So today I went again to the construction site in Voorhees for the new Virtua Hospital to observe the installation of underground stone columns. The columns are designed to make the ground more stable during an earthquake. So I had the player on shuffle on the way over and back. A good mix from all the music I’ve listened to over the last several weeks was playing a little Gold Heart, The Devil Makes Three, Killbilly, Tommy Castro and then I heard a voice from the past and I had forgotten that I had downloaded his new album actually his first album in seventeen years and that voice belonged to Steve Miller and his new album Bingo. So I made the album the soundtrack for my four mile run this evening and both turned out to be good! The 67 year old Miller’s voice is still good as is his guitar playing. I was a Steve Miller Band fan from Sailor through album seven Recall the Beginning and then came The Joker and Fly like an Eagle and I kinda lost interest in the band. For me this album works on all levels, even though there’s no new songs! I just like the total vibe of the album it’s more bluesy than some of the rock hits albums and the guitar work really stands out! The album was produced by Andy Johns who is the younger brother of Gyn Johns who produced Miller’s early albums!.
The album debuted at No 1 on Billboard’s Blues Chart and Miller graces the cover of the current issue of Guitar Player Magazine. Where Miller and Johns discuss the album, the follow-up album and what people can expect from the band’s tour.
Tracks that I like included: “Hey Yeah”, a cover of Jimmie Vaughan’s “Don’t Cha Know”,and “Come On (Let the Good Times Roll). A track that caught my attention every time I’ve listened to the album!
Earl King’s “Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)” is a burning solo workout and takes the party jam into an entirely new musical dimension. Vocally, Miller touches on his ’70s persona, but it’s only a glance; the rest is burning blues. – Thom Jurek, Rovi All Music Guide
The main release has ten tracks. The version I put on the player from Rhapsody had four bonus tracks and I like these four tracks as much if not more than the others. They are more blues driven and remind me of the early Steve Miller that I loved. More from the All Music Guide Review:
There are also four bonus tracks, the most notable are readings of Elmore James’ “Look on Yonder Wall” — with a killer vocal from Buffalo — and the closer, Roosevelt Sykes’ “Drivin’ Wheel,” with Miller’s filthiest guitar work of the set. This is a welcome return for Miller, and a must for modern electric blues fans. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi All Music Guid
I agree with Thom Jurek and think that Drivin’ Wheelmay be the best track. Anyway if your a blues fan or a Steve Miller fan the album is well worth checking out and I know it will be on my player for a while!
