Ever since hearing Nanci Griffith belt out ‘Ford Econoline’ on the NME “Tape With No Name” in 1987, Griffith has been one of my most loved female artists. Her storytelling and poetry were special, and sadly, she is no longer with us, but she leaves an incredible legacy behind that will live on. Griffith loved Ireland and returned often in person and with words. ‘It’s A Hard Life Wherever You Go’ from the 1989 album “Storms” touched on the troubles from an outsider’s view. ‘I Would Bring You Ireland’ was a love song offering her love the gift of Ireland. A stand-out version appears on the live album “One Fair Summer Evening”.
Taken from her Grammy-nominated 1984 album “Flyer”, a mainly self-written album of autobiographical material released after her cover album “Other Voices, Other Rooms”, ‘On Grafton Street’ tells a story. A seasonally inspired clip that was filmed in Austin, Texas, where Griffith appears with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to celebrate the release of the band’s first Christmas album. Co-written with American singer-songwriter Fred Koller, this song was inspired by Griffith’s visit to the beating heart of Dublin, Grafton Street. She explains in this classic clip that she had never seen so many people on one street. It is lyrically beautiful and describes how a place, no matter how crowded, can suddenly send you somewhere else and make you think of lost loved ones, friends, family, and estranged acquaintances. “I’m a stranger in this town / And the faces seem familiar / And I know those songs they’re playin’ / But I close my eyes and find myself / Five thousand miles away.”
Griffith could capture a feeling with her voice, an inflexion of longing, perhaps regret. She sat in a café on Grafton Street, thinking back over the pond. “The church bells ring for holy hour / And I’m back out in the rain / It’s been twenty years or more / Since I last said your name / And I hear you live near Dallas now / In a house out on the plains / Why Grafton Street brought you to mind / I really can’t explain.”
Griffith blazed a trail in the 80s for other female artists when it was difficult for them to break into a male-dominated world. She worked with many artists learning from them, mentoring others and just enjoying her craft. Thankfully we can always return to a beautiful catalogue of music “You’re a Saturday night / Far from the madding crowd”.
Wonderful written!
Even a wonderful Song! With James Hooker of ARA on piano and harmony?
James Hooker is an incredible musician and songwriter. Nanci and James wrote ‘Gulf Coast Highway’ together, which is a personal favourite of mine
Absolutely gorgeous.
Nanci could story tell like the best and that voice
Beautiful. I think Nanci is sadly under-rated, as I believe she was the ‘gateway drug’ into Americana music for many of us.
She certainly was the gateway for me for me opening up a whole world of new music. Only got to see her once live and she was brilliant.