Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits

I've spent a lot of time contemplating the mystery of Mrs. Elva Miller from Claremont, California. I have to conclude that her recording career is one of the cruelest practical jokes ever devised by the record industry.

For the most part, the flubs on Frank's Vinyl Museum are the result of serious artists and serious record producers badly missing the mark. Mrs. Miller's album is definitely over the top, but I get the very sinister feeling from the liner notes that while Miller herself may have been completely serious about what she was doing, whoever coaxed her to make this album was laughing on the inside, and probably egging her on to be even more extreme. The sarcasm is very subtle, just enough to give the wink to record collectors like us while keeping poor Mrs. Miller in the dark. References to her "impeccible diction" and "scintillating delivery" abound, as well as the accolade "one of the most interesting voices extant... one that brings to mind the tonal qualities of a Florence Foster Jenkins or a Mrs. B. J. Fangman". Jane Morgan's Fresh Flavor LP, featured elsewhere on this site, contains similar sentiments, but at least she can lay claim to some prior recording history.

I almost feel bad for exploiting Mrs. Miller this way, but once you listen to her songs, you'll know why her fans can't resist her. Enjoy!

a normal guys !! says:
what are you doing here ??????
this is fucking GAYS !!!!!!!! (08-10-2003)

Peter says:
Wasn't it Gary Owen, the announcer of Rowan and Martin's laugh-in, TV show, behind this album? (08-06-2003)

teh Ikanii says:
Her concert was teh bombdiggity yo! Smokin, tokin and getting laid!! (08-06-2003)

Lewis Goldberg (lewis_goldberg@yahoo.com) says:
Forgive my youthful ignorance [40] but is this the same Mrs. Miller that used to always sit in the front row on the Merv Griffin Show? (07-31-2003)

Bobbo says:
Does anyone else think she's holding that mic like Henry Rollins or is it just me? (07-27-2003)

Peanut Head (holdbrew@yahoo.ca) says:
Not too long before she died, I ran into Mrs. Miller outside Gleason's in San Bernadino.

She was complaining about her health and all, and says to me, "I must warn you, I have acute angina."

To which I replied, "Well, that's great Elva. Coz your tits look positively AWFUL!"

oops...gotta run..my Momma is calling me. (07-25-2003)

james c wheat says:
this is what life is all about... to quote from her best song ever entitled "GRANNY BOPPER" "i guess i'm not that hip cuz the only trip i take is to the grocery store" pure unadulterated genius !!!! (07-18-2003)

Clarence says:
Music of such high quality should only be played on shows like "Captain Kangaroo" and "H.R. Pufenstuff" (07-18-2003)

Kevin Connolly (kevinconnolly20@hotmail.com) says:
I live in Northern Ireland, where a DJ called Gerry Anderson, on the country's most popular radio station (Radio Ulster), plays Mrs Miller songs nearly every day. This introduced me - and thousands like me - to the extraordinary beauty of Mrs Miller's voice. The lady was nothing if not totally original! (07-16-2003)

Joakim in Sweden (kirseberg@hotmail.com) says:
You say you almost feel bad for Mrs Miller being exploited by the record company. Do you really think an intelligent woman like Mrs Miller would let this happen? I think she was just a woman doing the most of her life, enjoying it to the fullest. She offers real warm happiness to everyone instead of pretentiousness. Let inhibitions go! (07-09-2003)

Gregor Kitzis (gregor.kitzis@verizon.net) says:
Bracing, cleansing, a colostomy bag for the soul. Wing is better though. Does she sing any Marilyn Manson songs? (06-26-2003)

James Winfree (wjimfree61@aol.com) says:
Mrs Miller's "dub" was sent to me through "unsolicited material". I put the needle down and told my secretary to send her a "B" letter which stated that it was nice but no thank you. The next morning when I arrived at my office, my secretary was playing the Mrs. Miller dub and the more I listened, I realized that she could be the "Pop Florence Foster Jenkins". We signed her, turned her over to Lex de Azeveado as he as well as Fred Bock were Mormon and I thought would make a good match. The rest is history. Jim Winfree (06-24-2003)

bjork (bjork@hotmail.com) says:
it is a very special and incredible voice...really touching (06-22-2003)

prankie babylon says:
I am a proud owner of this LP. And love to watch
my fellow musician's facial expressions when they
hear this stuff.. My bass player gets an absolute
look of horror just by mentioning her name now!
You know the session players on this had to be in
tears after hearing the completed tracks!
Yes, she was serious...that's why it is so unique! (06-18-2003)

Mr. Miller Jr. (jetuzza@aol.com) says:
Keep it for another 15 years, we'll watch Groening's "Present-O-Rama" and remember what good music was all about

(06-17-2003)

karmah says:
I was recently turned on to Mrs. Miller through a fellow musician friend. He had a CD in his car that he plays for anyone willing to listen. Needless to say I was stunned. What this some kind of cruel joke? After I stopped crying from laughing so hard, I had to wonder what was going on in the minds of the producers! By the way, you haven't heard anything until you've heard my musician friend's imitation of Mrs. Miller. Note for note ... with hand gestures! HILARIOUS!!! (06-16-2003)

Rog says:
good lord, this shit is priceless! (06-14-2003)

Paul says:
I wonder if Ana Gasteyer owns this record. The similarities between Mrs. Miller's enunciation and wild overuse of vibrato certainly crafted the blueprint for her music teacher skits on Saturday Night Live. (06-14-2003)

Robert Lowery (poeticcreations@aol.com) says:
Hi,
Is this the same Mrs. Miller that sang
A Lovers Concerto in the middle 1960's.
Thankyou
Bob (06-13-2003)

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