Buddy and Julie Miller "Written in Chalk"
New Album from Americana Couple for 2009
Although musical spouses Buddy and Julie Miller often appear on each others’ albums, their new album, Written in Chalk, is only the second album that they have recorded together as a duo. The last one, 2001’s Buddy and Julie Miller, was a groundbreaking album in Americana music, winning Album of the Year from the Americana Music Association.
It took eight years for the duo to follow it up-- preferring to work on their own albums-- but “Written in Chalk” is a powerful, eclectic, and all around excellent sequel.
Buddy Miller’s Guitar Work and Julie’s Songwriting Shine on “Written in Chalk”
Written in Chalk starts out strong with a Julie Miller penned tune “Ellis County.” The song is an ode to simpler times, and the lyrics express it perfectly, evoking the happy times of youth, even “when all we could afford was laughter.”
“Gasoline and Matches” follows “Ellis County,” and is the hardest rocking song on the album. This song is full of toe tapping goodness, and the sexual tension between husband and wife is palpable through the speakers. The bluesy swing of “What You Gonna Do Leroy,” will along leave listeners dancing in their chairs.
The most striking song on the album is “Long Time,” a divergence from anything that either Buddy or Julie has done before. This torch song, an achingly slow jazz tune, showcases Julie Miller’s amazing voice. Her voice is delicate, almost childlike, reminiscent of Rickie Lee Jones at her best. “Long Time” does not exactly fit on this Written in Chalk, but its beauty would make it shameful to leave out.
Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, and Patty Griffin Sing Along on “Written in Chalk”
Many of Buddy and Julie’s friends show up on Written in Chalk. Some of their special guests include:
- Robert Plant-- on “What You Gonna Do Leroy.” Buddy Miller recently toured with Robert Plant and Allison Krauss on their “Raising Sand” tour.
- Patty Griffin-- on “Don’t Say Goodbye” and “Chalk.” Buddy Miller has produced for Patty, and was touring with her, Shawn Colvin, and Emmylou Harris as “Three Girls and Their Buddy” until February, 2009.
- Emmylou Harris-- on “The Selfishness Of Man” Buddy Miller was lead guitarist for Emmylou’s backing band Spyboy for many years.
Half Buddy Miller Album, Half Julie Miller?
One misgiving about Written in Chalk is that it does not feel like a true collaborative album. Only “Gasoline and Matches” was written by both of them. The album is half songs in Buddy Miller’s guitar driven Steve Earle-esque country style, the half in Julie Miller’s gentle singer-songwriter style.
This rift does not take at all away from the album, but it does make the listener wonder if it would be better to get a full albums from each of them, rather than a collaborative album.
Buddy Miller Recovering From Recent Heart Attack
In February, while on tour with Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Shawn Colvin (Three Girls and Their Buddy), Buddy Miller suffered a heart attack. Buddy underwent triple bypass surgery soon after.
According to the “City Folk” radio station, WFUV-New York and DJ Darren DeVivo, Buddy is recovering well and may even be returning to the stage as early as June. This author wishes Buddy Miller the best of health, and hopes to see him in concert soon, backing up this stellar album.
Buddy Miller in Concert
|
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles