Adam Miller (singer)

Adam Miller was an American singer-songwriter, active in the 1970s.

Adam Miller
GenresFolk rock
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Voice, guitar
LabelsChelsea Records

Life and career

He grew up in Washington and also spent some time in Europe. As a boy he was a soprano in a choir. He started playing guitar and piano and started writing his own songs as a teenager.[1]

He 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 also singing lead vocals 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 Garland Jeffreys' 1973 eponymous debut album.

Miller released two solo albums on Chelsea Records (distributed by RCA Records), featuring songs his 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]

His second album Westwind Circus 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

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
  1. Lassen, Kurt (July 21, 1972). "Adam Miller Gives His Hit Songs Away". The Record Gazette (Banning, California): 5.
  2. Campbell, Scott (March 28, 1971). "‚Church of Anthrax' out". The Arizona Republic.
  3. "Record Reviews: Who Would Give His Only Song Away – Adam Miller". The State. June 18, 1972.
  4. Benham, Bill (13 July 1972). "T-H Record Review". Hawaii Tribune-Herald: 20.
  5. Cochrane, Robert (March 19, 2016). "Charity Begins Alone". Culture Catch. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.