Mark Miller – This Bridge
An interesting collection with a mix of autobiographical & second-hand storytelling framed by finger-style guitar picking & polished vocals by Nashville-born & Georgia-raised Mark Miller. There is a host of award-winning musicians who help fill this album out with lush, warm, guitar-driven roots tunes like Mark’s PR outlines.
Miller writes about Appalachia, Hurricane Helene, touches upon the Vietnam War, the effects of PTSD & reconciliation. Heavy-duty stuff, which is often not tackled by average songwriters. Mark also has topics such as the disappearance of the small American farm.
There are 9 song girders on This Bridge (Drops Oct 24/Blue Betty Records/33:28) produced by Robin Dean Salmon (former See No Evil guitarist/vocalist) in GA. A strong LP structured within the genre of country storytelling. Musically, the LP has a nourishing, pristine sound & good production values. The opener “The Newport” is light, with brush strokes on the snare & gentle acoustic picking throughout the semi-dramatic reading. It’s a well-arranged tune with drive without being a drag. Clear sailing melody. Mr. Miller has a liberated vocal tone that’s just enough country without being too rural.
Some songs lean more into a mainstream pop standard but maintain Miller’s quality & sensitive vocals. He has a varied style & changes tone enough to keep his singing interesting. The lyrics are creatively written. Words not often used by average lyricists. He flourishes in topics that aren’t posed by songwriters. “Lullaby of Fear” is exceptional in the words & melodic texture. Gentle performance yet, with musical strength.
A little rockier is “That Was Me,” with brief lead guitar & a carpet of Hammond B3 organ notes. This establishes Miller’s more aggressive voice. There isn’t anything terribly compelling or challenging, but what’s basically provided are good, well-written songs that are soothing, delicate stories, sung in earnest & bordering between country roots & folky traditions. What Miller may need eventually are a few edgier songs, aggressive arrangements, & pricklier subjects. I suggest this because he has the voice for such potential. He’s more Eric Anderson than Kenny Rankin with more Townes van Zandt than Dan Fogelberg.
“Farmer’s Prayer” is stylistically charming with an accordion & is wonderfully enthusiastic. The finale, “Maddie’s Dream,” is in a Tom Paxton tradition. Good too.
Highlights – “The Newport,” “Lullaby of Fear,” “That Was Me,” “From the Wreckage,” “Farmer’s Prayer,” “Back To Livin”’ & “Maddie’s Dream.”
Musicians – Mark Miller (acoustic &12-string acoustic guitars/vocals/bgv), Simon Martensson (electric & electric baritone guitar/Hammond B-3/electric bass), Mike Waldron (electric & electric baritone guitar), Jeff Taylor (piano/accordion/Wurlitzer/marxophone), David Ellis (mandolin), Dennis Parker (mandolin/banjo), Drew Lawson (electric & upright bass), & Paul Barrie (drums).
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