the most successful albums of contemporary folk music ever--marked a watershed moment in Nanci Griffith's career. Not only is it her sole album of cover songs, but it is also a seamless blend of tradition, collaboration, and innovation. The follow-up album, Other Voices, Too: A Trip Back to Bountiful, continues that tradition of passing on other writers' work and presenting folk music as a vital force in today's music.

Go behind the scenes with Nanci Griffith and listen in on a very special conversation with Joe Jackson, an acclaimed music journalist, as they explore the roots and inspiration for Nanci's extraordinary career and trace the history of the folk music movement.

This book is a guide to Nanci's trip back to bountiful--to the place where inspiration springs freely. With more than one hundred behind-the-scenes photographs and candid interviews with Nanci and her collaborators, including John Lomax III, Emmylou Harris, Dave Van Ronk, Pete Seeger, Odetta, the members of the Blue Moon Orchestra, and many, many others, this book offers a rare glimpse into the artistic heart and soul of one of this country's greatest musical treasures: Nanci Griffith.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; illustrated edition edition (September 14, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609803077
• ISBN-13: 978-0609803073
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #637,762 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you're reading this, you probably don't need to., April 10, 1999

By A Customer

Nanci Griffith is something of a buried treasure. Those who have discovered her music wonder how they ever got along without it, and through this book Nanci tells the stories of the music she discovered through the years, discoveries that made her what she is today. The book's primary focus is a song-by-song discussion of her album "Other Voices 2", but the earlier (and better) "Other Voices, Other Rooms" gets a similar treatment. Given the absence of popular material that discusses folk music's history generally, this book, like Nanci herself, is a great find. But you probably already know that....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Folk Music Lives!, October 6, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Elkhart, Indiana) - See all my reviews

For those of us who hung out in coffeehouses in the 60's and 70's, this books brings us back together. It is wonderful to know that some of my folk heroes live on through Nanci Griffith's ambitious project. She has gathered some of the finest musicians/songwriters and this book speaks for them and from them. It is a great companion to the two CD's and a wealth of insights on why Nanci chose the particular songs. For me, it was also a good way to become better acquainted with this woman of artistry and vision. Enjoy, folk lovers!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Nancy with Friends" - relaxing and repeatable, thumbup!, February 14, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Oklahoma, USA) - See all my reviews

I first discovered Nancy while living in remote Beaumont, TX, USA. the air was polluted, the three points of life considted of work, church, family. Being single, working for Mobil (uncaring company) I had only one pillar of life - Church.

To fill in the other points: I choose Nancy & her music. Life has been grand ever since.

This album continues the long line of excellent song writing and great voice.

I encourage everyone to listen to the words and float on the music.

"Thanks Nancy" FMJ