The Sleeve:
The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
“RICHARD MILLER WAS BORN WITHOUT ARMS AND LEGS ON NOVEMBER 28, 1942. BORN TO PARENTS OF MODEST MEANS WHO STRUGGLED FINANCIALLY TO GIVE HIM AN EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, RICHARD WAS DOUBLE-PROMOTED TWICE AND FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL AT THE AGE OF 16, COMPLETING EVERY GRADE. HE LEARNED HOW TO PLAY THE UKELELE AT THE YOUNG AGE OF TEN BY LISTENING TO THE RADIO AND PLAYING ALONG WITH THE SONGS – – HE HAS NEVER HAD MUSIC OR VOICE LESSONS. THE UKELELE WAS A STEPPING-STONE TO THE GUITAR, WHICH RICHARD NOW PLAYS PROFESSIONALLY. ALWAYS WANTING A COLLEGE EDUCATION, HE ENTERED THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AND WAS GRADUATED IN 1966, RECIEVING A BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE IN MARKETING, AND STUDYING LAW. DURING THIS TIME, RICHARD WAS SAVED AND THE LORD GAVE HIM THE TALENT TO PLAY THE ORGAN, AND HE BEGAN MAKING CHURCH AND CONCERT APPEARANCES ALMOST EVERY WEEK-END HIS SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE. NOW THAT HE HAS GRADUATED, RICHARD IS TRAVELLING FULL TIME IN THIS MINISTRY. HIS FLEXIBLE TRAILWAYS BUS IS PICTURED ON THIS ALBUM COVER IS CUSTOM-EQUIPPED WITH SLEEPING, COOKING, REST ROOM, AND CLOSET FACILITIES, FOR HIS OWN CONVENIENCE. RICHARD ALSO DRIVES HIS OWN AUTOMOBILE, A CONVERTIBLE, WITH THE USE OF DEVICES INVENTED BY HIS DAD, HAVING DRIVEN OVER 55,000 MILES WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OR TICKET. SO THAT HE MAY ENJOY GOSPEL MUSIC WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, RICHARD’S CAR HAS A STEREO WITH FOUR SPEAKERS. RICHARD HAS BEEN SINGING ALL HIS LIFE, AND THE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM ARE SOME OF HIS FAVORITE. TWO SONGS ARE INSTRUMENTALS, PLAYED BY RICHARD. IN ADDITION TO SINGING, HE HAS WRITTEN A LIFE STORY BOOK, DESCRIBING EXACTLY HOW HE IS ABLE TO DO THESE THINGS AND REVEALING IN HIS OWN WORDS HOW HE HAS MADE IT THROUGH LIFE. IT MAY BE ORDERED DIRECTLY BY MAIL, $2.00 PER COPY, AT THE ADDRESS BELOW. RICHARD’S PERSONAL APPEARANCES AND SALES OF HIS LIFE STORY BOOK AND ALBUMS ARE THE TOTAL INCOME HE RECIEVES – THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CONSIDER HIM HANDICAPPED TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THIS ALUM, AND WE “SING-CERELY” HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SONGS. ADDITIONAL COPIES MAY BE ORDERED AT $4.50 FOR, $3.50 EACH ADDITIONAL ALBUM, PLUS 50¢ ON EACH ORDER FOR POSTAGE AND INSURANCE.
RICHARD DALE MILLER
1000 CONCORDIA AVENUE
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705
The Dixie Echoes and Hal Kennedy of Pensacola, Florida are backing-up Richard on this album. From left to right, Joe Whitfield (baritone), Hal Kennedy (guitarist), Coy Cook (tenor), Dale Shellnut (lead), Ralph Jarman (pianist), and J.G. Whitfield (bass and manager), are one of the most popular quartets in gospel music. Mr. J.G. Whitfield has recently dedicated his entire efforts to gospel concert promotion, with Paul Downing (acclaimed by many as the lowest bass singer in the world) taking his place in the quartet. The group is appearing regulary on national television’s color program, “Gospel Singing Jubilee”, on which Richard has appeared several times. A couple of concerts under the direction of Mr. Whitfield include the Biggest All-Nite Gospel Sing in the World, held at Bonifay, Florida annually the Saturday night before the fourth of July, and the Alabama Gospel Sing in Prichard, Alabama (suburb of Mobile), each Saturday night before Labor Day. Both all-night concerts feature many of the nation’s major quartets, and Richard has appeared at both many times. People come from all over the United States and stay from sun down until sun up to enjoy wonderful gospel singing, the best form of entertainment in America. Be sure to go see and hear The Dixie Echoes and Hal Kennedy, along with Richard Miller, when a personal appearance is scheduled in your area…………
You’ll be glad you did.”
Personal Review:
Firstly, if you google map the address given for Richard Miller – you can totally see that since this album was pressed in ’66 that a lot has happened there… considering it’s the middle of nowhere and there is nothing there anymore.
Anyways, this is basically the same as “Richard Miller Sings and Plays Gospel Favorites”
So, the album begins with “The Fire Came Down” – which has some pretty cool guitar playing at the beginning, then the piano playing and Richard Miller singing begins, and Richard proves instantly he was a born singer. The song is so great. I wonder if Richard is playing the guitar? Then after that comes the song “I’ll Fly Away” which is an instrumental by Richard, and it’s cool because Richard was born without arms or hands – it’s a really cool song. Then comes the titular track, “Jesus, Use Me” and it’s pretty cool, I love the Dixie Echoes on the backing vocals, especially the baritone guy. Why is this so amazing? After that comes “Shelter of His Arms” the Dixie Echoes do the opening, then Richard joins in and it’s a pretty great track. Like, this is some pretty good relaxing music. I love it. Then comes the track “Without Him” and it’s mainly the Dixie Echoes, and various ones have their own individual solos, before Richard begins to say a prayer, after he finishes that he goes on to sing a bit, with the Dixie Echoes. The A-Side concludes itself with “I Wouldn’t Trade” and that to me sounds like an incomplete title, but the musicianship – especially that piano playing is amazing, then Richard sings amazingly, and it’s great. There is one guy who really belts out some tunes.
“I Know the Lord Will Make a Way for Me” starts the B-Side, and what a perfect way to open the B-Side, I love the slow, soft steel guitar playing and the baritone vocalist in the Dixie Echoes just rocks it, I should get some Dixie Echoes records. “Until You’ve Known the Love of God” comes next, and I don’t understand the whole mansion thing still. but hey Richard is a fantastic vocalist! This song is pretty great. “When I Come to the End of the Road” comes next, and some of these song titles are long. Richard sings from the heart, he should’ve released an album by that title, it’d be great. Then comes the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” comes next, and this one is an organ instrumental, with some minor guitar playing, I know this is Richard on the organ, and he’s great. Then comes the single, “Jesus is On My Side” – and I can understand why this song was a single, but I think the opening track should be the single of this album. Then the album ends with the song “I Want to Be Ready” and the Dixie Echoes open this track, and then Richard comes in, and just blows it away with his amazing vocals. It’s a great way to end such a great album.
Track Listing:
A1 – The Fire Came Down
A2 – I’ll Fly Away
A3 – Jesus Use Me
A4 – Shelter of His Arms
A5 – Without Him
A6 – I Wouldn’t Trade
B1 – I Know the Lord Will Make A Way for Me
B2 – Until You’ve Known the Love of God
B3 – When I Come to the End of the Road
B4 – What a Friend We Have in Jesus
B5 – Jesus is On My Side
B6 – I Want to Be Ready to Meet Him
Interesting Fact:
None.
Label:
Richard Miller Records
Catalog Number:
LP RM-01
Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
None listed. Though, he did have the Dixie Echoes help him
Other Albums I Own by Richard Miller:
“Jesus is On My Side / The Assassination of John F. Kennedy”
“Jesus is On My Side / I Know the Lord Will Make a Way for Me”
“The Many Voices of Richard Miller”
“Richard Miller Sings and Plays Gospel Favorites”
Other Albums I Own that Richard Miller Appears On:
Richard & Gail Miller – “Richard & Gail Miller Sing the Gospel of Love”
Released:
1966
I know you don’t know who I am but I will keep it that way because I’m scared of this man. I’m sure you know who he is because he stands out. I meet him threw a friend in Mexico I’m American. My friend who introduced us, asked me if I was still looking for work as a care giver. I said yes of course. Well I started that day he took me to eat. While we got aquatinted. He said he needed someone to help him with his daily routine. He has no arms no legs and rides a scooter. He is very smart can eat on his own can sign his name. I was impressed. He basically needed help washing clothes, making the bed changing linen washing floors toilets folding clothes I would comb his hair and I would help take him a shower. He don’t do no drug or drink but was always offering to buy me some beer I don’t like drinking and especially while I’m at work. Well he paid me 200 pesos for that day and offered me 400 more if I could stay the night he said he wasn’t feeling well. I said ok. I laid on one side with my own blanket and with my clothes on, he told me get comfortable not anything we both have never seen. I ignored and turned to my side. He kept talking saying are u okay. He kept me up all dam night in the morning I came home to shower and I was tired