The Joker is a combination live and studio album by Steve Miller Band. The album was recorded at Capitol Studios in 15 days 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.
Reception
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."
Track listing
All tracks written by Steve Miller unless otherwise stated.
Personnel
- Steve Miller – guitar, vocals, harmonica
- Gerald Johnson – bass guitar (all but 8), vocals
- Dick Thompson – organ, clavinet
- John King – drums
Additional personnel
- Lonnie Turner – bass guitar (8)
- "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar (9)
- John Van Hamersveld and Norman Seeff – album cover design
- Norman Seeff – photography
Charts
Weekly charts
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for The Joker
! Chart (1973–1974)
! Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)
| 38
|-
|-
|}
Year-end charts
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for The Joker
! Chart (1974)
! Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Billboard 200
| 39
|}