John R. Miller has outdone himself with The Great Unknowing, his latest release. The West Virginian is a true songwriter’s songwriter.. and Miller continues to establish himself as one of the most compelling artists today.. recently awarded the John Prine Fellowship for Songwriting.
Classic John R. Miller is on full display here – a master class in storytelling. Full of wry whit, journeys, questions, and the truths we all wrestle with along the way. The Great Unknowing is a record that requires some attention, filled with those perfectly placed one-liners and hidden gems that stop you in your tracks for a scratch of the head and force you to ponder.
Musically, the album is equally impressive. The band is locked in, creating a wide range of soundscapes that evolve naturally across all 16 tracks without ever feeling disjointed.
For The Great Unknowing, Miller intentionally stepped away from the familiar. “My goal was to get into a room with a bunch of people that I didn’t already have a rapport with and track the record live,” he shared – hoping to spark new creativity through a fresh environment.
That vision took him west to Tulsa’s newly reopened Church Studio, the legendary home of Leon Russell. There, he assembled a remarkable group of local musicians, including John Fullbright on keys and Muskrat Jones on pedal steel and dobro. Despite many not having a previous history with Miller’s music, the chemistry was immediate. The core album came together in just three days, leaving time to capture a few covers along the way.
At a whopping 16 tracks, The Great Unknowing is a commitment, but one that never feels like a chore. It’s the perfect companion for a dusty backroad drive, a quiet stretch of highway, or any moment where reflection takes the wheel.
John R. Miller didn’t just make another record. He created a place to wander.
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