Book of Dreams
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Book of Dreams is the tenth album by The Steve Miller Band. The album was released in 1977 (see 1977 in music) on the Capitol label in North America and on the Mercury label in Europe. Three singles were released from the album in 1977 with the first single, "Jet Airliner", being the most successful.
The album peaked in the top 10 of the trade charts in four countries, including Canada where the album topped RPM magazine's 100 Albums chart.[2] The album has gone on to become one of the group's most successful studio albums.
Recording and production
The songs on Book of Dreams were recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco, California from leftover material recorded for Fly Like an Eagle, but not released on the album.[3] The sessions were produced by the group's leader, Steve Miller, who had been producing the group's albums since Number 5 in 1970. John Palladino was the album's executive producer and the recording engineer was Mike Fusaro. The recordings were later mixed by Jim Gains with assistance from Win Kutz and were mastered by Ken Perry.[1]
Artwork
The winged horse art was created by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse, who were credited as "Kelly and Mouse". The art director for the album was Roy Kohara.[1] The cover illustration was also used on the record label on the vinyl version of the album.
Reception
Allmusic gave the album a rating of 4/5 stars, calling it "a highlight of the '70s classic rock era and one of Miller's finest releases." The review also comments that it's an unnecessary album for the casual fan to consider, as the compilation album Greatest Hits 1974–78 contains seven highlight tracks from Book of Dreams.[4]
Track listing
- "Threshold" (Steve Miller) – 1:05
- Later versions of the album credit Byron Allred as co-writer of "Threshold".
- "Jet Airliner" (Paul Pena) – 4:25
- "Winter Time" (Miller) – 3:10
- "Swingtown" (Miller, Chris McCarty) – 3:54
- "True Fine Love" (Miller) – 2:37
- "Wish Upon a Star" (Miller) – 3:39
- "Jungle Love" (Lonnie Turner, Greg Douglass) – 3:10
- "Electro Lux Imbroglio" (Miller) – 0:55
- "Sacrifice" (Curley Cooke, Les Dudek) – 5:17
- "The Stake" (David Denny) – 3:56
- "My Own Space" (Jason Cooper, Bobby Winkelman) – 3:00
- "Babes in the Wood" (Miller) – 2:40
Personnel
- Steve Miller – vocals, guitar, synthesizer, sitar, producer
- David Denny – guitar
- Greg Douglass – slide guitar
- Byron Allred – piano, synthesizer
- Lonnie Turner – bass guitar
- Gary Mallaber – drums, percussion
- Additional personnel
- Norton Buffalo – harmonica on "Winter Time" and "The Stake"
- Les Dudek – lead guitar on "Sacrifice"
- Kenny Johnson – drums on "Sacrifice"
- Jachym Young – piano on "Sacrifice"
- Charles Calamise – bass on "Sacrifice"
- Curley Cooke – acoustic guitar on "Sacrifice"
- Bob Glaub – bass on "Winter Time"
- Steven (Sticks Douglas) Moore - Drums / Background vocals on "Winter Time"
- John Palladino – executive producer
- Mike Fusaro – recording engineer
- Jim Gains – mixing
- Win Kutz – assistant mixer
- Ken Perry – mastering
- Roy Kohara – art direction
- Kelly – illustration
- Mouse – illustration
Charts and certifications
| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian 100 Albums[2] | 1 |
| Netherlands Album Top 100[5] | 4 |
| New Zealand Top 40 Albums[6] | 5 |
| Swedish Top 60 Albums[7] | 11 |
| UK Albums Chart[8] | 12 |
| US Billboard 200[9] | 2 |
| Country | Provider | Certification (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|---|
| United States[10] | RIAA | 3x Multi-Platinum |
| United Kingdom[11] | BPI | Silver |
References
- ^ a b c Book of Dreams (CD liner). The Steve Miller Band. Netherlands: Arcade Records. 1991. 88.02.2004.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "100 Albums" (PHP). RPM. Vol. 27, no. 16. July 16, 1977. p. 27. ISSN 0315-5994. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ Ashley Brown, ed. (1990). "Space Cowboy". The Marshall Cavendish Illustrated History of Popular Music. Vol. Vol. 11 (Reference ed.). Marshall Cavendish. p. 1227. ISBN 1-85435-026-9.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ Cook, Stephen. "Book of Dreams review". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
- ^ "Steve Miller Band – Book of Dreams (Album)" (ASP). Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ "Steve Miller Band – Book of Dreams (Album)" (ASP). New Zealand Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ "Steve Miller Band – Book of Dreams (Album)" (ASP). Swedish Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ "Chart Archive: Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive – 11th June 1977". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ "Steve Miller: Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database" (PHP). Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Certified Awards Search" (ASPX). British Phonographic Industry.