Mia Vermillion
Alone Together With The Blues
Released – July 13, 2009
Sometimes, a disc goes into the player – and comes right back out again; but sometimes, I say, “Oh, my.”
This was one of those. An “Oh, my” disc.
Washington (state) singer and songwriter Mia Vermillion teams with noted slide guitarist Orville Johnson on this disc, a sassy set, with lines like, “I’m gonna copyright your kisses | because they all belong to me.”
Takes a special person to sing the blues, I think. Ms. Vermillion is one of those. Powerful, plaintive, sensual. Lil Green’s “(Romance) In the Dark” is my favorite from the disc. Ms. Vermillion successfully channels the essence of this one, written in 1940.
I tried to mentally take Mr. Johnson’s contributions on guitar out of the mix. Bad idea. He’s not just on guitar, but also dobro, mandolin, and washboard – and he’s an integral part of the disc. Chuck Deardorf on bass, and Ben Smith on Drums round out the core group.
“My songs and song choices come from my personal knowledge and life’s experiences,” Mia Vermillion says. “…the inner and outer workings of relationships, the joy of music and life, and the huge satisfaction of recognizing and providing feminine value and perspective in it all”. Blah, blah, blah. Nice things to say for publicity. What it needs to say is that this woman flat-out nails it. “Alone Together With The Blues” is a delicious romp, and is very highly recommended.
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About Doug Boynton
A little about me? Fair question.
My name is Doug Boynton. I’ve worked around the broadcasting business most of my life, as a journalist - or selling the works of other broadcast journalists. I’m also an aspiring mystery writer. I get a few review discs now and then, but most of what gets reviewed…is stuff I’ve purchased, and yes - I’m more inclined to buy stuff I know I’ll like. But the ability to download an album for ten bucks at iTunes or listen to a whole album at Yahoo! Music late on a Friday night with a beer in my hand means I’m ready to take a chance - if not on love (way too much of that in my past), at least on a few tunes.
Let’s be clear - I’m a consumer. I attempt to be an informed consumer, but I’m no expert on who played sax on what. I can just barely tell my Nelson Riddle from my Billy May, but I know what I like. And the things I like, I try to find out more about. What I do like are mostly straight-ahead standards backed by a small combo. But every once in a while (more often, now that I’ve taken to listening to BBC’s Radio Two over the Internet), something will come along and have me scrambling to find out more. With a few clicks these days, that itch can be easily satisfied. You don’t agree? It’s okay. More often than not, my wife doesn’t either. Remember, this is something I do for my own amusement and education, and opinions are like elbows. Everyone has at least one.
Want to play nice, and try your hand at a thoughtful 300-500 word review of something I’ve missed? Want to file a dissent? That would be great! Send it here. I can’t afford to buy all the music I’d like. I have too many ex-wives out there already. I’ll pay you with the eternal thanks of a grateful nation - or at least those who read this. All I ask is that it’s a female vocalist you’re reviewing - solo or fronting a band, and that you’re willing to put your real name on the review.
Thanks for stopping by this time.
