The Joker (US Pressing)

Description

The Joker is, without question, the turning point in Steve Millers career, the album where he infused his blues with a big, bright dose of pop and got exactly what he deserved: Top Ten hits and stardom. He also lost a lot of fans, the ones who dug his winding improvs, because those spacy jams were driven by chops and revealed new worlds. The Joker isnt mind-expanding, its party music, filled with good vibes, never laying a heavy trip, always keeping things light, relaxed and easygoing. Sometimes, the vibes are interrupted, but not in a harsh way the second side slows a bit, largely due to the sludgy Come in My Kitchen and Evil, the two songs that were recorded live but lacking any kinetic energy but for the most part, this is all bright and fun, occasionally truly silly, as on Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma. This silliness, of course, alienated old fans all the more, but that sense of fun is both the most appealing thing about The Joker and it set a touchstone for the rest of his career. Here, its best heard on the terrific opener Sugar Babe and, of course, the timeless title track, which is sunny and ridiculous in equal measure. If nothing else is quite up to that standard in terms of songs certainly, its not as jammed-pack as its successor, Fly Like an Eagle The Joker nevertheless maintains its good-time vibe so well that its hard not to smile alongprovided youre on the same wavelength as Miller, of course. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine