Book of Dreams explained

Book of Dreams
Type:studio
Artist:Steve Miller Band
Cover:Bookofdreamsalbum.jpg
Released:10 May 1977
Recorded:1975–76
Studio:CBS Studios, San Francisco, California[1]
Genre:
Label:Capitol
Producer:Steve Miller
Prev Title:Fly Like an Eagle
Prev Year:1976
Next Title:Greatest Hits 1974–78
Next Year:1978

Book of Dreams is the tenth studio album by Steve Miller Band. The album was released in May 1977 on Capitol Records in the United States, Canada and Japan and by Mercury Records in Europe. Three singles were released from the album in 1977 with the first single, "Jet Airliner", being the most successful.

The album peaked in the top 10 of the trade charts in four countries, including Canada where the album topped RPM magazine's 100 Albums chart.[5] The album has gone on to become one of the group's most successful studio outings.

Recording and production

The songs on Book of Dreams were recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco, California; the basic tracks were recorded at the same time as the basic tracks for Fly Like an Eagle.[6] The sessions were produced by the group's leader, Steve Miller, who had been producing the group's albums since Number 5 in 1970. John Palladino was the album's executive producer and the recording engineer was Mike Fusaro. The recordings were later mixed by Jim Gains with assistance from Win Kutz and were mastered by Ken Perry.

Artwork

The winged horse art was created by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse, who were credited as "Kelly and Mouse". The art director for the album was Roy Kohara. The cover illustration was also used on the record label on the vinyl version of the album.

Reception

The Bay State Banner wrote that the album "is, for the most part, firmly within the California soft-rock mold exemplified by the Eagles."[7]

AllMusic gave the album a rating of 4/5 stars, calling it "a highlight of the '70s classic rock era and one of Miller's finest releases." The review also comments that it is an unnecessary album for the casual fan to consider, as the compilation album Greatest Hits 1974–78 contains seven highlight tracks from Book of Dreams.[8]

Personnel

Additional personnel
Technical

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1977)Position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[10] 22
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[11] 10
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[12] 21
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[13] 30
US Billboard 200[14] 44

Notes and References

  1. Book of Dreams . . 1991 . CD liner . . 88.02.2004 . Netherlands.
  2. Web site: Book of Dreams review. Cook. Stephen. Allmusic. 23 February 2012.
  3. Web site: Book of Dreams review. Cook. Stephen. Allmusic. 23 February 2012.
  4. Book: Larkin, Colin. All-Time Top 1000 Albums. https://archive.org/details/alltimetop1000al0000lark_d7o0/mode/1up. 1999. October 8, 2021. Virgin Books. 0-7535-0354-9. 90.
  5. July 16, 1977 . 100 Albums . . 27 . 16 . 27 . PHP . 0315-5994 . June 24, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110921155145/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.3686a&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 . 2011-09-21 . dead .
  6. Encyclopedia: Ashley Brown . The Marshall Cavendish Illustrated History of Popular Music . Space Cowboy . Reference . 1990 . . 11 . 1-85435-026-9 . 1227.
  7. News: Record Reviews . Bay State Banner . 99 . 8 Sep 1977 . 15.
  8. Web site: Book of Dreams review. Cook. Stephen. Allmusic. 23 February 2012.
  9. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6.
  10. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 429.
  11. December 31, 1977 . The Top 100 Albums of '77 . . en . 28 . 14 . 15 . 0315-5994 . . November 9, 2021.
  12. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 1977 . . nl . November 9, 2021 .
  13. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 1977 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart . . November 9, 2021 .
  14. Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End . . November 9, 2021 .