Phil Madeira – The Millionth Mile
Not bad. Though it follows the Americana map with themes about the road, gratitude, friendship & making music. Yawn? But wait. Phil has a distinctive voice; the musicians have a crisp approach & the lyrics aren’t trite at all despite a few cliches. Phil’s been around the barn a few times since he’s marking his 50th year as a pro. There is nourishment in these pieces.
“Luckily,” the opener — roots music aside. This has a penetrating easy-listening style that even Bobby Darin could have appreciated. Following is the tightly played “Hippie Chick Singer” (Emmylou Harris?) with dynamic fiddle sawing (it’s not Roy Clark), savoring piano, & Madeira’s pop-tinted vocals in a near-novelty-oriented tune with cliches buzzing around like bees around the sheet music. But…but…the tune is catchy. In the ‘60s this would have been chart-bound. Toward the coda, the song even kicks into a more soulful groove with well-brewed backup singers.
Produced with skill & good sound by Phil (electric & acoustic guitars/organ/Hammond/piano/lap steel/Wurlitzer/ vibraphone/mellotron), the album has 10 freshly minted tunes that dominate The Millionth Mile (Drops Sept.15/Mercyland Records/43:15). The jewel comes early with “Medicine,” a piece that has the inventiveness & muscle of Tim Hardin, Lee Hazelwood & Chip Taylor. Well done.
Not to lose momentum, Phil goes into a deeper tone on “To Win Her Heart,” & the cliches are evaporating. This is invariably a cool ballad, well-arranged, & showcased. It’s warm, sincere, & a late-night feeling pervades. The Country melancholy is ideally placed, but there’s integrity in the lines. The atmosphere is shaped with care. The angst comes from the backup singer & the confidence & hope to win her heart remain in Phil’s voice. Nicely played.
It’s hard to touch upon themes in rootsy music not done to death. Phil colors these pages with pastels instead of bright campy colors. The “Driving Record” is more nostalgic than synthetic. The sawing fiddle has sparks, the guitars have splendor, & there’s a slight J.J. Cale breadth within these notes. Phil asserts himself well with his vocals & surrounds himself with good musicians.
There’s no doubt creativity went into this project. Singing deeper on “The Hard Side of Life,” but not as deeply as J.D. Sumner (of The Stamps on Elvis’ “Why Me Lord?”). Phil’s voice shares some melodic shadows from that Kristofferson song.
Good, nonetheless. Like all the tunes here.
Highlights – “Luckily,” “Hippie Chick Singer,” “Medicine,” “To Win Her Heart,” “Driving Record,” & “The Hard Side of Life.”
Musicians – Chris Donohue & Dave Jacques (bass), Dennis Holt & Steve Brewster (drums), Vince Gill (electric guitars), Al Perkins & Jim Hoke (pedal steel), Eamon McLaughlin (fiddle), Alfreda, Regina & Anne McCrary, Jenny Littleton, Derri Daugherty & Jake Armeding (bgv), Tommy Sims (harmony), James Pennebaker (electric & pedal steel guitars/fiddle), Jerry McPherson (electric guitars), Cindy Morgan (duet vocal) & Chris Carmichael (strings).
A 12-page lyric insert included. Image courtesy of Stacie Huckeba. CD @ https://philmadeira.net/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Phil Madeira “Falcon”