There's not much meat on this one, but--to paraphrase Spencer Tracy--what's there is choice. A simple two-step shuffle highlighted by Miller's effective vocals, the Commonwealth's tight musicianship, and clever lyrics about the joys of drinking, this song was recorded live, probably in the bar on the strip in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Miller (a William & Mary graduate with degrees in American History and Russian studies) & the Commonwealth played as the house band for years. The record sounds like it would have been fun to be there; the crowd sounds lively, not too raucous, not too large, and Miller's engaging.An engaging frontman plays an important factor in the popularity of a small-time band. An entertaining singer can quite easily make an audience (especially a drunk one) overlook whatever deficiencies a band may have (trust me on this one). Heck, the frontman not need even be kind or cordial. Back when I attended Mississippi State University, I once attended a, uh, diner called Mac's Supper Club in nearby Crawford, MS. Every weekend, club owner Mack Banks* performed--behind chicken wire. Why the chicken wire? Mack almost never performed cover songs; instead, he played his own compositions, and his compositions more often than not contained vulgar lyrics, many of which he'd improvise on the spot, depending on whatever women in the club happen to catch his eye or speak to him. If he found a woman who inspired him to sing, then he'd describe her--especially her most appealing parts--in song, including fantasized dalliances the woman might have with Mack himself. Oftentimes, the women either thought hearing a song about them was cute, or they would be too polite to appear offended; however, invariably, at least one woman--and more often than not, that woman's boyfriend--would take umbrage at Mack's lewdness, and they'd then shout, curse, and throw bottles at Mack--which inspired him to take his blue lyrics up a notch...and the crowd loved it. Sadly, Mac's Supper Club burned down awhile back.
*NOTES - Mack Banks has a fascinating history. Read about it here.
Here's Miller sans band:
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