There is a purpose to albums like this – I mean, there must be, otherwise we wouldn’t keep getting them would we? So, here we have ‘Fly Like An Eagle – An All-Star Tribute to Steve Miller Band’, where Billy Sherwood has recorded a load of backing tracks and then got some stars to come in and provide elements such lead guitar and vocals. There is no doubting the quality of those involved, with Rick Wakeman, John Wetton, Joe Lynn Turner, Rod Argent, Steve Hillage, Nektar and Geoff Downes just a few of the names. But I go back to just asking “What is the point”? I don’t know all of the songs as I have never really investigated Steve’s catalogue, but all of the songs I would have expected to find are here, and they all seem to be pretty close to the original.
There is just one that stands out above the rest, and that is “Winter Time” which not only is the sole song to feature a female singer (Sonja Kristina), and what appears to be a very different arrangement to the rest of the album (although I don’t know the original), but also the guitarwork of Peter Banks. Apparently this was Peter’s last recoding prior to his passing earlier this year, but whether the quality of the song or that historical fact is enough to make one want to get this album is another matter altogether. But if you are a fan and want to hear Fee Waybill doing a strong version of “Living in the USA” then this is the one for you.
