Buddy Miller + The Majestic Silver Strings
Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 1:38AM
Famed Nashville guitarist Buddy Miller has achieved near-legendary status as a gifted sideman and Grammy-nominated producer on projects like Robert Plant's recent Band of Joy. But beyond Miller's skillful fretwork and finely tuned studio ear is a deep appreciation and encyclopedic knowledge of classic American roots music: the dusty musical intersection of raw and honest country, shuffling blues riffs, colorblind soul and the power of rock and roll. His inspired and inspiring new album Buddy Miller + The Majestic Silver Strings (March 1, New West) is a welcome culmination of Miller's unequivocal genius. With a world-class group of musicians including fellow guitarists including Marc Ribot (who also sings), Bill Frisell and Greg Leisz, Miller digs deep into re-imagined reworkings of classic country songs and a handful of fine originals.
The atmosphere is deceptively loose and laid back throughout the album's thirteen tracks as Miller and band -- along with guest vocalists such as Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin (who all toured with Miller last year as "Three Girls and Their Buddy") -- make the gently swinging precision come off not as a studious master class in Americana but rather a 2am barroom nightcap accompanied by a heavenly house band dragging out all their faves. This is great, often moody stuff, all brilliantly performed -- pretty much exactly what you'd expect from the caliber of players and singers involved. From the sweet pinings of "Return to Me" (with some wonderful Lee Ann Womack vocals) to a dark and dirty take on "Dang Me" (yeah, THAT one) to the exquisite album closer "God's Wing'ed Horses" (featuring Buddy and wife Julie), this one's, well, pretty darn majestic.
Buddy Miller + The Majestic Silver Strings (featuring Julie Miller) - "God's Winged Horse"
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