Music industry pundit Bob Lefsetz attended the Three Girls and Their Buddy show at the Greek Theater this past week, and he was most impressed by Buddy Miller. So impressed he included his thoughts in one of his recent newsletters. Check it out here.
For my money, Written In Chalk is far and away the best album of 2009 thus far.
Buddy Miller is featured in a cool article in this month's Mix magazine, discussing the recording process behind Written In Chalk. Highly recommended for my geeky - er, gearhead - readers.
Blurt interviews the always-great Buddy Miller. The interview was conducted in January, prior to the release of Written In Chalk (and Buddy's bypass surgery).
Also, here's a fantastic review of Chalk by Bully! Pulpit'sBrian Quincy Newcomb.
A few other reviews of Written In Chalk have trickled out in the past week, including No Depression editor Peter Blackstock's take (which also appears in the just-released second No D. "bookazine"). You might recall that Blackstock's co-editor Grant Alden penned the outstanding liner notes for the record.
It also appears that some June dates for Three Girls & Their Buddy (Emmylou, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy) have gone onsale. That's great news since it would seem to indicate that Buddy will back out performing by early summer. Here's hoping that he is on the mend and will get a chance to promote the new album very soon.
UPDATE: And a wonderful, detailed review from Jim Markel over at Swampland.com.
... Comcast has screwed me again, and the internet is out at the house. The upshot is I've had lots of quality time with my two favorite albums of the moment, U2's No Line On The Horizon and Buddy & Julie Miller's Written In Chalk.
I've already posted a review of Chalk, and my feelings about that record are and have been very uncomplicated -- I've loved it pretty much from the get-go.
Sometime in the near future, perhaps I'll pull together a coherent review of Horizon, documenting my complete reversal of opinion on this record. It has really snuck up on me, and I'm as surprised as anyone to find U2 once again being a relevant part of my daily listening experience. (Yes, Josh, I came around.)
What these two albums have in common is that they both have a whole lot to say - in much different ways, mind you - and are just what I need to hear these days.
Brady Blade returns as drummer and producer and brings along his usual contingent of Buddy Miller compatriots (Buddy guests on two songs). On DeMeyer's last album, the musicians were the main attraction; on this one, DeMeyer is front and center.
Tift Merritt - Buckingham Solo
I've been sorely remiss in not mentioning this one, just released last week. Tift alone on guitar and piano. Uh, yep, you NEED this album.
A very strong late winter for new releases. Better hit that record store quick!
It's tough for me to review Buddy & Julie Miller's new album Written In Chalk outside of the context of their larger body of work, which includes five Buddy solo albums, two Julie solo records (not including her previous Contemporary Christian albums), and a self-titled duo album. Though Written In Chalk is only their second co-billed album, everything with the Miller name on it since Julie's last CCM album Orphans & Angels has more or less been a joint effort, with Julie providing much of the songwriting muscle and Buddy handling the production and guitar duties. Every single one of these albums have been recorded in the living room setting of their home studio, with a stable of hyper-talented musicians who have become a tightly-knit extension of the Miller family.
The beginning for me can be traced to Buddy's second Hightone album Poison Love, which was released while Emmylou Harris'Wrecking Ball held me thoroughly in its grip. Buddy would go on to play guitar in Emmylou's band Spyboy for the better part of decade, the same span of time that produced the bulk of Buddy and Julie's recent output, particularly their albums for the Hightone label which came in rapid succession. Poison Love quickly led me back to Buddy's Your Love & Other Lies and Julie's Blue Pony, and from that point forward, I've been a very big fan of the couple's work (in case you hadn't noticed).
The couple's harmonies are as natural and instinctive as those of Gram Parsons and Emmylou, a comparison that has been made many times over. Buddy's instinct for classic country and Southern soul music somehow combines with Julie's witchy-woman persona to create something entirely their own. In many ways, Buddy's no-frills sensibilities run counter to Julie's naturalistic imagery, but they always manage to meet each other halfway. They sing Appalachian ballads with as much conviction as they do a Pops Staples tune. One generally assumes that making records requires a certain amount of ego, but if the Millers have any, it's difficult to detect. There is guilelessness to their records that belies the sheer amount of talent on display.
A switch to New West Records coincided with personal and physical difficulties in Julie's life, and Written In Chalk is only the second Miller album for the label, following Buddy's 2004 release Universal United House Of Prayer. Since about that time, Julie has quietly disappeared from public view, a development not likely to change anytime soon (she is notably absent from the promotional materials for Written In Chalk). But just seeing her name on the cover of this album is a welcome surprise, and hearing her in such fine form is heartening, to say the least.
The first voice you hear on Written In Chalk is that of longtime drummer Brady Blade, a laugh followed quickly by the counting off of beats. Larry Campbell's fiddle answers the call before Buddy's acoustic guitar introduces the song proper. "Ellis County" is among the finest duets Buddy and Julie have recorded, and the song transcends its obvious nod to nostalgia (Julie's family is from Ellis County, TX) by focusing on the simplicity of life without material comforts, a sentiment with particular relevance. As always, Julie's songwriting is deceptive in its directness, but she knows just when to throw in a curveball chord change or two for an emotional punch. Pulling punches is not something one associates with the songs of Julie Miller (she writes nearly every original song on the record), which can be almost disconcerting in their nakedness.
"Gasoline and Matches" is a sly nod to combustible romance and will lead many to believe there is more to the Millers' marriage than simplistic, doting affection. Similarly, the first of Julie's ballads "Don't Say Goodbye" will leave some listeners wondering about the stability of their relationship (though it's worth noting this is familiar territory for the Millers). Still, few write or sing about heartbreak as convincingly as Julie Miller. It's part of her unique gift that she seems so quirky and upbeat in public but has such a open connection to the darkness of the soul. Witness the disc's centerpiece "Chalk", which is brought home by Buddy with a wrenching harmony by Patty Griffin.
Interestingly, despite its co-billing, Written In Chalk often sounds like a solo record from either Buddy or Julie. Buddy shares vocals with guests on the album's three covers, not the least of which is a gritty version of Mel Tillis' "What You Gonna Do Leroy" with none other than Robert Plant (Miller was the guitarist for Plant and Alison Krauss on their recent tour). Regina McCrary, a key player on Buddy's last album Universal United House Of Prayer, stops by on two tracks. And Emmylou Harris closes the album in grand fashion on Leon Payne's devastating "The Selfishness Of Man," a sterling example of Buddy's ability to pluck obscure gems for his records. Julie grabs the spotlight for a handful of tracks, and her vocals achieve new heights with the smoky, almost jazzy "A Long, Long Time."
But of course, it's the duets that seal the deal. "Smooth" (aka "Memphis Jane") is a slithering snake of a song, that shows off the couple's multiple talents (especially Buddy's razor sharp guitar leads). And "June" is a tribute of sorts to Johnny and June Carter Cash, appropriate since many fans see parallels in the Millers. Though the album was reportedly - and obviously - pulled together from multiple sessions, it hangs together remarkably well, serving as a rather concise overview of the Millers' body of work. It lacks the thematic cohesion of, say, Universal United House Of Prayer, but in its place is a loose charm that sounds carefully crafted without feeling overworked. In short, Written In Chalk ranks among the best of Buddy and Julie's work, and that is high praise, indeed.
It's worth mentioning that a small cloud hangs over the release of this album, as Buddy Miller was forced to undergo emergency triple-bypass surgery less than two weeks ago. There is no more tireless presence in the world of Americana, and hopefully his recovery will mirror that of one of his heroes, Bob Dylan. But even if Buddy Miller never recorded or produced another record, his contribution to the world of music - my world of music, especially - would be enshrined forever. But I have a feeling that Written In Chalk is just the latest, not the last, entry in a body of work unmatched by just about anyone else.
(Written In Chalk will be released March 3 on New West Records.)
UPDATE: I got my official copy today, and I gotta say it one of the nicest packages I've seen in a while. The track-by-track descriptions by (former No Depression editor) Grant Alden are the most lovingly crafted liner notes I've read in ages. Major kudos to New West for the extra effort.
The Huffington Post'sSal Nunziato shows his excellent taste in calling Buddy & Julie Miller's new record Written In Chalk (due Tuesday) one of his faves of the year so far. I concur.
Nunziato also has a blog of his own called Burning Wood, where he reveals himself to be a bit of Buddy fanatic (also a sign of excellent taste, thanks very much).
Man, this is shocking news. Buddy Miller suffered an apparent heart attack in Baltimore on Thursday and underwent triple-bypass surgery. Some more details here.
It's a great relief to hear that the surgery was successful, and here's hoping and praying for Buddy's full recovery. Buddy & Julie Miller's new record Written In Chalk will be released on March 3. Naturally, I hope Buddy will have the chance to get out and support the new album, but above all, I wish him a complete recovery, however long that takes.
UPDATE: I received the following statement from New West Records:
Following his show in Baltimore last Thursday evening, Buddy Miller was not feeling well. After consulting doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital, tests revealed some heart blockage. It was determined that surgery was needed right away. He is now resting and recovering and expected to be released from hospital shortly. Buddy and his family would like to thank all for their well wishes and prayers.
If you'd like to send wishes to Buddy you can send them to: PO Box 120479, Nashville, TN 37212
Glad to hear that they caught it before Buddy actually had a heart attack.
You can download the opening track "Ellis County" from Buddy & Julie Miller's new album Written In Chalkhere, or by visiting their New West page. While you're there, you can also enter a contest to win a Fender Buddy Miller Signature Acoustic guitar!
