With a musical career spanning close to 50 years, and putting out nearly 25 albums, everyone knows at least one Steve Miller song. It was evident this past Tuesday, that everyone in the sold out Artpark crowd, knew all 20 that he played.
Opening with one his most recognizable songs, “Jungle Love,” Miller and his band had their attention all night. Even with everyone singing and dancing the night away, Miller took ample time to connect with all of his fans.One gentleman in the front row, Ray Goodenough, who attends many of the shows in the area, got Miller’s undivided attention. Miller threw him eleven picks before grabbing the sign Ray was holding, and showing it to the monitor. Miller read the sign, which said, “Steve, can I have one of your picks?” He continued, “Ray I just threw you eleven, and you didn’t catch a single one! I’m not wasting a dozen!” Miller laughed as he licked a pick, and stuck it to the sign. When he handed it back to him, he asked “You got that one, buddy? You sure?” He continued to laugh, and then proceeded with a dedication to The U.S. Olympic Team. He said he wanted to add a little James Bond flavor to the song, “All Your Love,” since they were competing in London.
As darkness fell, a gentle breeze helped to cool things off, and also created a small opening in the clouds, revealing a full moon. Miller took note of this, and began howling at the moon, before playing “Serenade.”
After playing “Serenade,” Miller pulled up a stool, and played a short acoustic set. He included a song, that he said was “like song 9 on the B side of the Fly Like An Eagle album.” Miller said his girlfriend encouraged him to play “The Window,” and judging by the crowds reaction, it was good that he listened to her.
As Miller wound his set down, he played a long, jam version of “Fly Like An Eagle,” which everyone danced to. With the two remaining songs of “Jet Airliner,” and Rock ‘n Me,” he kept the crowd moving about as he stretched those songs out, too.
Just before exiting the stage, Miller shouted “Did you have a good time?!” The response was a deafening ovation, that continued until he returned to play a three song encore, “Swingtown,” “Space Cowboy,” and arguably his most famous song, “The Joker.”
With a mix of his greatest hits, some lesser known songs, and some interesting funky arrangements, Miller made his music sound fresh and new. It seems to still appeal appeal to everyone, as I witnessed a ten year old boy dancing and singing along all night. A testament to how muisc transcends to people of all ages, young and old!
Set List:
Jungle Love
Take The Money and Run
The Stake
Abracadabra
Further On Up The Road (Bobby “Blue” Bland cover)
Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma
Kow Kow
All Your Love (Otis Rush cover)
I Want To Make The World Turn Around
Serenade
Wild Mountain Honey (acoustic)
Dance Dance Dance (acoustic)
The Window (acoustic)
Living In The U.S.A.
Fly Like An Eagle
Jet Airliner
Rock ‘n Me
Encore:
Swingtown
Space Cowboy
The Joker
We would like to thank Maria Costello from Artpark for the tickets to cover the show.
