Love at the Five and Dime: Remembering Nanci Griffith

A heartfelt celebration of the songs and spirit of Nanci Griffith, performed by musicians who knew her work inside out.

Nanci Griffith was one of the most distinctive and beloved voices in contemporary folk and Americana. Emerging from Texas in the late 70s, she became known for her crystal-clear vocals, poetic storytelling, and an unmatched ability to bring characters and places vividly to life. Her songs – among them From a Distance, Love at the Five and Dime, Gulf Coast Highway, There’s a Light Beyond These Woods and Listen to the Radio – combined emotional honesty with literary grace. Revered by fellow songwriters and adored by audiences, she won a Grammy in 1994 and left a catalogue that continues to resonate long after her passing in 2021.

Clive Gregson, knows these songs from the inside – a consummate guitarist, mandolin player and songwriter in his own right, he toured as a member of Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra from 1996 to 2007. Nanci’s recording of I Love This Town – written by Clive and released as a single in 2006 featuring Jimmy Buffett – became a radio hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Clive’s musical story is a rich one, taking in the cult band Any Trouble, a spell with Richard Thompson’s Band, and as part of the acclaimed duo Gregson and Collister. Beyond his own performances, his reputation as a songwriter has seen his work recorded by artists including Kim Carnes, Fairport Convention, Claire Martin, Norma Waterson and Smokie.

Joining him are Stockport-based sisters The Hayes Sisters – Angela and Cathryn – whose close harmonies and distinctive style evoke The Roches and The McGarrigles. Long-time admirers of Nanci Griffith, their vocal interpretations of her songs are uncannily spot-on. Clive first worked with the sisters while producing their debut album Another Man’s Shoes. A shared love of Nanci Griffith’s songwriting sparked the idea for this collaboration, and together the trio bring a deeply personal and affectionate take on her remarkable catalogue.

Fans of The Guilty Men will remember Clive from their stunning Junction show last spring – an evening that’s already entered Goole music lore. This show looks set to do the same.