Description
Universal United House of Prayer is the sixth solo album by the American singer-songwriter Buddy Miller, released on New West Records in September 2004. Made by Buddy Miller, May 2004.
Regina & Ann McCrary are singing on on everything except tracks 4 and 6. Additional vocals by Emmylou Harris (track 5), Jim Lauderdale (tracks 4, 8, and 10), and Julie Miller (track 6). A short piece of “Royal Telephone” sung by Glenda Edwards follows “Fall On The Rock,” the final listed song.
The album features two covers, Bob Dylan‘s “With God On Our Side” and “Worry Too Much” by Mark Heard (originally recorded on Heard’s 1991-album Second Hand). Universal United House of Prayer was voted Album of the Year and “Worry Too Much” Song of the Year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards in 2005, the marquee event for the Americana Music Association.
As a guitar sessioner, he’s much in demand in Nashville including his work as a sidesman for Emmylou Harris. In CCM circles he’s probably best known as the husband of Julie Miller who recorded a handful of Christian music albums at the beginning of the ’90s. He’s released solo projects and albums with his wife for a while now but with ‘Universal United House Of Prayer’ it feels as though everything has come together to create a steaming gumbo of intense music and spiritual questions and challenges. This is searing music that separates the spiritual flimsy from what is real, earthy and worthwhile. Kicking off with a Mark Heard song «Worry Too Much», thematically it’s almost immediately answered by the second song «There’s A Higher Power». Both songs feature the immaculate soulful gospel vocals of Regina and Ann McCrary. Another highlight is a brilliant cover of Dylan’s «With God On Our Side» which seems to speak with increasing power in these days of America’s actions post 9/11. Elsewhere there’s the excellent spiky alt country «Don’t Wait» and the bluesy Julie Miller-penned «Fall On The Rock» that closes things. Ultimately this is an all round superb piece of artistry. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, January 2005]
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CD tracklist:
01. Worry Too Much – 4:49
02. There’s A Higher Power – 3:52
03. Shelter Me – 3:14
04. With God On Our Side – 9:14
05. Wide River To Cross – 3:03
06. Fire And Water – 4:01
07. Don’t Wait – 4:37
08. This Old World – 2:59
09. Is That You – 4:53
10. Returning – 4:54
11. Fall On The Rock – 5:03
Note: A short piece of “Royal Telephone” sung by Glenda Edwards follows the final listed song.
“Worry Too Much” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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CREDITS. Produced by Buddy Miller.
Musicians: Buddy Miller (Guitar, Vocals), Phil Madeira (Hammond B3 Organ, Accordion, Lap Steel Guitar), Tammy Rogers (Violin), Julie Miller (Guitar – track 11), Alison Prestwood (Bass – track 11), Rick Plant (Bass and Banjo – tracks: 1, 10), Byron House (Bass – tracks: 2 to 5), Brady Blade (Drums – tracks: 2 to 4, 7, 9, 10), Bryan Owings (Drums – tracks: 1, 8, 11), Steve Hindalong (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Ann McCrary (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7 to 11), Regina McCrary Brown (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7 to 11), Jim Lauderdale (tracks: 4, 8, 10), Emmylou Harris (track 5), Julie Miller (track 6). Brady Blade (Voice track 7).
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