 |
 Caught in the Carousel - Music Reviews and More
|
Steve Miller Band
Fly Like An Eagle 30th Anniversary Edition
Capital
Since its release in 1976, Steve Miller’s Fly Like An Eagle has become one of the most enduring albums in rock and roll. It may not have the legendary aura of records like Sgt. Peppers or Never Mind The Bollocks, but Fly Like An Eagle has proven itself to be a durable classic.
Although Miller originally hailed from Texas, in the late ‘60s he found himself as part of the rich musical “Summer of Love” movement in San Francisco. Recorded at his home studio in Novato, Fly Like An Eagle, showcases Miller’s penchant for mixing bluesy riffs with Byrdsy harmonies and the result is a potent blend of timeless windswept pop.
Even after almost four decades and endless airplay songs like “Take The Money And Run” and “Rock’n Me” and the title track still sound as fresh as ever. Especially aging well is the ethereal “Serenade,” which rolls out in lush bursts of jangle and swoon. Elsewhere “Dance Dance Dance,” “Wild Mountain Honey,” and “Sweet Maree,” have retained their initial glow. The twelve numbers that comprised the original album have all been Re-Mastered and tacked on are three bonus demo tracks: “Fly Like An Eagle’ 73,” “Take The Joker And Run” (that’s right—“Take The Money And Run” set to a nascent version of “The Joker”) and “Rock’n Me ’76 Slow.”
While it might have been interesting to hear the tracks that didn’t make the final cut, these offerings—especially the slow-motion take of the latter—demonstrate the elasticity of Miller’s compositions. Generously accompanying the disc is a bonus DVD, which contains the album in 5.1 Surround Sound, a documentary about the making of the record, and a two-hour concert filmed at the Shoreline Amphitheater in September, 2005.
—Alex Green (Caught In The Carousel Exclusive)
Can we help you find something?