Alex Miller – More Country Than You
From Lancaster, Kentucky, comes a traditional country & western “giant,” Alex Miller (vocals), who is a no-frills country stalwart. No pop excursions, no silliness, not even a ten-gallon hat & a pick-up truck picture. Just straight ahead 100% whole milk, shiny Tony Lama boots, a framed picture of Conway Twitty (“It’s Only Make Believe”) on the book shelf & clean fingernails. I like him.
These 10 songs that claim to be More Country Than You (Drops April 10/Billy Jam Records/34:08) were produced & recorded by Jerry Salley at the Gorilla’s Nest in Ashland City, TN. At 22 years old, you’d think Alex hasn’t lived long enough to have experienced any hard-edged country themes. Ah, but when you’re from the state of Kentucky Bourbon, you need only be born there to understand the genre. There’s also Kentucky Derby Pie, Mint Julep, bourbon balls, Kentucky Butter Cake, the Everley Brothers, Loretta Lynn, bluegrass giant Bill Monroe, Rosemary Clooney, Muhammad Ali & now Alex Miller.
Alex is genuinely good & has lots of influence in his showcase. I detect good parts of George Strait & on the opening number. A rollicking country-rocker “Too Much Fun,” isn’t driven by guitars – it’s propelled by Miller’s voice, nuclear-powered fiddle & a dash of steel guitar. While not necessarily novelty-oriented, it’s upbeat & tongue-in-cheek. The title track “More Country Than You” is anchored by a double dose of country vocals of Alex & his guest Emily Ann Roberts. The performance is in the spirit of what country music is all about, & it is good-humored.
“As Far As His Memory Let’s Her Go,” is a solid country ballad that any legendary singer would’ve covered – Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Merle & Waylon. It’s a gentle tear-jerker with poignant fiddle, & the value added is that Miller sings with authenticity. While Miller follows the recipe of country music closely, his themes & song lyrics explore areas that many like-singers avoid. He has cleverness in his songs & emphasizes words perfectly, giving the tunes personality. There are some lyrical clichés, but that’s part of the country’s oeuvre.
Tracy Byrd steps in to fatten the duet sound of “The Byrd,” a humorous, excellently arranged tune with serious implications, filled with multiple instrumental interplays. Wonderful. Fine acoustic & steel guitars welcome “Why Does My Heart Ache,” & I’m reminded of the earthy & perceptive work of country dynamo Grant Maloy-Smith, who’d be an ideal hookup for Alex.
Highlights – “Too Much Fun,” “More Country Than You,” “As Far As His Memory Let’s Her Go,” “The Byrd,” “Why Does My Heart Ache,” “Secondhand Smoke,” “Memories & Gin,”
Musicians – Steve Brewster (drums), Kevin Grantt (bass), James Mitchell (electric guitar), Mike Johnson & Eddie Dunlap (steel guitars), Gary Primm & Gordon Mote (keys), Jason Roller (acoustic guitar/fiddle), Jenee Fleenor (fiddle) & Jenny Salley (bgv).
Cover image courtesy of Stephen Johnson. CD @ Apple & https://www.alexmillercountry.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Alex Miller “My Daddy’s Dad”