Grace Griffith

 

 

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The songs are beautiful and the voice even more so

Grace Griffith is the Vocalist/Guitarist who is one half of the team that forms the nucleus of the East Coast Celtic group "Connemara". This is her first solo release (actually a re-package of "Every Hue and Shade", minus a few tracks and also adding a few tracks), and it is a package of very soothing, beautiful heartfelt folk music. Although in "Connemara" Grace strickly performs Celtic Music, in "Grace" she expands her horizons to not only include Celtic, but also American folk and even the famous Gershwin showtune from "Porgy and Bess", "Summertime". Grace is joined by a number of impressive musicians including past and present members of "Connemara", Martin Simpson on the very `Country` feeling "When My Ship Comes In", Celtic percussionist Myron Bretholtz, Zan McLeod, and guitarist Al Petteway. There is a very jazzy feel to the impressive "Hold me Forever", with some really great sax playing by Bob Read. Most of this album ventures into the Celtic territory that Grace really shines in and the album opens with the thought provoking "Water, Fire and Smoke", which asks us to remember Mother Earth, and the Ancient Celtic religion. Next is "Star of the County Down" (Nice to hear the vocals, as most versions today are instrumental), then a great version of Dougie Maclean's "Turning Away". The most mystic Celtic experience comes with "The Quiet Land of Erin", followed by a musical version of the W.B.Yeats poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" here performed with beautiful interactions between Griffith and guitarist Petteway. Griffith and Martin Simpson both conjure up pagan Celtic visions on "Demeter's Daughter", and the album closes with "Connemara" performing the cut "Sailing/Ships are Sailing" from the album "Siren Song". If before you listen to this album you were a Tiger, when you finish listening you be a sweet little lamb. To sum up, the interaction between all the fine musicians and Grace's smokey, lush and often mystic and evocotive voice makes for a very satisfactory listening experience. This album will leave you wanting to run to the woods to purify and renew yourself to worlds long forgotten. The good news for fans of Grace and "Connemara" is that Grace is now in the midst of preparing a second solo release, which hopefully will arrive soon. (Please also see reviews of "Connemara's" `Beyond the Horizon` and `Siren Song` also located on this web-site---Dennis R. Stone

You will not be able to get enough of her music or her voice. I have played this CD more times than I can count. I have passed it along to friends who have had to purchase their own copies. Grace's voice is reminiscent of Judy Collins in her folk days...strong, honest, clear. Her choice of music is varied and exciting. Grace is a singular talent and I hope she records again soon.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A great recording for quiet meditation or just background.
I bought this album after hearing a Grace Griffith recording of "Demeter's Daughter" at an Easter Sunrise service and then hearing her live at a Celtic service at our... Read more

Published on Sep 14 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a crystal clear, cool running, spring-fed brook!!
Grace's voice is itself all the music needed to put a listener in another dimension. The guitar, fidddle or mandolin, which may accompany her on occasion, are redundant. Read more

Published on Sep 6 1998 by mpalmer@crosslink.net

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