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STEVE MILLER: Joking Again

By Jim Cartwright Jul 25, 2023 | 11:04 AM

Steve Miller is releasing a 50th anniversary edition of his eighth album, 1973’s The Joker.

J50: The Evolution of The Joker was curated by Miller who chronologically placed the original album tracks alongside 27 previously unreleased recordings from his archive. These include songwriting tapes he made in hotel rooms and during shows, plus studio outtakes and rehearsals.

There are also an additional eight previously unreleased songs as well as six audio commentary tracks and exclusive liner notes from Miller and journalist Anthony DeCurtis.

With today’s announcement comes the release of “The Joker Suite,” an extended piece showcasing the coming together of the title track with the previously unreleased “Lidi” and “Travelin’.”

Steve Miller – “Lidi” studio version recorded on August 4th, 1973. OC: sustain fade 1:49

Steve Miller – “Lidi Travelin’” (Harmonics – Looking for a Chorus for The Joker) – Hotel 4-Track, November 3, 1972. OC: music fade 1:56

Steve Miller – “Travelin’” (Looking for a Chorus for The Joker) – Live Radio, July 1, 1973. OC: music fade 2:05

Steve Miller – “The Joker” album version. OC: music fade 4:22

J50: The Evolution of The Joker arrives will be out on September 15th on CD and vinyl as well as digitally. The vinyl version includes a reproduction of a vintage The Joker iron-on and limited-edition lithograph.

Miller Joker set.jpg

Miller is on tour in Texas this week with stops in Austin on Thursday; Houston on Saturday; and his childhood hometown of Dallas on Sunday.

J50: The Evolution of The Joker track list:

  1. Steve Miller Commentary 1
  2. Children of the Future (Live)
  3. Brave New World (Live)
  4. Dear Mary (Live)
  5. Space Cowboy (Live)
  6. Ginger Man (Live)
  7. Nothing Lasts (Live)
  8. Steve Miller Commentary 2
  9. Sugar Babe (Early Version)
  10. Sugar Babe (Live)
  11. Sugar Babe (Album Version)
  12. Mary Lou (Early Version)
  13. Mary Lou (Album Version)
  14. Steve Miller Commentary 3
  15. Hat (Live – Pre Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma)
  16. Say Hey Ray (Pre Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma)
  17. White Elephant (Pre Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma)
  18. Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma (Early Version)
  19. Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma (Album Version)
  20. Steve Miller Commentary 4
  21. Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash (Early Version)
  22. Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ But Trash (Album Version)
  23. Lidi (Twang Guitar)
  24. Lidi (Studio)
  25. Lidi/Travelin’ (Harmonics – Looking for a Chorus for The Joker)
  26. Travelin’ (Looking for a Chorus for The Joker)
  27. The Joker (Album Version)
  28. Steve Miller Commentary 5
  29. Lovin’ Cup (Live)
  30. Lovin’ Cup (Album Version)
  31. Come On In My Kitchen (Live)
  32. Come On In My Kitchen (Album Version)
  33. Evil (Studio Demo)
  34. Evil (Album Version)
  35. Steve Miller Commentary 6
  36. Coupe De Ville (A Cappella)
  37. Something to Believe In (Early Version)
  38. Something to Believe In (Tough Crowd – Live)
  39. Something to Believe In (Album Version)
  40. I Don’t Mind (Hotel 4-Track)
  41. I Don’t Mind (Studio)
  42. Mama Church (A Cappella)

7” SIDE A

  1. The Joker (Single Version)
  2. Lidi/Travelin’ (Harmonics – Looking for a Chorus for The Joker)

7” SIDE B

  1. I Don’t Mind (Studio)
  2. Lidi (Studio)