BUDDY & JULIE MILLER : IN THE THROES

  1. You're My Thrill
  2. In The Throes
  3. Don't Make Her Cry
  4. Niccolo
  5. I Love You
  6. The Last Bridge You Will Cross
  7. The Painkillers Ain't Workin'
  8. Tattooed Tear
  9. I've Been Around
  10. I'll Never Live It Down
  11. We're Leavin'
  12. Oh Shout

Label : New West Records

Release Date : September 22, 2023

Length : 43:10

Review (Written In Music) : Na een periode als bassist in bluegrasscombo’s schakelde Buddy Miller over op gitaar. Dat resulteerde in prachtige ongeëvenaarde klanken die uit de vintage Wandre’ gitaren opborrelen en naast talloze studiosessies vanaf de jaren negentig op zijn solowerk opduiken en in het verleden albums van Heather Myles, Emmylou Harris en Julie Miller sierden. Buddy was van meet af aan betrokken bij de seculiere studiosessies van Julie de zangeres, destijds nog actief in Contemporary Christian circuit die hij in de jaren zeventig in Austin ontmoette en in’81 huwde. Naast het voortreffelijke solowerk van Buddy zijn er bijdragen als gitarist en producer bij Julie’s solowerk. Buddy kon altijd al op de medewerking van countrydames rekenen. Vanaf 2001 volgen er in navolging van de legendarische countrytandem Dolly Parton en Porter Wagoner met lange tussenpauzes duetprojecten zoals Written In Chalk en Breakdown On 20th Ave. South met Julie in de hoofdrol als songwriter. Dat is weerom het geval op In The Throes, met uitzondering van Don’t Make Her Cry, een song die Dylan samen met gospelsista Regina McCrary componeerde en wegschonk aan Buddy, Julie personaliseerde en werkte die song verder uit. Dat resulteerde in een wonderlijke tedere ballade met het soulvolle zangwerk van Buddy op de voorgrond. “You’re My Thrill”, zingt Julie als de warme bariton van en het sfeervol resonerend snarenwerk van Buddy het wat zeurderige kinderstemmetje flankeren gebeurt er iets bijzonder in die prachtige slowburner. Het is de instinctmatige interactie tussen het duo dat ondertussen al ruim een halve eeuw een muzikaal verbond smeedde en de kwaliteit van Julie’s songwerk dat in het verleden gretig werd afgenomen door illustere collega’s. Een winnende combinatie die ook in de fel bijtende titeltrack imponeert en het al even gedreven, door banjo en gitaar aangesuurde, Niccolo. Bijzonder is de ingetogen, met cellotonen van Matt Slocum verluchte, pianoballade The Last Bridge You Will Cross met harmoniezang van Emmylou Harris. The Painkillers Ain’t Workin’ en de ongemeen rauwe blues van het door Julie gedebiteerde I’ve Been Around vormen een fel contrast. Vervolgens neemt Buddy het vocale voortouw over in een slepende akoestische passage I’ll Never Live It Down. In het door fiddle aangedreven We’re Leavin’ versmelten de stemmen en wordt meteen het afscheid aangekondigd. Bevlogen werkstuk van Buddy en Julie dat evenals het meesterlijke Breakdown On 20th Ave.South van intense schoonheid getuigt.

Review (Americana Highways) : There have been a handful of duos down through the years who were expressive & impressive. But in my system, I have Richard & Linda Thompson always right beside my Buddy & Julie Miller albums. The quality, originality & creativity never cease with duos such as this. The Thompsons no longer record together regularly but we have the Millers. Buddy & Julie Miller My son Lucas was not of this generation of music but ever since hearing Buddy sing “Written In Chalk,” he’s been an admirer of Mr. Miller. I was introduced to Buddy when I saw him perform with Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin & Shawn Colvin (“Three Girls & Their Buddy”). An excellent performance & introduction to a fascinating artist. Married 40 years the team of Buddy & Julie is indispensable. This is their fourth LP together with many of the songs written by Julie. Recorded in Nashville by Buddy the 12-motifs of In the Throes (Drops Sept 22– New West Records) features a wonderful track “Don’t Make Her Cry,” co-written by Bob Dylan with Julie Miller & Regina McCrary (vocals). These are the surprises a listener like me appreciates. If Elvis Presley had not passed away I’m certain he would have covered their “The Last Bridge You Will Cross,” which is superb. The songs on this CD spotlight Julie & Buddy solo, as well as a duo & that’s when it really cooks. “The Painkillers Ain’t Workin,” for instance is a signature style from the Millers & it’s excellent. What is also noticeable about this work is the well-proportioned balance between the types of songs featured. There’s no sameness to it, it’s all carefully plotted into a songcraft of individuality. Miller’s voice is not as stony – it more often sounds polished with age – “Tattooed Tear,” showcases Buddy with a warm plausible tonality. Julie’s “I’ve Been Around,” is quirky (similar to the wonderful Annie Golden style of “Fire In New Town” with Golden-Carrillo). This tune drifts along in a reminisce of “Come Together,” by The Beatles. The chugging guitars, drums & it’s actually cool coming from a female perspective. Their voices in unison are always ideal with their traditional vocal implementation, sufficient edge & a looseness to the music. They play off the other musicians & react to what they’re playing whereas orchestras follow a conductor. Quite the opposite. Highlights – “You’re My Thrill,” “Don’t Make Her Cry,” “Niccolo,” “The Last Bridge You Will Cross,” “The Painkillers Ain’t Workin,” “Tattooed Tear” & “I’ve Been Around.” Musicians – Fred Eltringham (drums/percussion), Viktor Krauss & Byron House (basses), Tim Lauer (keyboards), Stuart Duncan (fiddle/banjo), Matt Slocum (cello) with Emmylou Harris (vocals), Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams (vocals) & Gurf Morlix (vocals).

Review (AP News) : Buddy and Julie Miller have been wed for 40 years. Their latest album, “In the Throes,” celebrates the marvelous marriage of his rustic, raspy tenor and her eternally youthful alto. The 12-song set, which will be released Friday is filled with the Tennessee duo’s rootsy harmonies that bridge genres and are a model of an equal partnership. At times, either vocal line could be the melody, as with some Everly Brothers songs. The Millers also shine singing solo. Buddy’s at his plaintive, full-throated best on the ballads “Don’t Make Her Cry” and “I’ll Never Live It Down,” which showcase the Ohio native as a Southern soul man. His distinctive electric guitar work is equally compelling. Julie takes the lead vocal on “I’ve Been Around,” a delightful slice of bluesy bravado, dissonance and distortion punctuated by her antic shouts of “Hey! Hey!” She says the song came to her in her sleep, and she awoke to record it immediately in one take, which is just how it sounds. By contrast, “Don’t Make Her Cry” required years to complete – Julie, Bob Dylan and Regina McCrary passed it around and share composing credit. Julie is the sole songwriter on the other cuts, and there’s a recurring spiritual strain. “Niccolo” mixes sweet and savory pop and finds comfort in angels, while “The Last Bridge You Will Cross” pays reverent tribute to the late Rep. John Lewis for making love a weapon. The infectious country gospel singalong “We’re Leavin’” offers uplift, as does the simple ballad “I Love You,” where the Millers harmonize about the permanent bond that is a happy marriage.