Universal United House of Prayer

Buddy Miller | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B0002UJKR2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,361 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Whether recording under his own name, collaborating with wife Julie, or contributing guitar work for a range of other artists, Buddy Miller has always put forth a resonant, earthy, even spiritual bearing. So it seems only natural that Miller would turn his focus to the gospel tradition. The songs here celebrate the innate goodness in even the most lost and perplexed among us, keeping sights on the unblinking light of hope at the end of the tunnel. This is still a rootsy affair, though the set is imbued with the social concerns that unite us all. Nondenominational in terms of religious affiliation, this album uses our common language of honest singing and playing, soulful grooves, and top-flight songs to make its points. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Set, October 7, 2004

By 

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Universal United House of Prayer (Audio CD)

Buddy Miller's first recording for the New West label is broader in scope than his previous recordings. In addition to his country roots, we get flavors of soul, blues, & certainly rock. This set also features Miller's emergence as an excellent singer and guitarist. The classic opener "Worry Too Much" was penned by the late Mark Heard. "It's the way we tell ourselves that all these things are normal till we can't remember what we mean, It's the flicker of our flames, it's the friction born of living," Buddy rocks out. Fiddles & drums pound out the Louvin Brothers' country gospel "There's A Higher Power." Another high point among consistently strong tracks is Buddy & wife Julie's "Shelter Me" with strong backing vocals by Regina & Ann McCrary that lift Buddy up to new heights. Miller's 9-minute version of the Bob Dylan classic "With God on Our Side" is first and foremost Miller's triumph as a vocalist as he sells each lyric with a passion that is aflame. The rest of the CD is also excellently strong such as the soft tribal folk of "Fire & Water" that then shifts gears and crunches full throttle with Buddy's searing electric guitar shearing the sweetness like a blade of lightning from the sky. The CD concludes with Julie's great gospel rocker "Fall On the Rock." This is the classic Buddy Miller disc in what is an extremely strong career. Undoubtedly, this will be on many "best of the year" lists for 04. Don't miss out! Enjoy!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Buddy is the best , just like the rest of his music, November 5, 2004

By 

G. S. Ryan (Waco, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Universal United House of Prayer (Audio CD)

Look, the Universal United House of Prayer is the best album from Buddy yet, just like Poison Love, Midnight and Lonesome, Cruel Moon and Your Love and Other Lies are his best. He simply does not make anything but great music. On this latest, Wide River to Cross and Fire and Water will make you understand life and why we keep going on. And his covers, the Louvins, Dylan, and Heard complement his music perfectly, helping to showcase both his songwriting/singing abilities, and the strength of the tradition to which he belongs. People need to stand up and take notice, there are folks that are willing to maybe not pick up and wear, but certainly to help carry, the mantle of Johnny Cash. Country singers that love freedom, justice, and the truth enough to warn us when we are not doing right, and when we are not just. Don't Wait lays this out. It is a gospel number, but the title does not only apply to spiritual salvation, it warns us that we should live our lives better as individuals and as a country. "Don't drag along while it's getting late" is an exhortation to get busy and make the world better. And, like the best of his tradition, he is firm, serious, and hopeful. There is no despair or name calling, only the call to love one another, and to work together for the good everyone. This album will make you want to get saved spiritually, psychologically, civically, and politically.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Say Amen! Somebody, October 15, 2004

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Dr. Green "Scientist!" (Seattle) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Universal United House of Prayer (Audio CD)

Although I've been kneeling at the altar of alt.country for some time now, I'm afraid I had up til now been almost completely ignorant of Miller's work. Then I heard "Shelter Me" on a sampler CD, and immediately decided I had to buy UUHoP. What a find! I haven't heard as heartfelt and rousing a gospel record since the Blind Boys of Alabama's Spirit of the Century. As fans have no doubt already learned, Miller's covers are just as tasty as his originals, and this disk includes, among other treats, as scorching a version of "With God on Our Side" as I've ever heard. Caveat emptor: if you intend to listen to this music on an iPod, as I do, be careful when you're in a crowd, as people tend to look askance when you howl "Amen!" to the chorus of "There's a Higher Power."