A glorious tribute to the singers and songwriters everywhere

One Of the Finest Tribute CD ever produced
This CD is without a doubt one of the finest tributes to the folk music legacy than any I have ever heard. If you’re not familiar with Nanci Griffith, it could only be because like so many other folk singers and songwriters, their music seems to have taken on less of an importance over the years and a back seat certainly to more mainstream pop influences. As sad as that may be, there are luckily a few who still believe that the feeling and emotions so portrayed by these musical pioneers should never go unnoticed. And so it is, the birth of Other Voices, Other Rooms .

The Folk Influences
The title adopted from the first published writings in 1948 by Truman Capote of the same name, certainly reads like a whose - who of the folk movement of the 60’s and 70’s. As Nanci says in her liner notes “It marked a new time in literature and coincided with a rebirth of interest in folk music”. One thing is certain, if it were not for seeing one of my favorite songs on this CD, I might have wondered about it with some level of curiosity. As much as I love Nanci’s voice, for some reason wasn’t drawn to this CD or inspired to buy it by any information I had been given prior to this purchase. In fact I can honestly say that I have never considered myself a die –hard follower in the folk music culture, being just a few years behind the 60’s movement to absolutely grasp the whole musical concept. Though still, I have always been fascinated by its simplistic composition and lyrical vigor. It wasn’t until the 80’s that I was introduced to it by way of bluegrass music that I began to understand all those political undertones, and simple way of life scenario’s so synonymous to Folk Music.

Nanci’s Own Personal Touch
Nanci Griffith brings with her to this project such deeply rooted musical talent it as if it’s this music that makes her breathe and gives life to her songs. These songs sung here are interpretations of storytellers, of musical pioneers, lost souls, threads from the past and pieces of the future and every bit apart of you and I
The lyrics cling to you and the music is soft and calming, like a story once told by a grand parent. There is a strong representation here, sort of the Crème de la Crème of singer/songwriters and Nanci reworks them with style and respect. “Boots of Spanish Leather” written by Bob Dylan stands out in my mind as a pure example of this. Nanci’s approach is finer in style and a much softer contrast to Dylan, and it’s such a beautiful love song.
“So take heed, take heed of the western wind, take heed of the stormy weather
And yes there is somethin' you can send back to me
Spanish Boots of Spanish leather.”

Bob actually plays harmonica along side Pete Kennedy on acoustic guitar and makes it one of the best songs on the CD.
Seventeen songs grace the inside package and if it weren’t for “Night Riders Lament” I might have never owned this recording. This song written by Michael Burton I still believe to be one of the most endearing cowboy songs around.

Listen and Remember
The influences here are many and the songs represented explain clearly how diversified this genre of music really is. Where it has been and Nanci gives exceptional examples of where it is going in this generation. Songs by Janis Ian, the Weavers, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot, and Woody Guthrie all have a place here. Nanci’s soft approach and unique phrasing technique add her own special touch to these tunes otherwise forgotten. I urge you to listen to the stories as these are heartfelt words of songwriters who leave wide-open there emotions all the while exposing their soulful journey’s through life. On this recording these words so given by Kate Bush when she wrote Across the Great Divide I think speak volumes about the presence here.

I’ve been walkin`, in my sleep
Countin` troubles `stead of countin` sheep
Where the years went, I can’t say
I just turned around and they’ve gone away.

Kate Bush has since passed on, but what she leaves in her songs will forever touch my soul.


Songs of the heart, the soul and far away lands…
Three songs on this CD are worthy of special mention and are indeed treasures frozen with time.
Are You Tired of Me My Darling a vocal duo between Nanci and Emmylou Harris forces you in many ways to take notice and embrace their angelic harmonies. It’s incredibly beautiful work.
Turn Around written by Malvia Reynolds, Harry Belafonte, and Allen Greene is a song I am sure we all have heard more than once;

Where are you going my little one, little one?
Where are you going my baby my own?
Turn around and you’re two, turn around and your four,
Turn around and you’re a young girl going out of the door.

If you’re a parent with small children or older children, you can’t possibly listen without identifying and pulling out the tissue to dry your eyes. Its words and music are enticingly traditional; it stands completely on its own merit and no further explanation other than those words above.

Ending out this recording is the old African Folk song Wimoweh, that was also once done by the Weavers. To better describe it, I can remember that it was a preamble to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. The song starts out with a native feel and a distance strum of the banjo from John Hartford, Leo Kottke on the 12-string guitar. It’s a perfect way to end this entire tribute. Such vocalist as Odetta, the Indigo Girls, John Prine, John Gorka, and James Hooker joins Nanci.

Other Voices, Other Rooms is such a masterpiece that it truly needs to be heard and listened too often. We should never forget the gift that was given through these singer /songwriters, who have so paved the way and left their mark and examples for others to follow.

Included are works by these singer/songwriters
Kate Bush, Vince Bell, Townes Van Zandt, Frank Christian, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Ralph McTell,
Tom Paxton, Woody Guthrie, Janis Ian and Jon Vezner, Buddy Mondlock, Gordon Lightfoot, Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Burton, G.B Cook and Ralph Roland, Malvia Reynolds