Originally published by L.S. Media. June 29th 2010.

It has been 17 years since the last time Steve Miller decided to go into a studio and record an album. Some artists would consider that to be against their work ethic and would rather retire and walk away from it all forever than to tease any loyal fan base in this way…but the Godson of the last great Les Paul can be excused any travesty of recording timing when he pulls out an album of superb blues covers from out of the half hidden music locker.

A covers album it may be and yet there is something really distinctive about the way Steve Miller plays and sounds that has you shaking your head in astonishment and makes you question whether the song is indeed the result of someone else’s work.

It is testament to the ability of Steve and the musicians who take part in the recording that he is able to convert tracks by the likes of B.B King, Nile Rodgers and Jimmie Vaughn and give them a party feel and as far from their blues origins as you can get. Of course it helps when you have guest artists such as the legendary Joe Satriani giving a helping hand on the two songs Rock Me Baby and Sweet Soul Vibe.

Stand out tracks on Bingo! are Jimmy Vaughan’s Don’t Cha Know, a version of Come On (Let the Good Times Roll) and Jessie Hill’s Ooh Poo Pah Doo. In saying that though there is not a bad song on the album and even if you are not a blues fan it is worth getting hold of a copy of the album and giving it a good listen, after all you might be surprised… I certainly was!

It is rumoured that Steve and his band have recorded a second album at the same time as this venture and if it as half as good as this one then Steve will be well pleased with the public reaction he gets from this one.

Ian D. Hall