Posted on 09/16/2023 4:25:19 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The set has been described by AllMusic as ‘a thorough exploration of familiar territory.’
The 50th anniversary boxed set J50: The Evolution of The Joker, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Steve Miller Band’s classic album its creative genesis, is out now, taking the listener, as Miller says at its outset, “in the wayback machine and the dial has been set to 1973.”
The 3LP + 7” box and 2CD set, which features the original album tracks chronologically positioned alongside 27 previously unreleased recordings from Miller’s own archive, has been described by AllMusic as “a thorough exploration of familiar territory that manages to find something new.”
Writes Doug Collette on AllAboutJazz.com: “The half-century milestone of this pivotal LP of Miller’s compels just the kind of in-depth examination the artist himself provides on J50: The Evolution of The Joker. Notably, the conglomeration of live recordings, demos and alternate takes in conjunction with the Texan’s own commentary – plus the formal takes as officially released – reaffirms his purposeful approach to this project.”
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The collection begins with live acoustic versions of “Children of the Future,” “Brave New World,” and “Space Cowboy,” recorded during the band’s constant touring in 1972, with Dickie Thompson on keyboards, Gerald Johnson on bass, and John King on drums. This was the band’s first iteration as a quartet, and featuring Thompson’s B3 organ and electric Hohner clavinet, the band’s distinctive new sound emerged, as a blend of Miller’s psychedelic blues and disciplined songcraft.
Children Of The Future (Live - Los Angeles, CA, May 20, 1972) Click to load video The set shows how Miller would spend his late night hours after shows recording onto a TEAC 4-track tape machine in hotel rooms across the US, developing songs largely on 12-string guitar. In July 1973, the band went into Capitol Records’ Studio B in Los Angeles and recorded, mixed, and mastered the album in a mere 17 days, with Miller producing.
Miller’s releases have achieved more than 75 million in sales and over five billion streams. The current line-up of the Steve Miller Band resumed their touring schedule on September 9 in Nampa, ID and they travel through December. Complete details and ticket information are at www.stevemillerband.com/tour.
Steve Miller was simpleton rock-boring.
Gonna get to the bottom of “the pompatus of love?”
From what I’ve read, his “Macho City” riffs were in heavy rotation in early disco clubs. The bass riff that bridges the two halves of the song is the basis of the song “Regiment” on the Eno/Byrne collaboration “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts”
I was wondering the same, for I am also a midnight toker.
Listen to this song, it will explain it: Medallions, The - The Letter - 1954
You’re so wrong. He’s a master guitar player.
L
Local Boy Makes Good! I still listen to Steve Miller at age 63. Saw him in concert for the first time when I was 16. Laser Lights, LOL! So. Cool.
I love ‘Jungle Love.’
So, between your post on Coltrane and now Steve Miller, my evening is complete. Thanks! :)
You are welcome!
Here is an early concert by him just as he was starting to get famous. Much talent there.
Big Steve Miller fans in this house. Saw him twice in concert.
Some truth to that. He started out as a blues player and I liked his work pre-joker.
From joker on he produced mediocre music for the masses but sang well and did well for himself. There were certainly worse bands.
Somebody gimme a CHEESEburgah...
Last song of the real Steve Miller Band...then he went commerical...it was a joke
Oh, man, do you sayeth a jawful! I remember when “Abracadabra” came out... “Abracadabra/I wanna reach out and grab ya”. I became an Iron Maiden fan the next day (”Number of the Beast”).
Irritating rock. The kind that sticks in your mind-you can’t shake off. Lousy lyrics.
Thanks for that. Fallon is a tough watch.
Stupid.
James Taylor was wimp rock.
Mark Knopfler was laxative rock.
Fleetwood Mac-mental mush.
U2? Let’s just say fake mystique rock.
Any others?
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