Gig review: Nanci Griffith

Published on Monday 8 February 2010 18:05

NANCI GRIFFITH *** QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH

AS THE title of her new studio album tells us, Texan country singer Nanci Griffith is The Loving Kind, and despite the occasional political interjection this show was infused with a delicate, romantic spirit. That said, there is a certain steely force of personality running through her music.

Griffith, greying hair tied back in a neat bun and wearing a long black coat, was joined by two members of her band The Blue Moon Orchestra, guitarist Thomm Jutz and drummer Pat McInerney, and the trio crossed the dividing line between commercial country and older folk traditions with confidence.

A slew of fan favourites were present, including Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, From a Distance, Love at the Five and Dime and covers of Buddy Holly's Well Alright and the Rolling Stones' No Expectations in the encore.

The quality ran deep throughout, with an a cappella The Road to Aberdeen and Where the Blue Bonnets Grow forming a gorgeous diptych about her ancestors' transatlantic migration from Scotland, and Listen to the Radio paying tribute to Loretta Lynn, who excited Griffith as a young girl because she just didn't care. That's not an accusation which can be levelled at our hostess here, however.