When "The Other Side" was released back in 2002, it received good reviews on both sides of the pond, and marked out Scott Miller and his band as an act worth keeping an eye out for. Eighteen months or so down the line the new album, "Days Of Reckoning," picks up right where "The Other Side" left off.
The album opens in a fairly rocky mood with "Bad Memory." Miller's vocals here have a slightly gravelly twang, which had me thinking of Chris Rea and even Paul Weller. A slightly unexpected opening then, followed by an even more unexpected twist on "Spanish Harlem Princess." As the name implies, there is a strong Latin jazz flavor to this one, with Miller's piano very much to the fore.
As if to prove that he has no intention of standing still, Miller then takes the band into the balladry of the title track. It is a real grower, and sounds like the sort of thing that Van Morrison probably wishes he had written. This leads into the excellent "Circle Of Fate," where Miller switches to mandolin, and the harmony vocals top things off nicely.
Fans of Miller's N'Awleans style pieces are treated to a trio of tracks in the middle of the album. Each of the tracks is original, regardless of the titles, although the first "40 Days and 40 Nights" is so good, it sounds like a classic. "Cry Me A River" gets a bit more funky, before Miller doffs his hat in the direction of Professor Longhair on the all too brief "P-Trap."
The only cover on the album is "Sugar Cane," a Sonny Landreth tune. Paul Mayasich does a great job on guitar on this one, whilst Miller plays mandolin once again. The band then slow the pace down on the ballad, "When I'm Gone." Another grower, this has shades of Dr John in one of his more reflective moments, and even the late great genius, Ray Charles.
The band get one last shot to get funky on "Knockin' On My Door" where Miller is once more in terrific voice. They are then dispatched to the side lines as Miller closes out with a cracking solo boogie woogie number, "You Rescued Me."
"Days of Reckoning" is a very worthy successor to "The Other Side." Miller demonstrates once more that he is a first rate musician, singer and songwriter, deserving of a much wider audience. The fact that all the songs were recorded live in the studio is testament to the quality of the rest of the band too. "Days of Reckoning" is a very fine album that will be appreciated by all blues aficionados, but particularly those who like blues (a) with piano, and (b) with roots in New Orleans.
www.scottiemiller.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.