Nanci Griffith & Richard Thompson - Wall of Death [7-26-97]

[@reschrull]

Received a call from Nanci's management company to secure a "Nanci friendly" audience for this program. Put out the word on a list/serve (prior to things like Facebook) and in less than an hour I had reached the limit of the audience size they desired. Recorded mid-day it was for a program Sessions at West 54th. If my memory serves me correctly, the entire recording of the day was for a pilot initial broadcast prior to a decision that resulted in 3 seasons. Sadly, there doesn't seem to exist a recording of the full broadcast. So wish I could see it all again. After the performance/recording, there was a wonderfully connective time with Nanci, her road manager and lead of her management company, which I'll never forget. Was nice today to run into this video which brought back such fond memories. So sad that we lost her.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

Wall of Death, Richard Thompson. I'm all in.

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

Her accolade that Richard is, in himself, his own genre of music is true.

[@gregorychanin4225]

Sleep well Nanci... You will be missed 🌹🥂😞

[@shawnuel]

Oh man. Shoot Out the Lights and Last of the True Believers are 2 of the albums that have had the biggest impact on me over the past 40 years. Beautiful Collaboration.

[@ET-qw9vm]

Nanci's always had a quirky voice - but those who love her, love her a lot. So sad that she's gone so soon but her wealth of catalogue lives on. A truly odd pairing of Nanci's somewhat elfin voice with the overall power of Richard Thompson and this somewhat sacrosanct song - but it is a pleasure to watch as Richard tones it down a bit to meet Nanci's best efforts to keep up. She does, however. And her eagerness to try new things looks good on her - always.

[@bendrew6356]

I love this song so much...obsessed!

[@errolfellows409]

EXCELLENT! Nanci Griffith was music. Such jouy.

[@namcat53]

For those of us who've been Fairport Convention fans since 1968, Wall of Death is a powerful Richard Thompson song that needs his amazing electric guitar. His toned down guitar and the O.K. band with Nanci singing is really good, but seeing Richard and his band tear through this tune and blow the roof off the joint is the real thing.

[@Staylogical]

When the Spell is Broken from the Across a Crowded Room record is maybe the best break-up song ever written.

[@georgecav]

Sadly, perhaps only you and I know that!❤️ Great album also and great title - Across a crowded room. At a record signing of his that I went to years ago, everyone had rumour and sigh and he was pleasantly taken aback when I had that one

[@christopherallen9580]

Agreed I listen to it weekly and ponder past breakups

[@finalascent]

Every now and then, dear listeners, take some risks, even carefully calculated ones, and LIVE a little...

[@richardedwards5900]

Best version ever.

[@jimwoest5337]

Thank you to whoever put this up. Nanci sounds great, but this is one of the few times I've felt like she had to give everything she had to keep up.

[@whatsforafters7843]

My pleasure! Anytime RT would show up on USTV, I was glued to the set. Thanks for the note of appreciation, and glad you enjoyed it!

[@shawnuel]

Jim, Nanci had breast cancer in 1996 and thyroid cancer in 1998, and it definitely affected her voice for awhile. This was the most energetic performance I saw from her in that time frame.

[@jeffreyday2414]

not sure how long this has been up, but an amazing and surprising collaboration

[@countryandnorthern1]

Great combo

[@clintcraun4918]

That brave young man who had to accompany RT on electric guitar. I see he got the reaction after that lick at 1:48 (which may have made him nervous, proud, or both LOL).

[@reschrull]

Doug Lancio. My 78 year old Aunt Emmy was in love with him when I took her to a Nanci gig in Clearwater, FL.! LOL. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Lancio

[@danarzechula3769]

Loved you Nanci singing with the angels

[@brucesoehngen852]

I’m working on an acoustic version of this song and have used this live performance as inspiration. I just need to find someone with a strong high soprano harmony to sing it with me. Nanci has such great exuberance and is clearly enjoying the experience of singing this powerhouse song with the master songwriter. Linda Thompson is the classic female harmony but I believe in 1997 they were already divorced. Nanci does a fantastic job here. I also regret she passed on too soon.

[@namcat53]

I like the pedal steel on this and the way Nanci sings with an English accent.

[@ImJin-la]

Nanci Griffith will be missed!

[@JStarStar00]

RIP Nanci

[@hughbarton5743]

Oh wow....... Thanx......

[@kevinharrison3265]

Amen to that!🙏👍

[@alanleonard408]

Love this live version but l like the studio version the best.

[@garywhitt98]

Nanci had great taste in music…For all the Christians out there “has great taste in music.”

[@georgecav]

Wow this harmony duo so works! Almost better then with Linda in fact on this song is better. Extraordinary version…

[@johnweiss3748]

Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time You can waste your time on the other rides This is the nearest to being alive Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death You can go with the crazy people in the Crooked House You can fly away on the Rocket or spin in the Mouse The Tunnel Of Love might amuse you Noah's Ark might confuse you But let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death On the Wall Of Death all the world is far from me On the Wall Of Death it's the nearest to being free Well you're going nowhere When you ride on the carousel And maybe you're strong But what's the good of ringing a bell The switchback will make you crazy. Beware of the bearded lady Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time Oh let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time You can waste your time on the other rides This is the nearest to being alive Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death Let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death Oh let me take my chances on the Wall Of Death

[@andrewz4537]

Is that Richard's son on 2nd/rhythm guitar?

[@neilriddell2171]

Wonderful version. This one is great too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6awiIZpgdiCpdU&ab_channel=remhq