(LP & CD, MCA, 1989)
Nanci Griffith grew up in Austin, Texas, and became part of the varied and vital music scene there before relocating to Nashville later in her career. She released her first album in 1978 and her catalog grew to 20 studio and live albums, plus a number of compilations. Her music melded elements of folk, country, and pop, and her record companies had occasional difficulties promoting her as it wasn’t easily classified. Later, when that more appropriate, more-encompassing classification of Americana came into usage (basically in the mid-1990’s) she became recognized as an artist whose work exemplified that genre.
Griffith’s songwriting was occasionally varied but often brilliant, characterized by both a real sense of humanity – a connection with human conditions and emotions – and a talent for melodic line and composition. A number of other artists had hits with songs she wrote, and she was known for mentoring and supporting other artists as well. Since her death, in 2021 at the relatively young age of 68, not one but two tribute albums have been produced by other musicians celebrating her life and music.
Storms was Nanci’s 8th album and I – a quite dedicated Griffith fan – have to say that it’s one of her best. It marked a move toward a more mainstream sound than her previous albums, which had leaned somewhat more toward folk and country styles. While some critics and purists were less than thrilled by that evolution, it was all to the good. By this time Griffith had developed a slightly softer vocal presentation than the sharper-edged sound that characterized her earliest work, though her voice was still unmistakably her own. The backing musicians are superb, including Albert Lee, Bernie Leadon (Eagles), and Phil Everly. Guitars, drums, synthesizer, and assorted other instruments are employed judiciously and to good effect. The album credits include the legendary rock producer Glyn Johns and mastering by the renown Doug Sax – both of those names being strong credentials for any album right there.
Her songwriting is consistently excellent here, showcasing some of what would become some of her best-known songs. “Drive In Movies and Dashboard Lights” is a great one, about a young girl who depends on her beauty without thought of the future consequences: “Someone should have told her, when beauty's all you offer, how soon the world discovers that your beauty's gone.”
“Listen to the Radio,” though not noticeably a country song, is a tribute to Loretta Lynn. Nanci sings of leaving “a good ole boy” in Mississippi and driving away in the rain, listening to the car radio. “Where would I be in times like these without the songs Loretta wrote? ‘Cause when you can't find a friend you've still got the radio.”
“It’s a Hard Life Wherever You Go” became something of a ‘signature’ song for her, a thoughtful and deeply meaningful observation and commentary about both the conflicts in northern Ireland and racism in America. It is simply an outstanding song, and Griffith considered it the finest she ever wrote. “If we poison our children with hatred then a hard life is all that they'll know.” And there are absolutely other first-rate songs on this album as well.
There is depth and solid soundstage to the production. The CD sound is really quite good, with the production values coming through fairly well. I have no qualms about recommending it. The LP is... well, unquestionably better, with that greater solidness and depth to the sound quality that the analog format can provide. In either format this is an excellent album, well worth seeking out. And it is available relatively cheap on Discogs. And – oh yeah – it is, I believe, available streaming, should you be one of those folks who prefer that in deference to the (IMO) superior sound of physical media.
ALSO RECOMMENDED
Dust Bowl Symphony (Elektra, CD only, 1999) – Here Griffith renders selected songs – including some of her best – with backing from the London Symphony Orchestra as well as other talented people. Just... wonderful. (I have sometimes used the version of “It’s a Hard Life Wherever You Go” on this as a stereo demo cut.)
The Complete MCA Studio Recordings (MCA, CD only, 2003) – This is a collection of all 4 of the studio albums Griffith did for the MCA label, including Storms. Not every song is a winner here, but many of them are! GREAT stuff, highly recommended.