It’s always nice when people come back to you. I’m pleased to say that we’re now meeting some of our guests for the second time around. I caught up with Nanci Griffith when she was over here three years ago on the first series of American Tunes. Then she was playing the Fruitmarket in Glasgow and she gave us a wide ranging chat about all that was going on for her. A lot has changed. George W has gone and Obama is in the Whitehouse. I remember seeing a sign in the lawn in front of a house in Nashville and thinking…this must be Nanci’s place.
When I first ran into Nanci she had been so angry at the former over Iraq that she’d had a writing block. That’s changed too; “The Loving Kind” is full of great songs by Nanci. We’ll hear all about it and play you tracks on Friday.
Some really good things have come my way recently: look out for material by The Hold Steady, Merle Haggard, Avi Buffalo and Harper Simon.
On Sunday….
The Church in Ireland, Oscar Romero, Lourdes – the movie and the book I’ve just finished and highly recommend,
Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth by Eric Kauffman.
I’m really looking forward to this show as Nanci has been a longtime favourite, probably from around the time of Little Love Affairs which is still one of my favourite albums.
One of the great things about Nanci is her absolute love of music, past, present and future. She has always struck me as incredibly generous on stage giving space for other people such as Iris DeMent to perform and she goes way out of her way to credit people, cover songs….all the rest of it. Anything just to get good music heard.
Unless I misread the sleeve notes of Loving Kind horribly wrongly you co-wrote once of the songs and I hope you will tell us how that came about. I also think she wrote her notes from Glasgow which is nice. Maybe it was at the fruitmarket gig! Which was excellent….I’m rambling…
Elegantly rambled, Norrie! I’m also quite taken with the music and musicianship of Nanci Griffith, although I have to say she’s one of those artists with whom I’m not all that well acquainted. I did very much like “The Loving Kind” though, including the co-written “Still Life”, and it will be really good to hear her on the show again and learn and hear a little more…
Ricky – great Lowell George article in this months MOJO.
Brillaint show on Friday, loved it.
Sunday’s program. TOTALLY AWESOME.
If Fr. John was over here I would go back to church.
But then I drove Fr. McGuire bonkers and would not want to do that to Fr. John.
Love the Nanci Griffith material, is always good, thought provoking, too. She caught heck from some dark corners of the USA for “The Loving Kind.” Not this corner. Wish she would come to Arizona, but I think Cactus Curtain country is not ready to think that deeply or appreciate the music.
Thanks Ricky and Richard for the Nanci sessions and interview. Have seen her live since 1990 and thought she was full of energy so hope she continues to come over the pond for at least another 10 years. Pure pleasure listening to her live. Great venue too in the Queens Hall – plenty of character and an exemplar of how an old Church does not have to fall into decay.
Three other things come to mind which I will now dump from my head. One a great looking Boss tribute album “Light of Day:A Tribute to Bruce Sprintsteen” I found on you tube. Have you heard of it and/ or some of the artists / versions ?
Secondly Paul Heaton’s folk influences from his monthly personal Top 20 he has recorded in numerous handbooks. Amongst them, similarly ravaged, Johnny Cash and many others. The storytelling in his songs even in the Housemartins and Beautiful South days remind me of how Nanci educates and entertains at the same time. He’s been influenced by country too – what about playing the cover of “Till I Can’t Take It Anymore” by Billy Joe Royal ?
Any finally….great show on Sun am. Thank goodness for I player.
Ciao !