Customer Reviews

Universal United House of Prayer

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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."

A lot of inspirational country music has come out lately, thanks in large part to the success of Randy Travis's "Three Wooden Crosses." A lot of this inspirational country music has been, well, less than inspirational. Thankfully, Buddy Miller paid attention to what was being released--and did something a little bit different.

This album fuses country, gospel, rock, bluegrass, and blues into a flowing, groovy sound with lyrics that appeal to everyone (religious and non-religous alike). It's inspiration for those seeking good music, in other words. Miller's rough-hewn voice and gritty guitar licks enhance the album beyond what it would be if someone else had tackled it. Featuring original tunes written with wife Julie Miller, covers of such songs as Bob Dylan's "With God on Our Side", and guests like wife Julie, Emmylou Harris, and Jim Lauderdale, UNIVERSAL UNITED HOUSE OF PRAYER is a unique, country-gospel record that will have you thanking God there are people as talented as Buddy Miller. Never before has inspiration been so listenable...and groovy...

I used to think of Buddy Miller as a twangy country singer--he's so much more. On many of the cuts here, the music is more blues or black gospel-based than country. Whatever you call it, it's some of the best American music you'll ever hear. And you won't hear a more soulful singer in any genre.

I heard Buddy's 9-minute version of Dylan's "With God on Our Side" the other night on the radio and sat transfixed. It's as good a cover of a Dylan song as I've heard. This is an album made by a man of faith who is angry at those who use their religion to justify war. This theme is established on track one, a cover of Mark Heard's "Worry Too Much" which was written in response to the Gulf War--it's even more apt now: "It's the demolition derby / It's the sport of the hunt / Crowd driving for war-dance / It's the slow smile that the bully gives the runt." But if this album denounces the wars of men, it also insists that human evil isn't the whole story (i.e., on the Louvin Brothers' "There's a Higher Power").

Those who are fans of Buddy's guitar playing won't be disappointed. There are more meaty solos here than on any of Buddy's previous CDs. The performances are all assured. The background vocals of Regina and Ann McCrary lend a sanctified edge to Buddy's gut-bucket swamp blues. Emmylou Harris makes her usual appearance here (on "Wide River to Cross"), as does Buddy's wife Julie (who co-wrote 4 of the songs).

Buddy is an under-appreciated treasure. And this is his best yet, music of heart, intelligence, and faith.

I heard a review of this album on NPR and bought it on the strength of a few seconds' worth of cuts. It is one of the most remarkable CD's I've heard in a long time. I am not a Jesus-freak, but the solidity and strength and harmony of this man's singing will make a musical convert out of you, at the very least. It is an extraordinarily powerful work. Miller is the real deal. The music is wonderfully accomplished and the arrangements and sound-engineering are soul-stirring. There are deep back-beats and magnificent Gospel-singing accompaniments. It's simply one of the most powerful things I've heard. I'm giving it to everybody for Christmas. This guy is amazing. Discover him.

This is a fantastic album. I love Buddy and Julie anyway, but this album is great in that sort of way that Dylan is. The title cut is awesome. The traditional numbers are great. The originals sound timeless and moving. This album makes me feel more grace than almost any sermon I've ever heard! However it isn't preachy or corny like some gospel stuff.

The music is good, the material is great, and the production is awesome! Buy it!

The latest music from the Millers and it does not disappoint. The music he and his wife, Julie, make is like nothing else being made today. What a treat to the soul and body to hear this timeless magic music. He is the only artist around that you will never tire of hearing. Without exception, any of his recordings will be on your favorites list after a listen or two. Start with this disc, then do yourself a favor and grab up the rest by Buddy and his wife Julie. What a dynamic duo Buddy and Julie make. The only artist around whose music I have to have as soon as it becomes available. There is nobody like Buddy!!!!!

I'm not sure where Miller is going with this CD. On one hand, we've got "With God on our Side" which would indicate a peacenik kind of bent, on the other "There's a Higher Power."

At the moment, I'm just listening to the music and loving it. I'll probably figure out what Buddy's trying to tell me after I've heard the CD oh maybe a half dozen or so times.

Meanwhile the style is varied, the guests are fabulous and I'm enjoying myself. Taking Buddy's advice on the first song---sometimes I do worry too much. I'm just going to let this one flow and it'll come to me.

When I heard Buddy's music on GAC, I was blown away. What an amazing combination of Dylanesque cynicism, musical talent and honest, grass-roots Christian spirituality. This album is a must buy for anybody who yearns for the honesty of the '60s.