Nashville singer-songwriter Cathryn Craig and Strawb's legend Brian Willoughby after listening to Den's new album "Be Where You Are".
Have you heard Den Miller's new CD BE WHERE YOU ARE? OMG, he is writing some amazing songs and performing better than ever. We saw him on Thursday night and he has really come into his own as a solo performer. We listened to the new CD all the way back to London on Friday and I am blown away with the things he is writing about and how he is using his lyrics. Definitely a must see, must buy for anyone interested in great songs. A wonderful artist, don't miss this!
"Still A Beautiful World" has been chosen as one of four finalists in the 2009 "Raise Your Banners" political songwriting competition. The political sentiment in the song is subtle, a feeling of powerlessness and helplessness in the face of stupid political decisions at work and in the country.
The final is on Thursday 5th November, so come and cheer Den on!
And it turns out that some of the songs below got ditched! See the discography page for more details.
Den's target for 2008 is to record the next album. Most of it is written, and some of it will
be known to regular listeners of Den's live performances. So although the final line-up has
not been decided, rest assured that the likes of "What's It Take To Make You Smile Again?",
"Starship Entropy", and "Having The Time Of Our Lives" are almost certain inclusions. The
album is likely to be mainly acoustic, which should please Den's current audience!
Here's the review of "Still A Beautiful World" (the CD) as published in the Winter 07/08 edition of Tykes News.
I'm used to hearing Den solo with his nylon-strung classical and high, robust voice,
so the opening shots of 'You Lift Me' were a complete surprise. The hollow clang of a
cowbell signals a perspective shift, a piano soars from the speakers while a bass ambles
over to find out where the party is and a high-hat skips along behind shouting 'me, me, me',
whilst Den's voice, a little too far back in the mix, tells us that he's... 'Gotta hand it
to you, it was all I could do to keep my head high...'. It's a powerful start to the CD,
but is it folk music?
Ten tracks are made by Den with 'Down By The Riverside', you'll know it as 'Study War No More',
making up the total of eleven. Sung a capella and in harmony, the ensemble members aren't
named and I suspect electronic trickery. But it's good electronic trickery. Den has used
the familiar protester's method of re-directing a well known song to his own ends, in this
case owning up to imaginary WMDs, bringing home the soldiers and asking forgiveness for
atrocities committed.... Nah, it'll never happen.
'Maybe Is Just A Word' starts with a powerful solo piano then joined by bass and drums as
the piano changes to pumping chords. The coda changes back to solo piano and fades away.
Not as cliched as it sounds in this instant, the song needs that touch of uncertainty.
The song is (I think) about the doubtfulness of following your chosen path through life
and should you get off the roller coaster, if, indeed, you can (or it might not be).
My favourite track, 'Standing Or Falling' marks a return to the guitar work with a
breathless, urgent delivery that brooks no refusals, insistently breaking through
indifference or inattention. 'Don't give up your day job' he sings, and unfortunately
he's right, it's practically impossible for a muso inhabiting the grey area he does to
earn a decent, iPod owning, abroad holidaying, living. But above all he has to continue
his music making no matter what others think. He's 'answerin' the callin'...'
And it's not folk music, but as he proves on his visits to our cluib, his music is open
to interpretation and it works well with just voice and guitar as well as a well 'ard
core band and he has plenty of reason to keep his head high.
Reviewed by Jim Ellison, and this text is copyright (C) Jim Ellison.
Still A Beautiful World (the song) got a very good review.
What a great song. I hope you don't mind if I liken you to the better cerebral artists
of the 80s - Bill Nelson, Split Enz, XTC etc. A beautifully crafted song which starts
delicately and when you hear the guitar you know that this is someone who works hard to
get things just right. Great, intelligent lyrics. I like this. I like this a lot.
Going to be singing it to myself all day tomorrow.
Scubadog - Yorkshire Music Collective