Dave Miller – Party In the Pines
Nice to hear from an artist 5 days younger than me who cranks out good fun songs. The Arkansas-born Memphis resident has had a 5-decade career & ain’t slowing down. Dave Miller’s Party In the Pines (Drops Jan 23/Howlin’ Dog Records/51:23) has 14 tunes produced by Don Richmond (bass/dobro/fiddle/accordion/ mandolin/electric & pedal steel guitars/cedar flute/ harmony) & Mr. Miller (lead vocals/acoustic guitar/banjo).
The first impression that pours from Dave’s opening “Jaded Soul” is that his music is a distant cousin of John Prine. Miller’s voice has the same warmth & while his vocal isn’t exciting in its projection, it’s inspiring. He possesses sincerity. “Baby Loves The Wind” is loaded with a spray of accordion & acoustic guitar picking in a Spanish flavor.
Dave serves up music with storylines & can sound like a grandfather who sings to children on the floor, & other times he’s a checker player down at the country store who has a guitar. Some songs are upbeat & danceable. “Party in the Pines” ignites dancing feet across a sawdust floor. Dave establishes a good country-folk feel. “Loser’s Prayer,” while just an average ballad, carries with it the essence of the Carter Family.
The vocals aren’t gripping, but his honest emotion is without fault. His voice isn’t entertainment savvy, but more of a sermon. If not a sermon, a tale. If not a story, a recollection. It all leads to a showcase that replicates a lifetime of people, places & things through Mr. Miller’s memory.
Dave’s voice has the quiver & thinness of the legendary Ralph Stanley. Nothing produced has anything sticky-sweet. Dave’s arresting tone is ear-caressing & cohesive throughout the soft fabric of his voice. Can he kick hard? “Mama Raised a Fool” & “Memphis BBQ Blues” are about as close to country rock as he gets, & he’s good.
Not everything will resonate with everyone. A few are tasty numbers, but lay heavy like a greasy burger. It can be forgiven since the genre seems enamored with these types of tunes. “Greenhorn’s Lament” is a country novelty like Roger Miller. The countrified applications aren’t overwhelming. The rhythm oil would be palatable to those who aren’t country music enthusiasts. “No ants in my ears….” Fun music is fun music.
Highlights – “Jaded Soul,” “Baby Loves The Wind,” “Party In the Pines,” “Loser’s Prayer,” “Mama Raised a Fool,” “Greenhorn’s Lament,” & “Memphis BBQ Blues.”
Musicians – Eric Lewis (acoustic/electric guitars/dobro/lap steel/mandolin), Jimmy Stadler (piano), Paul Pearcy & James Doyle (drums), Robear Bosdorf (nylon string & acoustic guitars/harmony), Pat Hooper (bass), Lyn Jones (mandolin/harmonica), George Egbert (bongos), Caleb Clark (keys), Abbye West-Pates & Rhonda Schoenecker (harmony vocals).
Color image courtesy of Drew Fleming. The CD is a handsome 6-panel with color images & 16pp stitched lyrics insert. CD @ Amazon + Target & https://davemillercountry.com/
Video Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2025/10/30/video-premiere-dave-miller-nail-can/
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