Nanci Griffith opened her European tour at Leamington Spa and it was a welcome dose of understated class and oozed quality throughout.
First up was the British singer/songwriter Edwina Hayes who has supported Nanci before. If anything her voice which was always pure and powerful seemed to have got better and she delivered a short set that mixed covers and her own songs. Covers included "I can't escape from you"(Hank Williams) and "Feels Like Home"(Randy Newman). I think I'll take in one of her gigs when she's in the Midlands.
Nanci came on with three band members, bass, drums and guitar and whilst the drummer was with her last time the other two were new to me. The tour was billed at "The Loving Kind" tour which is her latest album and a return to form - Nanci was too depressed to write songs whilst Dubya was pres. However there weren't that many songs from the new album, maybe five in total so the majority of the gig was back catalogue.
She kicked off with "Speed of Loneliness" followed by "From a Distance" two classics delivered with feeling. A few tracks later we had two further classics in "Listen to the Radio" which evokes Loretta Lynn and "Love at the Five and Dime". "Ford Econoline" was followed by my particular favourite that makes the gig worthwhile just to hear that one track, "Across the Great Divide". The band was perfect for this track - relaxed bass and great harmonies from J T Brown and sweet twang from Thomm Jutz on guitar and that is one track that she sings just to perfection.
"Well Alright" kicked off the encore - paying homage to the local Texas boys that wrote and played that particular tune.
I loved the intimate sound of the band and whilst Nanci's voice may be starting to feel the strain she paces herself between tracks and gets through the gig without any problems. I can't wait for the next tour.
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