I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Ed Miller perform at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games a few years ago.  I was so touched and taken with Ed's performance, especially the achingly beautiful "Muir and the Master Builder", that I purchased this CD from him after the set.  Ed has such a fine, rich singing voice, and these songs are in turns upbeat, charming and totally witty.  "The Devil Made Texas", which I also got to experience live, is delightfully funny!  If you enjoy Scottish music, witty well-written and performed songs and / or fine singing, you'll love Ed Miller!  Definitely pick up this CD and support this wonderful artist and this  grand Scottish music.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Ed Miller is a Scottish singer/songwriter who produces great music, great stories, has great friends (some of the most famous in the Celtic vocal tradition), and a wonderful Scottish sense of humor.  Unfortunately for us, he and other Celtic vocal performers seem to be a disappearing breed.  The "vocal" tradition seems to be getting lost as most of the new young singers belong to "traditional" bands.  The number of young, new traditional Celtic music bands (including the "Celtic rock" bands) is wonderful, but the passing of Tommy Makem, and the present ages of so many Celtic troubadours makes it alarmingly clear that there are few replacements on the horizon.  This will eventually mean that the music and folklore of the songs will ultimately result in great losses of the traditions that are kept alive by the likes of Ed Miller, Brian McNeill, Davy Steele, Ian MacIntosh, Andy M. Stewart, Seamus Kennedy, Jim Malcolm, Tom Sweeney, and others who are products of the "house hooleys" and ceilidhs.

Ed is a wonderful example of the vocal tradition that means so much to the Celtic heritage and history.  His wonderful voice as well as his treatment of the the old and new folksongs (many of which he has authored himself) is inspiring to those who love the music.  And while he takes the music very seriously, his humor and wit make his performances all the more inviting.  The stories that he tells, while sometimes funny are also researched (Ed holds a PhD in folklore) and very interesting.  An evening with Ed, whether just listening to one of his seven CD's or at a live performance is always rewarding.

This review is applicable to each of Ed's seven CD's.  If you buy one, you will probably want them all as each one is a super addition to your collection.  Most importantly, support for Ed and his counterparts helps to support the vocal tradition at a time that is critical to it's survival.  Enjoy and support this terrific artist.
                            Read more...