Review of Grace Griffith’s ‘Passing Through’

Washington D.C. based Celtic singer Grace Griffith does nothing other than impress on her new album, Passing Through.

The album consists of 13 tracks that show its listeners Griffith’s angelic and smooth voice when she covers Celtic folk classic’s including “Brigid’s Shield” and “Water, Fire and Smoke” (which she sings acoustically). Along with the traditional Irish and Scottish tracks, Griffith also sings along to several English compositions of poems and prayers like Sydney Carter’s “Loud Are The Bells of Norwich.”

Passing Through not only shows off her straight from heaven pipes but also surprises showing absolutely no signs of Griffith’s ailing health. The singer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1998 and has been suffering since.

Since her last release, Sailing, was released in 2010, the ill songstress took album two years to fully complete the album, privately recording it during and after she moved into assisted living last February.

However, her album proves that sickness is no excuse to not shine. Griffith sings with passion that shows nothing but honest and raw talent with the occasional accompaniment of a Celtic harp and guitar.

All 13 tracks deserve a listen but in the end her acoustic singles like “The Woodthrush” and “The Leaves of Autumn” are to die for.

Overall Passing Through gets five out of five stars for its beautifully performed modern, folk and Celtic tracks sung by the lovely Grace Griffith.