Articles

Tim Miller: Trio vol 3

By Mike Jacobs

Best not to bury the lead. Tim Miller's Trio Vol 3 sets a new high-water mark for the guitarist's output, an advance from and worthy successor to his last trio recording nearly a decade ago. There, a potential pull-quote is out of the way... Before returning to the review, something--what many newcomers to Mr. Miller's work might find to be the elephant in the room--begs addressing. (Legato-philes and T.M. fans, feel free ...

Tim Miller: Trio Vol. 2

By Phil DiPietro

Tim Miller Trio Vol. 2 Avenir Records 2008

Very few guitarists have digested, head-on, the daunting influence of Alan Holdsworth, and then assimilated it into their own playing. Fewer still have combined Holdsworth's no-longer-futuristic linearity with the science of melodic chord permutation, as promulgated by the likes of George Van Eps, Ted Green and Mick Goodrick. Even fewer are in their thirties, like Tim Miller.

These qualities alone would make Miller's current release--the second ...

Tim Miller: Trio

By Phil DiPietro

Tim Miller's third indie effort stands out by manifesting his influences as an aural whole. Compositionally, the freedom and openness in the music reflects the deep influence of Keith Jarrett, while sonically, the air-infused yet electric guitar sound dances with bass and drums mixed in a pastoral acoustic style. Even with headphones, the listener hears the trio of instruments entwined in the air, coupled by intense playing and musicianship.

From the perspective of guitar-related influences we hear the chordal inspiration ...

Tim Miller: Sides

By Phil DiPietro

Boston's (by way of Michigan, North Texas State and Paris) 29-year old Tim Miller shows the world some very impressive bop-fusion guitar chops on this auspicious 40-minute indie release. He also shows that he's the latest honcho who's deeply felt the influence of Allan Holdsworth. That last statement is now akin to saying, “here's a new saxophonist that's felt the influence of Coltrane." Speaking of which, one of the world's greatest post-'Trane saxophonists, underheralded Boston institution and fellow Berklee faculty ...