March-April, 2007

Artist: Scott Miller & The Commonwealth

Title: Citation

Label: SUGAR HILL SUG-CD-4009

Release Date: MARCH 2006

BY Dennis Roger Reed

Most consumers are not surprised to see one of those “explicit lyric” stickers on the latest rap or hip hop CD. It’s a little odd to see one on a roots-rock record, but it does bring up the fact that a lot of folk music recordings probably deserve a similar sticker. The people that thought up the idea of putting warning stickers on records need a sticker too, but that’s another story. Scott Miller & The Commonwealth’s lyrics won’t cause you to pass out, and it’s easy to forget about the sticker once you are immersed in the music of Citation, Miller’s newest recording.

Miller used to front another roots rock band called the V-Roys, a group produced by Steve Earle and released on Earle’s label. Miller has released three solo CDs since, with Citation being the newest. There’s a compelling crossroads traveled by Miller, with country, folk and rock given nearly equal measure. It’s not quite the Stones with the Carter Family, or Tom Petty and the Skillet Lickers. It’s more like pre-Seeger Springsteen, but the end product is very much Miller, not an eager Eagle Scout with too many Influence Merit badges.

Miller likes to tell stories in his lyrics, and he’s adept. Freedom’s A Stranger is a tale of youthful romance and wild oats. Say Ho manages to throw in some history about Texas’ favorite son, Sam Houston. Legendary (and rightfully so) producer Jim Dickinson is on board, adding Miller to his resume that already includes playing piano on the Stones’ Wild Horses and producing Big Star’s Sister Lover. Miller cut the recording in Memphis.

Miller is a rock and roller by nature and production values, but his folk influences are apparent on several cuts. Long Goodnight is an acoustic ballad that closes the recording, and it rates in the same class as another bleak lullaby, Richard Thompson’s End of the Rainbow. Still People Are Moving starts as a ballad that gathers steam and ends up like a bluegrass tune on steroids. And Miller covers Neil Young’s Hawks and Doves, a tune that is sadly relevant again.

Don’t let the warning sticker turn you off, but don’t buy the CD in hopes of titillation or salaciousness. Do buy it if you like well constructed songs that tell stories AND are easy to dance to. If you ever venture into Bottle Rockets, Georgia Satellites, Todd Snider, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, early Wilco territory, you’ll feel right at home listening to Citation.