The Joker (album)
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The Joker is the eighth album by Steve Miller Band, released in 1973. The album marked a period of significant change for the group as the band abandoned their psychedelic oriented music for a more melodic, smooth rock/blues sound. Perhaps not coincidentally, it was also their first solid commercial success due to the strong radio-play of the title track. The title track took 19 days to record. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified Platinum in the United States.
The artwork of the album is also considered amongst the greatest; for example Rolling Stone would later rank it as one of the "Top 100 Album Covers Of All Time".[1]
Reception
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic rated The Joker three out of five stars, calling it "all bright and fun, occasionally truly silly". He also stated that it "isn't mind-expanding", but concluded by saying that it "nevertheless maintains its good-time vibe so well that it's hard not to smile along...provided you're on the same wavelength as Miller, of course."
Track listing
- "Sugar Babe" (Steve Miller) – 4:35
- "Mary Lou" (Obie Jessie, Sam Ling) – 2:24
- "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" (Miller) – 5:41
- "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' but Trash" (Chuck Calhoun) – 3:21
- "The Joker" (Miller, Eddie Curtis, Ahmet Ertegün) – 4:26
- "Lovin' Cup" (Miller) – 2:10
- "Come On in My Kitchen" (live at the Tower Theater, Philadelphia) (Robert Johnson) – 4:06
- "Evil" (live) (Miller) – 4:35
- "Something to Believe In" (Miller) – 4:41
Singles
Four tracks from the album were released as singles: "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' but Trash" (1974), "The Joker" (1974), "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" (1974) and "Evil" (1975).
8-track tape
- Released on Capitol Quadraphonic 8-track tape.
- The Quadraphonic 8-track tape of this album features an extended (4:11) unedited version of "The Joker" and also features studio talk before "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash". The studio talk information is also present on the standard vinyl release.[citation needed]
- Near the end of the song "Lovin' Cup", someone can be heard saying "Last....Last verse". This is very noticeable on the Quadraphonic 8-track tape. According to an email from stevemillerband.com, it was Lonnie Turner the bassist.[citation needed]
Personnel
- Steve Miller – guitar, vocals, harmonica
- Gerald Johnson – bass guitar (all but 8), vocals
- Dick Thompson – organ, clavinet
- John King – drums
- Additional personnel
- Lonnie Turner – bass guitar (8)
- "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar (9)
- John Van Hamersveld and Norman Seeff – album cover design
- Norman Seeff – photography
References
- ^ "Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Album Covers". Rolling Stone. Rateyourmusic.com. November 14, 1991. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. The Joker - Steve Miller Band at AllMusic
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