Number 5
Studio album by Steve Miller Band
Released 1970
Recorded 1970
Genre Rock
Length 36:16
Label Capitol
Producer Steve Miller
Number 5 is the fifth album by American rock band Steve Miller Band, released in 1970.
Professional reviews:
allmusic 4/5 stars
Review by Jim Newsom of allmusic:
Released in the summer of 1970, Number 5 was the fifth LP by the Steve Miller Band in just over two years. While it compares favorably to its immediate predecessor, Your Saving Grace, it is not quite up to the consistent excellence of the potent Brave New World from the previous summer. However, it does have a fair share of delights, especially the opening triumvirate of "Good Morning," "I Love You," and "Going to the Country." These selections, and all of side one, have a distinctly more rural feel than did previous recordings, due perhaps to the fact that the tracks were recorded in Nashville. Charlie McCoy contributes harmonica to several of these cuts, and Buddy Spicher plays fiddle on "Going to the Country," while Bobby Thompson adds banjo to "Tokin's." Side two is more uneven, with the lead-off mid-tempo rocker "Going to Mexico" serving as a conclusion to the first side's thematic coherence, and the closing "Never Kill Another Man" a string-laden ballad. Sandwiched between them are three experimental-sounding pieces, seasoned with sound effects, buried vocals, and semi-political themes. Although it couldn't have been predicted at the time, Number 5 represented the end of an era for Steve Miller and bandmates, and subsequent albums would sound nothing like this first batch of great recordings.
Excerpts from amazon reviews:
It has everything. The morning song "Good Morning To You" that fades 'tidings of comfort and joy' instrumental. The folksy " I Love You," the country rocker "Going To The Country," Tex-Mex "Tokin's" and the psychedelia/protest songs of "Jackson-Kent Blues," and "Military Industrial Complex Hex." This album has it all ending with the ballad "Never Kill Another Man." Beware those people who expect the Fly Like An Eagle/Book Of Dreams Steve Miller. This ain't it! This is classic Steve Miller before he became a top forty juke box.
This is an album that surely tells us what Steve Miller is all about - from the scatty humour to the political critique - music for an age and a set of beliefs that underpin a lifestyle and are as relevant today as ever. If music that means something is your bag, then give this a spin. It's wonderful.
If I had ten albums to be stranded on desert island with then this one is a serious contender. This is long before the Top 40 hits. SMB's 5th album, released in July 1970, brings together several musical styles making each cut truly unique (what a concept). This is a classic from the rock classics era. Charlie McCoy lays down some of the best harp licks you've ever heard on "Going to the Country". Ben Sidran & Boz Scaggs co-write. Lee Michaels and Nicky Hopkins pitch in on keyboards. A rare gem that shouldn't be missed.
LP track listing
Side One
1. "Good Morning" (Bobby Winkelman) Ð 2:48
2. "I Love You" (Steve Miller) Ð 2:45
3. "Going to the Country" (Steve Miller, Ben Sidran) Ð 3:47
4. "Hot Chili" (Tim Davis) Ð 3:30
5. "Tokin's" (Tim Davis) Ð 4:23
Side Two
6. "Going to Mexico" (Steve Miller, Boz Scaggs) Ð 2:29
7. "Steve Miller's Midnight Tango" (Ben Sidran) Ð 2:40
8. "Industrial Military Complex Hex" (Steve Miller) Ð 3:54
9. "Jackson-Kent Blues" (Steve Miller) Ð 7:18
10. "Never Kill Another Man" (Steve Miller) Ð 2:42
Personnel
* Steve Miller Ð guitar, vocals
* Lonnie Turner Ð bass guitar
* Bobby Winkelman Ð bass guitar, vocals
* Ben Sidran Ð keyboards
* Nicky Hopkins Ð keyboards
* Tim Davis Ð drums, vocals
* Charlie McCoy Ð harmonica
* Lee Michaels - organ on "Going To Mexico"