Universal Music 20th Century Masters (series)

The Best of Nanci Griffith

Product Description:

Producers include: Nanci Griffith, Tony Brown, Glyn Johns, Peter Van-Hooke, Rod Argent.

Compilation producer: Mike Ragogna.

Includes liner notes by Robyn Flans.

Digitally remastered by Jim Phillips (Universal Mastering Studios, West North Hollywood, California).

This is a beautifully compiled anthology whittled down from the five albums Griffith made for MCA in the late '80s and early '90s. Interestingly, it all hangs together rather cohesively, despite the stylistic differences from album to album. The songs from STORMS and LATE NIGHT GRANDE HOTEL, the former a folk-rock album and the latter verging on Enya's New Age turf, are quite a bit different from the pure country of LONE STAR STATE OF MIND or LITTLE LOVE AFFAIRS. It's a tribute to the intelligence of Griffith's songwriting and her basic musicality that the songs hang together so well. Highlights are almost too numerous to mention; the best (certainly the catchiest) song might be the early "Once in a Very Blue Moon," but there's nothing here that's less than rewarding.