Frontman. In the jargon of rock, this term designates the one who, within a group, occupies the front of the stage, the one to whom all eyes are turned, generally the singer. Dominic Miller, however, is not their shadow. This guitarist born in Argentina was throughout his career a highly valued accompanist, in the studio as on stage. Many renowned artists have not been mistaken: Paul Simon, The Chieftains, Placido Domingo, or even Phil Collins. But his most prolific collaboration has been alongside Sting. He shared the stage with him for 15 years; he participated in five of his albums. Between the two men, a rare bond was built: the British singer also describes Miller as "his right arm ... but also his left!"
It is still to Dominic Miller that the ex-leader of the group The Police owes the discovery of the lute, instrument with which Sting recorded his baroque album Songs from the Labyrinth . They also co-wrote one of Sting's most famous hits, Shape of my heart . But playing the brilliant supporting roles did not prevent the guitarist from pursuing an intense solo career. His latest album released in 2019, Absinthe, designed and recorded not far from Avignon, is inspired by Provence and the Impressionists to whom the musician Francophile has a real fascination. The guitarist performed the songs on this album last week at the Ermitage studio in Paris during an evening that was more like a recital than a variety concert.
Dominic Miller in rehearsal at the Hermitage Studio -
As usual, Dominic Miller did not venture into the microphone; he remained seated among his fellow musicians. This is how he tells his stories, in an elegant and peaceful game. His music is rich in a thousand influences: the melodic dialogue between his guitar and the bandoneon evokes his Argentinian childhood, his irresistible groove which he develops with the bass and the drums reminds of jazz, as for the extreme attention he pays to each note, it signs all the art of a classical music concertist. While waiting for his return to the stage in October in Toulouse alongside Sting, let's get drunk, and without moderation, from his album Absinthe that the Luberon inspired him.
Dominic Miller, on tour in Europe throughout March and in particular in Namur (Belgium) on the 28th.