Mention the name FRANKIE MILLER to any musician of a certain era and their face will immediately light up regarding his singing ability and subsequent influence on a generation of British vocalists. The owner of one of the finest blues voices of the era, Frankie’s shadow loomed long and hard across a multitude of styles, with enough true grit and authority to carve out a top tier reputation. Compared in the same exalted breath as Rod Stewart, Paul Rodgers, Terry Reid and Joe Cocker, Frankie quickly established a reputation second to none.
Rock Candy Records has been reissuing / remastering Miller albums including bonus tracks, and as requested, here’s one of his best: ”Falling In Love” (titled ‘A Perfect Fit’ for the North American market). This sixth album saw Frankie move with the times, electing to work with a new producer, forever searching for a definitive sound and commercial edge.
The recording process for “Falling In Love” started in Surrey, England during the summer of 1978 at the studios of producer Dave Mackay – the only real permanent fixture from the previous LP apart from Miller and Mackay was guitarist Steve Simpson. Simpson had played previously with Meal Ticket and was to go on to be an integral part of Roger Chapman’s success in later years.
The cast list of session musicians featured future Mike + The Mechanics Paul Carrack on keyboards who had been on the previous album “Double Trouble”, and Chris Slade on drums who would go on to be a member of Uriah Heep and AC/DC as well as being a founder member of The Firm with Paul Rodgers, Jimmy Page and Tony Franklin.
The album produced two hit singles, namely ‘Darlin’’ and ‘When I’m Away From You’. The former propelled itself into the UK Top 10 reaching #6, establishing Frankie as a household name but leaving something of a regrettable taste in his mouth that a ballad had widened his popularity.
The record does however contain a section of typical Miller heft, particularly with the tracks ‘A Woman To Love’ and ‘Pappa Don’t Know’. Elsewhere the mood is considered and, as you might reasonably expect, expertly performed, attracting comparisons to Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker albums of the same period.
Perhaps Frankie’s Achilles heel at this point was not truly defining his style, yet in many ways by not restricting his appeal his career would ultimately flourish and prosper.
The overall feel on ”Falling In Love” is more geared towards pop and FM radio than the blues and classic rock of the earlier albums which it isn’t a bad thing. There’s still rockers in the track list for a nice balance.
An enjoyable, melodic LP a great underrated singer.
Only at plotn08
01 – When I’m Away From You
02 – Is This Love
03 – If I Can Love Somebody
04 – Darlin’
05 – And It’s Your Love
06 – A Woman To Love
07 – Falling In Love With You
08 – Every Time A Teardrop Falls
09 – Pappa Don’t Know
10 – Good To See You
11 – Something About You (single)
BONUS TRACKS:
12 – Is This Love (Live)
13 – Cry To Me (Live)
14 – Cold Turkey (Live)
15 – When Something Is Wrong With My Baby (Live)
Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica – Frankie Miller
Keyboards – Chris Hall
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Paul Carrack
Guitar – Ed Deane, Terry Britten, Tim Renwick
Bass Guitar – Dave Wintour, Tex Corner
Drums – Chris Slade, Fran Byrne
Percussion – Barrie Guard
Backing Vocals – Linda Taylor, Plain Sailing
FRANKIE MILLER – Falling In Love [Rock Candy Remastered +4 bonus] (2022)
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