Description
Invisible Girl is the fourth album by the American singer and songwriter Julie Miller, independently released on Street Level Records in 1994, distributed by R.E.X. Music. The album was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Buddy Miller, with Julie co-producing. “Runaway Heart” features vocals by Victoria Williams and Mark Olsen (of Jayhawks fame).
Much of this album deals with sorrow, loss and redemption in unflinching terms. While the album yielded another popular single, “Nobody’s Child”, Invisible Girl was Miller’s last release for a CCM label. Julie Miller began to gain wider exposure in 1995. Emmylou Harris covered “All My Tears” on her Wrecking Ball album and Julie sang and co-wrote songs on her husband Buddy’s debut album for HighTone Records, Your Love and Other Lies. HighTone soon signed Julie Miller as well, releasing her fifth solo album Blue Pony in 1997.
It’s heartening to see the way Europe has taken the little lady with the Apalachian Mountains voice and the dizzy stage persona to their hearts. For Julie Miller is unquestionably one of the major talents thrown up by America’s CCM scene. Maybe this, Julie’s fourth, isn’t quite up to the towering brilliance of ‘Orphans and Angels‘ but it’s still a delight with some lovely songs, like the assurance that in the sight of God his children are beautiful, «In My Eyes», (where Julie is helped out on the vocals by Split Level‘s Adrian Thompson). Charlie Peacock also makes a vocal appearance but it’s Julie’s eerily haunting voice that has centre stage. Husband Buddy Miller has put together some effective arrangements, from ethereal piano led ballads, to Celtic rock (the Electrics’ «The Back Of Your Head»), 60s style pop (dig the Searchers-like guitars) and a down-in-the-alley blues. An album certain to satisfy Julie’s growing bevy of fans and one that exudes a caring heart for the hurts of humanity. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, October 1994]
Perhaps the defining aspect of Julie Miller’s musical ministry is empathizing with and expressing the sorrow of others. Indeed, those who’ve been forgotten and abused are dearest to Miller, and she continues, as on her first three albums, to reach out to them. The bridge of the opening «Nobody’s Child» (“Come all of you ragged and unshod/ Come and be embraced and loved by God”) speaks to those people, as do «I Will Be With You» (an achingly beautiful trio with Charlie Peacock and Valerie Carter), «In My Eyes» and «When You Come Home».
But Miller is also capable of belting out blues/rock tunes. «Too Many Troubles» is a simple 12-bar blues ditty, while «Back of Your Head» is a Celtic shuffle which finds Miller backed by U.K. band The Electrics. «Weapons of the Spirit», penned by former Lone Justice member Marvin Etzioni, again gives Miller a chance to duet with Carter on a Bo Diddley-inspired R&B romp. But even with a plethora of masterful musicians like Phil Madeira, John Schreiner, John Catchings and Victoria Williams participating, the unsung hero is Julie’s husband Buddy. Besides playing several instruments and singing harmony and backing vocals, Buddy produced and engineered the album in the Miller’s home studio. His intimate style of mixing places you right at the foot of the stage for Julie’s best album to date. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, November 1994]
CD tracklist:
01. Nobody’s Child – 3:42
02. Runaway Heart – 3:30
03. In My Eyes – 3:51
04. When You Come Home – 4:08
05. Too Many Troubles – 2:11
06. I Will Be With You – 3:55
07. Weapon Of The Spirit – 4:24
08. I Can’t Cry Hard Enough – 3:43
09. At The End Of The Road – 2:47
10. Back Of Your Head – 2:37
11. I Like You – 1:56
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Street Level Records. Co-released in Europe by Spark Music.
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CREDITS. Co-produced by Julie and Buddy Miller. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Buddy Miller. “Back Of Your Head” engineered by Bruce Pont and James Savage.
Musicians: Julie Miller (Lead Vocals, Guitar on “I Like You”), Buddy Miller (Guitar, Bouzouki, Banjo, Melodica, Bass), Tammy Rogers (Violin, Mandolin), Kris Meewan (Mandolin), Paul Baird (Guitar), Phil Madeira (Organ, Accordion), John Andrew Schreiner (Piano, Accordion), Jim Hoke (Harmonica), Kenny McNicholl (Bagpipes), John Catchins (Cello), Ethan James (Hurdy Gurdy), Byron House (Bass), Sam Horner (Bass), Davie McArthur (Drums), Don Heffington (Drums, Percussion). Backing Vocals: The Williams Brothers, Mark Olsen, Victoria Williams, Don Heffington, Dexter Dickerson, King Cotton, Popeye, Adrian Thompson, Charlie Peacock, Valerie Carter, Adam Marshall, Dan Posthuma, J.W. Clarke, Jack Wallin, Sam Horner, Buddy Miller, Julie Miller. Harmony Vocals: Valerie Carter (on “Weapon Of The Spirit”), Victoria Williams (on “I Like You”).
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