Close to a quarter century ago, Buddy Miller developed a singular guitar style that would make him an icon in the music genre known as Americana. With a rootsy resonance grounded in country, blues and rock, and a healthy dose of Daniel Lanois–influenced ambience, Miller’s approach is one where prodigious technique is always subservient to soul. Through seven solo records, as well as albums with Jim Lauderdale, Bill Frisell and others, Miller has honed a unique approach to twang, while his textural side was brought to bear in his work with Robert Plant’s Band of Joy. All of the above is applied to Breakdown on 20th Avenue South (New West), his third collaboration with his wife, Julie.
On some of the electric numbers, the tone of his trademark Italian Wandrè guitar is in evidence. Miller owns two of these radically designed instruments and makes no bones about their importance to his music. “I originally paid 50 bucks each for them, and they are the key to my whole life,” he says. “One is tuned standard, and the other one is usually either tuned up to F or down to Eb, because I like having the open strings.”
Miller initially thought the guitars were branded Noble because of a name that appears the back of the headstock. “Noble was an importer of Italian accordions in Chicago,” he explains. “I guess the Wandrè guitars came as part of the deal.” Indeed, with their glittery finish and push-button switching, a visual and mechanical resemblance to an accordion is apparent. The glossy appearance is deceptive, however, as these are cheaply constructed guitars. “I’ve probably put 50 dollars worth of superglue into this thing over the years,” Miller says. “The