Jerry Lee Miller (with Nancy Honeytree) : Look for Me
Released 2017, with early tracks from 2014
Genre: Old World hippy sacred Irish folk (and some folky blues)
Short Play:
I discovered “Look for Me” on a lark. I would tell you more about Jerry Lee Miller, or the genesis of “Look for Me” - but I cannot find a thing. (*) All I know, is was looking for music by Nancy Honeytree, then stumbled on this "off the grid" gem.
I do not actually know if Jerry Lee is an Irishman, but he certainly sounds the part. I picture a wiry old man (or bee keeper), dancing down goat trails in the joy of the Holy Ghost. For lovers of Saint Patrick the penny whistle, stripped down production and haunting melodies, it just doesn't get any better than this.
You can get a pretty quick sense of the music by listening to "The Bird of Heaven Cries" -- a pre-release track that I was used in a film score:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Pvb9QYEV4
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I have since discovered through Facebook that Jerry Lee Miller is a former pastor of Spring Run Church of the Brethren, of middle Pennsylvania, and is active in area environmental issues. I found a picture of him in handcuffs as part of a Pipeline protest, but figured that might be bad form.
For introductory listen,
you can hear the entire album on Spotify here.
Or order a download through CD Baby here.
Long Play (mostly about Nancy)
As a long time Jesus Music enthusiast, I sometimes poke around Spotify, Youtube, or Band Camp to see if any of the veterans from the glory years are still putting out projects. And from time to time, I stumble on surprises. Not only are some of my old friends still putting out music, some are taking liberties they may never have taken in the days of record companies and budgets. Early Jesus music was never known for its commercial prowess, but even then, it took money to make records, and producers wanted something back on their investment.
Now I see form
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| I do not know who took this very find image. If it is yours please let me know, and I will gladly credit or remove. |
In these last weeks I have discovered new music from a handful of Jesus Music veterans, including: Nancy Honeytree, Kelly Willard, Paul Clark, Pat Terry and Bob Bennett. (Possible reviews to follow)
Today I want to look at just one … Nancy Honeytree, and see how she - as a woman nearing 70! is still blessing the world through her presence… this time, not as the “premier vocalist” but as a supporting vocalist on the work of an obscure Irishman. Not. Now I find he is from the hills of Pennsylvania, and a pastor from the Brethren Church. to boot.
For the Unfamiliar Nancy was a folk rocker folk rocker in the tradition of hippy-chic Judy Collins Nancy put out a series of quiet-standout records in the seventies and eighties, then put out a random record the 80s that moved into the realm of chamber-orchestra praise. (See a delightful overview of Nancy’s music by Scott Bachmann here. )
Nancy’s late period work stands out in my ear, because as a woman much into middle life, she finally acquired a husband. Her song “Well worth waiting for” rings in my ear for is beauty… both as a testament to her husband, and as a testimony to God's goodness to her through extended celibacy! Throughout the years I have long held Nancy in high esteem, for her stripped back hippy vibe, ear, and sanctified disposition.
As for Jerry Lee Miller and Nancy Honeytree together: It’s a perfect vocal pairing.
I get this sense that Nancy has gone full circle, intersecting her seventies self, with some added miles.
As for Jerry Lee. So glad to have made aware of you before we die. You must be a hoot. And a mind. I would love to sit in your parlor, or help you tend bees.
As for everything else, I won’t say more. You can listen, and love it as I do… Or walk away, missing the joys of quirky, hard-scrabble bliss.
