troy_thegun

I've only been acquainted with T-Roy Miller for about a year and a half, but he has impressed me as one of Texas' finest young guitar players. I've caught several of his shows and watched him sit in with numerous great bands and his versatile and fluid style of picking has enhanced them all. Every time I see him, the thought, "that man can play" runs through my mind.

His first three CDs have been eclectic and took several listenings to fully appreciate. The first one, "Junction Three -Twelve" was raw country with an edge. The beautiful acoustic instrumental "Christmas Pieces" was heard often at my house last December (it's a gem). Last year's "Gluttons for Punishment" was a mostly acoustic cowboy concept album where he showed real growth as a songwriter.

I enjoy his recordings, yet I've always wished that he would cut one of his "knock me over" electric solos like he does in concert. I get my wish on "The Gun", in mass. There are no dobros, fiddles, harmonica or backing vocals here. T-Roy and Generation teX, Larry McPherson on bass, Dan DeGrado on rhythm guitar and Andy Mayer on drums, have recorded an excellent album filled with amazing guitar solos. The trio supplies all the accompaniment T-Roy needs. They are consistently good and add depth and fullness to every track, behind Mr. Miller's blazing guitar work. I hope they play together while promoting this release. I'd buy a ticket.

T-Roy wrote all ten tracks over a four-year period, and he must have been saving them for this project. That would have been hard to do, because these are great songs with interesting lyrics that prove his talent extends far beyond his fingertips.

His voice has also improved, probably due to all the use as of late. It's deeper and more seasoned and fits these lyrics like a glove. There are no sour notes here.

The CD starts softly with "Cherry Vodka Sour", which quickly shifts gears with a fiery guitar blast. He's giving an ex-lover the kiss-off. "Drink that Cherry Vodka sour you've been nursing for an hour and go confuse somebody somewhere else", he tells her. The solo in the middle is reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray. A great start.

Drums and bass set the rhythm on "To Do Song", a kind of southern rock ballad. It's an optimistic philosophical song that features several rhythm changes and guitar solos that show great restraint, but with enough flash to leave you shaking your head in wonder.

"Honky Tonk Has Been Waiting To Happen" should be a hit record. It has great lyrics about a singer living an extreme honky tonk life.

"He's a honky tonk has-been, waiting to happen.

He feels he needs to even up some score.

But it still breaks my heart when I see a honky tonk has-been

that should have been so much more."

It also features some good ol' honky tonk pickin'.

"Angel Song" is country to the core and features some nice pickin' by T-Roy and Dan.

"A couple of back sliding lovers like us might get one wing apiece when we die.

But just hold my hand, my angel, and together we'll take to the sky.

If we're not a match made in heaven, the angels must think we're somethin' else.

If God didn't put us together, He could not have done better himself".

The title track, "The Gun", is very close to edgy rhythm and blues with some funky guitar playing. It's about a six string heavy hitter that plays for the highest bidder. The solo reminds me of Clapton during his "Layla" period. Good stuff!

The song's title, "I Wouldn't Miss Missing You" pretty much says it all. An upbeat "cryin' in my beer" song with clever lyrics. "So I raise my beer for a toast, here's to my poor health" and a short scorching mournful solo.

"No Logic to Love" is a lively three-step number that had Lana and me dancing in the living room.

"Aluminum Into Gold" starts with the sound of a can being crushed and goes on to tell the story of a "genius" that plans on getting rich by selling his beer cans.

"I'm gonna' turn this aluminum into gold;

I'd be a wealthy man if all these empty cans were sold.

It's good for the environment and it's money for me.

Save the earth is my new philosophy.

If I keep on drinkin' beer, we could retire in a year".

I'll take bets that we'll be hearing and singing along with this one for years to come. This might be T-Roy's "Redneck Mother". It's even got a "howl along" ending. It sounds like a classic in the making to me.

The title track "Gluttons for Punishment" was my favorite song on last year's release. Now he gives us an electrified, slightly faster, rocked up version with some wailing guitar. The killer solo shows off his wonderful technique and total control of his instrument.

The CD ends nicely with "Good from the Good Book", an acoustic song in which T-Roy counts his blessings and professes his faith in God as his "shield and sword".

"The Gun" is T-Roy's most fully realized album to date and is a must have for his fans. It will definitely appear on my year-end list of favorites. It establishes Mr. Miller as a songwriter of note and as one of the premier guitarists in the state. Of course, those of us that have sat in awe of him in concert already knew that. To borrow a line from the title track, "He'd leave a bowl of blood if guitars bled".

The CD release party is set for June 23, with surprise guests, at the Sons of Hermann Hall. You can bet I'll be there. My congrats to T-Roy and Generation teX on a very fine piece of work.

Written by Jim Hughes, 6/4/01

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