Born 2B Blue

• Artist: Steve Miller
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1988
• Total Time: 4:10
• Genre: Rock

Review

Disregard the fact that the "space" in Steve Miller's "space blues" was a large part of why he had his own distinctive musical identity, because if you're going into 1988's Born 2B Blue looking for a return to his trademark space blues, or even a revitalization of his roots, you'll be sorely disappointed. In fact, this isn't even a blues album -- it's a jazz album, pitched halfway between soul-jazz and smooth jazz. He's able to draft such heavy-hitters as Phil Woods and Milt Jackson for guest spots, and his taste in material is quite nice, balancing the overly familiar ("Willow Weep for Me," "God Bless the Child") with relatively obscure R&B cuts ("Ya Ya," "Mary Ann") and selections that demonstrate that he's a genuine fan, such as Horace Silver's "Filthy McNasty." Now, does all this make Born 2B Blue a worthwhile genre exercise? Well, in a sense, it does, since Miller is passionate as he can be, turning in charmingly laid-back performances that may not be noteworthy, but are pleasant as can be. So, it winds up being something that's modestly impressive and enjoyable as it's playing, but no matter what its virtues are, it's more noteworthy for what it is than what it gives. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (Lyrics)	Allie Wrubel, Ray Gilbert	Steve Miller	(4:13)
Ya Ya (Lyrics)	Lee Dorsey, Morris Levy, Clarence Lewis, Morgan Robinson	Steve Miller	(3:37)
God Bless the Child	Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr.	Steve Miller	(5:00)
Filthy McNasty	Horace Silver	Steve Miller	(2:50)
Born to Be Blue (Lyrics)	Mel Tormé, Robert Wells	Steve Miller	(5:25)
Mary Ann (Lyrics)	Ray Charles	Steve Miller	(4:49)
Just a Little Bit	Buster Brown, Ralph Bass, Fats Washington, John Thornton	Steve Miller	(4:04)
When the Sunny Gets Blue	Marvin Fisher, Jack Segal	Steve Miller	(4:36)
Willow Weep for Me	Ann Ronell	Steve Miller	(5:12)
Red Top (Lyrics)	Lionel Hampton, Ben Kynard	Steve Miller	(2:31)

Credits

Ray Charles (Composer), Milt Jackson (Vocals (Background)), Milt Jackson (Vibraphone), Bob Malach (Saxophone), Bob Malach (Sax (Tenor)), Ricky Peterson (Synthesizer), Ricky Peterson (Arranger), Ricky Peterson (Programming), Horace Silver (Composer), Mel Tormé (Composer), Washington (Composer), Steve Croes (Engineer), Peter Doell (Engineer), Steve Faison (Percussion), Steve Faison (Piano), Brad Gilderman (Engineer), Ian Hampton (Composer), Arthur Herzog Jr. (Composer), Gordon Knudtson (Arranger), Gordon Knudtson (Drums), C. Lewis (Composer), Steve Miller (Synthesizer), Steve Miller (Guitar), Steve Miller (Harmonica), Steve Miller (Arranger), Steve Miller (Keyboards), Steve Miller (Vocals), Steve Miller (Producer), Steve Miller (Main Performer), Steve Miller (Liner Notes), Bruce Paulson (Trombone), Bill Peterson (Bass), Bill Peterson (Arranger), Ben Sidran (Arranger), Ben Sidran (Keyboards), Ben Sidran (Producer), Ben Sidran (Liner Notes), Steve Wiese (Engineer), Steve Wiese (Remixing), Phil Woods (Saxophone), Phil Woods (Sax (Alto)), Brown (Composer), M. Fisher (Composer), B.A.S.S. (Composer), Rick Fisher (Engineer), R. Gilbert (Composer), R. Holiday (Composer), R. Kynard (Composer), M. Levy (Composer), A. Ronnell (Composer), J. Segal (Composer), R. Wells (Composer), R. Wrubel (Composer), Tommy Steele (Art Direction), Peter Darmi (Engineer), Peter Straub (Liner Notes), Billy Peterson (Bass), Stan Evenson (Design), Thornton (Composer)