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HERE'S THE LATEST< Back Steve Miller Band's Live From Chicago, the 40th anniversary three-disc set (two DVDs and a 12-song CD) from Coming Home Media was released on May 27, shipped platinum to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Music Video charts amid across-the-board critical acclaim and wide media attention. This historic Steve Miller Band concert was captured in High Definition with 32 cameras over two sold-out nights at the Ravinia outdoor facility north of Chicago. The second DVD is an all-new, documentary that includes a private tour of Chicago with Steve Miller himself. There is also a greatest-hits CD and a full-color booklet and several extra features.
Genre - other
Director(s) - Daniel E. Catullo III
Cast - Steve Miller Band
Blue Rider's Role - Producers and lenders
Distributor(s) - Coming Home Studios
Release Date - 2008
Synopsis - The long-awaited live performance DVD from the legendary Steve Miller Band featuring the hits "Take the Money and Run," "Rockin' Me," "Swingtown," "Fly Like An Eagle", "The Joker," "Jet Airliner" and 16 more hit songs.
Release Date and Air Dates:
The DVD was released on May 20, 2008. The concert aired on more than 20 PBS stations in May and June, 2008.
CD Sales and Rankings:
After its first week of release, the Steve Miller Band: Live in Chicago ranked #1 on Amazon.com's Best-Selling Music and Concert DVD list and made its debut at #1 on the Billboard chart. In week two, it ranked #10 at Billboard. On Oct. 8, 2010 (in its 29th month of release) it still ranked #27 at Amazon.com among music video and concert boxed sets.
Fully 85.2% of those who rated it at Amazon.com through Dec. 16, 2009 gave it five stars out of a possible five, with the another 7.4% rating it four stars.
DVD and Concert Reviews:
Analee Pepper, Arts & Culture: "Sunday, October 7th marked yet another momentous and exceptional show by the infamous Steve Miller Band. After their LA concert Saturday night the band, along with Coming Home Media and Blue Rider Pictures, premiered their new film, Live from Chicago, at the Mann Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The film is the complete coverage of their live two day concert in Chicago earlier this year. The show is filmed in high definition and produced using some of the finest technology in today¡¯s world of film production. The screening was followed by a Q&A session with a panel including Steve Miller and led by 95.5 KLOS¡¯ Uncle Joe Benson, during which one fan commented that he had never before believed that the filming of a concert could actually be better than the live show it had covered.
"The musical quality of it contributed hugely to the impressive outcome of the entire production. The producer was quick to note also that the final product is only as great as it is because of Steve Miller and his full cooperation and unmatched talent.
"Following the premiere the band hosted a party at Citizen Smith with a guest list including Andy Johns, the music "mixer" for the film and old friend of Steve¡¯s; David Spade; Uncle Joe Benson and many more familiar faces. At the party I had a chance to talk extensively with the musicians. This band is notable for so many reasons, even when one excludes their obvious artistic skill and longevity as a successful group. The members are humble, kind, and entirely level-headed about their success. Joseph Wooten, the piano player, told me that he keeps a photo of his sons on the piano during concerts (which can be seen in the film) and that he likes to think of his piano space as an office space in that the typical business person adorns their workspace with family portraits and reminders of what is important in their lives.
"The DVD set, Live from Chicago, which includes two DVDs and one CD, will be out in theatres in 2-3 weeks and available for sale shortly thereafter. It will also be shown on television around the same time, hopefully in high definition. This film is not to be missed, whether you are an old fan or just have a couple favorite tunes. I myself used to choreograph dances to classics such as 'Jungle Love,' 'Rock¡¯n me,' and 'Swing Town' at the early age of seven, and this film was a reminder of how spectacular and talented this band truly is. In short, see it and then buy it because you will have to."
Off The Record/Westwood One: "Uncle Joe Benson spent quite a wild weekend with the Steve Miller Band. Everybody's favorite Unc was spotted hanging out with Steve and the band at the Greek Theater show in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Rumor has it that Uncle Joe helped thwart comedian David Spade's attempt to purchase one of Steve's famous guitars. Okay, so Uncle Joe and votes from the thousands of screaming fans in the audience stopped the potential $900,000 sale. Good thing, because Steve Miller featured the guitar during the top-notch live set, which Uncle Joe said clocked in just over the 2 hour mark. Fans of all ages were singing and dancing along to songs like The Joker, Swingtown, Take The Money And Run, and Jet Airliner." A good time was reportedly had by all.
Uncle Joe then met up with the Steve Miller Band again on Sunday night at the Mann's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. It was the premiere screening of the upcoming double-disc DVD release, Steve Miller Band: Live In Chicago. 19 high-def cameras captured the band's two-night stand in Chicago last July, and the legendary Andy Johns (who's worked with Led Zeppelin and the Stones, to name a few) mixed the sound. Uncle Joe hosted a Q&A session with Steve Miller after the screening, where Steve let it slip that he's about to hit the studio to record a new album with none-other-than, Andy Johns!! Little piece of trivia for you - Andy Johns worked with the Steve Miller Band over 30 years ago on one of their first albums. How's that for coming full circle? Anyway, the Live In Chicago double-DVD set will also come with an audio CD featuring 12 songs from the set, as well as a beautiful color booklet. You can pick up in late November."
Kevin O'Hare, Newhouse News Service: "For a guy who has sold more than 25 million records, Steve Miller is, rather amazingly, unrecognizable to a lot of music fans. He was never on the cover of a ton of magazines or all over MTV, he just kept on keeping on, making hits and pouring out a playful combination of rock, pop and blues for the past 40 years.
"That's part of what makes this elaborately-packaged DVD such a treat. You get to see the main man, in this triple disc set, which features a concert DVD, an interview disc where he drives through Chicago reminiscing about his past, and a separate live CD. Together with his veteran band, which includes such characters as his longtime harmonica player Norton Buffalo and guitarist Kenny Lee Lewis, the Steve Miller Band deliver air-tight versions of their biggest hits, including Fly Like an Eagle, Living in the USA, The Joker, Take The Money & Run and numerous others.
"The performances are first-rate, and Miller seems especially inspired when he delves into the blues with tracks like Robert Johnson's Crossroads and Otis Rush's All Your Lovin'.
This is Miller's first-ever DVD and he's made sure it's a memorable one."
Jeb Wright, Goldmine Magazine: "Rating: A. Steve Miller has released his first-ever DVD, featuring classic hits performed in an outdoor theater in Chicago. Miller cut his teeth playing in blues clubs and watching the masters perform back in the 1960's, sharing the stage with icons such as Muddy Waters. The Windy City was the foundation that became the Steve Miller Blues Band and eventually the Steve Miller Band that released hit after hit in the 70's and early 80's.
The DVD (along with a bonus CD of the concert) is meticulously packaged, recorded and produced. The concert is a celebration of Miller's career and the bonus footage of Miller in the back of a cab relieving his Chicago days, driving through the city and explaining where things used to be is priceless. Live from Chicago is a true gem. This is how concert DVD's should be presented. The camera work is impeccable and the music sounds as
if you are in the front row. The DVD features twenty classic Miller tunes (the CD contains twelve.) Miller also takes some time to pay homage to the blues with rousing renditions of Crossroads, and Mercury Blues. In the end, Steve Miller is one of his eras most proficient songwriters and this collection matches Miller's high standards and commitment to excellence."
Alexandria Jackson, BC Music [see entire review at link near the bottom of this page]:
"The footage of the concert and the material itself made me regret not having attended. The audience wore their love for Steve Miller on their sleeves. It appeared that people across multiple generations knew the words to all their songs and had a fantastic evening.
"Steve Miller has kept a low media profile over his four decade career. Therefore, the documentary gives the audience some insight into his love of blues and his musical history.
"In the documentary, Steve reminisces about Chicago in the mid 1960's. 'It was like getting a Masters and a Ph.D. in Bluesology.' He paints an informative picture about the history of the Blues scene in Chicago and the major players at Big John's, the best club in which to play. He also takes the audience to places he used to haunt, and the expression of loss in his face when the building is no longer standing is heart-wrenching.
"Like slipping on a bathrobe straight from the dryer, the warmth and familiarity of the concert took me back to my youth when I knew all the words to every song played. The well-known sounds and the heartening rhythm is what makes The Steve Miller Band a timeless treasure.
Miller received the ASCAP Golden Note Award at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' 25th Annual Pop Music Awards in April of 2008."
Goldmine review: "Meticulously packaged, recorded and produced. The bonus footage of Miller in the back of a cab relieving his Chicago days driving through the city and explaining where things used to be is priceless. LivefromChicago is a true gem. This is how concert DVD's should be presented. The camera work is impeccable and the music sounds as if you are in the front row. Steve Miller is one of his era's most proficient songwriters and this collection matches Miller's high standards and commitment to excellence. Rating: A."
Vintage Guitar review: "Miller is something to see. Many who know him mostly from The Joker and the monster hits that followed have a treat in store. With 17 cameras catching every angle of the performance, (producer/director Dan) Catullo keeps focusing on the action onstage. The result is a feeling of being right there with Miller and his impressive ensemble. This savvy attention separates Catullo from most television directors who, after 50 or more years of rock and roll being broadcast on TV, still feel the action stops when the singer isn't singing."
John Latchem, Home Media Magazine: "Fans of the Steve Miller Band will go nuts for this deluxe boxed set of the group¡¯s summer 2007 concert at the Ravinia Festival. The first disc includes a set of 20 songs, including such classics as Fly Like an Eagle and The Joker.
The set also includes a music CD of 12 of the songs performed live.
"A bonus disc gives fans deeper insight into Miller himself with a short documentary in which he discusses his career and the musical landmarks of Chicago. This special splices in some of the concert footage with interviews with the fans, who relate why they¡¯ve remained loyal to the Steve Miller Band for 40 years and counting.
"The documentary is accompanied by video footage from a radio interview conducted from the back of a taxi ferrying Miller around Chicago as he tells stories from his career, and how he first came to Chicago to become a blues musician. Also included is a photo gallery of the concert and a not-so-hidden bonus gallery of archive photos."
All Music Guide review: "Classy. Any fan of Miller's commercial zenith, and there are plenty of them, will enjoy this document of a typically crowd pleasing show."
Friday Morning Quarterback review: "A musical feast. ... The new DVDprovides indisputable proof of Millers musical mastery."
Philadelphia Daily News review: "Good news for Steve Miller Band admirers is a rip-roaring DVD concert package, "The Steve Miller Band - Live From Chicago" (Coming Home Media), which finds the blues-tinged rocker doing all his hits (like 'The Joker,' 'Jungle Love' and 'Rock 'N Me') in fresh, extended treatments. Shot in high def at the Ravinia summer shed, its visuals are razor sharp and colorful, while the crisp, stereo/multichannel mixes show the fine hand of Andy Johns. Rating: A."
Blogcritics review: "A tremendous concert, a heart-warming documentary and a 12-track CD make this set a treasure worth keeping."
DVD Talk review: "The DVD captures a solid performance and with a great image and some bold audio tracks to enjoy, not to mention some nifty bonus features to enjoy, this collection should take a spot alongside the Greatest Hits CD on fans' shelves."
antiMusic.com review: "Miller lets the musicianship do the talking, and he generously shares the spotlight. Case in point: the show's opener Fly like an Eagle belongs to keyboardist Joseph Wooten, who not only plays an extensive solo but performs a freestyle rap at the end of the song. The mostly baby-boomer crowd generally knew every nuance of every song and they all left with a giant case of perma-grin. FOUR STARS."
Blogger News Network review: "Run down to your local record store and get this fabulous 2 DVD and one CD set. Even if you are 'a joker, a smoker, and a midnight toker,' you will want it. If you are in a far-flung part of the world, you can always catch a jetliner to somewhere that has this DVD set."
About.com: Classic Rock review: "Definitely a keeper. FOUR STARS."
Louisville Eccentric Observer review: "While it would be easy to write Miller off as just another oldie, you might want to withhold judgment until you see this concert featuring long-time friends Norton Buffalo, Gordy Knudtson, Kenny Lee Lewis, Billy Peterson and Joseph Wooten--the tightest, most talented collection of musicians youll ever see on one stage."
Ken Sharp, FMQB: "It¡¯s hard to believe, but everyone's favorite 'Space Cowboy,' Steve Miller has never released a live DVD. A new two-DVD/one-CD set, Live from Chicago (Coming Home Media), offers a musical feast for long-time fans of the guitar legend. Tallying sales of over 25 million, Steve Miller is one of music's most consistent hit-makers.
"An accomplished guitar player, gifted songwriter, producer and arranger, Miller is a musical chameleon, through timeless songs like 'The Joker,' 'Wild Mountain Honey,' 'Fly Like An Eagle,' 'Jet Airliner,' 'Abracadabra' and countless others. He's equally at home in the Pop, Rock, R&B, Folk, Jazz and Blues idioms. He can simply do it all. And the new DVD provides indisputable proof of his musical mastery. The DVD captures the best of two incendiary shows recorded in Chicago circa July 2007. Recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, the 17-camera shoot, directed and produced by Daniel E. Catullo III (Rush, Dave Matthews Band) and Jack Gulick (Bruce Springsteen, Metallica), finds Miller and band slammin' through 20 of their most beloved hits and key album tracks like 'The Joker,' 'Jungle Love,' 'Take The Money and Run,' 'Swingtown,' 'Living In The U.S.A.,' Rock 'N Me, Fly Like An Eagle, Dance Dance Dance,' 'Serenade' and 'Winter Time.' A 12-song CD culled from the Chicago performances is also part of the package.
"Also included is an informative documentary tracing Miller's Chicago Blues roots. Trailing along with Miller is friend and noted music scribe Joel Selvin, and the duo revisit many of the artist's early musical haunts with Miller offering candid insight behind each locale's role in the advancement of his career."
Blair Jackson, Mix: "This was made to be a commercial DVD release, and as such both the audio
and video are spectacular. Clearly, no expense was spared¡ªyou¡¯ve got multiple angles, cameras that sweep over the audience, crowd reaction shots¡ªa perfect mix by a top engineer; everything is top©\of©\the©\line.
"So is the performance by Miller¡¯s band at the beautiful Ravinia Festival amphitheater just outside of Chicago.
"Miller has close ties to the Windy City. You could say it¡¯s where he came of age as a musician in the 1960s (before moving during the psychedelic era to San Francisco, where he signed with Capitol and became a recording star). And though he is best known for his amazing string of pop©\rock hits through the 1970s, don¡¯t forget that his roots are solidly in Chicago blues (and that his first real success came fronting the
Steve Miller Blues Band). He¡¯s always made a point of including a generous helping a blues in his shows and giving shout©\outs to some of his influences, and this one is no exception: in mid©\set he offers up searing, Strat-driven versions of K.C. Douglas¡¯ 'Mercury Blues,' Robert Johnson¡¯s 'Crossroads' and Otis Rush¡¯s great 'All Your Lovin¡¯.' Miller has got serious blues guitar chops, and the rest of his band acquit themselves very well in this area, too: the inimitable Norton Buffalo on harmonica and vocals, outstanding second guitarist Kenny Lee
Lewis, bassist Billy Peterson, drummer Gordy Knudtson and keyboardist Joseph Wooten.
"A 20©\minute documentary on Disc Two of the set emphasizes Miller¡¯s blues roots: We see Miller, in the back seat of a car with San Francisco Chronicle music writer Joel Selvin (who also wrote the informative liner notes), visiting some
of his old haunts in Chicago, and talking about the musicians he admired growing up. Fascinating stuff.
"But let¡¯s face it, most of the folks who will scoop up this DVD are more interested in the hits than the blues, and this DVD certainly delivers in that regard, too. It opens with an expansive, jammy 15©\minute version of 'Fly Like an Eagle' that gives Miller and his mates a chance to stretch out, and then it offers up pretty much an entire Greatest Hits collection, from early nuggets like 'Living in the USA' to the cavalcade of smashes from the ¡¯70s: 'The Joker,' 'Rock ¡¯N Me,' 'Take the Money and Run,' 'Swingtown,' 'Jungle Love' and 'Jet Airliner.' Much to my liking are some of the
more obscure (if you can say that about any song on mega©\Platinum albums): 'Dance, Dance, Dance,' 'Wild Mountain Honey' and the beautiful 'Serenade.'
"Besides the documentary, the second disc also includes a photo gallery and a full radio program put together by Joel Selvin. A third, audio©\only disc features 12 of the 20 songs from the DVD, though not the aforementioned blues tracks. All in all this set is quite a bargain; definitely a keeper."
Major Crew Credits and Awards:
Directed by Grammy-nominated Director/Producer Daniel E. Catullo III (won Juno Award in 2004 for directing and production Rush in Rio DVD, two Golden Eagle Cine Awards in 2004 for producing Matchbox Twenty and Boz Scaggs DVDs, and won six Telly Awards for shows that he produced and directed, starring Matchbook Twenty, Godsmack, Duran Duran and Dave Matthews Band; nominated for three Grammy Awards, The Billboard Music Awards and The Demmy Awards; produced and directed DVDs and TV specials by Rush, Godsmack, MB20, Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band and many other groups).
Produced by: Daniel E. Catullo III (produced 24 concert films for bands including Duran Duran, Whitesnake, Boz Skaggs, Godsmack, Nickleback, Smashing Pumpkins, Dave Matthews Band and The Go-Gos)and Daniel Gulick (29 concert films for bands including Metalica, Dave Matthews Band, Rush, Godsmack, Nickleback, Mariah Carey and Shania Twain); Grammy nom for Best Music Video for Blood Brothers: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band).
Executive Producers: Jeff Geoffray (produced music videos for Tina Turner, Henry Rollins, Black Flag, Jeffrey Osborne and the Minutemen; produced movies Around the World in 80 Days, Shergar, Silver Wolf, Behind the Red Door and 25 other films) and Walter Josten (won Emmy for The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie; produced Around the World in 80 Days, Behind the Red Door, Then She Found Me, The Groomsmen and 28 more films).
About Steve Miller Band:
Since 1968 the Steve Miller Band has releases over 24 albums with over half of those scanning multi-Platinum, Platinum and Gold sound scan sales. The Band currently includes Steve Miller, Norton Buffalo, Gordy Knudtson, Kenny Lee Lewis, Billy Lee Lewis and Joseph Wooten. Former band members include Boz Skaggs, Nicky Hopkins and Jim Keltner. The band has sold 34 million albums, including 14 million for its Greatest Hits collection.
About the DVD:
Includes 2 DVD/1 10-song CD triple-disc package with 20 hit songs performed live in High Definition with 32 cameras at the legendary Ravinia outdoor venue in the northern Chicago suburbs, over two sold-out nights in the summer of 2007 attended by 35,000 fans of all ages. DVD features include a never before released documentary private tour of Chicago with Steve Miller himself in a classic checker taxi cab seeing some of the first venues he played in; a photo gallery with many exclusive shots; and a choice of full Stereo Sound, SRS 5.1 Surround
Sound and DTS 5.1 Surround Sound.
DVD Set List:
Fly Like An Eagle, Living In The USA, True Fine Love, Abracadbra, Mercury Blues, Serenade,
Wild Mountain Honey, Winterime, Rockin¡¯ Me,
The Stake, The Joker, Texas, Take The Money and Run, Tore Down, Swingtown, All Your Lovin, Jungle Love, Crossroads, Jet Airliner and Dance, Dance, Dance.
Greatest Hits CD Track List: Rockin' Me, The Joker, The Stake, Jungle Love, Serenade, Take the Money and Run, Jet Airliner, Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma, Fly Like and Eagle, Abracadabra, Winter Time and Wild Mountain Honey.
Summer 2008 Tour:
24-May West Palm Beach FL Sound Advice Amp
25-May Tampa FL Ford Ampitheater
26-May Atlanta GA Verizon Wireless Amp.
29-May Oklahoma City OK The Zoo
30-May Dallas TX Superpages Center
31-May Houston TX Cynthia Woods Pavillion
1-Jun Austin TX The Backyard
5-Jun Highland CA San Manuel Casino
7-Jun San Francisco CA The Fox Theater
26-Jun Muskegon MI Summer Celebration
27-Jun Detroit MI DTE Energy Theater
28-Jun Indianapolis IN Verizon Wireless Center
29-Jun Milwaukee WI Marcus Ampitheater
2-Jul Kansas City MO Starlight Theater
3-Jul Minneapolis MN Target Center
5-Jul Chicago IL Jason Wright
6-Jul St Louis MO Verizon Wirless Amp.
10-Jul New York NY Radio City Music Hall
11-Jul Long Island NY Jones Beach
12-Jul Pittsburgh PA Post Gazzette Pavilion
13-Jul Bethel NY Bethel Woods Center
15-Jul Toronto, ON ON Molson Ampitheater
17-Jul Washington DC Merriweather Post Pavilion
18-Jul Foxwoods CT MGM Grand @ Foxwoods
19-Jul Boston MA Tweeter Center
20-Jul Holmdel NJ PNC Bank Center
30-Jul Salt Lake City UT USANA Ampitheater
31-Jul Denver CO Red Rocks
2-Aug Seattle WA The Gorge
3-Aug Medford OR Lithia Motors Ampitheater
6-Aug Los Angeles CA Nokia Theatre
7-Aug Santa Barbara CA Santa Barbara Bowl
9-Aug Las Vegas NV Orleans Arena
10-Aug San Diego CA Venue TBD
15-Aug San Francisco Bay Area Sleep Train Pav. 16-Aug Reno NV Venue TBD
17-Aug Murphy's CA Ironstone | 
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Links:
Steve Miller Band official website
Wikipedia listing
Review in BC Music
Five-minute clip of "Rock'n Me"
Article on and Interview With Steve Miller
Wall Street Journal article on Steve Miller
Article on and Interview With Daniel Catullo
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