The Joker (album)
Encyclopedia
The Joker is the title of 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".
"Come on in My Kitchen" and "Evil" were recorded live.
" (1974), "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" (1974) and "Evil" (1975).
Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1967 in San Francisco, California. The band is managed by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals, and is known for a string of mid-1970s hit singles that are staples of the classic rock radio format.-History:In 1965, Steve Miller and...
, 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
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and has been certified Platinum in the United States.
The artwork of the album is also considered amongst the greatest; for example Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
would later rank it as one of the "Top 100 Album Covers Of All Time".
Reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic rated The Joker three out of five stars, stating that "those spacy jams [are] driven by chops and [reveal] new worlds" and 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 MillerSteve Miller (musician)Steven H. "Steve" Miller is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter who began his career in blues and blues rock and evolved to a more popular-oriented sound which, from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s, resulted in a series of successful singles and albums.-Early years:Born in Milwaukee,...
) – 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 CalhounJesse StoneJesse Stone was an American rhythm and blues musician and songwriter whose influence spanned a wide range of genres...
) – 3:21 - "The JokerThe Joker (song)"The Joker" is a song by the Steve Miller Band from their 1973 album The Joker. The song is one of two Steve Miller Band songs that feature the neologism "pompatus". The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974. It draws heavy influence from the Allen Toussaint's song Soul Sister featured...
" (Miller) – 4:26 - "Lovin' Cup" (Miller) – 2:10
- "Come on in My Kitchen" (Robert JohnsonRobert JohnsonRobert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer and musician. His landmark recordings from 1936–37 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given...
) – 4:06 - "Evil" (Miller) – 4:35
- "Something to Believe In" (Miller) – 4:41
"Come on in My Kitchen" and "Evil" were recorded live.
Singles
Four tracks from the album were released as singles: "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' but Trash" (1974), "The JokerThe Joker (song)
"The Joker" is a song by the Steve Miller Band from their 1973 album The Joker. The song is one of two Steve Miller Band songs that feature the neologism "pompatus". The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974. It draws heavy influence from the Allen Toussaint's song Soul Sister featured...
" (1974), "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" (1974) and "Evil" (1975).
8-track tape
- Released on Capitol QuadraphonicQuadraphonicQuadraphonic sound – the most widely used early term for what is now called 4.0 surround sound – uses four channels in which speakers are positioned at the four corners of the listening space, reproducing signals that are independent of one another...
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".
- 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.
Personnel
- Steve MillerSteve Miller (musician)Steven H. "Steve" Miller is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter who began his career in blues and blues rock and evolved to a more popular-oriented sound which, from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s, resulted in a series of successful singles and albums.-Early years:Born in Milwaukee,...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Gerald Johnson – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Dick Thompson – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- John King – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Lonnie Turner - bass guitar on "Evil"
- "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow - pedal steel guitar on "Something to Believe In"
- John Van HamersveldJohn Van HamersveldJohn Van Hamersveld is an American graphic artist and illustrator who designed record jackets for pop and psychedelic bands, since the 1960s...
and Norman SeeffNorman SeeffNorman Seeff was born March 5, 1939 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since moving to the United States in 1969, his work as a photographer and filmmaker has been focused on the exploration of human creativity and the inner dynamics of the creative process....
- album cover design - Norman Seeff - photography