A talented guitarist/singer/songwriter and producer,
Buddy Miller merges a love for classic country, with a rock & roll sense of urgency and do-it-yourself ethic. Witness the fact that a good share of this record was recorded in
Miller's living room. The results, however, are memorable -- not low-budget.
Miller enlists some great vocal support from longtime duo partner
Jim Lauderdale,
Lucinda Williams,
Emmylou Harris, and
Dan Penn. His wife,
Julie Miller, also provides moving harmonies, particularly on a stunning cover of
the Louvin Brothers' classic "You're Running Wild," as well as sharing writing credits with her husband on a good share of the songs. She solely authored two of the album's strongest tracks, the haunting "Don't Listen to the Wind" and the tender ballad "Through the Eyes of a Broken Heart." And although it's been largely overlooked,
Miller arguably turns in the finest version of
Tom T. Hall's lonesome "That's How I Got to Memphis" since the original. ~ Jack Leaver