CD Review
Bill Miller
Spirit Songs: The Best of Bill Miller
(Vanguard Records 79729-2)
by Gordon Baxter
Review date: October 2004
|
|
"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
| |
Although Bill Miller's name may not be very familiar to many, he has been recording albums for more than a decade. He left his hometown of Wisconsin to pursue a career as a singer/songwriter in Nashville in 1984. His biggest break came when he was asked to open for Tori Amos on her Under The Pink tour. It has not been an easy road, but along the way Miller picked up five native American Music awards in 2000 on the back of his album "Ghostdance." "Spirit Songs" brings together a tracks from six of Miller's albums starting with 1990's "The Art of Survival" and includes a couple of previously unreleased tracks.
Miller's style combines elements of popular (albeit folk-based) music with traditional Native American music to produce a sound that pays tribute to his heritage. On the opening two tracks for example, the inclusion of Native American chanting works really well, and adds an extra dimension to the songs. All of the songs here give the impression of having received the same attention to details as the Miller paintings that adorn the album's cover. The tunes may appear relatively simple, but the layers of instrumentation (such as strings and wooden flute) help to set them apart from the crowd.
The songs centre around Miller's guitar and vocals, with the latter hinting at Bruce Springsteen (think "Nebraska") in a couple of places. Miller also gets good support throughout from an uncredited cast of musicians. The harp on "Ghostdance," for example, and the penultimate track, "Love Sustained," is reminiscent of Bob Dylan, one of Miller's early influences. The latter track is one of two that were previously unreleased; they come from the World Cafe radio show on WXPN. The other is the closer, "Underneath The Blue Sky" which the liner notes suggest offers some insights into the musical direction that Bill Miller is currently following.
"Spirit Songs" offers a good overview of the recording career of Bill Miller. There are touches of Dylan, and even Springsteen in his delivery, and maybe even the Travelling Wilburys in a few places. The album works well on a purely musical level, but those prepared to dig a little deeper will find lyrics that deal with more spiritual matters. When Miller combines the music with Native American chanting, or uses wooden flute, the results are particularly effective. Anyone who appreciates good songs and/or Native American music will find plenty here to keep them entertained.
www.vanguardrecords.com
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by Gordon Baxter, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.
|
Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
Copyright © 2004 Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
|
|