Larry MILLER - Outlaw Blues 2008

Larry MILLER - Outlaw Blues 2008

Blues

Wanted for rustling riffs, stealing headlines and letting off his six string in public, Larry Miller has long been the quick drawin`outlaw of the UK blues circuit - and the Guildford cowboy returns here with an aptly named album that goes some way to justify the frothing PR comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Rory Gallagher. Miller has several aces up his sleeve,including an incisive line in original songwriting, a great backup band and a voice box that sounds like its been dragged behind a stagecoach. Above all that,the main reason to track down Outlaw Blues is because its author is, quite simply,one of the fieriest,fruitiest,ballsiest guitarists you're likely to hear,drenching his smart,self-penned tracks with blood and sweat,and ensuring you believe every last note. Being bad never sounded so good.
Classic Rock Magazine UK.
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A recent support slot with Walter Trout and Johnny Winter have seen him come of age.
In case you don't know it, Miller is a stunning guitarist,and arguably,the best currently active British-born axeman, with the possible exception of Jeff Beck. That good.His style is his own,with heavy influences from his hero Rory Gallagher, while also sounding like Stevie Ray Vaughan re-incarnated.
Total Kit car.
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For those of you who know Larry Miller, you have a good idea of what to expect but   those of you who are new to his music and like guitar driven blues rock, you will not be disappointed. The opening track ‘Shame On You’ starts with a solo guitar riff as if  played through a small speaker but wait for it! Out of nowhere comes the band and full on guitar announcing in musical terms this is Larry Miller. This first track is a Strat infused rocker. There’s no let up on the second track ‘Writing’s On The Wall’, apart for the solo guitar and vocal intro. Another foot stompin’ blues rocker but this number steps up the game, with some impressive lead guitar.

But hey, Larry Miller has a soft side to him. ‘Calling All The Angels’ is a slow number with picking guitar and then welcome Matt Empson on the organ. Eventually drums come in with a lazy feel giving Larry the chance to play subtle guitar with feeling and vibrato. Track four Rebekah, is another good foot tappin’ rocking number followed by Storm Comin’, a Hoochie Coochie style riff with slide guitar and keyboard player Matt Empson taking to the blues harp.
 
The most unpredictable song on the CD is Professor Casanova which although relatively poppy, is catchy and a good song. You can hear several influences in Larry Miller’s playing and song writing from the Rolling Stones on ‘Only One Woman I Want’ to ZZ Top on the wonderful title track ‘Outlaw Blues’. Just when you thought this album will rock out to the end comes ‘Blues Forever’, a slow blues ballad which Larry gives his best vocal performance and once again plays some nice guitar with feeling. Larry Miller is often associated with the passion and the style of Rory Gallagher. He is obviously a big influence and maybe fitting that the last track is an acoustic slide guitar blues called Klondike which would be perfect in a Rory Gallagher set.

This is a well made album of great blues rocking with versatility. Larry Miller has a good band behind him and the addition of keyboards and harmonica embellishes the songs. He is already a popular figure on the live circuit and this album, probably his best to date, can only increase his following and standing. Rock on Larry!  **
Scott Hunter- Percussion, Drums
Larry Miller- Guitar, Vocals
Neil Sadler- Bass
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01. Shame On You  4:00
02. Writing's On The Wall  5:31
03. Calling All The Angels  4:49
04. Rebekah  3:05
05. Storm Comin'  5:58
06. Professor Casanova  3:48
07. Only One Woman I Want  4:10
08. Outlaw Blues  4:01
09. Blues Forever  5:27
10. Klondike  5:24
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