Nanci Griffith

Flyer



Flyer
(Elektra 1994)

This album shows that Nanci hasn't yet lost her touch when it comes to writing and performing her own songs. This is probably her strongest batch of tunes since the Philo era, and it's easily a better production than most of the MCA albums. It's all over the map with regard to style, but the lyrics are among the most personal and heartfelt ever to come from Nanci's pen. From the pure folk of "Fragile," which brilliantly recalls her earliest work, to the funked-up rockabilly of "This Heart," Nanci covers all the musical bases. Peter Collins' production is very good, but the arrangements get pretty busy -- each member of the huge cast of big-name players had to have a turn! Though the album as a whole may lack a sense of musical cohesiveness and may be a bit overproduced, as a collection of memorable songs it's a success.

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