Valorie Miller is a powerful songwriter who creates musical paintings of a dark beauty and intense depth. A self-taught musician and naturally gifted lyricist, Valorie has developed a unique finger-picking style on the guitar and delivers strong and melodic upright bass. In a 2003 article featuring her in No Depression, Jerry Withrow describes Valorie's voice as "pure Carolina, from whisper to wail". Valorie began her professional career in 1996 with an Emerging Artist Grant from the N.C. Arts alliance that allowed her to produce her first recording.
After a few years developing a fan base as a solo act and two more independent recordings, Valorie then spent two years as an accompanist (on bass and vocals) and opening act for the nationally touring singer-songwriter Malcolm Holcombe. During this time the two shared the stage with such acts as Merle Haggard, Wilco, Leon Russel and grammy award winner Shelby Lynne. After finishing her latest recording, with the help of Holcombe and a stellar cast of Nashville musicians, she resumed her career as a solo artist and currently tours in the southeast.
RECORDINGS
Valorie currently has four independently released recordings. Her first CD, Analog (1999), contains striking solo pieces as well as group numbers featuring regional artists The Blue Rags and Larry Keel.
Her Second CD, Ghost Tracks, (2000), continues her unmistakable tradition of reveling in both lyrical smoothness and a degenerate underbelly. Miller plays almost all of the instruments on the project, showing her versatility as a musician.
Sweeter Than Salt, features Miller's most heartfelt songwriting to date and performances by seasoned Nashville musicians. Tony Arata, a songwriter who has written multiple country music hits, gave the CD a rave review: "...there is stuff on the CD that runs the gamut all the way from frightening me (literally) to inspiring me (greatly)...'Loosen Me' is as well-sung, as well-written and as well-played as anybody could hope to do...what a song...and somebody ought to be tied up and made to do 'Sweeter Than Salt'."
Her most recent CD, Folk Star, has just arrived,..here is a great review from Rambles Magazine...
Valorie Miller, with that unique spelling of her given name, traces
her roots to the soil of Appalachia, and what better grounding could a
singer-songwriter have?
We hear and read reams about the recording techniques and
studio time of the superstars of modern music. Miller shows us that
with talent all that technology is just window dressing and media
fodder. Apparently she recorded this album in her singlewide trailer,
with some tracks sung as she soaked in the bathtub. How relaxed can you
get?
But beware, this is far from a garage recording. Without the
artist revealing the above, you would swear this was top-end studio
material. Although she only gives us nine tracks, she displays her
professionalism and very strong ability as writer, player and performer
on this CD.
Opening with "Luckiest Angel," she will draw you in with her
lovely voice and ensnare you with heartfelt lyrics. She has been
compared to Norah Jones and Patsy Cline, but listen to Folk Star and you will hear a girl who is pure Valorie Miller.
Her style is epitomized on a great track called "Wishful
Drinkin'." I loved the whole tenor of this song. Given the chance this
could be a worldwide hit. It has it all: lyrics, backing and a
wonderfully strong but delicate delivery.
She continues this fabulous writing on a perhaps less
commercial but image-making "Hummingbird Song." Lyrics like "Preachers
are trendy, turn God to candy" and "the answer is nearer, and in the
mirror" will give you just a hint at its powerful message.
This nine-track CD actually gives us more to ponder on and
enjoy than many double albums. Even the title of "Queen Anne's Lace"
gives us pause for thought before plunging into another excellent story
song. "One Little Moon" then comes along and we switch our thinking on
the genre pigeonhole for Miller. This has the almost Cole Porter feel
and it works so well.
This is an album that could travel very well from that trailer to the concert halls of the world.
by Nicky Rossiter
Rambles.NET
28 April 2007
