FRANKIE FU*KIN' MILLER...THAT'S WHO + 4 BONUS TRAX
Hoodoo Chile | Great Wide Open, USA | 04/05/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"To put this disc in a proper context, please remember it was 1972, we were burned out on psychedelic music, and it's follow up, "heavy" music. The Band had shown Clapton the bright light, and groups were going back to their roots. Frankie Miller and the band that backed him on this debut disc, Brinsley Swartz, seemed to be on the same path of rediscovery.
The only difference was that Frankie's voice was as big as all outdoors, full of grit, soul, and sandpaper.....AND he could write great songs. The Brinsleys were a great band, including Mickey Jupp, Bob Andrews, future Graham Parker's Rumour members, and Nick Lowe on bass (Rockpile, Solo Artist).
But this was "MILLER TIME". The Brinsleys played supportively, but never intruded on the Scotsman's vocals. Several of these tracks hinted at what was to come, as far as Miller's songwriting went. Tracks like "I Can't Change It", "You Don't Need Laugh", and "After All (I Just live My Life)", all introspective self-analytical songs, offer glimpses of a true singer-songwriter. But this is a feel good disc to listen to, or to sing along with. There's a good mix of orignal pub rock, like "Candlelight Sonata...", "It's All Over", and "In No Resistance", mixed in with cover songs and blues, "I'm Ready", "Mail Box", and Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues".
Overall, this was an eye-opening debut album. A major talent, with the pipes of Otis Redding (a frequent comparison), was about to burst on the horizon. This release also has remastered sound AND 4 bonus tracks.
My only suggestion is: Start with "The Rock" and work your way back 2 albums to this one. Miller's voice is simply too great to be ignored. Forget Joe Cocker or Rod Stewart......get wise to FRANKIE FU*KIN MILLER....THAT'S WHO."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1