Late Night Grande Hotel (studio album)
by Nanci Griffith

Late Night Grande Hotel is Nanci Griffith's eighth studio album and final attempt by MCA to turn her into a pop star with any real commercial appeal.

Griffith's knack for singinging folk songs that crossed over into pop and country is certainly entertaining, but it just did not gather enough momentum to become commercially successful.

Many seem to pan this final album from MCA as a sell-out attempt or an unfocused effort, but I would make the case that this is a solid record. If one disagrees with the somewhat dated production, one would have to look closer at the lovely material here. The opening and title track here are excellent. Fields of Summer and The Power Lines will also wow you.

Griffith pays tribute to fellow Texas singer-songwriter Vince Bell by recording his stunning song "Sun and Moon and Stars." I would argue the songs works better stripped down to its acoustic roots, but I still applaud Griffith's attempts to bring the song and the songwriter some deserved attention. Perhaps out of place is the Tom Waits cover, but I will leave that up to the listener. The only drag is the "One Blade Shy of a Sharp Edge," probably Griffith's worst song of the 80s, although it is kind of entertaining to hear Griffith's political frankness.

Though often overlooked or dismissed, Late Night Grande Hotel is yet another wonderful album, and brings Griffith's excellent MCA era to a close.

Track Pick: Late Night Grande Hotel
Gems: Sun and Moon and Stars, Power Lines, Fields of Summer