Search - Frankie Miller :: Very Best of

UNDERRATED GENIUS

Pieter | Johannesburg | 03/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This underrated Scottish singer/songwriter should have achieved much greater success. As it stands, Miller had one massive UK hit in 1978 in the form of the moving ballad Darlin', and two minor hits with Be Good To Yourself and Caledonia. But this Best Of provides sheer joy in songs like Highlife/Brickyard Blues and Shoo Rah Shoo Rah from 1974's High Life album, both written and produced by Allen Toussaint. The album offers great stylistic variety over these 19 tracks, with pub rock, R&B, New Orleans, country, folk and deep soul influences. Miller's gritty and soulful voice is on a par with that of Tom Waits or Rod Stewart, whilst his great compositions like When I'm Away From You, I Can't Change It and To Dream The Dream have stood the test of time very well. It is ironic that Miller, whose songs were covered by among others The Bellamy Brothers, Kim Carnes, Waylon Jennings, Bob Seger, Bonnie Tyler and Joe Walsh, never had a hit with any of his own compositions. He remains a unique talent, a remarkable composer and skilled vocalist whose contribution to the music of the 1970s and 1980s is overdue for rediscovery and belated recognition."

A WHITE OTIS REDDING.....

BIGBEAT | NEW JERSEY | 11/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Absolutely one of the best raspy voiced blue eyed blues singers

to emerge from the british pub scene in the 1970's.I first heard

him on a berkley california radio station in 75'and wondered who

the hell is that!I was lucky enough to see him perform and meet

in san franscico several weeks later.I have been a huge fan ever

since.Although superstardom eluded him he has always been revered

by many artists for his vocal ability and songwriting talents.This cd contains many of his classic best.I would have

liked to seen "jealous guy" make the list but this still remains a stellar selection for anyone's collection."