Once in a Very Blue Moon
Nanci Griffith · 1984
38 min · 13 tracks · country music
A tender blend of folk and country that weaves storytelling with emotive melodies and delicate instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ghost in the Music Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Roseville Fair — This track showcases Griffith's ability to create vivid narratives through song, capturing the essence of longing and nostalgia within a simple yet poignant melody.
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Once in a Very Blue Moon — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of love and fleeting moments, featuring a hauntingly beautiful arrangement that highlights Griffith's vocal prowess.
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Love Is a Hard Waltz — This song combines a traditional waltz rhythm with reflective lyrics about the complexities of love, demonstrating Griffith's distinctive lyrical style and musicality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but doesn't stand out significantly in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of acoustic instrumentation, with guitar and piano as the primary instruments across most tracks.
- Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, allowing for storytelling that unfolds gradually throughout the lyrics.
- Several tracks incorporate harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic storytelling journey
- reflective moments of nostalgia
- short tracks for focused listening
- intimate tunes for quiet evenings
- poignant tales of love and
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy music
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album established Griffith's presence in folk and country, gaining critical acclaim.
- Themes
- Roseville Fair nostalgia· fleeting love moments· small-town longing
- Career context
- Once in a Very Blue Moon is Nanci Griffith's debut album, released in 1984 when she was still establishing her presence in the folk and country music scenes. At this time, Griffith was transitioning from performing in local venues to gaining national recognition, setting the stage for her subsequent breakthrough.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mary Chapin Carpenter· Lucinda Williams· Kate Campbell
Tracklist
- 1 Ghost in the Music Start here 2:47
- 2 Love Is a Hard Waltz 3:08
- 3 Roseville Fair 2:56
- 4 Mary & Omie 4:25
- 5 Friend Out in the Madness 2:40
- 6 I’m Not Drivin’ These Wheels (Bring The Prose To The Wheel) 3:16
- 7 Time Alone 1:58
- 8 Ballad of Robin Winter-Smith 3:14
- 9 Daddy Said 2:33
- 10 Once in a Very Blue Moon 2:31
- 11 If I Were the Woman You Wanted 3:53
- 12 Year Down in New Orleans 2:26
- 13 Spin on a Red Brick Floor 2:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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