Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 10:03:31 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Jazzassin's Creed

All discussions trying to define art are fruitless. It's a vague term, and everyone will never agree to one limited definition whatsoever.

To me it's simple though; if you can't figure out the meaning or purpose of a certain object or phenomenon it's probably art. ;o)

And Michael, your comparision of SD's music to video game music was maybe the most extreme opinion ever expressed here ever, even by you! Congrats!
The depth, layers, emotions captured, virtuosity of the playing, originality and complexity and not to mention the lyrics(?) of most video game music far exceeds that of the Dan, of course. Whenever I get tired of ordinary, crappy music, like e.g. SD, I always fire up the old Sega and let the sounds of Sonic & Tails sooth my weary mind.

Btw, for gaming nostalgics, here's a couple of SD songs arranged in the classic 8-bit music style of the old games by Hugh Garrett. Pretty awesome job, actually.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qihS_EIOzK8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUsduI1b1M

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 09:56:36 ET
Posted by: casual fan, orlando

The band that this site is devoted to, and is its reason for being, is touring 40+ years after getting their start and people are bitching about setlists and band line up.

Get over yourselves.

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 09:35:48 ET
Posted by: No more, o

Roger Ebert had an ongoing debate with his readers as to whether video games were art. Oh please let it die with the great movie critic.

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 09:20:30 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Tower

from George Walker Petit on the Drew Zingg website:

YES ! It’s true…

We’re so psyched to announce that Drew and the guys will be playing May 24th and 25th here in NYC at 78 Below…LOVE this club…perfect for these first two gigs. It’s a really hip and intimate club pm west 78th street…capacity about 150…great sound, great gear and really lovely people that are very into presenting these two shows. A big thanks to Leslie for helping me set it all up! 78 Below has food, a great bar with a big beer selection…a couple of lounges…we like !

There will be two sets – first set between 8 – 10pm…and second between 10pm and midnight – exact times? Not sure…but come early…there is bound to be a line around the corner…

THE BAND:

Drew Zingg

George Whitty

Will Lee

Keith Carlock

Tickets will go on sale in a couple of weeks…on the 78 Below website – so stay tuned!

cheers ! gwp

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 09:05:10 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, polishing my turd

Fedele, you wrote:
"For a Norwegian we understand any Dan is better than none. You are excused. Over here we are tired of the setlist each year which has never changed. We also have people who will take any fool excuse to defend it.

As we say in the United States, You can polish a turd hundreds of times and it is still a turd. Do you understand that? Does Norway have a translation."

First; yes, we have a similar expression over here, of course not as eloquent and silver-tongued as your American version, but anyway it's "You can't turn granite into gold".

However, the use of the word "turd" to describe what SD has become seems a bit negative, or what? Even if wasn't meant literally.

And as much as I'm fascinated by the power of language, with all respect, I don't really think you actually speak for all American fans. Many comments here proves otherwise, fortunately. Even if, like always before tour starts, all the negative girls and boys comes around and thus for a while makes the impression that all this negativism is more or less consensus on the Blue.

Luckily, it's not. If all the fans who actually look madly forward to a new tour regardless of setlists and ticket prices bothered to post a comment about it here, you neggies would be buried in positivism I think. But it's just too depressing to engage in such wars for most of us. Just my 150 bucks, of course...

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 08:28:27 ET
Posted by: Michael, @Jim Taylor

And just what's wrong with video game music? Have you actually sat down and listened to any of it? A lot of it is extremely good, especially the older stuff. I daresay it's superior creatively to most of what mainstream artists have ever done, including Steely Dan. What's more, most VG composers work on a LOT of music, not merely an album's worth every five years or whatever.

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 06:34:46 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

Although I agree some new blood in the band would be nice........... Carlock severely overrated!!??!!?!!!!?????? Damn Wish I was that overrated

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 05:24:05 ET
Posted by: Miss Marlene, Portland, OR

Forget about the stale setlists and overpriced tickets. How about the stale band? Time to dump Herington, Carlock, Both Leonharts and virtually everybody else. This was fun 12 years ago.

One of the greatest things about the Good Old Days ('93, '94 and '96) was different lead guitarists (Zingg, Wadenius, Krantz),drummers (Erskine, Chambers, Lawson) and horns every tour. It was awesome!! Herington is so friggin' boring by now, Carlock is severely over-rated, and the rest of the perennial band is just getting boring and way too comfortable. But the fact of the matter is that by keeping the same players every single year, Backer & Fagen barely have to do any work and don't even attend many rehearsals anymore. It's just get on the private jet, limo to the venue, play My Old School, rake in tons of cash and Do It Again...

Date: Fri, April 05, 2013, 05:22:28 ET
Posted by: It's Over,

Fuck it. It's probably best for Steely Dan and other paleo aged artists to retire, therefore passing the torch to hipper, younger and more talented media darlings like Bieber, Rhianna, Swift, and Maroon 5 to dominate the touring industry. At least Lady Ga Ga gives her fans their money's worth.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 22:33:30 ET
Posted by: Ed, Omaha

That's a relief. I thought people actual sat during the whole thing.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 21:28:34 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Sorry, they also dance and scream.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 21:21:58 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Ok, I don't usually post like this, but I am wondering if some of the people who post here have actually been to an SD show lately. I would say that 99% of the crowd are there for the party and the hits. They are not there bitching because the band didn't play "The Second Arrangement."

I gauge this by the behavior of the crowd. They talk, they drink, they talk, they piss. I don't care... I am there to see the band.

They bust out "Your Gold Teeth", that's great! First time I saw them in 2011, they started with "Black Cow." Wonderful! Second time I saw them in 2011, they started after the band intros with "Babylon Sisters"...fantastic! One of my favorite songs.

My point is, for me, it never gets old. And Donald and Walter are in touch with their audience, the ones who actually go to the shows.

BTW, both of the shows I went to in 2011 were sellouts.

When I am on my death bed, I will not be saying, "Man, I am glad I stayed home and worked on composing video game soundtracks, rather than going to the Steely Dan Show."

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 20:40:52 ET
Posted by: Fedele, Ringwood

Jazzassin

For a Norwegian we understand any Dan is better than none. You are excused. Over here we are tired of the setlist each year which has never changed. We also have people who will take any fool excuse to defend it.

As we say in the United States, You can polish a turd hundreds of times and it is still a turd. Do you understand that? Does Norway have a translation.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 20:02:09 ET
Posted by: Ghia Girl, NJ

Living just 14 miles outside of NYC, I have found that for the same price of Beacon tickets I can have a mini vacation in NY state or Massachusetts. In Cananadagua NY, I was able to stay in a great hotel for 2 nights and have 2nd row seats for the same price as a night in NYC. Tanglewood is also a great venue without the big city prices.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 18:59:45 ET
Posted by: Vince T.,

I agree with Pope Bob. Stale setlist is a good word for it. Like rubbery Cheerios in a box you find forgotten in the back of the cabinet that the kids did not roll up the inner bag five months ago.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 18:53:07 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Turn up the Eagles ...

... the Norwegian is listening. And he's jealous. He too wants to whine about having seen too many shows, but isn't qualified.

Luxury problems are problems too, I understand.

How about a trip abroad again? A snowball's chance in hell, I'm afraid.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 17:03:51 ET
Posted by: PopeBob, San Diego

I haven't been to the Guestbook in a while, pretty cathartic to see that I'm not the Lone Ranger when it comes to the stale setlist. As a long time fan, growing up in southern CA, these were thee guys. When it ended it was tragic, when they returned it was jubilant. In the beginning shows, it was "give us anything", and we sucked it all in. And then at least they finally tweaked it with the specialty shows the past few years. In interviews Don & Walt continually mention that they feel the need to do the classics because "that's what they came for". I think that paradigm has passed, and the fans who WANT to go to a SD show want the rarer stuff and some new tunes mixed in. Peg may have been a hit, but I don't need to hear it one..more..time! But yet, I feel the guilt when I decide to take a pass.

And just for the record, for ticket prices, place some of the blame where it belongs....the Promotion company. When the Dan decides to tour, usually it's "our fee to play is $x". If you pay, and it fits the tour plans, they play. Artists do not like to take on the responsibility, and risk, of maximizing the ticket sales, so thiss model has been around for years. That's why a big company, like Oracle, can have Eric Clapton show up and play for a convention, or if you're lucky and catch the Chili Peppers on tour and they stop and play your New Years' Eve party. For normal tours, the Promoter decides how much to charge us to recover their cost and make a profit. I don't think they use a shared gate model any longer. If they decide to put it in a venue that holds 100 people, and they want to charge $3,000 per ticket, and they think people will pay......game on. If that's your local venue then you are collateral damage. Yes, SD "shares" in the blame as they set the ultimate price to perform, but it is not like the DAN sets the price for each show. But to the point, most of us only have so many dollars in the ol' entertainment fund, thus we have to be picky about the value we get for the concert dollar. A revamped show would get my attention, but I guess we have to wait for the first set list to see what they cooked up. A guy can hope.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 16:07:38 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, mourning the loss of roger ebert

This is a story on Billy Joel doing album concerts and does not mention Steely Dan. But, given our recent posts and discussions, his perspectives on rarities shows versus playing hits are very germane. A great comment is his reaction to Led Zep rarities:

They didn't do 'Whole Lotta Love.' They played all blues jams and I walked away very disappointed. I was like, 'I don't know any of this shit!"

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/billy-joel-considering-complete-album-concerts-working-with-elton-john-again-20130404#ixzz2PWkA1pC3
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 13:17:39 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Tower

Sorry to break up the setlist/ticket price discussion, but...

For those of you who are not on the Dandom.com Facebook group, I am selling off some of my Steely Dan memorabilia that I have gathered over the years. Right now I have posted pics of three posters I want to sell....The Nightfly, Gaucho, and a promo poster for EMG that was used at Barnes and Noble. I have all of these FRAMED, and they look great. I live outside of Philadelphia, if you are interested in purchasing and picking them up. Otherwise, shipping can get a bit pricey.

If you are interested in any of these pieces, please email me, and I can send you pictures and discuss price.

Thanks

Doc

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 13:08:40 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Well said, Hoops! And that self-description thing you gave would be a dead-ringer for Bill Clinton when he needed to give the appearance of giving a shit during his tenure...especially that lower quivering lip thing. Nice!

As far as Tangentially Dan stuff goes this summer, my money will go toward The Newport Jazz Festival. $144.00 for two full days of Wayne Shorter, Bill Charlap Trio, Esperanza Spalding, MICHEL CAMILO'S SEXTET!!!, Dizzie Gillespie Big Band, Chick Corea, Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and numrous others...

Should be money well spent.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 12:56:38 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

The Eagles? I go with the Dude on that one...

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 12:34:14 ET
Posted by: 5 hours?, nope

5 hour Eagles sets are a bit of an exaggeration... thank god.

their whole at the MGM Grand in Vegas a few weeks back was just shy of 2 hours.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 12:26:34 ET
Posted by: M. LaPage, the den

"The type of people we have going to see the same SD setlist year after year are the reason for the decline of this country. It goes to show why we are circling the drain and going down the toilet."

As an SD fan that attends their live performances when I can, I hereby accept responsibility for causing the decline of this country (I'm assuming it's the USA, but correct me if I'm wrong. Whichever country it is must be in dire straits if it's about to disappear forever down both the drain and the toilet. sounds serious.)

"Always thought an SD fan was usually above average and it is sad that SD now has to please the low level of those who are fat dumb and happy and pay more money for the same show every year."

I thought I was usually above average also, but as SD has to please me, clearly it is on my shoulders that you guys aren't getting a different show. Don personally asked me if "Heartbreak Souvenir", "Sakka Joweda", "Kulee Baba", and some new songs off the album they're not-so-secretly recording might please me this time around... I laughed and told him I wanted the same show from the last time. I even offered to pay more money. I love being fat dumb and happy.

Sorry, kids.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 12:16:12 ET
Posted by: SDV, yikes

5 hours of The Eagles?

I'd pay $150 to NOT see that.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 12:01:10 ET
Posted by: the problem is, I have taken off for about seven years because of the same setllist.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 11:36:58 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

I've just realized: the gloves don't look almost like small lambs. They look like huge cotton candies.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 11:35:39 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

[For those who imagine my posts as huge, violent rants admonishing people while cracking them with a whip across their collective face:

Please imagine that I'm saying this gently and softly with fluffy kid gloves that look like small lambs, a voice that's soft and gentle, with a twinkle of loving tears in my eyes and a lower lip that droops and quivers with slight mournfulness and love, as if you could almost sense my tenderness.]

Gently, I'm not able to follow all of this ticket and concert discussion. Part of it, in general, is that it seems so negatively focussed. Yeah, I certainly can't afford to go to as many shows as I used to. So it is. I expect that they will play shows in NYC and I also expect ticket prices to be such that aI can't attend all shows. I also am hoping to go to some shows that are farther away from the biggest cities because they tend to have less expenses and have a different vibe. Would love to hit Toledo Zoo, maybe. Interlochen is a place that sounds intriguing.

I say softly: like others have brought up, who says that you have to go every year? During the 90s into 2006, we went every 2-4 years, right? You still have that option. Take a year or two off. There, there, please rest your Dan weary soul.

Give yourself a hug. There's alternatives. You could choose to go to other concerts that are inspired or tangentially Steely Dan. For example: Have you seen Catherine Russell? Amazing. She's part of the SD sound. Tired of waiting for the next Steely Dan album? You deserve to pleasure yourself. Why don't you check out albums by the musicians who inspired them. Treat yourself: have you heard Horace Silver's "Re-Entry" album. A live album, it has my favorite version of "Song for My Father." It also has a great version of "African Queen" which I can't help but thing inspired the title track on "Pretzel Logic."

Shhhhh...the baby's sleeping,

Jim

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 11:31:58 ET
Posted by: UH?, Boston

Get A Life- The Eagles play for almost 5 hours! Maybe you should change your handle to "Get A Clue"!

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 08:43:08 ET
Posted by: Hector E.,

Would ticket sales go down if five or six EMG or TAN or solo songs were put into the setlist? Customers would be driven away? From what they are saying here more people would go if they would do this, not less.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 08:10:00 ET
Posted by: Michael,

We'll see what the situation is once they've have their first few shows.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 06:48:42 ET
Posted by: The, Philosopher

Remember the old discussion about what would happen if you gave an infinte number of monkeys an infinite number of typewriters ? Seemed hypothetical in the days of the typewriter. But now we have internet chat rooms and forums. In life, it is helpful to think about death sometimes. So, as was hinted at already, imagine a world without SD in it at all to get some perspective on what's really important, ticket prices, recurring session men etc.. Works for me.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 04:54:34 ET
Posted by: Get A Life, USA

Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles will touring the big arenas in the U.S this summer without new albums to support. Their fans are paying big bucks to see these shows and the majority will be sold out. For the same price, Steely Dan will be playing more intimate venues with better acoustics. I'll choose the later anytime. I think some of the posters on this site just like to bitch.

Date: Thurs, April 04, 2013, 04:21:46 ET
Posted by: Mal Content,

The type of people we have going to see the same SD setlist year after year are the reason for the decline of this country. It goes to show why we are circling the drain and going down the toilet. Always thought an SD fan was usually above average and it is sad that SD now has to please the low level of those who are fat dumb and happy and pay more money for the same show every year.

It is a win win situation. SD does not have to work hard to rehearse new songs and these fools keep coming back and paying more money for the same old shit. So why would they want to change anything about this which would mean doing more work for less money?

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 23:26:11 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Shaking my fist at the world

A tip o' the hat to Shark DeVille, if only for crystalizing what some of us have been thinking after checking in here recently.

As an aside, what kind of fan (even the self-professed "hard-core" obsessive-type who makes up significantly less than one percent of the overall fan-base) demands:

(1) A setlist filled with songs the vast majority of the paying audience will not recognize?
(2) A ticket price significantly less than that charged by other similar acts?
(3) An average ticket price, in 2013, well under the average daily wage of the average attendee?
(4) A "rarities" night that simply MUST include Kulee Baba instead of The Second Arrangement? [note: please reverse these song titles depending on which "rarity" is actually played at the show - FYI the one played is NOT the one you wanted!].

Or, what band wants/needs a ragtag group of 22 or 44 maladjusted reprobates who contend [read: whine/squawk/bleat] that the band (or its two core members - same thing for the purpose of this exercise) that has released [stellar] new material four times in the past decade simply HAVEN'T DONE ENOUGH in the "new material" department?

Further, what kind of a band insists on sticking with a well-oiled unit of killer musicians and insists on playing their strongest & most popular material live?

The answers should be obvious. If they're not, perhaps (just maybe) the problem lies with the self-professed "hardcore" <snicker> fan.

And, like our friend Shark DeVille, I also noticed that 2011's Rarities Night show wasn't sold out.

In NYC.

On a Saturday night.

I was there, in the Loge (the fancy-pants name The Beacon has for the first balcony). I too bought my tickets the day of sale, thinking that all the "hardcore fans" <snicker> would descend upon the TicketBastard site to snap up all the tix in the first few minutes of sale. Nope. Tickets for that once-in-a-lifetime event were still available as of showtime. I know 'cause I asked at the box office. I was there. Many of the most vocal here weren't. But you could have been, y'know, with a little planning and effort. Note that by "effort" I mean "more energy expended than you normally do by posting a few casual/insulting/dismissive words, from the relative comfort of your bug-infested hovel, here on The Blue". "Effort" as in "effort". Look it up if need be. I can't do everything for you.

So here's a parting thought - instead of wishing for a reprise of your favourite setlist from '93 or '94 (which would guarantee a mass exodus during nights one, two, and three....and likely lead to a cancellation of most subsequent shows (think "internet set list alerts"), how about you just appreciate what's happening NOW? I dunno, just a thought.

I know if I could go back and see EffZee in 1988* I would. I passed. I deeply regret that now. I was wrong then. You malcontents are wrong now. Somebody hadda say it.

Heads Up,
M/O/D/P
ps - *Thanks for the FZ reminder, Lutz SF

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 22:08:50 ET
Posted by: Blue Cow, Oakland, CA

Grumbling about Steely Dan ticket prices? Well, what about the Rolling Stones current tour? Top ticket price with fees here at the Oakland Arena comes out to $665.85!

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 20:22:01 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Shark - so if you could sum up your point in two words, what would it be? Kidding.

I agree! I'm greatful that they tour as much as they do now!! I'm hopeful that some of the kids who haven't seen these guys yet will check it out.

If really inexpensive tix become available in the Boston area, I'm in...probably. Since there's not a damn thing that's inexpensive in
Boston, I won't kid myself. Otherwise, I've got great memories to hold on to!

Long live The Dan!

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 19:59:55 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, down in the bottom

bottom line is... if you're unhappy with the touring situation DON'T GO.

the hardcore fans are not the ones keeping the tours afloat. it's casual fans who enjoy the hits and have the money to spend. I have zero doubt that most tickets will cost well under $150 this time around. But if you don't have the money DON'T GO.

whoever said they used to play two sets that lasted a few hours each... you're dreaming. the only band I know of that came close to playing 5 or 6 hours per show was the Grateful Dead back in the acid test days. Steely Dan averaged about 20 songs per show on their last tour. That's better than a LOT of bands. If they aren't playing enough songs for you DON'T GO.

Whoever said they are tired of seeing the same musicians on stage, that's unfortunate. That's how it was in the beginning and it's what they've become yet again. They have a solid core of players who know the tunes and most have played on the last several albums. It was cool when they assembled a new band every tour in the 90s, it kept things fresh and exciting. But there's a lot to be said for using the same guys every tour as well. Obviously they've got a band they are happy with. If you aren't happy with them DON'T GO.

Personally I'm just grateful they are still around and willing to tour at all. They've never failed to whip out an obscure tune or two every time they go on tour. In this way, they are looking out for the hardcore fans at every single show. If you're not happy with the song selection DON'T GO.

I'd love to hear an entire show of deeper cuts, which is why I made the effort to go to Rarities night at the Beacon. It cost quite a bit to make the trip happen, and I am by no means a wealthy person. But I love this band so I made the effort. I bought tickets the day they went on sale thinking the hardcore fans would snatch them all up in a few hours. Guess what? There were still tickets available just days before the show. If your favorite band doing a night of rarities just for hardcore fans like you doesn't warrant making the journey DON'T GO.

and most of you didn't.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 18:48:34 ET
Posted by: HouDanFan, Houston

Bottom line is prices are market driven and a large part of the market is corporate money particularly in the entertainment industry. Coupled with smaller venues which I actually prefer. Blame the scalpers too they drove up prices as well. That's why they buy so many tickets because there is a market out there to pay. Bottom line is some folks get squeezed out which is shame but it is what it is. I won't travel great distances to see SD anymore but if there anywhere in Texas ill try to go.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 15:55:04 ET
Posted by: Sammy, U

What's tiresome most of all for me is having the same band every tour. Especially for an act known for using a dizzying array of musicians on their records. There's nothing spine tingling about seeing the same musicians and singers take the stage every tour, give or take a substitution here and there.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 14:46:50 ET
Posted by: Lurker, Not Ray

The ticket price use to be worth the money when SD did two sets. They would play for a few hours and the intermission would come. You could go to the bathroom, talk to friends or get some food/beers without missing any songs. The second set would start and you could enjoy another few hours of music. Now the show starts and it's over just like that! Just not worth it anymore...especially to travel.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 10:52:55 ET
Posted by: ChuckNY, NY

Bikemann makes a good point... touring again means contract/salary negotiation with a herd of top-tier musicians, venue negotiations, legal fees, travel/transportation/management costs... like everything in recent years, prices of tour components keep edging upwards. $15 to see the Police on their Synchronicity Tour was considered astronomical in 1983.

I agree that a potential $150/ticket isn't cheap, but for what you get compared to other concerts, it's not unjustifiable.

KD, sounds as if the program selection is as big an issue for you as the ticket price, and I get that. Like any artist with an extensive back catalog, they'll need to cobble together a well-rehearsed set consisting of the big(ger) hits to please casual fans, deep cuts/rarities to placate the most hardcore, and a rotation of other material to keep things as fresh as can be expected. They're obviously not going to please everyone.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 10:30:49 ET
Posted by: More rage! , AGAINST THE MACHINE!

Right on, K.D. For years the real fans know when the boys are playing for real. They also know that Hoops and his cadre of sycophants strong arm the truth to their benefit. Hoops gets nastier and nastier to the fans as years go by, all to his sick benefit.


Enuff said!!!

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 09:51:18 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

Reminder,,,, How many pro musicians are on stage with the boys? I'm sure most if not all are in the union. They must get paid.I myself would LOVE to see the four man band that was on the piano jazz show a few years back. Would make for some fresh arrangements as well as a much lower ticket price.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 08:44:19 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

Lutz from S.F., that my friend was a 450 foot tape measure shot!!
Could not agree with you more! Bring on the Tour dates and let's
see how close to Harrisburg, PA the band comes!

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 08:19:23 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Thinking about it, even if the ticket prices average around $100-150 a pop, that would be $200-300 for people who wanna bring someone else along, not to mention beverages/snacks, maybe go out to grab a bite afterward. Some people would need to drive at least several miles to get to whatever venue. It all adds up in the end. Their shows would become an 'exclusive' event for those who are more well-off, leaving the fans who don't have as much disposable income to remain on the sidelines.

It's true that many of the more popular acts charge outrageous prices, especially for front-row seats (at least a grand), but their fanbases are generally a lot larger, so they can afford to take more risks. I think it's a rook job, but as the saying goes, a fool and his money will soon part.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 01:09:59 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

"Those ranting about one show having $150 tickets as if all tickets were going to be priced likewise and up are a lot like those who think Steely Dan was simply that 70s band who had a hit with "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," about Rick Derringer not losing a joint and/or a pick up line."

I'm not doing this, Hoops. Jesus, you've gotten meaner and more dismissive over the years.

At half that price I'm not keen to empty my bank account to get two tickets and drive two hours and have two beers at nine bucks a pop to hear 95 percent of the same setlist again. I don't get why it's so black and white for these people.

And Lutz? You probably saved that money to spend on your kids, your car payment, or your rent. Silly things, I know.

Date: Wed, April 03, 2013, 01:06:18 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

How quickly people go from hoping Walter will ever come out on tour again with Donald, to the old concerns about setlists and ticket prices. This may well be the last tour - or there might be 4 more, who knows. Sure I want to see EMG played altogether but that is not realistic.
Last time I was really sorry not to have gone to one more show, was Zappa's 88 tour, which turned out to be his last one. For sure, I would remember that show now, I sure don't remember what I did with the money I "saved"...

Date: Tues, April 02, 2013, 21:29:39 ET
Posted by: Jives, Glasgow

Hoops,

No,with the greatest of respect to you and your fabulous forum i disagree.

In an age where so many have been bushwacked by incompetent bankers leading to an age of "austerity" i do think it perfectly fair that some here are questioning the intrinsic value of concert tickets.

Look at the rate of inflation these last 20 years.

Are we not within our rights to question the risen disparity?

I would suggest yes-as much as we all here deeply love The Dan.

I will not be going to this tour-as much as it hurts me and i love The Dan.

It's just economic reality-it's not about lack of respect for The Goodly Chaps

Best wishes to you Hoops.Just speaking my mind-as i'm sure you would champion-rightly or wrongly.

Date: Tues, April 02, 2013, 16:47:32 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, on the quick

Those ranting about one show having $150 tickets as if all tickets were going to be priced likewise and up are a lot like those who think Steely Dan was simply that 70s band who had a hit with "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," about Rick Derringer not losing a joint and/or a pick up line.

Date: Tues, April 02, 2013, 13:06:50 ET
Posted by: Danhead and Hophead, Atlanta

There's quite a lot of noise out there over a mere $150 to be forked over maybe once or twice every other year. A nominal price, I would say, to hear the most sophisticated band ever. Having said that, yes, perhaps at a slightly raised entry fee there is room for more visual stimuli at the SD show. I don't know how many of you attended Rush's Clockwork Angels tour last year, but I loved the high definition graphics that accompanied their show. Many of the videos featured Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart as sort of caricatures woven into the montage. While this may not translate well from a synthesized Rock trio like Rush to SD's rock-jazz-blues-soul repetoire, perhaps it is worth a try, what the hell. Overall, what disappointed me most about the Shuffle Diplomacy tour (there was actually very little to disappoint) was the lack of material from Two Against Nature, which, in my opinion, and maybe this is my GenXdom coming out, was their greatest album ever(Aja a very close second). My 2-cents is for the Dan to play Jack of Speed, Cousin Dupree and West of Hollywood, but to also reach back 40 years and cover Razor Boy, Your Gold Teeth, Dr. Wu, and others that have been overlooked in recent shows.

Date: Tues, April 02, 2013, 10:56:28 ET
Posted by: M. LaPage, the den

I would gladly pay $150 for a great seat at an SD show. Bring on the melodica, bring on My Old School. As a few posters have concluded, it's Steely F**ing Dan.

Date: Tues, April 02, 2013, 08:24:05 ET
Posted by: search, s

Nevermind, don't waste your time there.

Date: Tues, April 02, 2013, 08:20:58 ET
Posted by: Search, k

http://en.mediamass.net/people/steely-dan/new-album.html

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 23:51:02 ET
Posted by: CHILL, -

Ya'll need to calm down. That's the price for one show in a tiny venue. At least wait until they announce some tour dates before you make some grand proclamation.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 22:49:22 ET
Posted by: Justin H.,

With the price at $150 the fans will revolt. There are already about 8 people that I know of that are not going even if the set changes.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 22:27:31 ET
Posted by: king cole,

If they play the same setlist and raise the cost to 150 dollars less people will go to it and prices will come down. You will see. This will fix their wagon.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 22:08:48 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Shark - a couple of quick things: "and if you were really lucky.."...that's the problem. Most of us are not "really lucky" so we did not get the chance. Secondly, I'll gladly cop to being a "melodica hater". It sounds like shit! Trust me, I'm not alone in this. Does it show up on any of their recordings? I ask because I truly don't know. If so, let me know and I'll give it another shot and perhaps change my mind. To me it sounds about two steps above a kazoo. If that's what Donald needs to comfortably step away from the keyboard, fine. Whatever it takes. It's not like it's ever ruined a show for me. I'd still like to see him windmill it a few times and then smash it. Color me immature!

I'm going to try to rest my comments on this because: I want to respect Hoops' board here. Secondly, my love for this band, or more accurately, duo, is only equalled by Pat Metheny and a few others! I'm a huge fan of so many musicians, but I have TREMENDOUS respect for what Donald and Walter have done!! I can't stress that enough.

Looking forward to seeing what the first night's setlist looks like.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 22:04:56 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

It's an April Fools joke: http://rockontherange.com/pc.html.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 22:04:35 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

I thought Christopher Cross was dead. Someone tell me I'm wrong

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 21:10:54 ET
Posted by: SharkDeVille, Gullywater

funny bunch here. always bitchin' about something...

As far as song selction, I saw the boys at the Beacon for Rarities night and the Wang for Dawn of the Dan back in fall '11. Fantastic shows with adventurous setlists. As for ticket prices, I paid $100 per ticket at most. Both were in beautiful smaller theaters, and there really wasn't a bad seat in either place. Donald and Walt's banter was much more animated and involved than the "what a night" back n forth someone complained about.

The highest ticket prices are for the best seats in the house, but great seats can be had in the cheaper sections as well. And it only makes sense that ticket prices would be somewhat higher at a more intimate venue. I will gladly pay a little more to see a show in a small theater as opposed to a boomy outdoor amphitheater or civic center/stadium setting.

True I skipped seeing them at Chastain in Atlanta which is only 3 hrs away, because I knew I'd prefer the song selection at the shows I attended. I always hope they will dig deeper into the catalog every tour, and they do consistently dust off at least a couple gems they've never played before. Last tour we got Your Gold Teeth and if you were really lucky you got The Bear and all that the different theme nights had to offer.

Lastly, for all the melodica haters: tough shit. Donald gets a real kick out of playing it... always has, and it turns up often on their recordings as well. It gets him out of his seat for awhile and he gets to groove out a little bit. I love it personally, it's just so Donald and personally I'd rather hear him solo than anyone else on stage. If the melodica is what it takes for that to happen, i'll take it.

Cheers gang! We've got another tour to look forward to: shows to catch, setlists to dissect, and recordings will undoubtedly turn up as well. Let's be grateful that our boys are still around and willing to perform on a regular basis. Most 70s-era bands are simply no more and this is Steely Fucking Dan people!

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 19:49:48 ET
Posted by: Brian / Inside MusiCast, Chicago

Is this an April 1st hoax or not???

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2406583/Smooth.jpg

Similar show is coming to the Indiana State Fair in July with Cross, Robbie Dupree, Player, Firefall and a few others...

BP

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 18:23:23 ET
Posted by: Michael, I must've missed it

What's with this "It's 2013" crap, as if everyone should suddenly act and speak differently in order to appease the PC crowd?

Are people willing to shell out $150 to see SD? That's their decision to make.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 18:14:00 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

Billy, you silly prat, you act as if it's a choice to see Steely Dan this summer and not an investment.

Then again, you also call women "womenfolk" so I'm guessing why you might be anxious to not spend a night in house, considering your in-house options.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 18:03:35 ET
Posted by: Brain Strainer,

Just back from the stylist, and you know what? The change from a Caramel to a Mocha Frappe' which was way outside of the comfort zone was not bad and made for a different, satisfying experience. And the Mocha version cost the SAME as the Caramel. It was so good, and DIFFERENT I might have paid more for the Mocha!

I had a chance to ruminate further on this Dan tour situation and what is the REAL issue here is not necessarily about high ticket prices, although with deference to many people it is and you have to respect that. This is about the SAME Steely Dan Show, year in and year out in virtually consecutive years. A poster earlier said that when the shows had time gaps, years in between shows and there was more time to work on the act and make interesting changes.

When the vast majority of artists tour, or make comebacks it is usually to promote NEW material, which inherently changes their setlist. Their earlier material or signature songs are pushed off the list or are used for openers, or finales, medleys, encores etc. The Dan itself, and Don and Walt solo have produced FIVE LPs since 2000, about 50 songs of which probably less than one third have ever been played in concert. It boggles the mind why this is so. This amount of material is available to very few artists, and it alone would be able to milked for another 7 years of tours by reaching very little into cover tunes or dredging back into the Old Testament. Maybe it is that they(correctly?) project that people will keep coming back year after year for essentially an Old Testament show, and NOW they are experimenting to see if these same people will pay rising ticket prices? I could, but I won't.

For me, to see the New Millenium Dan/Don/Walt stuff LIVE it would be well worth a steeper price. Even if to come up with the money I had to let grey hair grow down to my ass and give up McDonalds Frappe's entirely....

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 17:43:13 ET
Posted by: ChuckNY, NY

"And we're under no obligation, given the same setlist with minor alterations and the same "what a night!" back and forth between artist and audience, to make up for the difference that wasn't there in 1987 when the CD royalties were rolling in."

Of course. It's your right to vote with your dollar/pound/euro/other currency however you want. If you prefer to stay home and watch boomy-audio, shaky iPhone concert snippets for free on YouTube, go right ahead.

"And the "panties in a bunch" is particular brand of misogyny, describing those that wear panties as more prone to complain, that nobody should really tolerate in 2013."

oh, come now, I like the womenfolk just fine... there are probably quite a few fellas who don panties these days. This is 2013.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 17:13:19 ET
Posted by: ted, atlanta

Chastain Park in Atlanta sucks. They don't let the bands play at even a decent volume and that's not a good thing for any rock show.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 16:25:09 ET
Posted by: Econ, 101

"You can bet that the smaller the venue these days, the higher the prices will go to make up the difference."

They don't raise prices to "make up the difference." Supply and demand determines prices.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 16:23:44 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

" The music industry paradigm has shifted and is continuing to shift. Artists don't generate nearly as much income from album/song sales or recording royalties anymore..."

And we're under no obligation, given the same setlist with minor alterations and the same "what a night!" back and forth between artist and audience, to make up for the difference that wasn't there in 1987 when the CD royalties were rolling in.

And the "panties in a bunch" is particular brand of misogyny, describing those that wear panties as more prone to complain, that nobody should really tolerate in 2013.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 15:57:53 ET
Posted by: Technicolor Motorhome, SE USA

Concert ticket prices have been getting high for a while now. Prince just played some smaller venue in Seattle and Southern California (or it recently went on sale) ...all G/A no reserved... 200.00 in Calif. and 250.00 in Seattle. Before the TM fees. You can bet that the smaller the venue these days, the higher the prices will go to make up the difference. Then again, it's going to sound much better in a theater sized venue than an NBA/NHL arena or mega-sized outdoor site.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 15:42:14 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

The last time I saw The Dan was at THE WANG. Beautiful, ornate, gorgeous theater in which to catch a show of any kind! This would've been the Shuffle Diplomacy tour. Paid almost $200.00 per ticket going through AMEX...wanted to vomit but did it anyway...fantastic seats!!...several of my best friends from St. Simons Island, GA. coming up for the weekend...a fun time all around! The show, however, was pretty much the same thing all over again. I'm not trying to be part of the "crying" or "bitching" crowd - or as The Dean put it: "the chicken little camp"...it's just a lot of money to watch the same thing over and over, albeit with FEW exceptions. If money was plentiful, it wouldn't be an issue. If Don will smash that God-awful melodica on stage, then I'm in! Otherwise, I'll catch this years tour on youtube at a significantly reduced price.

SD going on tour now is nothing of the same BFD as it was back in 93, or 96, or 2000. Having said that, I love it that they tour as much now as they do in the hope that some of the younger crowd may have a chance to discover the magic that is their music!

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 14:34:58 ET
Posted by: ChuckNY, NY

Let's not get our collective panties in a wad over a potential $150 ticket price. The music industry paradigm has shifted and is continuing to shift. Artists don't generate nearly as much income from album/song sales or recording royalties anymore... and record companies don't inject nearly as much capital into new (especially) or established acts. The lion's share of financial gain for an artist comes from touring and accompanying merch sales. Think about how many times you've gotten a quick SD fix on YouTube or a similar location for free... then sigh, dig deep, and pony up your $150 to support your favorite artist(s) and enjoy a crackin' show in the process. Who cares if they play "My Old School" for the umpteenth time... it's Steely Effin' Dan, and you're seeing them in the flesh.

As an aside, the floor seats for the Rolling Stones' "50th anniversary" shows a few months back were $1500 - $2000 a pop. I think we can safely call that obscene. Compared to that price tag, $150 doesn't seem so bad.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 13:38:52 ET
Posted by: Brain Strainer,

I will say that I am fortunate enough to have the 300 or so $US to go to the Steely Dan Show. Minor cutbacks on McDonalds Caramel Frappe's, the hair stylist and switching banks to get free checking and no ATM fees scraped enough together to achieve this. Sacrifice and self-denial are dirty words in my vocabulary. But hey--you gotta do what you gotta do, especially when it comes to The Dan.

Or worse, NO Dan. No?

Now having said this, 150 $US is pretty steep for a ticket, and is approaching what you would pay for Top Tier acts like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Springsteen, Rolling Stones, Dave Bowie etc. Though many would say that the Dan is superior to such acts, they are NOT in this Top Tier for commanding such prices, such that it is.

From my standpoint, for me to fork out 300 $US for a show I would need to see a major change in what has been served up for the past 7 years, with only a few exceptions. Like the Top Tier acts, for 150 $US per ticket, they better at least have some smoke and fireworks, hip snakin', rump shakin' backup singers/dancers and an interactive Pink Floyd-caliber virtual reality techno show. Or maybe even a 21-foot penis, which I believe was used on tour by one of the major British metal bands some time back. Well, that might be going a bit far. Strike that one.

The Dan has every right to test its own market and charge as much as they can for a show. It's ALSO been said that Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a DIFFERENT result. It therefore follows, unless there are enticing changes for this tour, that it would border on insanity to NOW pay 150 $US nearly three times the 2006 price for the 7 year-old, worn out Steely Dan Show. And worse, one that you might have seen 5 or 10 times already.

Heading out now to the free ATM on the way to the hair stylist where I will sit and enjoy, this time--and I'm stepping out of my comfort zone here and making a MAJOR change (as should Steely Dan).... a large McDonalds "MOCHA" Frappe'....

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 13:30:47 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Chris, you are correct. The Blue goes through this same silly discussion at the start of every tour, it seems. Someone spots a high priced ticket option (remember the premium packages of the Fagen tour?) and that becomes the defacto price to bitch about for the Chicken Little camp.

A similar freakout happened on the last tour, based on a particular seat, for a particular show at a particular venue. If fact, many of the shows had very reasonably priced tickets and I assume the same thing will happen this year. With that said, if I lived nearby I'd happily pay $150 to see SD at a fabulous venue.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 12:16:12 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

You guys are missing the fact that it's 1500 seat venue. The Beacon has 3000, and The Wang has 3500. I can't speak most of their other venues as of late, but I'd assume they're all in the 3-5000 seat range. So I doubt the entire tour will be $155.

They've done an OK job at keeping ticket prices reasonable within the unreasonable framework of ticket prices in 2013.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 12:07:55 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

Billy,

I understand why the tickets cost so much. It's an exceptional band that even features a baritone sax player to round out the sound. What you and the Dan camp need to understand is why people like me -- fans that have a special living room sub-section for all my re-bought three times Steely Dan discs and rarities comps/bootlegs -- are passing on the tour yet again.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 11:56:27 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Chastain Park is a great place to see a show IF you have good seats and IF the audience is giving the performer any respect. If your seats are not too close, you won't hear a damn thing due to the neighborhood noise ordinance. And I've been to a few shows there where it was just a wine and cheese party and incidentally, there's a band onstage providing the background music. It's also hotter than 10 hells in the summer...which is when most shows take place.

Fun atmosphere otherwise though. One of my top three SD shows ever happened there in 2000. Great seats! Great setlist!!

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 11:28:59 ET
Posted by: Danhead and Hophead, Atlanta

I am anxiously awaiting SD's announcement for 2013 Atlanta tour dates. I saw the Shuffle Diplomacy Tour at Chastain in 2011 and the Dukes at the immaculate, pristine Verizon Wireless Amphitheater up in the hinterlands of Alpharetta, GA. Both very tight, very outstanding shows!

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 09:39:34 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

No offence Sir Glasgow, but count me among those who don't give a
flying "fuck" if Don, Walt, or anyone else for that matter talk to
the audience, in fact I would rather they not. More time to play perhaps, or just talk among themeselves is fine with me. Done Babbling!

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 08:46:19 ET
Posted by: Michael,

They're a jazz-rock band accompanied by a horn section, not an "orchestra."

$150 isn't chump change for most people. Just because session players don't come cheap is no excuse. If a film studio or game company decides to blow $150-200 million or whatever on production, it's not the public's obligation to help them recoup. If they decide to price-gouge, the public can simply walk away.

Respect is a two-way street.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 08:03:50 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Allow me to add: I would gladly pay $150.00 to see the show if Donald would borrow from Pete Townsend and smash the melodica into pieces! It just sounds silly compared to the rest of what's happening on that stage.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 07:59:40 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

That's an excellent point: it is an ORCHESTRA! And they're certainly worth whatever the Boys pay them.

The problem for many of us now is we're seeing the same orchestra play the same show, with very few exceptions, year after year. Occasionally they throw in a deeper cut...for maybe two or three shows..then it's gone.

As has been mentioned a number of times here, the 2000 tour was great because they mixed it up. Opening the show with "The Boston Rag" didn't hurt either!! The opening medley on the 93 tour was incredible as well. Those days are gone forever...or so it seems.

$150.00 is a lot of cash to see the same show for the 15th time.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 06:30:10 ET
Posted by: Billy Rubin,

You're not paying $150 bucks to see a band you guys, you're paying $150 bucks to hear an ORCHESTRA... Also the players they select to accompany them aren't a bunch of unknowns who are happy to have a job, most of them are very accomplished and wellknown players in their own right, hence they cost more. Then you have to take into account the travel and lodging costs of dragging that whole mess around from show to show night after night, it's pretty high.


How much of that $150 bucks are Don and Walt actually seeing? At the top end I'd say they're splitting $60 bucks of it.


Hell I've spent $60 bucks to hear solo artists play with no backup band... Steely Dan has a very high overhead, and they refuse to compromise on that, so the ticket prices are naturally going to be higher. The day they have to cut back on players or bring along less experienced staff is the day they stop playing. That's always been their mindset. They have a standard, they're not going to compromise on that, and if they have to raise ticket prices to accomplish it they will.

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 05:54:05 ET
Posted by: Breaking tour news., -

Russian jazz magazine OnJazz.ru has spoken with Don about the upcoming tour:

"We essentially stopped touring in the deep 70:s because of a lack of, well, skill in certain players. With a better band, we would eventually take up touring again decades later, but the goal for me and my partner was always not having to physically show up for these gigs."

With hologram technology pioneered at the Coachella festival last summer to bring Tupac Shakur back to life, the dream of the yacht rock duo has finally been realized. With the global economy being what it is, might fans expect lower ticket prices?

"Well, there is a financial upside to this kind of touring, no doubt", explains Fagen. "A twelve piece band consisting of the best cats out there doesn't exactly come cheap, know what I'm sayin'? Now reduce that to a two piece hologram band, and it's your management consultant's wet dream. On the other hand it costs a lot of dough to develop these holograms; not only do they have to look realistic, but there is a certain level of AI sophistication involved in getting the banter between songs just right. Also, all the old, shitty albums have been remixed in 5d, hitting the audience not only in the four Einsteinian dimensions, but also in that of smell. We secured bodily fluids from all the kids in the band towards the end of the last tour, which have been sitting in a vault somewhere in New Mexico ever since. You make an extract from that, and you got yourself a pungent concoction - let's just leave it at that."

Rounding up the interview; will there be melodica on this tour?

"Oh boy, will there ever? We have used the cutting edge in audio processing algorithms to make the melodica sound shittier than ever before", assures Fagen. "Think a toy synth. But with dying batteries. But you dropped it from the second floor. There is really no end to what you can do with today's technology."

Date: Mon, April 01, 2013, 05:42:48 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

Steely Dan is my favorite anything, and during my 20s I saw them once or twice each tour when they (or solo versions) went out from 2000 to the Dukes tour in 2010.

It's just not worth it anymore. I can't muster the same goosebumps when Donald gets up for the fake walk-off after "Kid Charlemagne." I understand that every steals CDs these days (it's why I feel like I'm in a ghost town every time I go nuts at the discount stand at Barnes and Nobles' CD section; I've never downloaded iTunes and I don't swipe music online), and I get that the residuals aren't what they were back in 1987. Those deficits aren't on us to make up for, though.

I appreciate how they've mixed it up over the last few years. At two different venues, I saw them play "Royal Scam" with my wife, "Gaucho" with my brother, and "Aja" with my entire family a few years back. I'm thankful for those that annoyed all the other attendees by filming "Second Arrangement" and "This All Too Mobile Home" on their cell phones during rarities night. I get that it's hard -- and this isn't a shot at EMG -- to come up with new music on par with even their last album, and I hate that assholes bitch and moan because the entirety of their set isn't the top 10 hits. Steely Dan does it right by hiring a massive band, and paying them correctly. I can't complain about what leads to what they're giving us, in the sheds.

It's over, though, at these prices. Sometime early in the tour I'll get excited because they'll put out a new live version of, I don't know, "Kings" or "Book of Liars," and I'll come here all giddy about the new news. It's not going to be enough to weigh a car payment versus seeing Steely Dan trot out the same set again.

Which is a bummer, but it's where a lot of us are at now.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 22:58:18 ET
Posted by: Roman, CA

Huh?,

Nobody, I just get the vibe that they're getting to the end of the line in terms of recording/touring together. No rumors, just my personal opinion.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 22:18:47 ET
Posted by: Huh?, Dan forever

Hey roman,
Who says they're going out?

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 22:12:33 ET
Posted by: Jen , Sarasota

I would say if they change the show from what they have been doing for the past 7 or 8 years, I think it would be worth the price.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 21:43:32 ET
Posted by: Jives, Glasgow

@ Jim Taylor,

Jim,you may well be right and,believe me,it hurts me to post about my heroes like this but i have to speak my mind.

I realise Europe and the UK may be like Mars to the boys(and they may be right) BUT...having seen them 3 times in the UK i have to say they looked rather detached and going through the(albeit musically excellent)motions.

At such prices i think they owe their audience more IMO.

I sooo wanted them to be excellent but,being really honest,i have to say there was just something workaday about them.Like they'd rather be in NTC or anywhere else.

A great great shame.

Is there such a thing as perfect disinterest?

Well...sorry to say thats what i felt.

At such prices i feel that to be a true Art Crime upon their devoted overseas following.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 21:33:23 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

It really depends on the venue. Outdoors in Nashville the front of the hall was $90. At the Pearl Theater in Vegas the front of the house was $165. I don't think $150 is outrageous. It depends on where they put you.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 21:28:20 ET
Posted by: Jives, Glasgow

Seen the Dan a good few times in the UK.

I love 'em dearly and have done since the 70's.

But i'm very sorry.

There is NO WAY i will pay over £100 for them,or anyone else.

For example:Edinburgh Playhouse June 2009...one encore and a gig where they were so detached and aloof they could hardly speak to the audience at £65 per ticket.

Just no way again.

Piss is being taken now.

I call the Emperor's nakedness at these disgusting prices.

As an uberfan it really hurts me to say this but i have to speak out.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 20:36:26 ET
Posted by: Roman, CA

Triple the price, eh? Really hope they're going out with a bang!

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 20:24:34 ET
Posted by: Brain Strainer,

The rise in concert ticket prices, across all musical genre is highly disproportionate compared to the US Consumer Price Index and other Indices over the past 10 years or so. Many bands are geriatric, no residuals are made from music sales. The high priced tickets and tours are a last desperate money grab before infirmity, senility or dementia strikes its final blow. The lone exception to this will probably be Mick Jagger of the Stones who will retain his ability to jump around on stage for two hours well past 100 years of age. Some of these guys are so pickled and preserved after 50 or 60 years of alcohol and use of other controlled substances they may survive like cockroaches and continue to perform even after a nuclear holocaust.

While a Steely ticket is still relatively inexpensive at 150 $US compared with other bands of similar legendary stature, it is still approximately TRIPLE the price of a decent Steely or Don Fagen Band ticket from the 2006 and 2007 time frame when they were about 50 or 60 $US.

If the Dan can offer in 2013 a changed-up, New Testament, Rarities, Solo Walt or Don-flavoured show, and being RID of Old Testament material---the price of 150 $US will, without question be well worth it.......

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 18:44:25 ET
Posted by: ted,

I think Greg M is asking about bass players that have played with SD that are not around anymore. Duck Dunn, Jaco and those other monsters bass players mentioned never played with SD.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 18:44:22 ET
Posted by: Howie B., Burbank, CA

Looks like they finally booted out Sam Yahel as the opening act.

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 16:33:56 ET
Posted by: Roman, CA

Is $150 on par with what tickets to earlier SD shows have cost?

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 14:30:40 ET
Posted by: Ben, Indy

Happy Easter DanDom!

More SD in SD info and sad inflation stats..

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/a-steely-dan-ticket-costs-more-than-fine-columbian/

Date: Sun, March 31, 2013, 11:37:05 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Happy Easter!

Great to start getting tour date confirmations. And it seems as though Humphrey's is a fairly small venue (under 2,000). I hope that is a good sign.

Date: Sat, March 30, 2013, 22:05:25 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, Near the tower

SD at Humphreys, San Diego, August 21. Deep Blue Organ Trio is the opener. Top tix are $155.

Date: Sat, March 30, 2013, 20:01:06 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

Jaco, Jamerson, Mingus, Bob Babbit, yep, Duck Dunn...there's a few sadly.

Date: Sat, March 30, 2013, 19:08:08 ET
Posted by: Man Up!, Baltimore

Donald "Duck" Dunn

Date: Sat, March 30, 2013, 18:32:12 ET
Posted by: Greg M, ny

<<Hugh and Phil must be making an amazing record up there right now.>>

Yes, with Porcaro and Bumpus. Who's on bass?

Date: Sat, March 30, 2013, 17:20:31 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

I don't think Phil Ramone has ever been credited on a Steely Dan album, but like Hugh McCracken, he was an important part of the NYC recording scene. Sorry to just hear of his passing. Hugh and Phil must be making an amazing record up there right now.

Date: Sat, March 30, 2013, 16:30:34 ET
Posted by: Technicolor Motorhome, SE USA

I haven't looked at this site in a while, so "sue me if I play it wrong" to borrow a classic phrase. OK - I was sound asleep and had this dream that SD was going to tour again. I thought maybe it was mentioned on the all night t.v. news, but I fell asleep with ESPN on - so that wasn't a possible subconscious source. So as soon as I am away, I google up 2013 Steely Dan tour and WOW!! Dates are already booked for Chicago before I even knew there was a tour planned. Since Earth Wind & Fire are already booked for one of our fine theater-sized venues, I get on facebook and bust the chops of the outfit that promotes shows at their competing venue to book a Steely Dan show. Actually, either venue would be a dream to see SD in. This tour is great news and I hope they play a couple of Sunken Condo tunes.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 20:38:45 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

Really sad to hear of Hugh McCracken's passing. What a masterful studio guitarist. He was all over everything back in the day.
Just beautiful taste and timing. One of my very favorites.

I posted this a long time ago with no response but as a guitarist I think it's pretty damn cool. It's Hugh's guitar track on Hey 19 isolated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw411Iqyzrk

Condolences to his family and friends.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 17:55:04 ET
Posted by: Sad, I

Uh, yeah you're right. That was duh of me.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 17:34:58 ET
Posted by: Bob Newton, Seattle, WA

Hugh McCracken's Wikipedia entry has now been updated: McCracken died of leukemia on March 28, 2013.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 16:51:38 ET
Posted by: Lurker, Not Ray

From Will Lee:

Goodbye, Hugh McCracken. RIP. Hugh was one of the gentlest and funniest souls to ever have graced our planet & our lives!! Never had a negative word to say about anyone. Played the most elegant guitar parts that we ever heard (& didn't hear. Yes, they were that elegant). Brought great harmonica parts to many of our favorite records. Even played on my upcoming record. So proud that he sat in with Fab Faux one night at Queens College. The guys were gushing. I was gushing because it was such a coup to get him to perform live!!!! Long live our dear Hughie aka Human Cracker. My French-born wife Sandrine actually thought that was his name for a while! R.I.P., Human - With great Love To You.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 16:49:41 ET
Posted by: UH?,

Obviously well known outside of his work with SD? You obviously didn't know anything about Hugh McCracken!

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 16:33:32 ET
Posted by: Sad, I

Numerous Tweets sending condolences. Obviously well known outside of his work with SD.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 16:23:42 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour! But not too happy bout the news

I can't imaging Randall and Kahn would post this if it wan't true.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 16:19:26 ET
Posted by: Hobo, Boston, MA

Guitarist Elliott Randall has also posted a tribute to the late Hugh McCracken on his Facebook page. I had hoped this was a hoax, but it appears to be true.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 15:58:20 ET
Posted by: David H., Denver

Steve Khan has a nice tribute to the late Hugh McCracken:

http://www.stevekhan.com/tributes.htm

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 15:41:49 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Heading to the Manatee Bar

Hugh's Wikipedia entry says it is about "a person who has recently deceased". Nothing else about his death.

A Google search reveals nothing at the moment.

I hope it is a mistake.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 15:10:28 ET
Posted by: asdf, asdf

What are we hearing about Hugh Mccracken?

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 14:52:04 ET
Posted by: fagenism, She go (I cry)

Random, old stuff:

I think the I'm Not The Same Without You single cover is just glorious. My favorite, along with the Gaucho album cover:

http://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/story/song-premiere-donald-fagen-im-not-the-same-without-you-20120917/1000x306/20120914-fagen-306x306-1347633330.jpg

*

God DAMMIT I like the Fagen/Rundgren cover of Rhymes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m66623AoL8

*

Incidentally, there is a fantastic Rundgren album from 2004 called Liars. Electronica mostly. If you find his earlier stuff a bit schmaltzy (like myself) give it a try.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 12:50:52 ET
Posted by: RIP, Hugh

McCracken.

Date: Fri, March 29, 2013, 01:30:59 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

Jim Taylor, I believe your latest post is the first of the internet's kind, some 20 years later. Kudos. Vehement kudos!

Date: Thurs, March 28, 2013, 21:20:06 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello, Baton Rouge

Jazzassin, you are correct, I too thought that Joan said "disagree." And I know the reason. We read stuff really fast these days, especially on the internets, and we look for markers in syntax that seem familiar. The adverb "vehemently" is usually associated with "disagree," and I just read right through it and let my language prejudice take over, rather than actually reading what Joan wrote. It's not Joan's fault that I read lazily. A cautionary tale to us all, LOL. Dean, you have nothing to apologize to me for. I was in the wrong.

Date: Thurs, March 28, 2013, 19:17:23 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

Chris,

You were right the first time.

:#)

Date: Thurs, March 28, 2013, 15:04:16 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Whoops, misread Dean's post, my dumb joke is null and void. To be fair, I'm drinking a beer with lunch right now.

Date: Thurs, March 28, 2013, 15:03:10 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Be honest Dean, if you never posted after a drink or two you'd never post at all ;)

Jives, that's a good point. But I'd really like some more people to weigh in on my friend's Fagen fart theory. I think there's a lot more substance there than the theory that INTSWY is Fagen's "Your So Vain" for Becker.

(No offense to Tact Poise and Reason; everything's open to interpretation. But Fagen is no Taylor Swift.)

Date: Thurs, March 28, 2013, 08:23:46 ET
Posted by: Jake, I

http://www.citywinery.com/newyork/tickets/amy-helm-5-2.html

Special guest?

Date: Thurs, March 28, 2013, 07:29:18 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Holy crap, Jazzassin you are right--again and as usual. I have no idea why the hell I thought she said "disagree". I really should not post until I've had a drink or two.

My apologies to Joan for the misunderstanding and also to Jim Taylor--just for being a bad influence and the kind of kid you shouldn't associate with.

My bad. I should have never doubted Joan.

Date: Thurs, March 28, 2013, 06:51:53 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, fine reading

Dean & Jim T,
Didn't Joan just write this?:

"I vehemently agree with others who say the message is NOT about Walter. They have, and will always maintain, a strange symbiotic relationship."

I think she did. So, the three of you (and me too) seem to agree on that point after all! ;o)

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 21:47:06 ET
Posted by: Jives, Glasgow

Rubbish.

The Don would never fart into a mic during a song without a Mu chord.

It would never resolve.

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 21:27:41 ET
Posted by: sabrmpim, New York

QPyfYG <a href="http://swtlbiloggei.com/">swtlbiloggei</a>, [url=http://qewxexukwahf.com/]qewxexukwahf[/url], [link=http://wairyycxudai.com/]wairyycxudai[/link], http://bhvznwrstvzg.com/

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 19:13:00 ET
Posted by: Shangri-La, Direct from Lhasa

Trivia Q -

I believe this is said photo to which you referred:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/jim-hodder-david-palmer-denny-dias-donald-fagen-jeff-skunk-news-photo/146522235?suri=1

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 18:54:51 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

At the Pearl Theater in Vegas during the 2011 tour, Donald referred to the "Steely Dan Orchestra" at one point and Walter yelled across the stage (not into a mic)"It's the 'The Miles High Big Band'," to which Donald replied, "What? The Mile High Club?" I think this kind of thing goes on all the time. Walter is always making asides.

Joan, I too respect your opinion very much, but hasn't Donald already publicly stated what INTSWY is about? I mean, has he ever lied to us before?

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 17:10:56 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

Casual Fan, you sat too close in St Augustine. I sat there for SD once and the sound wasn't as good as it should have been. At the last concert I sat right near the sound board and the sound was damn fine. Though, I'm sure it wasn't as good as it was at Ruth Ekard. I have experienced very good sound from the fist row, but not in the St Aug Amphitheater.

Anyone who thinks musicians don't exchange meaningful looks on stage isn't paying attention.


Joan, I respect nobody's opinion here more than yours. And though I would never argue INTSWY is positively not about Walt, there is nothing in the lyrics to suggest it is. You haven't convinced me on this one.

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 15:27:25 ET
Posted by: casual fan, orlando

Speaking of "magical looks" between musicians, and in the spirit of the coming tour, let me recount an SD concert experience from, I am going to say, 2006 or '07.

I had seen SD a couple of times in the Tampa area, but the venues sucked. I'd seen them a couple of times at the Ice Palace (arena, I think St Pete Times/Union something or other now). That places absolutely blows Moose dick for any concert, and especially one where you'd like be able to differentiate tones emitted by, you know, a saxophone versus a dump truck.

I also saw them at the outdoor amphitheatre. That was okay, I suppose, but still the sound a bit muddied.

At any rate, at this 2006/07 show I saw them on a Monday night at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Being a working guy, I assumed (incorrectly) that they'd be putting us through the paces for a Monday night show in a smaller venue, which could not have earned them a ton of dough.

WRONG ! They were in rare form, in my experience, every song delivered with enthusiasm and they really seemed to be enjoying themselves. I like to think its because the acoustics n that place are really terrific and that they were having a good time being able to react to it, themselves, but for all I know they'd been doing lines in the bathroom.

Well, at any rate, when they got to band intro's, WB goes into a typical, albeit animated speech on the members and when he gets to DF, he starts talking about it being DF's birthday, to which the crowd went nuts. Had the band not been playing something rhythmic for the intros, no doubt in my mind the crowd would have broken into a rousing if not somewhat drunken rendition of "Happy Birthday."

WB was laughing at the reaction and DF is fake glaring at him, turns to the crowd, shakes his head, and mouths (not says) "Its not my birthday," which leads to lots of laughter from all on stage and a great crowd reaction as well. Then some back and forth looks between WB and DF.

I did not see anyone else that year post about similar banter or exchange during shows in their area, and so I am going to assume it was genuine and spontaneous. Its actually the only time, of the 6-7 total SD shows I've seen, that I recall them involved in any sort of unrehearsed exchange.

It added a lot to the overall experience. It no longer felt like they were going through the motions, but rather were engaged, with the audience, the band, and each other.

And it was just kind of funny.

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 14:33:06 ET
Posted by: fagenism, -

Security Joan: Great post!

UH?: Really shitty post; cringed all the way through it. I thank my imaginary god it was so short.

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 13:47:18 ET
Posted by: A Little, Harsh

UH? - Lost track of the number of times I have seen that magical look passing between musicians, either as one of them, or simply watching them from the audience. I cringed when I realised you didn't get it.

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 11:30:22 ET
Posted by: UH?,

Security Joan: I was cringing reading your post. I guess you can convince yourself of anything.

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 10:52:55 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

CBAT artwork - is that the top of a coke bottle next to the shirtless man in the foreground?

Also, holy shit, how awful is that artwork? Can't say I miss it when I put on an MP3 instead of an LP ...

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 10:47:25 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Zoomly - thanks!!

Speaking of hidden messages in songs -- and this is just as serious to me as the suggestion that INTSWY is about Walter -- a friend claims that around 4:40 in Godwhacker, "I swear to God, Fagen farts into the microphone." I'd never noticed this before, but a close listen revealed that there is indeed a very brown sounding note. WHAT COULD THIS ALL MEAN?

Also, this is an old one, but my favorite theory is This Moody Bastard reveals a homosexual relationship between Fagen and Becker (going from "our salad days between the ivory walls" which seems to be a clear reference to the two of them hanging out at Bard to "you on the bottom, me on top" which is a clear reference to who's pitching and who's catching; Fagen on the bottom is initially surprising, but not when you really think about it.)

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 08:53:31 ET
Posted by: Trivia, Q

I'm pretty sure there's a CBAT era photo of them standing in front of a Pepsi sign. Can anyone find that?

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 07:14:49 ET
Posted by: Phil, Pau

Hello there, for those of you who can read French, this is a review of the second Snarky Puppy concert in France yesterday at the "New Morning" club in Paris:

http://funku.fr/2013/live-report-snarky-puppy-paris-new-morning-26032013/
They will play at the Vienne jazz festival this summer and probably at a few others too.
I hope I can catch them some day soon.
Philippe

Date: Wed, March 27, 2013, 04:11:20 ET
Posted by: Lazlo, Colorado

"I wait, I smoke, I stare into my Coke"

from Negative Girl

There's one.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 23:50:35 ET
Posted by: Zoomlv, Los Wages

Steely Dan
August 23 & 24th Nokia Theatre Los Angeles, CA. from an inside source

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 22:54:37 ET
Posted by: Security Joan , netherworld

I've been off the board for a bit, so sorry for diving into the INTSWY discussion a tad late, but I must weigh in.

I vehemently agree with others who say the message is NOT about Walter. They have, and will always maintain, a strange symbiotic relationship. I'm going to offer one recent example: At the '11 Beacon show that featured Larry Carlton, where I was in a near-front stage center (i.e. in front of Walter) seat, there was a point, after a burning Herington solo followed by an equally burning Carlton solo, where I saw Walter get a shit-eating grin and look directly over at Donald, who turned and noddingly smiled while locking eyes; at this point, Walter, with an immensely broader grin, shook his head at Donald as if to say "OMG is this unbelievably great, or what?"

This was a single fleeting episode, granted, but I think it speaks volumes about the relationship.

Also remeber DF often has lyrics relating to past experiences or blatently projected experiences. One example: "On the Dunes" came out shortly after he had happily settled with Libby... Who knows if INTSWY isn't simply a huge time-delayed reinterpretation of the "On the Dunes" scenario?

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 19:32:20 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello, Baton Rouge

Ha! It's gotta be 2 front row seats to Rarities Night. Right?

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 19:27:52 ET
Posted by: Trivia, Q

I think it's actually an apron, but close enough!

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 19:24:30 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello, Baton Rouge

Pretzel Logic. The Coca-cola Logo is on the vendor's shirt! What do I win?

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 18:33:39 ET
Posted by: Trivia , Q

Another hint: It wasn't just sound that got compressed as the technology advanced.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 17:44:40 ET
Posted by: DeaconBlues16,

Regarding this coke trivia question, there are a few possibilities. The poster said we need to think outside the box and that it's nearly impossible to detect listening on an ipod/most modern music formats. Also said it predates the previous guesses, meaning it predates Katy Lied. So here are the options as I see it:

1. There is some sort of hidden reference to coke, i.e. a term that's synonymous with coke or was at one point. This would satisfy the "outside the box" criterion, but you can hear most of the lyrics on the first three SD albums pretty well. So I don't think this is the case.

2. Lyric appeared on You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It soundtrack, or one of the "Android Warehouse" demo collections. This could very well be the case - it would be outside the box, and the sound quality of those collections isn't very good, but do we really consider these SD albums?

3. Could it appear at the end of Show Biz Kids with all the dialogue going on in that coda? If you were listening to this in the 70s, would you have really been able to discern that there was a reference to coke whereas you wouldn't be able to today?

Those are my hypotheses.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 17:42:20 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

If it's Pretzel Logic because of 'Through with Buzz(Cola)' I'm going to throw a hissy fit I swear!

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 17:31:43 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

Well New Frontier (Nightfly) refers to "the real thing" but that is in no way a reference to Coca Cola--unless a Coke can/bottle was used in the video as a visual pun. Coke didn't even start using that slogan until 1969. And since you said it was prior to Katy, that can't be it.


And while Hoops is right about the regional differences, typically a Black Cow is root beer while a Brown Cow is Coke---I think. But i do know the alcoholic version usually contains Coke (few bars serve root beer). And if Rudy's really is Rudy's on 9th Ave in NYC, she was probably drinking the alcoholic kind. So I think it still counts as a CC reference. But I realize this isn't what you were going for. Didn't realize it was a "direct reference".


Tact and poise--I CAN hold my breath for a REALLY long time. And promise me, please, should you become upset with me standing you up on watching the ballgame, PLEASE for Christ's sake don't write a song about it.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 14:21:48 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, as always, really on the quick

Trivia:

I believe it's in the Classic Albums Aja documentary, Fagen notes that the recipe for Black Cows has regional variations. I think he said that sometimes it includes root beer instead. I don't have the vid here at work...go check to be sure.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 14:04:32 ET
Posted by: Trivia, Q

Hint: This last one is harder to detect with the compression of modern music formats. Almost impossible with an Ipod unless you knew it was there already. CD is somewhat easier but LP is the easiest.

Another hint: It predates the two already guessed.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 13:52:56 ET
Posted by: Wu, Aging

Lucy still loves her coke and rum.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 13:12:25 ET
Posted by: Trivia, Q

A Black Cow is a root beer float with chocolate syrup. Even with a cola variation, that's not a direct reference . This last one is unambiguous. Refers to The Real Thing.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 12:57:11 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Well, doesn't a Black Cow contain Coke? The non-alcoholic versions certainly do. And do some of the alcoholic versions, I think

So I will add Aja to the mix.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 12:56:23 ET
Posted by: Trivia , Q

Need to think outside the box for the last one.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 12:55:47 ET
Posted by: tact, poise and reason, Groping in the dark

Jazzassin, thanks for the welcome. I appreciate your posts and your humor.

Dean, thanks for the welcome. One brief analogy before I rest my case. If you inform me of your intention to stop over this evening to watch the ballgame and you've failed to show several previous times, my response might be " I won't hold my breath". However, if you inform me of your intention to stop over later this week with some Cuervo Gold and some fine Colombian, my response would be, " I can hold my breath a really long time now".

Laugh like a bastard, you know you will.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 12:46:53 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

Katy Lied, TvN and err....it'll come to me!

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 12:34:53 ET
Posted by: Trivia, Q

Three SD albums make reference to Coca Cola. Name them.

Date: Tues, March 26, 2013, 01:13:42 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, @tenderloin

For those 2nd A fans, Boz Scaggs' Miss sun provides a flavor of what the erased version would have sounded like...based on that 17 sec clip


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbUP5_4ZPvA

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 23:14:00 ET
Posted by: wlnecopvcx, New York

T8QI8H <a href="http://tvtlvsuiypno.com/">tvtlvsuiypno</a>, [url=http://nzqeundeneec.com/]nzqeundeneec[/url], [link=http://xehjxpzbambg.com/]xehjxpzbambg[/link], http://dtjxtoavxtud.com/

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 21:33:10 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Some call it bad ...

... while I just call it ... HUNKA BUNKA BURNING LOVE!

Re: Osmonds
The orchestra was of course impeccable, and so was the arrangement with horns and everything! I guess it could be described as "swinging, but maybe in a somewhat strange way for that particular song", but that's likely just a habitual thing, having heard the original a zillion times.
The bizarre element is mostly the involuntary comedy of Donny & Marie singing that lyrics with those happy faces on.

What's more important is, the rumor has it Don & Walt will use Donny & Marie's pink costumes for their 2013 tour, if they can finally agree on who gets to wear Marie's dress. No dancers, though. They have fans for that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvHm_iM5T3I

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 20:33:56 ET
Posted by: Cornelius, Cleveland

I really love Donny & Marie's version of Reelin'. It has sort of a "jazzy feel" with those horns added.

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 20:18:55 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Don't sell us short, Jazzassin. We're that bad, and more!

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 19:34:15 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Pacific Princess

Oh, and I just got so hysterical I actually forgot to welcome tact, etc.
My bad. Welcome to The Love Boat, tact! Most of us are really not that bad. Enjoy the cruise!

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 19:00:15 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, at the hairdresser's

Wtf, Nick & Dean? Are you guys telling us Don & Walt aren't sentimental drama queens after all? You should've said that a long time ago. Now I don't like them anymore, and I feel like I've been wasting precious fan energy on them for thirty-five years. Oooh myyy goood, pleeeaaase say it ain't truuuuue!!

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 17:34:27 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. Still Drinkin'

Nicholas,

"And if there are things to be said between the two of them, surely he's too classy to put them in a song for God, the denizens of the Blue, and everybody else to see. They're grown men, for crying out loud."

Amen, brother. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 17:31:15 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

tact, poise and reason,

While I find the interpretation interesting and, perhaps, even plausible, nothing you have gleaned from the song is "right there in black and white". You didn't find one clue from the lyrics that points to Walt---that you made up what you think the lyrics might mean entirely on your own. There is also nothing in the lyrics to suggest it is or isn't about Reprise Records, either. Or the girl he once knew. Or drugs, for that matter.

Or giving up smoking:

"I now have eyes to see some other destiny"
He can see living as a non-smoker and not dying as early as he once thought he would

"I can hold my breath a really long time now".
Self explanatory.

Etc.

There, it is about giving up smoking. It's right there in black and white.

See what I mean?

Of course I don't think it's about giving up smoking, but the lyrics make as much sense (probably more) for that interpretation than they do with the Walter take, IMO of course. In this case, the lyrics do not give up much, so just about every interpretation is probably more about the interpreter than Don's lyrics.

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 17:28:20 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

I'm all for intriguing interpretations of SD, Becker, and Fagen lyrics, but I'm hoping that DF is above writing what would essentially be a more sophisticated version of the Doobie Brothers' "For Someone Special." And if there are things to be said between the two of them, surely he's too classy to put them in a song for God, the denizens of the Blue, and everybody else to see. They're grown men, for crying out loud.

But maybe I'm wrong.

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 14:38:49 ET
Posted by: tact, poise and reason, take two

One of the many aspects of the DAN I enjoy is reading the carefully chosen words of these two brilliant guys and trying to gain some insight into what they are saying. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Donald and Walter, but it appears the songwriting
partnership is, at best, on a lengthy hiatus, at worst finished. With this in mind, I think Donald wrote "I'm not the same without you" to Walter with respect to the songwriting process. I suspect he has said this to Walt directly many times.

The narrator of this song (Don) speaks mostly about himself; how he feels better recently, stronger, more capable, more confident.

"I now have eyes to see some other destiny"
A destiny that, sadly, may not include composing Steely Dan songs.

"I can hold my breath a really long time now".
This is a strange line, but I believe it refers to Donalds willingness to leave the door open to future endeavors with Walt even though Walt may have disappointed him in the past.

"I can hold my own"
"I'm not the same without you"

In summary, I think Donald wrote this song to express the following:

His preference would be to compose songs with Walter.
He feels the songs would be of higher quality with Walts input.
He has now sadly realized that this may never happen.
In recent years, he has discovered increased confidence that he is capable of creating great music on his own.

I am not looking for hidden meanings. I think it is right there in black and white for all to see. Sometimes I see, many times not.

Simply one mans opinion, for what its worth.

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 11:13:43 ET
Posted by: Search, K

I found that clip more than a year ago. You can blame SD. It is mentioned in the Citizen liner notes which prompted me to search for it.

http://www.steelydan.com/citizenliners.html

Date: Mon, March 25, 2013, 03:47:48 ET
Posted by: fagenism, She go (I cry)

Clip for the Monday blues:

I'm sure many of you have seen this before, but in case you missed it - here is a BIZARRE opening number from the Donny and Marie Osmond show featuring Reelin' In The Years, anno 1978. This clip was trending on Twitter the other day, for unknown reasons. Oh, and it never, ever ends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDeVAF58jPg

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 17:32:00 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello, Baton Rouge

I've never seen them when they didn't play Bodhisattva. Including Nashville and Vegas in 2011.

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 17:09:02 ET
Posted by: Pablo, Denver, CO

Sure. Bodhisattva was played many times during the Shuffle Diplomacy tour.

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 15:17:38 ET
Posted by: freya, valhalla

Any evidence of "Bodhisattva" being played at any of the more recent SD gigs?

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 15:08:22 ET
Posted by: SharkDeVille, INTSWY

SC was Donald's last album for Reprise correct? someone suggested it was written for them and i like that interpretation better.

there's no reason to believe Donald has any bad feelings toward Walter. he's proud of their collaboration and still refers to Walt as his partner. they'll be hitting the road together once again this summer. the worst thing he's said about WB that I'm aware of is that Walter likes to "hang" while Donald likes to work.

DF's record label on the other hand has done very little to promote his solo albums. I'm sure his recording budget ain't even close to what it used to be and he probably doesn't get a real warm fuzzy feeling from those folks in general.

then again, there's a book called The Flying Boy that describes a man whose facial features actually change and he stands a bit taller after letting go of a troubled relationship. perhaps the song should be taken at face value.

at any rate, i love the song and find it unlike anything else in the Donald/Dan ouevre.

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 12:33:23 ET
Posted by: jake, Chicago

search, k - I have a question what Darcy. What would inspire them to put out such crap?

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 10:52:11 ET
Posted by: Scottie, B

At the end of the day, he'll take all the liberties he wants on his original inspiration to get the song he wants. That's why I find these discussions rather pointless.

Eric Clapton wrote Wonderful Tonight out of frustration because his wife took forever to get ready whenever they went somewhere. He then tweaked it into a love song.

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 10:34:40 ET
Posted by: Michael, @The Dean

True, but in INTSWY, he's speaking from a first-person prespective. Granted he does say "girl" but, really, who knows for sure except for Donald?

Either way it doesn't matter. What matters is whether or not you enjoy the song itself, not merely a hidden/implied meaning.

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 09:38:55 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Michael, Don has a wife and he also wrote songs about Miss Marlene, D'Rhonda and some Slinky Thing, none of which I suspect are his wife. He said the lyrics draw upon his personal experience--he didn't say those experiences were from the past year.

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 07:55:52 ET
Posted by: Michael, @tact

I had the same observation upon listening to INTSWY. There may not be a way of verifying it, but think about it: who was he seperated from while writing and recording SC? He already has a wife and he has described his lyrical content as drawing upon his personal experiences.

Date: Sun, March 24, 2013, 04:25:58 ET
Posted by: Lutz , SF

reason, that's very cute.
however - having seen them interact (or not) with each other on stage, I have my doubts Don and Walt (barely into their 60's) would send coded messages via a song to each other.
It's more likely, that song was dedicated to Mike Tyson, just saying...
glad you're a fan though.

Date: Sat, March 23, 2013, 21:21:02 ET
Posted by: search, k

Doc about the Darcy's making of Aja.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29w6vA8tis

Date: Sat, March 23, 2013, 20:23:38 ET
Posted by: Lucid, Dreamer

INTSWY - about Walter ? It's not impossible, just unlikely. However, songs are poems and poems are creative structures like dreams - and dreams can have many layers of different meanings embedded consciously or unconsciously ... all of them true simultaneously if they mean something to the dreamer. God, I have to stop eating tofu.

Date: Sat, March 23, 2013, 19:41:05 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

tact, poise and reason:

Welcome aboard.

Regarding your interpretation of I'm Not the Same... if you gently squeeze the WABAC machine (and hope Mr Peabody doesn't mind), you will see discussions about this very same take when SC was first released.

Personally I think that interpretation is likely bunk, but not simply because of the word "girl" (although that plays into it). Don has spoken about this song and gave a satisfactory explanation, I think. But mostly, I can find no reason to think it is about Walt. There is nothing in the song (even hidden) that I can find pointing in that direction. In other words, while that explanation might fit some of the lyrics (minus the "girl" lyric), there is nothing particular about the lyrics to suggest that interpretation. So, it seems like a "hunch" interpretation to me (and an interesting hunch to be sure)--but with zero evidence working for it, from my perspective.

But perhaps my opinion can be changed if there is something you can offer in particular about the song that makes you believe that interpretation is correct.

Enjoy The Blue!

Date: Sat, March 23, 2013, 18:10:41 ET
Posted by: Scott Howard, St. Louis

I'm really tired of hearing My Old School. I hope they take it off the setlist for this year's tour.

Date: Sat, March 23, 2013, 16:49:09 ET
Posted by: tact, poise and reason, exiting the service elevator

Greetings from somewhere in Maryland. First post. I've been aware of this site for only nine months, and have enjoyed all the SC discussion. I agree with many that the first two tracks are really special. I've come to a conclusion about track 2. After pondering
this thought for a couple of months, I am now convinced this is a song from Donald to Walter. I realize the word "girl" is ad-libbed
at the end of one line, but I attribute this to "Donald deception".
I would simply suggest you listen to it with this in mind and I think
you"ll see what I see. If anyone previously offered this opinion, I must have missed it. Would love to elaborate and discuss if anyone is interested.

Date: Sat, March 23, 2013, 05:35:37 ET
Posted by: dblyrpj, New York

S4LCQx <a href="http://ubadydjsdwvy.com/">ubadydjsdwvy</a>, [url=http://jblhlhiouias.com/]jblhlhiouias[/url], [link=http://komgbvldxjya.com/]komgbvldxjya[/link], http://oaddjuaxfbsx.com/

Date: Fri, March 22, 2013, 20:42:55 ET
Posted by: Steve Gennarelli, Tampa FL

I really agree with your assessment. A little more variety would give us "hardcores" a bit more spice and it would freshen the shows up a bit.

Date: Fri, March 22, 2013, 17:16:54 ET
Posted by: Mt. Belzoni, Portland OR

A good working formula for a Dan tour set would be roughly:

1/3 the "hits" (Peg, Josie, Kid C) that people expect to hear every year, 1/3 material performed once only every 2-4 tours (Boston Rag, Black Cow, Haitian Divorce, IGY, Do It Again) and 1/3 rare/new material (Dr. Wu, Pearl, Rose Darling, Raindrops). And I'd hold to this mix just about everywhere, with exceptions only for the Beacon or any other multi-night stand.

At the 2d night of the last SD tour here in Portland OR, it was wonderful to hear The Bear in the setlist. (I think it got pulled soon after, not to re-appear for weeks until the rarities show.) Most of us non-Northeast Dan fans simply weren't going to make it to the Beacon for a rarities night, and it was great to enjoy just a small taste of it right here.

Artists who started out in the 60s-70s and are still touring need to maintain a good variety in their set lists, or fans lose interest. I've simply stopped going to see once-favorite acts (CSN, James Taylor) who come around regularly, in large part because the set list is so repetitive, and the performances continue to wane due to age. At this point, I'm unlikely to see any of these artists perform do an old song better than I've already heard them do it in their (and my) prime. So, apart from a few old favorites, I'd rather hear them take on either new(er) stuff (Tomorrow's Girls, Paging Audrey), interesting covers (Misry & the Blues, Viva Rock n Roll) or simply material from further back in their deep catalogs.

Just my $.02 . . .

Date: Fri, March 22, 2013, 13:20:03 ET
Posted by: SteelyDon, RVA

Does anyone know where I can find an archived copy of DF's world premier of MTC from 2006 when he was on 95.7 the Wave? I really liked that and I've scoured the internet and can't find it anywhere!

Date: Fri, March 22, 2013, 09:22:34 ET
Posted by: Bren, London,UK

Just to echo Petes sentiments...aint nothing like seeing The Dan in concert...was lucky enough to travel to NYC for rarities nite and a unique and memorable one it was indeed...and would love a UK/European tour...the fans are here...and will always be here...a five nite run at Londons Hammersmith Apollo sounds to me like a plan...

Date: Fri, March 22, 2013, 06:28:32 ET
Posted by: PETE EVANS, MANCHESTER UK

Over here in the UK we would love a rarities night, a greatest hits night, a solo Don or Walter night or ANY night so long as we see our musical heroes in a country where Steely Dan ( the greatest band in the the history of the world ) are very highly regarded and have a big and loyal fan base !

Date: Fri, March 22, 2013, 06:24:01 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, a dark matter

Gaucho playing on Norwegian National Radio's "high brow channel" P2 right now, in a popular science show covering big bang, black holes and dark matter.
The host even reminded the listeners to be careful with who you choose to pay musical hommage to, since SD had to pay Jarrett one mill for the use of his composition.

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 19:21:46 ET
Posted by: hey michael,

You said:
"writing and performing music isn't that far removed from recording it."

..."Pressing the record button isn't as complex as you make it out to be, nor is mixing and mastering."

..."Done."

You're probably a lot of fun to work with, as you seem to know nothing about anything, but you're happy to comment on what other people should do.

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 18:03:24 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello, Baton Rouge

Hoops: FTW!

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 16:59:20 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, the desert

Perhaps more important to me, or at least as important is this blurb posted on another bands website; a band that hasn't performed live in a decade due to health concerns for their guitarist and founder, Andrew Latimer.

IT'S OFFICIAL!
Camel will tour in 2013
The first confirmed date is in London, England, at The Barbican, 28th October 2013
Camel will perform The Snow Goose for the first time since the Royal Albert Hall show in 1975, in loving memory of Peter Bardens and in celebration of Camel's long and illustrious musical career.
More shows are planned and will be announced when confirmed.

Anyone else that is familiar with Camel should be jumping for joy at this great news, all others here should take note and try and discover a band that has brought me as much happiness over the decades as our own SD.

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 14:34:48 ET
Posted by: ccw, dc

Rarities night easily makes my top 5 favorite concerts I've ever been to; a phenomenal night! Great venue, Donald was in a frisky, fun mood, and the setlist was of course phenomenal. I would love for them to do another one.

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 13:44:17 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, SoBe - Hard Not To Gloat This Year

"Rarities night was awesome--God! Please have them repeat it this year. A solo night too, ok? Please! :-)"

Just one of the many reasons we love hoops.

I couldn't agree more. YES! YES! and YES!

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 13:25:31 ET
Posted by: LL, Q

There's also one out there of Donnie singing Peg at a Miss Universe thing.

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 13:24:03 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Michael writes:

"Rarities night was lame. How many more times can you drudge up that dead horse? People around here become defensive whenever I say something they cannot refute head-on, so they must revert to either character assassination or diversion."

===

Michael I was thinking the same about you, your posts and positions.

IMHO: Your arguments are weak and it seems to me that you are more interested in making up controversy than actually engaging in SD discussion.

Clearly from your vantage, this place and those of us who inhabit it suck. You should go to another more "open-minded" Steely Dan site or forum that appreciates your brilliance. Why waste your talents here where they're not appreciated? Best wishes to you as you leave--I know we'll all be happier.

BTW: Rarities night was awesome--God! Please have them repeat it this year. A solo night too, ok? Please! :-)

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 12:57:35 ET
Posted by: Ben, Indy

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/best-worst-cover-alert-ever-watch-donny-marie-osmonds-wonderfully-awful-cover-of-reelin-in-the-years-steely-dan/


If ya need a chuckle...

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 12:55:26 ET
Posted by: KMITB, Mt. Belzoni

Just came across my facebook feed Fagen fans...


https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=catalogdetail&valbum_code=HD093624944010

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 12:02:09 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

Yes, shockingly, some people are more prolific when they combine their first two decades' worth of life experiences into a chaotic professional lifestyle that spans their 20s. Crazy, I know, Michael.

Weirdly, that tends tail off when artists grow acclimated to a more routine lifestyle as middle age approaches.

If you want an album every two years featuring nine songs about yearning to be admired by 25-year old waitresses or hoarding guitar pedals, go ahead. It's also possible that Fagen and Becker need about six or seven years at a time to live through enough to write decent lyrics, as we've seen with the two comeback albums and last three solo discs.

That's kind of how this stuff works.

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 07:56:46 ET
Posted by: Michael, @Chris

Their job isn't to please me; it's to create and perform music.

KD, writing and performing music isn't that far removed from recording it. Let's see: since SD began touring again the early 90's there's been two studio albums, one live album and one live DVD, disregarding those 'best of' compilations. That's a scant three albums in two decades. From 1972 to 1980, they released seven albums, not counting b-sides, side projects, outtakes, etc. Pressing the record button isn't as complex as you make it out to be, nor is mixing and mastering (there are specialists in the field who will do the job for you). After that, you put the tracks in desired order, decide on album art (or create it yourself), maybe write some liner notes. Done.

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 03:14:44 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

Suedave,I second that emotion!

Date: Thurs, March 21, 2013, 01:59:07 ET
Posted by: suedave, bedtime

Rarities night was awesome, can't thank the boys and the band enough for pulling that out for the 44 of us!

Date: Wed, March 20, 2013, 15:43:52 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Hey Michael, I meant nothing personal -- you seem like a decent guy but that won't stop me from arguing with you about Steely Dan. I don't think it's unfair to say that if you hated rarities night there's not a whole lot the band can do to please you.

Date: Wed, March 20, 2013, 15:16:38 ET
Posted by: DOn't forget me, here

43!

Date: Wed, March 20, 2013, 14:00:57 ET
Posted by: SDV,

I was at Rarities Nights. One of the best concerts of my life and i've seen a few. Definitely not lame.

Date: Wed, March 20, 2013, 13:51:27 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

Oh, god, what a bunch of dreary twats.

Writing and playing music is entirely different from recording and releasing music. Let the guy plunk away on his Flying V and stop waving your wang around a message board that 42 people read. Christ.

Date: Wed, March 20, 2013, 10:07:58 ET
Posted by: Okay, okay, we're all assholes, so let's move on

Date: Wed, March 20, 2013, 09:06:01 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Rarities night was lame. How many more times can you drudge up that dead horse? People around here become defensive whenever I say something they cannot refute head-on, so they must revert to either character assassination or diversion.

Keep in mind, Chris, that you had me call you because you wanted to hear Sunken Condos before anyone else. Once you got what you wanted, you turned. That says a lot more about you than it does me.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 19:28:39 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Keep in mind that Michael watched the rarities setlist in real time from his computer and declared it a waste of time. I don't think there's any pleasing him, to be honest.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 18:03:29 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, up on the hill

major Beach Boys fan here.

the 50th Anniversary tour was a real treat, but let's face it... it was comprised mainly of pre-1966 songs. Heavy on the cars and surfing, and hand-picked by Mike Love who has done his best to keep the band a nostalgia act and basically pretend like they never did anything between Good Vibrations in '66 and Kokomo in '88.

It was cool to see the surviving members reunited, but Brian Wilson outgrew the touring act back in '64. Mike tried to stay current for a few years, until the Endless Summer compilation was released and just about solidified the band as an oldies revue.

It's upsetting that Mike would rather tour on his own, but Brian (and Al) can certainly do better without him. The only thing that really upsets me is the fact that Mike somehow has sole rights to tour as "The Beach Boys"... pretty messed up.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 17:45:52 ET
Posted by: Hutch, Burbank, CA

Did anybody else attend the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary tour with Brian Wilson last year? They played two sets of music and the setlist was comprised of hits, rarely played cuts and new songs. This is what I would like to see happen at a Steely Dan concert. Too bad Mike Love booted Brian and Al Jardine from the group. Now it's back to the same old nostalgia-drenched shows for the Beach Boys.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 16:41:10 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

The biggest complaint I hear about Steely Dan concerts is they don't play enough of their "hits". Now I don't hear this complaint on The Blue of course, but in the "real world", from audience members and reviewers. Few of them attend multiple concerts on one tour and most in the audience see SD once in their lives.

While I'd love to hear them incorporate more obscure material into the setlists, a SD concert is far from your basic nostalgia gig. Go see Chicago, Beach Boys or--hell--name most any classic rock band to see what a real nostalgia concert sounds like.

For the most part, I think Don plays what he thinks sounds good live, what he wants to play (and what he likes to sing) and yes, to some degree what he thinks the audience wants. I think the album nights and rarities show were a concession to the hardcore fan--and a great marketing opportunity, to be sure. But anyone who thinks the prime motivation for a SD setlist is purely to provide a nostalgia trip, go through the motions and grab the cash hasn't paid much attention to the sensibilities of Don and Walt. A sad comment on the state of the Blue community, IMO.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 15:25:07 ET
Posted by: Michael,

You make it sound as if they're struggling to make ends meet. Considering the combined sales of all their music and merch, plus all the shows, I'm not buying it.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 13:00:39 ET
Posted by: Just, Sayin

It's true that a nostalgia tour is a more viable money maker than a new record. I don't hold it against them one bit for playing that card. Read the other day where Adrian Dantley got a job as a school crossing guard because it gives health benefits. Comes a time in life where you do what you gotta do, Michaels of the world be damned. It's also a fan's perogative to say they've seen the same show enough times and go to fewer shows or none at all.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 08:51:33 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

re: The guy in that pic is Mike McGee from Nearly Dan...

that will be the American 'Nearly Dan' not the UK, Stoke on Trent based outfit of the same name I've seen and enjoyed many times over the last few years (2 Scottish gigs coming up in April btw).

The UK outfit has had that handle for the last 15 years,anyone know when the USA based outfit came into existence?

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 08:14:30 ET
Posted by: Michael, @The Dean

"Apparently artist are supposed to release material on a schedule or they are just slacking--again, according to some (probably very few)."

I was the one who stated that artists should work on new material on a regular basis, otherwise they're lazy. Tell me something. If you're a music artist, shouldn't your primary work be creating music? That's one thing I admire about classical composers: they had work ethic and drive, something many of today's artists lack. These days, established musicians can simply throw together a (nostalgia) tour and watch the cash roll in. Money is their primary motivation.

Take issue with my observations all you want, I don't care. The truth hurts.

Date: Tues, March 19, 2013, 07:39:17 ET
Posted by: Steelydoc, Near the tower

The guy in that pic is Mike McGee from Nearly Dan...

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 23:10:14 ET
Posted by: Barney R., Portland, OR

So who are those guys on the Steely Dan songkick page anyway?

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 18:02:49 ET
Posted by: Mr. Gore, My head

The two tour dares are old news, I know, but songkick.com has a very curious picture for their Steely Dan artist page...

http://www.songkick.com/artists/87233-steely-dan

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 16:32:25 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin,

Synchronisity, Dean!

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 16:31:04 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, @ the poster w/ no name

I agree 100% to your statement about Don & Walt, but don't you think the comment that you quoted was meant as a sarcastic reply to the other poster who actually said Walter was lazy if he don't get into writing & recording mode asap (in a post from a few days back)? I think it was.

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 16:25:17 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

To the poster with no name, I'm pretty sure HouDanFan was making that very point in his sarcastic post. I believe he was responding to those who posted earlier, calling Walt "lazy". One poster even intimated Don was lazy. Apparently artist are supposed to release material on a schedule or they are just slacking--again, according to some (probably very few).

In other words, you chastised the wrong poster, IMO.

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 15:47:50 ET
Posted by: ,

>Walt you "lazy dog" get to work. The morons in this room never cease to amaze me.

The world does not exist to cater to your desires. Working on an album is basically volunteer work for them these days. If they want to, they will, if they don't, they won't. Are you three years old??

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 14:47:22 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, @Lurker Ray

Thanks, Ray.
That was in fact the first address I tried, but never got an answer.
Further investigation on the PBS pages made me realize the film is probably not released for ordinary sale after all, they just prepared homepages and ordering addresses for all their Independent Lens docus in advance, in case they should decide to release them later on. So I can only hope they will.

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 13:54:28 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, SoBe

Jazz,

"Lush Life" is a great doc. It won the Emmy the next year.
Really showed how influential he was on Duke's output & life.

Try emailing here for the DVD:

lushlifedvd@mac.com

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 12:28:10 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Bare Bones & Lush Life

The Peyroux Dangential Bell rings like this:

Walter Becker
Vinnie Colaiuta
Dean Parks
Jim Beard
Jon Herington
Larry Goldings
Larry Klein
Sam Yahel
William Galison

...and Ray Charles, to whom Peyroux's latest album "The Blue Room" pays homage.

And now for something rather different:

A few years ago PBS had an Emmy winning series of documentaries going, called "Independent Lens". Episode 14 of season 8 (2007) was a film called "Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life".

As a huge fan of everything Ellington & Strayhorn I would really love to be able to see this renowned documentary at least once in my life.
I've been looking everywhere with no luck so far. I have emailed PBS about it twice, but never got an answer.
So, what I'm wondering is, does anyone here have a clue about how I could find a copy or view it online? Even if the film is not released on DVD or Blue-ray for commercial sales, it has obviously been available at least for educational purposes for some lucky chosen few, and also been showed at documentary film festivals.

I suspect I'm not the only Strayhorn fan on this board, since Ellington is a name in lights for Don & Walt and many of us diehard fans. So if any of you guys has helpful information I will be utmost thankful for your help. A legit, paid copy is always preferred of course.

My email address is: jazzassin AT gmail DOT com

If you're interested in reading more about the film and watch some preview clips, try this link:

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/billystrayhorn/index.html

Or, go here and read a little article on the tragically underrated Billy Strayhorn and the documentary about him:

http://www.stereophile.com/musicroom/robertbaird/12907/index.html

Thanks in advance! I'm crossing fingers & toes! :o)

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 12:12:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Jim,

My post disappeared into the ether...but briefly

Here's indeed a bit of the Bear in a couple of the lines.

Jim Beard was touring with SD around that time, and the intro to I Idolize You has that doubled up blues rif that's similar to the beginning of Door Number Two. Walter must be a game show fan dropping related lines and titles through his solo albums.

The Rhodes could be Ted Baker (played on Morph) if live tracked (it's a live sounding as any track since Negative Girl, which was actually completely live tracked). If overdubbed, it could be Beard or Donald...probably indeed Beard based on the Rhodes ad libs over the beginning of the guitar solo.

Organ sound is very Donald.

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 12:02:21 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Thanks for the Glengarry/Ross reminder, Jim. It's been so long since I have re-watched the movie, I forgot how good the music is.

Another Payroux to the Dan world is, she played extensively with (and was in a relationship with) Will Galison, the harmonica player on Sunken Condos. Apparently there was more than a little (possibly agent/manager-driven) animosity between the two.

Now, regarding I Idolize You. I have to say it bores me a bit. It has grown on me somewhat, with repeated listening--but it doesn't sound like a Steely Dan song to me. I know it really isn't a Steely Dan song, but they usually manage to pick songs that, when given the SD treatment, sound like a Steely Dan song. (I know there have only been a very few covers in the SD/Don/Walt arsenal, so we are dealing with an extremely small sample.) The musicianship is first-rate, Don is in fine voice--but something is missing. It is too straight-forward for SD, IMO. Let's just say, if the bulk of the SD catalog sounded like this song, I wouldn't have become the SD fan I am now.

Don and Walt clearly saw something in the song or they wouldn't have recorded it. And given their track record, I have enough respect for their taste to give it more time. But as it wasn't released, I suspect something might have been missing for them, too.

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 11:42:31 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

I forgot: Jim Beard and Vinnie Colaiuta appear along with Larry Klein on her 2009 album, "Bare Bones." Of course, it's a given that Dean Parks is also here: he's on EVERYONE'S album. ;-)

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 11:35:55 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Jazzassin; Looking forward to your post inquiring about the Strayhorn materials.

Payroux has the number 1 jazz album right now. Larry Klein produced her in the mid 2000s and Walter and Larry appear on some Half the Perfect World (fine album). Most notably, "I'm Alright" is co-written by Becker/Peyroux/Klein. You can hear Walter's sense of humor in the lyrics on that one.

I like her and Boz, but on Friday I was in Starbucks and moved the Boz CDs in front of hers. He needs some attention; she'll do OK.

C$ is probably the most original--and I could argue the best--SD-related CD since "The Nightfly."

Oh, and I haven't given a shout out lately to "Music From and Inspired by 'Glengary Glenn Ross'." A true desert island disc.

Jim

Date: Mon, March 18, 2013, 10:37:41 ET
Posted by: Coffee, and a kiss

Stopped at Starbucks this morning and saw that they are selling the new Boz Scaggs CD. The other CD for sale was by Madeleine Peyroux who rings a Dangential bell but I can't remember why.

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 19:54:35 ET
Posted by: HouDanFan, Houston

Walt you "lazy dog" get to work. The morons in this room never cease to amaze me.

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 19:35:15 ET
Posted by: Kid Speedo, Los Angeles, CA

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 12:43:33 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Re: "I Idolize You," I also hear a little bit of "The Bear" at the beginning of the bridge and the tag.

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 12:32:38 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

@ jazzassin: Thanks!

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 12:08:38 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, in the archives

Hi Jim T,
Here's the last snapshot of Donalds old page (01.27.2013). The piece on Ike & Tina and everything else is preserved here.

http://web.archive.org/web/20130127094512/http://donaldfagen.com/

As for who's playing what keyboard, it's not easy to be 100% sure. It would be nice to get that sorted out one fine day. Probably not Don on the acoustic anyway. (Anyway, Steinway, they're all the same to me.)
It really sounds like Beard, I think. Take a listen to some of his own material, and I guess you will agree it's him right there behind the grand.
Besides, I trust Doc a whole lot when it comes to these assumptions... ;o)

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 11:53:55 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Here is the link to "I Idolize You":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGMIayk2KQo.

and this is the link to Donald's Slate article about Ike Turner: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/obit/2007/12/the_devil_and_ike_turner.html

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 11:39:00 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Having properly listened to "I Idolize You" now, I wonder why Donald didn't whip it out on tour with the Dukes last summer... He had all the key players there. Also,I hear Rhodes, piano and organ. Was Jim Beard doubling? Or, was Donald playing the organ and Ted Baker playing Rhodes? Was Ted Baker even on this track? More likely, Donald on Rhodes and Jim on piano and organ. Also, has anyone ever asked Donald about James Booker? I hear a little bit of Booker in this vocal. Of course, Booker was a fan of Ray, as well. I went to Donald's site to read his piece on Ike Turner, but it redirects me to FB. I hope his stuff isn't lost forever...

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 09:57:23 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, inside Keith's kick drum

Yeah, it's a shame the world didn't appreciate C$ enough. It's such a great album. The problem of drawing attention to it was probably much related to the fact that for most people, Donald was and is the voice and public face of Steely Dan, he released his first solo album shortly after the last Old Testament Dan album (Gaucho), his solo albums are far more similar to the typical musical universe of the Dan than Walter's. Donald even got the looks, which should really not be of much importance in this corner of the music industry, but I bet it has anyway. Walter is probably used to being regarded as the underdog of the two by now.
So what will happen next is anybody's guess, but if health allows it and they still enjoy eachother's company and have a few more SD songs in them, we might get another round of new studio material in the future. The fact that Walter (according to Donald) showed no interest in taking part in the Sunken Condos project is not a good sign, though.
Lucky for us, the results of Don & Michael's joint efforts became a brilliant album anyway.

Re: I Idolize You

A lovely, warm and live sounding recording indeed. However, I do find the sound of the ride cymbal a little problematic, as it fills up every possible hole and leaves little room for air in the mix, yet missing the top frequency it ought to carry. This could of course just be because what we hear in the YT clip is not the full and uncompressed audio in all its glory. Despite this small imperfection, the drums are really breathing as if all the fresh air in the world was available...
The "Hallmark Steely Dan Chord Progression" and harmonic resolution of the guitar solo part is no less than ingenious, as is Jon's stylistic trip itself.
Last but not least, the upgraded v.2.0 lyrics fits neatly into the Dan tradition of half-heartedly and satirically embracing modern technology.

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 09:51:32 ET
Posted by: Michael, @Greg M

"Your wisdom speaks again. I guess drummers never compose in your mind, eh?"

You're putting words in my mouth. I stated that he's a drummer and whether or not he composes doesn't matter to me. That's not the same as saying "Keith cannot compose music." Besides, he's not chomping at the bit for work, so he must be doing something right.

As far as Walter is concerned, maybe he's working on new material with Donald ...or maybe not. Whatever. I've been pondering this issue of waiting for new music and have come to the realization that I shouldn't sit around and wait for somebody else to satiate my appetite. My view is, if you want the get something done right, you've got to do it yourself.

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 02:11:27 ET
Posted by: ,

>He busted ass to put out a decent album of mostly new material while being on the road for six years. It is Walt who is needed to make a true Steely Dan record and who is the lazy dog.

Well, Circus Money was absolute killer track after absolute killer track, and didn't sell nearly as well as Donald's stuff. So maybe the incentive isn't there.

Also: "Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." -Milan Kundera

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 00:07:49 ET
Posted by: µ,

sorry - I mean Jazz and Jim...

Date: Sun, March 17, 2013, 00:06:59 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Jim,

Yeah, that's great stuff - maybe the best track by Steely Dan II with a nice laid back live feel. A few of the chords they slip in just after the bridge slipping into remind me a little of "Can't Write Home About You" More kewl chords just before and during the guitar solo - masterful.

Carlock sounds especially good.

love the new bonus lyrics

Date: Sat, March 16, 2013, 16:38:49 ET
Posted by: Boris, Madison, WI

I guess Carlock is something like Zak Starkey. Doesn't want to be the frontman. Prefers to be part of a band.

Date: Sat, March 16, 2013, 15:58:10 ET
Posted by: Greg M, ...

<<Doesn't really matter -- he's a drummer.>>

Your wisdom speaks again. I guess drummers never compose in your mind, eh?

Date: Sat, March 16, 2013, 15:54:44 ET
Posted by: Michael, @Julo

"Aside from drum clinics, Keith Carlock hasn't expressed any desire to form his own band (yet). He seems content on being the drummer for Steely Dan and playing jazz gigs with Wayne Krantz, Will Lee, etc."

Does Keith compose? I'm not sure. *shrugs* Doesn't really matter -- he's a drummer.

Date: Sat, March 16, 2013, 11:26:44 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello, Baton Rouge

@ Jazzassin, re "I Idolize You: Thanks. Interesting discussion. I was completely astounded to come across this track. I had never heard it before. Just when you think you ought to know everything...How did I miss it?

Date: Sat, March 16, 2013, 07:41:18 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, @Julo

Carlock hasn't expressed any desire to form his own band yet?

Well, aside from RUDDER

http://www.ruddermusic.com/about.html

which is in fact his regular "own" band, he's also somtimes the touring drummer for Sting, John Mayer and a few others. And then there is the other gigs that you mention, and also the clinics.

Busy young gentleman, Keith.

Date: Sat, March 16, 2013, 07:12:00 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, @Jim Taylor

Jim, there was a discussion about "Idolize" here at The Blue in april 2009. If you want to take a look at what was said back then, please try this link

http://www.dandom.com/guestbook/042009.html

and eventually use the "find" function to highlight the comments that contains the song title.

Great version by SD, btw. I idolize them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f8vt3Lpxr0

Basically me thinks Doc Mu is right, and that the lineup was as following:

piano: Jim Beard
organ: Donald Fagen
Rhodes: Ted Baker
guitar, guitar solo: Jon Herington
guitar: Walter Becker
bass: Freddie Washington, Jr.
drums: Keith Carlock

Probably recorded in November, 2008

Date: Sat, March 16, 2013, 00:48:01 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Hey, I am sitting here listening to "I Idolize You." I know next to nothing about it. When was it recorded? Who played on It? Who played the guitar solo? Etc., Etc. Any info would be appreciated.

Date: Fri, March 15, 2013, 17:42:31 ET
Posted by: Julo, Phoenix, AZ

Aside from drum clinics, Keith Carlock hasn't expressed any desire to form his own band (yet). He seems content on being the drummer for Steely Dan and playing jazz gigs with Wayne Krantz, Will Lee, etc.

Date: Fri, March 15, 2013, 17:22:12 ET
Posted by: dvaxhnwi, UPREFDpOuzcYPsg

2cLKtJ <a href="http://iisezvwdakwe.com/">iisezvwdakwe</a>, [url=http://cfdjvgutypuc.com/]cfdjvgutypuc[/url], [link=http://gjpplodjttxu.com/]gjpplodjttxu[/link], http://pyxktqnkqpsh.com/

Date: Fri, March 15, 2013, 15:34:44 ET
Posted by: Mike V,

Looking forward to the summer shows.

Date: Fri, March 15, 2013, 10:53:25 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, home of the friendly stranger in the black sedan

Fagenism; Still, thanks for the good intentions.

Brutus: Happy Ides.

Caesar: I guess not so happy.

Thanks, Dean and Doc.

Date: Fri, March 15, 2013, 02:01:23 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Glad to see Erskine get some props.

Carlock is amazing. Sometimes for me he doesn't lay back in the pocket enough for an SD drummer.

If there is a quintessential SD drummer, for me it is Jeff Porcaro, because he could fill and lay down an R&B groove. A non noise-reduction fiasco KL would have showcased even more the interaction between Porcaro and Rainey.

Date: Thurs, March 14, 2013, 23:53:28 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

I saw Erskine, DC and Carlock. IMHO, Carlock is the drummer that D and W were always looking for. Stays out of his own way, but is technically brilliant. They loved DC, but let's not forget that Walter said, (I think in San Diego, 2011) "When he(Carlock )quits, so do I." I think that Carlock is the Best SD drummer. That's my opinion.

Date: Thurs, March 14, 2013, 21:40:44 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

3-14-2006 - Morph the Cat released. Pi day.

Date: Thurs, March 14, 2013, 15:37:26 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Greg - I guess I should've been more detailed about what I wrote in that I seem to remember some story...that I think came out here on The Blue...re: Erskine's playing and how the guys felt about it. Unfortunately, I don't recall much detail about it, although I do recall finding it difficult to believe. If said story happens to be untrue, then I would be thankful to know that. It was several, if not more, years ago when that got posted. Maybe I read it on one of several drum forums I visit. Who knows? If anyone else here recalls, feel free to chime in.

Here's what I can say without doubt: Erskine is a Monster!! I saw him in Atlanta on the 93 tour and as far as my drumming ears are/were concerned, he nailed it!! Believe me, I'm a fan! I'd also love to see the boys bring Erskine back! Steve Jordan would be a helluva good choice! Again, there's no shortage of guys who would bring a new and interesting vibe to the sound.

Date: Thurs, March 14, 2013, 15:24:07 ET
Posted by: Danfan , Toronto, Ontario

My contact up here in the big smoke, said to look for a Toronto show in early Aug. when the tour is announced. Looking forward to a great show.

Date: Thurs, March 14, 2013, 12:18:29 ET
Posted by: Greg M, ny

<<<Erskine was great! Although seems like I remember the fellas not being all that into his playing...or something like that.>>>

Agree with the first part; but the second part I question because:

1) After the Dennis Chambers 1994 stint, Erskine was called again to play shows with the band in 1995 (and did so).

2) DF had nice things to say about Erskine's playing in a recent interview (well, last 5 years) about the various drummers SD has used. I don't have the cite but he was saying that Erskine was a "powerful and exciting" drummer.

Date: Thurs, March 14, 2013, 10:55:13 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Erskine was great! Although seems like I remember the fellas not being all that into his playing...or something like that. He's got a drumming resume equivalent to a Harvard law degree. Then came Dennis Chambers, then Lawson, and so on.

It would be interesting to see some fresh faces playing some fresh tunes. We'll see.

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 22:48:54 ET
Posted by: Stinkfish, San Diego,CA

Peter Erskine was my favorite drummer with Steely Dan. Now if they brought him back, then that would make it a definite "must go" for this new tour.

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 21:54:03 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

While I'm throwing out my somewhat wishlist, I'd also love to see a different drummer. Love Carlock! He is nothing short of groove infectious! But then, so are countless other players. That goes for guitar (bring Drew Zingg back!!...or whoever else) as well as other musicians. Just mix something up!

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 21:18:06 ET
Posted by: bkrrxqzaor, France

bzvsleboepn, <a href="http://www.dzpwviblmi.com">cdtyvxfral</a>

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 19:41:23 ET
Posted by: Greg M, ny

<<I stoppped going to shows when EVERY encore was:
FM
Don't Take me Alive
My Old School>>

Well, then you missed the last 8 years of shows where the encores haven't been that.

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 18:54:22 ET
Posted by: Dread Moray Eel, Work

I stoppped going to shows when EVERY encore was:

FM
Don't Take me Alive
My Old School

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 16:32:07 ET
Posted by: fagenism, Bleecker Street

Fuck the gaucho
In the brite niteponcho

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 15:59:32 ET
Posted by: habemus papam,

A new pope from Argentina sounds like good fodder for a new Steely Dan song. Have at it guys. Work the tango angle.

Date: Wed, March 13, 2013, 13:48:45 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Ted - no clarification needed! I'm with ya! I'd love to see more solo stuff and or, like I said earlier, different stuff! I love it that they tour just about every year now...I guess it's just that the magic of them touring, for me anyway, has worn off.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 22:44:27 ET
Posted by: Rage, Megaphones

Most certainly a bookkeeper's son.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/12/justice/washington-manhunt/

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 20:21:05 ET
Posted by: ted, Seattle

Josey: I'm well aware of that. I saw 10 shows in 1993. The solo stuff has been off limits at SD shows since the 2000's. I guess I should have clarified that.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 19:33:13 ET
Posted by: Howie, Seattle, WA

Hehe...those were the good old days, Jim. Back then, they played two sets of music with no opening act. Unfortunately, it won't happen again.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 19:05:06 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

I saw the 1993 tour in Nashville. A few years ago I went and tracked down a set list from the evening. I was astounded to see what solo material was played. IGY, Greenflower St., Tomorrow's Girls, Countermoon, Teahouse On the Tracks, Fall of '92, Book of Liars.. And that's just what I remember. I can't remember if the did New Frontier. I don't think that they did. I would kill to see a set list like that today. (substitute Paging Audrey and Somebody's Saturday Night for BOL and FO'92) But I won't. I'll be happy anyway.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 18:14:51 ET
Posted by: Butch Patrick, Los Angeles, CA

I wonder what shape Walter will be in for this new tour? He was sitting down a lot on the 2011 Shuffle Diplomacy tour.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 16:06:22 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

2008 tour featured New Frontier. But I think that was it from the 2006 Summer SD tour until now.

Still dreaming of a solo-tunes night in NYC or NYC, Boston, Philly, Chicago and other big Danfan hub cities.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 16:04:44 ET
Posted by: mobile home,

-TheNightfly, I think they only played Mobile Home on Rarities night. The Bear was played other places.

I would love to hear 2nd Arr, Kulee, The Bear and Mobile Home live again. Also would be nice to hear one cut each from Donald and Walter solo catalog. I bet they'll sound fantastic live. Originally I wasn't thrilled with Morph, but seeing those tunes live was a revelation.

Also would love to know all the lyrics to Mobile Home.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 15:47:42 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

Solo material was not off limits on their 93 tour. I just want to see them do something different. Especially considering the money tix cost these days. I've been a serious fan of these guys now since I was a kid, but I feel like I've seen the same show now about 14 times, with the exception of the 2000 tour. That tour had a great mix of songs! And it's not like I don't love the same songs they play every tour, but throw a few curves at us!

It's not like everyone gets to go to New York and see the ONE night where they play some deep cuts.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 14:11:14 ET
Posted by: ted, Seattle

TheNightfly93: Apparently solo work is of limits at a SD show.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 13:57:20 ET
Posted by: TheNightfly93, South Jersey

Since the Dan had a Rarities Night in 2011, and I was at that show, I was BEYOND ecstatic to hear "the second arrangement" and "the bear". Hell even "This All Too Mobile Home" was even a treat (although they played this a few times that year at other shows). Nevertheless, I would certainly like to hear the following...

-Green Flower Street
-New Frontier
-Weather In My Head
-Miss Marlene

-songs off of EMG & TAN
This is a big stretch, but: Kulee Baba, The Bear, & 2nd Arrangement...

All of this talking is making me excited.

-TheNightfly

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 12:01:25 ET
Posted by: casual fan, orlando

Myron, I was aware of that. I meant that its a good resource to go to as dates are added.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 11:51:25 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Dean, what about during the 70's? You know, when they were always in the studio, working on material, especially after '74 when they stopped touring for the decade. I can understand wanting to live up to certain expectations, but still... Even if they don't feel like recording a full album at this time, why not put together at least a few new tunes on an EP? That way, at least they've got something new to add to the setlist.

Besides, their self-criticism is usually unwarranted. For example, they weren't satisfied enough with those Gaucho outtakes to incorporate them into an album, yet those songs are nothing short of genius.

diligent donald, I don't know what's going on with Walter, but if he's too tired and/or unhealthy then why is he touring?

<

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 10:56:47 ET
Posted by: Myron, R

It was already listed on the venue website. No further verification necessary.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 10:39:01 ET
Posted by: casual fan, orlando

The Chicago-area date is now on Pollstar, which I find to be a pretty solid site for listing dates as they are announced.

http://www.pollstar.com/resultsArtist.aspx?ID=12151

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 10:07:02 ET
Posted by: diligent donald,

DF is the work horse. He busted ass to put out a decent album of mostly new material while being on the road for six years. It is Walt who is needed to make a true Steely Dan record and who is the lazy dog. Either that or maybe he is not healthy or is tired of creating and recording. And if a new SD album never happens you now know why.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 09:06:56 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Mike, Don has been pretty open about his writing routine and it sounds pretty diligent to me. But just because he is writing doesn't mean he is creating material he feels good enough about to record and/or play. Of course the recording process has it's own set of time considerations. As for performing, he and Walt have plenty of material they rarely play--much of it newer--so they aren't simply playing old stuff because nothing else is available to them.

But creating art, and art you feel good enough to release to the world, isn't simply about time. You can work on it, but you may not even finish most of the stuff you start. Yes there are artists that release any worthless thing they create, but that has simply never been Don and Walt. So your assumption that no new music = lazy is entirely flawed, IMO. Don and Walt aren't working for McDonald's pumping out jingles. If they were, you'd be right.

Date: Tues, March 12, 2013, 08:32:02 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Sorry Dean, I can't agree. If you're a musician by profession, you ought to spend time working on new material. That's my take on it.

The only way to become proficient at composing and arranging is by doing it, NOT by studying music theory. I know because when I first started composing, despite learning a bit about theory, my work was rather abysmal. But then as time went on, I began to steadily improve.

I consider people who just go out and perform preexisting tunes for the sake of an easy pay-day to be LAZY.

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 17:59:49 ET
Posted by: Ned, G

Both require good pipes and the ability to get shit in the can.

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 16:13:44 ET
Posted by: the art of fixing a toilet,

The Dean, clearly you don't know much about plumbing.

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 14:00:32 ET
Posted by: King Richard, Louisville

I meant 2011 - seems like yesterday

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 13:52:11 ET
Posted by: King Richard, Louisville

A friend of mine is director of sales and marketing for the venue in louisville where the dan played last summer - she informs me that the GM is 'in negotiations' with the tour.

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 11:22:07 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Yes it has been a long time since I have heard Fagen and Becker referred to as Manson and Starkweather. Funny stuff.

Michael, creating great music (or any art) isn't the same as fixing the toilet.

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 09:21:03 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

Jim Taylor thanks, not sure I ever thought I would see Charlie Starkweather namechecked here, but it made my day none the less.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 08:06:12 ET
Posted by: Michael, *small correction*

525,600 minutes

Date: Mon, March 11, 2013, 08:05:32 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Let's see... There are 365 days in a normal year (366 in a leap year); that's 8,760 hours... 525,600 hours... 31,536,000 seconds. If within that timespan they cannot (or do not want to) find the time to compose new music, well, that's rather shameful. If you're an artist by occupation, you should discipline yourself.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 22:22:16 ET
Posted by: Finch, Boston, MA

All this talk of a new Steely Dan album is just wishful thinking. We are going to get a summer tour this year with one or two cuts from Sunken Condos probably added to the setlist. That's gonna be it.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 22:01:11 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, up on the hill

the second reel to reel with Sakka Joewea sold today for $467

if it was somebody on here, do consider sharing. does anyone know anything at all about this tune???

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 21:23:27 ET
Posted by: Michael,

If they are indeed working on new material, which they should be, it's a safe bet a few cuts will find their way into the live set. One (rather awesome) idea is to sell an EP including a few of the new tracks during the tour, then follow up with the full album later in the year.

As for SA, I highly doubt they'll re-record it, but you never know. It sure wouldn't hurt.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 21:15:22 ET
Posted by: agree with Chuck in NY,

Yes SD needs to move on with their most recent work as many artists do. The ones that don't do not have the large amount of songs that SD and DF have recorded fairly recently.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 20:28:16 ET
Posted by: uoheptshry, New York

zIXBbU <a href="http://qqfbaufhxuhc.com/">qqfbaufhxuhc</a>, [url=http://uevrqxkrevgl.com/]uevrqxkrevgl[/url], [link=http://xnqrdtbakwyd.com/]xnqrdtbakwyd[/link], http://whsrytewsjxs.com/

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 20:26:08 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

No "Manson" or "Starkweather" in those letters.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 20:13:09 ET
Posted by: Chuck, NY

Donald/Walter have had plenty of chances to re-record and release "The Second Arrangement" but have not done so. The performance of the song for Rarities Night was a fun lark but I can understand their wanting to move on. I don't think its inclusion on a new album will have much appeal outside the SD fanbase who will buy the album anyway.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 20:10:01 ET
Posted by: Steve Gennarelli, Tampa FL

I agree completely about "The Second Arrangement"...If that was given its "studio version" due...it would create a special buzz about a new SD album.
But "Everything Must Go" got lots of hype being the follow up to "2 Against Nature"...I remember Borders being filled up with posters and promotional material for "Everything Must Go".
Looking forward to this Summer's Tour...and a new album whenever it comes out.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 17:45:45 ET
Posted by: Manny, T

2A only has significance to people who would buy a new SD release anyway. It could only increase sales if it became a hit. Its history is irrelevant.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 16:43:31 ET
Posted by: Lee, Tampa

Thinking about a possible new album, I remember how when TAN was released, there was a huge amount of publicity about SD and the album, and rightfully so, given that it was their first new album in decades. That publicity had an obviously positive effect on the album's sales.

Looking at the next one, if and when it happens, there is one hook that could get them almost as much publicity as they did when they released TAN: If they re-recorded The Second Arrangement for that album, the great story of the fabled song that was mostly erased over thirty years ago, finally being released on the new album, THAT would reap huge PR benefits!

The thing is, having that song on the album would allow for the remaining new songs to get a great amount of exposure they otherwise would not get, which could be a real positive to the guys, if they thought about it that way.

Of course, I know that they have issues with that song, and would probably not do what I am suggesting, but given that they recently put together a new arrangement of the song, practiced it, and then played it live (very well, too), shouldn't that make it easier to produce for a new album?

I hold out no real hope, but an album with The Second Arrangement as a strong publicity yielding element would definitely give sales a big shot in the arm. I'd love to hear some thoughts on this.

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 13:44:35 ET
Posted by: Graphic, Artist

The yellow letters are the same as the ones in the track listing printed on the CD insert. Pretty sure it's just 21st century graphic art - although if the letters spelled out 'Manson is God' I would be inclined to re-think . . . .

Date: Sun, March 10, 2013, 09:22:13 ET
Posted by: Aja1, Newton

ThIs may have been discussed way back in 2003/04 when EMG came out on DVD-Audio format, but I don't remember a specific discussion. While listening to the entire album last nigh on lovely high res while rocking my baby daughter to sleep, I was again able to see each track displayed on the screen. Not much changes on each track, unlike All the DF high res discs. On EMG, each song shows the same picture of Don and Walt sitting next to each other with a different kind of clock face on the right side. At the top the track title is displayed. What I'm curious about is that each track title is printed in mostly bluefish color letters, but in each case a select few letters are in yellow. For example, on track #1, The Last Mall, all the letters are blue except h s l l and so on for each song. This is the final listing of yellow letters in order by track:
hsll
iii
c
ock
aae
green
x
uwin
hso

Or, in order hslliiicockaaegreenxuwinhso

Anyone spend any time trying to figure out the significance of the yellow letters? There are clearly some words in there like cock, green, u win. But the other letters don't seem to have any patterns. That those few are decipherable makes me certain there is a message to understand.

Date: Sat, March 09, 2013, 23:55:08 ET
Posted by: pftyudhs, New York

BIUv5V <a href="http://rybqbhledrer.com/">rybqbhledrer</a>, [url=http://qziqerholmns.com/]qziqerholmns[/url], [link=http://oxxfwlpylrbh.com/]oxxfwlpylrbh[/link], http://lhcejhzjawct.com/

Date: Sat, March 09, 2013, 16:21:57 ET
Posted by: geo,

If I posted on here every time I heard a SD song being played outside of my home, I'd be posting every other day.

Date: Sat, March 09, 2013, 14:22:18 ET
Posted by: pixeleen,

Heard "Bad Sneakers" at the local Home Depot today.

Good stuff !!

Date: Sat, March 09, 2013, 10:45:16 ET
Posted by: Updraught, Philly Area

I'm fine with their playing it safe, I'm just happy they will play!

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 20:47:39 ET
Posted by: Kasey, K

Not sure what chart had Do It Again at #1, but it peaked for three weeks at #6 on the Billboard pop chart.

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 20:39:57 ET
Posted by: Butterbean, Denver, CO

I still think Donald and Walt will play it safe again for this new tour. They will probably play the entire Aja album plus the hits and another night of Internet/Facebook fan request songs. I can only hope I'm wrong.

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 20:31:11 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

The latest edition of the Dandom Digest was just mailed a few minutes ago. This one covered February 1-March 7, 2013. (The previous Dandom Digest was dated January 1-31, 2013.)

If you are a subscriber, you should see it in your email box in the next couple of hours. If you don't receive it, check your spam filters first; then, if it's not there, please email me.

As I regularly remind subscribers, some people have problems with delivery of the Dandom Digest, usually because of their spam filters, firewalls, etc. That's why this sort of notice is posted here--so you can look for it.

The following are the subject headlines of the Dandom Digest for February 1-March 7, 2013.

=======

- 40 years ago....Do It Again..hits #1
- Steely Dan is touring this summer
- DF & Olabelle
- Revisiting SD's 2001 Grammy Wins
- 2010 Interview with Gary Katz
- Keyboard Interview: DF & Michael Leonhart
- DF on Rhodes Webisode
- Oh Donald
- Second Arrangement at Howard's SD Guitar Tabs
- DonaldFagen.com Becomes Facebook Page
- Boz cover "Pearl of the Quarter"
- Jazz Mostly on Catherine Russell
- Catherine Russell News
- Herington & Carlock, Oz Noy at Iridium
- Drew Zingg Debut album...
- "Steely Dan has the best fans"


=======

If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to receive the free Dandom Digest email newsletter, please email me at hoops AT dandom DOT com or see http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest.

For the record, the Dandom Digest is a newsletter with unofficial content written by and for the fans of Steely Dan. The newsletter is independent of, nor to be confused with, the glorious and much more glamorous official newsletters from steelydan.com, walterbecker.com, donaldfagen.com and other sites of Steely Dan associates.

Thanks for your support through the years, especially Pete and Shari, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Winterbottom, and espcially thinking of Mark and Bill, and not to mention one or two people who request anonymity.

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 16:15:27 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, a room in the mind

The album nights were a nice variation from the norm, and let's not forget the run of special setlist shows at the Beacon. how many bands have ever done a Rarities Night??? fucking awesome it was.

here's hoping they will perform a few more albums in their entirety. why not Katy Lied, Pretzel Logic, and Countdown? why not TvN and EMG? and let's hear some Sunken Condos!

so many tunes I'd still love to hear them play...

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 14:50:17 ET
Posted by: Agent ot Change,

Don and Walt put great creativity into their records. Now they need to put some of that into these concerts.

Obama promised change. Steely Dan needs to live up to that promise

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 13:18:01 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Thanks, Dean. I was always under the impression that the order on Citizen Steely Dan was the order they recorded the songs in, as oposed to how they appear on the albums. But you're right, that leaves a lot of room for "finishing."

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 12:27:29 ET
Posted by: LL, Q

Cubano Chant was brought back for the Austrailian tour. The year they used Jeri as the opener in the US.

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 09:51:18 ET
Posted by: Greg M, white plains

<<so Blues Beach was performed in '03... how many times? which shows? any recordings?>>

A few times I think. Maybe even once. Here is the setlist from Portland:


Keller Auditorium
Portland, OR
August 1, 2003


Set 1

01 Cubano Chant (Ray Bryant Instrumental)
02 Aja
03 Time Out of Mind
04 GodWhacker
05 Caves of Altamira
06 Blues Beach
07 Babylon Sisters
08 Slang of Ages
09 Peg
10 Home at Last

Set 2

01 The Steely Dan Show
02 Janie Runaway >
03 Hey 19
04 Haitian Divorce
05 Things I Miss the Most
06 Parkers Band
07 Josie
08 Kid Charlemagne
09 Don't Take Me Alive
10 My Old School
11 FM

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 09:11:19 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

Nicholas Urkel, I am in total agreament with you about Cubano Chant
as an opener, F*CKING INCREDABLE!!! My drug addeled memory says
it was the 2003 Tour, however it may have continued after that.
PS:Also loved the 1993 opener Royal Scam-Bad Sneakers-Aja. Sorry
about my spelling, I am a third grade dropout, left school to
follow the Dead. Done Babbling

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 08:58:32 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

I was fortunate enough to see them play "Lunch" and "EMG" at the Atlanta show in 2003. Two weeks later saw them do "Last Mall" in Vegas.

Unless they add a ton of new stuff and or some different selection than what they've typically done, which they're not going to do, I'm probably going to save my cash this time around. I've been to about 13 or 14 shows...last time here in Boston was so expensive.

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 08:33:38 ET
Posted by: PETE EVANS, MANCHESTER UK

Hi Toni, I agree with you ! Surely some European dates this time round ? And how about playing in Manchester where the original line up did its first ever European gig ? Come on guys.

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 02:39:38 ET
Posted by: Toni,

Its funny that you guys can worry about what theiy play. I have to worry that they will stop by at any place near me. As much as i love them I do not travel to america for a concert. Europe deserves some love, please! The should play some mor new stuff by the way.

Date: Fri, March 08, 2013, 00:29:04 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Kewl. Don't expect more than the 70's mood ring and pet rock collection, though.

BTW, MTC > EMG and SC > TvN


Paging Audrey and Downtown Canon are arguably the best recorded songs since Aja.


Potter is God


SC the opposite aerial view of Katy comparison soon...

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 23:32:28 ET
Posted by: Chad Brown, Anaheim, CA

I always thought Joey DeFrancesco was a great opener for Steely Dan on the 2008 tour. I like Sam Yahel, but I hope they choose somebody else to open for this new 2013 tour.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 21:15:45 ET
Posted by: CJB, YVR

Having seen the world's best living band 9 times now, I'd love to hear some newish, or seldom-performed stuff.

Rarities Night + Y2K Nite in New York were pretty excellent, & it'd be great to hear some of those less often performed tunes again, plus cuts from "Condos," "Circus Money," yadda yadda. Hell, it'd be great to hear "Tomorrow's Girls" or "Book of Liars," or some of those other once upon a time Popular Favorites.

But, The Duo write the set list. I pays my money and takes my chances, grateful and amused to be watching my favorite band live, something that, when I started listening to their music back in the mid-80s, I never thought I'd have the chance to do.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 21:13:54 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, medicine park

so Blues Beach was performed in '03... how many times? which shows? any recordings?

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 20:51:44 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, cyn

What if...

The Donald opened with a 45 minute solo set? Instead of Yahel or whomever.

Passed by The Beacon earlier, The Allmans are there in the midst of a 17 show March Madness run. The Donald had once stated that they (SD) would challenge that run sometime. Seemed to be plenty of open space there from late July through mid-September.

Just sayin'.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 20:39:32 ET
Posted by: Chet, B

I agree with Brain. The 2vN title track gets a real crowd reaction. It's the climax of the show when included.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 20:29:23 ET
Posted by: Brain Strainer, Gaspe' Peninsula

I would suggest that the stuff of Dan shows should move forward to the New Millenium. In other words, OUT with the Old Testament. Period. A recommended syllabus could be as follows:

1. Shows that include Album sides of EMG and TAN or their entirety

2. Use most if not all of the songs of EMG and TAN (17) which in itself could almost hold down an hour and a half show. Not all of the songs would ever be used on a given night.

3 Improvisation of the songs that lend themselves to it such as West of Hollywood and TAN title track. If done right, either of those could jam on for 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Solo work from either DF or WB could be added to flesh out where needed. An exception would be made for the solo tunes, pre-2000 material could be used since so little of it has been performed live.

5. At least 5 songs from Sunken Condos should be used, but not on the same night.

6. Absolutely NO cover tunes like Last Tango, Mock Turtle etc. They have more than enough of their own material.

Some rarities would be cool, but it might be tough to rehearse and tighten those tunes up for live performance for such a short tour. Besides, the rarities are from the pre-Dan or Old Testament period.

More than anything, before either WB, DF or myself EXPIRES, I would like to see something that we have not much (never?) seen, and that is for these guys to let it RIP and jam out on some of their tunes, using mood, key and instrument changes, solos, etc. which these session musicians are more than capable of doing...

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 18:50:26 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. Still Drinkin'

Thanks, Lutz. My point was it was unusual for more than two songs to be played from the new one in any particular show. I'm pretty sure the show I saw on that tour had two from 2vN. If you are correct, that may have been an anomaly. But the few setlists I found from that tour (after a very brief search) found two songs from EMG. I understand that, over the course of the tour, more songs were played. But anyone thinking most of the new album will be played at the concert they attend is deluding themselves.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 18:17:40 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Lutz - Don't Take Me Alive was also a welcome pleasure that tour. I was sad to see it dropped - either mostly or completely - from the last tour.

Not that they usually repeat such things, but Cubano Chant was a sweet opener (I can't remember which tour off the top of my head).

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 17:13:40 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

Dean, I would say 2-4 per show on average.
Slang and Gina did not make a lot of setlists, Godwhacker almost each one, Timtm often and Mall here and there.
I forgot Blues Beach, which makes it 6 songs from EMG.
Overall it was my favorite tour as far as setlists go, with Caves, Haitian divorce, Home at last and such gems in there.
As great as Jim Beard and Freddie W. are, Ted Baker and Tom Barney also had a lot to contribute. The younger singers were quite the attraction on stage, as Walter liked to point out.
The new songs were received pretty well I thought, at least out here in CA.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 16:13:00 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

Lutz and Greg: Are you suggesting they played 5-6 EMG songs at most shows or over the course of the tour?

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 15:12:08 ET
Posted by: Greg M, white plains ny

Yes, EMG was performed in 2003.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 14:53:23 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

Dean,
they actually played at least 5 if not 6 EMG songs on that tour in 2003.
Mall, Timtm, Godwhacker, Slang, Lunch. Not sure if EMG was played that year but on later tours they covered that as well.
Wouldn't it be nice to get some surprises like this again!

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 14:31:24 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Thanks Hoops and Lewis and Andy.

I'll take whatever they give me. If there's another rarities night, I'm there. If not, I hope to hit up a couple shows in Boston.

I do hope Becker is in better health. His strained playing was the only disappointing part of the otherwise fantastic 2011 shows.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 13:50:26 ET
Posted by: yes, It's him

http://www.davidpalmerimages.com/

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 13:44:40 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG, PA

I will put my two cents in on what I would love to hear but I am sure
won't. Katy Lied in all its glory
Third World Man
Caves of Altamira
Green Flower Street
Miss Marlene
The Boston Rag
Regardless, I cannot wait to see them. My list could have been a mile long, but thought I better limit myself.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 13:31:07 ET
Posted by: NY area, fan

Geo,

I had seen about 25 shows, four of them at the Beacon. That was enough for me to pass on rarities night. Part of it was that I was aware that they had somebody exactly like me in their crosshairs with it.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 12:47:02 ET
Posted by: TO Danfan, wishing

Seeing my favorite band playing some of my favorite tunes is never a waste of time to me.

Of course I would love to hear them play the solo stuff. But have to agree with Dean that its not likely to happen. I've only seen SD 4 times, but never heard them play any solo tunes. When CM came out they were selling it for 10 bucks at the souvenir stand....actually getting my hopes up... but alas, it was not meant to be. Like Dean says, it is true that when touring after a new release, they, like most older bands, play only 2 or 3 from the new one. When I saw Fagen he did 3....BriteN, Mary, What I Do. SD did 3....GodW, Slang, Gina

So this is some of what I want to hear this time around...but almost certainly will not:
- one or more new SD songs
- 3 songs by both from their solo releases
- full performance nights of Katy and PL
- The Bear
- Only a Fool Would Say That
- Rikki
- Rose
- Wu
- Haitian D with Don singing
- Gold Teeth 2
- Wetside

Whatever they play I'm sure it will be great and I am just really happy that they are getting out there to Do It Again!

Cheers

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 12:00:27 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, on the quick

I wonder what the theme will be. I think we can count on "Aja night" in some cities. But will they do another rarities night in NYC? Probably they can't or won't do a whole tour of solo stuff, but how about a designated night in NYC of solo stuff where each does a few solo tracks. Heck, maybe they could even each trade a song in mutual homage as part of the gig--maybe DF does "Downtown Cannon" or "Paging Audrey" while Walter covers "Weather in My Head." (Elton John and Billy Joel do this during their joint shows--EJ does "Honesty" or "Just The Way You Are" while BJ does "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.") I know--it's all too cute--just throwing it out there.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 11:57:57 ET
Posted by: Toni,

http://web.archive.org/web/20120401000000*/http://donaldfagen.com

here you can find whats left of Donaldfagen.com

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 11:37:24 ET
Posted by: geo,

Dean: What I meant by "a waste of time" was for the hardcore fans that have seen 50+ shows. I mean how many times can you hear the same songs live over and over again? I mean personally, is it worth it for me to shell out $300 because I might hear one song they never played before? I don't believe it is. Now, if I knew they were going to play most of the songs from Sunken Condos, I wouldn't have any problem pulling my wallet out of my pocket for a bunch of shows.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 10:43:28 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

geo, the chances of them playing more than two songs from Condos is close to non-existent, IMO. I'll be a bit surprised if they play even one--but who knows.

For most shows during the 200o tour (the 2vN tour) I don't think they played more than two songs from that album. Same with the tour after EMG. I don't think SD has played ANY songs from Morph or Circus Money. and when I saw the Donald Fagen Band in concert after the Morph the Cat release, they played one, or possibly two, songs from MTC.

And I don't ever consider any SD concert a "waste of time". IMO that's crazy talk!

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 10:10:21 ET
Posted by: geo,

If SD doesn't play the majority of Sunken Condos, this tour is a waste of time!

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 09:08:45 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

OK, it's on. Thanks, Hoops.

And thanks again to Lewis.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 08:35:29 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Steely Dan is touring this summer.

They just announced on the radio that Steely Dan is playing Ravinia (in Highland Park, a Ritzy north suburb of Chicago and south of Milwaukee), Thursday and Friday, August 1 & 2.

Sure enough:

http://www.ravinia.org/ViewDate.aspx?show=592

http://www.ravinia.org/ViewDate.aspx?show=592

And a big "Thank you" to whomever posted several weeks ago that they were touring July through September.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 08:29:13 ET
Posted by: Michael, @Chris

"If you listen to any of the piano and bass demos for any tunes that ended up getting the album treatment, it's abundantly clear that all the pieces are there, minus horn parts. Larry Carlton would be the first to admit this. This is also songwriting 101 stuff ... like when my high school big band played Stella by Starlight, there were a million schmaltzy touches by some arranger, but the song was still credited to Victor Young.

That's not to say arranging isn't an art, and the fact that Larry Carlton transcribed their stuff by ear is amazing. But a co-songwriter he was not."

That's evident just by listening to his solo output which doesn't sound anything like SD. Carlton's playing style is so lyrical, lush and melodic, which really accentuates the mood of whatever he's working on. For instance, have a listen to this song by Eumir Deodato, titled San Juan Sunset. Although the song is radiant in and of itself, Larry's playing really brings it up a notch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYi3oW-xtas

Incidentally, two of Steve Khan's solo albums -- The Blue Man (1978) and Arrows (1979) -- are perhaps the closest of any of the 70's session players to the SD sound. There are some exceptional compositions and stunning arrangements to be had, complimented by some rather tasty horns courtesy of the Brecker Bros. and David Sanborn. Highly recommended.

Some of Jay Graydon's solo output from the era is kind of similar in style and refinement, including his work with Airplay and Pages (AOR), but tends to sidetrack into the watered-down, lovey-dovey territory ...which is alright in small doses.

Date: Thurs, March 07, 2013, 01:08:10 ET
Posted by: Andy, nyc

About the summer tour, having spoken to a band member, it's apparently a go, or close enough that the individual is convinced it's on. However, there's a 50:50 chance of some player substitutions. Prob not permanent, just for certain dates. J Herrington wasn't mentioned and I'd be surprised simply because of his workload in any show, but I suppose it's possible. Seems it'll be a later summer affair, mostly.

I just hope they play some of the earlier albums from start to finish, but I'd be surprised, given Donald's quirky opinions about anything pre-Scam.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 23:38:34 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

I also have to question why we must conclude these masters are from Roger's vault. They very well could have belonged to Roger, and given the financial burden his illness caused, I can see why one might think that is a possibility. But these are outtakes and such, often of songs that never were actually fully produced. I imagine others in the studio could have walked off with these oddities.

Also, isn't it possible to fake a master? If you had the master, couldn't you make multiple reel-to-reel copies of it? Would the average EBay mook know the difference?

As for an anthology, I don't see it including outtakes and such, at least not ALL of them. But maybe that's just me.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 23:32:49 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Jim Taylor, Larry says he played on the "last track they were finishing" on Katy Lied, not the last track on the album. The order of their recording has little to do with the track order on the finished product.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 23:20:58 ET
Posted by: Haywood J., the Well of Souls

re- the mysterious reel to reel tapes

Cold P, how do you know Roger Nichols (R.I.P.) had "vast archives"?

I don't know that the eBay sale of these tapes is such a travesty... it's a shame on one hand that the collection hasn't been kept intact, but the tape-at-a-time method has given different people a chance to grab a piece of something that they think is gonna last, so to speak. Let's face it, only real SD fans/collectors are shelling out over $200 for a 40-year old tape with ~20 minutes of discarded material (assuming the tapes are actually legit). Law of averages says some of those bidders will be hoarders, some may not be. So we may get a listen at some point (again, assuming legitimacy).

I agree that an SD Anthology type set would be wonderful, but I don't see Don and Walt's careful quality control fostering the "warts n' all" approach taken with the Beatles Anthology, for example. They have refused to digitize their debut single "Dallas", so a throwaway like "Sakka Jeowewewda" getting their approval is a bit further than a long shot. The stuff in the discard pile is there with good reason.

and so it goes.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 21:24:02 ET
Posted by: tim weston, the stafford boy

...hey Cold P


here is a message board where the people discuss Nichols and the remastering saga

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/1998-steely-dan-remasters.203532/page-4

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 21:07:39 ET
Posted by: wow, Steely Dan 1972 never issued and this guy wants to

this guy is cruel...


"Tape is sold as-is, as used re-usable tape. Can be erased and re-used / re-recorded if you want to re-use the tape again"

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 21:04:31 ET
Posted by: cold porter, Village Recorder back alley

re- the mysterious reel to reel tapes

one can only assume that these tapes are from the vast archives of Roger Nichols...and it is a shame and travesty that they are being lost into some unknown collectors private collection...

Steely Dan deserve an Anthology type box set...their songs were uniquely conceived and put together....and of course if stories are to be believed their were many tracks that were discarded (Sakka Joweda etc)...Fagen states in a 1977 interview that they were working on 18 tracks for the double album of Ajia...which was never to be

apparently there is no communication between the Nichols estate and Becker and Fagen and whoever owns the right to these tracks....(MCA? Geffen??)....
a real travesty....real....and important popular music history is being lost right before out eyes on Ebay.....

does anyone have any insight into what happened with Fage/becker and Nichols??? i always thought they were on the same page???

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 18:34:13 ET
Posted by: A. Hale,

Doc Mu -

"The song Carlton played on was Daddy." Are you sure about that?

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 17:55:15 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, and why see

China Crisis
May 2, 2013 @ Iridium Jazz Club, NYC

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 17:46:50 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, n-why-c

Guitarist Alvin Lee from Ten Years After has died at the age of 68 from complications during a routine surgical procedure.

RIP

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 14:09:27 ET
Posted by: Jed Clampett, Beverly, Hills that is

Fagenism - my post contaied nothing but compliments and praise. If you have a compliments and praise thread, I'll post it there, too.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 13:53:13 ET
Posted by: fagenism, -

Jed Clampett:

If what you take away from my post is that I plan on creating a Steely Dan forum to hijack The BlueBook, you need Reading Comprehension 101.

If bringing up ideas about which aspects of The BlueBook could use an improvement make you this offended, you need to seriously widen your worldview.

Take a step back, you silly man.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 12:33:09 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

I should say "transcribed" rather than "wrote"

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 12:11:43 ET
Posted by: Ben, Indy

These masters are Headliners, but if Keith could do double-duty here's an opener for SD's Lucky 13 Tour:

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/full-show-wednesday-the-ringers-b-b-kings-nyc/

Sorry to Sam Yahel...

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 11:35:45 ET
Posted by: UH?, Forever the realist

Forever, the Optimist: Why don't take your wallet out of your pocket and buy it if you want to hear it so badly?

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 08:56:40 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, snowbound

not to take away from this place, but I for one would love a proper message board with threaded discussions. I was actually toying with the idea of setting one up last night. Imagine a section devoted to dissecting lyrics, and another for charts and chords, and one for tour dates as they become available, and one for unreleased songs, and one for stalking photos of the female singers... oh, the POSSIBILITIES.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 07:53:34 ET
Posted by: Jed Clampett, Hills, Beverly that is

Fagenism, gosh, on behalf of the tens of us that haunt this place, thank you for unlocking the mystery of the internet. Please post the link after you spend 30 minutes setting up your fantastic new SD discussion site so that we can all throng there. I, for one, can't wait to have some easy-to-follow threads. Wow.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 07:50:57 ET
Posted by: Forever, the Optimist

UH?: I would, but certainly you wouldn't. ;-)

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 07:41:13 ET
Posted by: UH?,

Another, Reel-to-Reel: The person who buy this Reel-to Reel will probably spend between $250- $500 for it. What makes you think he/she is just going to "share it"?

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 07:25:39 ET
Posted by: Another, Reel-to-Reel

A second reel-to-reel containing Sakka Joweda has shown-up on eBay. This one contains "3 different mixes / arrangments". I hope one day the good soul that is fortunate enough to afford these shares them with the loyal dandom. :-)

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 03:51:57 ET
Posted by: fagenism, A goof - a buzz.

I have a deep appreciation for what hoops is doing with this forum, but feel that the spam and lack of threaded discussions make it difficult to use. These things could easily be overcome by switching to a PHP type bulletin board or creating a Steely Dan subreddit; either option should take less than half an hour to set up. I know this discussion has come up before, and that privacy has been used as an argument in support for the current BlueBook format. Do know that Reddit does not even require an email address for registration; pick a nick, fill out a captcha, and you're good to go. A similar feature should be available for PHP boards.

(There is a Steely Dan subreddit already, but it is in no way thriving, and I believe the creator is no longer around.)

Either way, it is hoops's community and his call.

Date: Wed, March 06, 2013, 02:21:32 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Fagen could read music as a baritone player in the HS band, but probably didn't write more than an occasional lead sheet until Gaucho. Walter couldn't read/write I believe. Writing full charts for studio muscians is a pain, so leave it to the pros.

The song Carlton played on was Daddy. Omartian wrote the charts on Katy, probably Feldman helped earlier, except where indicated on the liner notes for horns, strings.

I'm not sure who wrote the 2 simple lead sheets (Donald possibly) and chord voicings (likely Dias) to the Steely Dan Songbook which can out ca. the Katy Lied period.

Here are the infamous liner notes where a certain chord type is introduced:

http://www.steelydan.com/songbook.html

At this time, with a "Little help from our friends", we are prepared to present not only the correct and complete lyrics for the songs in this book, but also an invaluable interpretive aid to be used in conjunction with these exclusive renderings for piano and/or guitar: The revelation and explanation of the dynamic µ major chord!

The µ major (moo major) chord is the most frequently used stylistic device in the arsenal of music effects responsible for defining and maintaining the distinctive Steely Dan sound. Without the µ major chord it would be impossible to achieve the airy, modern, almost jazzy quality that the sensitive listener can detect in just about every Steely Dan recording. The µ major chord is constructed as follows:

Date: Tues, March 05, 2013, 22:20:29 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello Baton Rouge

Soooo... any validity to the Louisville Palace report? Don't want to speculate, or anything...

Date: Tues, March 05, 2013, 18:39:22 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Since when does respect suggest suggest religious blindness? I suppose you can argue whether a website deserves respect. But clearly the person who provides this website for us, pays for and maintains it deserves our respect. We are using his resource. And, for what it's worth, he has EARNED our respect.

In fact many here could learn to treat their fellow posters with a bit more respect. You don't have to respect their knowledge, their musical taste or perhaps not even their opinions. But you should give them the respect due any person attempting to share and communicate. Name calling doesn't diminish the target of the attack, it simply makes the attacker look pretty pathetic, IMO.

Nate, for what it is worth I thought that was a fine post. I know several younger Dan fans who appreciate music beyond the garbage that is marketed to them--or should I say shoved down their throats--on a daily basis. I'll buy you a drink, should our paths cross.

Date: Tues, March 05, 2013, 05:42:31 ET
Posted by: TheNightfly93, South Jersey Grid of Desire

@HOOPS,

it's Nate. I just wanted to say that I really have a deep appreciate for Dandom and the Bluebook. As a younger generation Dangenius, I actually share the same interests as many of the people here. I am sickened day to day of the way things are now. I mean, as far as the music goes and the styles-- totally shit. But I liked the portion of that post where you talked about SD.COM and how so many of us can't appreciate it. It's like, well yeah at least SOMEONE SAID IT :) Always a pleasure Jim. I may be young but I have learned to approach such places/sites of repute with the utmost respect. I'm so glad to be a part of it all, even if it's just a small part. Hold on to that Slinky Thing'

-TheNightfly

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 21:26:17 ET
Posted by: Bikemann17, nj

Shark deville, I'm 57 years old and Poopy pile was a joke. I cant believe after all the nasty stuff that has gone on here in the past that I'm attacked for that. Hoops, sorry if I crossed a line but I was in no way talking about boots and the sale of them and believed that was the grey area that was to be avoided.You know that from my passed comments of others here before. To you and only you, I'm sorry

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 20:29:36 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

I did what likely most others here tried - went from faceface to sd.com, WB.com.
This made me put on Circus Money and blast it over the weekend and what a fabulous cd it is.
Folks might say Donald puts in a few more hooks here and there, he also gets a little more repetetive at times.
It's all good.
CM to me is also one of, if not the best sounding out of the whole catalogue.
Can't imagine DF switching for good to Zuckerli either, it is not that costly to maintain a site once it's up.

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 19:50:59 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, Thanks, Dean, Doc, etc.

Bikeman: knock off the requests.

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 19:48:59 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, Thanks, Dean, Doc, etc.

A little hard to follow everything, but some random thoughts:

1) DF.com becoming a Facebook page: Definitely disappointing but I hope it's temporary. Facebook is pretty minimum to maintain and my hunch is that DF isn't all that internet-obsessed.

I use Facebook more because I have to because everyone else is using it. I started "having to use it" around 2006 when Facebook was solely for students, faculty and other university-types. We we're recruiting students for a project. After it was over, I forgot about it for about 2-3 years when all of sudden others got on board. That said, despite all the "likes" and "friends," the reality is that the information is much more transient and disposable.

Believe it or not, I find by far that the best exposure if you want something to be read by Danfans someway affiliated with dandom.com is through the Dandom Digest. I thought no one read it anymore; I had glitch last fall and ask for some feeback. I received responses from over 900 people in 48 hours! (Sorry if I didn't write back to you.)

The Dandom Digest goes out to about 2,900 to 3,000 valid email addresses. This here bluebook actually has some very connected readers, but I would say based on web stats, etc, that it gets read by maybe a a quarter of what the Dandom Digest gets read by.

And Facebook. It seems very active and I know the people by name, etc., but despite all the effort and writing and posting there under Dandom.com, it's really very niche-like. I read a study last fall that showed that maybe 6% of all Facebook posts are read or considered long term.

I do wish there was an archive of all the great stuff that was at donaldfagen.com. Heck, if by remote chance anyone from there is anonymously reading it, I'd be glad to anonymously help it keep going.

Glad WalterBecker.com is still there.

SteelyDan.com is an amazing read--STILL. Great writing...I think a huge reason for the reduced posting there is simply a portion of us such huge, dumb assholes that didn't offer adequate appreciation.

=====

In the coming weeks, I'm planning to do some changes here...please email me privately if you'd like to help. If you do graphics, please, it has to be funny and clever. I'm gathering all of our iDanvention and am translating them to YouTube. I booted up my "BlueBerry" Mac G3 over the weekend--Whoo Hoo!--and got out the archives of those heady times.

Someone on Facebook also suggested collecting the best of Walter Becker's "Hey 19" rants. I like the idea of that and it's something fresh in my book. Again, if you can help, email me.

I DO think it would be a sad day when all of the internet sites become Facebook. And I dread the inevitable -- when Facebook alters up some privacy feature or something.

======

As far as any new Steely Dan album, well, I'm skeptical that will happen in the near future; but I would love a compilation of rarities, etc. with some sort of official stamp of approval. I wish we had an official Second Arrangement. Or two. I would be happy with cleaned up versions of those unofficial demos, etc.

======

Now that it's been five months since we've had Sunken Condos, I have to say it's a great album in every way. It meets the highest of what we've come to expect from Donald Fagen. But what stands out for me are the first two tracks. Slinky Thing is an awesome song and then the last--what 1:20--we get taken to heaven, to something sublime, 7 out of 5. "...Not the Same..." is delightfully perfect too. Back to Slinky, what I really like is the acoustic bass and the vibes. I guess what it is is that the last two DF albums have been top notch, like a perfect meal at Chez Panisse, but I want a little mixup. I beg your patience with the following analogy, but I'm reminded of Macintosh computers circa 1997. (Apple haters drive by--I understand.) They had this IDEO-inspired "platinum" design going on for several years. But then the 8600 came out. It was had the "platinum" look going on too. BUT! There was this green, translucent plastic button that released the side and opened up the tower for putting in memory. OK, it's only a button, but it was kinda cool, this green translucent plastic, almost kidney or small puddle-shaped thing. And it foreshadowed all that was to come with Jonny Ive and the original iMac, from an industrial design vantage, you know? Well, I hope that acoustic bass and the vibes is a hint of what might come next for Steely Dan or Donald Fagen music. How about an album of acoustic or more 1940's sounding instruments juxtaposed with something that would have been cool had it been around in the 1940s? Piano Jazz hints at that. Circus Money REALLY goes somewhere else---that's why it's an awesome album. Circus Money is the most creative of any SD-connected album since The Nightfly. And to be sure, Walter wasn't quite as burdened to have to live up to past precedences. Prior to Circus Money, I didn't think any other party could produce a Steely Dan album. Larry Klein was great on that. Also, as far as I'm concerned, Michael Leonhart was clearly the inspiration for those new elements that hint at some potential of what could come ahead.

And those are my unproofed ramblings. Scroll on by.

Jim

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 19:31:53 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. Still Drinkin'

Actually, while discussing the existence of boots is acceptable, Hoops has made it extremely clear that discussing how to procure these recordings, trading, distribution, etc is strictly verboten. I'm shocked when regular posters simply ignore the wishes of the guy who pays for this place.

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 19:05:15 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, up on the hill

poopy pile... really? how old are you dude???

Ted is actually a great guy and not bullshitting about anything. Perhaps he's trying to get a hold of the unreleased tune on that reel, using Gullywater as leverage. In which case it wouldn't make much sense to go passing it out on an online message board. Especially when the only one publicly asking for it is someone annoying as yourself.

who knows... maybe if you relax and show a little respect for a fellow danfan and board member, you might get to hear both songs in the very near future?

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 18:51:41 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

Yo Ted, I never said you didn't have the song. I was bitching about the fact that you have it and most of us don't. You could have been a NICE fellow fan and shared it but your just to special I guess. Go away poopy pile

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 18:21:44 ET
Posted by: TheNightfly93, South Jersey Grid of Desire

@TRIVIA, could it be "Through With Buzz" like previously stated, or is it "FM"?

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 16:49:34 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

Trivia Q,

Since this isn't a "Brain Strainer" I will play.

Through With Buzz

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 14:53:42 ET
Posted by: SoulMonkey, The Ville

Don't kill the messenger. I got a text from a very good friend in local promo who I trust. This was completely out of the blue. In speaking of the upcoming shows at the Louisville Palace:

"Here's a little insider info that may make your day a little brighter - shows in works at The Palace:

Steely Dan

Steve Miller

QOTSA

The Canadian Tenors

Morrissey

Paul Anka


Looks like something is afoot. We shall see.

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 13:06:03 ET
Posted by: Trivia, Q

Which SD song includes "uh huh" in the official, printed lyrics?

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 12:58:21 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

If you listen to any of the piano and bass demos for any tunes that ended up getting the album treatment, it's abundantly clear that all the pieces are there, minus horn parts. Larry Carlton would be the first to admit this. This is also songwriting 101 stuff ... like when my high school big band played Stella by Starlight, there were a million schmaltzy touches by some arranger, but the song was still credited to Victor Young.

That's not to say arranging isn't an art, and the fact that Larry Carlton transcribed their stuff by ear is amazing. But a co-songwriter he was not.

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 11:50:18 ET
Posted by: larry co-writer???,

Yeah, and maybe Steinway, Fender and Gibson get co-writing credits for providing inspiration and instruments. Picasso often gave co-artist credit to the oil paint manufacturer and local cafe.

As for not being able to read music... Donald has obviously always been able to read and write music, maybe at that time not up to the standard of a professional copyist or arranger. And while Walter may not have been able to sight-read down a piano score, he is smarter than your average bear, and knew whatever he wanted to know about reading music notation.

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 10:56:18 ET
Posted by: UH?,

Credit wrote "especially since neither Becker nor Fagen can read music..(in the mid70s)"


lol....who's giving "Credit" this information? That's like saying Robert De Niro can't act!

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 10:52:28 ET
Posted by: ted,

bikeman: I'm full of shit? I just told you about a distinctive bongo part played thorough out the entire song. Whoever else has the song that's been posting the lyrics (which are correct by the way )can back up my claim.

Since you're being such a dick, I wouldn't give you a copy of this song if your life depended on it! By the way, it's a pretty cool tune. Better than most of that "early year" stuff!

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 08:51:41 ET
Posted by: PETE EVANS, MANCHESTER UK

Credit..you must be joking surely ! A rhythm arranger is neither a composer or a lyricist. By the way, not that I watch it but happened to be flicking through the TV channels here in the good old UK on Friday night and two of the characters were having a chat on Coronation Street with Miss Marlene being played in the background. Fame at last !

Date: Mon, March 04, 2013, 06:24:35 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

So TED,, I guess the rest of us are not worthy of hearing Gullywater. Me thinks Ted is full of Poo Poo

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 23:16:04 ET
Posted by: credit, where credit i due

Becker/Fagen & Carlton

I've alwasy felt that Larry Carlton is too modest..and that interview confirms it

an argument can be made that he deserves co-writing credit for all the work he did when preparing those great songs....

especially since neither Becker nor Fagen can read music..(in the mid70s)

Carlton prepared all the charts for the Ajia sessions...Tom Scott did all the ahorn arrangements...which were considerable....but all songs are simple Becker/Fagen...

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 23:08:19 ET
Posted by: eyes wide shut, box of tapes

......re another old reel-to-reel

I deposit that Secejewaia is actually 'Running Child"

just a guess

but I think it is quite mysterious that these tapes keeep surfacing...and believe that they all must be coming from the Roger Nichols estate....

having said that...it is quite tragic that these tapes are not being digitally copied and released by MCA?Geffen in an Anthology type box set...

by my count...the have been some
Pretzel Logic track and Can't Buy recordings

curiouser and curiouser

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 22:41:17 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, a room in the mind

so Larry Carlton says he only played on one song on Katy Lied... and it was a rhythm part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVTOYywCeUY

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 21:39:00 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

Lets go TED, Step up to the plate and prove yourself

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 19:54:03 ET
Posted by: Large Sum, $

Bad Sneakers outtake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ7r2_caHDU

Funky Driver often surfaces under the title Gullywater.

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 19:25:29 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar, Reggae Sunday!

Michael, I have to admit to being confused by your post. Do you equate work ONLY with releasing new studio albums? In the 70's bands toured to support the albums--because at the time the albums were the big money-maker. But I would call both recording and touring "work".

These days the cash comes from touring. A newer artist probably has to produce some new material to become relevant, well known enough to attract an audience and material to support a tour. Also younger/newer acts still have plenty of ideas and music they have yet to release. Older acts have plenty of material already released and it gets tougher with time to be as creatively productive as you were in your youth.

But even with the push toward touring, the massive catalog and the aging factor, Don and Walt have produced five studio albums in about 12 years while actively touring. Given how much effort these studio projects take (these guys don't just slap together an album) I'd say they have been quite productive.

The other thing I don't understand is that without more studio releases there is no "purpose for a tour". What does that even mean?

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 19:15:48 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

Sure would love an MP3 of this tune.........TED

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 18:49:38 ET
Posted by: ted,

That's it below..

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 18:39:15 ET
Posted by: FAF, G

Well if a life is a well made of stone
And there's a hole in the bottom where it gets ... [so lost?]
Then jealous love is the mud in the hole
Gullywater

Well if a soul is a room in the mind
And there's a dog in the middle with a new lifeline
Then jealous love is the smile on the dog
Gullywater

I don't care about your dead soul
I don't care about your lifeline no no
I don't care

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 17:55:26 ET
Posted by: ted,

Gully Water is fast tempo tune that has a distinct bongo part played through out song. It's probably Skunk Baxter banging on them.

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 17:36:03 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Back in the 70's, artists had to work in order to maintain relevance. They'd record and album, tour (well, we know the story with SD), then hit the studio again. Unfortunately, it seems that most musicians have developed poor work ethics since then. Touring and merch have taken precedence over content.

Keep in mind that Sunken Condos was sitting in limbo since around late 2011, but wasn't mixed(?) and mastered until after the Dukes tour concluded last year. EMG was released back in June of 2003 -- almost a decade ago. They've toured six times since then... Unless they release a new album in the interim, I don't see the purpose in another tour.

But what do I know.

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 17:26:14 ET
Posted by: gullywater?,

More lyrics please?
Description of musical style/instrumentation?

Where did you happen to find a recording of Gullywater?

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 16:26:23 ET
Posted by: bikemann17, nj

Hey Ted,, Hows about a little spreading the love around with the fans. Would love to hear gullywater.Dont be a holdout dude.

Date: Sun, March 03, 2013, 12:27:07 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

Maybe we'll hear this one if they go out this summer...

Here's The Steely Damned absolutely nailing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zcszs4KSc0

Love this song.

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 23:16:27 ET
Posted by: ted,

I agree with , Hey the Dean:

I've had a copy of Gullywater for many years.

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 15:36:43 ET
Posted by: I agree with , Hey the Dean

I'll offer up my copy of Gullywater (The unreleased Katy Lied/CBAT song) for the song Sacajawea, Sakkajawhatever and then get everything out there for all the fans at home.


Well if a life is a well made of stone
And there's a hole in the bottom where it gets ... [so lost?]
Then jealous love is the mud in the hole
Gullywater

Well if a soul is a room in the mind
And there's a dog in the middle with a new lifeline
Then jealous love is the smile on the dog
Gullywater

I don't care about your dead soul
I don't care about your lifeline no no
I don't care

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 15:22:25 ET
Posted by: Hey The Dean,

You are clearly the Chosen One.
Please use your access powers wisely. Start by buying that unreleased song on eBay and rewarding your followers with an mp3.

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 11:16:28 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Green Book, Bluebook ... I'd take any book but Facebook

PGE, thanks for the Spotify link ... I agree the vocals was ... uh ... well, never mind. Also, the version seemed a bit tail heavy and with less than excellent sound quality.

Dean, your exclusive access makes me curious. Could it be some settings in your browser generally preventing all kinds of redirecting? I know you are clever with these things, so I guess you've already checked it out, but if not, it might be worth a try. You tried looking at the localhost file, too? On the other hand; a fix would eventually just take you to Facebook, so maybe it's best to just keep everything the way it is! ;o)
Let's hope you're right and that the "real" page re-appears after a makeover!

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 10:49:51 ET
Posted by: PGE, Re: Fagen/Olabelle Black Friday live

The Dean: I think you can safely pass on this version. It's chugging along quite nicely, but let's say the vocals come across as ... somewhat sketchy.

It's available on Spotify and perhaps other legal streaming services as well. Here's the Spotify link for all who are ... uh, "spotified":

spotify:track:7BfMmCMXsowT7hYubf9hG4

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 09:59:30 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Jazzassin, clearly I have extra-special ultra-exclusive access!

:#)

Like you I really hope this is just a temporary redirect. I despise Facebook in just about every way. I have to believe they are giving the site an overhaul in preparation for a new tour--or something.

PGE Thanks for the link. Does anyone have a streaming link--even a decent clip. I'd like to hear the quality before diving in. I know it isn't much money, but I have enough useless junk around--and I am not a "collector". Thanks to anyone who can help.

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 08:23:41 ET
Posted by: PGE, Complete your collection!

http://ssl.radiowoodstock.com/upload/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=448

Radio Woodstock Live! Vol. 4 released this year includes Black Friday performed by Donald Fagen and Olabelle.

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 08:08:47 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, in the loop

I confirm being redirected to the FB page when trying to go to http://donaldfagen.com.
Via bookmark/favorite, search results or directly writing the full url into the address field; same thing happens.
The donaldfagen.com/sub pages' urls, like the one suggested by Deano, brings up a FB info poster saying the requested page does not exist.

I don't like this at all. I think I understand what they think and why they do this, but I I don't like it. FB is so much more than just a social network, and it's a shame if they don't keep the old page as an alternative for non-Facebookers.

Also, they have a link on the FB page seemingly pointing at the old page, but that one just redirects to the very same FB page as well.

Date: Sat, March 02, 2013, 00:18:51 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Nope, interesting. I don't doubt you, but I have cleared my cache and history. Refreshed the tabs. Open and closed the browsers, etc and I still resolve to Don's normal site--in all three browsers. (And I don't think I ever when there in IE.)

Odder yet, I don't think I ever visited the WSJ article posted on Don's site. (I read the original on the WSJ site.)

Strange stuff.

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 21:34:21 ET
Posted by: nope,

It goes to Facebook, and a broken link at that.

If you're going to the old Fagen site, it's because you have it cached on your system. If you delete/refresh your history it won't go there anymore.

The old Fagen site does exist as a storefront now.

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 20:43:21 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

And..... a Steely Dan Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/DonaldFagenMusic#!/SteelyDan

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 20:06:10 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

donaldfagen.com is still going to Don's website for me. I have not been redirected, Does this still work for you guys?

http://donaldfagen.com/news.php

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 19:18:18 ET
Posted by: Dominic Deegan, , Oracle for Hire

Well a "lost" Steely Dan song from the pre-CBAT sessions is up for bid on a reel-to-reel cassette. This one I've only heard about in lore told in the darkest corners on the internet. "Sakka Joewda" or Sacajawea, was supposedly recorded along with Dallas, Sail the Waterway, Runnin Child, Roaring of the Lamb, Midnite Cruiser and Change of the Guard. In fact, several mixes of Midnite Cruiser (including an acoustic guitar mix, and 2nd vocal mix, Donald singing it?)

Dunno much else save that any whose taken fifth grade history, knows that Sacajawea is that famous Shoshone chick. The song itself could possibly be a pseudo-historical one (like Kings) or not even have to do with her.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scotch-Master-reel-to-reel-Tape-STEELY-DAN-15ips-for-REVOX-AMPEX-AKAI-TEAC-/261177562903?pt=Music_Other_Formats&hash=item3ccf655717

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 18:31:13 ET
Posted by: PGE, Stuck in snowland

donaldfagen.com down or redirecting to facebook.com?

I bet it's just to give donaldfagen.com time to refurbish the site for the 2013 Donald Fagen Solo Sojourn and Steely Dan 2013 Trek updates...

Then again; I could be - and most likely am - wrong.

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 17:27:02 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

If I had to pick one SD song that Boz Scaggs was born to cover then 'Pearl of the Quarter' would be it.

Can't wait, got into Boz on his 1994 'Some Change' album ('Sierra' anyone??) then 'Dig' a few years later followed by the back catalogue with the inevitable 'Silk Degrees' featuring strongly (love the minimal bass line to 'lowdown)

Talented guy, very Dangential!

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 17:02:08 ET
Posted by: Steelydoc, Near the tower

Boz Scaggs covers Pearl of the Quarter on his new album, out next Tuesday

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 11:38:21 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

I'm feeling pretty good about the prospect of a Steely Dan tour this summer.

Jim Beard's schedule meshing with the date range we heard is a good sign.

And the Herington/Carlock dates work for that timeframe as well. Even if rehearsals start in June ... Herington did some solo dates on tour off nights last year if I recall correctly.

I'd bet rehearsals start towards the end of June and a tour July-Nov like we heard.

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 11:37:53 ET
Posted by: Cutting , Costs

Yep,the Donald website URL goes straight to Facebook. I guess a FB page is 100% cheaper to run! - and fits with the new 'drum machine' ethos !

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 11:15:14 ET
Posted by: TheNightfly93, South Jersey Grid of Desire

So yeah, the DONALDFAGEN.COM site is down, or is just now converted to Facebook? I don't want the site to disappear :(

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 10:01:45 ET
Posted by: John Granatino, Texas

@Dean

Re "...especially in Google Chrome."

Oh, you're right! I was looking at the pages in Chrome and none of them were showing up. I've just tried IE9 and they're rendering ok, considering I am the world's worst HTML. Well, I have about 15 articles fixed and will keep puttering away at it.

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 09:29:18 ET
Posted by: Phil again, chez moi

A new single from Donald on itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/black-friday-feat.-ollabelle/id591386255

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 09:28:10 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Steelydoc, www.donaldfagen.com goes right to the usual Fagen page for me. In fact there is a new article there. The Wall Street Journal article on "How to be an Aging Rocker" has been added. On the front page there is a link titled "DONALD IS SO OLD NOW THAT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THINKS HE'S COOL". Funny stuff. I assume they were messing with the site when you tried and got the re-direct,

Very excited to have John Granatino stop by. Even better to hear he might add some stuff to his great site--and spruce it up a bit. Sometimes changing the encoding on those old articles helps a bit--but that's kind of a pain in the ass, especially in Google Chrome.

Randy thanks for the heads-up on the Hamilton tune. Very solid production and great playing, obviously. The tune itself is a bit tedious--but it isn't terrible. Overly long perhaps. It sounds like a lot of other stuff to these ears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBRPO-IDFMg

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 08:50:11 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Tower

www.donaldfagen.com now goes directly to a Facebook page...

Date: Fri, March 01, 2013, 05:25:27 ET
Posted by: Phil, Pau

You can get Dirk Hamilton's album on Itunes, I downloaded it a couple of years ago and it's a little gem, such as "Mannequin" by Marc Jordan , also produced by Gary Katz, to me , not far from Aja's standards, give it a chance.
Philippe

Date: Thurs, February 28, 2013, 23:07:23 ET
Posted by: John Granatino, Texas

Hello Jim and fellow addicts,

I have just been made aware (by wallowing through all the posts in this fine establishment) that some of the stories I posted on my site 17 years ago are no longer readable by contemporary browsers. Putting aside the fact that I can't believe I'm old enough to have been posting on the web 17 years ago, I'm mortified that I did not previously realize the coding problem. I hope to dive back into the old stories and fix them soon. Maybe at the same time I will finally post the 200 or so other articles about the Dan that I've saved up over the years!

All the best,
John Granatino
http://www.granatino.com/sdresource (hmm, time for that URL to get its own home address as well)

View Older Posts from February 2013 back to October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | May-July 2012 | January-April 2012 | Nov & Dec 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 & Before