Nanci Griffith There's A Light Beyond These Woods CD

Griffith's first album, recorded live, without overdubs, and originally released on a tiny independent label in '78, shows an artist already fully formed; in fact, her folk and country influences are just about evenly displayed. Her plaintive, girlish voice takes a bit of getting used to, but it's used to good effect here, and the all-acoustic instrumentation provides a perfect backdrop. Highlights include the cowboy love song "Alabama Soft Spoken Blues" (which has particularly lovely background vocals), and the title song, a poignant memoir of a childhood friend.

Rick West (acoustic guitar, dobro, mandolin); Stephen Doster (acoustic guitar); Mike Williams (12-string guitar, chimes, background vocals); Tom Pittman (banjo); Tom Ellis (mandolin); John Hagen (cello); Richard Cooper (electric piano); Hugh Sparks (electric bass, background vocals); Paul Kelly (electric bass); The Cain Sisters, Maggie Graham, Franci Files, Frank Delvy (background vocals).

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Recorded at Pecan Street Studios, Austin, Texas between December 1977 & January 1978. Originally released on Philo (1097).

Personnel: Nanci Griffith (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar); Eric Taylor (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar); Mike Williams (vocals, 12-string guitar, chimes, wind chime, background vocals); Hugh Sparks (vocals, electric bass, background vocals); Frank Delvy (vocals, background vocals); The Cain Sisters (vocals); Stephen Doster (guitar, acoustic guitar); Richard West (guitar, dobro, mandolin); Rick West (acoustic guitar, dobro, mandolin); Tom Pittman (banjo); Tom Ellis III (mandolin); John Hagen (cello); Richard Cooper (electric piano); Paul "PK" Kelly, Paul Kelly (electric bass).

Recording information: Pecan street Studios, Austin, TX (12/09/1977-01/03/1978).

Photographer: Wayne Miller.

Personnel includes: Nanci Griffith, Eric Taylor (vocals, acoustic guitar);

Blister Pack

NAPRA Review (05-06/02, p.75) - "...A rich reminder of her deep-rooted talent, as well as a soulful showcase for her distinctively clear voice, poetic lyrics, and touching melodies..."