Customer Reviews

Nanci Griffith's Other Voices: A Personal History of Folk Music

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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....

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!

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

If you love Folk Music,and want to know where it is at today;Nanci Griffith is where you have to go.Folk Music is different from what we get from the mainstream music industry today.It is not music of overnight stars,here today, gone tomorrow.One doesn't become a legend in Folk Music with one or two songs.It takes many years of life on the road,writing your own songs and music,writing and singing about what you live and what your fans live.It is the norm for the most well known Folksingers to have been bringing their music to the people for many years.Names like Woody Guthrie,Ledbetter,Dylan,Seeger,Mitchell,Ives,The Weavers,Peter,Paul & Mary,The Kingston Trio,Kristofferson, Odetta,Ian& Sylvia,Lightfoot,John Hartford,Emmylou Harris,and of course Nanci Griffith;just to name a few.Folk Music was always grass roots music meant to express the trials and tribulations,hopes saddness,triumphs,struggles and all the things that fill people's lives.The important thing was always to get the message across;not how successful financially a song would be.Folk Music was the music of the people long before any music industry or establishment ever existed---and still is.This book is about Nanci Griffith's life and music;but also about the whole gendre of Folk Music and the people who were part of it for many decades,and who still are,like Nanci,who has lived her life around music since childhood,and at 57 is still at the center of this music.

Nanci has seen and done it all.As a singer,songwriter,performer,she has paid her dues;just as you will see from this book;have all the others you will meet,and remember from their music over the years.In 1993 she put together a collection of Folk Music in "Other Voices,Other Rooms".This is an excellent compilation of great Folk Songs.A check here on Amazon shows how much her fans liked this album.It recieved a 5* overall rating by 43 Reviewers.(I wrote a review of it on January 24,2010,before I came across this book).In 1998, she published a follow-up to this excellent album with another album,"Other Voices,Too." This album,also reviewed here on Amazon ,and received an overall rating of 3* by 73 Reviewers.

This book,covers Nanci's life from childhood and throughout her career.It is also a passionate look at the whole Folk Music scene over the years.On top of that,Nanci and her friend Joe Jackson,as well as all the singers,musicians and people involved in these two albums ,talk in detail about each and every song on these albums;why they were important,who wrote them and why.

If you are a fan of Folk Music,you will have come to know and love these songs,the people who make and sing these songs,and who better to enjoy them all with other than Nanci herself?

Nanci Griffith gives the reader a great look into her life in music. She also provides a look into the lives of those who influenced her while becoming a well known singer/songwriter. If you are interested in Nanci Griffith, you will enjoy reading her book.