Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2008 > June > 02 > Entry
Weekend review: Joe Cocker and Steve Miller at the Backyard
In my book of favorite venues, the Backyard ranks up there for booking interesting acts, good sound and sight lines, and an ability to catch breezes that make most hot nights pleasant despite the surrounding acres of asphalt. On Sunday evening it also poked the recession in the eye with a true bargain.
Joe Cocker and Steve Miller Band gave fans four hours of music that went down as easily as a summertime smoothie. The former opened for the latter but the two played as equals and came close to dividing the time.
Cocker had the bigger band, more powerful voices and got as many standing ovations as the ‘70s hits king with his interpretations of Beatles and soul tunes. Miller brought his guitar, a new singer, special guests and did I mention his hits? “Swingtown, “Abracadabra” and “Serenade” started the countdown amid too much chatter about a new album in the can and the addition of soulster Sonny Charles (Checkmates) to flavor the vocals.
Early on, Miller took an inexplicable swing at his stage front fans. “It looks like Hollywood out there - hair products, movie stars. What happened to Austin? It used to be a funky little town. Hey, go sit down.” OK, check off insults on Miller’s set list. What avoided an otherwise perfunctory run-through of his admittedly gold-deserving oldies were two guitarists who have no trouble keeping Austin cool. Jimmy Vaughan and Eric Johnson flanked Miller mid-set and jammed on “Pretty Thing” (prescient with Bo Diddley’s death the next day), “Stormy Monday,” “Crossroads” and Vaughan’s “Boom Boppa Boom.” These two genuine stylists — one greasy, one atmospheric — made Miller, despite his blues guitar competence, look like a staid TV newscaster holding down the middle chair.
Then it was back to Miller’s 1974-1978 heyday, ably replicating the pop sounds of “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Take the Money and Run” and “Rock ‘N Me” and keeping the audience dancing.
In contrast, Cocker’s opening seemed more of the moment. Out with a strong new album, “Hymn For My Soul,” Cocker took his booming voice and soulful yells ever higher as two backup singers weighed in with sweeter sounds from the side. Although he planted himself center stage, Cocker worked his jerky hands and did standing jumps to the delight of the crowd at the end of nearly every song.
It was a slow, purposeful boil from “You Are So Beautiful” (yes, it was everything we hoped for) and “Come Together” (yes, we need such right now) to “With a Little Help from My Friends” (yes, helped along by a half-dozen anthemic yells from Cocker). Under a black flag flying over the stage at half staff to mark the final season of the amphitheater in the oaks at its current location, old songs got new life from this Brit barn burner. The Backyard is moving out in style.
Follow Austin Music Source on Facebook and Twitter.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Music, Reviews
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.
By rlc
June 3, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Steve Miller rocked!! At his age Joe Cocker did his best, but it was still a night for the Steve Miller fans. So good!! If you missed out my heart goes out to you. Miller sharing the stage with Vaughan and Johnson was a rare treat. You don’t get to see talent like that everyday. Awesome strings!
By rlc
June 3, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Steve Miller rocked!! Joe Crocker did his best considering his age, but it was the night for Steve Miller fans. Sharing the stage with Vaughan and Johnson was a real treat! A night under the Texas stars with Miller and friends…AWESOME!!
By bob
June 3, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Not sure what you mean by the age thing, Ric. Steve Miller is older than Joe Cocker by 6 months (though they are both closing in on 65). Musically, I thought Joe and his band were superior to the SMB, notwithstanding our local heroes. Steve Miller was very good and enjoyable to be sure but for me the better act was Joe Cocker. I think the fans would have been much more animated during Joe Cocker were it not for the daylight hours.
By Ron
June 4, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Joe was the best. Steve and crew were good, but Joe still has the soul he has always had. He can still hit that primeval scream. YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON!
By Classic Rocker
June 6, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Joe is a dangerous act to have opening for you. When he opened the show for Steve Winwood several years ago, he stole the show. We’ll, nothing has changed, as Cocker was by far the more exciting and energized act, while opening for Steve Miller. Having said that, both Joe and Steve were great, and it is ashame that these two rock icons have not been inducted into the RRHOF.
By cindy
June 11, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Commenting on Classic Rocker I totally agree that these two amazing talents have not been inducted into the RRHOF…what’s up with that ? maybe soon…