The Steve Miller Band: Born 2B Blue CD Track Listing

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The Steve Miller Band Born 2B Blue (1988)
Originally Released 1988\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Disregard the fact that the "space" in Steve Miller's "space blues" was a large part of why he had his own distinctive musical identity, because if you're going into 1988's Born 2B Blue looking for a return to his trademark space blues, or even a revitalization of his roots, you'll be sorely disappointed. In fact, this isn't even a blues album -- it's a jazz album, pitched halfway between soul-jazz and smooth jazz. He's able to draft such heavy-hitters as Phil Woods and Milt Jackson for guest spots, and his taste in material is quite nice, balancing the overly familiar ("Willow Weep for Me," "God Bless the Child") with relatively obscure R&B cuts ("Ya Ya," "Mary Ann") and selections that demonstrate that he's a genuine fan, such as Horace Silver's "Filthy McNasty." Now, does all this make Born 2B Blue a worthwhile genre exercise? Well, in a sense, it does, since Miller is passionate as he can be, turning in charmingly laid-back performances that may not be noteworthy, but are pleasant as can be. So, it winds up being something that's modestly impressive and enjoyable as it's playing, but no matter what its virtues are, it's more noteworthy for what it is than what it gives. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nRefreshing, Overlooked Album from Miller, December 26, 2003\nReviewer: Robert L. Henry Jr. (Paden City, WV United States)\nI had, like so many other people, forgot about this 1988 release from Miller. I like most people was still hearing the overplayed classics from Miller from the 70's, the songs radio still overplays. I would have not even thought of this album had I not seen the Miller Video for "Just A Little Bit", a song that Elvis Presley recorded for his forgotten "Raised on Rock" album back in 1973. I liked the Elvis version of the song and I liked Miller's updated version, so I asked my wife to get this Miller album for me for Christmas and she did. I looked at the song titles and thought oh no, after seeing "Zip A Dee Doo Dah" and "Ya Ya". However Miller adds his cosmic sound to "Zip A Dee Doo Dah and breathes life in the old Lee Dorsey tune, "Ya Ya" The album is a little too mellow in spots and towards the middle of the album songs start to sound the same but the fore-mentioned "Just a Little Bit" and the perky "Red Top pull the album back up and make the album worth having\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Steve Miller Band meets its Forebears, July 26, 2005\nReviewer: Jazz Hermit (Tucson, AZ United States)\nI bought this because I had heard Steve Miller sing "God Bless The Child" as part of a Les Paul tribute and wanted a copy of that tune. The rest of this CD has been a very pleasant surprise. It's hard to categorize because while it is filled with standards and has a lot of jazz DNA it is also unmistakably the Steve Miller Band harmonies and all. So; if you like old standards and you like the classic rock of the Steve Miller Band you may well love this CD. The guitar solos are reminiscent of Larry Carlton's work with Donald Fagan (post Steely Dan) and in spots I felt more than a twinge of Steely Dan nostalgia while I was listening. \n\nRather than try to categorize this CD I would suggest that you listen to the samples and if you like what you hear climb aboard the Steve Miller Band's Pegasus and take a ride to a very different destination and a different time. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA gem., September 18, 2005\nReviewer: P.J. Le Faucheur (Canada (ex- U.K. resident))\nA first class album. Let me first say i totally, totally love Steves rock songs form the early days. They are now classics that remind us of the long hot summers in the early '70s. This record went a different direction, true to say,and you either love it or hate it but there are a few things you should consider before slating it off. It came out briefly in 1989 on c.d and then was deleted quickly afterwards. It got criticised heavily by the diehard Miller fans who wanted more rock hits a la "Take The Money & Run" and not a lush, sophisticated lounge jazz album. But it luckily it got played on jazz stations alot..e.g. back in England "jazzfm". turned me on to the songs but by this time it had been long deleted. \n\nWhat most of Steve's rock fans forget to note is that Miller was raised on jazz/blues music. His father, who i believe was a physician, was a personal friend to many legendary jazz/blues musicians. I understand Steve, as a young kid, got guitar lessons from T.Bone Walker.( this was such a privilege). Steve later took the title "Guitar " Miller in honour of Johnny "Guitar "Watson. \n\nOn this SUPERB c.d his homage to T. Bone Walker is evident infact at times one imagines that T. Bone Walker has been resurrected. Check the guitar solos on "God Bless the Child"," Born to be Blue", "When Sunny Gets Blue" and "Zip-per-de -doo-dah". Miller still stays true to the blues on songs like "Mary Anne" and " Just a little bit". \n\nThe version of "Willow weep for me" is equal to Lou Rawls and Joe Williams. The arrangements are beautiful and clear( Ben Sidran helps out wonderfully). The session is augmented with the legendary musicians Phil Woods (alto sax) and the late Milt Jackson(vibes on "Born to be Blue"). \n\nSteve was VERY brave to put this one out. Some of us (happily) did understand the project and the direction Steve Miller was going. The whole c.d is a tribute to his personal heroes and he did a marvelous job. \n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nSteve Miller scored big with the fickle pop crowd in the early '80s, due to his new wave detour, "Abracadabra," which became one of 1982's biggest hits. But as his longtime fans knew, Miller was a rocker deep down inside, not a popster. Still, it was hard for Miller to turn his back on potential lucrative crossover success, and his '84 release, ITALIAN X-RAYS, showed Steve exploring the style further, except this time, sans chart success. Getting back to basics, Miller issued BORN 2B BLUE four years later, and although the album's title would lead you to believe it's a blues-based work, it's comprised entirely of jazzy workouts. Miller gets to show his immense guitar chops throughout (especially on such album highlights as "God Bless the Child" and "Just A Little Bit"), making BORN 2B BLUE a return to strengths for the one-time "Space Cowboy."
This rock cd contains 10 tracks and runs 42min 23sec.
Freedb: 9209ed0a
Buy: from Amazon.com

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