(February 19, 2025) Biscuit and Buddy, the latest album by James “Biscuit” Rouse is a musical tribute from one hard charging, singing drummer to another. Rouse clearly holds Buddy Miles, the legendary artist who played with Jimi Hendrix and released a definitive blues/funk/rock jam “Them Changes,” in high regard.
“I chose to do this project because George ‘Buddy’ Miles has inspired me as a musician,” Rouse said when asked what prompted him to record Biscuit and Buddy. “It has inspired me to not recreate his works note for note, but to create an exploration of his musical legacy. Buddy is the blueprint for what I am aspiring to do as a drummer that can sing.”
On Biscuit and Buddy, Rouse captures Miles’ rollicking, bluesy, funky and rocking spirit original tunes, covers of Prince’s Baby, I’m A Star” and Sam Dave’s “Wrap It Up,” as well as his interpretation such as “Them Changes,” and “I Still Love You Anyway,” the song featured in this First Listen.
“I Still Love You Anyway” is a ballad in which Rouse confronts two realities: The first is that his lover has moved on emotionally even as she’s still there physically. The second reality is that as hard as he tries to move on, he cannot because he remains in love.
Rouse’s version hews closely to Buddy Miles’ original. Rouse vocals are conversational and intimate, and the musical arrangement is driven by an acoustic guitar. Check out James “Biscuit” Rouse’s heart wrenching remake of the Buddy Mills classic here.
By Howard Dukes
