Dominic Miller is a little known, but fabulous
Argentine-born English guitarist who has played on every Sting album and tour
since 1990. In fact, he’s co-written many of Sting’s songs, including one of my favorites, “Shape of My Heart.”
He was born March 21st, 1960 and lived in
Argentina for the first ten years of his life. His family moved to Wisconsin
for two years then settled in London. He comes from a musical family and became
a serious guitarist by the age of eleven. He has studied at London’s Guildhall
School of Music as well as Boston’s Berklee College of Music.
His influences are diverse ranging from classical guitarist
John Williams to Lindsey Buckingham to the late Jerry Garcia. In his group he
alternates between electric and classical guitars and he’s a killer on both.
Check out Rhani Krija, his drummer and percussionist. He’s remarkable,
especially on “Rush Hour”. I’ve included two versions of “Shape of My Heart;
one with his band and a stripped down version with just he and Sting. There’s
also a clip of him accompanying Sting on “Brand New Day”. Miller is a dynamic guitarist/song writer and
one whom you should definitely get to know.
Fragile/Bring on the night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eNYBFIzNEU
Shape of my heart (Sting): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6VyvTaX8NE
Shape of my heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqzFcOWPlWc
Gut Feeling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyeCkpAJ__0
Air on a G string: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIeao201JIo
Brand new day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mbqeEXvHb4
Ripped nylon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0-dovqisO4
Fields of gold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0-FPLiJiQY
Meeting point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3eYohCekIA
Adagio in G minor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFpA_UFk3ok
Do you want me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE9YrNMm44s
Rush hour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ovO9Feykc
Miller’s music always strikes me as moody, brooding, and bit
on the dark side due to his extensive use of minor chord progressions. That
calls for an equally dark and brooding wine like “E-2” from Dave Phinney’s
Locations project ($19.00). Phinney has
a long history of winemaking at high-end wineries in the Napa Valley including
Opus One, Whitehall, and Mondavi. His own premium label Orin Swift is
best known for it’s “The Prisoner” and “Papillon” wines. The Location wines are
based on the concept of taking the best grapes from a country and blending them
to make the best possible wine. The
name, “E” stands for España or Spain and is a blend of Grenache from Priorat, Rioja and
Toro, Tempranillo from Riojo and Carignan from Ribera del Duero and Carinyena.
The wine is dark purple and full bodied with explosive aromas of black fruit
followed on the palate by blackberry, kirsh, and a touch of pepper. It has
stunning richness and opulence and for my money can’t be beaten for the price.
In fact, the Locations wines are some of the best wines money can buy for under
$20.00. It’s a perfect compliment to the guitar of Dominic Miller.
Cheers!
