| The Joker | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album / live album by | ||||
| Released | October 19, 1973 | |||
| Studio | Capitol (Hollywood) | |||
| Genre | Blues rock | |||
| Length | 35:57 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Producer | Steve Miller | |||
| Steve Miller Band chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Joker | ||||
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The Joker is a combination live and studio album by the Steve Miller Band. The album was recorded at Capitol Studios[2] and released by Capitol Records in October 1973. The album marked a period of significant change for the group as the band abandoned their psychedelic-oriented music for a more melodic, smooth rock/blues sound. It was also their first solid commercial success due to the strong radio-play of the title track. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and has been certified Platinum in the United States. It reached No. 1 on the Cash Box Albums Charts on January 8, 1974.[3]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B−[5] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [6] |
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic rated The Joker three out of five stars, calling it "all bright and fun, occasionally truly silly". He also stated that it "isn't mind-expanding", but concluded by saying that it "nevertheless maintains its good-time vibe so well that it's hard not to smile along... provided you're on the same wavelength as Miller, of course."[4]
Record World said of the single "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" "A dynamic rocker, it ain't nothin' but the best!"[7]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sugar Babe" | Steve Miller | 4:35 |
| 2. | "Mary Lou" | Obie Jessie, Sam Ling | 2:24 |
| 3. | "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" | Steve Miller | 5:41 |
| 4. | "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' but Trash" | Chuck Calhoun | 3:21 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Joker" | Steve Miller, Eddie Curtis, Ahmet Ertegun | 4:26 |
| 2. | "The Lovin' Cup" | Steve Miller | 2:10 |
| 3. | "Come On in My Kitchen" (Live at Tower Theater, Philadelphia) | Robert Johnson | 4:06 |
| 4. | "Evil" (Live at Aquarius Theatre, Boston) | Steve Miller | 4:35 |
| 5. | "Something to Believe In" | Steve Miller | 4:41 |
Additional personnel
| Chart (1973–1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[8] | 38 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[9] | 1 |
| USBillboard 200[10] | 2 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[11] | 5× Platinum | 5,000,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
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| Studio albums |
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| Live albums |
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| Compilations |
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| Singles |
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| Related articles |
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