Storms, and what makes it different
Heidi M. Hawkins | Bellingham, WA: City of Subdued Excitement | 09/01/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"i own & love just about all of nanci's recordings. however, when i first heard this one, i hated it. it sounded totally overproduced to my ears, and i just couldn't get over the fact that the drums were programmed.
eventually, nanci's songwriting, voice and sincerity won me over & i came to love this album just as much as any of her's.
somehow she manages to say really cornball things that would make my teeth itch if anyone else said them. god, i used to be a punk rocker! but when she says anything, i just love it. can't go wrong with nanci griffith, but know the difference--her recordings vary considerably."
Tender observations of romance and conflict
dev1 | Baltimore | 06/04/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Texas is home to several eminent storytellers including Guy Clark, Towns Van Zandt and Jerry Jeff Walker. If you haven't already done so, add the name Nanci Griffith to your list. Her tales on Storms are tender observations of romance and conflict. With her girlish voice and a touch of Texas twang, Nanci focuses on a tried-and-true country theme - leavin.' She has a poetic gift for symbolic lyrics. "Love is but a fragile flame and trust just fuels the fire" from `You Made This Love A Teardrop.' And from `If Wishes Were Changes' - "I wish I had angels who sang in my dreams." Although delicate and sweet, her voice brims with conviction and confidence (Storms, Listen To The Radio). And while I'm name dropping names, Nanci surrounds herself with a group of accomplished musicians including Pat Donaldson (bassist with Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, Kate & Anna McGarrigle), x-Eagle's guitarist Bernie Leadon, and Lucinda Williams' drummer Fran Breen. Storms with tug gently on your heartstrings, the compositions are tightly structured, and the musicianship is first-rate. `You Made This Love A Teardrop' is well worth the price of admission."
Notes from Bingo
rwright@sanfran.cushwake.com | San Francisco, CA | 10/29/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great stuff in here. It's a Hard Life Where Ever You Go is very good. True and beautifully sung. Radio Fragile reminds me of a guy I grew up with (there's probably one in every community)."