CD REVIEWS
By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Michael Miller
“I Made You Up”
Shiny Shiny Records
Singer-songwriter Michael Miller recruits some of Los Angeles’ finest session players to perform 10 original songs that teeter between psychedelic, indie and pop rock to good effect on his latest album, “I Made You Up.” Recorded at the late Elliott Smith’s studio in California, Miller is joined by drummer Brendan Buckley (Shakira), bassist Dan Rothchild (Fiona Apple, Beck), pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood (The Pretenders, Son Volt), keyboardist Patric Warren (Aimee Mann, Tom Waits), guitarist Lyle Workman (Sting), Hammond B3 player Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters) and cellist-violinist Stevie Blacke (Madonna, Snoop Dogg) to deliver well-executed ballads (“Tipsy,” “Sutures”), mid-tempo rockers (“Munkie,” “Sweetness”) and some good natured humor (“Gomer Put Your Fist Down”). Miller’s mournful, artful vocals are in line with the talents of his all-star guest cast of musicians. CV
(Michael Miller performs Friday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. at Mars Cafe. Admission is free.)
Sheryl Crow
“100 Miles From Memphis”
A&M Records
Grammy Award-winning pop singer Sheryl Crow delivers her most meaningful recording to date on her seventh album, “100 Miles From Music,” a tribute to the Memphis sound. Though the guest appearance of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards on the reggae tune “Eye to Eye” is noteworthy, the musical stars of this album are co-producers and musicians Doyle Bramhall II and Justin Stanley who help Crow achieve a level of musical credibility that has been missing from her catalog. “Summer Day,” the album’s first single, is a good indication of what “100 Miles From Memphis” offers, including the Stax-like “Long Road Home,” Stevie Wonder-esque “Say What You Want To” and ’70s funk of “Roses And Moonlight.” The album closes with an exuberant cover of The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” CV
(Sheryl Crow performs Sunday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand. $35.)
