To paraphrase Robert Duvall as Lt. Colonel Bill Kilgore in the movie Apocalypse Now; “I love the smell of fresh vinyl in the morning.” One of the most unique smells I can remember is opening a record album and sniffing the just opened package. If you have never experienced that pleasure you have truly missed a very unique experience.
Once in awhile a company makes a good decision. In this case, The Capital label has decided to release a number of classic albums on 180 gram vinyl. Thus The Steve Miler Band’s Greatest Hits 1974-1978 returns to its original form.
A 180 gram record is noticeably heavier than the norm and is made from virgin vinyl. Records in the United States from the 1950s through the 1990s were made from recycled vinyl which took away from the overall sound quality. When the music is remastered and issued on this heavy virgin vinyl it sounds as good, if not better than, a CD. The issue is having a good stereo system on which to play it and taking care of the record. This means having a top of the line needle so that the record grooves will not be damaged. Capital has done everything right as the sound is spectacular.
Greatest Hits 1974-1978 by The Steve Miller Band was a good choice for inclusion in this series. It is currently ranked as the 33rd best selling album of all time with 13 million copies sold. Steve Miller started out as a blues/rock fusion type artist in the late 1960s. His albums released from 1968-1971 are still worth seeking out with Sailor being a standout. During the 1970s Steve Miller produced a string of memorable and catchy singles that were gathered together for this album. “Jet Airliner,” “Take The Money and Run,” “Swingtown,” “Jungle Love,” and “Fly Like An Eagle” all represent this slick and very commercial sound.
What it basically comes down too is that if you like The Steve Miller Band you probably have these songs or this album in some form. Purchasing this 180 gram limited edition LP will provide a different experience. It is a trip back to the days of vinyl without sacrificing any of the modern sound.
If Greatest Hits 1974-1978 is representative of the other releases in the series then it will occupy an important and entertaining niche in the music listening and entertainment field.
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