Blue Roses From The Moons
by Nanci Griffith

"Blue Roses for the Moons" is Nanci Griffith's 11th studio album and her third for the Elektra label, the follow-up to the Grammyominated Flyer. Often regarded as Griffith's weakest album, it's certainly not one of her finest. Griffith's vocals are recovering from an unfortunate encounter with cancer and treatment. The production is kind of scattered. Although many of the tracks are sentimental, as always, some of the tracks are much more rockabilly, or "folkabilly" according to Griffith, than usual. They are nice, but they certainly contrast with the super sentimental songs. Griffith collaborates with Nashville songwriter standard bearer Harlan Howard to write Maybe Tomorrow, And it sounds like it was lifted from the early 60s. It has that classic sound. Also of note, Griffith collaborates with the surviving members of the Crickets, Who went on to record after Buddy Holly's untimely death. They sing " I fought the law." Also of note is a nice remake of " Gulf Coast Highway" with Darius Rucker and a cover of Guy Clark's "She Ain't Going Nowhere." Clearly, she was heading in the direction of another covers album, which she followed up a year later with the album Other Voices Too the following year.

Track Pick: St. Teresa
Gem: Gulf Coast Highway