HIGHTONE RECORDS
COUNTR
Buddy Miller
songwriting for the Dixie Chicks, Lee Anne Womack and John
Mayall amongst many others.
Ohio born and Nashville
resident Buddy Miller
All of which, naturally signals another very fine compilation
is one of country
indeed, which kicks off with The River’s Gonna Run, one of
music’s truest stars
four duets with his wife Julie on this set. The opening lines set
and amongst those
the scene, with typical Miller economy, for much of what’s to
Y AMERIC
who know, a doyen
come, as he bemoans “I’ve got a hole in my pocket, I got a
of the genre. As these
tear in my heart, I got a door can’t unlock it, I live in shadows
words are written, he’s
in the dark.” My Love Will Follow You from his debut follows
adding guitar to the
the Americana blue print to a tee, but by the third track, I
live experience of the
Can’t Get Over You, we’re into the first of the aching ballads
Mercury Music Prize
that grace the CD. Whether acoustic or electric, like the reverb
nominees Robert Plant
drenched That’s How Strong My Love Is, Buddy finds some
real tenderness and whole heap of soul in the delivery.
ANA
and Alison Krauss’ global tour. What’s the betting that he’s
adding the crucial twang factor with a beloved, vintage
It’s not all downbeat stuff, however, with When It Comes To
Wandre guitar and a Vox AC30 with the tremolo up, as he
You having an almost JJ Cale shuffle feel. Hole In My Head
has for so many others??
playfully informs a prospective partner that that’s how much
Indeed Miller’s collaborations and productions read like a
he needs her. All in all, this is a great introduction to a man
who’s who, with Emmylou, Solomon Burke, Shawn Colvin,
who has probably spent more time in the band than centre
Patty Griffin, Linda Rondstadt, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch,
stage, but who has total respect from his peers this evidence
Allison Moorer and Steve Earle amongst those that have
it’s easy to see why.
called on Buddy in one way or another. And that’s without the
Tom Russell
of memories, with the object desperately salvaged from a
fire. There’s a reprise too, for Haley’s Comet, (see Dave Alvin
Genius is a word that
above), but here it’s reshaped in a Tex-Mex style pumped
is overused, except in
along by the accordion.
the case of Tom Russell
where its probably not
Disc two brings the collection up to date with more of
used often enough, or
Russell’s astute commentary. His El Paso base increasingly
at least widely enough.
focuses his ire as the difference between the Tex and the Mex
This double disc set is
becomes more pronounced. Stealing Electricity and Who’s
all the proof you need.
Gonna Build Your Wall are scalpel sharp at the rotten heart.
But spare a thought and a wish for The Pugilist At 59. No cross
Apart from having led an
is easy to bear.
extraordinary life, he is
a musician of incredible
This set comes on like an epiphanic production line. Play it
vision. He is also a
and a revelation might just land in your lap.
tireless champion of the underdog, the dispossessed and the
Simon Holland
down trodden. His pen frequently pierces the heart of the rank
hypocrisy that threatens to sour the American dream. But in
keeping with his adventurous character he also sees the joy in
our humanity, without prejudice.
His voice tumbles out like a cross between Johnny Cash
and Lee Hazelwood on these 37 hand picked tracks. Shawn
Colvin, Barance Whitfield, Nanci Griffith, Iris Dement, Dave
Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmour pepper disc one with guest
collaborations, but there’s no doubting the star of the show.
The second track, Cropduster, sets out Russell’s store
perfectly with his love of the Puerto Rican women farm
labourers and flying his plane too close to the ground. If he
crashes he suggests making wine from his remains, vintage
“cropduster49.” US Steel nails the truth of the decline of home
grown industries, it’s not just the products, it’s peoples lives
that are sacrificed as high economics decrees production
moves to cheaper environs. Who really gains when so many
lose? Navajo Rug tells of a furtive tryst and the real value
Properganda 0 9
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