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PS Classics to Release "Stage Door Johnny," a CD by Broadway Music Veteran John Miller
By Kenneth Jones
21 Aug 2008
Longtime Broadway music coordinator John Miller, a respected behind-the-scenes guy who puts musicians together to create orchestras for musicals, makes his recording debut as vocalist, guitarist and producer of a new PS Classics album, "Stage Door Johnny."
The disc, whose subtitle is "John Miller Takes on Broadway," will offer unconventional interpretations of show music. It will be available in stores and online Sept. 16.
According to PS Classics, Miller "slyly reinvents a dozen Broadway standards in a variety of genres."
Expect "laidback James Taylor Charm" on "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," to a "smooth Latin" version of "Real Live Girl," "on which he channels Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto." "Secret Love" from "Calamity Jane," the sole track from a film score, "sizzles with a jazz and funk-inspired arrangement." "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" — accompanied by a lush string orchestra — "is further enhanced by crystalline country harmony."
For "Fugue for Tinhorns," Miller is joined on vocals by legendary jazz singer-songwriter Bob Dorough and The Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel.
Miller has been music coordinator for nearly 100 Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals, including Les Misérables, The Producers, The Who's Tommy, Titanic, City of Angels, Jersey Boys and Hairspray.
In his liner notes for the CD, Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Maury Yeston says, "Miller is one of the busiest freelance bass players in New York who has played and recorded with an unbelievable cast of characters. Here is an extremely shortened list of them — many of whom, no doubt, have helped shaped his personal playing and singing style along the way: P. Diddy, Leonard Cohen, Michael Jackson, Smashing Pumpkins, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Art Garfunkel, Aerosmith, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion,
B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Carly Simon, Tony Bennett, Luther Vandross, Diana
Ross, Pete Seeger, Tommy Flannigan and the New York Philharmonic. That
spanning of musical worlds and styles defines Miller. He is fluent in every
musical vernacular."
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Founded in 2000 by Tommy Krasker and Philip Chaffin, and a four-time Grammy nominee (for its cast albums of Assassins, Nine: The Musical, Grey Gardens and Company), PS Classics boasts a diverse line of solo albums and cast
Recordings. It is committed to the past, present and future of the Great
American Songbook. Its solo albums range from jazz ("Jessica Molaskey:
Sitting in Limbo") to folk ("Rebecca Luker: Leaving Home"), from pop ("Jane
Olivor: Safe Return") to show music ("Christine Andreas: Here's to the
Ladies"). Its acclaimed cast albums include the current Broadway production of Xanadu, as well as the recent productions of Sunday in the Park With
George and A Catered Affair. PS Classics is distributed exclusively by Image Entertainment. For more information, visit psclassics.com.
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"Stage Door Johnny" Cover Art
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