Adam Miller (singer)
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Adam Miller | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Voice, guitar |
| Labels | Chelsea Records |
Adam Miller was an American singer-songwriter, active in the 1970s.
Life and career[edit]
Miller grew up in Washington, D.C., and also spent some time in Europe. As a treble - or boy soprano - he was soloist in the Washington National Cathedral Choir. He started playing guitar and piano and began writing his own songs as a teenager.[1]
Miller collaborated with producer Wes Farrell, writing songs for David Cassidy's albums Cherish and Rock Me Baby (both 1972). His song "The West Wind Circus" was covered by Helen Reddy on her fourth album Long Hard Climb (1973). He is lead vocalist on the song "The Soul of Patrick Lee" by John Cale, released on Cale's and Terry Riley's collaborative album Church of Anthrax in 1971.[2] He is also singing background vocals on Desertshore (1970) by Nico (produced by John Cale) and on Garland Jeffreys' 1973 eponymous debut album.
Miller released two solo albums on Chelsea Records (distributed by RCA Records), featuring songs he wrote for Cassidy, and also new songs. His first album Who Would Give His Only Song Away was released in 1972. It was produced by Wes Farrell and features, among others, Larry Carlton on guitar, Mike Melvoin on piano, Jim Horn on saxophone and Hal Blaine on drums. It was described as "Piercing lyrics and Miller's twangy, folksy vocals are pleasant but it is the album's fine, far-ranging instrumental background that sets the production above ordinary folk and into a sort of pop-folk category."[3] Another reviewer stated that "there's mystery, enigma in his lyrics and music. And yet it's so clear, so smooth. He let's you so deep into his head, you have to listen and let the music mean what it means – to you."[4]
Miller's second album Westwind Circus, produced by Terry Cashman and Tommy West, was released two years later and features Michael Kamen on synthesizer, and Steve Gadd and Rick Marotta on drums, among other musicians. After the release of this album, he disappeared from public life.[5]
Discography[edit]
Albums
- Who Would Give His Only Song Away (1972)
- Westwind Circus (1974)
Singles
- "Man of My Word" / "Hope I Win" (1972)
- "The Last Word" / "Blind Hope" (1974)
References[edit]
- ^ Lassen, Kurt (July 21, 1972). "Adam Miller Gives His Hit Songs Away". The Record Gazette (Banning, California): 5.
- ^ Campbell, Scott (March 28, 1971). "'Church of Anthrax' out". The Arizona Republic.
- ^ "Record Reviews: Who Would Give His Only Song Away – Adam Miller". The State. June 18, 1972.
- ^ Benham, Bill (13 July 1972). "T-H Record Review". Hawaii Tribune-Herald: 20.
- ^ Cochrane, Robert (March 19, 2016). "Charity Begins Alone". Culture Catch. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
External links[edit]
- Adam Miller at AllMusic
- Adam Miller discography at Discogs
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