Carnival Cocoon is a debut poetry collection by musician Scottie Miller. (Scottie Miller Band and keyboardist for four-time Grammy nominated singer Ruthie Foster.) His poems are arranged into five, distinct and vibrant chapters that revolve around the human condition. Lyrical, free verse, improvisational and beat styles soar with vivid imagery. Miller's kaleidoscopic and musical perspective fill this collection with wondrous and spontaneous prose. This modern-beat-poet writes about interaction with dreams, nature, the spirit world, his disdain for war, greed and the abuse of power. Other chapters reveal sensuality, romance, a risqué sense of humor and autobiographical tales from the musician's life on the road.
This collection also empathizes with addiction, recovery, mental illness, and Miller recounts his own experience in those realms. He expresses his frustration with inequality, homelessness, wrongful imprisonment and the divisiveness of the world. From the gum-spotted sidewalks of New York City to the frozen streets of northeast Minneapolis, Miller recites haunting dreamscape. Reminiscing, singing and playing the piano through his words, he brings us on a wild trip into the jazz beehive of Berklee College of Music in Boston. Then, takes rest in the warm, welcoming light of an Irish tavern. Every word expressed with strength, experience and hope.
Designed by award winning designer Lynn Phelps and illustrated by actor William Phelps, each of the five chapters feature a deeply emotive, full-color illustration that perfectly convey the vulnerable content.
This ambitious body of work reaches even greater heights, as Miller has set 23 of these poems to music and song on the album version of Carnival Cocoon. The compositions, often completely improvised, are set in blues, jazz and experimental styles. Scottie's classical influences are discovered too, with gorgeous string-quintet arrangements. With the spotlight on Miller's voice and his articulate piano playing, both spoken and sung' word take us where the beat poets gather. As if you're listening in on a discussion of the human condition over a coffee (or whiskey) with Tom Waits and Willie Nelson; where Jack Kerouac reads while Steve Allen plays piano. Miller performs with the playful energy of Peanuts composer Vince Guaraldi, then blends his music with a taste of Beethoven.
