Bosque Brown Issue #39

Baby

By Erin Wolf
Published: March 1st, 2009 | 2:31pm

It’s appropriate that there is a river in Stephenville, Texas which bears the name, “Bosque Brown” — Mara Lee Miller’s music contains much of the characteristic fluidity of a river, her voice a sunbeam’s glimmer on the surface. As Bosque Brown, Miller recalls the delightful days of the torch song, with its classic elements of prominent vocals. Yet there is a captivating shift into modern folk; a fascinating array of diverse instruments shifting the original folk dynamic, played out by the key role of the acoustic guitar.

Bosque Brown’s first full-length, Baby, is a lovely extension of the singer’s previously released EPs: 2005’s Bosque Brown Plays Mara Lee Miller and 2006’s Cerro Verde. Soul and gospel give depth and dimension to Bosque Brown’s simple folk songs — ornamented with Miller’s prettily plaintive vocals paired with her sister Gina’s voice, Baby boasts harmonies that echo a bygone era.

Chris Flemmons of the Baptist Generals lends a production sense that creates space and intimacy all in the same breath. Miller’s lyrics circle around the personal: hopes of love, mercy, and the wisdom that youth sometimes agonizingly lacks. Baby is an album that sounds dear now in the starkness of winter, but will glow into the growth of spring and summer. A very pretty piece of work that will most likely be among the best of the new year.