Trouble in the Fields: An Artists' Tribute to Nanci Griffith

After some 35 years of recording, Nanci Griffith was long overdue for a tribute album. This eclectic assortment of tunes reflects the depth and diversity of the Texas singer/songwriter’s catalog. Griffith’s work is known for its poetic skill, narrative clarity, and melodic richness. The tracks on this album (co-produced by Nanci’s longtime bandmates Pete and Maura Kennedy) remain faithful to her folk/country/pop sound while adding new twists and embellishments. Jerry Jeff Walker’s laid-back “Talk to Me While I’m Listening,” Amy Rigby’s nostalgic “The Flier,” and Caroline Hester’s quietly passionate “I Don’t Wanna Talk About Love” connect with Griffith’s more bittersweet side. Feisty, upbeat tracks like Sara Hickman’s “Listen to the Radio” and Red Molly’s “Lookin’ for the Time” are balanced by the thoughtful spirit of Caroline Doctorow’s “Trouble in the Fields.” Though most of the arrangements lean toward acoustic folk, Eric Brace & Last Train Home’s moody, slide guitar-driven reworking of “I Wish It Would Rain” and Julie Gold’s piano-pop version of “Anyone Can Be Somebody’s Fool” take creative chances that pay off handsomely.