Daily Download: “Chris Mills Is Living the Dream,” Chris Mills

This is the opening track from Chris Mills‘ grand and ramshackle “Wall to Wall Sessions,” recorded live to two-track over three days with a cast of 17 musicians. “Oh I dreamed I was Richard Pryor, running on fire down the Sunset Strip,” Mills sings a cappella, sounding like an American Billy Bragg. As piano, strings and horns join in, the song reveals itself as rousing gospel-flavored Americana, reminiscent of Joe Henry (who, incidentally, has also sung about Richard Pryor).