Steve Miller's 50th anniversary edition of his iconic album, ‘The Joker,’ from 1973 is being released today.
J50: The Evolution of The Joker was curated by Steve, who chronologically placed the original album tracks alongside 27 previously unreleased archival recordings. The release features songwriting tapes Steve made in hotel rooms and during shows, plus studio outtakes and rehearsals.
The new release also features an additional eight previously unreleased songs, along with six audio commentary tracks and exclusive liner notes from Miller and journalist Anthony DeCurtis.
Steve commented on the original album release of ‘The Joker.’ He said, "It was the first record I produced myself and we cut the record quickly, mixed it, played it [for Capitol Records executives and] some kid stood up and said, 'I think 'The Joker' is really a cool song. That's probably a hit single. I said, 'You know what, I'm leaving town to go do a 60-city tour, just make sure that you got records in the store. I don't care about singles anymore. It's never gonna happen.' And, you know, went out and did the tour and I remember coming back to San Francisco and 'The Joker' was on four radio stations at the same time."
J50: The Evolution of The Joker is available to fans in a two-CD set, as a three-LP and two 45 singles set, and digitally. The vinyl version also features a reproduction of a vintage The Joker iron-on and a limited-edition lithograph.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]