GRACE GRIFFITH "My Life" Blix Street

GRACE GRIFFITH"My Life"Blix Street

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FANS OF Southern Maryland-bred singer Grace Griffith consider each of her recordings a blessing, and understandably so. After all, it's not often that one encounters a voice as lovely or as affecting as hers. Still, "My Life" stands apart and above, as one haunting and soulful performance follows another.

In the press materials accompanying the CD, Griffith, a multiple Wammie winner, notes that her new album is different because "it was recorded during a profound change in how I define myself. A lot of that change pertains to my experience with Parkinson's disease." The themes are often darker, adds Griffith, whose condition was diagnosed in 1998, "but I'm hoping this eyes-wide-open look at struggle makes the beacon . . . shine more brightly." As it turns out, the light Griffith intended to radiate is everywhere, illuminating her performances of contemporary and traditional tunes alike, as well as two poems set to music that contribute to the album's themes of hope, spirituality, wonder and gratitude.

Though Griffith previously recorded the CD's opening and title track, a fresh arrangement of the Iris DeMent ballad sets the mood for spell-casting performances of pieces by Jane Siberry ("Calling All Angels"), Susan Graham White ("Crossing Over"), Mark A. Simos ("Garden of Mysteries") and Fred Sisson ("Passing Thoughts"), among others. Griffith conveys what drew her to each lyric on such an obviously personal and spiritual level, it's hard to imagine any of the composers represented here wishing for a more heartfelt interpretation. Making the performances all the more expressive is a large and empathic lineup of Washington-based musicians that includes album producers Chris Biondo, Marcy Marxer and Lenny Williams.

-- Mike Joyce

Appearing Monday at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville and March 16 with Irish Fire at Baldwin's Station.