Nanci Griffith finds her voice on her third studio album, Once in a Very Blue Moon. This is the album where she established her musical identity -- she is at home in many genres (which perhaps explains why she never gets played on formatted radio stations), and seamlessly blends folk, bluegrass, and country with a group of stellar musicians, including guitarist Pat Alger and a young banjo player named Béla Fleck. While the music is well-textured with cello, mandolin, Dobro, and fiddle, it is Griffith's lyrics that distinguish her from her peers. Although not a concept album, the main theme explored is travel. She sings about the joys and excitement of the road as well as the longing that comes with extended periods away from home. Nanci Griffith is an excellent storyteller, with detailed, insightful lyrics that vividly portray the hopes and dreams of her characters ("Mary and Omie"). She sprinkles the album with songs of others, as she pays homage to folk veterans such as Bill Staines ("Roseville Fair") and sings a tune by newcomer Lyle Lovett ("If I Were the Woman You Wanted"). This album marks the emergence of a major talent. ~ Vik Iyengar, All Music Guide
Stephen Doster (Guitar (Electric)), Roy Huskey Jr. (Bass), Gene Menger (Assistant), Jim Lloyd (Mastering), Kevin Boyle (Assistant), Roy M. "Junior" Husky (Bass (Upright)), Pat Alger (Guitar), Bill Narum (Lettering), Philip Donnelly (Guitar (Electric)), Roy Huskey Jr. (Bass (Upright)), Lloyd Green (Dobro), Lloyd Green (Pedal Steel), Nanci Griffith (Producer), Jack Miller (?), Denny Purcell (Mastering), Pat Alger (Guitar (Acoustic)), Bill Narum (Cover Design), Lyle Lovett (Vocal Harmony), Jim Rooney (Producer), Ralph Vitello (Piano), Nanci Griffith (Guitar (Acoustic)), Kenny Malone (Percussion), Terry McMillan (Harmonica), Nanci Griffith (Cover Design), Ralph Vitello (Synthesizer), Philip Donnelly (Sound Effects), Nanci Griffith (Vocals), Eric Conn (Digital Editing), Wayne Miller (Photography), Mark O'Connor (Mandolin), Philip Donnelly (Bird Calls), Bill Narum (Cover Lettering), Mark O'Connor (Fiddle), James Willis (Photography), Mark O'Connor (Violin), Stephen Doster (Guitar (Acoustic)), Kenny Malone (Drums), Denice Franke (Vocals), Mark Howard (Guitar (Rhythm)), Wayne Miller (Cover Photo), Béla Fleck (Banjo), Marlin Griffith (Graphic Design), Wayne Miller (Executive Producer), Marlin Griffith (Artwork), Mark O'Connor (Mandola), Mark Howard (Guitar (Acoustic)), John Catchings (Cello), Pat Alger (Hi String Guitar), Nanci Griffith (Vocal Harmony), Denice Franke (Vocal Harmony), Kenny Malone (Conga), Mark O'Connor (Piccolo Mandolin)
Once in a Very Blue Moon is singer-songwriterNanci Griffith's third album. The sounds have become a little more country and a little less folk than her previous albums. Her first two albums were backed sparsely with instrumentation, but starting with this album, the whole complement of country-styled instrumentalists can be heard. Noted country musicians performing on the album include banjo player Béla Fleck and champion fiddle player Mark O'Connor.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Nanci Griffith; except where indicated
"Ghost in the Music" (Griffith, Eric Taylor) - 2:49
