Now I confess I am not much of a lover of country music in its more traditional form but I have long been a fan of Nanci Griffith’s work, mainly due to her voice and the excellent songs she produces, many of which don’t cover your standard happy country ‘n’ western subject matter. This is her twentieth album and she has lost none of her storytelling gift, ably highlighted by the opening song ‘Bethlehem Steel’, an ode to a closed steel mill in Pennsylvania (used in ‘The Deer Hunter’ movie). She looks at her relationship with her father in ‘Bad Seed’ and covers a Loretta Lynn standard in ‘High On A Mountain Top’.
I really love the fast paced ‘Hell No (I’m Not Alright)’ which given the right exposure could bring in her a whole new audience, as could the gloriously laid back guitar solos on the blues meets country ‘Come On Up Mississippi’.
Not many artists can reach twenty albums and still have something to say, plus keep their vocal power. Even if you normally steer clear of all things country don’t miss this album or any of her work, it is well worth your time and effort.
Jason Ritchie
****1/2
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 24 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 26 November 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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