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SixOctober 19,1973 8b* Bstfibvanisn\ REVIEWMild Miller Flavor Dominates Heavy Guitar In ‘The Joker9By WILL ROBERTSON Staff WriterLast night I ran into an old friend. He had always been pretty sharp, but I hadn't seen him for a few years and I had heard a few bad things about him.I was very pleased to find that my old friend is neater than ever and hanging out with a fine bunch of fellows.In other words. Steve Miller's new album. •'The Joker. is one of the nicest surprises of the year. Miller has a new band, and they play some extremely slippery rock and roll with the traditional Miller flavor.Miller's appeal always camefrom a completely unique airy quality. On this album he displays the mellow Miller voice and instrumentals that are so fine.“Sugar Babe is a fine song that begins the album. It's a good party song with very competent guitarMiller is now playing some exceedingly aggressive leads that are somewhat in the Mick Tavlor stvle.w mMiller is also flash on theguitar on the title cut. This is perhaps the best song on thealbum - verv authoritative in-♦strumentaUy, with exemplaryuse of the wah-wah.The album has two live cuts, the first, an old Woody Payne blues number. “Come On In My Kitchen.” This song does not appeal to me a great deal. but a Steve Miller album would not be complete without a few weak cuts.The second live song, ‘Evil, is much better, with very good vocals, and interests me in seeing Miller s concert inCharlotte next Saturday.»The guitar is a bit overdone at times, but with a few good licks, also.It was always great to turn the stereo up to wall-shaking volume and sing along with Miller. “Something to Believe In” is the sing-aiong tune on this album, and it is a fine one The chorus is pretty, andastral stratocaster notes float about along with the steel guitar. All together now Steve Miller Band “The Joker.” An old friend is back in styleLeon Russell’s new aioum.“Hank,” has his name only on the shrink-wrap, and he calls himself Hank Wilson on thiswonderful record It is pure unadulterated country mucis with some of Nashville’s best session men helping Russell get back to the rootsEric Claptons “Rainbow Concert” was eagerly awaited because of the personnel involved: Steve Win wood. Pete Townshend. Ron Wood, and others It is poorly mixed, lifeless, and a big disappointment Stevie Wonder has been getting very serious on his last few albums“lnnervisions,” the latest, is a beautiful album, with excellent musicians participatingThe jazz and blues influences are apparent and Stevie is as funkvas ever
Newspaper Details
Davidson Davidsonian
Davidson, North Carolina, US
Fri, Oct 19, 1973
Page 9
Full Page
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Dave N.
USA 14 Feb 2023
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