Customer Reviews

Rock Love

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While never a big commercial hit, I think this is a great album. It may not be what most Steve Miller fans expect because it predates his bubble-gum rock phase (even though I really liked that phase, too). I have been searching for this on CD for years and even had to resort to buying a used LP on eBay. Thanks Amazon for finally making this available.

The friends I've shared this with all think it is great. Highlights are Gangster, Love Shock (does this sound like Hendrix or what?), Rock Love (why this never hit the charts is beyond me), Harbor Lights (a great, ethereal funeral dirge type song with cool lyrics), Deliverance (some really unique scat that mesmerizes).

If you are expecting "Rocking Me" or "Space Cowboy" you may be disappointed. If you keep an open mind, you will find yourself singing these in the shower. AAAAAAA+++++++ Highly Recommended!!!!!!!!

Not too many people I know have even heard this LP (has it ever been issued on CD?) and those that have don't speak highly of it. So I downloaded it last night and listened and while I can't say I was pleasently surprised I won't say it's lousy either. Half live, half studio (hard to say which is better), the band is down to just three guys (?) apparently--not that you'd know that as there's no liner notes to be had with just a download. I don't think anyone from the original Steve Miller Band were around when this was recorded.

"Return of the Gangster" opens it up nicely but after that we have some standard (for the time) blues, an extended drum solo (also very much of its period) and other sub-par Miller tunes, none of which are bad, it's just that the whole endeavor is just... I dunno, underwhelming, I guess. I'll say the title track is a highlight of side two but cherry-picking the best cuts from this record is highly subjective as there really are no five-star songs to be found.

A good friend/Dj found me a virgin Lp of Rock Love a couple years back (in Europe no less), wondering why I was searching so hard to replace my worn Lp. So glad it is now digital! This is early Steve, and I was there to enjoy the emerging rock scene. I cringe to hear any Steve Miller after 1972, but then, he had to make a living. I can only think that the critics must have wanted more "light" Steve and therefore panned this album. Not all the songs are keepers, but the album remains a personal favorite. I still sing Harbor lights, and Deliverance has to be one of most incredible, live rock, 12 string guitar performances ever! Give it a fair, solid listen. This is a different Steve Miller, and while very much rock-blues, it really is what he was all about.

The critics at the time panned this album, but I always loved it and was glad to get it on digital. I saw Stevie guitar Miller back in the days and thought this album to be a good example of his pre-bubble gum stuff. He can lay out out the licks ala Stevie Ray or Jimmie. Check this album out if you like the blues rock side of what Steve Miller was about.