For her third album for Pink Bubble Records, guitar player Jane Miller has called her group to order for a program of 12 Miller originals performed in a classical-like setting. Limiting an album to strictly the performer's originals is always a risky venture. Because the music is unfamiliar, it helps to include a few familiar tunes to attract listeners. Moreover, in the case of new, original music, it is always helpful to know what the composer had in mind for each of the songs as they set notes to staff paper. This is one of the purposes of liner notes. But here the notes have no explanation of the music at all, which is too bad. Some discussion would have helped since virtually each song is much like the one that immediately preceded it and the one that followed it. There is little or no rhythmic variety; everything is done in a medium tempo, with a stream of consciousness approach allowing for no pauses in the music. It isn't until track six that things begin to brighten up with "Home from Chicago." Another treat comes a couple of tracks later with an almost up-tempo "That Was Summer," featuring good piano from Tim Ray; still later, there's another find with "What Becomes of Music." Miller is a very good guitar player, equally adept on electric and acoustic guitars, as she has shown on her earlier releases. Her considerable talent, and that of her confreres, is not put to optimum use with this program. The Other Room will interest disciples of the jazz guitar and jazz guitar students, but probably will not appeal much to the general jazz fan.
© Dave Nathan /TiVo