Born in Argentina to an American father and Irish mother, guitarist and composer Dominic Miller was raised in the U.S. from age 10 and then educated there and in England. The guitarist’s international mindset has only been deepened through decades of touring the globe, working with the likes of Paul Simon, The Chieftains, Plácido Domingo and, most often, Sting. Miller has long been known as the latter’s right-hand man on guitar – and co-writer of “Shape of My Heart,” among others. “I’ve been influenced by Sting’s lateral sense of harmony and how he forms songs,” the guitarist says. “I try to do the same by creating a narrative with instrumental music, which I treat and arrange as songs, with verses, choruses, bridges. I’ve absorbed a lot from him about concept and arrangement, as well concision in telling a story.” Now living in the south of France, it is indeed Miller’s penchant for storytelling that helps make “Vagabond” such a stunning album.
“Vagabond” is Miller’s third recording for ECM, following on from his debut Silent Light (2017), which captured the guitarist in solo performances with occasional percussive injections by Miles Bould, and Absinthe (2019), a quintet recording. For his latest project, the guitarist has partnered up with Ziv Ravitz on drums and pianist Jacob Karlzon, while long-time collaborator Nicolas Fiszman returns on bass. “As with every album of mine, I like to change the lineups which always encourages me to go in a different direction” explains Miller. “Once the pieces were written I invited the musicians to spend three days with me in the south of France playing through these tunes and learning their structures and melodies. Then we went to the studio where I wanted them to be set free around these arrangements and the result is a strong improvisatory element to all the titles.”
The collective spirit captured on this quartet recording is testimony to Miller’s thoughtful, skilful and open approach toward making music. Each tune sounds like a heartfelt discovery… as if the four musicians have searched and found something very special together. A deeply felt respect and understanding runs through all of the music here, with beautiful interplay and tender moments brought to life with subtle and nuanced expressions. The lovingly crafted arrangements bring a strong sense of belonging to the recording, allowing for each musician to become an integral part of the music, with the foursome expertly balancing deep grooves with subtle interplay, weaving pastel shades into delicate harmonic changes as they chart a ruminative path through the session.
As one would expect from an ECM recording, the sound quality is excellent. Yet here, it feels particularly perceptive somehow. The essence of the stunning music is captured perfectly in the quality of the recording. From the opening lines of the first track, “All Change”, the character of Miller’s acoustic guitar is brought to life. The clarity of the piano, bass and drums assists the emotive nature of this incredible album opener. Gradually building into a crescendo, the depth of feeling mounts, mesmerising and spellbinding in its intense power and beauty. The gentle nature of the gorgeous “Cruel But Fair” raises the hairs on the back of my neck with its subtle melody and thoughtful interplay. “Open Heart” is sparse, Miller’s yearning, searching acoustic guitar slowly joined by the other three instruments in heartfelt conversation. Influenced by the guitarist’s surroundings in southern France, the mesmeric “Vaugines” is named after a small village the composer would walk through. As if ruminating on the nature of time, place, and life itself, this contemplative feeling continues on “Clandestine”, which refers to a hidden bar where Miller would occasionally meet some locals. “Altea” brings the quartet into perfect focus, all four members combining as one with some wonderful interplay. “Mi Viejo’ simply means my old man or my father, and its moving nature is something I’m sure most of us can identify with. The closing piece “Lone Waltz” finds the quartet relishing one another’s company, with guitar and piano, in particular, sharing their thoughts and secrets as they travel together one last time.
“Vagabond” is a stunning album from Miller. Its beauty is in detail. Its passion is created by four incredibly gifted musicians hitting the sweet spot together at the same time. Simply beautiful.