2013 – TML Records
By Phillip Smith;
Aug. 16, 2014
I’m not really sure how Leroy Miller’s five song EP, Temple slipped by me last year, but I am
so glad it recently caught my attention.
It is downright phenomenal. Miller masterfully wrote, sang, and
played all the instruments on this album, much like Prince did on his first albums.
Temple is lush guitar-centric
blues at its best akin to that of George
Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Miller kicks
the album off with “Integrity”, a high-energy track reflecting his preference of
maintaining principles and being alone, over being someone else’s stepping
stone. “One Woman One Man”, is blues
infused with a lot of soul. The keys give this a little Booker T Jones flavoring while his guitar riffs remind me of fellow
MGs guitarist Steve Cropper.
When “Going Back Home” starts
out, I want to reach over to the dial and turn it up a notch. Exceptional guitar playing and a traditional
blues melody give this track an instant familiarity. Miller enthusiastically
lays down more terrific guitar licks on another fantastic track, “Dead Man
Walking”. Soaked heavily in Texas blues,
this western-themed melody is sung from the perspective of one whose cards have
been stacked against them since birth.
Temple is as
solid as an EP can get. Every track
shines with splendid performances. I just
wish there were more to hear.
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