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Click for the June 2009 BlueBook Entries
MAY 2009 BlueBook Entries
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 23:34:35 ET
Posted by: Mu de Doc,
Wu Wu Wu Wu Wu Wu Wu Wu
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 19:21:19 ET
Posted by: AIA, Archives
Snyp (PRODIGY Member): Donald, the vocals on Alive in America are excellent. Were there any voice overs done?
Donald Fagen (Speaker): Just a little patching here and there. But essentially, it's the real thing.
Walter Becker (Speaker): Donald, try answering that one again. I think you can do better.
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 16:17:46 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu
hoops,
I've always dug "AIA". I think
what turns some folks off is that
some stuff was re-recorded. I was
at the much missed "Poplar Creek"
the night they recorded, "Reeling",
I just wished they included the audio
of the audience "Clap-a-long" at the
beginning of the take. The whole
place was abuzz. Donald & Walter are
on the record about the great cover art,
"It's about coming back from the dead".
Haven't picked up the "LA Dog Trader" yet,
but I'm sure they also will feature an
Ad this week.
Sounds like we already have got a bad
"Hanging Chad" situation in Boston
with the voting! I also really want
to hear both versions of "Reeling"!
Especially the "Club Mix". People
are already going to vote for "Wu"
so why not mix it up and try and get
this other stuff played also.
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 14:12:01 ET
Posted by: kLAUS AND THE ROOSTER, OHIO
Dr Wu' Your right; energy is the word i can remember the first time i heard it as a youg guitar player; it was the benchmark of guitar solos I nor none of my friends ever mastered it but to me it remains some smokin lead guitar. I have now gotten older [50] and the horns on AiA blow me away. As I said ;either way!
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 13:46:28 ET
Posted by: Dr. Wu, Iowa
Hey Klaus!
I don't disagree that the AiA "Reelin'" is really good, but for me nothing matches the energy of the original. Every time I listen to the radio and hear Elliot Randall crank out that opening riff, I get goosebumps.
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 13:37:52 ET
Posted by: kLAUS AND THE ROOSTER, OHIO
Am I the only fan who thinks the AIA reelin is great? I would love to hear either version live and as far as Wu however or whatever Don and Walt decide to do with it; I will be happy just to bask in the glow.
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 13:01:01 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh
Interesting list of songs. The chance to hear Boston Rag again and Wu for the first time makes internet request night very appealing. I think I'll probably cough up the dough.
AiA is an OK live album with great liner notes. I too wish it was a full show, warts and all. I'd also like to see a 70s show released. They were almost punk rock back then.
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 12:40:16 ET
Posted by: RazorBoy, Dallas
Yesterday, I tried to get tickets for the four pack to Chicago and there was nothing there, tried for about 10 minutes then I decided to try for NYC. Got about 22 rows Orchestra. Went back to the Chicago show and there was still nothing there. Gave up but then went back online 6 hours later and ended up with Row 11 (behind pit) slightly off center. WOW!!
Anyway, I was under the impression that there was going to be a code on our tickets which would allow us to vote for the songs on the request night and that there would be one vote per ticket. Well so far the people at MSG have screwed that up royally. I went to the Boston voting site and voted and voted for the same song over and over again just too see how it effected the results (and no I’m not the one who padded the votes for Dr Wu). As of yesterday I could estimate that about 3000 votes had been made.
I really hope that they fix this so that only ticketed patrons can vote for the songs and that each person gets more than 1 vote (I say 16).
Also, I can’t decide weather on not to vote for songs off of Aja, Gaucho and Scam since we will be hearing all those songs on the other nights. There are 52 songs in their arsenal as of now. 24 of those songs are not in Aja, Gaucho or Scam. They play about 16 songs each night and you must assume that there are about 10 songs that will be played at least twice on a four day run. I’m not sure if they will try to get some of the more obscure songs in on LP nights after the LPs are played out if they are not voted in on vote night. I’m 50/50 right now on it.
Thoughts??
Also, what is the difference between Reelin’ Club Mix and Dry and Heavy? Anyone know?
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 11:48:45 ET
Posted by: hoops, more typos than page 3
Full page 3 ad in today's NY Times Arts section for the Beacon shows.
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 11:37:15 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Were it not for Microsoft Word, the world would be without any standards for correct usage of English. Adobe won't let me register my software unless I use the wrong zip-code. And thankfully Apple knows music better than the artist. A local record store has Leonard Cohen under "Folk" -- they must have last listened to him about 35-40 years ago.
My point about Alive In America is that Danfans pretty much forget about it--not too much on it that outdoes the original album tracks. As a concert album, it's like getting half a sandwich. The idea of a new Steely Dan concert album does sound appealing--AiA isn't bad--just far from satisfying, like a meal so light or incomplete that you forgot that you ate it. For that reason, it's forgetteneven by the most devout fans. I even forget it exists. It's not that it is horrible, it's just that I rarely think about it. For starters, I wish it were a whole show. I do like the artwork. The various schemes were a lot of fun and fodder for discussion, not the least of which that it parodies the greater Danfan web community in more than one scenario (not just the obvious FAQ web page scheme.)
Finishing up the Danfest page. Things are already rumbling for North Carolina show.
Jim
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 09:59:06 ET
Posted by: Shuffle, Board
I tunes categorizes CDs under a genre. Steely Dan - Rock, Fagen Solo - Jazz. Walter has 1 jazz (TOW), and C$ is Rock. This is the attribute your shuffle is looking at. Interesting that I only have 1 song that falls under Blues, and that is Fagen's I got news for You from the New York Nights album.
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 09:00:15 ET
Posted by: deaconblue, brussels
Lovers of Westcoastmusic
Just listen to the webradioprogram "Smooth FM" . It's in dutch but the music is great.
California : 11am - 1pm
New York : 2pm - 4pm
Brussels, Paris : 20.00 - 22.00
Goes to www.accentfm.com and choose your favourite mediaplayer.
Just enjoy the show !!
Date: Sun, May 31, 2009, 05:57:40 ET
Posted by: skokiebob, just sayin'
"Like Donald said in a recent interview that the jazz purist in him hates Steely Dan"
Interesting my ipod jazz shuffle includes Morph the Cat, but excludes all of SD. Of course it will also put Tool into an easy listening mix, just sayin'
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 20:18:44 ET
Posted by: Mer., Boston
Cheapest available tickets in Boston are $165.00 a piece? Unbelievable--- and totally unaffordable. Nothing like bursting a potential bubble.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 19:46:56 ET
Posted by: pixeleen, ooops
Serious type-o on my part !
Mea Culpa !
Jerome Aniton, not Jerome Aniston........
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 19:46:47 ET
Posted by: pixeleen, ooops
Serious type-o on my part !
Mea Culpa !
Jerome Aniton, not Jerome Aniston........
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 19:34:09 ET
Posted by: pixeleen,
Hoops:
You are absolutely right about "Alive in America" and "Piano Jazz".
I probably play them as much as any of the other SD CDs.
Especially love Jerome Aniston at the end of "Alive in America" :-)
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 15:59:13 ET
Posted by: Jelly, nj shore
Dear KZKZ, Get over yourself and open your ears.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 14:44:47 ET
Posted by: GusMahler, Long Island, NY
I compared the voting list to the complete canon in my Itunes. Did a quick once-over, here are the songs that are missing (in alpha order): **DISCLAIMER - There could be errors.***
Almost Gothic
Barrytown
Blues Beach
Book of Liars
Brooklyn
Change of the Guard
Charlie Freak
Cousin Dupree
Daddy Don't Live in that NYC No More
East St Louis Toodle-oo
Fire the Hole
Green Book
Jack of Speed
King of the World
Kings
Midnight Cruiser
Monkey in your Soul
Negative Girl
Only a Fool Would Say That
Pearl of the Quarter
Pixeleen
Razor Boy
Third World Man
Through With Buzz
Time Out Of Mind
Turn that Heartbeat Over Again
West of Hollywood
What a Shame About Me
With A Gun
Also interesting to note that they list "Your Gold Teeth" - are we to assume that's the Countdown to Ecstasy version (which is so titled)?
Some stats (I had some free time today) albums by number of tracks omitted:
Can't Buy A Thrill: 7
Countdown To Ecstasy : 3
Pretzel Logic : 6
Katy Lied: 1 (2 counting "Your Gold Teeth II)
(Royal Scam and Aja tracks all appear on the list)
Gaucho: 2 !! (Interesting since this they'll be doing all these tracks on "Gaucho" nights)
2vN: 6
Everything Must Go: 3
**Alive In America - 1 (Book of Liars - Becker solo tune, not part of Steely's Opera Omnia)
My personal list casualty: Razor Boy. Bummer.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 14:21:08 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
If the survey is that unscientific that you can just wail on your mouse and register votes for each click, I'd say they are not going to use it and play whatever they want.
On the other hand, if you get one ballot via email, then that's a different story.
======
I went for a buy-three, get one deal at the Chicago Theatre. Obviously at that price, the seat isn't Gold Circle, but they are pretty reasonable. I was concerned after reading LisaG's post, I was wondering if they should change their ad line to "Enjoy the same obstructed view seat each night!" I also didn't get in until about 10:03 am.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 13:27:41 ET
Posted by: Dr. Wu, Iowa
It's been a long time between posts, but I'm back. I sat eagerly at my computer this morning waiting for the clock to tick over to ten am. By 10:02 I had purchased the EXACT seats that I wanted for the Monday night/AJA show, and now have only to wait for the next three months to pass by.
Dr. Wu
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 13:02:36 ET
Posted by: Chan, Boston
I just followed Janes link and voted 3 times for Dr. Wu. Now up to 19.49%.
It only lets you vote for one song but after you do it lets you vote again. It did not ask for any confirmation number or anything.
We may just get the taste they said they'd bring to us.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 12:47:54 ET
Posted by: skokiebob, 1 pick?
I followed your link janie to the Boston voting, and it gave me one pick. Is that all you got? We are being e-mailed our voting opportunity "in 7-10 days" for Chicago. I was hoping for more than 1 pick! What's more troubling is that it seems as though there is no shortage of seats still available.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 12:43:31 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, wow
That ballot list is amazing! Thanks for giving us some insight!
Query: How long before the show will the vote be closed?
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 12:27:03 ET
Posted by: JaneLightning, Gaucho Night!!!
got my tickets for gaucho night (friday)
first row of regular orchestra, behind the pit, so 7th row
there was a link on my confirmation page
to vote for the saturday night setlist
http://www.msg.com/steelydan/
wu is on it.....
and is leading the votes with 18.28%
not sure if the link shows the songs if you don't buy a ticket
but here's the ballot and the results after my vote
Aja 1.32%
Any Major Dude Will Tell You 1.10%
Any World (That I'm Welcome To) 0%
Babylon Sisters 0.66%
Bad Sneakers 0.88%
Black Cow 0.66%
Black Friday 0.66%
Bodhisattva 3.30%
The Boston Rag 3.96%
The Caves of Altamira 0.44%
Chain Lightning 4.19%
Deacon Blues 0.44%
Dirty Work 0.66%
Doctor Wu 18.28%
Do It Again 0.44%
Don't Take Me Alive 1.98%
Everyone's Gone to the Movies 0.22%
Everything Must Go 0.44%
Everything You Did 1.98%
The Fez 0.22%
FM 0.44%
Gaslighting Abbie 0%
Gaucho 0%
Glamour Profession 0%
Godwhacker 0%
Green Earrings 0%
Haitian Divorce 0.66%
Here at the Western World 0.66%
Hey Nineteen 1.54%
Home at Last 0.44%
I Got the News 0.44%
Janie Runaway 0%
Josie 0.22%
Kid Charlemagne 4.41%
The Last Mall 0%
Lunch With Gina 0%
My Old School 2.20%
My Rival 1.98%
Night by Night 1.98%
Parker's Band 1.98%
Peg 6.39%
Pretzel Logic 1.32%
Reelin' in the Years (Club Mix) 0.22%
Reelin' in the Years (Dry and Heavy) 14.32%
Rikki Don't Lose That Number 0.88%
The Royal Scam 9.25%
Show Biz Kids 3.30%
Sign in Stranger 0.44%
Slang of Ages 0.22%
Things I Miss the Most 0%
Two Against Nature 0%
Your Gold Teeth 4.85%
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 12:09:59 ET
Posted by: Chan, Boston
Greetings to everyone. I have not posted in a while, but have been lurking about. Extemely excited about the upcoming Boston shows. Perfect timing for me, the weekend before a birthday I am trying hard not to think too much about!
Amex presale this morning had terrible Orch seats for Friday and Saturday night. I then tried balcony and was surprised that first row center for both nights were available. I grabbed them and am pretty psyched. Not as close as I'd like to be, but instead of looking through and around people, we'll have unobstructed views and money in our pockets for dinner and cocktails!!!
I am sure there will plans for get togethers both of those nights in Boston and I am looking forward to seeing all my frieds. Have a great weekend all.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 12:01:18 ET
Posted by: DC, DC
Stubhub doesn't have tickets yet, they just pretend and sell them before they even get a hand on them. Much worse than ticketmaster.
I will miss a show before paying these bloodsuckers anything.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 11:25:33 ET
Posted by: Dif, Champaign
Jim,
I'm with you on ALIVE IN AMERICA.
The playing and the recording are "semi-mojo" at best, but what gives with the cover artwork?
Where are all of the GREENROOM regulars? I've had the pleasure of spending some time with "sf"...only once.
And thanks again for your tireless devotion Hoops!
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 11:12:49 ET
Posted by: skokiebob, grinnin in chitown
center of loge for 92.50! pleasantly surprised, Neil Young was even more than that! Even had time to dippin back in for a second show, got almost the exact same seat, but let the voice of financial responsibiblity take over and passed, one show will have to do. I'm sure it helps I go solo, love those single seats!
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 10:49:52 ET
Posted by: Bob, Atlanta
Tonight Show Band played "Cubano Chant" during one of the outros (Leno's last show).
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 10:21:07 ET
Posted by: RRJas, What's a Phish????
I have only heard about the Dead in passing from a former coworker who failed too many drug tests and that's why he's a former. The band I would bring up in the decent price for the amount of talent on the stage(with a religious following) is the E Street Band. $100 with service charges per ticket. That has got me in the front row and has got me in the nosebleeds, but very consistent prices. The 2 set lists last month in Los Angeles varied by 11 songs from night 1 to night 2. To put a Steely bow on it, Cindy Mizelle and Curtis King are singing backing vocals this tour. Night 1 featured Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine on 2 songs and night 2 had Mike Ness from Social Distortion on 2 songs.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 10:10:23 ET
Posted by: LisaG, still @ home
However, STUBHUB miraculously has tickets for the show already...
http://www.stubhub.com/steely-dan-tickets/steely-dan-new-york-beacon-theatre-8-1-2009-839678/
...and at prices that no one can afford.
So outrageous, indeed.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 10:06:49 ET
Posted by: LisaG, @ home
Ok, so at 10:01 a.m., EST, the only tickets available are Orch, obstructed view?
Is this "pre-sale" a royal scam or what?
NONSENSE. I feel like canceling my AMEX card.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 10:05:29 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
I'm only familiar with Phish very casually but I have respect for them as musicians. Hell, people say a lot of negative things about the Grateful Dead, but it it weren't for alt.music.gdead we wouldn't be posting here right now.
Jim
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 10:03:51 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Pixeleen's wish for a live album reminded me: I always find it noteworthy that most Steely Dan fans pretty much forget about "Alive In America" when ranking their favorite Steely Dan albums.
Most SD fans also forget about the "Piano Jazz" with Marion McPartland. Some great SD tunes mixed up in the best way.
Jim
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 07:41:26 ET
Posted by: pixeleen, hopeful
Radio Dupree site hints at a possible new Steely Dan CD....
Make this a LIVE one, boys !!!!!
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 01:53:09 ET
Posted by: kzkz, careful
kz,
It's odd enough that Phish be brought up on this site and it should be considered sacrilege if they're ever mentioned in the same paragraph, let alone sentence as SD. Those sorry bunch of lucky losers are incredibly fortunate to get even $10 a seat at their multi thousand seat venues. I'm not sure anyone could really tell any difference at all in a variety of 3 hour sets given by these fair weather amateurs (including themselves).
"They have arguably the largest following in the history of live bands."
Now this is something that is really revealing and should be talked about.
Date: Sat, May 30, 2009, 00:35:59 ET
Posted by: h, c
With the four-pack tickets, will they also be on sale to the general public next weekend?
Is there only one kind of ticket available or are there different price ranges?
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 23:15:31 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, wow-really?
Tickets for The Beacon run between $74-240 per seat. 4pack =$516.
What a Shame. And no, that's not my request. Like last year I'll sit in the balcony, having seen them a ton of times over the years. I'll try for 3 nights as I have seats for the Yes concert with Asia on July 31st at Westbury. Those seats, about 5 rows from the stage were $60-. I'll get about 3 hours of great live music from those 2 bands. This week the band Phish returns to the stage again. They have arguably the largest following in the history of live bands. Not even the Dead, well maybe, come close. All their shows at venues large-Fenway Park & small(er)-Jones Beach (3 nights) are sold-out. All the tickets cost $49.50 per seat. Their fans would easily cough up untold fortunes to see them, but they make sure that's not the case. And yes, they play a different 3 hour setlist each night.
In a few weeks I will see another great band-Van Der Graaf Generator; a british prog/classical/fusion-esque trio that is touring the Staets for the first time. In 1974 they played their only U.S. gig-in NYC. There will be grown men with tears flowing down their cheeks as they/we finally get a chance to see these great musicians live for the first time. Tickets are about 50 bucks for these intimate venues. In the fall Porcupine Tree will tour. They have a great, unique sound and have a loyal following. Tickets are $39.50 for all shows. Not only are they brilliantly talented, but their visuals incorporated on stage can only be matched by the Pink Floyd concerts of years past. Anyway, its a shame that these tickets are so high in such a trying time for so many of us. I can compare this with the outrageous pricing at the new Yankee & Mets Citi Field stadium tickets. Most of those good seats have been sold to corporate bigshots that probably used their bailout loot to pay for them. Don't get me started on that too. Perhaps N.Korea will do something really stupid in the next few weeks and all this will be moot...
Thank you and good night.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 19:26:59 ET
Posted by: plug 3, peg a sock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avRBX9ex6Xs
Peg... very unusual lol
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 19:17:26 ET
Posted by: Plug 2, @ the pleasure principle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV7jMZkBOcQ
mmmmmmmmm, I know...................
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 18:06:49 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Big Fan: Thank you for the update.
Could you please post your AmEx card number so that others also have a chance to get tickets? Please include the expiration date and four-digit security code on the front panel.
Thank you in advance.
Jim
P.S. For the humor impaired (which does not include Big Fan), just kidding--don't do what I asked Big Fan to do.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 17:54:01 ET
Posted by: Big Fan, Home at Last
I applied for a AMEX Gold on Wed and was approved. I'm going to try to get tickets to the Saturday show in Boston tomorrow just like AMEX commercial - "this is so cool I got a member tickets before we they even went on sale...." I have the last 4 digits of the card only.
This being the year of the furlough it's one and only one show for me. My son has become even a bigger SD fan than myself so he gets to be the lucky one and go to Boston. This will be the first concert in CT that I will miss since 1993. I would never go to a show at Foxwoods again even if the tickets were free. Ticket sales there are way behind the last time when it sold out almost immediately - a sign of the economy I suppose. We'll see how these high price shows do.
Warning to left coast fans I'm going to be in Seattle on business June 8-10 before flying to LA.
Man I'd like to go see Show Biz Kids in Belchertown - I spent most of last weekend there fishing for landlocked salmon and lake trout. I would love to know if Gary Blu is ever going to play with them again.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 17:37:46 ET
Posted by: setlist,
i think don and walt will play my rival, sign in stranger, fez in florida and europe,just to get a feel for the songs before boston and new york. Also they will probably sprinkle in some songs(while in florida & europe) that they are going to put up for voting for request night.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 17:22:23 ET
Posted by: Gentleman Loser, NYC
As per the SD wbesite: "'Takin' It To The Seats' Internet Request Night: Setlist is determined by the internet votes of ticket-holders for that show."
Key word: "votes". Meaning that there will be 20 or so hand-picked candidates (mostly RS, Aja, or Gaucho cuts, no doubt) from which ticket holders will be able to choose.
If you think Wu is going to be among the candidate songs, well ...
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 16:38:39 ET
Posted by: Klaus and the rooster, Ohio
Hoops'let me take this time to thank you for all you do for Dandom; your opinion is always valid. I have been reading the Blue for years but just started posting.Met some friends of yours from Kentucky at Cinci last year [ Dan where you been?] and they also thought you are the dandy of gamma chi!! Seriously you are a great help to Danfans everywhere and we always look foreward to your insight. Now will some of the gamblers clue me in on how to score some tight seats in Motown?
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 16:25:50 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
I have this funny feeling (an uninformed one, of course) that they "Do the Wu" but radically re-arrange it to the point that it is hardly recognizable, leaving us still wishing for the Wu.
I hope Walter sings vocals on Western World with the arrangement note for note like the one on Hits 72-78.
So there.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 16:03:43 ET
Posted by: Klaus and the rooster, ohio
This will be my seventh time seeing the Dan and it always makes my summer' I need advice on how fast i need to jump for tix for detroit. Went to Cinci and pine knob both last year but pine is a far cry from downtown motown' be careful my Steely friends.What is the chance for Wu!!!!
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 15:35:41 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Somewhat Outraged
Rip off report!! Rip off report!! No, not ticket prices.
Here is a development in Thailand called "Aja up on the hill."
Coincidence? I think not!!!
http://www.ajasamui.com/contact.html
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 15:32:37 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Orlando (at the moment)
While I certainly understand some of the concern over price and set list (groan), there are a few comments that hit me funny.
The first was the assertion that this "smacks of desperation". Not sure exactly what is the desperate part. Surely charging huge prices is the exact opposite of desperation. I might call it hubris, but desperate artists don't try to command high prices.
And, I really can't believe there is a question about what the "correct" song order is, for a SD album. Citizen Steely Dan kept the original song order (perhaps with an exception or two, I can't remember if there was one).
Now that doesn't mean they will play the album in the original order, but I really hope so. Yes they are also playing other songs on the full-album nights, but I assume the album will be played as a set, or at least without interruption. But you know what they say about assumptions.
The prices for the St Augustine Amphitheater are just fine. I got the most expensive tickets ($100) 6th row center. I think there are tickets available for under $50, and the place only has about 3,500 seats. They are getting big money for the special set nights.
One of my best friends (and huge Dan fan) had to pay about $300/seat to take his wife to see Celine Dion. He ended up sleeping through most of it. I know people have paid more than $300 to see Barbara Streisand. While I'm not crazy about a possible $200 price for the LA show I am considering, I'd rather pay to see something special from the Dan, than just about anything else I can think of.
For the flip side of all this, I'm in Orlando for the taping of a Les Dudek DVD. I already mentioned it here, so I won't go into the whole thing. But VIP/All Access tickets, which include meet and greet, etc were $20. While I really don't care about the meet and greet, it was only $20 (regular tickets were $15). Now THAT'S a bargain. I'm taking my guitarist nephew, who lives in Orlando.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 13:48:15 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
...or two "Programs" or two pairs of tracks.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 13:43:18 ET
Posted by: Reelin, In the Reels
In case you're wondernig about reel to reel...
http://tinyurl.com/mp3per
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 13:04:48 ET
Posted by: sequence, stuff
You mean cut in half between 4 tracks. :)
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 12:30:04 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
OMG...
"Deacon Blues" was cut in half between two tracks!!!
Same for "Everything You Did".
http://cgi.ebay.com/STEELY-DAN-2-PK-CLASSIC-8-TRACK-TAPES_W0QQitemZ350206203140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMusic_Other_Formats?hash=item5189ea9504&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50#ht_500wt_978
Be sure to click the enlarged photo.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 12:24:21 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Maybe they could use the 8-Track running order.
They could even play certain songs for a few minutes, slowly turn the volume down, play a recording of flutter with a ker-plunk and then fade back into resuming the track.
There would be an extra charge for those shows--with a deep discount for those producing the original powder blue GRT 8-track cartridges of Aja or Royal Scam.
I Love All Access could have a 70s theme, complete with pickup in a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado.
Jim
P.S. I was thinking we could have 70s themes Danfests, etc at the special album shows, but I hate promoting the erroneous position of critics that Steely Dan is all about nostalgia rather than all that is classic.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 12:16:50 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Based on previous experiences, no password is needed for the AmEx sale--they just reject your non-AmEx card when you attempt to pay. Glad to hear it's a "fourth night freebie" thing. Once, for Van Morrison I had to use a Citi Mastercard...the account numbers are such they rejected non-Citi Mastercards. I had misplaced the card out of dis-use; finally I was able to login to Citi on line and instantly request a temporary Mastercard number for my misplaced card. (I just mention that in case that trick helps someone some day.)
Quite simply, I'm looking at this as the top seats being out of my budget--or most anyone's budget--and the more modest seats will still be good in a 3,800 seat venue. From what I know of folks here and in the greater Dandom, I'd say the unemployment rate is higher than usual (hey, we're mostly middle management white collar). Myself and more than a couple of others are without jobs or will be without jobs soon. So let's not sell the house for four nights of passion on the level of the best sex.
Internally debating my ticket budget, I was reminded today of about 31 years ago when I was in high school. I went to Zayre and was at the 45 RPM singles rack. Zayre used to take the 7" records, shrink wrap them on to 7" X maybe 10" cardboard--remember that? The card had the song and artist on top, presumably to reduce theft and prevent the singles from falling out of the paper sleeve and getting scratched. So there I was, about 31 years ago, debating if I could afford 99 cents plus 5 cents tax that week to buy "FM" or whether I should wait another week or two. Hey, some things change while other things never do!
My first copy of Aja was on cassette.
It opened with Aja and closed with Josie on Side one; side two opened with Black Cow and closed with Home At Last.
I listened to this through high school and college before getting the LP. After all these years, I've never gotten used to the LP (and CD) running order, oddly enough, although I consider the LP the official running order. I like opening with Aja and closing with Home at Last...I'm just so set in my ways! :-)
About ten years ago, I purchased one of the MCA "two-fer" cassettes with Aja and Gaucho; since each album occupied a single side, it would be fine to use the LP order, they still used the cassette order.
I appreciate why they shuffled some of the songs around on the box so each CD opened with tracks more suited to an opener. I'm talking starting Disc 2 with King of the World instead of Pearl of the Quarter which came afterwards. Still, I disliked listening through all four CDs and having the tracks out of order. Of course, these days, I listen to the 1998-2000 masters instead, save for Gaucho, which I highly recommend the 2003 CD/SACD hybrid--assuming you can find a copy-- even for the cheapest CD boom box.
Jim
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 11:36:41 ET
Posted by: Wondering, P.S.
...Thanks to "Sequence" as well for the Aja confirmation.
And now that I see it in front of me, I do seem to recall liking that "Home At Last" was indeed last.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 11:31:20 ET
Posted by: Wondering, My final say on the matter
Thanks "This" for confirming what I seem to recall about Aja on cassette. Yes, indeed I had the MCA versions so you're very probably right about that. Of course, I can easily imagine the LPs having the same time constraint issues from side to side thereby possibly resulting in a different order than what D&W would maybe have considered preferable (if they had any preference). So with that in mind, then in theory at least I would think the CD order (if it's any different from original LP order) should be the most definitive since there is no need to flip it over to side 2, it can all just flow from start to finish.
But regardless of all that, my original point/question still stands...
Have D&W said or indicate anywhere that the featured album nights would specifically mean that those albums would be played in sequence and consecutively with no songs from other albums lodged in between at any point?
I'm thinking that playing an album "in its entirety" probably means simply that they will play all the tracks during the evening, but not necessarily in precise album format as a consecutive suite of songs.
And I too am curious about HD & Gaucho (the ditty) as to whether W will continue to handle the vocals or if D will pick'em up this go-round so as to preserve the "official" album feel and fulfill what would no doubt be many fans' expectations.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 11:26:28 ET
Posted by: sequence, stuff
Here's the Aja cassette sequence differing from the CD.
http://tinyurl.com/nsdc9v
It appears that the late 90's remastered cassettes (how did I miss those?) used the CD sequence.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 11:15:24 ET
Posted by: Joey,
" Of course, if they surprise us with some rarely, or 'never played live' material, I'm ALL IN (sorry couldn't resist) with the The Sound Board at the casino! "
Jul 25 - Boston - Wang Theatre | Internet Request | Amex May 30* | General Jun 6
Aug 01 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Internet Request | Amex May 30* | General Jun 6
Aug 25 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | Internet Request | Amex Jun 6* | General Jun 13
Sep 04 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | Internet Request | Amex May 30* | General Jun 6
The boys are REALLY setting themselves up for these gigs. I mean , who in the friggin HELL is NOT going to request ' Dr. Wu ' as a track that they would like to hear live ?! ... !!!!
If Don & Walt do not play " The Wu " at every single one of these concerts then the entire audience will walk away from the show disappointed . Word .
Developing ...........................................
J. " Snuggles " Fly ! ™
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 11:08:04 ET
Posted by: This, Order
Many of the cassettes (at least the ones re-released on MCA) had a differnt sequence to balance the duration of each side. I remember Aja starting with the title track and Royal Scam ending with Sign in Stranger. It's been more than 20 years so I can't remember them too well.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:59:54 ET
Posted by: Wondering, LP = CD?
If those boneyard entries are correct, it looks like the CDs restored the LP sequence. I never had the LPs, so I didn't know anything of their order.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:53:56 ET
Posted by: Bob, Atlanta
Looks like trouble in River City.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:53:05 ET
Posted by: Wondering, Can't buy the same Thrill sequence
The same blog re CBAT...
http://www.boneyardmedia.com/?p=1013
...but with just the bare-bones sequence info, no added details or speculation.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:49:02 ET
Posted by: SoulMonkey, cyberspace
Apologize if this has been discussed before, but what does the AMEX pre-sale involve? Is it only for the 4 night packages? Or also for single performances?
Any special passwords or codes needed? Or is an AMEX card alone sufficent to pick tix tomorrow?
Thanks any and all clarifications
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:48:16 ET
Posted by: Wondering, Re PL track order...
So far I Googled up this re PL on LP or Cassette...
http://www.boneyardmedia.com/?p=830
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:37:44 ET
Posted by: Wondering, Album order
Well, I had the albums on audio cassette for many years before chucking them for CDs and it took me a long long time to get used to the new order, always mentally anticipating the next track according to the cassette order. But now I've listened to the CDs too mnay times over the years and I did finally get used to the alternate order.
It's possible Gaucho could have been the same on both formats, but I know everything through Aja was sequenced differently. My cassettes could not have been anything other than standard cassette format as they were all purchased through normal retail outlets at the time with commercial packaging and all. They weren't just my own custom versions. The same applies for my CDs as well. I long ago disposed of the cassettes, so I have no way to tangibly verify right at this moment.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:10:26 ET
Posted by: Order,, what order?
I have owned all of the Phase I albums as albums, cassettes, and CD's - and I never noticed a different order among them, so I must embarrass myself and ask: Which albums had different orders in different formats?
Wouldn't the album order trump others, if they are playing in order?
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 10:07:39 ET
Posted by: Dr Who, Detroit
The optimist in me says I should be looking forward to checking out a Royal Scam show in Chicago...
The realist in me knows we probably won't be able to make the jaunt $$$, and is just happy they're coming to Detroit, and at The Sound Board no less (1500 seats, great accoustics).
There is a contradiction between SD's tour page & Motor City Casino's page (http://www.motorcitycasino.com/Sound-Board.aspx);
Sept. 5 at the casino's site, and Sept. 6 at SD's site.
I'm hoping for the 6th, which seems more realistic, as they will be coming off the Chicago sets, wrapping up with 2 nights in a row 9/3 & 9/4.
While I've got a feeling I'm going to get very lucky with my MC Casino tix (have a VIP player connection there), I really would have preferred them to play the bigger venue (like Pine Knob), where the atmosphere is more condusive to pre-show partying, hob-knobbing & such; not to mention access to more reasonably priced seats for general masses & casual fans (AKA getting several friends to come along).
Of course, if they surprise us with some rarely, or 'never played live' material, I'm ALL IN (sorry couldn't resist) with the The Sound Board at the casino!
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 09:45:32 ET
Posted by: Wondering, about the album nights...
Did D&W ever say the featured album songs would be played sequentially and consecutuvely (as if one were playing the album for oneself)? Or are some folks just assuming that to be the case?
I actually thought I recalled reading a quote somewhere on here that there would in fact be other songs mixed among the album tracks for the night. But a quick eyeball search down the page for such a quote proved fruitless, so I could well be mistaken.
Followup: What exactly is the correct album order?... The LP order? The audio cassette order? The CD order?
I strongly suspect that playing an album in its entirety simply means playing each song once somewhere along the way during the evening with songs from other albums sprinkled in. This could create an air of anticipation for a particular song as the night's performance dwindles to a close and the featured album's tracks are reeled off.
Like Dean, I'm very curious to learn the voting methodology for the non-album special nights.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 09:26:16 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
Hutch, I couldn't agree with you more, we've heard all these great old tracks now and enough is now enough, 2vN and EMG were carefully crafted works and this is the very band, in great part, who recorded them. Out with the old. They're making a mistake here. Like Donald said in a recent interview that the jazz purist in him hates Steely Dan, so too the true old Steely Dan fan, a music aficianado not satisfied with the same old same old must perforce repudiate this latest development. But business is business, I suppose, Mr. Azoff is calling this dance...
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 08:53:59 ET
Posted by: Hutch, rva
KD asked, "Just to hear these tunes sequentially"? Good point.
This whole thing smacks of desperation. We've heard all but one or two of the songs from these albums played live before. Are the dedicated fans who have seen numerous shows (like myself) going to shell out big bucks just to hear the songs played in order? Is getting to hear My Rival worth the expense?
If WB sings Gaucho or Haitian Divorce again would that be accepted as an accurate rendition of the albums those songs are on? It wouldn't be for me.
I love and respect these guys in a big way. And I understand that these days touring is more lucrative than producing albums for a band like SD, but dammit I'm jonesin' for new studio stuff!
EMG came out SIX years ago.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 08:53:33 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach
Found,
It looks like someone confused the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, in Fort Myers, Florida with the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, in Philly.
Mann oh Mann.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 08:21:33 ET
Posted by: Found, This
http://events.nbcphiladelphia.com/philadelphia-pa/events/show/86927799-steely-dan
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 08:17:55 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh
Thanks Fez. Since you gave me some helpful info I'll hold off on making fun of you for seeing Mama Mia :)
While $200 is way out of my price range, $48 is doable. Guess I'll be in the back of balcony. Whatevs. These guys kill me. We get the same setlist every year, yet I fucking love the shows more and more, and I keep paying money to see them despite the fact that my disposable income will really only buy me a pack of smokes and a 12 of Miller High Life every two weeks.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 02:08:28 ET
Posted by: cj,
Ya Hoops you are correct about getting a discount for buying the 4-pack. Im assuming the internet show will be free. The only thing now is to see what kind of seats they will offer with that. My guess not the premo seats.
Date: Fri, May 29, 2009, 01:56:56 ET
Posted by: cj,
I was just on ticketmasters website for SD and noticed under the please note section that if you buy 3 shows get the 4th show free. no other info was given thou ?
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 23:15:50 ET
Posted by: Dissolve, The Corporaiton
I don't think the honchos at MSG sat down and said "hey, let's buy into Azoff's company so we can make it more affordable for fans to see Steely Dan at our venues." This is the same company that once paid the Yankees a billion dollars for TV rights.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 20:48:21 ET
Posted by: KD, uh-oh
This is no good. I can't afford this. In years past, I couldn't afford it. The 2006 and 2008 runs left me broke all summer. 2008 killed me.
But this, somehow, is even beyond that. Just to hear these tunes sequentially?
And if I DID have money, I'd be offended. Pay extra money for the right to walk around the merch table with 20 other suckers before the show starts? Is it a huge hassle to walk in the concert hall and find your seat, especially at these upscale places.
I haven't ripped on setlists. I haven't ripped on tours. I haven't ripped on merch. I haven't ripped on prices. I haven't ripped on anything.
But this? This is a ripoff. In 2009, of all times, these guys should be ashamed. I know how much good bands cost to put together. I know what tours are like. It doesn't have to be this much. These guys have no excuse.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 18:36:54 ET
Posted by: In 48 hours , or less
OK...so in 48 hours, I will be outlaying $1,000 for Steely Dan tickets. This reminds me of unanticipated auto repairs.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 18:18:56 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos
The target price point for concert tickets should be to have one empty seat left for each concert. That would indicate that the ticket were priced at a level that concert-goers were willing to pay. Every night a sell-out? Raise prices until only one seat remains unsold. Too many empty seats? Lower prices until only one seat remains unsold. Why should resellers get all of the high-end gravy?
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 17:54:19 ET
Posted by: Nifty, Swag
You forgot the keychain.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 17:18:59 ET
Posted by: Not an AAsssssss, @the Danfest
No soundcheck, no meet and greet, but I'm really looking forward to those HASSLE free entrance and shopping experiences! Those are always real buzz kills.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 17:12:15 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu
Thanks Per.
So Golden Circle seats are still better?
No sound check?
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 17:09:36 ET
Posted by: fezzie, .....
Wang is an absoulutely gorgeous venue,sound is awesome i saw "mama mia" there a couple of years back and was stunned at the sound.not a bad seat in the place....fezzie
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 16:42:39 ET
Posted by: @Lurker Ray, VIP cost more...
A quick scan of the iloveallaccess site and the 5 star packages on offer for the full album and request nights will set you back $495 for:
* A ticket in the first 10 rows, after golden circle
* Pre-show party, including dinner & drinks
* Exclusive Steely Dan gift bag
* 5 Star souvenir laminate
* Hassle-free entrance to the venue
* Crowd-free merchandise shopping
* Parking
/PGE
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 16:21:27 ET
Posted by: econ, 101
Ghia,
Bob the Builder is at the Beacon this weekend. The highest priced seats are $50 and they have a 2 for 1 offer. Go figure.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 16:12:13 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu
It looks like the the Chicago Theatre
prices will be the same as the Beacon
as per TM -
US $72.00 - US $226.00
Could these $226 seats be All Access
packages like the Fagen Solo tour?
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 15:02:43 ET
Posted by: ghiagirl, NJ
What I do not understand is the price difference between artists playing in the same venue. Elvis Costello is playing the Beacon and the highest priced ticket is only $89. $240.00 per ticket at the Beacon is unbelievable. It almost makes more sense to see them in Atlantic City at $89.00 and get a room. It would be about the same cost.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 13:15:36 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
One other thing about the Beacon email: it said that the stand at the Beacon would be Steely Dan's longest at that venue. If I am correct, they have only announced dates four shows so far. However, having the longest stand at the Beacon would reaffirm Austin Scagg's writings in RS (as if he should be doubted) that there will be EIGHT Beacon shows.
Jim
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 13:13:14 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Just received a Beacon Theatre newsletter that sounds like it is similar to the version of the Wang Newsletter.
The most intriguing part is the bit about being able to purchase a special four-show pass for the Beacon. This is available only to American Express Card holders so that renders incorrect my bit in last night's Dandom Digest where I said buying during the AmEx pre-sale is nothing more than an additional chance at the same ticks. I wonder if there will be a discount for buying the four-show pass.
Best wishes,
Jim
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 12:27:39 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF
Same with Vegas tickets, anything good around $ 200.
Good for them, not so good for the fans. It looks like they are hardened capitalists. No wonder Donald turned into a little move.org. bolshewik just for cover and out of guilt. He's one of the evil rich Obama so decries.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 11:28:56 ET
Posted by: Get your, Ticket
Maybe D & W should see a Yankee game and observe all the unoccupied premium seats.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 11:06:52 ET
Posted by: WTF is up with NYC ticket price???, Philly
I gotta say, I'm floored by the top tier Beacon ticket prices. Last year, best seats were $150+ charges. This years $240+?????
That is fucking insane pricing for basically the same songs that we've been hearing for the last 3 years. Hope this is a misprint.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 09:14:17 ET
Posted by: Mr., Chow
Word association
MSG.com/steelydan - Szechuan dumplings.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 08:50:54 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh
Has anyone ever been to the Wang? What would a $48 seat buy? I'm more worried about the acoustics than anything else.
I told myself that *this* would be the year that I sit up close, after 5 tours in a row of sitting in the back ... but I was expecting $100 best-seat tickets, not $200.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 08:41:26 ET
Posted by: Lou Wang, Her Brother
The Wang Theatre website also says...
Another component of the partnership between Steely Dan and MSGE will be to provide new, exclusive Steely Dan interviews, photos, and past performance footage on MSG.com/steelydan. Fans will be able to visit the site to access never before seen footage as the band speaks to their overall career as well as their thoughts regarding their upcoming dates at The Beacon, The Chicago Theatre, and the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre.
http://www.citicenter.org/shows/lists/details.php?showID=471
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 08:34:35 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
from the Beacon website link in the previous post:
The shows will also include original programming to air on MSG Network in July, providing fans an inside look into one of the most revered bands of our time. The exclusive content will include never-before seen footage of the band both on and off the stage, as well as interviews of the band while they are rehearsing for their tour.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 08:16:13 ET
Posted by: Beacon, Rules
Beacon website info on the concerts. Price range is $74 to $240.
http://beacontheatre.com/events/steely-dan-2009-beacon-html
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 07:53:59 ET
Posted by: not excited, about any of this
Pepe,
Call me difficult, but given the extent to which aja/gaucho/scam have been utilized in concert, I'd prefer to hear yet another run of the mill setlist.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 06:19:04 ET
Posted by: pepe,
I'm planning on going to two of the four shows in Chicago but cant decide which shows to go to. Aja and Scam is what im thinking. Maybe a poll will help. What order of shows would you attend.
Date: Thurs, May 28, 2009, 06:00:17 ET
Posted by: Gina/Mizar6, Sun Mountain
For those in Europe, or anyone else interested in the story of how Toon Roos (who will now be opening on some Steely Dan gigs) and Walter Becker met... here's an interview we did for Mizar5:
http://www.writingaffairs.com/mizar5/tr.html
[It was an inspiring encounter, a beautiful evening I didn't expect to be continued at any point. So I let it go, went on with my life and work. And then, about ten days after meeting Walter Becker in Amsterdam, he sent me an email. "Back in Amsterdam after a week in Belgium which was all pretty enjoyable - and still thinking about how good you guys sounded last week at the Pompoen. We've got a few more days here in town - would love to go get a drink or hear some sounds if you're around and up for it." I contacted him at the hotel he was staying at and invited him for dinner at my place. Two days later, I drove Walter and company to my home and family in the countryside. Quite exciting, I must say. It was a lovely day and we had a great time. We talked about a lot of things, mainly music, naturally. He asked about my CD 'Human Feel' and had already listened to it. "Sounds great. Is it distributed in New York?" he wanted to know. Later that night I took him to a concert of a wonderful trio in jazzclub De Pompoen in Amsterdam: guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, drummer Lucas van Merwijk and bassist Jeroen Vierdag. We both enjoyed the music very much. Walter even wrote some liner notes for their upcoming album at the time. And then we said our goodbyes, exchanged some emails in which he thanked us for our hospitality.]
also, a snippet from a current Dutch article:
When Steely Dan played at North Sea jazz, my wife and I were invited to come to the concert and Walter had arranged a backstage pass for us. He offered his apologies for when Steely Dan was in Brussels and my band was supposed to open for them then, but somehow there was some miscommunication with the management and the deal fell through. Walter said that for next time he was going to make sure and take care of it himself. So now we're on tour with Steely Dan. The big venues. That's really a dream. From intimate and cosy clubs to the bigger stages."
Toen Steely Dan op North Sea speelde, werd ik uitgenodigd met mijn vrouw om naar het concert te gaan en Walter had een back stage-pas voor ons geregeld. Hij bood z'n excuses aan dat het mis was gegaan in Brussel, maar voor de volgende tour zou hij zich er zelf mee bemoeien. En nu gaan we met Steely Dan op tour. In de grote zalen. Dat is echt een droom. Van de kleine clubs naar de enorme zalen."
http://web.archive.org/web/20071214012800/http://www.toonroos.com/
(archived website)
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 23:54:24 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
"Y": I like the idea of checking the older posts. But there was not so much about the acoustics in last year's posts. 3800 is the seating capacity.
Chicago Theatre has way better acoustics for SD than the Auditorium Theatre. The Chicago also has some of the best acoustics of any venue in recent years and better than the old Beacon...can't speak for the restored Beacon. Both the Beacon and the Chicago are owned by MSG.
Jim
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 23:45:20 ET
Posted by: Y, don't
Date: Sun, August 17, 2008, 23:55:17 ET
Posted by: D,
Thanks for the review, Hoops and Margaret.
It's one thing to disagree, another when people are such assholes that they inhibit most of us from getting the reports we crave.
Date: Sun, August 17, 2008, 23:05:06 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
I tend to agree with Hoops about chatter (and anything other than MUSIC) from a band, while on stage. I despise the histrionics of most rock and pop stars, and quite frankly the chatter is usually fairly vapid. "Shut up, stop jumping around, and play your music!" is my motto. Bad intro are fine, and I have no problem with someone having a little fun with that.
But, a little talk from Don and Walt isn't too bad, if it is (or at least feels) spontaneous, to any degree. It shows me that they are comfortable/happy/excited to be playing this particular night. The Hey 19 story could go away, and I wouldn't be sad, at all. But, the minimal version we got this tour, wasn't too bad.
Date: Sun, August 17, 2008, 21:46:16 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
One final thing for now: before the show, several of us thought that Walter was going to work this weekend's lakefront air show into the "Hey 19" bit. Fighter planes all over all weekend.
GM: Keep in mind that Chicago is a strange anomaly--a town in the Midwest that isn't quite midwestern. ;-)
And, GM, your review: It's FABULOUS!
Jim
Date: Sun, August 17, 2008, 21:42:57 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
One thing in general I keep meaning to bring up.
As more than a few of you know, I've been to countless Grateful Dead shows -- in fact, this guestbook traces it's lineages to rec.music.gdead -- and for years I never even knew what the band members' speaking voice sounded like, save for usually Bob Weir saying before intermission, "We'll be right back in a little bit." Those shows just flowed song to song.
So I am extraordinarily pleased at what I perceive as significant reduction in stage patter between songs from Donald and Walter during this summer's tour. Everything flows so much better, the focus is so much more on the music, and the music seems so much denser and tighter.
Jim
Date: Sun, August 17, 2008, 21:37:11 ET
Posted by: Sparkle of your China, StL
I have just been told,by a VERY reliable source, that Lewis Hamilton has been listening to SD before getting in his F1 car.
So.. y'all gotta cheer for him
Date: Sun, August 17, 2008, 21:35:29 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Last night's show at the Chicago Theatre was even better than the show a month ago.
Upon coming back to the stage for the encore to a very enthusiastic standing ovation, Walter Becker said something like, "Weren't we just here a couple of weeks ago?"
But to back up, let me recapitulate the set list--thanks to Dave, GM, LWO and others for their part in the postings last night.
The Deep Blue Organ Trio was The Bomb. Of all the opening acts, this is the one I'd go out, get their CD, and, oh yes, make a point of seeing them at the Green Mill during one of their regular Tuesday night shows. Of all the opening acts I've seen in the past year, this was by far the best. (BTW: You should put Catherine Russell in that class too. I just didn't get to see Catherine Russell as an opening act in Montreal.)
Of course, there was the Overture of "Everyone's Gone to the Movies", "The Fez", "The Royal Scam". As part of "The Royal Scam", Keith held court with a fantastic drum solo that I did not recall at last month's Chicago show or the NYC and Boston shows in June that I attended.
Donald and Walter entered the stage for "The Royal Scam". The groove of the trademark riff went on and on, ever so tightly.
All three girls were also on stage wearing the noted Afro wigs.
From there it was "I Got the News", and, of course, "Show Biz Kids" which has, as you know, been perfected from the 1973 and 2006 versions for this tour into an amazing funk groove. And, of course, it's midway through when the LED backdrop is revealed. I can't help but imagine if it they had the right pyrotechnics to show that as a matrix of real flames rather than LEDs, but hey, that's my visual mind, deeply influenced by the incredibly hot playing.
From there, the heat continued with "Bodhisattva".
Admittedly, I thought I had grown a little tired of the title track from "Two Against Nature" when the girls really engaged all of us in the audience with new excitement for the track with their hand-claps sequence.
From there, it was "Hey 19". Every since Walter took over the "Cuervo Gold" lead up last year, the seemingly required song has taken on new spontaneity. This time the story was about taking one's date back to their Lake Shore Drive apartment for a drink and more. My favorite of these was during the second Boston show in 2007 which was hilariously, outrageously and spontaneously twisted, but this one gets a "4 out of 5" in my book.
"Godwhacker" really got the groove down and, ever since some BlueBook discussion circa 2003, I still can't help but think of Condoleeza Rice dressed as Slinky Redfoot.
Then the sisters were the stars of a "wiggy" "Babylon Sisters" for which there was an amazing groove.
Throughout the show, there were more than a few standing ovations.
It is so refreshing that Donald's "New Frontier" is part of the set. The marching sales drones on the LED board are awesome and lend it a contemporary context. One of the best visuals of the past 15 years.
Walter followed up wit "Gaucho". Some say, they are not nuts about Walter's vocals on "Gaucho". Personally, I don't think it matters who sings that one. I've found Donald' vocals on the original to be OK but not especially exceptional. It's the song -- the musical performance on "Gaucho" that is so great.
I wish there was also a solo track from Walter. I know Walter has said in interviews that the audience wants to hear Steely Dan tunes, but a song like "Somebody's Saturday Night" or "Three Picture Deal" are instant jukebox hits, even if I think there are better tracks off of "Circus Money". I think the audience would have gotten then right away--they are such strong tunes.
The Texas roadhouse-tinged "Black Friday" was next followed by a perfected version of "Parker's Band".
From there it was Walter with perhaps his best guitar playing ever and another amazing drum performance by Keith. Earlier in the show, a fan had to be brought out to blow on Keith--he was was giving that much. (Oh c'mon! I'm talking about an electric air fan! But Keith did probably feel better for it!)
Then it was "Aja" with all those amazing solos including another by Master Carlock.
At some point towards the end of the show, when he was behind the keyboard, Donald exclaimed something like, "What a night! You're flipping me out!"
And of course, the girls were a hit with "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart". The Afro wigs completed the whole experience. It was during Walter's band intros that Donald got up from behind his keyboards and starting walking around the stage, kind of dancing almost. He was very thrilled. He was holding the "mystery instrument" (the melodica, of course).
From there it was "Peg" and "My Old School" and they left the stage. For the past several songs, the audience went wild and more than a few audience members were standing and dancing.
The standing ovation from the crowd ranked alongside those from the best Steely Dan audience--Boston crowds.
It was then that Walter, Donald and the band came back on stage and Walter made the comment about how they had played the Chicago not too recently, as if to punctuation how the crowd nevertheless seemed even more completely enthusiastic.
They wrapped with "FM" and "Kid Charlemagne", Donald and Walter left the stage and the band played music from "Last Tango In Paris" as we safely exited.
Regarding the Danfest, special thanks to SueDave, as well as thanks again to Keith & Janet, Chris and Lisa, Mike, Hey Mike, Hey Mike, Jr, Hey Matt, Mark, Noah, and of course Girl Margaret, Aunt Noreen and everyone else. But thanks most of all to SD!
Jim
Date: Sun, August 17, 2008, 21:35:18 ET
Posted by: Girl Margaret, Home at last
What a fucking great show last night was! A trip to the midwest is the perfect mid-August treat for this east coast girl, especially to see such an outstanding band. It dawned on me as I was driving home today that I forgot to mention Showbiz Kids was also played last night early on - forgive me, when I got SF's request for the set we were about four songs in and I was a wee bit loaded! But other than that, I got it right.
Now, the other shows I've seen this tour have been a lot of fun, but there was something special about seeing SD in Chi-town last night. Maybe it was the month long break I've had between shows (yea, yea, I hear the violins), or all these fantastic reviews I've been reading lately, or just the relief of taking a much needed break away from everything to go out and see a Steely Dan concert, but the band last night sounded so tight and almost so perfect. There were a few glitches here and there - botched lyrics, perhaps a melodica malfunction (he was monkeying with it in a corner for a moment), but the Dan never fails to impress me. Here's a few of the highlights that stood out for me:
* I only caught the tail end of Blue Organ Trio's set, but they were a decent band - organ, guitar, and drums. Very relaxing to listen to, very pleasant, perfect dinner music, if you were having dinner at a place that offers live music.
* When the band took the stage for the opening medley, they were stepping out like they were King Shit. It was almost like watching a musical rumble, the band was there to kick some ass and they were showing no mercy! My favorite moment was the change from "Everyone's Gone to the Movies" to "The Fez" : Jeff Young (my man Jeff Young!) turns from the piano, stands up, and starts to play the opening notes on his keyboard, but last night he played it with such a force, like he was banging out the song as if to say to the audience "THIS IS MY FUCKING SONG!" It was so awesome, he was so powerful in that moment, it was intense. And as Kid Clean put it so eloquently, "I'm Jeff Young, bitch!" Intense.
* At the previous shows I attended this summer, Carlock took a short solo during the medley, and it was respectable, but not very long. I've been wondering what all the hype was lately about his solo because it didn't seem like much of a solo early on. Last night I finally understood, as his solo is now much longer than before. Sweet Jesus, I could watch Carlock solo all night.
* Three girls. Three fros. All sex appeal. With all due respect to Catherine Russell and Tawatha Agee, there is nothing finer than Miss Cindy Mizelle.
* The set was fab, but I truly miss Everything You Did.
* I couldn't say for certain, but for a moment I thought I saw Catherine Russell singing Cindy Mizelle's solo for a verse in Two Against Nature. I was sitting in front of Herington, so I couldn't see it perfectly. Whoever sang it, it sounded hot.
* Walter's Hey 19 story was a little on the long side, at some point he just started running down a laundry list of booze. Good times.
* Bodhisatva in the middle of the set was a real treat. In the past, the girls would clap when the song started, but last night the horns and Herington were clapping, too. I always clap along with the girls, but when Herington's clapping, too, you clap! Shit, Herington, could get me to do anything.
* Gaucho, fabulous as always. I cried yet again. Dammit Walter!
* Donald was in rare fucking form last night. He was yelling out all sorts of stuff during songs, most of it muddled, but you could tell he was having a great time. During Walter's Josie solo he was hollering out to him, almost cheering him on. And the dancing! He was doing some sort of melodica dance all over the stage, particularly in front Carlock's drums, and it was priceless. I don't know if he had a second helping of Wheaties for breakfast or what, but he was a hoot. I've never seen him like this before!
* My Old School was also a treat. I've always loved that song, it's such a great sing along.
* I was really hoping Howard Levy would show, but alas, there was no Levy.
* After the show, I ran downstairs to the bathroom and when I came back up there was a lot of commotion going on. The ushers were trying to get people out and there was a lot of nervous chatter. They seemed to be talking about the balcony, as they were trying to get people out of there. Then I went outside and the fire department and EMT showed up. Didn't hear about someone falling from the balcony until just now!
* The audience was fantastic. Great, great energy in that theater. After they played MOS and went off stage, the audience was making so much noise, you'd think the band was still onstage. They didn't let up for a moment until the after the band started playing FM. Wow.
And I've said it before, and I'll say it again: It doesn't matter where you are, it's who you're with. So thanks to all my fabulous Chicago friends who made my weekend a blast. Too bad it was so brief, but it was a blast. And Kid Clean, I'm still laughing about the Jeff Young thing.
Date: Fri, July 18, 2008, 00:18:36 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @home
I was in the second row balcony, almost dead center. I have to agree with that reviewer in that I don't think the sound was what it should have been, albeit not as bad as he stated. Since the addition of 'Ready' Freddy, I think the bass has been much brighter and cleaner in the mix. I saw 2 DFB shows and 5 SD shows in '06-'07 and was amazed at how the bass was really well defined in the mix. In that blurb from Chuck Rainey's website he stated something to the effect that he was glad he wasn't asked to do any of the tours because the bass was buried in the mix and really couldn't be heard. I agree totally with that, up to the DFB shows. Tuesday night in Chicago was a flash back to that muddled mix. I would also agree that it was just a little too loud, which didn't help the mix. I captured some audio from the show and it is not nearly as clear as the audio from the DFB show there in '06. Pleasantly, however, Donald's rhodes was much more present and could be distinctly heard throughout. Everything, except the bass was actually really clear. Herrington continues to amaze me with how he adds his signature to the songs while preserving the original atmosphere. Walter is a f*&%ing awesome player, he took way more solo's than I can recall in the past and really sounds great. There was a bit of jamming at the end of Godwhacker and he was all over it. Home at Last was brilliant as well. These last few years he has improved (in my opinion) exponentially, and really appears to be more confident. I'm sure some will take offence at this but I wasn't that hot on Gaucho. To me that is one of the songs that just shouldn't be sung by any one but Don. It's epic, like Aja, Dr Wu, Caves, etc. and I think it loses a little something with Walter singing. It was good, glad to finally hear it live, but I just don't think it was great. What WAS great was TvN. I was lucky enough to hear it live for the first time ever in Memphis last year and it was pretty shaky. They have really nailed it now and it sounds great. The horns were spot on as well, with Pugh back in the lineup. That baritone sax really adds some depth and Micheal is just a damn great player. Walt, I have to say, really impressed me. His solo's on Godwhacker and Aja were forceful and tight. Glamour was great to hear with this band, light years ahead of the '96 version, which is the last time I'd heard it played. I was a little disapointed with Parkers Band, which was a real highlight in '03. I know its fast and short, but it seemed almost faster and shorter Tuesday. Talk about a great vehicle for the horns to really shine and for the whole band to just play the hell out of a song but it wasn't as stunning as '03. Howard Levy walking on for the encores was great. He really added to the dimension of Black Friday, which, by the way, was played bluesier and funkier than I have ever heard. That song has not been one of my favorites, but it was beautifully executed that night. I'm also not on board with Kid C as the closer. Levy was barely audible in the mix and it just didn't seem to have the same kick as when they would play it as the last or second last song of the regular set. In spite of having heard it almost every show previous to this, I really missed it. It really gets the house going, especially as an encore.
Well, that was way more than I had planned on writing.....
we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...
KC
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2008, 23:47:25 ET
Posted by: Jive Miguel, Bogata (Bethesda, MD)
By the way Jim, you are right, I should not have assumed that the reviewer spoke for anyone other than himself. Chicago Theatre has a great reputation for acoustics. My bad.
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2008, 22:55:14 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Jive;
Thanks for the link: I think this guy is way off. I think it's kinda off base to post that the Chicago Theatre has issues based on one guy who's credentials are unknown to us. Or maybe I missed what makes his cedentials better than any of us here. Please explain, Jive, in case I missed.
Here's how I responded, although it remains to be seen if my response will be added.
=======
Hello.
I’ve been to something like 70 Steely Dan shows; a friend of mine has been to over 200 shows in the past 15 plus years.
We thought the show Tuesday night at the Chicago Theatre was one of the best sounding shows ever. The venue was great, hardcore fans plan to fly in to Steely Dan at the Chicago Theatre again in the future.
Perhaps your location (and its acoustics) was anomaly unique to your seats.
Jim McKay
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 23:37:15 ET
Posted by: Y, don't
Why don't you people check out all the blue book comments about the Chicago Theatre from last year's shows?
It talks about it. Just search for Chicago on this page.
http://www.dandom.com/guestbook/052008.html
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 22:43:34 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach
jooonbg,
The August 24th LA/Royal Scam show is one I hope to be at. But, I won't know for sure, for at least another week, or two.
I know I will see them June 18th in St Augustine...well, as long as I'm still breathing and ambulatory. :#)
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 22:29:08 ET
Posted by: Mick, Champaign
SF:
Long time no text to. I hope that everything is well with you.
Cool beans on the Chicago Theater!!!
I hope that I can afford a quartet of evenings.
I believe that my brother and his family saw STING at the Chicago or else the Auditorium Theater and he raved!
Of course one must like Sting, musn't one?
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 22:13:43 ET
Posted by: SF, NJ
Mick,
I saw 5 shows on the Morph tour, the last of which was at the Chicago Theater. It was not only the best sounding of the concerts I had been to on that tour, but I think the best of any concert I've ever seen. Although I didn't return to see SD, others on here commented that it was the best sounding SD concert they have been to. I believe it.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 22:05:47 ET
Posted by: Mick, Champaign
I've never seen a show at the Chicago Theater. I seem to remember it as a movie theater as a kid growing up on the "South Side". This much i do know...it's an acoustic marvel and very very old and intimate! A wonderful place to see and hear AJA, Goucho, and or THE ROYAL SCAM performed in their entirety.
I would very much appreciate hearing anything more anyone has on the Chicago Theater as a concert venue. Most important to me is the approximate seating capacity.
Thanks
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 21:50:35 ET
Posted by: Mike F., NYC
I have 2 SD concert t-shirts that are in fine condition (clean) I am looking to get rid of.
One gray Heavy Rollers tour 2007, with kids rolling dice on front, Large.
One tan Everything Must Go 2003 tour, with lyrics to Things I Miss The Most, Large.
Please contact me off list if interested. Thanks.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 21:29:27 ET
Posted by: jooonbg, Santa Monica
Anyone here going to the Steeley Dan show in Los Angeles on Aug 24?
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 20:24:14 ET
Posted by: TC Blues,
Looks like Mpls and Milwaukee will get passed over again. Very sad. Looking forward to hearing tales from those lucky enough to see. Bummer Chicago shows aren't on a weekend!
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 19:37:22 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Approved?
Approved list? Oh no!
Oh, here it is...
1. Peg
2. Josie
3. Hey 19
4. My Old School
5. Green Earrings
6. Green Flower Street
7. Kid Charlemagne
8. Black Friday
Everyone gets to pick their 7 favorite songs out of the list above?
m.e.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 19:07:20 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
just went to :
http://iloveallaccess.com/
they have a notice that Steely Dan VIP packages are coming soon...there is a little pic there that says "For the first time ever...Steely Dan plays the works"
hmmmmmm
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 15:15:46 ET
Posted by: getting, myself in the mood
guess i got three days to get an amex card.
would love to know who the special guests are going to be beforehand.
boston probably won't have that much: tom scholtz, dinky dawson, david ortiz. liv tyler's father. deano.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-H27E0dXV0KQ/liv_tyler_in_her_bra_and_panties/
then again, i may just skip the tour and go to this:
very good steely cover band at a fun place with decent food. actual adults frequent the place!!
June 13: Saturday - Show Biz Kids - Black Eyed Sally's - Hartford, CT : 9:30 - 1:00
notkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkiddingnotkidding
ps: to those who hold out on other steely fans: FREE SEAWALL!!
love,
kenni vanse
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 13:30:59 ET
Posted by: mr parker, socal
empty dates between atl & la
a return to pala would surely be sweet
jus sayin
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 13:11:20 ET
Posted by: t. nova,
Thanks, Dean - I've had a couple of friends e-mail me about the Rolling Stone thing this morning as well.
Funny that "Through With Buzz" will be WB's indicator that things have gotten out of control... I suppose there'll be a pizza missing a slice spinning wildly on a turntable in the lobby of the venue as well.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 12:47:27 ET
Posted by: Toon, Roos
Also announced, this band will be opening on select European dates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDtJdCm7xME
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 12:18:21 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
maybe they could have the band play Dr. Wu before WB and DF take the stage...part of the opening medley....
Personally, I'd rather hear Pearl of the Quarter or Razor Boy before Dr. Wu...nothing against Dr. Wu, but I would love to hear these other gems...
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 11:34:06 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach
Still no newsletter for The Dean. Hopefully, it'll get here sometime today.
Just an FYI to t. nova, and some others: I believe Becker already stated the requests would come from an approved list of songs the band is willing to perform. I might not bet the house, but if I had a cabin or cottage, I'd bet that against The Second Arrangement being on the list. You can add marginal songs like "Sail the Waterway" to those that likely won't make the list, too. Of course, it doesn't hurt to hope.
The real wagering proposition is: Will Dr. Wu be on the list? I also wonder how many songs can each ticket holder request/vote for? The details are in the methodology.
Some never/rarely played songs I'd like to at least see on the list (and not from the 3 albums they are going to play) are: Razor Boy, Through with Buzz, both Gold Teeth, Fire in the Hole, Lunch With Gina, West of Hollywood, King of the World, Any Major Dude, With a Gun, Charlie Freak, Night by Night, Almost Gothic, Negative Girl, The Last Mall, Pixeleen, Here at the Western World and some solo stuff from Don and Walt. Nothing obscure, just overlooked classics that rarely get performed live.
But I expect the request shows to be more "greatest hit" oriented than the other shows...if there is even a difference. As I stated when this was announced, I expect the album shows, request shows and regular shows to be fairly similar. Still, I'd love to go to at least one of each. Hoping to make the Royal Scam show in LA.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 10:57:26 ET
Posted by: Girl Margaret, Out of the woodwork
Hello to all my fabulous Danfriends and family! It's been a hot minute, hasn't it? I work for a tax attorney and this year has been absolutely crazy at work to the point where something had to give and it ended up being Steely Dan and all that went with it. Haven't read The Blue in months, wasn't thinking about concerts at all this summer, I've been all over the place and scattered brain cells all around the tri-state area. But this morning when I saw the SD newsletter in my email, finally announcing more tour dates, I started to get excited, finally started to get that buzz back, and now I'm thinking about concerts and seeing all of you again! Don't know what I've missed over the last few months, except for my friends, but I hope everyone is alive and well and excited and here's hoping we can have some more fabulous adventures again this summer!
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 10:42:35 ET
Posted by: t. nova,
Been lurking here forever, but had to rise to the surface to say this: Beacon Theater Request people - give us "Second Arrangement" or give us death. Thank you. Also: OMG UNICORNS.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 10:24:17 ET
Posted by: 3 bars, 3 cherries
Atlantic City has lost a lot of business to the slot parlors that opened in Philly. I wouldn't be surprised if Borgata sweetens the deal if they agree to forgo Philadelphia. Pure speculation though. Camden/Philly might still be on the horizon.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 10:19:15 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Sigh of Relief
Very pleased to be wrong. I find that I am a lot, lately. Hmmmm....
I will not win power ball.
I will not get laid at the show.
Sweet.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 09:50:33 ET
Posted by: Mail, Man
Newsletter mailed. Check your email.
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 09:38:56 ET
Posted by: Philippe, toujours là
For those of you who appreciated Samuel Purdey, you may also dig Jango's new album: Red day dawn, I'm waiting for my copy and I just heard one song but it was as sweet as some of their stuff on the first cd they released. A lot of Dan references, I bet you'll love that too.
BTW, if you find the time, why not writing a review of Purdey's cd on cdbaby.
One last thing, Rajah, I used to have your e-mail but I can't find it anymore, would you mind sending me a line ?
One more last thing, any idea of what the "stay at homes" can expect ??
"Yes, yet another tour-centric Newsletter --
of what moment to those who won't be catching
a show this summer?
But surely we'd be skinned
if we didn't send these updates to those who WILL!
So in the interest of fair play,
we'll have something for you Stay-At-Homes
in the Newsletter Issue(s) to come."
Philippe
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 09:18:29 ET
Posted by: mikethebaker, the sugar shack in Pennsylvania
Is this all the rest of the dates? I notice a gap between the Beacon and Foxwoods. Could Philly show up there? I hope Philly doesn't get the shaft.......
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 08:56:58 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh
No Royal Scam for Boston :(
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 08:44:41 ET
Posted by: duncan,
updates at sd.com!
Date: Wed, May 27, 2009, 04:51:28 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham UK
Rajah:
Me too ;-)
Date: Tues, May 26, 2009, 22:49:34 ET
Posted by: Beast w/o A Name, for a change, my wife's not watching something on Bravo
Moray Eel, couldn't agree more.
Having helped actively fund Steely Dan's retirement nest eggs for my whole life, most of it the past 16 years, what with tickets to 13 or so shows, buying schwag at nearly every gig not to mention buying their catalog in multiple configurations, fans like us need a little more.
Remeber a time when lodging a reduncancy complaint against Steely Dan's "set lists" would have been the stuff of fantasy. Here we all are now complaining that the same setlists always get played. Personally, I don't care if I ever hear Peg again for the rest of my life, the recorded or live version.
The 1996 and 2000 tours were remarkable for the volume of previously never before played tunes... 96 had Rikki, Midnite Cruiser (D+W harmonized on this one vocally), Movies (Don and Walt both sing), Black Cow, East. St. Louis Toodle-Oo, Don't Take Me Alive, Any Major Dude, Do It Again, Bad Sneakers (w/ voc). 2000 had Boston Rag, Night By Night, Royal Scam (w/ voc), Daddy (Walt voc), Monkey (Walt voc). Since then, the deep cut nuggets have dwindled considerably as ticket prices have risen considerably.
I like that they're doing these full album shows, but they're not adding much to their never been played list... The only new one might be My Rival, depending on if The Fez is given its first vocal run. For me, it is somewhat hard to count Walt's take on Haitian Divorce. He seemed to fare better on Gaucho. For these special upcoming shows, I'm hoping Don reassumes vocal duties.
Whenever and Wherever The Royal Scam played live in its entirety is happening, I shall be attending. I hope they put the album cover on a grey shirt, the way Jeff Beck put Blow by Blow on a brown shirt. That would be cool.
Moray, I would change a few things: Donald needs to sing on True Companion, period. Add some echo and 1 male backing singer for better blend live. Jeff Young was a welcome addition that way.
Lose Sail The Waterway and replace with reworked versions of Aja and Caves of Altamira incorporating elements of their in progress outtakes versions. A cool thing would be to see a solo version of Black Cow by Donald Fagen, piano vocal only. But that's just me.
I saw the Irvine 94 show when they opened with True Companion then segued into Aja. That was one of my favorite concert moments.. ever.
This was before online setlist spoilers...The 93 / 94 tours were extra special to me, also because of Dennis Chambers and the shrewd, economical use of 3 woodwind players - tenor, soprano and flutes in various combinations on True Companion and FM. Awesomely clever.
Date: Tues, May 26, 2009, 22:28:11 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, If a tree falls in the woods....
Once again, there does not seem to be any publicity surrounding the activities of this band. Thank God for Austin Scaggs of Rolling Stone or there would be no advance word at all. Entertainment Weekly just published their Summer Music issue with info on at least 100 different band tours. Steely Dan doesn’t even get a side bar mention. I know EW is Dan friendly because they did a great article on Donald in 2007. Let’s face it, other than hard-core fanatics, the world knows nothing of this tour.
Mark in Boston
Date: Tues, May 26, 2009, 19:46:47 ET
Posted by: moray eel, good
A diehard fans set list... they are taking fan voting, right? Well, here's my ballot.
The set list is 23 songs. During the '93 tour they started out playing close to 25 songs. Lately that number has started to drift down toward 15. I'd like to see that number get back up into the twenties. Anyway, here it is...
1. Something by Miles Davis. Anything. My suggestion= "Blue In Green" to open the show. The band played a little Miles during soundcheck in Chicago a few years back.
2. "Maxine"
3. "Dr. Wu"
4. "Your Gold Teeth"
5. "Kings". I know some people have waited over 35 years to hear this live. If DF cannot bring himself to play this song, "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" can be played instead. I'm flexible. :->
6. Their cover of Mitchell's "Carey". Might be the only way we ever get to hear their version of this song.
7. "Josie". A concession to make it easier on DF. They can phone this one in... and it does have a great grove for a live setting.
8. "Brooklyn" sung by Donald. I'd like to see him reclaim this one back from Palmer.
9. "The Second Arrangement". No engineer will be able to erase it this time.
10. "True Companion". DF doesn't have to sing this one.
Intermission
11. Something unreleased from Fagen's Chinese Orchestra period described by Daniel Lazarus. If nothing else, will settle for "Shanghai Confidential".
12. "Big Noise, New York"
13. "Downtown Canon" by Walter. DF gets a break.
14. "Mary Shut The Garden Door"
15. Cover of Pink Floyd's "Money". Posters here have said they have heard SD play it during soundchecks.
16. "Barrytown".
17. "The Royal Scam".
18. Cover of "Bright Lights, Big City." This time we get to hear it without the Michael J. Fox voiceover.
19. "Kulee Baba".
20. "Sail The Waterway". Would love to hear Fagen sing, "You know the tide is high, and the westward wind won't quit..."
Encore:
21. "Negative Girl"
22. "Lunch with Gina"
23. Cover of "Ain't That Peculiar". SD used to cover this live in the '70s. If DF doesn't want to cover Marvin Gaye again, Dylan's "Down Along The Cove" can be substituted.
That's the list. All of the SD albums get some love (Gaucho sessions Kulee Baba, etc.). Fagen doesn't have to sing on 4 of the songs.
Since DF has played basically all of these songs before in some capacity, I think chances are very good that the fan night setlist could be very close to the list above... like 90-95% accurate.... right?
[crickets chirping]
m.e.
Date: Tues, May 26, 2009, 18:20:51 ET
Posted by: Rev Bulworth, with DR Wu
I fear Casual is on to something.....the long delay in supplying these dates is starting to signal a problem in Denmark.
I'd like to see the guys at Bethel again....they kicked ass last July 10 there. I'd settle for the Beacon, but if it must be the Borgata, it shall be done. Stay in North Wildwood and swim in the Hereford Inlet.
Date: Tues, May 26, 2009, 17:23:50 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Orlando
Lookit, its almost June and all of these other post-Europe dates are still evidently up in the air. The Orlando show, which is now less than three weeks away, is still not even close to selling out a 2800 seat facility.
You have no idea how wrong I hope to be on this, but the situation is not good. Not good at all.
Date: Tues, May 26, 2009, 15:45:55 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
KD and Bassy, that cut by Samuel Purdey struck a chord, no pun intended, something about the diminuendo on electric piano, or is that a Rhodes around 1:11 or 12 that reminded me so much of Black Cow. Plus the nice Carltonesque turn by the guitarist, a real attack, I love that, at the bridge. What is it, a Jamiroquai vocal strophe in entrance and then, well, maybe too much ritornello, chorus, for my taste but, really, taken altogether, that's a neat little cut of music. Me like him very much.
Date: Tues, May 26, 2009, 10:06:23 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham
KD:
FYI, on the strength of the YouTube clip you kindly posted, I have just bought the Samuel Purdey album "Musically Adrift" album, from which Lucky Radio is taken, in MP3 download form from CD Baby for $9.99.
Excellent stuff and highly recommended.
Date: Mon, May 25, 2009, 20:25:12 ET
Posted by: Duth, NorthCaldwell, NJ
Got my Borgata tickets saturday!!! Section 200 row 7 on the isle.On the "Becker" side!!
Date: Sun, May 24, 2009, 17:40:57 ET
Posted by: Steely Fan, NJ
Had lunch today at a restaurant in Red Bank, NJ. On the walls in the entrance were portraits of famous Jersians. Springsteen, Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Derek Jeter, Michael Douglas, David Copperfield, Abbot & Costello, Count Basie and a few others. I didn't object to Fagen being omitted until I saw one of Clint Black. I'm sure Clint himself, being the SD fan that he is, wouldn't stand for that.
Date: Sun, May 24, 2009, 13:52:43 ET
Posted by: Klaus and the rooster, ohio
Please Don and Walt' get on with it' vacation plans need firmed up. I am hoping for a swing thru Ohio or Detroit but told the wife i will jump Amtrack to Chitown if needed!!
Date: Sun, May 24, 2009, 10:22:21 ET
Posted by: Deaconblue, Brussels
Lovers of Westcoastmusic
Just listen to the webradioprogram "Smooth FM" . It's in dutch but the music is great.
California : 11am - 1pm
New York : 2pm - 4pm
Brussels, Paris : 20.00 - 22.00
Goes to www.accentfm.com and choose your favourite mediaplayer.
Just enjoy the show !!
Date: Sun, May 24, 2009, 02:07:42 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach
Congrats, to Keith.
I look forward to seeing him, in less than a month.
Jamie, does lemonade go with everything? Maybe. For me, a good Champagne goes with everything...even a decent one.
Going to see Les Dudek, at a recording studio/club outside of Orlando, next Friday. It is supposed to a "filming for the new DVD" or some such nonsense. Taking my guitar playing nephew, who lives in Orlando, to the show.
The first (and last) time I saw Les, was in the winter of 75/76, in Albany NY. He opened for The Outlaws, and they played in some small ballroom, at SUNY Albany. There were a few hundred folding chairs (at the most), in the room. Nobody told the bands. The amount of equipment in the room was what you would expect for a small concert venue.
Well, Les blew the doors off this ballroom. It was painfully wonderful. I was 18, at the time. Les' first album (Les Dudek) had just come out, and it was really smokin'. We used to play it LOUD, but you can only play it so loud when you live in a dorm.
The Outlaws, who were also very good at that time, also gave a killer performance, and were almost as loud as Les.
That I could hear that music, played by a great bands, and hear it THAT LOUD, was awesome. I did have a ringing in my ear for a day or two afterward, and more than a couple of people went to the school clinic that night, with ear issues.
I'm guessing Friday's show will be smokin', but at a far lower volume. Hopefully, not too much lower, though.
Date: Sun, May 24, 2009, 00:54:07 ET
Posted by: TheCongratulator, Ether
CONGRATULATIONS TO KEITH CARLOCK!!
The July issue of Modern Drummer magazine is out and Keith SWEPT the polls in FIVE Categories:
#1 BEST ALL AROUND
#1 BEST FUSION DRUMMER
#1 BEST POP DRUMMER
- - - - - - - --
#2 BEST STUDIO MUSICIAN
#3 BEST RECORDED PERFORMANCE FOR **CIRCUS MONEY!** (woo hoo!)
Congratulations to Keith whose hard work and incredible talents are being recognized, and thank you to everyone who voted!!
(Time to update that bio on SteelyDan.com!!) :)
Date: Sat, May 23, 2009, 17:19:11 ET
Posted by: Jamie, Mission Hills....
Did anyone else notice Two Against Nature is like lemonade, or chocolate cake? it goes with with everything...
Johnny, you are not going to believe where your boy landed now..."Up on the hill, they think I'm OK....or so they say"....Lets connect soon..
Date: Sat, May 23, 2009, 11:31:28 ET
Posted by: Rev Bulworth, Borgata
Borgata tickets for Aug 8 selling briskly for the past half hour. Golden circle gone.
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 20:22:27 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
Philippe,
Thanks for the tip.
Philippe and KD, I didn't know Michael McDonald had bastard sons in the music biz. Those guys do Michael McDonald better than Michael McDonald. I don't mind saying, that was a pretty sweet pop/rock tune. Thanks!
The video is another story. I despise most music vids as a rule, and this was no exception. The music made it worthwhile, though.
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 19:41:04 ET
Posted by: fezzie, boston
Mike A,i think you are on the money with the dates.Last week of july first week of august NYC,BOSTON,either or,very busy two weeks for north east dandomaniacs....fezzie
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 19:09:42 ET
Posted by: PGE, Bound for Italy in 2009
And speaking of Samuel Purdey ...
Let's not forget band member Barney Hurley's listed "side project"; Kulee Baba... ;)
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 12:00:25 ET
Posted by: KD, Waiting on the four dates
Not sure about the guy's name, but "Lucky Radio"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_k_nYvJhRE
Is just about the most brilliant thing I've ever heard.
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 10:37:22 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Land of Milk and Honey
Apologies if this was previously posted (I don't recall seeing it before).
This is a music video by this "Archangel" guy with a cover of "Do It Again." Pretty clever if you ask me, and reasonably catchy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QFU8FlBPZI
When asked why he chose to cover an SD tune, his response was honest enough. He heard it, remembered having heard it before, and said "Fuck it, why not?" http://www.ilikemusic.com/indie/Archangel_Do_It_Again-6938
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 08:45:14 ET
Posted by: That'd, Be
Jive Miguel...check his website
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 07:49:35 ET
Posted by: phil, Pau, France
Hello Rajah, someone on the web claims he does have the "Stand by the seawall" file . I give you a clue, he's a musician who released a sublime album under the name of Samuel Purdey.
Philippe
Date: Fri, May 22, 2009, 05:49:49 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
Dean, I don't traffic in scurrilous rumor, there exists a cadre of LA Steely Danians remaining from the 70s who command a rich trove of snippets, outtakes, bits and scraps of the Two from the past millenium. They guard it, they dole it out in tiny slices to the worthy. Yours truly never cracked that core group, I don't like closed clubs much. But I am certain they do exist, that's my conviction, the Rajah, with all measured humility, being no mean evaluator of the human condition. And the AJA track I heard tell of is by all accounts a wonder.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 23:12:20 ET
Posted by: Lisa Lambchop, Fort Lauderdale
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 23:06:29 ET
Posted by: JJ,
Lurker Ray - I meant the arrangement/new bridge. I heard SIS at one of Fagen's bar gigs before SD started touring again. The played it the same way they did on AIA... without the vibe player! Sheesh!
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 20:08:14 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, orlando
I heard they are keeping them in Roswell. Trilateral Commission owns the rights.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 19:33:05 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar, It's Happy Hour!
Raj,
So, as you have never heard them, you DON'T know they exist. Right?
It sounds as though you are convinced they exist, but you have zero evidence of them.
Same here.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 19:11:12 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
Beast - AJA outtakes do exist, I've never heard them but I am more and more persuaded as the years roll on that they are the most closely guarded secret of the Steely Dan camp, especially an alternative version of the title song which has been described to me as, "mindblowing." Faster tempo and rich with orchestration. That's all I know.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 17:46:03 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar, It's Happy Hour!
Yellow Fever asks:
"On the other hand, is it in the spirit of playing an album in its entirety to be reasonably faithful to the recording?"
I trust every song will be played in the spirit of Donald and Walt's muse. I wouldn't have it any other way.
For the record, I usually root for a new arrangement, but take whatever the boys decide to dish out. They know FAR better than any of us. And they have NEVER disappointed me.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 16:34:19 ET
Posted by: Who's, He
Never heard of him, but the author of that article reviewed the first Wellmont show and also Fagen's central Jersey solo concert in 06.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 16:13:04 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, orlando
This sounds pretty interesting, and several SD tags, to boot.
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/05/session_player_out_on_his_own.html
I would imagine some of you hard core folks know of this fellow.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 15:04:58 ET
Posted by: Beast w/o A Name, Where bears unscrew bear-proof garbage cans
A link to an article by soundman Dinky Dawson mentioning SD on the 1972 tour:
http://crawdaddy.wolfgangsvault.com/Article/The-Kinks-Do-the-Felt-Forum.html
Anybody out there heard those Aja outtakes ??
I have been clamouring to hear "Stand By The Seawall."
Beast
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 12:14:51 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu
If that is true, who will play vibes?
I do not see a vibes player listed for
tour.
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 12:11:31 ET
Posted by: JJ,
Yellow - Sign In Stranger is going to sound exactly like the version on AIA! Bet on it!
Date: Thurs, May 21, 2009, 10:26:42 ET
Posted by: Yellow, Fever
As they will be playing Sign in Stranger this tour, maybe they should have a contest for fans to submit new bridge lyrics that they will use.
On the other hand, is it in the spirit of playing an album in its entirety to be reasonably faithful to the recording? Not only the lyrics, but the arrangement and even the vocal phrasings too. Will it be nothing like what's on AIA?
Date: Wed, May 20, 2009, 14:25:47 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
here's the link for the Carlock clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P39x5dOsJ40
the July issue of Modern Drummer is not out until June 2....
Date: Wed, May 20, 2009, 11:32:54 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
from the Modern Drummer Wire...got this in the email yesterday:
IN THE NEW ISSUE OF MD (July, out now)
• Modern Drummer's 2009 Readers Poll Results. Check out this clip of Keith Carlock, this year's big winner, at the 2005 MD Festival: www.youtube.com
congrats Keith!!
Date: Tues, May 19, 2009, 14:37:36 ET
Posted by: Connie, In the vineyard
Clarification re tour dates - ending September 4.
Date: Tues, May 19, 2009, 14:36:22 ET
Posted by: Connie, In the vineyard
Tour dates - the latest Rolling Stone printed the SD tour to September 4th.
Date: Tues, May 19, 2009, 09:35:38 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh
How about that classic photo from the great depression with a breadline in front of a huge Chevrolet billboard proclaiming "America: Highest Standard of Living" or something like that? Post Don and Walt's heads on two of the people in the front seat.
Here's a low res version: http://richaredifferent.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/great-depression-soup-line.jpg
Date: Tues, May 19, 2009, 08:51:59 ET
Posted by: Monet, or Manet, I can never remember
Jim - how about the (godawful) Royal Scam cover but with all of the buildings knocked down and a smile on the face of the guy on the bench. Even in the midst of personal tough times, there's the schadenfreude of seeing the powerful fall.
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 21:29:39 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Ray: thanks for the input. MUCH appreciated. Yeah I thought of that one...keeping it subtle of course, a box wrapped in brown paper with string with a shipping label from some shop with an address in Yokohama, Nippon and a sticker that says, "Adult Signature Required" on it.
Another would be similar package, slightly damaged so that part of a pointy party hat protruded from one part and a noise maker from another and part of a pot leaf from a third point, etc.
ANOTHER would simply be Danfest Stimulus Package printed on the silhouette of shapely woman's torso. I guess I'd either have to tick off the straight ladies here by not also giving equal time but...hey...
OR...rehash a party invite where Walter is portrayed as a pimp with fedora, purple pin-striped suit and orange plume in his hat and a giant diamond-studded "$" sign brooch on his over-size, pimpy lapel and Donald next to him, his face pasted on a shapely Japanese hooker with very pert breasts, wearing a lady's wig styled in a page-boy's haircut--the wig is dyed deep magenta--and Jackson bills folding out over said's halter top. Hilarious--but I can't for the life of me explain why Donald would be dressed up as a Japanese hooker with pert breasts. Actually, I think it's just that the pimp looks like Walter. So much for recyling ideas.
Hmmmm....
Jim
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 20:17:49 ET
Posted by: Luker Ray, Malibu
hoops,
Isn't "Steely Dan" already named after
a "stimulus package"? ;O)
Off to see Herb Alpert & Lani Hall
at the Beverly Hilton tonight.
Also on th bill, Alan Bergman,
Gay Mens' Chorus of L.A., Marilyn
McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., Renee
Olstead, Steve Tyrell, Tata Vega &
Paul Williams. Should be a hoot.
I think a stop at Trader Vic's is
in order. With hair far from perfect.
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 19:15:23 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
"My":
They said they were going to do four nights in L.A. (one each for Scam, Aja, Gaucho & Boffo Requests). Seems realistic to me that all four dates would surface.
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 18:49:49 ET
Posted by: My, Guess
Four consecutive dates at a venue this size seems like a lot. I'll be surprised if all of them surface on the official site.
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 17:53:28 ET
Posted by: MikeA, Seattle
Based on what you guys have posted and an educated guess, here is what I see for USA this summer. Hope they get to Seattle.
Sunday, July 19,
Monday, July 20,
Tuesday, July 21,
Wednesday, July 22,
Thursday, July 23,
Friday, July 24,
Saturday, July 25,
Sunday, July 26,
Monday, July 27, OFF
Tuesday, July 28, NYC
Wednesday, July 29, NYC
Thursday, July 3 NYC
Friday, July 31, NYC
Saturday, August 01, NYC
Sunday, August 02, OFF
Monday, August 03,
Tuesday, August 04,
Wednesday, August 05,
Thursday, August 06,
Friday, August 07, CT
Saturday, August 08, Atlantic City
Sunday, August 09,
Monday, August 10,
Tuesday, August 11,
Wednesday, August 12,
Thursday, August 13,
Friday, August 14, OFF
Saturday, August 15, Atlanta
Sunday, August 16,
Monday, August 17,
Tuesday, August 18,
Wednesday, August 19,
Thursday, August 20, OFF
Friday, August 21, LA
Saturday, August 22, LA
Sunday, August 23, LA
Monday, August 24, OFF
Tuesday, August 25, LA
Wednesday, August 26,
Thursday, August 27,
Friday, August 28, LV
Saturday, August 29,
Sunday, August 30,
Monday, August 31,
Tuesday, September 01,
Wednesday, September 02,
Thursday, September 03, OFF
Friday, September 04,
Saturday, September 05,
Sunday, September 06,
Monday, September 07,
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 17:27:18 ET
Posted by: angel, This is LA!
About time we got the dates. Yay!
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 15:40:28 ET
Posted by: Gus Winterbottom, Luncheon at El Segundo
Rajah, the club is known today as the "Premiere Marquee Club". As it happens, I have a co-worker who is a longtime member. I contacted her this morning after seeing the notices in the Bluebook (thanks to Ray and others). She checked and was informed that it is not likely that the club will be getting early purchase rights for Steely Dan. Evidently this is at the option of the venue. Add me to the list of people who were disappointed when the Universal was enclosed. I went there only once, for the Crusaders in 1980, when it was open-air. I believe that one negative consequence of enclosing the venue was an obstructed view from the seats at the far left and right. For Steely Dan in 2000 we were far over on house left and never saw the horn section. I am guessing here, but at the mezzanine level you probably have to be 4 or 5 sections from the edge to avoid this problem completely.
GW
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 14:07:16 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
Hoopsie, like most venues in LA, the Gibson, formerly the Universal, built as an outdoor venue in 1972 and enclosed to the great chagrin of many around ten years later has always had a club called something like, "Friends of the Universal," or, "Patrons of the Universal," which gave forwarning of upcoming events and offered advanced sales to its members. LA has more private ticket agencies than any city I've ever lived in, these outfits buy up blocks of seats far in advance, never mind whom the artist may be. Wait it out is the Rajah's advice, I can't count the number of times I scored orchestra tix a few hours before the show. The brokers release the unsold tickets to Ticketbastard at the 11th hour. With four shows there in that 6,000-plus seat house, you're certain to score a great face value seat. Unless, of course, you have more than two in your party and you want to sit together...then you have problem.
But what I can't wrap myself around is the 7:15 PM curtain. Hardly anyone can get anywhere in LA after work by that hour. Expect an opening act of 90 minutes...
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 11:39:57 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Thanks for tipping us on the concert dates G.A. and Found. Good work! Well, these various dates that are out there should give you a general "connect-the-dots" idea of what the tour schedule will look like. Of course, don't think we have all the dots yet. Maybe there will be a couple of surprises.
It IS pretty amazing that someone is ebaying pretty specific tickets (for an outrageous price).
I'm not familiar with any unique aspects of purchasing tickets at the Gibson that might allow this, but how CAN this seller get away with that? Who's connecting them?
Of course anyone who hangs out in the usual SD forum and pays scalper prices is either stupid, extra-skeevy or both. As friends, we have plenty of ops to share the best seats we can get.
I'm off this week, been chatting about the Danfest page with some of you, etc. The 2009 Danfest page up this week. Need a funny photo idea for the DF Stimulus Package.
Jim
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 10:14:49 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu
4 Nights at Universal - Hell yeah!
Steely Dan
Friday, Aug 21, 2009 at 7:15 PM Gibson Amphitheatre
Universal City, CA
Steely Dan
Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 7:15 PM Gibson Amphitheatre
Universal City, CA
Steely Dan
Monday, Aug 24, 2009 at 7:15 PM Gibson Amphitheatre
Universal City, CA
Steely Dan
Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 7:15 PM Gibson Amphitheatre
Universal City, CA
Guess I'll skip that date at the Palms
Date: Mon, May 18, 2009, 08:04:58 ET
Posted by: Found, It
http://www.[removed].com/steely-dan-tickets/
August dates in California listed.
Date: Sun, May 17, 2009, 23:22:28 ET
Posted by: gauchoamigo, North Hollywood
How in the hell is somebody selling tickets for Steely Dan in L.A. on Ebay when it isnt even on their website yet?
Date: Sun, May 17, 2009, 11:31:17 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
Brian,
Thanks for the info on the Palms. It looks to be a great venue, glad to hear it didn't disappoint.
As you note, casinos often save some of the best seats for VIPs/high rollers, etc. Friends of mine have scored primo seats, the evening of the event, simply by being on the floor, playing a little and letting the Pit Bosses, bartenders and dealers know they are interested (tipping, and a good personality go a long way).
It is not uncommon for a high roller to be too occupied at the table, to see the show. Also, regular people with tickets, may get too involved on the floor, and be willing to part with their duckets. You can sometimes get the tickets for nothing, or at a very low cost.
Date: Sun, May 17, 2009, 10:47:41 ET
Posted by: Deaconblue, Brussels
Just a little correction.
"SMOOTH FM" every sunday at : www.accentfm.com
From 11am till 1pm (California)
From 2pm till 4pm (New York)
From 20:00 till 22:00 (Paris,Brussels)
Enjoy the show
Date: Sun, May 17, 2009, 08:59:11 ET
Posted by: 12, bar
I don't know if this is part of the instructional video Fagen did, but it's worth watching if you haven't seen it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP_2r9zbaIY
Date: Sun, May 17, 2009, 06:28:12 ET
Posted by: Deaconblue, Brussels
THIS IS FOR THE NOSTALGIC LOVERS OF THE CALIFORNIA SOUND (70's,80's,90's and some newer stuff).
"SMOOTH FM" every sunday on air at: www.accentfm.com
From 11am till 1pm (California)
From 8am till 10am (New York)
Just go to the site and select your favourite mediaplayer.
Date: Sun, May 17, 2009, 02:13:06 ET
Posted by: Brian, Phoenix, AZ
Las Vegas did not have any better tickets thru the AMEX presale, either. $200 seats not available, $175 seats were no better than you can now get thru the open sale. I think the casino reserves seats for patrons - maybe unused (if any) will go on sale later?
Also, someone posted about Steely Dan recording-quality from there at the Palms in Vegas. YES, it is truly state of art - saw them there last year (along with here in PHX) and the sound system is, every pun intended, "outrageous". The way the Palms is laid out and with the sound system they had, the show was one of the best I have ever seen from them - and I have caught 2-3 shows from every one of their tours going back to '96!
Date: Sat, May 16, 2009, 16:22:27 ET
Posted by: Gus Winterbottom, Torrance, CA
Regarding seats for Las Vegas, I tried Ticketmaster at 1:00 PM and the best available were in the mezzanine section. I then tried the box office direct line and got section 103 row J. The direct line is 702-944-3200.
GW
Date: Sat, May 16, 2009, 10:13:30 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
Raj,
I really have no recollection of that movie, although I know I have seen it, and remember liking it. I may have to watch it, again.
Anyway, how do they screw up bottle beer, or something like a Maker's Mark on the rocks? When you go to a dive bar, it's always best not to order a tuna colada!
Date: Sat, May 16, 2009, 08:02:52 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
Dean, the Frolic Room hasn't changed in years, oh, except they have a door now. Worst drinks and bottled beer in Hollywood. Great location, though...
Recall that great scene with Kevin Spacey in the Frolic in LA Confidential?
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 23:03:15 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
SF,
One of the bonuses of a Pantages show, is the pre/post availability of the Frolic Room, next door.
Of course, it's been many years since I have been there, so it may have changed. Those in the know, please tell me it is still the same dumpy freak show it was back in the day.
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 21:50:04 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, at home
steelydan.com is updated with borgata date
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 20:55:00 ET
Posted by: SF Dan Fan, San Francisco
Would love to see them at the Beacon but was in NYC over the MLK weekend and there is no money or vacation days to spare.
I'm looking out for those LA dates. With Las Vegas set for 8/28, maybe a September run? But won't go if it is the Nokia Theater or worse, The Honda Center in Anaheim. The Pantages or even better, The Palladium. Now that is worthy of a SD show!
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 18:44:11 ET
Posted by: To Belzoni:, east
Last year they hit Camden on a Saturday. As they are playing Foxwoods the night before Borgata, I don't know if they would want to do Camden on a Tuesday. Perhaps the Tower?
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 14:27:25 ET
Posted by: mr belzoni, funway west
if atlantic city is announced can philly/camden be far behind????
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 14:09:27 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, knewyalkcitay
Beacon Theatre
July 28, 29, 31 & August 1.
As reprinted without permission from the Summer 2009 coming events flyer made available at the box office today.
As per box office rep- on-sale date, ticket prices & show type (setlist/classic album)have yet to be determined.
Additional dates are possible/probable, but again have yet to be determined.
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 12:56:26 ET
Posted by: Borgata is Official, Please update steelydan.com
http://www.theborgata.com/Main.cfm?Category_1=5000&Category_2=5100&SectionID=&Page=4
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 12:24:19 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
Borgata tix go on sale next Saturday, May 23...$65 - $95 not bad for a great sounding room!!
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 11:29:20 ET
Posted by: prez logic, late as usual
Happy Birthday LWO!
Date: Fri, May 15, 2009, 08:03:26 ET
Posted by: mikethebaker, the sugar shack in Pennsylvania
August 8th at the Borgata in Atlantic City, just read it in today's Philadelphia Inquirer....
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 22:43:00 ET
Posted by: Mark , from North of Boston
Weird Dan Dream last night. Thats all I'm going to say.
Didn't jump at the first available Foxwoods tix. Going to TRY to be patient.
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 22:02:13 ET
Posted by: hoops, somewhere else
Happy Birthday, Gail.
Michael McDonald was just on "30 Rock" as part of a TGS w/Tracy Morgan show benefit song akin to "We Are The World" --only Michael had to sing part of "Give A Kidney".
Jim
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 21:05:22 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown
LWO! Hope you are having a wonderful birthday. See you this summer???
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 20:24:58 ET
Posted by: F.A.S., Up here...
Happy Birthday LWO...
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 14:14:20 ET
Posted by: Any post, in which Joey
doesn't refer to himself in the third person is like getting a glass of milk when we'd been promised ice cream.
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 11:46:41 ET
Posted by: Joey ,
" .. just wish they'd get back in the studio if they haven't already. "
Amen !!!!!!
This is no economic recession -- the band should be spending the next few years in the recording studio making another 2VN rather than booking gigs in a country still reeling from Bushie43's eight year " House - of - Cards " Presidency .
What the hell are Dan & Walt thinking .. ?!
" And some nice legit live DVDs from the tours would be nice. "
Concur .
They got my money ( ...always do )
J " Snuggles " Fly ! ™
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 10:55:40 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, A number of things
Hey Blu, I get the distinct impression that Blu-Ray may just not ever really catch on. Still awfully expensive for a reputable player. Rough time economy-wise for a new technology to be trying to get a foot-hold.
But what do I know? I thought I was a cool two years ago by putting Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life" on my ipod.
Lee, was that performance of Aja at REH two years ago? I don't remember them playing it last year. And see, now you've tempted me way too much for that Friday June 12 show. Almost wish I hadn't bought the tickets to the Orlando show on Monday the 15th. Crap. I don't know what to do.
I assume you already have your duckets for that one, eh? I bought some on Ebay for last year's show at REH, paid right around face value. Guy who had them lives about five miles from my house, so we did the deal in the parking lot of a Macaroni Grill. Sort of a poor man's version of Watergate. I found it Steely Dan-esque that I bought tickets on Ebay from a guy around the corner to see a show up the street.
Pathetic what counts for clever in my life these days, just sad.
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 10:42:59 ET
Posted by: Blu Ray, Blu
I was in Sam's Club yesterday and noticed a lot of live performances on Blu Ray. Wouldn't that be the way to go?
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 08:33:54 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
pix,
The Pearl @ The Palms does have an in-house recording studio that looks to be relatively high-end:
http://www.palms.com/recording_studio_1.php
Whether or not it is a Steely Dan-Quality facility is unknown (at least to me).
While I would certainly welcome some high-end live DVD's, I'm really more interested in some new studio stuff...if I had to choose between the two.
Date: Thurs, May 14, 2009, 06:56:41 ET
Posted by: pixeleen, sigh, ditto
Absolutely agree with you , Hutch !!
Would be wonderful to have some legit DVDs.
Keep hoiping that when they play the Pearl at the Palms in Vegas, there might be a DVD. Isn't the Pearl supposed to have some high quality audio and video recording system??
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 22:16:49 ET
Posted by: Lee, Tampa
Casual Fan,
I heartily agree that the sound totally sucked in the amphitheatre. In addition to the prolems inherant to amphitheatres, another factor is that Clearchannel built it with a lower berm than planned, and a higher roof than planned. As a result, too much sound escaped into a neighborhood that had protested the noise from the Florida State Fair even before the amphitheatre was built on its grounds. Therefore, bands had to lower their volume. Not that volume solves all problems, because it doesn't, but you can't get that all-encompassing rich live sound we crave without a certain level of volume.
I have to agree again on Ruth Eckerd. I can't imagine that the sound quality could be better than in that facility. You get the full spectum of sounds, with each instrument crisp and distinct, and at the proper volume level.
I'll never forget when my business partner came with me to the first Ruth Eckerd concert two years ago (his first). He had been a fan, but when he bought his new Acura, which was equipped with the Elliot Scheiner sound system that plays DVD-Audio, I loaned him my Gaucho DVD-Audio. I pointed out all the solos to focus on, and I gave him a rundown on all the stories behind the songs. He was amazed, and almost instantly morphed into a huge fan.
Anyway, about the concert, I told him how sublime the entire band was, and that "This concert will be the best live music experience in your entire life, and I realize that by saying that, I have raised the bar, but I say it anyway".
After the second song of the concert, he tapped me on the arm and said "This is the best live music experience in my entire life".
On the way out, he said to me "I'd pay another hundred bucks just to hear another eight minutes of Aja."
I'm quite confident that Ruth Eckerd Hall played a role in turning my prediction into reality. And Aja in that building is utterly amazing!
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 17:40:30 ET
Posted by: Hutch, sigh.......
I just wish they'd get back in the studio if they haven't already.
And some nice legit live DVDs from the tours would be nice.
My 2 cents.
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 15:30:50 ET
Posted by: Not so, Easy
Regular defenders on the Blue...stand down.
Let's look at this with a bit of objectivity:
True:
No new tunes
One set
No new players
Hated "Lost Wages"
Hated playing the same stuff the same way
Hated the same players
Hated playing live
Didn't care how much money they made
Liked dope
False:
Gee, there really is no false, is there?
Vega, here SD comes
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 15:01:47 ET
Posted by: Does anybody else, find it ironic
or funny that they are using a take-off from a Doobie Brothers line for the "Takin'It To The Seats" special setlist shows? Maybe Michael McDonald will be sitting in again.
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 14:15:06 ET
Posted by: A, C
Casual Fan, Rolling Stone said something similar about an AC gig a few years back.
"If there is one locale that serves as a perfect backdrop to Steely Dan's tunes about aged, down-and-out hipsters, morally bankrupt players and all-around seedy characers, it's the casino resort town of Atlantic City, New Jersey."
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 13:30:55 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
I don't think Las Vegas has the stigma that it once had like 10+ years ago....it was a bad thing to play there. Now, it's a good thing.
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 12:47:30 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Posting waaaay too much
In my mind, there's about zero places that better suit Steely Dan than Las Vega$. Attractive but totally unatainable women, people expending uber energy to manufacture a false persona, fabricated fun, delusion.
When you think about it, how could they not play Las Vega$?
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 10:40:17 ET
Posted by: hoops, on the quick, traveling
Wayne--
Aside from the fact they have played Vegas--let's be cute and spell it Vega$--pretty much every tour since 1994, consider that the first track off their first album--their first, breakthrough hit pretty much takes place in Vega$. Why the hell not play Vega$? Vega$ians--more than a few--are human too and some even have good taste too. It's not like Celine or Elton or Cher or Bette or Barry or...where they have a whole theatre dedicated to them. They're playing one or two dates...that's hardly selling out.
Given the artwork on MCA's "Show Biz Kids" compilation, it's clear that they have a sense of humor about Vega$.
Someone below also commented that they thought SD didn't want to ack the difficulties of selling out venues in this econ climate: hey, naming a tour "Rent Party Tour" is pretty much SD's in-your-face, head-on approach--in their SD-way--to very much acknowledging that.
Gotta run!
Jim
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 09:52:06 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, The answer
Raj-
'cause they are really good at it?
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 09:25:11 ET
Posted by: I'll, add
No "real" new blood (i.e. lead guitar, drums)
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 08:44:43 ET
Posted by: Wayne,, Don't Forget
The corporate gigs.
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009, 08:33:48 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
When I see the setlists posted around, honestly, I feel indifferent really. But when I see and hear them play that tired old setlist, it continues to command my attention and dare I say, awe. Why is that?
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 23:26:59 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Ironically
Given their combination of sanguine, glib, sarcastic, pensive, depressed, sardonic, generally crappy view of the world, I doubt that Don and Walt would mind people openly speculating that the economy and slow ticket sales might be causing some ... concerns.
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 22:50:56 ET
Posted by: Wayne Newton, MGM Grand
"SD is one of the few very popular acts that refused to sell out. Let's rejoice in that, not criticize it."
No, really...Let's criticize it:
A patchwork tour each of the last 4 years?
A shared billing with Michael McDonald?
A set list that rarely varies?
A show that has been reduced to one set?
And now this big news--a Las Vegas date has been added at steelydan.com!
Face it--these guys are THIS close to playing Vegas full time, all the time...
Danke Schoen, darlings...See you on The Strip
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 22:09:33 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Commenting
Lee,
I saw the shows at St Pete Times Forum, in the back bleachers the first time, sound sucked.... on the floor off to the right the second time, better, but still kinda sucky.
Saw them at The Amphitheatre with McDonald, center, about 20 rows back. Horrid sound.
Saw them at the Hard Rock in Orlando. Very good sound overall, but for whatever reason Herrington's pick up was way low.
And then last year, I saw them at Ruth Eckerd Hall. WOW! Tremendous sound, animated band that night, just amazing.
I have tix to see the show here in Orlando on the 15th. If I can justify it, I hope to go see them Friday in Tampa. If history is any guide, that ought to be just plain top notch.
CF
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 19:13:56 ET
Posted by: Lee, Tampa
I was one of the 29,000, yes twenty-nine thousand, who watched SD in the Thunderdome (now Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays) in 94. Of course that was the first show in the Tampa area since SD got back together, and we did not know if we'd ever see them again.
They filled arenas in the late 90's and early 00's. I remember the St. Pete Times Forum (18,000 concert seats) in downtown Tampa being about 80% full in 2000 and 60-70% full in 2003. With Michael MacDonald, about 15,000 turned out in the Ford Amphitheatre three years ago (holds 20,000). But frequent touring has surely softened the market for SD shows.
Two years ago, on successive nights, Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater was filled, and for the one night last year, the same, but of course that holds only about 2800.
I just love those shows in Ruth Eckerd. What a sound! The two years they were in the Forum I had tickets on rows 8 and 9, right in the middle, and that sounded almost as good. However, I am confident that those with less choice seats could not say the same.
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 17:56:56 ET
Posted by: Joey,
" .. could they sell enough tickets to make the same arenas/auditoriums as acts like the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Clapton/Winwood? "
The Eagles have been selling EXTREMELY well the past eight - nine months ........ at very high ticket prices . But have you seen some of those recent Fleetwood Mac grosses ?! Bathetic . Wide Open .
Shiver ....................................
" Also, why doesn't the bad economy
merit a "This makes Joey sad"? "
The bad economy makes Joey cry .
I remain ...... forever ..... your Joey .
J'Lo ™
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 17:44:54 ET
Posted by: Nick U., on the beach
No criticism intended! Just spitballing...
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 17:33:18 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar, It's Happy Hour!
Nicholas,
I'm not sure SD could ever sellout the big arenas, by themselves, even with the promotional effort, although they certainly could if they paired with another popular act from the 70's. But, aren't we all glad they don't?
SD is one of the few very popular acts that refused to sell out. Let's rejoice in that, not criticize it.
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 17:02:41 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos
If our boys decided to sell out, do the promotional work, and beef up the show, could they sell enough tickets to make the same arenas/auditoriums as acts like the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Clapton/Winwood? And before you complain about SD ticket prices, check out the prices for one of those acts.
Also, why doesn't the bad economy merit a "This makes Joey sad"?
Date: Tues, May 12, 2009, 16:38:24 ET
Posted by: Joey,
" My original point was that if indeed tickets at these venues are just not selling as in years past, I would not fall out of my seat if they are re-thinking some of the rest of their plans. "
Frig Yeah they are re-thinking the rest of the planned gigs .
Why do you think Paul McCartney & The Rolling Stones have not announced any ' World Tour Plans ' ........ ?!
The economy stinks !!!!!!
J.
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 19:14:07 ET
Posted by: levington, alumni sighting
rumors of cynthia calhoun's retirement have been greatly exaggerated. cynthia was recently seen/heard providing background vocals for julian marley at the new orleans jazz festival and beal street music festival. julian's latest cd is supposed to be released later this month at which time, an extended tour is "supposed" to take place.
there are several videos on youtube as well as at www.myspace.com/cynthiacalhoun.
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 18:47:24 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Continuing the thought
Bookkeeper:
You notice no opening act this year to share the bread with. I am still mystified at their playing the Bob Carr. I figured it out the other day and its less than $300k, even if they sell out. The cost of moving all that crap around, plus the musicians, plus the roadies, plus the lodging and transportation, the insurance (which I am sure is exorbitant), whatever the venue's cut is ...
My original point was that if indeed tickets at these venues are just not selling as in years past, I would not fall out of my seat if they are re-thinking some of the rest of their plans.
I hope it isn't so. But it has to be in the list of possible explanations that new dates are coming out so slowly because there is some trepidation at the current numbers.
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 18:38:45 ET
Posted by: Bookkeeper's, Son
Casual Fan,
This is a Lexi Says entry from '06.
Now, I happen to know that DF - despite the apparent success of the March tour, the mostly sold-out houses, the screaming crowds, the fantastic performances of the musicians that DF came off the road feeling, as one source quoted him, "all blurry and despondent". Because, in addition to the usual post-tour come-down, it was apparently quite a shock to be handed such short bread after all that hard work. Small venues plus nine heavy cats on stage equals chump change for a bandleader these days.
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 18:16:03 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
mildy dangential and mildly amusing quiz from Mental Floss Magazine online:
What's that Bass Line? :
http://www.mentalfloss.com/quiz/quiz.php?q=629
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 16:29:57 ET
Posted by: Casual Fan, Realityville, You may not like it, but ...
I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but I think a significant issue exsits with regard to ticket sales for the currently scheduled concerts. There continue to be plenty of tickets available to the Orlando show -- in a 2500 seat venue -- and they've been on sale for awhile.
I bought two tickets the first day and it cost me $250. Add in dinner, parking, a few libations. It's a $400 night on the town and I ain't rich, but I'm doing it because when I say I'm a "casual" fan, I mean compared to the rest of you diehards.
Relative to Joe Blow, I'm a Steely Dan roadie. If a good band barely in your conscience came around to your town on a Monday night, and you had seen them a few times over the last five years already, would you shell out $250 plus nicknacks to go see them?
It could simply be a question of logitics and firming up the deals, but I really do wonder if there aren't some bean counters out there figuring this all out and deciding that there may not be enough beans to go around like they used to.
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 16:00:38 ET
Posted by: Rev Bulworth, NY
They are really sweating this thing out...most of the summer's concert schedule is written in ink. Wish they would just spit it out so I can complete my summer vacation plans. THey know they want to come back to Bethel, so just DO IT!
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 14:31:14 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Tower
Las Vegas date added at steelydan.com
Date: Mon, May 11, 2009, 09:02:24 ET
Posted by: Steely Fan, NJ
Yesterday I took a drive down the street in Kendall Park, NJ where (at least one online source claims) Fagen lived as a teenager. It's exactly how he describes it in a piece on his website. All small, near-identical ranch style homes except for one modern two story house that sticks out like a sore thumb. A very outdated neighborhood, but it was cool driving down the street as house after identical house scrolled by like the New Frontier video it inspired. Recommended experience if you're in the area.
Date: Sun, May 10, 2009, 00:16:41 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,
JJ, Boston,
It's tough because pics 10 years before and after are easily nabbed on google...but based on a 60s pic, that seems like Shirlie Matthews on the left. She was smokin' hot back in the day:
http://www.spectropop.com/SherlieMatthews/full/full09.htm
and in the 80s
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm10/summerspg99/hitones.jpg
That could indeed be Clydie King in yellow
There's no mistaking her facial bone structure and eyes
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KqndcpjQSek/SVeq5em6moI/AAAAAAAAK4g/2wvoqlMAGbM/s400/Clydie+King+-+Rushing+To+Meet+You.jpg
Venneta Fields has much darker skin and serious hips...Here's Venetta Fields...on the left in the Ikettes pic
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mgbQFawJL._SS500_.jpg
and much later.
http://www.pinkfloydz.com/images/venneta2.jpg
http://winstontailor.com.hk/about/Picture%20007.jpg
Date: Sat, May 09, 2009, 19:33:00 ET
Posted by: steelyfez---Mark, CT
Mark, Jim is correct I have found the last couple of years if I wait until a week or two before the show I have been able to secure great seats at face value through ticketmaster. Shouldn't be this way but it is. Looking forward to the special setlist shows.
Date: Fri, May 08, 2009, 23:03:24 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Still At The Office In Bel Air
I often stop by Herb Alpert's Music Club
& Resturaunt "Vibrato" before heading
home. This month is Steely Dan Friends
and Family!
See how many you can find!
http://www.vibratogrilljazz.com/calendar/index.php
Date: Fri, May 08, 2009, 10:49:54 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
I've seen a few posts, Digest items, mail list items, personal emails, etc like Mark's below.
I've sometimes been in the same place, but be assured that things will go well.
The Boston shows will happen, tickets will be available, and Danfans will get good seats. When I've purchased SD tickets, the best seats have almost always been those I've purchased from the late batch released a few days before the shows. Other times the great tickets have come with assistance from not necessarily young, but definitely willing Steely Dan fans here and elsewhere on fan ticket exchanges, etc. [BTW: Keep in mind it's scalpers that contribute to anxiety in these situations.) For Boston 2007, for example. I had my flight and all booked well in advance but didn't get tickets until a couple of days before the show. Sweet seats!
So things will work out fine.
Jim
Date: Fri, May 08, 2009, 08:42:13 ET
Posted by: Mark, from North of Boston
Still no Boston dates posted. Getting itchy and may have to lock in Foxwoods. Yeah I know it's just a 90 minute show but I really liked the venue.
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 16:29:12 ET
Posted by: Mick, Champaign
thanks again jim.
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 16:00:54 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
Mick
Just now
I signed you up for the Chicago@dandom.com email list. Assuming you are signed up for the official SD, DF, WB newsletters, you should be sent an email the instant something is announced. Others who are similarly interested should do the same. For the rest of the stuff, I'll contact you offline unless something is wrong with your email--in that case we will continue here until the email issue is worked out.
Best wishes,
Jim
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 15:35:46 ET
Posted by: Mick, Champaign
is there any word on Chi-town dates?
the most recent RS says there are four.
jim...will you email me regarding a username and or password reset to the greenroom? molto grazie.
i miss youz guyz!
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 15:13:25 ET
Posted by: Colonel Hall, London
Yup! I'll be at the Apollo. It will be my third SD gig at that particular venue. I was lucky enough to have seen them at the Rainbow back in the seventies. That first gig was very special, but the first of the Apollo gigs was also mind blowing. I'll be keeping mu fingers crossed for some surprises, this time aroound.
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 11:03:33 ET
Posted by: Mis, Information
If they're in Amsterdam that day, then I'm the Duke of Earl.
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 10:50:45 ET
Posted by: damiano,
@ Dean
A'dam is on 25 june i think [could be wrong]
@ colonel hall
take it you have tickets for hammersmith. i'd drop hey19 any day but never peg and def never josie. shine up that battle apple. i've also paid a fortune for the paris bash but have yet to receive el ticketos.
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 09:23:33 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach
That's not the only mistake, Hutch.
On Walter's area at Sonic 360, it lists Steely Dan playing in Amserdam on June 18th. Since I have tickets to SD in St Augustine, Florida on that day, I'm really hoping that is an error,
:#)
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 09:17:31 ET
Posted by: Hutch, uh-oh
Okay, heads up... looks like there's a typo in Walter's newsletter.
I clicked on his email link to send my guess and it came back to me undelivered.
The link has the address as wbcontest@ewalterbecker.com.
I don't think that "e" before "walterbecker" belongs there.
Re-sent it as wbcontest@walterbecker.com
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 09:16:24 ET
Posted by: Colonel Hall, London
The "Classic Album" idea seems to be catching. Recently Sparks did a tour performing every one of their albums, one per night!!! If only.....
I may be in a big minority on this board, but I like to hear the old chestnuts. The best shows I have seen have ended with "Don't Take Me Alive" and "My Old School" I can't think of a better couple of encores, especially when preceded by "Kid Charlamagne" However, I would be ready to give "Peg" "Hey Nineteen" and "Josie" a rest.
My vote would go to "Royal Scam" for the classic album and more tracks from the first three albums. "King Of The World" "Gold Teeth" "Night By Night" "Change Of The Guard" That should get them on their feet!
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 09:06:22 ET
Posted by: Hutch,
Wow. How many Steely Dan fans are also experts on '70s Reggae dubs?
Fairly narrow field I'd imagine. Great contest question though.
I put in a guess based on a semi-educated internet search.
If it included a round-trip ticket to the Amsterdam show then THAT would be one helluva prize!
Date: Thurs, May 07, 2009, 07:54:08 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
update at walterbecker.com regartding t-shirts, singles, and a contest!!
Date: Wed, May 06, 2009, 19:54:15 ET
Posted by: Steely, Dan
http://io9.com/5242949/steam-fetishists-rejoice-this-vibrator-is-for-you
Date: Tues, May 05, 2009, 23:57:07 ET
Posted by: woodman,
...but what album do you least want to hear? Me - there isn't one.
Date: Tues, May 05, 2009, 14:38:27 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
a Dangential memory:
my first Steely Dan-related encounter:
I met Clydie King in 1981, I was working on a Bob Dylan concert at Penn State, and had to escort the backup vocalists to their dressing room...she was a very wonderful woman, and gave me a nice autograph. We chatted about Steely Dan for a bit. She said that she loved singing with them.
She came up to me backstage and said hello the next night when my friends and I saw the show at Lehigh University, as guests of Dylan's stage manager.
Good times!
Date: Tues, May 05, 2009, 14:11:44 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, .
JJ - What I said was "2 of the 3 Blackberries". I'm pretty sure the two were Venetta Fields and Clydie King. In the 70's, they did a lot of vocal work together without Shirlie Matthews. I'm positive the singer in yellow is Clydie King. She used to be a Rayette backing up Ray Charles!
Someone on the Humble Pie fan site did a really nice tribute to the Blackberries. You might want to check it out:
http://www.humble-pie.net/the_blackberries/html/bberries_pics.html
Mark in Boston
Date: Tues, May 05, 2009, 12:46:14 ET
Posted by: The Truth,
Re: Song requests from fans:This is what's going to happen:
They will get a billion votes to hear (let's say) King of the World. They will get 10 votes for (let's say) Peg. When the shows come around, Walter will step up to the mic and say, "you all voted for Peg" so we'll play that one". And we'll end up never hearing King of the World. Because in the wonderful world of Steely Dan, "what you don't know, you don't know". Or, what you don't know, won't hurt you. Or, they are going to do and play whatever the f%^k they want. That's the truth!
Date: Tues, May 05, 2009, 12:33:21 ET
Posted by: JJ,
Dr Mu - You say that it's Sherlie Matthews in that video? And Boston Rag says it's Venetta Fields, Clydie King and Sherlie Matthews?
Unless the credits are given at the end of that video, how do both of you know that's who it is? I never saw many pictures of them with Steely Dan, so I sure as heck don't know.
Date: Tues, May 05, 2009, 09:08:34 ET
Posted by: kuleebaba, Black Dynamite
Coming out in September. Hilarious! Even got Sundance's approval.
Trailer is here: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi60883737/
And for the tangentially Dan bit... The kung fu villain is the "Fiendish Dr. Wu".
Date: Tues, May 05, 2009, 00:19:54 ET
Posted by: Jamie, La Hiz-oy-a
Yo sherm - why don't you go smoke some sherm and listen to Book of Liars...might change your mind.
Thanks to all who chirped in on my HATWW post; I was off my meds that day...
Pe@ce,
Jamie
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 18:48:43 ET
Posted by: wormy shermry, new orleans, louisiana
voter setlists
imply they will take suggestions
so we can still dream about that even if we can't dream about Katy Lied or TAN in their entirety
hope the ''dumbasses' don't outvote us with peg, josie, kid c, bodi, green earrings, my old school and fm
gaslighting, negative girl, shame, deacon blues for me
and no walter singing - I'd vote for that!
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 17:14:04 ET
Posted by: In Case Worm Tom, Others, Missed It Below
Becker didn't say that they would "likely" do Scam, Aja and Gaucho in whole.
Becker said they WILL be doing those three in their entirety. End of speculation and alternate dreams.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 17:03:39 ET
Posted by: A. Frank,
WB/DF are too afraid of taking risks. They gotta keep up that bullshit we-know-more-than-you, hipster image.
They're too afraid of fucking up live.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 16:52:58 ET
Posted by: wormtom, New Orleans, Louisiana
Looks like the Dan will offer albums in entirety
mostly likely Aja, Gaucho and Royal Scam
how about TAN or Katy Lied? (First live performance of Dr Wu)
come on Don and Walt
that might get my ass to chicago!
holy shit they are playing orange beach Alabama - 5 miles from my parents 'house on the gulf coast"
I didn't even see that when the tickets went on sale a week ago uggh
(will have to buy better ones when they release the ah VIP seats
how about songs like Dr Wu, Everything you did, Royal Scam, Deacon Blue (it's been mostly retired since 2000), Charley Freak, Barrytown, Any World, Here at the Western World, What A Shame About Me, Gaslighting Abbey, Green Book or Lunch with Gina
hope they enjoy a few so much they retre the old war horses
like Peg, Josie, Kid C (yes Kid C) My old school, bodi, green earnings
more rarities less old warhorses
maybe some solo work too
Tom
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 16:07:48 ET
Posted by: Representing, the Mambo
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 15:19:07 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,
"JJ,
SS - Besides Skunk Baxter on Congas, what other Steely Dan alum are in that video? I didn't see anybody else.
Wow! 8 shows at the Beacon Theater in NYC this Summer?! SD is catching up to the Allman Brothers!"
Shirlie Matthews in yellow. Richie Hayward of Little Feat is on drums...Remember the Mambo, Ingenue, and Silver Screen swing hard towards Dan in Feat's second life.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 15:10:19 ET
Posted by: Pele, on location
According to imdb.com, they also used Show Biz Kids.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 14:50:45 ET
Posted by: SF Dan Fan, San Francisco
Steely Dan moment last Friday evening.
Channel surfing I run into a movie called "Once In A Lifetime" that tells the tale of the NY Cosmos and their rise and fall. Excellent documentary and worth viewing, soccer enthusiast or not. Great reminder of the 70's, still the greatest decade ever, IMO.
The song that closes the movie? Dirty Work by SD.
Gotta love it!
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 14:46:35 ET
Posted by: SF Dan Fan, San Francisco
Anybody have an inkling as to the venue they will play their LA shows at?
I wonder if the Pantages or The Palladium are in the works. If they play the Pantages, then I am there!
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 14:45:32 ET
Posted by: pixeleen,
According to Radio Dupree, a digital only, one track single of Downtown Canon will be released on June 15....will be given "radio edit".
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 13:01:00 ET
Posted by: Big Fan, at work
Well I'm certainly not going to the Foxwoods show. I'll hope to make either a Boston or NY show. The Foxwoods event is really not for fans of SD. Only a shortened 90 minute show and the best seats are only availible to high rollers or comp tickets. Of course they are always on a Friday or Saturday to get people to go there to stay, gamble, etc. The show is really secondary.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 10:06:14 ET
Posted by: Skinny Girls, are guys
and once you take it from that angle, everything else in HATWW falls into place as a picture of the underground gay subculture of that time.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 09:11:46 ET
Posted by: pixeleen,
Speaking of Bethel Woods, etc......
Big birthdays coming up the end of this month:
Bob Dylan, May 24 (68 years young)
Levon Helm, May 26 (69 years young)
May they keep on rocking for many more years !!!
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 08:50:21 ET
Posted by: Rev Bulworth, ozone
Hoping like hell for a date to be added at Bethel Woods. Perfect place for a magical night of Aja.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 07:40:40 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
"A total free for all" sounds good, actually. I kinda wish Through With Buzz was on the ballot...it wouldn't win anyway. I have lobbied for Dan w/Strings for some time. :#)
And, thanks for the clarification on the source of the # of Dan shows per big market.
JJ, you will note that I was not "out of control" on the number of Boston nights, as I was simply looking for confirmation on an earlier post by bone marrow, that made the 16-show claim. Not that I mind being accused on being "out of control". I actually think it is a compliment that I just didn't deserve, this time.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 06:18:28 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Borgata
Foxwoods show added August 7...update at steelydan.com
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 04:26:27 ET
Posted by: Browsing, The Pacific
Circus Money tee shirts for sale on Sonic360.com. Says they are the same as the ones sold on tour.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 02:14:22 ET
Posted by: Rajah,
Dr. Wu
Negative Girl
Kings
YGT I & II
With a Gun
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 01:30:29 ET
Posted by: SS, HK
Bobbo, sure enough you put the link to your radio gig in your post. I just missed it. I'll catch the show one of these times. Cheers.
Date: Mon, May 04, 2009, 00:04:41 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago
I haven't bought Rolling Stone in ages but I happened to today because Dylan is on the cover. So I was glad to hear about the SD update inside.
Page 24 has the info discussed (see earlier post):
Eight shows in NYC
Four shows in Boston
Four shows in Chicago
Four shows in L.A.
Referring to it as "Boffo Total Request Nights," Becker says they might leave more "discomfiting songs like 'Through With Buzz' and 'Change of the Guard' off the ballot. 'Otherwise it might be a fuckin' free-for-all.'"
Writer Austin Scaggs ends with, "Boys start working up 'Your Gold Teeth,' because you *will* be playing that in New York."
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 23:33:59 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, .
JJ - That video has 2 of the 3 Blackberries (Venetta Fields, Clydie King and Sherlie Matthews)who Don & Walt used on Thrill, Scam and Aja.
I wonder if that was taped the same day Steely Dan did Do it Again and Reelin' on Midnight Special? Maybe Skunk offered to play congas?
Mark in Boston
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 20:11:59 ET
Posted by: JJ,
Dean- You're a bit out of control with the 16 nights in Boston. However, the new Rolling Stone Magazine (Bob Dylan cover) has confirmed 8 nights at the Beacon!
SS -What are their names and how do you know they played with SD for sure?
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 17:21:00 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar, Reggae Sunday
8 shows at the Beacon? 16 nights in Boston?
Can someone help a Dan-fan brother out and provide a source, of some sort, a link/url...something?
Thanks, in advance,.
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 16:06:30 ET
Posted by: bone marrow, tasty
when they do the classic album sets, will walter be playing bass???
16 nights in boston - very cool.
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 14:42:24 ET
Posted by: SS, HK
JJ, those two women singing backup got on some SD tracks.
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 14:12:08 ET
Posted by: Rev Bulworth, NY Empire State
Hey how did you hear about 8 shows at the Beacon. Can't find mention anywhere?
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 13:44:17 ET
Posted by: Is Walter going to sing, My Rival?
Might be interesting...
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 13:41:04 ET
Posted by: Juke, in Rolling Stone
D&W in Rolling Stone confirming the albums are Aja, Gaucho and Scam.
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 12:34:50 ET
Posted by: JJ,
SS - Besides Skunk Baxter on Congas, what other Steely Dan alum are in that video? I didn't see anybody else.
Wow! 8 shows at the Beacon Theater in NYC this Summer?! SD is catching up to the Allman Brothers!
Date: Sun, May 03, 2009, 01:13:19 ET
Posted by: SS, HK
Some SD alum in this vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZPPBJC8Ic&feature=related
Date: Sat, May 02, 2009, 22:50:46 ET
Posted by: SS, HK
Bobbo, don't forget to leave a link to your show.
Date: Sat, May 02, 2009, 08:26:13 ET
Posted by: Low, Down
Daryl Hall & cronies bs'ing. Jon Herington is discussed briefly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igkyajvrm-8
Date: Sat, May 02, 2009, 00:16:06 ET
Posted by: Bobbo, wishing you were there
Hey Now,
I don't guess any of you caught the Nooner today, eh? We actually came back from break two with "Dallas" in its entirety (Gary ribs me for being a big Steely Dan head all of the time--what the hey, he's our straight man--and Dan said he remembered "Dallas", of all of the tracks a non-fanatical type would recall, from his youth)!
T'was a singularly cool moment, kids...broadcast in full AM glory locally, and online too, at gowolfe.com. We do the show every weekday at Noon (central Texas time, of course); and I've just learned that I'm hosting Top Gear tomorrow morning at 9am. That particular "car-talk"/Buddy Show is broadcast on no less than six stations, regionally, and of course, on our online streamer...
THERE WILL BE STEELY TALK, so y'all hop on and call in, wouldja? I keep thanking the Bluebook fans on-air, but alas--no indication that any of you are making the show! (I generally like to close with "Three Picture Deal", from Walter's latest. We are, after all, a three-man talk show, and I think it's a nice, mellow groove-out. No?) Join us if you can, I am having a ball, for sure.
Okay,
Bobbo
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 23:39:23 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,
HATWW = Westworld Brothel
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 22:00:30 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St Augustine Beach
As to the meaning of HATWW, one poster suggested it had to do with the Playboy Mansion, and cited the Lido Shipyard in Newport Beach, CA.
I wouldn't be surprised if the "sausage and beer" was a reference to that location (and Lido Isle located in the same area), but it seems far too seedy to be a reference to the upscale Playboy Mansion, IMO. I don't see people laying down Jacksons for their kicks, once they enter Mr. Hefner's house of boobies, nor do I expect sailors are/were blacked out on the stairs of that establishment.
It would seem to be a rather straight-forward story of a local house of ill repute, or perhaps a party house that specializes in sex and drugs. Of course, it is well known (to those in the know) and connected enough to be safe from the law (after all, the mayor hangs there, and nobody cares). Maybe a little something like Club Hi Ho, if you catch my drift.
Like I said, pretty straight-forward.
The only problem with that is, Dan tunes are rarely that straight-forward.
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 20:47:28 ET
Posted by: A Klein,
Where in HATWW does it imply/suggest anything/anywhere about a gay protagonist?
It's about Ruthie's Place, man. Klaus and the Rooster and the Mayor all go there to realize their various assorted sordid fantasies.
"But it all comes out on the inside", now there's a great fucking ambiguous line that even rivals The Great Hoops' "It came... so did the fans."
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 18:29:26 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar, Friday Blues Bash
SF Dan Fan,
To be honest, I think it will be great no matter what album they choose, providing it is a Steely Dan album.
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 14:20:52 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, .
Like the amazing Bulls-Celtics game last night, Hoops has always put in triple overtime for family, teaching and the Bluebook/Digest.
Mark in Boston
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 12:45:02 ET
Posted by: SF Dan Fan, San Francisco
The classic album as a set list is a great idea for some bands, I think SD is one of them
I recall back in late 2007 seeing Roger Watters perform Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. One hell of a show.
I guess it just depends on what album SD decides to play.
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 09:49:52 ET
Posted by: Janie Runaway, NY
(VERY) short reference to Steely Dan:
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/fashion/30spy.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=steely%20dan&st=cse
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 09:27:07 ET
Posted by: Here, at the Blue Book World
I've always thought that HATWW was a story about a gay protagonist living the homosexual lifestyle of that day and time.
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 08:58:45 ET
Posted by: kuleebaba, Charlotte
With Fagen and Becker's strong sci-fi influences, I've always thought HATWW was partially based on Crichton's popular 1973 "Westworld" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westworld).
In the movie, there are multiple amusement parks staffed by robots. One is called the "Western World"...
In the parks, the characters indulge their violent fantasies("madman you're longing to be"), although eventually the robots revolt ("in the night you hide... but it all comes out on the inside eventually").
There are robotic hookers in the "Western World", and a madam. And it being the 70s, they certainly are skinny.
As for "blacked out on the stairs", there were some drunken bar fights in Western World. But that may be from something else.
Date: Fri, May 01, 2009, 06:44:53 ET
Posted by: steely dana, grateful
Hoops is The Man !!
Many, many thanks for all you do....
