Nanci Griffith
scored a major crossover hit with
Storms
(1989). After four long-players for the primarily
country
-intensive
MCA Nashville
, she switched to their
pop
division thanks in part to the overwhelming critical and popular acclaim she had gained from her previous studio effort,
Little Love Affairs
(1998). Many purists were critical, but along with legendary producer
Glyn Johns
Griffith
unfurled some of her finest musical stories to date. Joining her backing band,
the Blue Moon Orchestra
, are the intriguing aggregate of
Bernie Leadon
(guitars/mando-cello/vocals),
Jerry Donahue
(guitar),
Phil Everly
(vocals), and
Albert Lee
(vocals). Once again,
's crystalline-toned resonance weaves almost hypnotically through her realistic and acoustic-based neo-
folk
Americana
. Lyrically, her poignant poetry reveals characters that seem wrought with equal measures of vulnerability and fortitude -- such as "sister" in
"Drive-In Movies and Dashboard Lights"
or the semi-autobiographical narrative "backseat driver from America" on the international breakthrough
"It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go."
Former
Amazing Rhythm Ace
and
Blue Moon Orchestra
co-founder
James Hooker
(keyboards/vocals) co-wrote several tunes with
, including
"Radio Fragile"
-- their upbeat tribute to
Phil Ochs
. Among the other sides to have gained significant favor as live performance staples are the infectiously melodic
"Listen to the Radio"
and the more pensive
"Brave Companion of the Road."
Not to be missed is another
Hooker
/
collaboration on the stone gem
"You Made This Love a Teardrop"
-- with the aforementioned
Everly
on co-lead vocals. While curious enthusiasts have speculated that
was a commentary on the artist's concurrent life off-stage, it poised her for the even more
-oriented follow-up,
Late Night Grande Hotel
(1991). ~ Lindsay Planer