Raven in the Snow
Raven in the Snow | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1995 | |||
Label | Reprise[1] | |||
Producer | Richard Bennett | |||
Bill Miller chronology | ||||
|
Raven in the Snow is an album by the Native American musician Bill Miller, released in 1995.[2][3] The first two singles were "River of Time" and the title track.[4][5] Miller supported the album by opening shows for the BoDeans and then Tish Hinojosa.[6][7]
Production
[edit]Produced by Richard Bennett, the album was recorded in Nashville.[8][9] "In Every Corner of the Forest" is a three-part instrumental that was inspired by a Mike Watt/Eddie Vedder show; much of the rest of the album was influenced by the Byrds and Richie Havens.[10][11][12] Miller played flute on Raven in the Snow, and was supported by an electric band on most of the songs.[13][14] Miller wrote many of the songs with members of his backing band.[15] Miller chose the album's rock sound in part due to commercial considerations.[16]
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
USA Today | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
USA Today called the "rocking" Raven in the Snow "one of the most powerful and poetic releases of the year."[19] The Vancouver Sun wrote: "From Dylan-esque harp leads to crunching, spellbinding backbeats, Miller combines the best of all worlds to come up with straightforward folk-rock with a little something extra."[9] City Pages considered the album "an uncategorizable mix of smart Triple-A pop and meditative tribal rhythms, with strong echoes of Dylan's best '70s stuff."[20]
The Record labeled the album "a multi-faceted musical masterpiece," writing that the songs "are fresh and crackle with fine, crisp musicianship."[21] The Plain Dealer determined that Miller's music "isn't prefabricated and delves into important and uncomfortable themes concerning America's treatment of its native people."[22] The Mercury News listed Raven in the Snow among the best albums of 1995.[23]
AllMusic deemed "River of Time" "a harmonica-driven, midtempo rocker that compares favorably with the music of artists like Peter Himmelman."[17]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "River of Time" | |
2. | "Brave Heart" | |
3. | "In Every Corner of the Forest (Part 1)" | |
4. | "Listen to Me" | |
5. | "Red Bird, Yellow Sun" | |
6. | "After the Storm" | |
7. | "Raven in the Snow" | |
8. | "Pile of Stones" | |
9. | "In Every Corner of the Forest (Part 2)" | |
10. | "The Final Word" | |
11. | "Eagle Must Fly Free" | |
12. | "This Kind of Love" | |
13. | "In Every Corner of the Forest (Part 3)" |
References
[edit]- ^ Harris, Paul A. (10 Nov 1995). "Recordings". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 4E.
- ^ Prince, David (18 Aug 1995). "Two Concerts Set for Red Nation Celebration". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 50.
- ^ Orr, Jay (29 Sep 1995). "New stuff". Nashville Banner. p. C1.
- ^ Stillman, Pamela (7 Dec 1995). "The Raven in the Snow,' Bill Miller, finds success". Indian Country Today. p. C1.
- ^ Flick, Larry (Feb 24, 1996). "Singles — Raven in the Snow, a single by Bill Miller". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 8. p. 88.
- ^ Alesia, Tom (23 Nov 1995). "BoDeans Still Rocking on Brink of Stardom". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 6.
- ^ Boehm, Mike (10 June 1996). "Singer-Writer Trying to Get the Words Out". Los Angeles Times. p. F1.
- ^ a b MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 516.
- ^ a b Monk, Katherine (2 Nov 1995). "Bill Miller Raven In The Snow". Vancouver Sun. p. C8.
- ^ Terrell, Steve (17 Nov 1995). "Terrell's Tune-Up". Pasatiempo. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 34.
- ^ Richardson, Ken (Apr 1996). "Raven in the Snow". Stereo Review. Vol. 61, no. 4. p. 86.
- ^ Tianen, Dave (24 Nov 1995). "Roots Rocker Opening for BoDeans". Cue. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 14.
- ^ Redmond, Mike (1 Dec 1995). "Indian spirit imbues Bill Miller's music". The Indianapolis Star. p. E3.
- ^ Howell, Dave (5 Apr 1996). "Blowing in the 'Wind': Native-American Expresses Heritage with the Flute". The Morning Call. p. D12.
- ^ Wright-McLeod, Brian (1 Dec 1996). "Top marks for latest endeavor from Miller". Windspeaker. 14 (8): 20.
- ^ Logan, Neill (24 Jan 1997). "Vital voice is silent no more". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 31.
- ^ a b "Bill Miller Raven in the Snow". AllMusic.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 759.
- ^ a b Zimmerman, David (26 Sep 1995). "Miller's 'Raven' rocks with poetry". USA Today. p. 6D.
- ^ "Country-Fried". Music Notes. City Pages. April 10, 1996.
- ^ Johnson, Steven C. (November 19, 1995). "Music Reviews". Books & Music. The Record. p. 15.
- ^ Fulmer, Douglas (April 3, 1996). "Miller's Music Reflects Self, Culture". The Plain Dealer. p. 8E.
- ^ "Skimming the Cream Off the Best Pop of 1995". The Mercury News. December 27, 1995. p. 1E.