Steve Miller - Born 2 B Blue (1988)

This CD is a departure for Steve Miller. First, there's no Steve Miller Band, second, there's no original material, third, there's no rock and roll. It's an over-produced CD of jazz standards that's more smooth jazz than anything else. It has the sound of a Michael Franks release. I thought it would be bluesier, but what's here is good for what it is. Makes for relaxing background music, but it doesn't stand up to repeated active listening. I guess the big disappointment is that Miller doesn't really show off his guitar skills at any point on this release.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #108 (Oct 22, 1988)

Tracks: Believe it or not, Miller makes Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah work in this context. Filthy McNasty is, well, let's call it an interesting experiment. There's a nice take on When Sunny Gets Blue with nice sax work from Phil Woods.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I remember reading about this release in '89 in a Rolling Stone review (below). However, I didn't purchase it until I saw it in the bargain bin at the local Wal-Mart in the mid-90's.

Rolling Stone, January 26, 1989, p. 47