Review: Steve Miller Makes Remarkable Return on ‘The Evolution of The Joker’

Steve Miller
J50: The Evolution of The Joker
Sailor/Capitol/UMe
****1/2

Offering more than simply a bonus bonanza is this new and radical reworked version of Steve Miller’s landmark album, The Joker, which elevated his stature to the highest heights of his career to date. Having evolved out of the Steve Miller Band’s initial persona as a blues band, which then morphed into the psychedelic senility of late ‘60s San Francisco, Miller attained commercial credibility when The Joker made its debut in October 1973. The title track became a certified hit single, hitting number one, and with that success, Miller found an entirely new audience ready to embrace him as one of rock’s true saviors of the ‘70s.

It’s not that he had abandoned his roots entirely. Certain songs — “Mary Lou,” “Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash,” “Lovin’ Cup,” and a live version of the old blues standard “Come On In My Kitchen” showed his affection for certain archival offerings. Nevertheless, with an entirely revamped backing band at his disposal, it was clear Miller was ready to further his career with an eye toward commercial credence.

It’s appropriate then that this twoCD and three LP box set explores the origins of that fateful progression in a way that differentiates it from the usual retrospective and returns. It boasts commentary from Miller himself, with personal insights and reflections on the manner in which the album evolved. Naturally, there’s no shortage of bonus tracks interspersed with the original recordings, demos, and early versions of songs such as “Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma,” “Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash” and “Something To Believe In” are revelatory in their own way. So too, the various live performances, one dating back to 1971 and others circa 1972 and ’73 are insightful as well, particularly when Miller reprises such archival offerings as “Brave New World,” “Sugar Babe” and “Space Cowboy” to the sole accompaniment of his acoustic guitar and a decidedly vocal crowd that reacts with enthusiasm every step of the way.

With 27 unreleased recordings from Miller’s personal archive, expansive liner notes from journalist Anthony DeCurtis and Miller himself, the package is near perfect when it comes to sharing insight and interest. So too, the new album ends appropriately with Miller’s emotional entreaty Like clear water in a mountain stream, l will come to you in your dreams / Like pictures reflected in a mountain lake / I will be with you when you wake.

Well put, Mr. Miller. J50: The Evolution of The Joker makes for a remarkable return. Miller fans, take note.

Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot / Courtesy Big Hassle