Maurice Hope – January 30, 2016 at 05:32AM
Tags:_AMERICANA
Oh, boy, oh boy what a treat this is! Not only for lovers of traditional country, (duet recordings especially), but for those involved, friends of Miller’s to get to perform this bunch of country standards.
Elizabeth Cook, current pin-up country girl Kacey Musgraves, jewelled voiced Lee Ann Womack plus seasoned pros Lucinda Williams and Kris Kristofferson and unexpected friend England’s own Richard Thompson head the list. A wonderful stylist and guitarist, Thompson like with those already noted performs superbly. Could this be an opening for more of the like from RT or is this just a one-way journey, whatever it is he helps Miller nail “Wedding Bells”. Like with a few more cuts leave the listener thirsting for more. Whether another record or if Buddy decided to take the album on the road with one or two of his friends and those that play on the record. Talking of which Larry Campbell, Fats Kaplin, David Jacques, Marco Giovino, Ian Fitchuk and Miller handle the bulk of the workload.
Among the magic moments on the record the one where you have Williams speak on the intro in her southern drawl of the virtues of being allowed to be on the record, and have such stellar players assist Miller and herself on “Hickory Wind” is pure magic. The strength of character of her singing, steeped in pedal steel and killer country production it is the daddy of them all regards highlights for me, and with Williams’ singing is as good as I have ever heard it few could argue.
Accentuated by Buddy’s relaxed style of recording some of the acts are heard like they have never been heard before, rising like salmon up a weir in autumn they rise to the occasions. It is especially nice to see the bubbly Elizabeth Cook play a part (“If Teardrops Were Pennies”) Richard Thompson comes through with flying colours, boy what a treat he is, like a duck to water he adapts to the job in hand. I love the informal opening of the recording as Buddy and Richard discuss the song, and Miller starts it away saying ‘let’s run it down’. Yes, I mention him twice because he deserves it!
Others of note to benefit include young starlets Jill Andrews on the Don Williams’ hit “Come Early Mornin’ (a strong duet with Miller; and with generous helpings of fiddle and pedal steel guitar it is a superb piece of work), Musgraves on “Love’s Gonna live Here”. You also have Shawn Colvin who used to sing in a band of Buddy’s many moons ago provide a version of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses”. One that is measured and moving. It is nice to see late bloomer Doug Seegers chime in with “Take The Hand Of Jesus”, one of Seeger’s own songs that sounds like one Charlie & Ira Louvin could have written. High praise indeed.
Closing up the package are Brandi Carlile and the Lone Bellow for John Prine evergreen “Angel From Montgomery”, and though they have big shoes to fill as in Bonnie Raitt and a bunch more who have covered it they make a good fist. There must be a follow up, are you listening Buddy Miller & Friends….
Maurice Hope
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