Steve Miller's 'The Joker' to get 50th anniversary box set in September

courtesy Big Hassle Media

Steve Miller is marking the 50th anniversary of his chart-topping, eighth studio album, The Joker, with a new box set titled J50: The Evolution of The Joker.

Curated by Miller himself, J50 chronologically places the original album tracks alongside 27 previously unreleased recordings from Miller’s personal archive – including songwriting tapes made by Miller on his TEAC 4-track in hotel rooms on the road and at live performances, plus studio outtakes and rehearsals – as well as six audio commentary tracks from Miller and exclusive liner notes from both Miller and journalist Anthony DeCurtis. 

J50: The Evolution of The Joker arrives via Universal on 2xCD, 3xLP + 7”, as well as digital download and all DSPs and streaming services on Friday, September 15. The vinyl version includes a reproduction of a vintage The Joker iron-on and a limited-edition lithograph. Pre-orders are available now. It contains “The Joker Suite,” an extended piece showcasing the musical path to the album’s 5x RIAA Platinum-certified (5 million sales in the US alone), worldwide #1 hit title track, “The Joker,” with the previously unreleased “Lidi” and “Travelin’,” available at all DSPs and streaming services.

LISTEN TO “THE JOKER SUITE”

WATCH THE J50 TRAILER

PRE-ORDER J50: THE EVOLUTION OF THE JOKER

The Joker was originally released worldwide in October 1973 and quickly became a hit in the United States crossing over from FM underground radio to the AM pop radio of the day. Shortly thereafter, the song went to number 1, first in the States and the rest of the world followed. 

Recoding initially commenced in July 1973 and the band hit Capitol Record’s Studio B in Los Angeles and quickly got to work, recording, mixing, and mastering the album in just 17 days with Miller producing.

“The most important rule that every kid out there who wants to make a record should remember is: When you go into the studio, be ready to do the whole performance the first time you do it, because that’s going to be the best time you do it,” Miller says. “The whole thing is to capture the first performance. That’s a lot of what The Joker’s about. It was all first takes, and first takes are always better than perfect takes.

“To make a hit record, I thought it was best to have five hooks,” he continues. “Not one, not two, not three, not four, but five, if you really wanted to deliver a hit. Like if you take ‘The Joker.’ ‘Some people call me the Space Cowboy.’ What the hell was that? Then it continues and it gets your attention again: the slide guitar, the chorus, the harmony, the wolf whistle. It all adds up. All of these things are just elements of writing. You learn those elements, and you’re always playing with them.”

Released as a single in October 1973, “The Joker” proved, in Miller’s words, “a real, no kidding, non-stop hit,” played on virtually every radio station around the world. “The Joker” rose to #1 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” while also reaching the top 20 in many countries around the world. In September 1990, more than a decade later, "The Joker" made history by returning to the US, UK, and European charts after being featured in a popular TV commercial for Levi’s – the longest-ever gap between transatlantic chart-toppers.

With its title track seemingly everywhere (as well as its indelible masked album cover by famed photographer Norman Seeff), The Joker album was quickly certified platinum by the RIAA – Miller’s first up to that time. 

Vinyl edition track list:

LP1 SIDE ONE
Steve Miller Commentary 1
Children of the Future (Live)
Brave New World (Live)
Dear Mary (Live)
Space Cowboy (Live)
Ginger Man (Live)
Nothing Lasts (Live)

LP1 SIDE TWO
Steve Miller Commentary 2
Sugar Babe (Early Version)
Sugar Babe (Live)
Sugar Babe (Album Version)
Mary Lou (Early Version)
Mary Lou (Album Version)

LP2 SIDE ONE
Steve Miller Commentary 3
Hat (Live – Pre Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma)
Say Hey Ray (Pre Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma)
White Elephant (Pre Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma)
Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma (Early Version)
Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma (Album Version)

LP2 SIDE TWO
Steve Miller Commentary 4
Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash (Early Version)
Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash (Album Version)
Lidi (Twang Guitar)
Lidi (Studio)
Lidi/Travelin’ (Harmonics - Looking for a Chorus for The Joker)
Travelin’ (Looking for a Chorus for The Joker)
The Joker (Album Version)

LP3 SIDE ONE
Steve Miller Commentary 5
Lovin’ Cup (Live)
Lovin’ Cup (Album Version)
Come On In My Kitchen (Live)
Come On In My Kitchen (Album Version)
Evil (Studio Demo)
Evil (Album Version)

LP3 SIDE TWO
Steve Miller Commentary 6
Coupe De Ville (A Cappella)
Something to Believe In (Early Version)
Something to Believe In (Tough Crowd – Live)
Something to Believe In (Album Version)
I Don’t Mind (Hotel 4-Track)
I Don’t Mind (Studio)
Mama Church (A Cappella)

7” SIDE A
The Joker (Single Version)
Lidi/Travelin’ (Harmonics - Looking for a Chorus for The Joker)

7” SIDE B
I Don’t Mind (Studio)
Lidi (Studio)

Tour Dates:

AUGUST
3 – Waukegan, IL – The Genesee Theatre
5 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater
8 – Shipshewana, IN – Michiana Event Center
9 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater
11 – Jackson, MI – Jackson County Fair
12 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

SEPTEMBER
9 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
11 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah State Fair
15 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle
17 – Redding, CA – Redding Civic Auditorium Lawn
21 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater
22 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
23 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Casino Resort

DECEMBER
11 – Greenville, South Carolina – Peace Concert Hall
13 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
14 – Clearwater, FL – The Sound At Coachman Park
16 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
17 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

Brian Setzer finds 'The Devil Always Collects' on album slated for September

BRIAN SETZER’s new album THE DEVIL ALWAYS COLLECTS is due out Sept. 15 via Surfdog Records digitally, on CD and vinyl. The 3-time Grammy award-winner has shared the album’s first track and video, “Girl On The Billboard.” Listen to the song and pre-order the album HERE and watch the animated video HERE. BRIAN will support the album, his first since 2021’s Gotta Have The Rumble, this fall on his U.S “ROCKABILLY RIOT” tour starting September 27 (the dates are below).

The Devil Always Collects was co-produced by BRIAN SETZER and Julian Raymond and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge. Of “Girl On The Billboard,” popularized in 1965 by country music singer Del Reeves, he says, “It’s an old truckers song”...At first, I wasn’t getting the sound I wanted until I picked up my Gretsch 1957 Duo Jet 6131 Firebird. I mean, the sound is monstrous, dirty and twangy.”

Marking his first live shows in over four years, the “ROCKABILLY RIOT” tour will kick off September 27 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ and wrap in Minneapolis (his adopted hometown). For these dates, SETZER will be joined by, in his words, an “international rockabilly band, Chris D’Rozario from Melbourne, Australia and Juan Laurios from Mexico City, Mexico.” Although BRIAN has a 40-year career as a solo artist, leader of The Brian Setzer Orchestra and as a Stray Cat, he continues to play with a jaw-dropping level of vigor. Tickets are on sale at: www.briansetzer.com.

“I’ve had a pretty long break, and I needed it,” says BRIAN. “I’m renewed and really want to play live again. I want to just get out on the road with this kick-ass little 3-piece band and start playing.”

He adds, “I think fans can always expect that I’m going to play the hits. I also want to play some solo guitar and little things I’ve worked out by myself. I’ve never really gotten to do that, so it's going to be something new.”

His set lists will include “some of the favorite covers I’m doing now. I haven’t recorded it, but I really like playing my version of ‘Georgia On My Mind.’ And then with the band, I want to play a new song ‘Girl On The Billboard’ because it tells a fun story.”

Track listing:

1 Rock Boys Rock

2. The Devil Always Collects
3. Girl On The Billboard
4. The Living Dead
5. What’ll It Be Baby Doll?
6. Black Leather Jacket

7. She’s Got A Lotta...Soul!
8. Play That Fast Thing (One More Time)
9. A Dude’ll Do (What a Dude’ll Do)
10. Psycho Suzie
11. One Particular Chick

Tour Dates:

Wednesday, September 27
Red Bank, NJ
Count Basie Center for the Arts

Friday, September 29
Mashantucket, CT
Foxwoods Resort Casino – Premier Theater

Saturday, September 30
Greensburg, PA
The Palace Theatre

Monday, October 2
Nashville, TN
Ryman Auditorium

Tuesday, October 3
Cincinnati, OH
Taft Theatre

Thursday, October 5
Nashville, IN
Brown County Music Center

Friday, October 6
Northfield, OH
MGM Northfield Park

Saturday, October 7
Waukegan, IL
The Genesee Theatre

Monday, October 9
Madison, WI
The Orpheum Theater

Tuesday, October 10
Des Moines, IA
Hoyt Sherman Place

Thursday, October 12
Davenport, IA
Adler Theatre

Friday, October 13
Minneapolis, MN
State Theatre

Concert review: Spencer Day at Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach, Calif.

Spencer Day returned to the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, Calif. on Thursday night for a thoroughly entertaining concert. It was held as part of the weekly Art, Jazz, Wine, and Chocolate music series within the festival’s annual summer event calendar.

The jazz/pop vocalist and his three-piece band performed a 17-song, 85-minute set that was equally fun and riveting.

Last year, Day released the solid sixth full-length studio album Broadway by Day, where he tackled his favorite musical theater tunes from “Annie,” “The King and I,” “Hello Dolly,” “Oliver!” and others with a unique flair. Saxophonist Dave Koz and singer Jane Monheit make special guest appearances.

Opening with the Chris Isaak-styled, tremolo guitar-driven title track from 2013’s excellent The Mystery of You, Day gestured dramatically as he sang romantic lyrics to music akin to a film noir soundtrack. The swell, jazzy newer tune “You Sure Took Your Time Finding Me” (“written with Michael Bublé in mind”) revolved around modern dating and keeping occupied with the latest mobile phone technology. Check out a 2022 TV performance of it here: tinyurl.com/whmtuw69.

“I’m your less iconic Harry Connick,” joked the singer at one point. Before a medley of what Day called “Pro-California songs,” he reminisced about a family road trip taken as a kid from Utah to Disneyland and how listening to an LA oldies station (K-EARTH 101, perhaps?) always linked the two in his mind. Then the band played The Turtles’ “Happy Together” and a hushed version of The Association’s “Never My Love” (off Day’s 2014 effort Daybreak).

Then Day polled the audience about which of two cities they preferred before doing a whimsical song about San Francisco with so many verses that he read them off lyric sheets. Day dedicated a fine cover of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” to the late Tony Bennett.

Delving into Broadway by Day, Day’s version of “One” from “A Chorus Line” and “I’d Be Surprisingly Good for You” from “Evita,” Day deftly flexed his vocal range. For the latter, he switched to Spanish (among several Latin-tinged selections).

Despite his hand being in a cast, the charismatic singer still managed to play piano well, including on an affecting cover of Isaak’s “Wicked Game” beginning it in Spanish. The audience responded enthusiastically. A spirited and uplifting “Golden” was described as Day’s “love letter to California.”

Toward the end of the set, Day and the band played his best-known songs: “72 & Sunny,” which reached the top 30 at Adult Contemporary radio, and “Till You Come to Me,” a top 5 Smooth Jazz airplay track. All told, it was an enchanting concert.

The Art, Jazz, Wine, and Chocolate concert series continues with Tony Guerrero featuring Lia Booth, Aug. 3; Friends featuring Hussain Jiffry, Aug. 10; Billy Valentine, Aug. 17; Gregg Karukas: GK Soul Jazz Party, Aug. 24; Scott Wilkie, Aug. 31.

Other music schedule highlights include Missiles of October, July 31, and Aug. 23; Neil Morrow and Memphis 54, Aug. 4; Brian Bromberg, Aug. 5; Nathan East, Aug. 19; “A Night of Magic Gala” feat. Sergio Mendes with host Paula Abdul; Buzz Campbell and Hot Rod Lincoln, Sept. 1. The full schedule and ticket prices can be viewed at foapom.com. Festival of Arts is at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949-494-1145.

spencerday.com

Album review: Darlene Love's 'Live 1982'

This past spring, Liberation Hall issued Live 1982, a terrific archival concert album by legendary 1960s pop and R&B singer Darlene Love on CD and digital via Liberation Hall Records.

It was recorded on April 21, 1982 at Hop Singh’s club in Marina del Rey, California. The vocalist is in fine soulful form here during several numbers she sang lead or backing vocals for The Crystals, The Blossoms and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans. Prime examples include “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry” and “He’s a Rebel.”

Love also puts her own engaging spin on Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's “Hungry Heart,” the Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out” and Dan Hill's "Sometimes When We Touch." The LA concert found her ably backed onstage by her younger sister, Edna Wright, and Gloria Jones, notable performers in their own right. The Monte Carlos, some session players assembled specially for this gig, provided the music. 

Definitely recommended for fans of pop and soul from the 1960s. 

Upon release of the live album and accompanying home video, Love said, "I'm so pleased this concert is finally making it to DVD" in a press release.

“It captures a time when I was putting myself out in the world again, knowing that I still had more to offer through my music. It was a thrill to perform alongside two women with whom I had been singing for decades — my sister, Edna Wright, and my fellow member in the Blossoms, Gloria Jones. The band that was put together for the event, the Monte Carlos, really understood rock 'n' roll. It was more rhythm on stage than I have ever had, and I think that made a big difference. I can't wait for people to see this show."

Live 1982 marks the first time this concert has been available on home video. All formats were produced by Bob Lasiewicz for Live Time Productions, now a division of Media InfoSystems, Inc. The audio elements have been remastered and the video re-edited from the original recordings.

Track listing:

1. Da Doo Ron Ron

2. Wait Til’ My Bobby Gets Home

3. (Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry

4. We Can Work It Out

5. Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Heart?

6. He’s a Rebel

7. Not Too Young to Get Married

8. Sometimes When We Touch

9. Hungry Heart

10. He’s Sure the Boy I Love

11. Gospel Medley: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; Oh, Happy Day; When the Saints Go Marching In 

Here's some history for the initiated: 

Love's Sixties work with Phil Spector was often uncredited at the time, but she was featured on two of the most popular hits of the decade. Love sang lead on “He’s a Rebel” (Billboard #1) and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” (#11), which were credited to the Crystals. As a member of the Blossoms, Love contributed backing vocals to the Ronettes' “Be My Baby” (#2), Shelley Fabares’ “Johnny Angel” (#2), Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” (#1), and the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron” (#3).

By the 1970s, Love decided to take a break from recording to raise a family. The break lasted longer than anticipated. At the start of the 1980s, Love was working as a maid in Beverly Hills. One day, while on the job, she heard her song “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” on the radio. She took it as a sign that it was time to change direction and pursue singing again.

With the help of her friend, Steven Van Zandt, a new phase in Love’s career began to gain traction. In 1982, Love was approached by producer Bob Lasiewicz to stage a show that would be filmed and recorded for potential release. That show, now presented as Live 1982, captures the singer at the beginning of her comeback. Two years later, Love was portraying herself in the Tony Award-nominated jukebox musical Leader of the Pack on Broadway in New York.

Love's most recent studio album, Introducing Darlene Love, was released in 2015 by Steven Van Zandt’s label, Wicked Cool Records. That same year, Love earned a Grammy Award for “Best Music Film” for her involvement in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom.