Other Voices Too -The Nanci Griffith Book

[John Rosier]

Has anyone else bought and read Nanci Griffith's book about her two
'Other Voices...' albums?

I found myself disappointed as what promised to be a cracking read
turned out to be a shallow 'fanzine' kind of book, liberally sprinkled
with pictures of Nanci looking angelic (literally so in the stills of
the riduculous John Prine video), surrounded by her folk music chums.

The book is ghost-written and is thoroughly uncritical in its
approach. In parts it is even embarrassing, with a concluding
interview with Pete Seeger, hamstrung by the interviewer trying to tie
Seeger's comments into Nanci's albums. Trouble is, Pete had only heard
one of them and lost the other!

In other parts it is frustrating in its shallowness. For example,
there are several references to the fact that Nanci used the whole
text of 'Hard Times', unlike other recording artists. However, nowhere
in the book are the lyrics to this or any other of the songs printed
in full. You obviously have to go out and buy the albums for that...

Nanci's reverence for the tradition and for those who developed it is
sincere enough. I would have liked a more thorough explanation of why
she chose those songs for the two albums as opposed to others.
Somehow, the show-biz chumminess just gets in the way.

The first time I saw Nanci live was in the UK on her 'Other Voices,
Other Rooms' Tour. My wife and I were spellbound that evening - it was
undoubtedly the best gig we had ever been to, and remains such to this
day. The lineup with Frank Christian, Lee Satterfield, the
(soon-to-be) Kennedys and the members of the Blue Moon Orchestra wove
a unique spell. I find myself, therefore, doubly disappointed with the
wasted opportunity this book represents. She is capable of much better
things..

Anyone else feel the same?

John