Steve Miller Band - Live From Chicago Reviews

• Great but could have been better

  
  By A1ZL5J6GYG5NW2 on 2008-06-01
  I was very excited to hear that this was coming out as I have seen Steve Miller in concert and it was great. This DVD is well done with good sound. As others have stated, the band is in good form. I do have a few problems with it though.
  1) The documentary is interesting and it was nice to hear Steve talk about his past in Chicago but I felt the person conducting the interview was a complete waste. It was nice to let Steve do most of the talking but on the other hand, the lack of actual questioning almost made him seem uncomfortable. The shots of the interviewer just nodding his head were also not needed.
  2) Song selection. While I can appreciate the need for Steve to pay tribute to his blues roots with the 3 covers, I felt short-changed by the lack of material from some of his albums. Nothing from Italian X-rays, Born 2 B Blue, Livin' in the 20th Century and Wide River and even the widely regarded mis-fire Circle of Fire. Not only are there hit songs on most of these albums, but there are good blues tracks.
  3) The rap section during Fly Like An Eagle is oddly out of place.
  
  I still give this package a high rating because of the value for the $ and even with the above albums not represented, you still can't go wrong. At least the cover songs were well performed.
  
  

• INCREDIBLE.........

  
  By A2KQ5J7NXEAU7P on 2008-05-29
  THE STEVE MILLER BAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT CONCERT SHOW.I'VE SEEN THE BAND 10 TIMES AND NEVER BEEN DISSAPOINTED. THIS CONCERT IS BY FAR THE BEST SHOW I'VE SEEN.THE CONCERT IS FILMED BETTER THAN ANY SHOW I OWN.THE BAND WAS SO TIGHT THAT THE CONCERT WAS OVER BEFORE I KNEW IT.THE MUSIC STANDS ALONE BUT THE EFFORT THAT WENT INTO THE PLAYING AND FILMING REALLY COMES THRU. AFTER SEEING THIS DVD WE BOUGHT TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW IN AUGUST. THE SHOW WE ARE GONNA SEE HAS JOE COCKER OPENING FOR THEM. WHAT A COMBO...SWINGTOWN, HERE WE COME......
  
  

• stripped down rock and roll at its best

  
  By A3UDNG2Z1FKQME on 2008-05-30
  I just picked this DVD up. I've been waiting for it to be released with baited breath, and I was not disappointed! The show doesn't have spectacular lighting or effects... it is just a group of guys playing straight forward blues-rock. The band seems to be enjoying themselves immensely. I was worried the songs might be straight from album renditions, but not to worry. The band does a fair amount of jamming, especially on Fly Like An eagle, coming in at about 15 minutes. There is a rap segment in the middle of the song that- well I'm getting used to it, but would have preferred it wasn't there. On both sides of the rap is some excellent guitar jamming. Another highlight was Winter Time. The stage lighting/effects are not played up because the band is so good, they don't need the distractions. This is a great DVD. The 2nd disk, while interesting, is disposable. I probably won't watch it more than the one time I already have. The CD is great (and fortunately includes Fly Like An Eagle). So for 18 bucks, between the DVD and CD, you definitely get your moneys worth. My wife could not have told you a song by Steve Miller, but having heard the DVD I find her putting it on while she does stuff around the house. Truly, that says it all!
  
  

• Thanks Steve and the Fellas

  
  By A1MIOM02T6AP6S on 2008-06-01
  I just want to say thanks to Steve and all the guys in his awesome band for this dvd which is fantastic from top to bottom. All the tunes you want are here and almost always exceed the originals. There is some great jamming going on here as all the players are great soloists and Steve is the generous boss who lets the fellas show off their chops. And the 'blues' segment in the middle is wonderful. The Jimmie Vaughan tune is a gem. A must own for sure. This is a no brainer. Buy it.
  
  

• Warning: REMOVE DISKs CAREFULLY

  
  By ADWHVYZL1YIDT on 2008-07-09
  Love the concert but the audio CD snapped upon first removing as it was extra tight. I actually give it 5 stars but posted 1 star to draw attention to let people know to be more careful than I was when removing the disk.
  
  
• Why I Don't Pre-Order
  By A3GLNMCZO8VQ9I on 2008-05-30
  The DVD is great but my review is based on a major mishap with the pricing for this item.
  
  Before its release on May 27th this item was on Pre-Order twice at a price around $26+. On the day of its release that price remained, however just one day later, the price dropped ten dollars.
  
  This is great, do not misinterpret me, but it is totally unfair to people who pre-ordered this DVD 6 months ago, or even those that bought it on release date.
  
  A pre-order system should benefit those buying the item before it is released, with a lower price, or a higher discount, rather than as happened with this DVD, making them feel ripped off.
  
  
• The Fly Like an Eagle Rap is GREAT!!
  By A2X9KH2DMQ5S0T on 2008-06-04
  The DVD is great. To those that criticize the rap in Fly Like an Eagle - I have seen the show numerous times, and contrary to your opinion, Fly Like an Eagle is the highlight of the show. I was at Woodstock '69, but I am not stuck in the past. I believe that Joseph Wooten's rap in Fly Like an Eagle brings the song into the 21st century. In fact, the lyrics are the roots of rap, about poverty and freedom, not about violence and hatred that pervades modern day rap.. We should commend them for this, and in fact , it continues the values that Steve Miller represented in the 60's. As far as the concert and quality are concerned...no better could be expected. It is fantastic - like you were there!!! Steve's voice gets smoother every year. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this show.
  
  
• The concert that....
  By A2AX8NGANN2DRP on 2008-05-25
  While this DVD is not out yet, I did attend one of the concerts this was taped at and I must say that it was an awesome concert. Steve Miller not only played a good deal of his hits, but also played a lot of blues.
  
  If this DVD is anywhere close to as good as the concert was, it will be a nice experience.
  
  
• Fantastic DVD but with a Pricing Mishap
  By A10BTA27GJK4TP on 2008-05-31
  This concert was very well filmed and the audio is spot on. Steve plays and sings as brilliantly as ever and everyone in the band is just amazing. As stated earlier, the band was so tight that it was over before you knew it. I thought that the setlist was fantastic as well and you get the experience of seeing the band go through several different music styles before they finish off with the radio hits that all of us know by heart. Gotta watch all of this to truly appreciate the effort that this fine band puts out here.
  
  A must buy for any rock and/or concert fan, Steve Miller fans notwithstanding ;)
  
  One more thing, if you pre ordered this DVD and paid a 9 or 10 dollar higher price than it is being sold for today, contact Cust Svc. If your delivery was within 30 days then they will issue you a credit and make you whole. cheers and enjoy the show!
  
  
• Steve Miller DVD - EXCELLENT!
  By A28J46DVA2OKJ3 on 2008-06-05
  I cant tell you how great the DVD is. I have the anniversary concert from Fly like an Eagle and enjoy that much but this one, This one is really well made. The band is excellent and Steve is in fine form and having a great time. I have seen him live 6 or 7 times and this is a great sounding concert that makes you feel like your there.
  My suggestion is buy this and turn up the surround sound and enjoy!
  
  
• Steve is the Greatest, but he doesn't know it
  By A1OKWVRHXCDBPK on 2008-09-23
  I saw the SMB in Clarkston, Michigan this year (2008) on June 27th with the addition of Sonny Charles (who Steve says is "like having Otis Redding in the Band") and that was even better than this DVD, but this DVD is by far the best recorded video of Steve, Norton, Kenny Lee, Joseph, Gordy and Billy that there is. The reason I say it is better this year is that Steve is the happiest I've ever seen him (and I've been a fan since 1968)in '08 but this '07 from Chicago is something he had to do, since that's where he cut his chops as is shown so faithfully in disc 2.
  
  In that disc, you must watch both videos - the second is called the radio show but it is another version of the video which sheds more light on Steve's pre-SF giggin' and learning in Chi-town with Buddy Guy, Barry Goldberg, Howlin' Wolf (his story of going to Silvio's to see the Wolf with his friend is priceless - and sooo true as I can attest because I did a similar pilgrimmage in 1969 and the Wolf was amazingly hospitable and friendly...and yes his hands were soooo huge - like steaks, I would say), Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Corky Seigel, Paul Butterfield, Elvin Bishop, Jerome Arnold, Sammy Lay,etc. I also had a blues band in Ann Arbor and made several trips to Chicago in the late 60's/early 70's. What's amazing to me is how honest and true Steve's recollection of the place, the scene, the personalities were. He even mentions Bob Koester of Delmark Records (who I also met and spoke with at length one day) who recorded the classic "Hoodoo Man Blues" which was my main inspirational disc for doing the blues band thing and Steve says that this disc was perhaps the greatest one ever recorded for Buddy and Junior. Of course he's right!!!
  
  There is magic (and lots of hard work and preparation) in this band and all the songs that they do. This is a wonderful concert, the videography (if that's what you call it) is fantastic with so many angles and close ups and pans that you really feel like you are there - plus the pre-concert interviews (in the parking lot, on the grass, etc.) with fans is also priceless. The execution of the songs is fantastic, and as usual, Steve and the Band always spruce up the tunes to improve them each year - Fly Like An Eagle is particulary fine this time, especially Steve's solo.
  
  By all means, if you appreciate Steve, get this DVD. It is timeless, it is honest, it is true. I cannot wait for the new music that the SMB recorded (including Sonny Charles) at Skywalker Studios this past spring to be released. Steve is an American living treasure, a true gentleman, and a gift to all of us. If you don't believe me, ask Paul McCartney. Of course, he is indebted to many, especially his mother, as you will find out if you listen to the radio show.
  
  One thing I will say is that I experienced the lyrics and the lips were not always totally in synch on my disc. There appeared to be a digital mismatch at times. This was unfortunate.
  
  Bob Goldenthal
  West Bloomfield, MI
  
  
• Fun Concert
  By A2FOTOS0E5GS7M on 2008-05-30
  A smallish out-door concert venue filmed with great audio and video mixing. No fancy pyrotechnics, laser lighting or other effects needed. They perform a nice selection of pop, jam, blues and even one country song for a total of 20 songs. If you have heard Steve Miller's stuff before and like his style, buy this.
  
  I haven't watched DVD #2 or listened to the CD yet.
  
  
• Living the Blues
  By A3HYXT5BLIPTVZ on 2008-06-08
  I just saw the Steve Miller Band at the Indian Casino in San Bernardino, early June, 2008. They played the same set on this DVD. Miller is a master of the blues guitar; he has that "South Side of Chicago" sound down. But he also mixes in long jams, including "Children of the Future" from '67 (I brought that blue/red album in high school) filled with psychedelia. The light show, in concert, makes one feel like you're back at the Fillmore, back when you had hair, dancing the light fantastic on acid. Steve Miller, in the tradition of the blues, talks between song sequences. He showed and played us a guitar that the rock hall-of-fame offered him $820,000 -- which he brought for $150 from Max's in New York a long time ago. He shared that this DVD/CD is number one on the charts. What chart? (LOL). At the end Miller plays his rock hits. I'd prefer Miller to stick to the blues and rock, and forget the jams. But some of those get interesting. The only negative moment is the rap song, please! The only thing missing on this DVD is the Bo Diddley tribute, "Pretty Thing", Miller did to honor the passing of the master. Believe me, you'll love this DVD, and the Steve Miller Band, if you get a chance to see them live. Oh, one more thing, the girls next to us hurled, and the police removed them from the hall (added entertainment).
  
  
• WOW!
  By A12O7BIR6RC5FF on 2008-06-29
  This concert jams! Stevie "guitar" Miller is still the bluesy rocker of all times. The concert is and was (I say the show in Los Angeles) proof that time can stand still for reliving the past. Highly enjoyable and the accompanying cd jams! Buy it you"ll like it.
  
  
• steve miller band
  By A3E3H6P6I5MV6M on 2008-06-30
  this is a great concert,the sound is exelenct, and steve miller still has it. I waited for this dvd, and it was worth wating for.Worth the money,go for it.
  
  

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