Midnight and Lonesome

Buddy Miller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hightone Records
• ASIN: B00006IZH5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,846 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS is what country music is SUPPOSED to sound like!, November 15, 2002

By 

Kori Frazier (Kent, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Midnight and Lonesome (Audio CD)

While his name may not immediately spring to mind when one mentions country music, Buddy Miller is without question one of the most talented musicians in the business. Combining traditional country music, Americana, and the nostalgia of early rock and roll, Miller's bluesy voice and astonishing guitar skills have won him recognition as one of alternative country music's premiere artists.

Folk music fans may remember Miller from his Grammy nominated album with wife Julie, Buddy and Julie Miller. On his latest CD, Miller's vast range of talents is proven once again. From the moment the opening chords of the Everly Brothers classic "The Price of Love" kick off the CD, it is immediately apparent that Midnight and Lonesome is not just the work of a musician, but of a true artist. Songs like the beautiful "I Can't Get Over You" and the title track demonstrate the heartache that comes from failed relationships, while the catchy guitar licks of "Water When the Well is Dry" and the rockin' "When It Comes to You" require the listener to at least tap his toes and even bust a few moves if necessary. "A Showman's Life," penned by folk/rock luminary Jesse Winchester, exposes a soulful, honest side of Miller's music with a tribute to the hardships of the music business. The album's closing track, "Quecreek," is a stunning tribute to the nine men who nearly died after being trapped in a Pennsylvania mine last July and shows Miller's ability to pen emotional numbers that can easily be placed in a social context.

If you like artists who possess sheer skill and musical talent, Midnight and Lonesome is the album for you. Buy a copy today and help give recognition to an extraordinary musician whose work has been unknown far too long.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tuly Righteous Record, October 17, 2002

By 

Michael D Hansen (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midnight and Lonesome (Audio CD)

BUDDY MILLER MIDNIGHT AND LONESOME

This record (and to quote Buddy's fellow Nashville troubadour Kevin Welch, "yes folks they're still records") constitutes a double landmark in contemporary American music. It signifies the best work of the best damn "country" musician and singer going around at the moment, and it places Buddy Miller on the verge of admission to the pantheon of contemporary country soul greats.

This exclusive club has few members, but all have earned their place through years of hard work, producing generous music of grace, gravity, humour, heart and a kick-[hiney] backbeat.

Buddy Miller is right up there with them, and can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle (yes, Steve Earle, the one who had the guts to record "John Walker's Blues").

Interviewed last year here in Australia, Harris said "Buddy's amazing, he knows about everyone and everything". She referred to Miller as "the guy they call". Miller, in typically self-effacing fashion promptly denied this, but of course they do call him, and call him often. His work both as a performer, musician, producer and writer has become the standard for those aspiring to excellence in the genre.

The record again demonstrates Miller's impeccable taste in material and collaborators. In addition to his own outstanding work, he utilises some of today's elite contemporary songwriters including his precious Julie, Jim Lauderdale, and Jesse Winchester.

Julie's title track "Midnight and Lonesome" is yet another of her spirited rock thumpers, propelled by Bryan Owings big, big drums, and Larry Campbell's supple fiddle.

The Miller, Miller, Lauderdale team finds a gentle, seductive groove on "When It Comes To You" that refuses to quit, and takes you for a smooth ride.

Winchester's "A Showman's Life" is an articulate, soulful and honest take on the fickle, shadowy world of performance. If Buddy's "fevered chase of a tiny star", in this classic doesn't make you cry then you ain't got no tears.

As always, Buddy's covers are inspired, both in the selection and in the interpretation.

"The Price Of Love", (known to many as a "Bryan Ferry song", just like John Fogerty wrote "Grapevine". No offence John, but hey, hello, is anyone home ??), is plucked from the Everly Brothers catalogue and given the Miller makeover treatment. Respectfully, of course.

Buddy's take on Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone To Love" oozes soulful, countrified R&B class. Steve Earle hit the spot when he described Miller as "country's best singer, period".

For a bit of sexy, sassy jiggin', and reelin' and dancin' go straight to Little Bitty Kiss, but be real careful out there, 'cause "boy let me tell you loose lips sink ships".

If you're up for it select Buddy and Julie's "Water When The Well Runs Dry", turn up the volume, then turn it up a bit more, (then perhaps one more notch), fasten your seat belt, sit back any get ready to be propelled to rock and roll heaven, courtesy of Buddy's stinging guitar, with the push-push of the amazing Brady Blade in the engine room.

"Quecreek", is Buddy and Julie's pure and simple, honest to God celebration of our capacity to care. Please, please, please America, listen to these people [darnit] !!!

This is a passionate, righteously real record. If there's any justice, the Grammy's in the bag.

Don't ever stop wearing your heart on your sleeve Buddy Miller, and for as long as you keep that backbeat thumpin' we'll keep on jumpin'...

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Midnight and Lonesome - another essential from Buddy Miller, November 14, 2002

By 

R.S. "heartacheandhonkytonk" (Broulee, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midnight and Lonesome (Audio CD)

I pre-ordered this on the strength of his previous records, and while I was waiting for it to arrive, my wife and I saw Buddy Miller perform in Sydney. In understated style Buddy just walked onstage and got straight down to business with his enthusiastic drummer & bass player, (often jamming with them halfway through or at the end of a song) - his guitar playing was brilliant and his singing - 100% heart and soul finished off with twist of twang. His commitment and musical integrity were clear. This was one concert worth the 5 hour trip from our hometown to see.
The new record, 'Midnight and Lonesome' is a gem. Highlights abound: 'The Price Of Love', with Julie Miller - the best cover of this tune I've ever heard, the Hank Williams influenced 'Wild Card', 'I Can't Get Over You' a country tearjerker with Lee Ann Womack, the aching folk rock 'Midnight and Lonesome', a JJ Cale styled 'When It Comes To You', the exhilarating Bob Dylan/Neil Young influenced rocker 'Water When The Well Runs Dry", a cover of Jesse Winchester's 'A Showman's Life' with Emmylou Harris, the stompin' 'Litty Bitty Kiss', a cajun styled 'Oh Fait Pitti D'Amour' & the uplifting 'Quecreek' with Julie Miller.
As usual Buddy crosses a few genres here, but his music is firmly rooted in heartache 'n' honkytonk.
Buddy Miller's cd's never fail to move me - and the outstanding 'Midnight and Lonesome' tops my list of essentials for 2002.