ONCE IN A BLUE MOON BY FRANKIE MILLER (AKA IF YOU LIKE RAY LAMONTAGNE...)

Once In A Blue Moon by Frankie Miller

Every now and then I'll listen to a great blue-eyed soul singer named Ray LaMontagne.  His voice and songwriting is often compared to that of Van Morrison and Joe Cocker.  Fair comparison.  But, LaMontagne's real 70s equivalent is Frankie Miller.  Literally, there are times where their voices are indistinguishable from one another. And on 1972's Once In A Blue Moon, Miller's has provided more than a few songs which are on par—if not better than—LaMontagne's best known songs "Trouble," "For The Summer" and "You Are The Best Thing."  These include "You Don't Need To Laugh," "It's All Over," "After All (Live My Life)," and, most notably, "I Can't Change It," which isn't a hit song, but is a somewhat remarkable tune that is beautifully sung and strummed on Acoustic Guitar.  On the other hand, one of the album's least impressive tracks is Miller's restrained and boring cover of Bob Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues." 

On Once In A Blue Moon, Miller is tastefully backed my the members of Britain's Brinsley Schwarz (Known for their classic "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding"), whose bassist/vocalist Nick Lowe would receive both great recognition—and a great following—for hits like "Cruel To Be Kind" and albums like Labour of Lust and Pure Pop For Now People (aka Jesus Of Cool.)

If you're a singer/songwriter kinda guy or gal, you won't get attached to Once In A Blue Moon like you will Sweet Baby James or Tapestry.  But then again, no one's ever claimed that Once In A Blue Moon is an innovative classic of its time and genre.  But, a small amount of people have championed it as an impressive and very good album.     

They are right.

Once In A Blue Moon by Frankie Miller

And in case you don't know Ray LaMontagne...

And if you don't know Brinsley Schwarz or Nick Lowe...you're welcome...