Roger Miller Albums (16)
'Live'
Release Date 5/4/2000
Tracks 10
Label EMI-Capitol Special Markets
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Roger Miller Live!'
Release Date 5/20/1997
Tracks 12
Label Silver Eagle
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What The Critics Say
Silver Eagle Cross Country Presents Live -- Roger Miller is a budget-line record capturing a performance from 1982 at Fort Worth, Texas. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
'Making a Name for Myself'
Release Date 1/1/1979
Tracks 10
Label 20th Century
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'Dear Folks, Sorry I Haven't Written Lately'
Release Date 1/1/1973
Tracks 10
Label Columbia
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What The Critics Say
Roger Miller turns out to be a very good set that features Miller's hit rendition of Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee." The tracks that follow are far from being filler, from the beautiful folk-pop of "Darby's Castle" to the slightly Beatlesque "Meanwhile Back in Abeline." Lighter tracks like "Colonel Maggie" and "Boeing Boeing 707" are nice additions, as is the poignant "Where Have All the Average People Gone." Overall, the album might not feature as many hits as other Miller albums, but the material is first rate, nonetheless. ~ Matt Fink, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In the hands of a lesser country artist, an album completely comprised of pop ballads could have been a disaster, but Roger Miller managed to make an album that's very well done and classy, though not one of his most creative ventures, by any means. Of the 11 tracks, only one was written by Miller, and none of his Three Stooges-meet-Merle Haggard lyricism is represented here. Most of the selections are well done and not entirely overproduced, with many, such as "What I'd Give (To Be the Wind)" and "My Elusive Dreams," being mainly comprised of classical guitar and Miller's fine vocals. The record does sometimes get bogged down in triteness, as on "Honey," but overall it's fairly pleasant listening -- just nothing earth-shattering. ~ Matt Fink, All Music Guide
'Walkin' in the Sunshine'
Release Date 1/1/1967
Tracks 10
Label Smash
See Album Tracklist and Review
'The Return of Roger Miller'
Release Date 1/1/1965
Tracks 13
Label Smash
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Allowed to hit with full power on his second album for Smash, Roger Miller presents an album made up completely of his own compositions, quite an achievement in country music circles. The songs reach way beyond the genre into stylistic realms that are difficult to pinpoint, although certain facts are beyond question. They are classic American songs which hold up alongside the best of any generation. They are also songs that appeal to children of all ages, partly due to a whimsical nature that borders on anarchy. His portrait of the "King of the Road" is packed with detail and nuance like a Vincent van Gogh painting, while other songs skip along as if they are about absolutely nothing, tongue firmly in cheek when eventually revealing the message. Like many country releases of this era, this is hardly a bargain in playing time, but Miller gets it all in, balancing the humorous and serious songs, stretching out just a touch on the more swinging numbers and packing something of six verses of gibberish into well less than two minutes of "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd." All praises to Miller the songwriter, but let's not forget the terrific sidemen and arrangements that make each of these recordings so special. It would have been nice if they had credited the guys at the time! One of the most unique things about this material, much of it recorded over a two-day marathon session, is that the sound almost always focuses around the leader's guitar style, which was eccentric to say the least. Scat singing was certainly not the norm in country, let alone combined with instrumental leads in the Slam Stewart tradition. Mainstay instruments of country music, such as fiddle or pedal steel, don't make much of an appearance, instead the sound is built up around doubling of acoustic and electric guitars, with a piano-heavy rhythm section holding everything in place. Small but telling touches make the tracks happen big time, the best example of which would be the finger snapping on "King of the Road," credited over the years to everyone from Miller's sidekick guitarist Thumbs Carlisle to the Lone Ranger. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide
