The one and only time Miller goes back to his 60's, psychedelic, blues-rock roots was during the second song when he played "Living in the USA" from his 1968 Sailor album. This is one of the only songs from that era to remain a staple of Miller's live shows. It's amazing to think that a lot of people were first turned on to the Steve Miller Band via their goofy 1982 pop hit "Abracadabra." That is actually the first song that turned me off from the Steve Miller Band.
Steve Miller Band's music could really benefit from being played with a slightly heavier edge live, but they mostly play faithful or even tamer versions than the originals. Kind of like Eric Clapton the last couple of decades - until Doyle Bramhall II joined his band and reignited a little fire in him again. Not that I don't appreciate a little nuance and subtlety when it is warranted. Miller can be a master of both, but when the album version of "The Stake" completely out-muscles this live version, especially Miller's guitar solo, that was kind of a bummer.
I'm really just nitpicking here, because there is plenty to get excited about with this excellent DVD. Some of the highlights for me actually came from Miller's more eclectic, lesser-known numbers like "Serenade," "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Wild Mountain Honey," "Winter Time," and a killer "Mercury Blues." Before "Wild Mountain Honey," Miller tells the story of how he came across the amazing guitar he uses on the song, for sale for 125 dollars in some used guitar "barrel" at a local music store. He then goes through a hilarious description of the multitude of strange features on the guitar. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recently offered him 632 THOUSAND dollars for the thing.
Miller certainly sent his fans home satisfied this night when he closed out a nearly two hour show with an incredible string of hits, including "Rockin' Me," "Take the Money," "Jungle Love," and a particularly rockin' "Jet Airliner." The only thing missing was that cool "Threshold" intro to "Jet Airliner."
Live From Chicago is easily one of the best produced concert DVD packages to come out this year. The three-disk set is packaged in a three-panel, digipak that is housed inside of a beautifully embossed slipcase that features the Steve Miller Band Pegasus logo. A 12-page color booklet is also included that features an essay detailing Miller's long career, as well as some color photos from the show.
Article comments
1 - Walter Beckford
Dvd played on computer asks you to switch the regional code from 1 to 2,3,4,or 5. I had to change the code and the Dvd still did't play well on the code for region 2.