Brant Miller

This CD looks like a country CD and if that's what your looking for you wont be disappointed. This CD is much more than just a country CD however, as I found out when I gave it a listen the other day. This is the third CD by Brant and I was really amazed when I heard the incredible creativity of this Texas songwriter. Brant has had two previous CDs. "The New American Dream" released in 1998 and "This Train" released in 1996.He has won 3 King Eagle Awards from "Airplay International" and has been getting consistent European airplay for many years. All 3 albums were produced by Colonel Buster Doss. The experience shows as he forges this third CD. Like bottled lightning the music explodes out of the speakers in the many hues this sound painter uses to tell his stories and reach his audience. There's a lot of really interesting tunes here. Some of the music has some very nice progressive changes making this one of the most interesting listens this year. I especially like some of the tunes that have a smooth jazz/Americana sound like ""My Mississippi" and "Pueblo Pacifico". The music is mostly country but a combination of traditional and new country without getting too rocky. For information on ordering and more samples you can visit his site:

nanjosmedicineshow.com

Brant Miller cover courtesy of NVISION ARTS MEDIA & PUBLISHING GROUP all rights reserved. "Pueblo Pacifico" ©1999 Brant Miller STARDUST INTERNATIONAL Produced by Colonel Buster Doss. The Mule Dog and Mule Dog are registered trademarks of Mule Dog Records, all rights reserved. The TL logo, text, all music, photographs and art are Copyrighted ©1995-2000 by Mule Dog Records all rights reserved, unauthorized duplication violates applicable laws.


- The Mule Dog, Thomas Leary

BRANT MILLER

Brant Miller has just re-created paradise or to be exact "Songs Of Paradise". With the help of the immortal genius of Western Swing Colonel Buster Doss, Brant has made one of the finest albums ever. This CD is one of the forerunners of the new Western Swing movement along with others like Rooster Quantrell and Dave "Pappy" Hammell. The Western Swing movement is a smooth blend of Country and Jazz that is quickly taking root all over the world and Brant has just stepped on board that rocket.The success of the CD has been due to a large part by the very wise choice of producer: Colonel Buster Doss the man behind the new Western Swing movement worldwide. Using the cream of Nashville's musicians and Brant's excellent songwriting and singing The Colonel has produced a classic that will stand the test of time. Great listening and a rating of all the stars in the Sky for the gang from STARDUST! We had an opportunity to talk to Brant about this new turn in his music and here is the interview:

Q: Brant, would you tell us a little about your background?

A: Well, I was born in New England but spent most of my formative years in South Texas. In my 20s I lived in various places like Providence, Rhode Island, Pittsburgh, PA, and Cape May, New Jersey. Though most of my life has been spent in San Antonio, I have deep ties to the Eastern seaboard. I think this partially explains why I'm someone who can feel pretty much at home anywhere while, at the same time, I'm not really sure there's any one place that I can say is my home!

Q: Clearly living in different places has had an impact on your songwriting.

A: For sure. I think we are all influenced by every one of our experiences. You might hear things in a certain place you wouldn't hear somewhere else. And you also get influenced by the music that the people around you turn you on to. As a young boy, I loved going to the movies and, as a result, I developed a real appreciation for symphonic motion picture scores. My first records were soundtracks. I also listened to top 40 radio constantly and was influenced by the pop music of the mid to late 60s, which I think was very fortunate for me because it was such great, dynamic music. Everything from Motown, like Stevie Wonder and the Four Tops, to the British invasion of the Beatles, the Yardbirds and many others, impacted me. I started recording my own songs on a personal tape deck when I was a young teenager. I liked conceptual albums and The Who's Rock Opera "Tommy" inspired me. I did a couple of my own Rock Operas -- not too great, but probably not really all that bad either (although I haven't listened to them in a very long time!)

Q: The first release from your new CD is called "Country Jazz." At what point in your life did you get interested in country music?

A: Well, it was after I had already gotten interested in jazz! Ironically, living in the South, I didn't really listen to much country or jazz. Again, this has to do a lot with my background and the people around me, as well as where my head was at at the time. We didn't have old Hank Williams or Charlie Parker records circulating among my family members. But my Mom did have Perry Como and Tony Bennett and some other great stuff which she let me listen to night and day! She's a singer and has a beautiful voice and her love of music has been a profound influence in my life. She also had (and still does) some big band 78s on slate, various stuff and Louis Armstrong, who she loves, but those slate records are so fragile, I don't think they got played very much -- I stuck with listening to her vinyl so I wouldn't break anything! I probably heard them at least once, but at the time they didn't have the impact they would later -- again, I was really digging the more pop stuff. When I went back East to Rhode Island for college in the early 70s I got introduced to a whole lot of new music. I had a girlfriend who was really into modern jazz artists like John Coltrane and Miles Davis and I learned to love that music, especially after seeing Dizzy Gillespie live in a small club in Newport. I had been a pianist and guitarist but soon I learned the saxophone. And I started playing in a variety of bands. This began to really open me up, leading me to a greater appreciation of folk music, too, paving the way toward country. But it wasn't until I met Nancy Glasgow in San Antonio in the mid 80s that things really started to open up for me. My fiancee at the time introduced us. This was the biggest shift in my life because Nancy introduced me to a spiritual practice and approach toward living and appreciating life that impacted everything for me in a fundamental way, including my relationship with music. Down the road she introduced me to Col. Buster Doss, an old friend and associate of hers. Since then, the early 90s, I have been recording for Buster's Stardust of Nashville record label, the largest independent country label there is. Stardust has been for me like going to a University of Country Music, and Buster Doss has been my Country Music Department Chairman. Meanwhile, Nancy Glasgow has been my Dean of Student Affairs! It's been the best education one could hope for, and my appreciation of these two outstanding mentors is immeasurable. I must have done a lot of good in the past to have the kind of good fortune to have them in my life now. It makes me want to jump for joy!

Q: What's next for you, Brant?

A: My attitude is, from this day forward, to continue, with ten times the effort and energy I've used so far, to learn everything I can about music and about life in general from Nancy and Buster and everyone I meet, and to hopefully translate what I learn into my becoming a better person and thus creating greater music. My dream is to make music that will encourage, inspire and delight people. And I feel in my heart that I've only just begun to scratch the surface of my abilities!

Q: Thank you, Brant, for the interview.

A: Thank you, Thomas, for this wonderful opportunity!

Visit our amigo Brant and his hard working manager Nanjo at:

BRANT MILLER

Country Jazz


















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Artwork by Thomas Leary. The Mule Dog and Mule Dog are registered trademarks ® of Mule Dog Records, all rights reserved. The TL logo, text, all music, (with the exception of "country Jazz" by Brant Miller. Produced by Brant Miller & Colonel Buster Doss, Wizard Records) photographs and art Copyright ©1995-2001 by Mule Dog Records all rights reserved, unauthorized duplication violates applicable laws. Mule Dog Magazine is a part of Mule Dog Records.


- The Mule Dog, Thomas Leary

Brant Miller is one of the most talented writer/artists that I know !!
Reviewer: COLONEL BUSTER DOSS @ STARDUST of NASHVILLE
I have produced thousands of sessions and this one gave me a lot of pleasure !

 A really refreshing and awesome CD
Reviewer: Ta Varee
This CD always makes me smile when I listen to it. I love all of Brant's CD's.....but this one is special. It is fun and a very refreshing change of pace. A must have for anyone's collection. Great job, wonderful writing, and fun music.
 
Reviewer: RJ Hughes/Nvision Arts Media & Publishing Group.
Songs From Paradise, by Brant Miller is definately one of the hottest and most progressive collection of songs in the Country Swing genre I have ever heard, not to mention in any musical genre, period!! Everything about this CD, from the writing of the song's & music, the incredible production excellence from a true "Master" producer, the awesome musical arrangements & performance by an obvious group of master musicians to the performance of Brant himself speaks of an excellence seldom seen. A rare and truly wonderful musical treat is found on this CD,... a must have for any music collection!!! Way to go!!!!
 The Best Of The Best
Reviewer: "Granpaw" Brock
Brant's music can't be tagged with a specific "Genre". His unique voice and talent bridges many styles and brings out the best in them all. This CD brings out the best in Brant Miller and is a vital addition to any music collection.
 Songs from the heart & soul
Reviewer: Danielle Darnell
I met Brant thru a close friend of mine in Paradise. He was there, in Paradise to clear his mind & write the songs for this CD. His mind was definately clear as the CD turned out to be one of a kind, in my mind. It means even more to me, because I know the places where the music & words came to Brant. It is so beautiful & wonderful. Brant you have done a wonderful tribute, well done. Thanks to my two other close friends for making it happen. Brant we're ready for more...
 Great mix of country with a touch of pizzazz
Reviewer: Virginia Benecke
My son-in-law asked me to listen to this and I really enjoyed it. It's not really country -- it has a contempory, jazzy, folksy fun flavor. Like nothing I've ever heard before. COOL!
 Loved it!
Reviewer: Marc Ginsburg
My friend, Nanjo, asked me to review this CD. Country is not my normal cup of tea unless I’m on the road and in that neck of the woods, so to speak. But as I was listening to this CD in my New York apartment while doing other things, it was not a country day for me. Nonetheless, I enjoyed quite a few of the tunes until my low-band Internet music player conked out on me. Please accept my apologies for not listening to the whole thing; maybe another time I will go back and give another listen. I did like the ballads very much, though. The piano and instrumental blend was really great and the singing fit it well. There is definitely a lot of practice and expertise in this album and it is definitely up there as a project of great mastery. I am sure that Brandt will continue to create such wonderful songs that bring you into the beautiful world he creates and I expect his artistry to grow tremendously as long as he keeps up the work he has devoted himself to up to this point. Sincerely, Marc Ginsburg Marcginsburg2001@yahoo.com
 Choice for album of the year.
Reviewer: Thomas Leary, Mule Dog Magazine   (click for website)
Brant Miller has just re-created paradise or to be exact "Songs Of Paradise". With the help of the immortal genius of Western Swing Colonel Buster Doss, Brant has made one of the finest albums ever. This CD is one of the forerunners of the new Western Swing movement along with others like Rooster Quantrell and Dave "Pappy" Hammell. The Western Swing movement is a smooth blend of Country and Jazz that is quickly taking root all over the world and Brant has just stepped on board that rocket.The success of the CD has been due to a large part by the very wise choice of producer: Colonel Buster Doss the man behind the new Western Swing movement worldwide. Using the cream of Nashville's musicians and Brant's excellent songwriting and singing The Colonel has produced a classic that will stand the test of time. Great listening and a rating of all the stars in the Sky for the gang from STARDUST!
 Wonderfully uplifting!
Reviewer: Jim Edwards
Songs from Paradise is a great song and I promise that the listener will be equally happy with this CD that bears the songs name. The CD is a musical style potpourri with a good amount of country smoothly mixed with other musical categories. Definately a MUST HAVE for any true music lovers collection.
 This a hot, swinging, senstaional CD!
Reviewer: Ron Harkins/Mobile DJ Phoenix, AZ
Songs From Paradise by Brant Miller is a cd that goes to all my party's! When I need a fast moving hot country swing tune I go to Country Jazz! For wedding receptions Songs From Paradise and These Songs From Paradise are sensational.
 
 anyone missing this, is missing a lot
Reviewer: nanjo's medicine show   (click for website)
this is a great cd, from start to finish, songs with heart and soul and hope and noveltyCD BABY - the CD store with the best independent music | HOSTBABY - web hosting for musicians - CD Baby