Like Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith has never been embraced by mainstream Nashville. In the long run, this has been a good thing, because all have remained true to their own sound, without consideration of compromise. Griffith has always been a more pristine folk-singer anyway, as this beautiful, understated album, one of her very best, indicates. Last of the True Believers is full of the cozy, delicate acoustic moments which Griffith gift-wraps for her listeners. And, like an oversized sweater, her listeners discover just how warm and welcoming these great songs can be. Key tracks: "Love at the Five and Dime," "Banks of the Pontchartrain," "Last of the True Believers"