This album wraps up FIRSTCOMESLOVE, the Portland-born trilogy about a real force to reckon with. (Love, of course!) Tasha is wild with strong parts. The oxen-blooded boob guy couldn't pass her up. They needed each other. Their love is pouring out the front door. This writing (and music) is exciting and profound! Mrs. Tasha Miller sings "Sway" (in English, Track 4) like a serious lover with ten red roses hanging on for dear life in her raven hair. The Mrs. rewrote "Dig It" at LEAST ten times before it became what it needed to be, a simple song about giving into the present moment ('cuz shoot! that is all that any of us really have). This track (#1) includes FUNKPLastic, one of America's best street 5-gallon bucket drummers...as well as a horn section, bass, wurly AND B-3 organ, percussion, key and drum programming...and an entire kids choir who camped at the Miller house one weekend to learn their parts and record. "Y're Grumpy" is Tasha's observations of people who have lost perspective on what is truly important in life. The persons addressed in this hilariously upbeat calypso have forgotten altogether what the value of life IS. Tasha experienced a tipping point in her very own community and decided to write this song...in hopes that any adult who deserves a wake up call might just get it when they listen. Any victim of this audio spank has created their own unhappiness (found it too easy to blame their troubles on somebody else). Have you ever met someone who went to Paris, then came home and reported only complaints about the vacation? And more so, wanted your pity? Or somebody who belongs to the elite social clubs of the town...and complains about having to go to a...luncheon? It's perplexing and ludicrous...but it happens every single day. Towards the end of the jig, Tasha's voice rings loud and CLEAR, "...but you still got some time to turn your sour grapes into a jug of sweet wine. And that way! Your tombstone! Might not say... you were grumpy!" Equal parts judgement and love, this is an anthem of our time for those benefiting on every level of life, but choose to only see the one terd lying on a massive lawn of beautiful green grass. "Go Joe" is Tasha's attempt to soothe her own sadness for her late Grandfather, a talented Nebraskan farmer and athlete. You see, Grandpa Bill passed up his dream when it was offered to him on official letterhead (a chance to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals Major League Baseball team years and years ago...back when there was no money in professional ball). The offer on paper still sits in the family safe today. Bill wouldn't turn his back on his family OR farm in order to pursue his own dreams in baseball. He was a good man, husband and father. But he loved pitching that ball...and he was damned good at it. Tasha makes up a horrific scenario on the family farm IF HE HAD gone off to play ball. The fictional lyrics are told through the eyes of one of his daughters (Tasha's mother). This track features Tony Furtado on banjo, Leisa Hart and Ericka Warren on backup vocals, Dan Balmer (guitar, of course), Sam Howard (bass) and Russell Kleiner on the cardboard box. It's killing. Ode To Billy Joe is simply the best you've ever heard it done. Executive Producer: The President of the Bathrobed Housewives Association, Tasha Miller Tasha's Original Tracks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 12 Executive Sound Engineer (Tasha's mostly production advisor): Dean Baskerville Recording Studios: Crossroads Productions, Dead Aunt Thelma's, The Fringe Factory, Clay's Living Room, Jimmy Mak's Jazz Club (live recording engineer, Tracks 7&8 = Travis Cibolski) Background Vocals (Track 3): Leisa Hart and Ericka Warren Background Vocals (Track 1): Billy Miller and Tasha Miller Background Vocals (Track 4): Tasha Miller "Big Mama's A Capp Choir" (Tracks 1, 5, 6): Billy Miller, Frenchie Miller, Walter Miller, Joey Abrams, Harry Cobban, Jessie Cobban, Anna Loy, Maggie O'Malley Choir Arrangement/Conductor: Tasha Miller (Big Mama) StringQuartet (Oregon Symphony), Track 11: Ron Blessinger & Daniel Feng (violins), Jennifer Arnold (viola), Trevor Fitzpatrick (cello) String Quartet Arrangement/Conductor: Clay Giberson Keyboard/Drum Programming (Tracks 1, 5, 6): Dean"o" Baskerville Party People on Accentuate the Positive: Miller kids, Ericka & Leisa, Big Mama's A Capp Choir, Baskerville Family Circus Horn Section Arrangement/Conductor (Track 1): Glen Holstrom Session Musicians: Dan Balmer (guitars), Sam Howard & Dave Captein (bass), Clay Giberson (keys), Russell Kleiner & Todd Strait (percussion), Tony Furtado (banjo, Track 3), Paul Brainard (pedal steel, Track 11), "Funkplastic"/ Todd Irving (5-gallon buckets, Tracks 1&6), Jordan Staples (dumbeck, Tracks 1&6), Luke Price (fiddle, Track 9)), Renato Caranto (tenor sax), Paul Mazzio (trumpet), John Moak (trombone) Live @ Jimmy Mak's in Portland, OR 12/15/11 (Tracks 7&8) Musicians: Dan Balmer (guitar), Andrew Oliver (piano), Kevin Deitz (bass), Todd Strait (drums), Wendy Goodwin (violin) Album Cover Photograph: Sean McFadden (medium format film) Graphics: Gia.B.Design My Wilderness: is in the mirror