Steve Miller Band: 'Mercury Blues' - 1976

Reaganite Republican ^ | September 26, 2012 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

Been into Steve Miller ever since the very first time I heard 'The Joker' on my Philco made-in-Japan pocket transistor radio in Summer of '73... even if I was too young to understand exactly what he was singing about.

But it was 1976's Fly Like an Eagle that really put the Steve Miller Band on the map. Although lyrical themes range from redistribution to anarchy, Miller's slick, understated slide-guitar sound and hook-laden songwriting have rendered me a lifelong fan. Besides the eponymous single, two others came from this fine album- 'Rock n' Me' and 'Take the Money and Run'... as the LP itself went on to sell forever, now quadruple-Multi-Platinum-- and that's a lot or records.

Didja ever have a tune you just can never get sick of hearing as long as you live? Steve Miller's lesser-known cover of Blues legend K.C. Douglas' 'Mercury Blues' is just that sort for me... been listening to it since I was 15:

Steve Miller Band: Mercury Blues - 1976

Had my money
I tell you - what I'd do 
I would go downtown 
Buy me a Mercury or two 

Cause I'm crazy 'bout a Mercury 
Cruise up and down this road 
Up and down this road 
I'm goin' to buy me a Mercury 
And I'll cruise up and down this road 
Up and down this road 

You know that gal I love 
I stole her from a friend 
Fool got lucky stole her back again 
Because she knowed he had a Mercury 
Cruise up and down this road 
Up and down this road 
Well, she knowed he had a Mercury 
And she cruise up and down this road   

Hey now mama 
Where'd you stay last night 
Your hair's all down 
Your clothes don't fit you right 
Had my money 
I tell you what I'd do 
Go downtown and buy a Mercury or two 
Cause I'm crazy 'bout a Mercury 
And I'll cruise up and down this road 
Up and down this road 

I'm going to buy me a Mercury 
And I'll cruise up and down this road 
Up and down this road 

_____________________________________________

Wikipedia   Art of Manliness

[Reaganite Republican]

*** PING ***

[jobim]

I’m probably a bit older than you. I discovered Steve Miller in 1969, my freshman year of college, with Brave New World. That was a huge album that year. Ben Sidran on piano. Nicky Hopkins played keyboard on It’s Your Saving Grace. Those 2 albums knocked me out; no sound quite like that.

[Reaganite Republican]

I still don’t know the early albums, I probably ought to check them out, eh

[kik5150]

I saw them in concert a couple of years ago. They still rock!

[equaviator]

[FreedomPoster]

I was going to say the same. I’ve seen him in the last 5 years for sure, and probably 4-5 times over the last 25, and he’s still “got it” for sure.

In case anyone doesn’t know, Steve Miller is the godson of guitar legend Les Paul. There’s a great intro audio clip of a 5 year old Steve Miller with Les Paul here.

http://youtu.be/O6fK_Cg4AEk

[KevinB]

My band plays MB at just about every gig. Ours is more like the David Lindley version, though.

[Tainan]

Thanks, great piece of musical history.

Not to be confused with the 49 Mercury Blues

[flaglady47]

My favorite Steve Miller song is “Space Cowboy”. I’ll bet you weren’t ready for that.

[NEW YORKCITYGOPMAN]

I have seen over 300 live shows, everyone, just about, from Aerosmith to ZZ Top. For one of my e-mail accounts, my username was Rocknroll Republican.

But I have never seen Steve Miller in concert.

I don’t attend as many shows as I used to, so now I try to see artists I missed the first time around.

Since I decided to view this thread, STEVE MILLER is someone I will now try to see.

Thanks for posting it.

[Tainan]

Before he went to space, he rode around on a Jet Airliner

[MomwithHope]

My hubby and I are HUGE Steve Miller fans. Finally at age 60 got to see him in concert this summer. He sang nearly all of my favorites and was absolutely incredible. He’s still got it. I smiled so much my mouth hurt afterwards.

[Tugo]

Likewise, I was big fan of Steve Miller Band, ‘60s & 70s. This summer my college-age son texted me from a Steve Miller concert in Nashville, TN. We raved on together throughout the concert swapping texts and videos. Flying like eagles.

[newfreep]

Don’t forget a young guitarist/vocalist in his early bands was Boz Scaggs...

[djf]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MaGC43bzZ8

Wish I could find a live version of “Evil” out there...

[Rummyfan]

I prefer the version by David Lindley and El Rayo-X!

[PoloSec]

Thank You For The Memories!

[kidd]

I’ve only seen about a dozen live shows, but one of them was Steve Miller.

Pablo Cruise opened. Steve Miller second. Eagles third.

Awesome outdoor stadium concert in Bloomington, Minnesota.

[6ppc]

DJs who play Steve Miller on the radio should be convicted of crimes against humanity! Mindless pablum.