Steve Miller Band: The Joker CD Track Listing

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Steve Miller Band The Joker (1973)
Originally Released 1973\nCD Editioin Released July 1996\nJVC XRCD Edition Released March 3, 1998\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: With The Joker, Steve Miller reached new heights of popularity and commercial success but sank to a level of musical and lyrical banality from which he would not soon recover. This is not to say this is a terrible album, but measured against his classic first five albums, The Joker is very disappointing. While the title track is a catchy piece of fluff that hit the number one spot on the singles charts, most of the tracks on this recording sound like filler. "Mary Lou" is a cover of an old Ronnie Hawkins song, "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" is a '50s doo wop song by the Clovers, and "Come on in My Kitchen" is the oft-recorded Robert Johnson blues song, credited here to Woody Payne (the same songwriting credit given by John Renbourn on his Faro Annie album a year earlier). Even the originals here are based on borrowed ideas. "Sugar Babe" and "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" are pleasant diversions, but as the titles suggest, of very little substance. The album sounds at times like it was recorded in a cave, with the drums sounding like cardboard boxes. This recording reached number two on the album charts on the strength of the single, but for those familiar with Steve Miller's music from 1968-1970, The Joker was little more than trash. -- Jim Newsom\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nFor The Pompodous Of Love, March 13, 2005\nReviewer: Andre S. Grindle (Brewer Maine)\nFrom my understanding the word 'pompodous' is not a word whatsoever.But it sure sounds great in the classic 70's pop/rock hit the this album's title track has become.The album opens with another terrific,like-minded Steve Miller tune called "Sugar Babe" but that's as commercial as the album gets.Steve Miller may have entered his most commcercialy furtile phase by this time but his band are still pretty devoted to gravel raw blues,R&B and even a few tablespoons of funk "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma",a pretty silly jam with a fabulous rhythm-it's one of Miller's few forways into out and out funk."Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" tries at a similar approch with far more of a blues bent-same goes for "Mary Lou" with it's keyboard textures."The Lovin' Cup" tries at all out 12 bar blues most successfully while the album closes on the warm ballad "Something To Believe In".The two live fillers between the latter two songs are poorly recorded and I'm sure will drag this album's reviews down a bit.But still in his pre \n'Fly Like An Eagle' days Steve Miller had a tight blues machine that,as showcased here could be played in a very soulful and funky way at the same time.Different but not to be ignored.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nNot Steve Millers Best Album, February 14, 2004\nReviewer: ManInTheBox (Colorado)\nThe Joker is an average album, by a great artist. This is far from being concederd one of Steve Millers best. This is very un even. You have a couple of pretty decent songs, a couple of bad ones and one absolute rock and roll classic. \nThe Joker is filled with differnt songs, which is why this isnt a very concistant album. 'The Joker' is the best song on the album and thats not suprizing concedering its the best song Steve Miller ever recorded. The rest of the album almost seems like its all just filler. 'Marry Lou' is a pretty decent song, but it still falls short. There are maybe one or two other good songs here and the rest is just filler.\n\nI wouldnt recomend this album to people because it simplly isnt that good, its mostly just filler. If you like the song 'The Joker' I would buy a compelation album like Young Hearts, because this album is almost a complete waste of money. If you want some good Steve Miller go with Fly Like An Eagle, or Book Of Dreams.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nSmash Hit, Uneven Album, April 7, 2003\nReviewer: Brian Rubendall (Oakton, VA)\nSteve Miller's "The Joker" marked the high point of his career; the song that is, not the album. The strong hook, melodic guitar solo and clever lyrics made the song a smash hit and one of the best-ever "classic rock" tunes. Miller would parlay the song's winning formula into two excellent mid-70s albums, "Fly Like an Eagle," and "Book of Dreams," but that was in the future. "The Joker," the album, bears the mark of an artist still struggling to find a consistent groove.\nStylistically, the opening track "Sugar Babe" and the goofy "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma," are closest to the hit in terms of style. Much of the rest of the album focuses on mid-tempo blues numbers, including the cover tracks "Mary Lou," "Your Cash Ain't Nothing but Trash" and "Come On In My Kitchen" and his own "Evil." Miller may have had a lifelong love affair with the blues, but he's no Eric Clapton when it comes to interpreting this form of music. Miller is best when he stays closer to rock and roll, as on the sweet album-closing "Something to Believe In."\n\nOverall, an uneven album that contains some soaring high points, including its mega-successful title track.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nThe Space Cowboy Begins Countdown to Superstardom, December 19, 2001\nReviewer: Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE)\nMy love affair with the Steve Miller Band began in 1973 when this album was first released. I was a junior at UNL and as usual was spending way too much time hanging out at my favorite record store when "The Joker" came over the in-store stereo system. Needless to say, I left the store with a copy of the album and just recently upgraded to CD. While this is not as strong of a collection of songs as his follow-ups (Fly Like an Eagle, Book of Dreams), there is much to enjoy here besides the catchy single, "The Joker," which was his first Top 40 hit. Originals like "Sugar Babe" and the bluesy "The Lovin' Cup" are first-rate. Also, live versions of "Come On In My Kitchen" and "Evil" show the band in fine form. Casual fans might better be served by a greatest hits collection, but this is required listening for fans who want to dig into the artist's catalog a little deeper. RECOMMENDED\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Steve Miller \n\nAlbum Notes\nSteve Miller Band: Steve Miller (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Dickie Thompson (Clavinet, organ); Lonnie Turner (bass instrument); Jack King (drums).\nAdditional personnel: Sneaky Pete Kleinow (pedal steel guitar); Gerald Johnson (bass instrument).\nRecording information: Capitol Records, Hollywood, California; Tower Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Aquarius Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts.\n\nAlthough Steve Miller had been slugging it out since the late 60's as a blues-rock guitarist, it wasn't until his 1973 release, THE JOKER, that he finally found his most marketable niche in radio friendly rock. Here Miller abandoned his edge and his rootsy sensibilities, and leaned toward a lighter, more melodic approach. This is typified in the title track, a shuffling groover with an infectiously hooky chorus that went on to become a monstrous smash, and something of a signature song for Miller.\nWhile "The Joker" is the centerpiece of the album the be-bop ditty "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma," the humorous "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash," and the underrated Miller composition "Sugar Babe" are also noteworthy. THE JOKER is most interesting as a look at Miller in transition: it contains many of the elements that would go on to make him a superstar over the course of his next two releases, 1976's FLY LIKE AN EAGLE and 77's BOOK OF DREAMS.
This rock cd contains 9 tracks and runs 36min 7sec.
Freedb: 70087509
Buy: from Amazon.com

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