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Date: Tues, November 01, 2011, 00:53:30 ET
Posted by: FYI, Broadway

Barney and Baker werein the Lion King together when the show first opened years ago. Barney originally recommended Baker for the SD gig.

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 21:11:30 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

mikethebaker - I believe Ted Baker was playing in the pit orchestra for Lion King when D & W tapped him for the SD touring gig back in 2000 or so. So he's back doing it again and with Barney along. That pretty cool.

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 19:29:49 ET
Posted by: Dan In Real Life, Up on the hill...

Sounds like a great night in Adelaide, despite the acoustics. And you had a win with Winwood on Pretzel Logic, which we didn't get in Brisbane. Would have loved to have witnessed that live, but did catch it on YouTube from the Sydney show. Oh well, perhaps next time...if there is one. It still blows me away that a band I started following in 1974, and never thought I'd see down under, has now played Australia twice. I can die a happy Dan fan.

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 18:43:31 ET
Posted by: mikethebaker, the sugar shack in pennsylvania

By total coincidence I saw Ted Baker and Tom Barney last night. I went to nyc to see the Lion King and while paging through the Playbill I noticed that they are currently playing in the orchestra. It made an amazing show that much better! During intermission I managed to ask the conductor if it was the Ted and Tom that used to play with Steely Dan. He confirmed it and yelled down to Tom saying "hey Tom! you got a fan up here!" He was like 10 feet down and 20 feet away, so I just just gave him a thumbs up and said "Yeah! Steely Dan! Woooo!!!" My date smiled and said, "wow, that's really cool (for you), but you're still the biggest dork I know!"

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 17:24:52 ET
Posted by: W1P, Clous

OK, message received :( Joey, I've always thought "If You Got the Bear" contains a similar staccato clavinet part to that on "Have a Cigar"

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 17:17:13 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, wishing i was down-under

Many thanks to Alan for coming through with the set list.

Tough to get reports from down there. Winwood on Pretzel Logic sounds like the real highlight.

Regarding the lack of Gold Teeth on this tour leg, I'm guessing with this being only SD's second tour in Australia means the more well-known stuff is still very, very fresh.

Happy Halloween!

Jim

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 17:15:45 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu

Thanks for the report from Adelaide alan.

But what version of "Road Runner" did they do?

The same version Steve did at the A.R.M.S.
concert in 1983?

I find it intersesting that many people feel
Steve "lifted" the melody of the Junior Walker
song "I Am A Road Runner" for his 1988 song
"Roll With It".

"Rikki" has not been played this much since 1996.
Must have been a big hit Down Under back in the day.

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 16:42:17 ET
Posted by: Joey, Hinktown

Chris - Talking Heads? I thought from day 1 that "The Bear" sounded very Pink Floydish. Still do!

Date: Mon, October 31, 2011, 10:25:56 ET
Posted by: alan, @steamer heaven

Adelaide Set List 10/30 2011

Steve Winwood Set

I'm a Man
Fly
Can't Find My Way Home
Dirty City
The Low Spark of High-Heel Boys
Light Up (20 min jam session)
Higher Love
Dear Mr Fantasy
Gimme Some Lovin'

Steely Dan

Dizzy's Bidness
Aja
Hey 19
Time Out Of Mind
Two Against Nature
Bodhisattva
Rikki
Show Biz Kids
Papa Don't Mess (Band Intro)
Green Earrings
Dirty Work
Peg
My Old School
Reelin
Kid Charlemagne (on official list but omitted)

Encore

Pretzel Logic
Road Runner
with Steve Winwood on Hammond Organ and Lead Vocals both songs.

Untouchables Theme

Highlight of the night was when they came back out for the encores and Donald lifted his trousers up to revel a very shiny pair of high gloss shoes. When the line came up in PL about "where did you get those shoes?" Steve Winwood kept pointing the finger at Donald. I was halfway expecting him to do a Peter Allen and stick his foot up on the keyboards.

Over all opinion... Both bands rocked but the sound sucked here in Adelaide which was a bit of a let down for me with that probably being the last Steely Dan show here ever! That being said I think it was a venue issue more than anything because the Sydney show a few days earlier was far superior.

I also had the privilege to share a plane ride back home with Steve Winwoods guitarist, Jose Piresde Almeida Neto and the sound issue was brought up but as he put it, he said "it's a live situation, anything can happen and that's show biz."

Us aussies would say, Shit Happens !

Date: Sun, October 30, 2011, 22:19:53 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Played "The Bear" for a non-obsessive dan fan friend of mine. His thoughts - "sounds like the Talking Heads!"

He meant this in a good way - and personally, I love later Talking Heads and can see his point. The question is, do you all agree?

I hear a certain David Byrne-ness in the vocals and melody, and the one-chord/clav-heavy vamp for the verse is definitely similar to a lot of later Talking Heads stuff.

Date: Sun, October 30, 2011, 17:19:35 ET
Posted by: Dookie, in the field

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G7FN_OfGng

Dont hafta see'yem now do wee?

Date: Sat, October 29, 2011, 23:28:26 ET
Posted by: xfmaklsbuvd,

kDepPV <a href="http://pbnxhuytwrmy.com/">pbnxhuytwrmy</a>, [url=http://xcmlhpfiyltv.com/]xcmlhpfiyltv[/url], [link=http://rtkrhgwgnsoj.com/]rtkrhgwgnsoj[/link], http://wxzlinphgxrw.com/

Date: Sat, October 29, 2011, 16:52:09 ET
Posted by: Muswellbrook, Down under you

Quantas air on strike
Steely Dan band makes plans to stay possiblly immigrate

Details at 11

Shuffle diplomacy at its finest

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 20:37:44 ET
Posted by: Young Wu, Buffalo

Ben... that might be the best version of Shakedown Street I have ever heard. Great find.

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 17:57:54 ET
Posted by: Ben, Indy

TGIF Dandom!

http://www.jambands.com/news/2011/10/28/shelter-from-the-storm-levon-helm-with-fagen-medeski-merchant-and-more/

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 15:55:49 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Razor Boy
Any World
Nightfly
Gaucho
Everyone's Gone to the Movies
Rose Darling
Steely Dan

Outcasts and Oddballs. Rangers. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 11:52:08 ET
Posted by: Game 7, ?

I'm not a fan of either team, but any thought on which of the two is more Dangential? Ron Washington reminds me a little of Jerome Aniton.

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 10:54:14 ET
Posted by: aye aye matey, under

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M0PSTrBiYA

Josie in Sydney. Nice

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 09:16:18 ET
Posted by: Ports, Minneapolis

Looks like no "Your Gold Teeth" love for the Aussie tour. Odd that they would play it all tour in the US and drop it so soon.

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 08:52:47 ET
Posted by: Young Wu, Buffalo

Any set with Pretzel Logic is fantastic. I'm still elated that I finally saw it this summer.

Date: Fri, October 28, 2011, 07:10:57 ET
Posted by: fagenism, -

Random addition to the Fagen/Metheny discussion that went down a while back; here is a picture of Don, Pat and Jimmy posing together back in the day.

http://www.myspace.com/razorboymusic/photos/3373108#%7B%22ImageId%22%3A3373108%7D

Hoops:

Just finished Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography. Poorly structured and repetitive in places, but a lot of (seemingly) honest input about the man from people who knew him.

Date: Thurs, October 27, 2011, 22:53:25 ET
Posted by: greyMC, Melbourne, Australia

Last Night's Set List - Melbourne, Australia

Dizzy's Bidness
Aja
Black Friday
Hey Nineteen
Time Out Of Mind
Two Against Nature
Bodhisattva
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Show Biz Kids
Papa Don't Take No Mess
Babylon Sister
Dirty Work (vocals:- Embassy Brats)
Jim Beard Introduction to:-
Josie
Peg
My Old School
Reeling In The Years
Kid Charlemagne
Pretzel Logic (vocals:- Steve Winwood)
Theme From The Untouchables

Awesome playing, amazing lighting, great balance for a barn!

Date: Thurs, October 27, 2011, 14:28:38 ET
Posted by: Cerpin Taxt, Boston

Lady Day and John Coltrane (1971)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UprRB_-8yBY

and

Your Gold Teeth

I realize it's a pretty basic one chord vamp that's used in a lot of songs, but the groove is still similar. Gil Scott's doesn't stay on the i like YGT does, but still a cool comparison.

At the very least, remix potential...

Date: Thurs, October 27, 2011, 04:13:49 ET
Posted by: the bullgoose, sweet home bonalbo australia

Boss photos from the winery, Trish. It all seems so long ago already.
I particularly liked photo#28. Although it was uncaptioned, I think it could have read,'Emptying the spit valve on his melodion, Don watches the skies for signs of Morpho the Wombat, while Walter goes for the doctor on the striated rockabilly guitar he assembled on the tour bus from found objects.' Or maybe it couldn't have. It's hard to tell.

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 22:34:27 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu - Actually Feels Like Fall Lighting The Fire Pit

Sydney Down To Greene Street,

There you go, simply one of the
finest Steely Dan "encores" ever.
Right up there with Elliot in
London in 2009 & This All Too Mobile
Home in NYC this year. Good on ya.

Interesting to see that Keith is
using a new kit for this last leg
of the tour.

Thanks for the pics Trish.

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 16:12:09 ET
Posted by: Young Wu, Buffalo

Rose Darling? Where the hell did that come from? I wonder what song the guy who reviewed the show was thinking about?

How does someone who can't even property namecheck the songs of the night even know the song Rose Darling?

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 12:04:42 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown cubicle

Thanks TrishT, enjoyed looking at those pix.

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 06:38:39 ET
Posted by: TrishT, Brisbane, Australia

Hi Guys - A link to some photo's I took at the SD and Steve Winwood concert at Sirromet Winery in Brisbane, Australia.... not professional by any means but a lasting memory for us !!

https://picasaweb.google.com/114887827075815470293/SteelyDanSteveWinwoodSirrometWineryBrisbaneAustraliaOct2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCLOz_b359KrqwQE

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 02:52:20 ET
Posted by: Dan In Real Life, High Plains Drifter

@Wow! What a golden share...we didn't have such fabulous fortune at the Brisbane show, although Winwood was wonderful. Thanks so much for posting this as it's a joy to behold! And @ entmoot, VA, scroll down for one of the first playlists from the Brisbane show...we've been sharing the love with all of our US DanFans from day one and keeping score...enjoy!

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 01:45:47 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, near Sirromet

That bayside bulletin article is definitely wrong. We certainly did NOT get to see them play Rose Darling.

Nor did Steve Winwood play "While You See A Chance", as claimed in that photo caption.

Crappy, lazy journalism. The only thing they got right was that it was a great day!

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 01:07:16 ET
Posted by: #1,

Add Rikki into the first half.

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 01:03:31 ET
Posted by: #1,

Please accept the following as a rough set list for the Sydney show, had every intention of keeping track but was immediately swept up in the performance.

Aja
Black Friday
Hey 19
Time out of mind
Show biz kids
Godwhacker
No mess
Do it again
Dirty work
Bodhisattva�
My old school
Josie
Peg
Reelin'
Kid char
Pretzel - with Steve Winwood

It was great to see an animated Donaldand Walters guitar work was a highlight.

I'm sure that a more experienced scribe will give you a more accurate and indepth
report soon.

Date: Wed, October 26, 2011, 00:02:19 ET
Posted by: Wow!, I repeat- WOW!!

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 22:02:15 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, up here

Pretzel. Sydney. Stevie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sfNVKBc-ds

This could possibly be the most beautiful version of Pretzel Logic I have ever heard. Winwood should be brought out every night to sing.
Walter just goes off in a direction never heard before to start the tune. WOW.

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 23:28:20 ET
Posted by: entmoot, VA

Hello to all the Dan Fans in Australia...

A simple request from a simple Dan Fan.

How about putting up some set lists from the current Dan shows from down under?
Only one has been posted thus far.
I know you guys can do better than that.

Media type and fan reviews are all well and good but being able to see a set list says it all.

Thanks!

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 22:32:14 ET
Posted by: TO Danfan, Watching Hockey

@WT
You're probably right about para 9 but lets here from someone who was there.

So let us know... if you were there....did they really play Rose Darling.....my friend?

If they did..... count yourself among the blessed!

Cheers

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 22:32:13 ET
Posted by: TO Danfan, Watching Hockey

@WT
You're probably right about para 9 but lets here from someone who was there.

So let us know... if you were there....did they really play Rose Darling.....my friend?

If they did..... count yourself among the blessed!

Cheers

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 22:30:08 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Baton Rouge

Rose Darling?

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 22:06:52 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Many thanks, Denise of Hinktown.

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 22:02:15 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, up here

Pretzel. Sydney. Stevie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sfNVKBc-ds

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 21:11:08 ET
Posted by: WT, F?

Paragraph 9. That has to be wrong.

http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/news/local/news/general/a-great-day-on-the-green/2334060.aspx

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 21:09:02 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu - But wishing I Was Down Under

"At the age of 14 Winwood was modelling himself on Ray Charles"

-Sounds like someome else we all know......

Must Be A Higher Love
Iain Shedden From: The Australian September 24, 2011

STEVE Winwood plays the lord-of-the manor Englishman role well. The 63-year-old musician lives in a 300-year-old mansion in the Cotswolds, deep in the Gloucestershire countryside.

It was in that part of the world two weeks ago, in the village church at Northleach, where the celebrated singer and songwriter attended the wedding of his daughter Mary-Clare. Adding clout to the occasion, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were also in the pews, as the Duchess's son Tom Parker-Bowles was best man to his cousin, the multi-millionaire Ben Elliot.

Just what Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten would have made of all this pomp and wealth back in the day is hard to imagine, although it's probably unprintable. In the late 1970s Winwood, then an exponent of what he calls pixie rock, stood for everything Rotten, his band and every punk wannabe from Wolverhampton to Wangaratta despised

Yet the punk veteran, better known as John Lydon, is someone else who has been enjoying Winwood's company of late. Part of Winwood's estate is a state-of-the-art recording studio, in which Lydon has been recording a new album with his post-Pistols outfit Public Image Ltd.

"He's a very interesting fellow and I like him a lot," Winwood says enthusiastically. "We were enemies, so it's ironic that he ends up out in the country recording. You wouldn't have thought we'd have much common ground but we did."

Winwood has made few enemies in a career spanning almost 50 years. The punk era was a temporary blip and in the decade that followed Winwood enjoyed his greatest commercial success, as a solo artist.

Albums such as Talking Back to the Night and Roll With It were huge sellers worldwide and the songs Roll With It, Back in the High Life Again and Higher Love also topped the charts, the last one winning two Grammys.

"It was good to get some recognition after being in the wilderness for a little while," he says. "During the punk era it was a difficult time for me. It was against what I'd been doing . . . soft, slightly self-indulgent, long protracted pieces and introspective things."

The high life he enjoyed as a solo recording artist came with a new image, too. Winwood was a clean-cut, well dressed man and the music he created had a production polish typical of big-budget studio pop of the time.

"It was viewed that I entered into a pop world," he says. "I would like to add that it was more the production style that was pop. If you analysed the songs I was doing -- Higher Love, Back in the High Life -- I was still trying to combine ethnic music with latin rhythms and jazz and folk ideas, the same thing I was doing in Traffic."

While he's proud of what he achieved with those solo albums, he has mixed feelings about the era and environment in which they were created.

"The 80s and 90s were hefty times in the music industry, which it is paying the price for now," says Winwood. "The industry had great control and I allowed it to control me more than I was using it, but I like to think that throughout it all I kept the music ideals that I'd had from those early days."

That 80s period is just a small representation of Winwood's craft as a musician and songwriter. By the time he became famous under his own name he had enjoyed success several times over in different bands and as a session musician. His distinctive, blues-inspired vocals adorned hit singles by the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic. His shortlived band Blind Faith with Eric Clapton was one of the first supergroups to emerge out of the 60s British electric blues scene.

Add to those achievements his contributions as a hired gun on guitar and keyboards on many recordings, by artists as diverse as Jimi Hendrix and Billy Joel, and you have a consummate musician whose legacy is one for the ages.

Australians will hear highlights from that illustrious catalogue when Winwood gets here next month for a national tour alongside Steely Dan.

"I try to do a cross-section of everything, including Spencer Davis stuff . . . maybe a Blind Faith song or two, something from the different phases of Traffic, my solo career and new stuff," he says.

"I update some of the arrangements. It's a conundrum for an artist with baggage like I [have] because people feel cheated if you play the songs differently, but you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. People like to hear something new and different as well.

"That's not to say," he adds, "that I'm in the business of pleasing everybody."

WINWOOD has been pleasing people with his voice and with his skills as a guitarist and keyboards player since he was a teenager. He grew up in a musical family in Birmingham, even performing in a family band with his sax-playing father and his older brother Muff. His brother later joined him in the Spencer Davis Group and went on to be a world-renowned record producer.

Steve Winwood can say without fear of contradiction that he was the only 13-year-old white English schoolboy who cut his musical teeth playing alongside some of the greats of American blues. Barely into high school, the young muso was involved in the local rhythm and blues scene, playing Hammond B-3 organ with local outfits who were often hired as pick-up bands by overseas artists.

Through that arrangement Winwood played alongside blues legends BB King, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf and T-Bone Walker, to name a handful. This was at a time when American bluesmen were more popular in Europe than they were at home.

"Blues was kept quiet in America," he says. "In those days it was an ethnic community music. They came to Europe and they were playing in city halls. It was as much of a culture shock for them as it was for us."

For Winwood, however, it was an unbelievable opportunity. "It was an incredible education to be playing with these people, although sometimes they weren't the easiest people to get along with," he says. "Sonny Boy Williamson was particularly grumpy, as was John Lee Hooker. But having said that, they probably weren't ready for what was going on, with thousands of Europeans flocking to see them."

What the budding Winwood gained most from those blues gigs was the shaping of his voice, at that stage far from fully developed. He listened intently to those blues legends, studying them and trying to copy them, even if he didn't always comprehend what they were singing.

"What was fantastic was that it was in a version of the English language, but sometimes I didn't quite understand it," he says. "I was singing phonetically what I thought they were saying and then years later I'd realise I'd understood it wrongly. But there was a youthful enthusiasm about the music and more than anything else it was a discovery . . . a discovery of this rootsy, passionate music."

When he joined the Spencer Davis Group at the age of 14 Winwood was modelling himself on Ray Charles. Winwood was only 17 when that band started having hits, among them Keep On Running and Somebody Help Me. By the time he was 18 the singer had co-written and sung two of the band's biggest and most enduring hits, Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm a Man.

In 1967 Winwood left to form Traffic, a more experimental pop outfit that immediately had success with the singles Paper Sun, Hole In My Shoe and Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. That band had several incarnations, all of them featuring Winwood and drummer Jim Capaldi. The group's 70s phase is the one in which pixie rock, as he called it, merged with jazz, folk and rock, turning Traffic into an albums band rather than the pop act it been. But it was a collaboration with other young bucks who emerged out of the British blues boom that redefined Winwood as a rock star. He joined forces with guitarist Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, both from the disbanded Cream, in Blind Faith in 1969. Bass player Ric Grech, from the band Family, completed the line-up. It was a short-lived project, with only one album released, but the partnership of Winwood and Clapton continues, albeit long after that initial flurry of success.

The two have toured together in recent years and are about to do so again in Japan following Winwood's stint in Australia.

"We were quite definite that it was not going to be a Blind Faith reunion," Winwood says, "but we felt we had some unfinished work to do.

"Blind Faith was quite shortlived and then we went our separate ways. It was only about five years ago that we got together and thought we could do something."

Winwood cites his grooming as a musician as a teenager for his love of working with different musicians, something he has continued to do throughout his professional life. He played organ on Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile and contributed harmonium and minimoog parts to George Harrison's debut solo album.

In the decades since then Marianne Faithfull, Paul Weller and Tito Puente are among those with whom he has shared a stage or recording studio.

"I do enjoy working with other musicians," he says, although he flinches at the idea of being called a virtuoso.

"Although I've been playing music for a long time I think my skills have always been less of the virtuoso and more that of band leader and arranger," he says.

Winwood's last album was 2008's Nine Lives, which featured Clapton on guitar. The singer has no immediate plans for another one ("we don't make albums any more, haven't you heard?"), but says he has been experimenting in the studio.

"I'm not doing an album, but I'm working with a few new elements of music," he says. "Over the past 10 years or so I've been trying to embrace elements of Cuban and Brazilian music and to inject those somehow into what I do."

Perhaps we'll get a taste of that when he gets here.

"I've been very lucky that I've been able to choose the music I make," he says. "And I'm still motivated."

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 21:07:47 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu - But wishing I Was Down Under

"At the age of 14 Winwood was modelling himself on Ray Charles"

-Sounds like someome else we all know......

Must Be A Higher Love
Iain Shedden From: The Australian September 24, 2011

STEVE Winwood plays the lord-of-the manor Englishman role well. The 63-year-old musician lives in a 300-year-old mansion in the Cotswolds, deep in the Gloucestershire countryside.

It was in that part of the world two weeks ago, in the village church at Northleach, where the celebrated singer and songwriter attended the wedding of his daughter Mary-Clare. Adding clout to the occasion, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were also in the pews, as the Duchess's son Tom Parker-Bowles was best man to his cousin, the multi-millionaire Ben Elliot.

Just what Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten would have made of all this pomp and wealth back in the day is hard to imagine, although it's probably unprintable. In the late 1970s Winwood, then an exponent of what he calls pixie rock, stood for everything Rotten, his band and every punk wannabe from Wolverhampton to Wangaratta despised

Yet the punk veteran, better known as John Lydon, is someone else who has been enjoying Winwood's company of late. Part of Winwood's estate is a state-of-the-art recording studio, in which Lydon has been recording a new album with his post-Pistols outfit Public Image Ltd.

"He's a very interesting fellow and I like him a lot," Winwood says enthusiastically. "We were enemies, so it's ironic that he ends up out in the country recording. You wouldn't have thought we'd have much common ground but we did."

Winwood has made few enemies in a career spanning almost 50 years. The punk era was a temporary blip and in the decade that followed Winwood enjoyed his greatest commercial success, as a solo artist.

Albums such as Talking Back to the Night and Roll With It were huge sellers worldwide and the songs Roll With It, Back in the High Life Again and Higher Love also topped the charts, the last one winning two Grammys.

"It was good to get some recognition after being in the wilderness for a little while," he says. "During the punk era it was a difficult time for me. It was against what I'd been doing . . . soft, slightly self-indulgent, long protracted pieces and introspective things."

The high life he enjoyed as a solo recording artist came with a new image, too. Winwood was a clean-cut, well dressed man and the music he created had a production polish typical of big-budget studio pop of the time.

"It was viewed that I entered into a pop world," he says. "I would like to add that it was more the production style that was pop. If you analysed the songs I was doing -- Higher Love, Back in the High Life -- I was still trying to combine ethnic music with latin rhythms and jazz and folk ideas, the same thing I was doing in Traffic."

While he's proud of what he achieved with those solo albums, he has mixed feelings about the era and environment in which they were created.

"The 80s and 90s were hefty times in the music industry, which it is paying the price for now," says Winwood. "The industry had great control and I allowed it to control me more than I was using it, but I like to think that throughout it all I kept the music ideals that I'd had from those early days."

That 80s period is just a small representation of Winwood's craft as a musician and songwriter. By the time he became famous under his own name he had enjoyed success several times over in different bands and as a session musician. His distinctive, blues-inspired vocals adorned hit singles by the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic. His shortlived band Blind Faith with Eric Clapton was one of the first supergroups to emerge out of the 60s British electric blues scene.

Add to those achievements his contributions as a hired gun on guitar and keyboards on many recordings, by artists as diverse as Jimi Hendrix and Billy Joel, and you have a consummate musician whose legacy is one for the ages.

Australians will hear highlights from that illustrious catalogue when Winwood gets here next month for a national tour alongside Steely Dan.

"I try to do a cross-section of everything, including Spencer Davis stuff . . . maybe a Blind Faith song or two, something from the different phases of Traffic, my solo career and new stuff," he says.

"I update some of the arrangements. It's a conundrum for an artist with baggage like I [have] because people feel cheated if you play the songs differently, but you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. People like to hear something new and different as well.

"That's not to say," he adds, "that I'm in the business of pleasing everybody."

WINWOOD has been pleasing people with his voice and with his skills as a guitarist and keyboards player since he was a teenager. He grew up in a musical family in Birmingham, even performing in a family band with his sax-playing father and his older brother Muff. His brother later joined him in the Spencer Davis Group and went on to be a world-renowned record producer.

Steve Winwood can say without fear of contradiction that he was the only 13-year-old white English schoolboy who cut his musical teeth playing alongside some of the greats of American blues. Barely into high school, the young muso was involved in the local rhythm and blues scene, playing Hammond B-3 organ with local outfits who were often hired as pick-up bands by overseas artists.

Through that arrangement Winwood played alongside blues legends BB King, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf and T-Bone Walker, to name a handful. This was at a time when American bluesmen were more popular in Europe than they were at home.

"Blues was kept quiet in America," he says. "In those days it was an ethnic community music. They came to Europe and they were playing in city halls. It was as much of a culture shock for them as it was for us."

For Winwood, however, it was an unbelievable opportunity. "It was an incredible education to be playing with these people, although sometimes they weren't the easiest people to get along with," he says. "Sonny Boy Williamson was particularly grumpy, as was John Lee Hooker. But having said that, they probably weren't ready for what was going on, with thousands of Europeans flocking to see them."

What the budding Winwood gained most from those blues gigs was the shaping of his voice, at that stage far from fully developed. He listened intently to those blues legends, studying them and trying to copy them, even if he didn't always comprehend what they were singing.

"What was fantastic was that it was in a version of the English language, but sometimes I didn't quite understand it," he says. "I was singing phonetically what I thought they were saying and then years later I'd realise I'd understood it wrongly. But there was a youthful enthusiasm about the music and more than anything else it was a discovery . . . a discovery of this rootsy, passionate music."

When he joined the Spencer Davis Group at the age of 14 Winwood was modelling himself on Ray Charles. Winwood was only 17 when that band started having hits, among them Keep On Running and Somebody Help Me. By the time he was 18 the singer had co-written and sung two of the band's biggest and most enduring hits, Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm a Man.

In 1967 Winwood left to form Traffic, a more experimental pop outfit that immediately had success with the singles Paper Sun, Hole In My Shoe and Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. That band had several incarnations, all of them featuring Winwood and drummer Jim Capaldi. The group's 70s phase is the one in which pixie rock, as he called it, merged with jazz, folk and rock, turning Traffic into an albums band rather than the pop act it been. But it was a collaboration with other young bucks who emerged out of the British blues boom that redefined Winwood as a rock star. He joined forces with guitarist Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, both from the disbanded Cream, in Blind Faith in 1969. Bass player Ric Grech, from the band Family, completed the line-up. It was a short-lived project, with only one album released, but the partnership of Winwood and Clapton continues, albeit long after that initial flurry of success.

The two have toured together in recent years and are about to do so again in Japan following Winwood's stint in Australia.

"We were quite definite that it was not going to be a Blind Faith reunion," Winwood says, "but we felt we had some unfinished work to do.

"Blind Faith was quite shortlived and then we went our separate ways. It was only about five years ago that we got together and thought we could do something."

Winwood cites his grooming as a musician as a teenager for his love of working with different musicians, something he has continued to do throughout his professional life. He played organ on Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile and contributed harmonium and minimoog parts to George Harrison's debut solo album.

In the decades since then Marianne Faithfull, Paul Weller and Tito Puente are among those with whom he has shared a stage or recording studio.

"I do enjoy working with other musicians," he says, although he flinches at the idea of being called a virtuoso.

"Although I've been playing music for a long time I think my skills have always been less of the virtuoso and more that of band leader and arranger," he says.

Winwood's last album was 2008's Nine Lives, which featured Clapton on guitar. The singer has no immediate plans for another one ("we don't make albums any more, haven't you heard?"), but says he has been experimenting in the studio.

"I'm not doing an album, but I'm working with a few new elements of music," he says. "Over the past 10 years or so I've been trying to embrace elements of Cuban and Brazilian music and to inject those somehow into what I do."

Perhaps we'll get a taste of that when he gets here.

"I've been very lucky that I've been able to choose the music I make," he says. "And I'm still motivated."

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 20:43:56 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Maliburrrrr

Thanks for the report from last night
bullgoose. Now that's what I'm talking
about! Love Carolyn, but it's been
Pretzel Logic "lite" so far this tour.

Nice call Deano. Well it looks like you
folks Down Under who saw the first shows
kinda got slighted. After that first
night in NYC this year, I feel for you.

Man, the stop time and a Hammond B3 solo,
sounds like a take for the ages. Hope it
surfaces in nice audio soon.

Any setlist from last night?

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 17:08:13 ET
Posted by: the bullgoose, sweet home bonalbo

Stop Press
#1 informs me that Winwood joined SD for Pretzel last night at Sydney show. Singing and Hammond solo.

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 17:07:55 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Yeah, What a night. The guy is the consummate professional and musician. He can play anything, and damn good at it - what a classic set. That's definitely a dual billing and would love to see this package in the US!

Sun, October 23, 2011, 13:11:35 ET
Posted by: luke, NJ

How com Australia gets Stevie Winwood and we get Sam Yahel? What's wrong with THAT picture!? zzzzzzzzzzz

Date: Tues, October 25, 2011, 12:40:37 ET
Posted by: Dave, not your Uncle

The Bullgoose - You found Walter's guitar coarse and vulgar to the eye. Good...stay at him and listen to the CD. You won't have to see it. Sheech!

Date: Mon, October 24, 2011, 17:47:39 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Thanks PGE - that is a pretty stellar lineup.

John Medeski, of Medeski Martin and Wood, will also be there - and he's also been on Piano Jazz. Regardless of whether or not MMW is too jammy for your tastes (I don't think they should be for anyone, but that's for another message board) you can't deny the fact that he's a phenominal player.

http://www.amazon.com/Marian-Mcpartlands-Piano-Radio-Broadcast/dp/B000A2GRX2

I wish money, time, and prior commitments were no object - otherwise I'd be there!

Date: Mon, October 24, 2011, 14:48:51 ET
Posted by: PGE, Donald on stage November 18

The Levon Helm Band, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan and former 10000 Maniacs
lead singer Natalie Merchant will raise money for victims of Tropical Storm Irene during a concert in Kingston on Nov. 18.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20111024/ENT04/111024001/Hudson-Valley-musicians-raise-money-victims-Tropical-Storm-Irene?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|PoughkeepsieJournal.com

Date: Mon, October 24, 2011, 02:08:51 ET
Posted by: the bullgoose, sweet home bonalbo australia

Haphazard observations upon the Sirromet winery show in Brisbane from your gimcrack correspondent.

Apparently during his musical apprenticeship Donald was regularly goosed along on the bandstand with exhortations from the bandleader such as, "Rip it on me, Donald'. Last night Donald concluded one rollicking number by letting go with what I'd have to describe as a Manhattan rebel yell, 'Buggin' out, baby!'

I don't know if someone in an Aussie music shop saw him coming, or if he'd lost a bet, but last night Walter cranked out several numbers on an ugly rockabilly guitar whose top had the figure and grain pattern of a striated turd. It sounded ok, but I found it coarse and vulgar to the eye. Whether Walter enjoyed operating it is hard to say, given his Easter Island expression.

Son of Bullgoose#1 saw a review of the Perth Show (maybe even on the Blue) which observed that D&W looked like hobos and sounded like royalty. Pay that one.

Was I greedy for wanting Steve Winwood to sit in on, say, Pretzel Logic or Do it Again? Given Donald's subtle flexibility of phrasing last night, I had half expected him to to chant, "Hey Nineteen, That's Stevie Winwood', but 'Retha was not messed with.

When I catch up on sleep I must remember to try and recall the chord substitution in Rikki. It was simple and piquant.

Son#2 of Bullgoose was amused by the gyrations of several superannuated hippies down the front and their continued mastery of civil disobedience; when security arrived and asked a dancer to resume his/her seat another half dozen would spring to their feet in defiance.

Untouchables theme was a swell closer. I couldn't help drawling out loud, 'Tonight's episode, The Waxy Gordon Story.. a Desilu production'

Most satisfying of the four sd concerts I've seen, that's for true, faddah.

Date: Mon, October 24, 2011, 01:15:15 ET
Posted by: #1, Central Coast NSW

Greetings fellow danizens of OZ. Long time follower first time poster, just scrolling through the gushing reports from Brisso and growing even more excited for the sydney show. Thanks to berberian for a comprehensive run down, #1 for an excellent display of aural skills and the bullgoose for his own unique observations (and the ticket). I only hope there's nothing wrong with the action on Donalds piano.

Date: Mon, October 24, 2011, 00:26:18 ET
Posted by: Cerpin Taxt, Boston

I just finished reading Leiber and Stoller's autobiography, Hound Dog. It's a great, fast-paced read for anyone interested in the inner workings of the music industry, especially days long gone of rack jobbers and payola. The entire book is written as basically a conversation with Leiber and Stoller.

At one point in the book, there's this little jem about one of their record labels. It must take place somewhere between 1966 (the timeframe in the chapter) and 1972 (CBAT):

"Before we gave Red Bird to Goldner, we had toyed with other signings. In that regard, you might say we made mistakes. We had a chance to sign sensational acts - Sam and Dave, the Young Rascals, and Steely Dan. We heard their talent. We knew they were geat, but we thought if we had more hits, we might be stuck doing this for the rest of our lives. Our hearts weren't into being label bosses anymore. We were thirty-three. We were spent, and our interests were moving into areas beyond youth culture, even as that culture was growing bigger. For better or worse, we had to go a different way."

Do you think they heard the Android Warehouse-era demos?

On a related note - Donald REALLY souped up Ruby Baby. I checked out earlier versions, Dion and such...they don't really compare.

Date: Mon, October 24, 2011, 00:01:38 ET
Posted by: Down Under, Yet From Above

Josie-Dirty Work-Reelin' 22/10/11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSPrbHf9b34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCqLdiS96uU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjFiB0Xy6hY&feature=related

Date: Sun, October 23, 2011, 19:09:06 ET
Posted by: Dan In Real Life, Like a Sunday in T.J.

@Bullgoose - funny as observation of the Ray Charles' posture and Blues Brother lingo. Let's hope age will not weary them! How about Jon Herington on that "Reelin' in the Years" number...spankin' that gitfiddle with a mind-numbing nimbleness that had the old chooks where I sat layin' eggs of dancing happiness!

Date: Sun, October 23, 2011, 18:00:58 ET
Posted by: the bullgoose, sweet home bonalbo

WB last night:
They said we wouldn't be back.
They said we were too old.
They said we were too tired.
They said we wanted too much money.
Well here we are...

Also, we diggers never tire of Seppos pronouncing Melbourne as Mel-born.

Donald has not only taken on the posture of Ray Charles but also the speech mannerisms of John Belushi as Jake Blues.

Best of the four times I've seen them.

Hey #2,
Nice post. To the point. I salute you for it, son.

Hey Berberian,
Ditto for me.
As it turned out, Sirromet Winery great place for concert, bad place for danfest: DJ played music loud all the time. Any conversation would have to be semaphore/signing/lip reading.

Date: Sun, October 23, 2011, 17:24:58 ET
Posted by: Dan In Real Life, Up on a hill...

Have to agree 100% with Berberian's review of the Sirromet Winery concert. Winwood looked great, was in fine voice and cranked through his classics with a crack rhythm section. Fagan, Becker, Carlock and the entire crew sizzled in a superb night of classic tunes, extended guitar, brass and piano solos - my only sadness was in thinking the Dan may never pass this way again...if they wait another four years, like they did with the last tour in 2007 - I believe Fagan would be close to 70?

All in all, a magical night of memories that will last my lifetime.

Date: Sun, October 23, 2011, 13:11:35 ET
Posted by: luke, NJ

How com Australia gets Stevie Winwood and we get Sam Yahel? What's wrong with THAT picture!? zzzzzzzzzzz

Date: Sun, October 23, 2011, 09:06:05 ET
Posted by: #2, Brisbane

The outro was the theme from the Untouchables. Well suited.

Great show,interesting tweaking of the harmony in Ricki and as mentioned change of feel in Black Friday.

Date: Sun, October 23, 2011, 08:40:11 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, near Sirromet Winery

Well I've just got home from what was definitely the best concert EVER at Sirromet winery near Brisbane. What a wonderful evening of music. Steve Winwood and his band were just sizzling hot - it is a beautiful thing to see and hear Winwood playing bass lines on his Hammond organ with his left foot while his hands bang out those amazing riffs. Sheer delight - highlight for me was an extended Light Up Or Leave Me Alone (from his Traffic days I think) in which the band members showed us their very impressive wares. The rhythm section - drummer and "bongo" player - were superb and deserved their standing ovation. Brilliant stuff!

When the Steely Dan band took the stage it was immediately apparent that things were stepping up a few notches. The brass boys did their parade and intro, playing Dizzy's Bidness with an enthusiasm that was breathtaking. It was a visual AND aural treat. From there it just got better: the set list follows -

Aja (just perfect - on fire from the start!)
Black Friday (Australia's own song - THUMPING version)
Hey Nineteen (crowd pleaser and a chance for WB to give us a chuckle)
Time Out Of Mind (now we know why everyone love's this band - SENSATIONAL!)
Show Biz Kids (extended sax solo introduction had us enthralled)
Bodhissatva (OH YEAH!!!)
Rikki Don't Lose That Number (another crowd favourite and a real winner)
Godwhacker (guitar highlight!)
Papa Don't Take No Mess (hilarious band intros and the Embassy Brats just SHONE on this one)
Home At Last ( my personal favourite from my personal favourite album. I've lived with this song for 30 years and have NEVER enjoyed it as much as I did tonight)
Dirty Work (Embassy Brats excelled again)
Josie (amazing extended piano intro)
Peg ( is there no end to the genius of these guys?)
My Old School (another crowd favourite)
Reelin' In The Years (how's my little girl?) - some magic guitar work as you would expect - but better than expected!
Kid Charlemagne (worth waiting for - a real highlight for the whole ensemble)
Outro (not sure what this was but it perfectly capped off a perfect night)

Personal highlights for me were Keith Carlock's superb drum work and Jon Herrington's amazing guitar solos. But the whole crew were first class and I envy everyone who will see them perform on the rest of this tour.

Apologies to bull goose - I just didn't get a chance to visit. Hope you loved the show as much as I did.

In summary - a night to remember forever. UNREAL!

Over and out now!

Berberian the most grateful.

Date: Sun, October 23, 2011, 07:22:27 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Tower

steelydan.com was recently updated, with a post about SD and Steve Winwood Down Under. It says "Revised November 22" but I'm sure the good folks meant OCTOBER....

Date: Sat, October 22, 2011, 16:50:42 ET
Posted by: ujwbqldqf,

bGOttm <a href="http://hrfvwntmupwh.com/">hrfvwntmupwh</a>, [url=http://vvevycmoslsr.com/]vvevycmoslsr[/url], [link=http://hlxmphbqyljs.com/]hlxmphbqyljs[/link], http://thebakhuisij.com/

Date: Sat, October 22, 2011, 05:45:21 ET
Posted by: the bullgoose, sweet home bonalbo australia

Hey Berberian
Thanks for the details of genuine kick off time. Well then, we won't lob until 2.30.

Date: Sat, October 22, 2011, 03:57:57 ET
Posted by: Donald Rumsfeld-Fagen, Poynter Institute

Very disappointing that the Australian is trying to pass of a four-year-old photo of our heroes as current. If there's one place in Australasia that wouldn't stoop to these depths, it's that distinguished Australian newspaper, the Outback Tattler.

Date: Fri, October 21, 2011, 22:42:13 ET
Posted by: Dan In Real Life, Like a Sunday in T.J.

Aloha Bullgoose and Berberian, and thanks for that info on the toilet queue - will have to go easy on the grape juice. I'll most likely be arriving around 3 p.m. too...a lone seat in Gold Section G2, Row B, Seat 3. Feel free to stop by with a complimentary coldie if you're in the neighbourhood!

Date: Fri, October 21, 2011, 21:57:39 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

PGE - The photos from the Palms gig are really nice. Those are outstanding shots of Walter and Donald performing. I have to say that number two, the blue lit shot, is one of the best photos of Donald I've seen in a while. He should use that for the t-shirts when he does his solo tour next year supporting the new album.
Oh yes... count on it!

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/14/photos-legendary-steely-dan-performs-pearl-palms/

Date: Fri, October 21, 2011, 18:54:15 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, near Sirromet

Bullgoose, you have nailed the Day On The Green vibe perfectly. While it suffers similar problems to any large gathering - especially the long toilet queues - there is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that is conducive to enjoyment of the event. If you can ignore the large police and security contingent as you approach the venue you will find that once inside it's a great place to be. The natural ampitheatre at Sirromet with the vineyards and Moreton Bay in the distance adds to the very pleasant ambience of the occasion.

I won't be arriving until somewhere around 3:00pm, which is when Oh Mercy are due to kick off. If I arrive earlier I will look for you, otherwise I'll try to drop in before Steve Winwood's set. I'm not sure where I am sitting as my mate who is coming from Cairns has my ticket, but my fervent wish now is that I am not sitting in Gold Section G1 Row U seats 10-11!

Hope you enjoy the day.

Cheers.

Date: Fri, October 21, 2011, 06:52:01 ET
Posted by: the bullgoose, sweet home bonalbo australia

Bullgoose here.

Hey Berberian and anyone else Brisbane bound,
Bullgoose will be motoring in from the far hinterland.
Given the 2pm kick off, one would have to be up at sparrow's to fit in a Danfest before the show it would seem.
I haven't been a to Day on the Green, but I'm imagining a laid back bucolic fiesta dynamic.
Maybe I'm wrong as wrong can be and conditions will hark back to the Menin Road or the Battle of Poziers, but I'm backing the fiesta vibe. This being the case, a tasteful alfresco tete a tete of like-minded danfans , where light banter and the exchange of salient anecdotes bubble along like the upper reaches of the Logan River, would not be out of place.
The question is, where? Fortunately, being very tall, The Bullgoose himself could constitute a landmark of sorts. Sociable souls are welcome to make a beeline around 1pm for Gold Section G1 Row T seats 10-11, where they are likely to encounter Bullgoose and Son #2 of Bullgoose. If we have been called away for urgent roistering, a cryptic message may have been left on a chair or entrusted to a sympathetic neighbour.

Of course, if anyone has a more attractive plan, I'll run with it.

Date: Fri, October 21, 2011, 05:43:51 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, Down Under

Well spotted with that pic Norm! Typical of the Aussie press to be cheap and use an old photo.

Anyway only 2 more sleeps until the show here in Brissy!

Date: Thurs, October 20, 2011, 17:32:11 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

Gus,

I agree Glad would be a good instrumental choice for the two bands. As for Dan tunes, I think Pretzel Logic always provides an excellent opportunity for a guest vocalist, and Winwood could handle it well.

Another that immediately jumps to mind is Lunch With Gina, as I think Stevie could contribute some nice keyboard as well as vocals. Truth is, Stevie could probably fit in well with much of The Dan's superior material.

As for Higher Love, well you are right, Gus, the girls would probably kill on that. But then you would have to listen to Higher Love, which is about the worst of Steve's output, IMO. (I understand you have to listen to it at a Winwood concert, either way.) Truth is, I'm no fan of Stevie's solo career. I even find Arc of a Diver sub-par, compared to his earlier stuff with Traffic, Blind Faith, etc. But hey, that's me.

Date: Thurs, October 20, 2011, 17:26:31 ET
Posted by: peteB, uk

Some nice footage on Youtube of Larry Carlton's trio playing at the Estival in Lugano this year. Didn't make it to the Beacon night when he joined SD but from what I see on Youtube it was grand. For me he is the definitive SD guest guitarist - no-one else could have done those solos on Pretzel Logic or Third World Man, which IMHO are the climax of those songs. Truly an artist capable of meeting Fagen and Becker on their creative level.

I hope that 23 September 2011 won't be their last collaboration. The sparse, oblique music of the Larry Carlton trio shows how in tune he is with Becker particularly - imagine what Carlton could have done on Circus Money! - not surprisingly the trade-offs between Becker and Carlton at the end of Pretzel Logic on 23 September are thrilling to behold.

Date: Thurs, October 20, 2011, 15:42:28 ET
Posted by: Gus Winterbottom, El Segundo cubicle

Ray,

Regarding your post from yesterday, I am not very well versed with Winwood's catalog, and this doesn't answer your question, but you got me thinking in other directions. The instrumental "Glad" might be a good SD intro number. I would love to hear Beard have a go at that one, and there is plenty of room for the horn section to stretch out as well. And if Steve has only a five piece band, even though I haven't heard them perform "Higher Love", I can't help thinking that the Brats could add something special with backing vocals.

It's more likely of course that Winwood will sit in with Steely Dan; I agree that it would be a lost opportunity if they only do this on the last night of the tour, if at all. Perhaps they are using the short break after the first show to work on some things; we'll see.

Date: Thurs, October 20, 2011, 03:15:22 ET
Posted by: Norm, mas

BB, thanks for the link. That picture is from 2007, though.

Date: Thurs, October 20, 2011, 00:06:45 ET
Posted by: Dan In Real Life, BrisVegas

Thanks for the posts, Berberian...can't want for the show to begin; sounds much better than the 2007 show at the BEC!

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 23:48:06 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, Down Under

Review and great pic from The Australian newspaper:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/old-masters-of-rock-show-how-its-really-done/story-e6frg8n6-1226171104180

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 23:41:34 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, Down Under

Review of the Perth show from The West Australian newspaper:

It's hard to believe that the amazingly talented singer and multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood hasn't performed here for more than a decade.

With a prodigious career that stretches back to the mid-60s with the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, as well as an impressive solo career since 1977, he has always had a lot to offer Australian audiences.

Exactly how much was fully revealed, when, along with a dynamite four-piece band, he was the special guest of jazz-rock outfit Steely Dan. His strong performance that blended rock, R&B, soul and jazz styles into his own musical concoctions was well worth the price of admission alone. His distinctive high, tenor voice remains fully intact and he's still a superb Hammond B3 organ player and guitarist. Songs including the Spencer Davis hits I'm a Man and Gimme Some Lovin', Traffic's Dear Mr Fantasy, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Blind Faith's Can't Find My Way Home and solo hit Higher Love were nothing short of sensational.

Coming off their mammoth 45-date tour of the US, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, backed by the top-shelf 11-piece Miles High Band - comprising a solid horn section and a trio of groove-a-luscious backing singers dubbed the Embassy Brats - were like a well-oiled machine.

It was strictly down to business with an intoxicating combination of rock, jazz and funk that never wandered off into overlong solos or melodic obscurity.

The band displayed its abundant strengths in the opening minutes by warming up with the furious hard-bop intro Dizzy's Bidness, while Fagen and Becker casually strolled on stage to kick off the proceedings with Aja from their 1977 album of the same name.

Then it was into a two-hour set that included highlights such as Show Biz Kids, Hey Nineteen, My Old School and a reworking of James Brown's Mama Don't Take No Mess.

The two songwriters never disappointed. They dug deep into their incredible catalogue of 70s hits without making it seem like just another retro show. Favourites like Dirty Work, Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Do It Again and Reelin' in the Years were greeted by the audience like old friends.

Fagen sang exceptionally well all night with the Embassy Brats covering any thin patches that have developed with age.

His cryptic, complex songs, full of jumpy rhythms sounded better than ever with the jazzy backing.

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 21:58:38 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Thanks again Doc and Dean.

Jim

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 20:01:29 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, Down Under

Hey Dan In Real Life. I reckon the whole day will be a Danfest! But be careful not to miss Steve Winwood and his smoking hot band .... should be a real treat. Cheers, Berberian.

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 17:52:49 ET
Posted by: Dan In Real Life, Brisbane, Australia

Anyone know of any Danfests this Sunday before the Sirromet Winery show? Don't worry our North American mates, we'll take good care of the entire Steely Dan crew while playing "the lucky country."

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 15:30:06 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Bel Air - At The Office

So Steve Winwood is not joining
Don & Walt onstage for a song or
two?

So odd. Seems like such a wasted
opportunity.

What Steely Dan songs do others here
think would be great with Steve?

My first thought this afternoon is
that Steve would lend a killer
Hammond B3 solo to Dirty Work
not to mention if he lent his vocals
to a tune like Peg or I Got the News
or lead vocals on Any World.

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 14:54:12 ET
Posted by: Steely Don, Las Vegas

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

Josie. All Donald, all the time. Groovy man.

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 13:04:32 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, a bit behind in following

Lurker Ray and Gus; Thanks for the comments and set lists...Much, much appreciated.

Brian. Thank you.

Everyone: got some cleaning up to do here today. Thanks for the patience.

Jim

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 11:44:41 ET
Posted by: Dan Belcher, Louisville, KY

Cerpin Taxt, I think the consesus is that clip is the brief snippet of the original attempt at the Second Arrangement that was mostly erased. It's such a shame because that different take on the rhythm is grooving so well. Love that bouncy Rhodes line and all the ghost snare notes.

Date: Wed, October 19, 2011, 10:36:01 ET
Posted by: ouch, no scam

It is with regret that WBA Entertainment must announce that Larry Carlton will be forced to cancel his upcoming tour dates in Canada and the United States due to a back injury sustained in a horseback riding accident last week at his farm in Nashville TN. The good news is that no bones were broken, the back injury is not permanent and he is expected to make a full recovery. Larry Carlton looks forward to seeing all his fans at the upcoming rescheduled performances.

Thursday 20-Oct-11 Quebec City, QC RESCHEDULED TO 21-Jan-12
Friday 21-Oct-11 Gravenhurst, ON RESCHEDULED TO 20-Jan-12
Saturday 22-Oct-11 Niagara Falls, NY RESCHEDULED TO 25-Feb-12
Sunday 23-Oct-11 Norfolk CT RESCHEDULED TO 26-Feb-12
Monday 24-Oct-11 New York NY RESCHEDULED TO 23-Jan-12

Date: Tues, October 18, 2011, 23:38:25 ET
Posted by: Cerpin Taxt, Boston

Anybody know more about this a HIGHER QUALITY version of The Second Arrangement mentioned the Steely Dan Resource? Will Donald and Walter ever released it?

http://granatino.com/sdresource/mystery.wav

Date: Tues, October 18, 2011, 23:11:29 ET
Posted by: GeePee, Western Australia

Went to the Perth show last evening.Great night and a set that started out with Aja and had Rikki,Reelin,Do it again to name a few.Don was in good voice and the band were brilliant.It did seem a little loud,but not a major prob.Steve Winwood was class as well,playing without a bass player and covering that with his left foot at the hammond!

Date: Tues, October 18, 2011, 17:04:10 ET
Posted by: Big Fan, Home at Last

I received this email from Infinity Hall concerning Larry Carlton's show this coming Sunday. Hopefully Larry is OK. BTW although I did not post after the rarities night (which was the best SD show I've been to since 2000) I got to meet Walter in a newsstand at 77th and Broadway. Too bad I was alone no photo - I didn't get more than to shake his hand and congratulate him on a great show.

Dear Larry Carlton Ticket Holders:

The Larry Carlton Show has been rescheduled due to a back injury.
Originally scheduled for this Sunday Oct 23rd, the show will now be on Sunday, Feb 26th at 7:30 pm.

We can move your tickets to the new show date or issue a refund.
Please contact us before November 1st for refunds. After November 1st all currently issued tickets will be moved to the Feb 26th show.

Thank you for your understanding and join us in wishing Larry Carlton a speedy recovery.

Date: Tues, October 18, 2011, 14:57:54 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu

My favorite picture from the tour,
actually probably my favorite tour
photo period.

"Blue Lou"

http://photos.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2011/10/13/10_13_11_steely_dan_kabik-5-1.jpg

"Your Gold Tooth"

http://photos.lasvegassun.com/media/img/photos/2011/10/13/10_13_11_steely_dan_kabik-109-7.jpg

Thanks for the heads up PGE

Again?!,

So sorry to offend your tired anon synapse
snookems. But if you had actually been
reading my posts then you would know that I
am huge proponent of the great town of Boston
and it's fans, I wish they would leave the
Beacon and return to Roseland where many of us
(those who can stand for an entire show) reveled
in the merriment not only in 2003 but also in
1995 and that the last show I reported on was
not even in LA or San Diego for that matter.

Clearly you would have read in the past that
the only thing I missed in NYC in 2003 was
the site of you servicing all comers under the
New Jersey Turnpike for beer money.

Any news from Down Under?

Date: Tues, October 18, 2011, 11:08:52 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

Twelve hours difference. It's now 11:00 PM in Perth. Should be getting some posts about the show soon.

Hope you folks down under enjoy the tour.

Date: Tues, October 18, 2011, 10:50:53 ET
Posted by: Mr. Fosters, Thems crocs at me feet

Ist show down under over yet? What's that time diff. Ain't it like 3 days ahead of these here states? Reviews mates!!

Date: Tues, October 18, 2011, 05:02:26 ET
Posted by: The Doctor, is in . . .

M/O/D/P - a wry and trenchant analysis of chronic Blue-itis.
" . . their ability to pretend to be offended where no offense was intended . . . . "

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 23:39:04 ET
Posted by: Berberian, Brisbane, Australia

Will be at Sirromet Winery on Sunday for the Brisbane leg of the Down Under tour - starting to get very excited right about ..... NOW! By the way the weather forecast for Brisbane for Sunday is Fine - min 15, max 26 - PERFECT!

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 23:38:56 ET
Posted by: WonkaVader, Louisville, KY

What you can say about Lurker Ray other than he is just living the dream, baby!

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 20:58:19 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Toronto

Lurker Ray - Huge thanks for the great read! I wish I could have been there, but your review brought the show alive for me up here in the about-to-be-frozen North. I know that some on here seem to prefer reading (and posting) poorly-composed, disjointed one-or-two sentence contributions to go along with their ability to pretend to be offended where no offense was intended, but I for one appreciate a well-written post. I also dream of one day attending a Steely Dan concert that goes completely uninterrupted by non-stop bathroom breaks and other general antisocial behavior caused by chronic beer-guzzlers and their beloved jumbo cupholders. I can dream, can't I?

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 17:17:19 ET
Posted by: Again?!,

Duffy - Not jealous at all. I've been lurking on Rays posts for years now. No doubt that the shows he goes to are awesome. Most of them are. But dang! Enough already with LA is better than NY. LA crowds are better than Boston. LA this, LA that! Blah, Blah Blah. Roseland 2003 bitch! You missed it Ray!

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 14:49:21 ET
Posted by: Duffy, Santa Barbara C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A

Again!?

You obviously didn't read Lurker Ray's review of the Santa Barbara or Dawn of Steely Dan Beacon shows this year. He pulls no punches. Rincon this past weekend WAS everything Ray & Gus said it was. Jealous?

Come back to the Southland soon Steely Dan we love you!

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 13:29:33 ET
Posted by: WT, F

And I suppose that when they do tour Florida, it's because they INSIST on it.

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 09:10:31 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Excellent observation, Disappointed Dan Fan. But while I am also disappointed, I don't know that Don and Walt "refused" to play Florida. It is true they did not play here, this tour. But "refused"? I think that is a bit of an overstatement.

I think we forget sometimes it isn't Don and Walt booking the dates, setting the ticket prices, etc. I imagine they have the ultimate say in whether they play any particular date, but I doubt they vetoed Florida as a possible booking this tour.

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 04:46:20 ET
Posted by: Disappointed Dan Fan, Florida

Ironic that Walt performed a snipet of Stephen Foster's "Old Folks At Home/Suwannee River" on a West Coast concert date when the band refused to tour the State of Florida on their current trek.

Date: Mon, October 17, 2011, 00:13:32 ET
Posted by: Again?!, Geez.

Did you ever notice the the best SD shows of all time are the ones that take place near Lurker Ray's house? Better sound, better crowds and better everything! Because that's just the way Lurker Ray rolls.

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 23:52:06 ET
Posted by: Cerpin Taxt, Boston

Wow. What a great read, Lurker Ray. Thanks for that!

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 21:47:43 ET
Posted by: Gus Winterbottom, Torrance, CA

Ray,

Thanks for the detailed report, and for filling in about a hundred gaps in my memory from the Friday show. Sorry we didn't find you after the show wrapped up; we worked our way over to the soundboard for some "gaming" advice. And I should note a minor correction to my previous report; the actual end time was about 11:30, so we got a show 2:20 in length, a bit more than I expected for a "casino" night.

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 20:41:44 ET
Posted by: Jim Tande,

Wow Lurker Ray - what a read! Love it!

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 18:54:08 ET
Posted by: Travelling Minstrel, The Southland

Less than two weeks to go until the Adelaide show!

Anybody else out there going? I have tickets in the third row. Last time they were here I was a lot further back and on the side- so to say I am excited is an understatement.

How about other Australians Dan fans- any Danfests planned?

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 18:48:01 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Malibu

STEELY DAN - OPEN SKY THEATER, VALLEY CENTER - "GANGSTA IN THE HOODIE"

I don't know what it is, but since 2006 every Steely Dan/Donald Fagen
show I have seen in San Diego or San Diego "Adjacent" has been just
killer with just remarkable sound. Friday night on the Rincon
Reservation was no different. Easily one of the best sounding nights of the tour for me and trampled what they pass for "sound" at the Beacon, though Mr. Winterbottom did say they finally dialed it in in NYC on the final night after 7 tries. This was no so-called "casino" show time wise, as Friday night at Harrah's Rincon was longer than even Dawn Of The Dead night & Gaucho night in NYC. Donald's voice was much stronger and he had more energy than any of the shows I saw in NYC and Walter Becker after 2 weeks rest was a different man than I saw in September in NYC, ripping great & interesting solos, feisty and mobile.

After the heat wave we had been having out here this past week Mr. Winterbottonm thought that we might have another Soboba type of night with heat earlier in the week. Not to worry, it cooled down up in the mountains and many folks wished they had brought a jacket. Donald emerged on stage in a green "Parliament-Funkadelic" hoodie and rocked it all night. How cool to see Don play the whole show in a gangsta hoodie. "Parliament-Funkadelic", represent. You could just picture the Mothership appearing over the beautiful mountains in background at any time Friday night. Just a splendid night with the stars over the mountains and on stage. Getting back to these San Diego adjacent shows on Native American land, I realized, they can blast the sound as loud as they like because they are on their own land, often in the middle of nowhere. The mountains in the background at the Open Sky stage acts like a giant pitch-back, just throwing the gorgeous sound back to the crowd. I just wish they would light up that mountains in the background with some colored lights like at Red Rocks.

Walter said, "They told us we were playing San Diego, but this does not look like San Diego?" So who is "they"? The same bone heads that
scheduled the Beacon run at the end of the tour when they were all tired and spent and just itching for a rest? Just think if they had taken a 2 week rest before the Beacon run or scheduled it early in the tour? Friday night we got shown what this band and Don & Walt would have been like if the Beacon run came after a 2 week rest. Yet another hard lesson for "they" to learn from the Beacon run this year.
Walter went on to say, "San Diego is great city, a port city, a naval city, with great people and great Mexican food. Now I've been to Mexico, but this does not look like San Diego, it looks like Mexico!"
"Does the Rincon Tribe surf? No? That's odd, because there is a wave that is called a Rincon". Donald went onto ask Walter about one of their first live shows that was in San Diego.

Green Earrings & Home At Last easily were two of the best takes I have had the pleasure of hearing this year or any year for that matter.
Walter's "Way down upon the Swanee River, far, far away / Old Folks At Home" riff when he was trading back in forth with Donald on Time Out of Mind was just a hoot. This clearly was not the same Walter Becker we witnessed in NYC this year. And it was so great to see Walter having a blast and firing on all cylinders again. Brought a huge smile to my face as Time Out Of Mind was just smokin' especially hot Friday night up in the chilly mountain air. Donald turned to the crowd at one point in his gangsta hoodie, and proclaimed, "Well Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo to you too!" Yup, it was one of those "kind" of nights. After shouting for applause for Walt & Jon on a firey Bodhisattva, the crowd did him one better, they made Donald give it up for Keith and they even hit Keith with a spotlight for our Super Trouper again this tour.

Donald said later that "These are the best horn players in New York City, a lot of great horn players in New York, but unfortunately they are all out of work. These are the only 4 guys working". During an extended, rockin', final night of the US 2011 Tour band intros, a "loose' Walter Becker quipped, "when you get back to your room tonight, call the front desk and ask then if they have babysitters, tell them to send up a blond and a redhead in an hour". Walter called Charlie the sound mixer, the luckiest man in the band". Apparently Charlie had made some dough in Vegas. I think we were the luckiest to have Charlie yet again mixing some of the best sound of the tour Friday night. "When Keith quits, I quit", remarked Walter and then went on to give Walt W. an extended run by calling out to him to give us a taste from his Atlantic & Prestige periods. As Gus pointed out earlier, Roger's Bullwinkle quote was just spectacular. Walter acknowledged Jim Pugh & Keith's new kids and hoped that they would start some "weird Steely Dan cult" and keep the band going. One can only hope. And I would be remised if I didn't salute a badass version of Josie with Donald's, unique "Pick up what's left by daylight, little girl" reading that was just way cool.

Just a spectacular, picturesque drive up from Escondido and Gus & I were treated to a 5 song sound check that included full versions of Babylon Sisters, Time Out Of Mind, Godwhacker, YGT and Black Friday.
Yet another great "tribal" night in San Diego adjacent just like Viejas for Donald solo in 2006 and Soboba, Bayside, Pala (which was actually in 2008 Jamie) Pechanga and now Rincon. And you could also count Chumash as another great "tribal" night. So far a 100% batting average for the SoCal Steely Dan "tribal" shows in the hood over the years. Looking back, they sold out 4 shows out here in SoCal this year - Santa Barbara - 4500 seats, The Greek LA - 2 nights at 10,000 seats and Rincon Friday night all at reasonable prices and I hope "they" will stop with this $250 a seat in NYC nonsense. Looking forward to reports from Down Under. Wish I could be there.

Special thanks to Don & Walter & the band for an unforgettable year and unforgettable shows in July, September and October. A special thank you to Jon Herington for making Rarities night a reality and finally, thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Winterbottom for your kind hospitality Friday night.

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 10:49:03 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown

PGE, thanks for posting that link. Photo 11 is particularly nice.

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 09:53:02 ET
Posted by: PGE, Photos from Las Vegas

Som nice pics from Steely Dan's show at The Palms, October 13. Click the Fagen pic a bit down the article.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/14/photos-legendary-steely-dan-performs-pearl-palms/

Date: Sun, October 16, 2011, 08:44:15 ET
Posted by: tommytomato, Columbus OH

Thanks to The Dan for another wonderful US tour. (my 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th shows...my first 2 in NYC)

Thanks to Hoops and all involved who keep this site going.

Thanks to all who post here for their varying viewpoints.

Date: Sat, October 15, 2011, 23:47:50 ET
Posted by: THANK YOU, THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

THANKS STEELY DAN MY 28TH SHOW AT HARRAHS COME BACK SOON

Date: Sat, October 15, 2011, 17:06:44 ET
Posted by: PGE, Dangerously close to Internet stalking...?

Truetone Music based in Santa Monica, California saw fit to post the following tidbit on Twitter today. All you musicians might enjoy the buying information. Or not.

"Thanx to Walter Becker of Steely Dan for stopping by today, along with my good friend NightBob. Walter picked up a Dr. Z Z Wreck head Cab."

Date: Sat, October 15, 2011, 15:05:40 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, boppin along

10.14.2011 Pride of the Hill Marching Band
Halftime Performance; Homecoming
Pleasant Hill, MO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfL3s6TaWiA

Greatest Marching Band evah!!

Date: Sat, October 15, 2011, 12:37:04 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, up above

Thank you Donald, Walter et al for treating these here states to another splendid time. You are missed already, come home soon again.

Have fun down under.

Date: Sat, October 15, 2011, 10:04:49 ET
Posted by: Billie Rubin, Buffalo

"High in the Custerdome"

General Custer's wife's name was "Libby". After the General was killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn, she spent the rest of her life defending the General, sending letters to all that she knew, defending his honor till the day she died.

Date: Sat, October 15, 2011, 07:33:39 ET
Posted by: Gus Winterbottom, Torrance, CA

Steely Dan at Harrah's Rincon, 14 October 2011
Setlist and brief report

Intro: Dizzy's Bidness ~9:10 PM
Your Gold Teeth
Aja
Black Friday
Hey 19
Green Earrings
Home At Last
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Bodhisattva
Godwhacker
Dirty Work (ladies' vocals)
Papa Don't Take No Mess/band intros
Babylon Sisters
Josie
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' In The Years

Encore: Kid Charlemagne
Outro: Untouchables Theme ~11:20 PM

The setlist appears to be the same as for the Palms show, except that Reelin' and MOS were juxtaposed tonight. Another tight performance tonight by all; I think I heard one minor synch error by Donald during YGT, but that was it. Donald's vocals sounded strong to me, and both he and Walter seemed to have benefited from some time off. Donald seemed in very good spirits tonight. During the Weiskopf solo at the start of Show Biz Kids, Donald interjected "Sounds Good". He was more talkative than usual tonight, but I can't recall most of his comments.

The sound was good tonight, at least from our spot about halfway back on the house right bleachers. Actually I thought the sound was fine from outside the fence during the soundcheck as well.

Walter and Jon were both in fine form splitting the Aja Guitar solo, and later trading closing solos on Green Earrings. Green Earrings featured a solo by Roger Rosenberg on the "feature mike"; later during the band intros Roger played the first line of the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" theme. During Walter's intro for Jon, Donald came back onto the stage and started working one of the 'shakers' at one of the ladies' mikes, to which Walter replied, "What's that noise?"

The crowd tonight was what I would describe as "Santa Barbara light", with some inattentiveness and beer runs tonight, but probably not to the extreme that we saw there. Donald got about the same (roughly 20%) standing ovation for his introduction that I saw at the last Beacon show.

That's about all that I have the energy for now, but I should add briefly that we were fortunate enough to have seen several band members around the hotel and restaurant areas tonight, as did Mr. Taylor at the Palms.

Date: Sat, October 15, 2011, 05:45:55 ET
Posted by: Jamie, OB

My last Steely Dan show I was front row (Pala 2009) in heaven seeing, feeling Donald's spit rain down on me..This next time around I watched it through a crack in a chain link fence, the back row, outside the venue.

There is a point in this observation, I am just not sure yet what it is. Pe@ce.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 20:40:02 ET
Posted by: shark, @Jazzassin

thanks man!

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 20:08:33 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Baton Rouge

Just walked in the door from flight back to BR from Vegas. 24 hr. whirlwind visit to Lost Wages. First, let me say that Keith Carlock and his wife and child came into the Bistro at the Palms and sat down next to me at dinner just before the show( Roger, Walt Weiskopf and Jim Pugh were also there at another table). I did not bother them during dinner. Afterward, wife and baby went off to get desert, and we chatted for a minute. They leave for Australia on Saturday (wasting no time).Super nice guy (He thanked ME for coming to the show...).

Set list below is correct with addition of Peg.I thought this was a super hot show. Several different technical difficulties were overcome early on (Freddie had a bad connection that made a lot of noise during intro, but that was quickly resolved. Donald had some mic. issues during Aja, got distracted and forgot where he was... started singing "Chinese music under banyan trees" after Tenor solo instead of "Chinese music always sets me free." He caught himself, but it was too late. Mouthed his way through until he could pick back up. I would like to hear if anyone else noticed this because at first I thought my ears were playing tricks on me).

I want to say that Donald was as animated as I have ever seen him. It's also possible that sitting on the 5th row amplifies a lot of stuff. The Brats were also very animated laughing and making a lot of back and forth with the crowd, lots of eye contact with various audience members. I agree with previous post that Carlock was smoking, but I thought that everybody was playing very free and having a LOT of fun. Harrington had a grin on his face all night long and there was a lot of banter between Donald and Walter.

This was pretty much the same set list I saw in Nashville, except add YGT and Babylon Sisters and drop Deacon Blues,Do It Again (a surprise given the venue) and Black Cow. It was nice to hear Babylon Sisters, because of luck of draw, I had not heard it since '93, although I have not been to the number of shows that many on this site have attended.

All in all, a very special night for me, and now I am going to get some sleep.

And BTW, no apologies necessary, I keep a bottle of baby aspirin handy in case of SD induced heart attacks.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 18:04:33 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Jeri (Wilson)

@ shark de ville:

Steely Dans 2007 jazz intro song "Jeri" was written by former Ellington Band trumpeter and big band leader Gerald Wilson.

Gerald wilson has three daughters, Jeri, Teri and Nancy Jo. All three have a song by their father named after them.

Gerald's son Anthony plays guitar with Diana Krall and makes excellent records of his own.

Jeri can be found on "The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra" (2000):

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Pacific-Recordings-Gerald-Orchestra/dp/B000JIR4MU

Review from allaboutjazz.com:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r1100_176.htm

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 16:59:09 ET
Posted by: zoomlv, lost wages

Updated Vegas set list - Sorry they did play Peg....after Josie........

Your Gold teeth
Aja
Black Friday
Hey 19
Green Earrings
Home At Last
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Bodhisatva
Godwhacker
Dirty Work
Papa Don't Take No Mess
Babylon Sisters
Josie
Peg
Reelin
My Old School
Kid Charlamagne
Outro

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 16:53:27 ET
Posted by: Jamie, OB

Sup Sup Dandom.Is there any meet-up tonight?
I am in OB and will be putting my top down and driving out.
If anyone needs a ride from Beaches area or has a ticket to sell
etc let me know. I will pick one up there if neccessito!
I hope everyone here is well and to those going to the show tonight drive safe & enjoy. Oh and tell Mr. Randall to write home.

Pe@ce,

HymroD

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 16:20:30 ET
Posted by: ken, Plymouth, MA

Jazz- Apparently SD have played Beatles songs during sound checks on recent tours.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 13:34:53 ET
Posted by: A, Fan

As the Aja 33 1/3 book states, SD got their "no filler" work ethic from the Beatles.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 13:26:33 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Jazzy and Luke,

Yes, I think Don is/was a Beatles fan (at least to some extent)...can't really see any reason he wouldn't be. But I don't think the Beatles had a LOT of influence on SD's music. Some perhaps, but not that much. The Beatles process (studio driven, and such) may have influenced Don and Walt, though.

Just my completely uninformed opinion, of course.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 13:08:28 ET
Posted by: jazz,

he did in boston, though I am not sure about the firing part, just the tight, leather pants.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 12:29:19 ET
Posted by: Dave in lv, goin' to lost wages!

Donald Fagen last night before Dirty Work "Originally sung by a great vocalist, David Palmer. He used to wear these really tight leather pants. And whenever he bent over, it ripped the pants. But that's not why we fired him, that's not why we fired him. We fired him for something completely different."

Has Donald used this line before at previous shows?

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 12:25:14 ET
Posted by: tommytomato, Columbus OH

Vegas setlist - wow! no "Peg"

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 12:22:11 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Dan

Luke,

"Jazzassin - Why would Donald or Walter not be a Beatles fan?"

No, why wouldn't they?
Seems pretty likely to me they would recognize unike, history-changing, limit-breaking highly melodic pop music when they hear it.

However, I take nothing in this world for granted, but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that at least Donald is a fan. Presumably Walter as well.

(I mean, Pretty Purdie "drumming on 20-something Beatles' songs" and all... :D :D No, kidding of course. Let's not go there)

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 12:06:01 ET
Posted by: luke, NJ

Jazzassin - Why would Donald or Walter not be a Beatles fan?

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 10:04:42 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, that '60s guy

One more thought on the SD '60s/'70s influence.

British invasion?

If my memory serves me right, Donald Fagen has declared himself a Beatles fan.
Sir Paul McCartney was observed at one of the Dan's London gigs in 2007.

Looks much like mutual respect.

Stevie Winwood is special guest at the shows down under this year.

zpoomlv,
thanks for the Vegas setlist.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 09:54:23 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

Sorry I transposed my letters!!! Not raod rather road !! DUH

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 09:51:28 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

Not to suck-up to our beloved leader (aka Hoops), but how he handles
criticisms never ceases to amaze me!!! He always semms to take the high raod!! It is quite refreshing!! Just Sayin

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 09:47:56 ET
Posted by: Greg M, WHite Plains

fitting! A vegas-style setlist for a vegas show.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 08:44:39 ET
Posted by: zpoomlv, lost wages

Vegas Setlist

Dizzy
Your Gold Teeth
Aja
Black Friday
Hey 19
Green Earrings
Home At Last
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Bodhisatva
Godwhacker
Dirty Work
Papa Don't Take No mess
Babylon Sisters
Josie
Reelin
My Old School
Kid Charlamagne
Outro

Interesting tidbits.........Donald forgetting the band name and Walter prodding him along
calling them the Steely dan Orchestra instead of the Miles High band...Walter asking if his guitar makes him look "Fat"......Band was hot.....Carlock was smokin....Donald in good voice.

Date: Fri, October 14, 2011, 07:00:36 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, SD roots

Re:
Steely Dan - the quintessential '70s band?

Tristan/J. Steele,

Of course Steely Dan owes to those who came before. No band is an island.
However, their roots sure goes much deeper than to the '60s.
The jazz artists that they swear by had their heydays from the late '20s throughout the mid '60s. The version of East St. Louis that SD transcribed was recorded first by Ellington in '27.
The decades from the '20's through the '50s can be said to be where the most obvious and directly inspirational sources can be found, but the '60s was never bypassed by our guys.

I think that much of the '60s embedded in SD's music is so basic, it will likly be overlooked by many.

So much happened in music in the '60s, and as Doc Mu pointed out, not everything was about the british invasion. There was a lot of great black soul and RnB going on which absolutely influenced them, and even more significant for the '60s was what happened to the instrumentation and music technology. The '60s brought extended multitrack recordings, distorted guitar sounds and a lot of experimenting with genre crossover formats: Blue-eyed soul, jazz-rock, fusion, country-rock etc.
Beat/rock/jazz poetry/lyrics with higher literary ambitions than ever also became much more common in the '60s
All of them being typical '60s developments that SD also took advantage of, and contributed to the further development of.

They also anticipated things to come by always stretching the limits towards previously unheard heights in terms of studio technology and recording quality.

Strictly musically I agree with The Dean that they're more or less timeless, but I don't think they would've possible at all without the '60s.

Luckily, the '60s DID show up and left NO ONE untouched.
Even if those who claims to remember them couldn't possibly have been there. ;o)

Malcolm, I listened to the songs on your FB Band Page while writing this.
Beautiful stuff - keep it coming!

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 23:32:11 ET
Posted by: Maharishi Yomama, Serinity Now

Buy now Danlets and achieve Oneness:

http://www.facebook.com/MalcolmHunterMusicHear?v=app_178091127385

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 23:28:52 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

I *think* what the Rolling StonED meant was that Steely Dan's music (not lyrics) and attitude had pretty nothing much to do with the Beatles or the British Invasion, but 1950s hipster cool jazz and hard bop.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 23:25:50 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, on the street

Malcolm,

Fabulous release, my friend. The WUNDerground sound will take the nation and their square heads by storm again.

Right out of the SD portal. Rather than tribute band ****, check out the real Nostalgic thing, folks! You'll recognize a few of the extended family as well.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 23:22:12 ET
Posted by: I , Remember

Down Beat called Becker & Fagen "genuine children of the experimental 60s."

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 22:54:54 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Well, Tristan (if that is your real name) :#)

The great liner notes from CBAT aren't to me taken seriously, of course. Steely Dan owes much to a lot of music that came before it. Ray Charles, Ellington, the music of Tin Pan Alley, etc.

I wouldn't call Steely Dan "the quintessential 70's band". I would call them a timeless band.

And, Jim. Not to belabor the point, but Tech-Mo wasn't promoting his band (cover or not). He was simply suggesting we check out Mother's Finest as they are on tour. They aren't a local band, or something he is promoting (as far as I can tell). They have been around since the early '70s. They are funk band, on the order of Sly Stone (to a degree). The only thing "wrong" think he did (at least IMO) was he said the USA portion of the Dan tour was over. He made a simple mistake (I doubt there was malice involved.) "Ahem" just went off on a belligerent tirade on a member of the community for absolutely no reason, other than to be an Internet bully. Again, IMO.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 22:11:22 ET
Posted by: tristan fabriani, amid the stacks

Premise- Rolling Stone once said the Steely Dan was the only major act in the 70's that had no obvious connection to the 60's...therefore, in theory, making them, at the time, the quintessential 70's band

Argument- Steely Dan actually had strong connections to the 60's, some obvious (Jay & the Americans)...some not (Steve Barri)and were merely extending songwriting patterns being experimented with and exploited by various acts that had started in the 60's...(eg Chicago, Spirit, and others)

In your Humble Opinion....was/is Steely dan a uniquley 70's creation??? Or do they owe a great deal to what came before them???

(Hey it's aThursday)

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 21:43:14 ET
Posted by: Listen to The Dean,

I agree with The Dean. Anybody who likes the blues/rock/funk/fusion groove of a SD song such as "Lunch with Gina" would most likely enjoy music like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7EjyeHpM0g

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 21:26:38 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

I pretty much agree with you "Ahem". I thought it was a cover band when it was not. I came on to remove my post but since you replied, I can't. There SHOULD be a little more Dangentialness than simply "SD's over -- go see my band or Britney Spears or...:

My apols; Thanks to everyone for the good will.

Jim

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 21:06:57 ET
Posted by: Young Wu, Buffalo

Uh oh Dean... expect a strongly worded message from an anonymous internet brat.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 19:03:12 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Nicholas, no kidding. Not only does some anon idiot attack a regular here for sharing a band he likes (something we do here all the time), he attacks the guy who pays the rent for a simple mistake. Maybe one might overlook it if he actually posted using a regular, recognizable handle instead of being anon.

Those Internet muscles are really big on some of these trolls. Some people haven't been taught manners, it seems.

I actually like Mother's Finest. They are a funk band, so they are Dangential in the broadest sense. Certainly as much as Bowie and probably far more than Pearl Jam.

FYI, This is no shot at you, Steely Joe. While most here are Dan fans we have widely divergent tastes when it comes to other artists. I despise Vedder, but I would never attack you for liking him. You probably don't like some artists I dig. It would be a pretty boring world if we all had the same taste in music/art/etc.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 18:20:15 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Jim -
As usual, no good deed goes unpunished.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 16:31:01 ET
Posted by: shark de ville, quick question...

Who wrote the song "Jeri" that SD opened with back in '07? I can't find anything online about this tune.

thanks!

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 15:38:11 ET
Posted by: Ahem......,

Dear Mr Hoops,

We've noticed that many of your posts lately have been "on the quick", but may we suggest taking some time to "actually" read posts before replying to them and/or defending people.

First off, Technicolor Motorhome came on here yesterday and started a quiet day with many folks looking forward to the final US dates this year by saying, "Attn: SD fans...the U.S. side of the SD tour may be over". Quite startling news for many of us including Jim Taylor who is flying in from Baton Rouge (Hello Baton Rouge) to Las Vegas this evening.

This idiot not only didn't know that US tour was indeed NOT over, he just came on here to push some band that has NOTHING to do with Steely Dan! They are not a Steely Dan cover band, nor do they play ANY Steely Dan music.

So when you apologize to this idiot for being rude, you might want to also apologize to Jim Taylor who "almost had a heart attack when he read that post". Your time surely must be valuable and now you are going to waste time and make an "extra effort" sending out emails to people going to Las Vegas and San Diego telling them that this idiot's band is going to be playing in the area?!

Again, BIG WASTE OF TIME. You see this idiot's band who again does NOT play Steely Dan songs will not be playing ANYHWERE near Las Vegas or San Diego. They are only playing in the deep south and at their next show on the 21st of October, they will not be playing any Steely Dan music. This idiot's post had NOTHING TO DO WITH STEELY DAN and just lead some people to think that perhaps the rest of the US dates had in fact be cancelled. This idiot hardly deserved an "apology".

Look before you leap.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 12:16:42 ET
Posted by: Steely Joe, philly

Yes I was referring to David Bowie live it was recorded at the Tower.
As well as the Pearl Jam concert when you see Eddie Vedder swinging around the raftors that was at The Tower as well..
First show there was Jeff Beck in 1999....
I also saw Donald Fagen there when he toured solo in 2006..
Herrinton/Krantz trading licks...another gem show.....

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 11:01:27 ET
Posted by: Technicolor Motorhome, Wherever classic rock is being played

Thanks for the welcome...but to clarify two thing...I am not "new" to posting here as I posted extensively around the time SD played at Winstar in July and also MF is not hardly any sort of "cover band."
Their history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Finest

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 09:15:33 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, on the quick

Technicolor Motorhome:

Welcome to the BlueBook. Posts from cover bands--whether they are new to here or veterans--are very welcome and encouraged to post about upcoming events.

I'm so sorry someone was rude to hassle you. I have target email lists for Vegas and San Diego. I will be making an extra effort to see that word about your shows get to these people.

Date: Thurs, October 13, 2011, 08:20:50 ET
Posted by: Lazlo Sanders, Boulder, Colorado

http://pamlambert.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/in-praise-of-steely-dan/

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 23:11:38 ET
Posted by: El Sup, Louisville, KY

Re: Subs

I'm pretty sure we had a male backup singer as a sub for at least one show in 1993.

El Sup

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 21:57:53 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

Didn't Bob Sheppard sub a couple of years ago?

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 20:02:58 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Baton Rouge (Race of Men in the Trees)

As of this afternoon, SD on at The Palms (almost had a heart attack when I read that post: "Attn: SD fans...the U.S. side of the SD tour may be over" At any rate I will be flying into vegas tomorrow morning at 8:30 local. I'll check site tomorrow before I leave if there is a "Danfest" happening at the Palms. I am staying a the Gold coast accross the street. Grey suit, Red shirt white tie with music notation. Codewords are "I don't like your tie."

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 17:42:00 ET
Posted by: Get over youself,

Calling Mother's Finest a "hack band"? Maybe somebody else was "hitting the bottle" too early in the day. Jug or not.

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 17:37:46 ET
Posted by: WTF??!!,

Technicolor Motorhome, Southern U S:

"Attn: SD fans...the U.S. side of the SD tour may be over"

Steely Dan Live

October 13 Las Vegas
October 14 San Diego

So nice of you to come on a Steely Dan board to push some other hack band. The least you could do is maybe pull out at atlas once in a while
hayseed. Bottoms up, tip that jug.

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 16:20:51 ET
Posted by: Technicolor Motorhome, Southern U S

Attn: SD fans...the U.S. side of the SD tour may be over...but Dan fans can keep seeing some of the best music ever. Mother's Finest is currently doing a series of gigs in North and South Carolina after their recent Georgia Music Hall of Fame induction (where Ray Charles and James Brown etc. are also inductees). I saw one of the MF gigs last weekend and it rocked out bigtime!

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 15:31:02 ET
Posted by: Stan The Danfan,

And in 1973, when Steely Dan opened for Sha Na Na, Donald walked off stage because there was no 7-Up. So Bowser filled in for Donald on vocals.

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 11:59:52 ET
Posted by: TO Danfan, at home

WonkaVader, I'm referring to David Live from 1974.

He put together a great band for that tour supporting the release of Diamond Dogs. Earl Slick made his debut as Bowie's new guitarist replacing Mick Ronson. When I saw him it was like wow...who is this guy? The band also featured the great David Sanborn who needs no introduction here, Herbie Flowers on bass and others I have forgotten.

Memorable cuts for me from the album are kick-ass versions of Cracked Actor, All The Young Dudes, and Knock on Wood.

I believe this tour was the start of putting Ziggy to rest and the beginning of the Thin White Duke phase that peaked with Station to Station.(also a great tour with the brightest light show I've ever seen)

Cheers

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 11:52:16 ET
Posted by: Nucular, Sub

Who else has "subbed" over the years?

Tony Kadleck also has subbed for Michael Leonhart. Nelson Foltz for Jim Pugh. And of course the show where Fagen was under the weather and Billy Joel stepped in.

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 11:25:13 ET
Posted by: Tawatha Agee, The BIG apple!

Greg - That's correct! Both Leonhart's were absent for the greatest Steely Dan show of all time! Coincidence?

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 11:19:19 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, Dangential from AAJ

Greg Thomas has this series of articles, "Race and Jazz" on allaboutjazz.com.
On oct.3 2011 his article was a conversation between John Gennary and himself.

From the introduction:

<<In this introductory discussion of what will be a multi-part interview, you'll discover: how and why Gennari came to focus on jazz in his academic career; the crucial importance of the rock-jazz-pop group Steely Dan to our teen experience; why jazz journalists/critics from Gary Giddins to Stanley Crouch to yours truly all tip our hats to the talents of rock critic Bob Christgau; Gennari's take on the issue of whether jazz criticism is better served by critics who have experience as a musician; the fundamental tools essential for good jazz criticism; why the scholarship of Lawrence W. Levine and Neil Leonard are so crucial to Gennari; and how jazz critics became central to the canonization of jazz as "high art.">>

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=40463

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 10:40:56 ET
Posted by: Stan, The Danfan

I know Carolyn was absent for a Roseland show.

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 09:32:12 ET
Posted by: Greg M, white plains

Wasn't one of the regular band member not present at Roseland? Was it Michael Leonhart? I cant remember.

Marvin Stamm was a great sub for a series of shows on the 2009 tour.

Who else has "subbed" over the years?

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 09:32:03 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

SteelyJoe from Phillly you just hit a tape measure shot H.R., the
Tower crowds are the best audiences of all the shows I have ever
been to!!! Smart, energetic and well behaved!!! The Steely crowds
in particular were phenominal!!! Also saw Jerry Garcia band there
and the kinks. PS:It may well have been the drugs, but I think
Senator Al Franken opened for Jerry, doing a Mick Jagger impersonation?????DONE BABBLING

Date: Wed, October 12, 2011, 08:18:39 ET
Posted by: WonkaVader, Louisville

TO Danfan, are you referring to Bowie's Reality Tour from 2003, the DVD? Or are you referring to "David Live", the 1974 double album?

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 21:41:03 ET
Posted by: luke, NJ

Greg M - hopefully you went the next night. That Saturday Roseland show was the historic one! Friday was awesome...Saturday was sick!

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 21:29:27 ET
Posted by: TO Danfan, Watching baseball

Bowie

One of the best double live albums ever.

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 20:01:35 ET
Posted by: Greg m,

Gilmour?

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 20:01:35 ET
Posted by: Greg m,

Gilmour?

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 19:08:14 ET
Posted by: The Dean, Manatee Bar. It's Happy Hour!

Steely Joe,

"From David "live"..."

Who is David? Just curious. I know a lot of single named acts, but David doesn't ring a bell. Bowie?

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 16:22:54 ET
Posted by: Steely Joe, Philly

I saw both shows at the Tower this tour and have been many shows since 1996.I think these last two shows were awesome the crowd energy was incredible.I was at the edge of the stage for most of the first show directly in front of John Herrington.You have to give it up to the Tower shows.From David "live" to Pearl Jam this is a special place to see a show!!!!

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 16:03:03 ET
Posted by: Greg M, White Plains, NY

<<I believe the truly legendary SD shows were at Roseland.>>

There is no doubt of this.

Front "row", dead center, LEANING on the stage. Friday show. Was there at 3pm to be first online. (folks didnt show up til around 6:30...)

To *feel* the stage vibrate with Tom Barney's bass on one's arms and chest... To feel the air from KC's kick drum and WB's amp....

Game over.

Was 23 at the time. Best $80 EVER spent. I mean that.

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 11:23:50 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Beast:

You've pretty much mirrored my opinion as well. Thanks for writing that. Boston has the best audiences which is a big reason I like to go to shows there. To hypothesize on Beast's posts: Maybe Roseland shows were great in part because you have to be a little less jaded, pretentious, paunchy and balding ;-) to wait in line and then stand for an entire general admission show at Roseland.

Based on recent posts here, it seems that I'm no longer completely on top of who runs and owns which venues; however, that Steely Dan played Ravina this year instead of the unavailable Chicago Theatre gives me a glimmer of hope that they might one day play Roseland just an an alternate if the Beacon and ALL the other MSG-associated venues weren't available (Read: won't happen ;-) )

While the Beacon may be home to all these runs that are promoted as "legendary," I believe the truly legendary SD shows were at Roseland.

Gotta run,

Best,

Jim

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 10:12:08 ET
Posted by: Beast w/o A Name, East BumF#CK, NJ

I believe NY and LA crowds tend to be filled more with jaded and disinterested upwardly mobile industry-related types. I'm sure that one of them was in front of me one day at Murray's Sturgeon shop quibbling over the quality of the lox he was purchasing .

There's a big difference between seeing them at The Beacon or Jones Beach vs Wang or Great Woods (Tweenter or whatever it's called now). The crowd at Rarities Night was more subdued than many Steely crowds. There was lots of sitting down going on. There were many bald and graying heads. There was also racial diversity and pockets of inter-generational fans. I still say the best crowds I've been with to see this band have been up in Boston. These people party and play hard. It's more cathartic. I also think Rarities Night was more quiet because people wanted to hear more out of curiosity for never before or again seeing certain tunes performed.

Big Thank You To The Super-FAN Who Has Posted Those Rarities Clips !

Now get that full version of Mobile Home posted.... ! Pretty Please?

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 09:58:14 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

WonkaVader from Pitino country, I could not agree with you more about
the crowds reaction at shows, I am probably to obsessed with the audience being really into the show, but alas I do think the band
feeds off of that energy!!! No one is suggesting rude and innapropiate behavior, rather just HUGE ovations at the proper time
for the TOUR DE FORCE that is this band right now!!! They are
clicking on all cylinders as a touring unit, show the love!!
DONE BABBLING

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 00:13:37 ET
Posted by: WonkaVader, Louisville

Dean, thank you for your response and shared observation. I know that Cincinnati a few years ago was standing on its head, it's always a great place to see a concert with a vibrant crowd. Not talking during shows, but knowledgeable and respectful, and they let the band know that they appreciate the band. Steely Dan, Midnight Oil, Peter Gabriel, Shawn Colvin. It really doesn't matter what genre of music, it gets that electric feeling and I must say it makes for a great experience.

I personally like that kind of crowd response as the band usually feeds off of it. Again, just sharing an observation. I have only seen two concerts in NYC. It just so happened to be The Beacon where I saw Keith Jarrett with Gary Peacock and Jack Dejohnette rounding out the trio. Great concert, great crowd.

Two nights prior I saw The Feelies at The Bottom Line prior to their break-up. I believe this was 1991. It was the same weekend that John Gotti, Jr. got married because people thought we were in the wedding party (long story). The Feelies were incredible. So I always look to get back to NYC for a concert. It's taken too long.

I am sure NYC loved Rarities Night so I will shut up now. I wish I was there. Doctor Wu alone would have made it worth the trip.

Date: Tues, October 11, 2011, 00:08:29 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, cruel primeval rite

The Dean:

St. Augustine was right. Half the crew is dancing in the foam.

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 23:48:06 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Wonka-V, I don't think you hurt anyone's feelings. And you are probably right about the difference in reaction between a NYC crowd (that gets multiple shows on every tour) and somewhere that might get a Dan show every few tours or even once---period, if they are lucky.

I know the audience here in St Augustine was completely out of control on the last tour. It was fine, as they were truly excited to see/hear Steely Dan, but it was a bit annoying for someone really trying to listen and enjoy the music.

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 23:38:05 ET
Posted by: WonkaVader, Louisville

Wow, tough crowd here. I suppose you can't judge a crowd from a video which is focused on the music, sure enough. But I have watched a lot of these videos and you generally hear some crowd reaction to guitar solos or horn solo, or whatever.

When I said the Beacon sounded docile, I am reminded that this is NYC which I would think would be somewhat rowdy for a Steely Dan show. We definitely had a vocal crowd in Louisville and St. Louis. The crowd was not inappropriate or anything, but you could tell they were amped up to the max in hungry anticipation of the Dan. We haven't had a SD show at the former in about... forever. I don't think Steely has ever played the Ville to my knowledge.

So anyway, didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. The crowd response made me think that it was like James Taylor playing in that A-frame house/garage in which he had that excellent live footage in front of a very small crowd with a full band.

Nothing wrong with that, I think it shows that SD has played the Beacon many times.

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 23:35:56 ET
Posted by: Charles the Kid, Joisey

Long time lurker, first time poster.
I went to the Dawn, Rarities and 21st C. shows this time; Aja, Scam and 2 request shows last time and...the biggest reaction at any of those nights was when the first strands of Dr. Wu were played in '09. There were emotional outbursts from fans unlike for anything played this go round in NY. As cool as Bear and 2nd A were to hear, no goose bumps or "finally" was felt by me. Don't remember any difference as far as a "feel" to the room any nights. Pre-show chatter spoken and heard seemed to have more to do about tracks on official releases like Kings, Throw Back Little Ones, Brooklyn and both Gold Teeth running together than 2nd A (ok there was some buzz about that) The Bear (knew that would be played) and other unofficial pre-SD tunes. What I did notice EVERY night was the extraordinary amount of movement, negative going to the bar or bathroom type of movement, even during the rarities or oft played or not so much heard or you get the idea. I think a lot of people got comps or office tickets or -shudders to self- only came for Reelin or Hey 19. I think my favorite idiot reaction, remark came from some guy sitting two seats from me the first Aja night in NY (they played it again in sequence at that first request night and a 3rd official time) back in 2009, anyway this guy starts freakin when they played Josie as if he had never heard the album and thought he was getting something really special from the band. This was his (obviously favorite or only SD) song, the reason he came, and you could tell he was just hoping they would play it. Again, obviously having no clue it was on the Aja album. All in all, although a little disappointed some of those aforementioned songs were not played on the Rarities or Dawn nights, Pearl, great to hear but not on my wish list, this SD SD tour kicked some serious tail.
Thanks for having me. Now back to stalker lurker land.

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 20:01:44 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

I can only wonder, in envy, what the vibe was like at the Beacon for Rarities night (or any night of the SD stay, for that matter).

Others have noted it is hard to judge a crowd from a video. I'd also like to point out the videos are of the performance. What exactly should the crowd be doing while the band is playing or Don is speaking?

Cheer wildly between songs. Dance a bit if you absolutely have to. But shut the fuck up while the band is playing. Pretty simply, I think.

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 19:36:30 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown

Boston Danfans 2011: The Year of the Fez.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2399099667251.130966.1543820956&l=8a8f0e6b66&type=1

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 17:20:04 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

As far as crowd reactions go,I think there was a level of nervous tension on the 17th. Many people at the show were not natives of NYC. And I can only say, that after over a dozen shows with the boys the preshow buzz was different.Apprehension? Exhileration? Intensity? Call it whatever you want. Even with a shared event, everyone's experience is unique to themselves.But I must agree with a previous poster who commented about the vibe from a video clip, hard to get the feeling , same as it was there.
Peace

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 12:59:46 ET
Posted by: Joey, denver

WonkaVader - You can't go by a bootleg video/audio to determine the level of excitement from the crowd. What's up with YOU?!

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 12:58:20 ET
Posted by: Len, R

I always assumed that Western World was a leftover from Aja. I was surprised when the Gold CD came out to find it was from the Royal Scam sessions. Did the original Greatest Hits liner notes also state that it was from Royal Scam?

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 12:54:08 ET
Posted by: H,

Look at Carolyn's reaction when Don says, "That's the first and probably only time you'll hear that song".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0E3K04oy4s&feature=related

Date: Mon, October 10, 2011, 00:00:59 ET
Posted by: WonkaVader, Louisville

I enjoyed watching "The Bear" and other vids posted from Beacon shows by alstek. I didn't realize that The Bear would have been on the album "Aja" if it didn't squeezed for album size limit.

I will say that the crowd seems really docile if not quiet at those Beacon Theater shows. What is up with the NYC crowds, or is it just the videos? Seems like they need a light under their arses. It's the Dan, get fired up boys!

Date: Sun, October 09, 2011, 17:53:05 ET
Posted by: A true fan, ontario Calif

Ok I havent been on the blue for a long time.So im reading some of the posts of this tour.My wife and I split after 29 years it sucks.Her and I spent 27 live concerts together seeing SD,so I was going to sit this one out would not be the same without her I thought.But I broke down and I am going Oct 14 in San diego.Show number 28. So I am reading alot of complaining about the shows,and good and reviews. I really cant wait they are my fix as a drug is to a drug user.As many times as I have heard the same songs in concert,the memories last forever.

Date: Sun, October 09, 2011, 09:38:57 ET
Posted by: Ports, Minneapolis

Here is another video from "Rarities" "The Bear Got You" very nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzW99qTVGlU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Date: Sun, October 09, 2011, 06:42:02 ET
Posted by: ddovijykeh,

TneFgt <a href="http://oizozrqrywvv.com/">oizozrqrywvv</a>, [url=http://tuockfgdqjtm.com/]tuockfgdqjtm[/url], [link=http://ydvantdjhpnd.com/]ydvantdjhpnd[/link], http://gtauwnmxjjue.com/

Date: Sat, October 08, 2011, 09:53:06 ET
Posted by: stevie Dannn, way down under

1972...groovy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSQ1akE2CcM&feature=related

Date: Fri, October 07, 2011, 17:01:06 ET
Posted by: peteB, UK

@hoops -

"Was Apple's sense of perfection and grace in the spirit of Steely Dan's gestalt? "

- beautifully put, and very very true.

Date: Fri, October 07, 2011, 09:08:15 ET
Posted by: Alex, R

Those felines came to bat and disposed of the blessed Yankees.

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 19:42:46 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

Okay, those videos by "alstek" on youtube... they're the one's that have the 2nd Arr. video that Shecky gave us. Check them out. The videographer did a fantastic job considering the challenges to elude the video police. There are some very well done recordings of the 9/17 Beacon show on his youtube channel.
Like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw7uCPhENDA&feature=related

He or she is obviously a fan, knowing when to pan over to KC on the drum solo section for example.

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 15:21:12 ET
Posted by: Caves of Altamira, dfgdsfg

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21020-ancient-cave-paintings-threatened-by-tourist-plans.html

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 14:52:50 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

pj,

The picture of Fripp and Sylvian was titled Steely Dan mini poster and this was the url:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEELY-DAN-Mini-POSTER-Pin-Up-DONALD-FAGEN-BECKER-2-/130571884316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e66b0d71c

I saw the post here by edCaerreph right after he posted it. I sent the seller a message explaining it wasn't Walt and Don, and I'm guessing others did too. He changed the description to what it is now.

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 13:14:20 ET
Posted by: pixeleen,

Hutch and Hoops:

Thank you for your stories; they are very moving and very interesting.

Too many brilliant folks leaving us lately.......

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 11:56:16 ET
Posted by: hoops, dandom dot com

Thanks Fagenism;

Steve Jobs was to my life in digital media what Donald and Walter are to my life in music. The double whammy for me is that the guy, Mike Sherman, who started the "collaboratorium" I spoke of also recently died and I just found out today as well when I went to call him about Steve Jobs. Mike was a gregarious former Navy Seal from Philly who was like my personal Steve Jobs and Pete Fogel rolled into one. My apologies for being somehow off SD tangent.

Jim

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 11:44:18 ET
Posted by: fagenism, -

hoops:

Thank you very much for that story.

It is insane that all these people who inspired you have to die. I remember today's feeling from when Carl Sagan passed.

Let us hope that Don and Walt still have a whole bunch of healthy decades - and albums - left in them!

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 11:38:08 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, traveling in my head back to the 1980s

In grad school during the mid-1980s, I had the great fortune of being the assistant for an experimental digital design "collaboratorium" at the University of Illinois. It was place where creative types in majors such as architecture, interior designer, culinary arts, textile and apparel design, urban planning, music, landscape architecture and so on could all meet together and use computers in creative ways without any accountability, as long as the class collectively voted on Fridays that what you were doing was really cool and creative.

Eventually, I became the principal investigator for the project which was funded by IBM and especially Apple.

The collaboratorium consisted of an IBM "mini-mainframe" running "Fast Draft" graphics software and 19 Macintoshes with a laser printer and four dot matrix printers. There were a total of three publicly available laser printers on the campus of 35,000 students. For the Macs, we had kind of creative software that you could imagine for mid-1980s. We also had scanners and digital camera's (anyone remember Koala MacVideo?) -- anything that could be digital tools for creative types. The scanner's lens worked as a special "reverse ink cartridge" that snapped into the dot matrix printer. This all sounds common place today, but keep in mind this was rarely done save for special university contexts. We especially wanted to reach out to artists who, at the time, were largely intimidated by the technology. Think "New Frontier" and "I.G.Y." We'd send samples of our output -- sound, graphics, writings--to Apple on a regular basis and hope for their approval the way a five-year old hopes mom will tape their Crayola drawing to the fridge.

We had a cassette boombox in the lab. The Beatles, Grateful Dead and, of course, Steely Dan, were played constantly and they were our inspiration through out. That boombox in the lab was referred to by more than a few students as the "School of Steely Dan."

While we'd sit drawing on 9" Macintosh screens, we'd regularly compare Steve Job's "insanely great" ideas at Apple--and then at NeXT--to the latest digital sound innovations by Roger Nichols and Walter and Donald. Was Apple's sense of perfection and grace in the spirit of Steely Dan's gestalt? Did Roger Nichols have a Mac? Did The Steves like Steely Dan? What did the Steely Dan songs mean? "Look at the MacPaint document I made listening to "East St. Louis Toodle-OO." Who played on that Steely Dan song and would we get CD players to hear SD digitally? We had BITNET email and other accounts on a Cyber mainframe. We used these to organize Friday happy hour meetups and after-hour at-home libations. We didn't have the internet then; we had BITNET.

The collaboratiorium's effectively became my first Steely Dan Fan community.

Circa 1990, when that grant ended, I became part of another grant project exploring digital media in the arts and humanities, The Hypermedia Lab. Also funded by Apple, we prototyped such then-cutting-edge ideas like entering the entirety of �mile Durkheim's "Suicide" into a Mac and making it searchable. What a foreign concept--then.

Most every Friday afternoon, we had a workshop of like-minded faculty and techie types from across campus converge in Lincoln Hall as to what they were doing with Apple's granted hardware and software. For my demos, it was always Architecture or Steely Dan. For instance, we purchased one of the first public scanners on campus. I demo'ed how one could scan something larger than the scan area and stitch it together with PixelPaint or Photoshop 1.0. And of course, I demo'ed using Steely Dan LP covers. And when I demoed networking, the computers and printers were all named after Steely Dan songs. I ran some Mac-based QuickMail email servers for an NSF consortium of physicists and, of course, I made a Steely Dan mail list on the server as a demo. I got to demo the Steely Dan list for the vice chancellor. He was impressed. The National Center for Supercomputing would have people come over too, including a guy Mark Andreesen who was an hourly assistant there.

I could go on and times have changed so much...but as a creative type, there's always been this rotary engine for me that cycles through design, Apple and Steely Dan.

For me, they are inextricably linked and for me, and somehow here, the passing of Steve Jobs somehow very much connects with Steely Dan and what we do here in the greater Dandom.

Jim

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 11:06:34 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

Shecky - Thanks for the link to that better recording of 2nd Arrangement. The more I watch it I see that it looks like Donald is genuinely enjoying playing it and I think he totally GOT that the fans wanted to hear it.
There at the end when he says, "That's the first and probably only time you'll hear that song" it actually looks like he takes a brief deep bow to the audience and they respond accordingly. That's a great moment.

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 10:30:29 ET
Posted by: pj, Seattle

edCaerreph - I don't get it. That link you out up is a picture of ROBERT FRIPP DAVID SYLVIAN. Not SD

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 09:34:44 ET
Posted by: Hutch,

Okay, let me do a RIP for someone totally unconnected to Steely Dan...

R.I.P Ralph Steinman. He died three days before he got the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2011. He dropped out of no college. He did not make a billion dollar company. He did not make billions of dollars nor even hundreds of millions, though after his death his estate would receive slightly more than a million dollars of the prize money. Yet, he had touched millions, possibly hundreds of millions, and likely will touch billions of men, women and children of future generations, by having discovered one of the secrets of how immunity against viruses or bacteria are translated into an immune response by adaptation of the immune cells, how allergy or autoimmune diseases develop, and how immune cells transmit signals to one another. It is possible that it was the fruits of his research that might have extended the life after pancreatic cancer several years ago of another person who died yesterday. It is also certain that his work has resulted into billions of dollars worth of pharmaceutical industry, and will produce many billions in the future. Such is the reach of a humble life in fundamental science.

You know I understand that Jobs said he was a Buddhist.
Think about desire and attachment and try to put your head around him being a Buddhist.

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 07:17:35 ET
Posted by: Doreian, Boston, MA

thanks @angel for checking the photos, thanks @Denise for tracking down the "White Fez" (sure sounds like a Steely Dan remake of Melville...)

Date: Thurs, October 06, 2011, 03:12:22 ET
Posted by: fagenis, -

R.I.P. Steve Jobs.

The world lost one of its absolute gems today.

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 23:07:37 ET
Posted by: El Sup, Louisville, KY

In addition to Deacon's fine list of songs never played live, the only song not played from Donald Fagen's first two albums is Walk Between the Raindrops.

El Sup

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 22:41:56 ET
Posted by: edCaerreph, malibu

wow...talk about wierd Steely Dan pics....omg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEELY-DAN-Mini-POSTER-Pin-Up-DONALD-FAGEN-BECKER-2-/130571884316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e66b0d71c

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 20:37:22 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, 90 msec from New York to Paris

RIP Steve Jobs. I still can't believe TvN survived being recorded on a freakin' Quadra.

He gave us a virtual world all graphite and glitter. No, really he did.

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 19:52:16 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, Granny Smith or Red Delicious?...

RIP Steve Jobs

Thanks for everything. Especially for allowing me to have every SD tune with me at all times.

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 14:32:18 ET
Posted by: angel, LA

Ian: Very nice review and wonderful photos. :-)

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 11:40:50 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown cubicle west

Dorian, I'll email Fezman and let him know.

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 11:36:46 ET
Posted by: Doreian, Boston, MA

just wanted to see if anyone had a way to track down the fez fan in Boston who was wearing all white: fez, bow tie, tux w/tails.

I was photographing the show, and took a few candid shots of him...but screwed up his e-mail.

Here's the review: http://www.melophobe.com/concert-reviews/steely-dan-the-citi-performing-arts-theater-boston-ma/

peace.

Ian

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 10:58:40 ET
Posted by: Dan Belcher, Louisville, KY

To be fair, Wikipedia pictures is kind of a tough area because they have to be careful about copyrights and ownership, so they rarely use professional pictures.

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 09:36:14 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

DeaconBlues16 I should have been more specific, that I was looking
for what hasnt been played since THE COMEBACK circa 1993 .But you
graciously took care of that!! Where the F*CK are all the WANG
posters???? In 2009 there musta been 50 posts after every Boston show!! At least judging by the bluebook responses the BEACON run
has got it all over the WANG one!!! DONE BABBLING

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 09:25:18 ET
Posted by: Greg M, .

Agreed,

That picture is really dumb.

It's like: Steely Dan IS: Donald Fagen and JEFF YOUNG.

And for some reason, Jeff looks pretty lame with that digital keyboard on a chintzy stand and 80's microphone headset. A headset?!!?! What is going on?!!?

Date: Wed, October 05, 2011, 00:15:18 ET
Posted by: Toothpaste back into the tube?, Astonished

ARRRGGG!

This picture of Donald Fagen and NOT Walter Becker has started to show up as a picture of "Steely Dan"!

Like here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steely_Dan

This is Wikipedia, for pete's sake!

So now it's used/quoted on "Steely Dan"s Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steely-Dan/112766648737687

I've seen this picture increasingly this year. The first time it was funny. The second time it was "huh, that's strange" The third time was "woah, this is a real problem!" . Anybody here have the various accounts need to reach the page editors, to smash through this spreading mess?

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 20:40:05 ET
Posted by: shecky, What's that down there?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0E3K04oy4s

A much nicer recording of "2nd Arrangement" at the Beacon 9-17-2011

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 15:47:19 ET
Posted by: CJB, YVR

Here at the Western World was definitely played at least one night early in the Rent Party tour, and can definitely be found in the usual ways. DF's delivery is super-good on it, slow, lost and sad, much in the spirit of his recent reading(s) of Rikki.

WW also opened the solo 2006 DF Band tour, in a sped-up, and to my ears, not as good version. Though it was good to see DF opening sets with such an obscure and beautiful tune.

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 15:46:24 ET
Posted by: kzkzkz, nysea

FYI- another great show at the Beacon this week; Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music) brings his 11 piece band (take that D & W) to town on Thursday. Great time guaranteed for all. Only a few dates left on his US tour including Cleveland, Chicago and L.A. (Greek Theatre).
Catch him if you can.
---------- --------------- ---------------
My bucket list SD tune is Kings. (Maybe next time?)

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 14:35:01 ET
Posted by: jazz,

you're a lucky sunuva, Mr. LaPage.

They played HATWW in Boca Raton, FL during the Rent Party tour, I am pretty sure.

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 14:32:28 ET
Posted by: Mr. LaPage, gettin ready for Wilco at the Peabody Opera House

My Holy Grail is now clearly Razor Boy after going to Rarities night, replacing 2 other Holy Grails, Doctor Wu and Pearl of the Quarter.

Everyone's Gone to the Movies and Daddy Don't Live in NYC, full versions sung by Fagen, are also still up there on the list.

How many times have they sung Here at the Western World live? I didn't think they had ever done that one. What tour?

I would pay a lot of money for a Katy Lied full album show.....

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 13:42:55 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG, PA

Thank you DeaconBlues 16 very much appreciated!!!!

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 12:12:49 ET
Posted by: DeaconBlues16,

DYLNFAN:

Here are the tunes that have never been played by my estimation, which could be wrong, so anyone please correct me if necessary.

Kings
Only a Fool Would Say That
Fire in the Hole
Brooklyn (definitely played in the 1970s but not since 1993)
Change of the Guard
Turn that Heartbeat Over Again
Razor Boy
King of the World (definitely played in the 1970s but not since 1993)
Barrytown (definitely played in the 1970s but not since 1993)
Through with Buzz
With a Gun
Charlie Freak
Rose Darling
Your Gold Teeth II (played as instrumental in the 1970s but not since 1993)
Throw Back the Little Ones

From Two Against Nature and Everything Must Go, if you count any specials (i.e. Two Agains Nature plush jazz-rock party), I think the only ones to never have been played are Negative Girl and Green Book.

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 11:57:04 ET
Posted by: Josey, Mass

We took in the Friday night show in Boston. The band was very tight! I wasn't all that crazy about the setlist. Since there's been enough "setlist bitching", I'll leave it at that. This was my 13th or 14th time seeing the band. I can now add Boston to the list of Charlotte NC, Vegas, Orlando, and a bunch of times in Atlanta to the cities in which I've seen'em. Dirty Work and Do It Again were the highlights for me personally. The way they're ending Do It Again with Carlock going off is great!!

The crowd wasn't anything like I've been reading about all these years here on The Blue. Mostly subdued...although most everyone was on their feet for the last few tunes. Don was straining a little here and there - which one might expect at the end of a tour.

Our seats were great - WAY too much money! - but great seats. Probably the best seats I've ever had at a SD show. Approximately 10th row and dead-ass center. You could've laser-sighted the tip of my nose to Carlock's bass drum.

The Wang Theater is BEAUTIFUL! Very similar to the Fox in Atlanta or the Florida Theater in Jacksonville - only nicer!!

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 11:50:22 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG, PA

Can someone please update the list of songs never played live???
Please just include the official releases and no solo work!! THANX
The list keeps getting smaller with every tour!!! Very exciting!!

Date: Tues, October 04, 2011, 09:47:58 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

Nice Chris Carter reference HOUSTON, MR.LAPAGE, I am with you all
the way, it sounds as if some on this board would like to go back
to another era, PROHIF*CKNBITION watch the PBS Ken Burns special
to see how well that worked out???????? Finally, I cannot believe
how few reports are coming outta of Boston, one of the top five
Steely cities in the USA!!!!!!! I get the Red Sox just choked
worse then MAMA CASS but come on folks!!! DONE BABBLING

Date: Mon, October 03, 2011, 23:07:59 ET
Posted by: HouDanFan, Houston

Jesus....bitching about setlists and cupholders. You people need to look in the mirror. What a whiny bunch. Come on Man!!!

Date: Mon, October 03, 2011, 20:04:18 ET
Posted by: Ports, Minneapolis

Nice review of rarities night in the new Rolling Stone. Talks about the erasing of (no grail holier than )2nd Arrangement. And called "You Got the Bear" Lebowski-presaging. Very nice 4 Star review even talks about Donald telling the request chanters "We're gonna do what we want!"

Date: Mon, October 03, 2011, 18:16:07 ET
Posted by: Mr. LaPage, in the den

So Boston got Any Major Dude, Pearl, Boston Rag and Pretzel? Wow, that is a nice quartet of tunes. I would have gladly traded those 3 tunes aside from Pearl to replace the usual Black Friday/Nineteen/Peg on Rarities night. Sounds like Boston got the benefit of some setlist bashing from the Beacon shows. Wish I could have caught a Dawn of the Dan show in addition to Rarities.

Re the cupholder debate, I think some here are making too much of that. People are going to drink whether there are cupholders or not. So I don't mind the convenience as long as it doesn't greatly impede the ability to walk to your seat. I see nothing wrong with having a brew or two to sip while watching a concert. People have drinks in jazz clubs, people drank during Frank Sinatra concerts, so to paint this as some kind of recent phenomenon is silly. I tend to bring a brew in with me as I take my seat, and if I have another, I wait until a break between songs or purposely pick a strategic point which will interrupt the least (ie, band intros). That doesn't mean people should get sloppy drunk and be getting up and down multiple times during songs. A cupholder at least prevents the possibility of beers on the floor being kicked over and getting all over people's shoes, programs, shirts etc.

Of course, I tend to have an iron bladder too, which most women especially don't. I am amazed at how many times some chicks get up to use the restroom during a show. That is just as disturbing as someone getting up for a drink multiple times.

Neil Young tends to ban any drinks brought into the theater when he does his solo acoustic shows, and I think Springsteen has done that on his solo shows too. I can see the reasoning for it in the context of those shows. They tend to be uber quiet, very intense and people getting up and down would greatly impede the concentration of such a show. But aside from that, there is nothing wrong with drinking a brew or two in moderation if you are courteous and respectful of others.

Date: Mon, October 03, 2011, 16:33:30 ET
Posted by: Lurker Ray, Bel Air - At The Office

"I just get a little tired of that same run of songs near the end of the show."

With all of the cheering, dancing
and the HUGE smile on Donald's face
during This All Too Mobile Home in NYC,
I just don't understand why they aren't
closing every show with it now??????

Date: Mon, October 03, 2011, 15:18:31 ET
Posted by: alan, @steamer heaven

Well it's only 3 weeks till the Sydney AU show. If there are any Sydney concert goers on this board who plan on attending this show and would be interested in hooking up for a few libations with those of your kind beforehand, email me at danfan100AThotmailDOTcom and we can try to organize a place to meet before the show.

Date: Mon, October 03, 2011, 15:10:53 ET
Posted by: WF, US

"I just get a little tired of that same run of songs near the end of the show."

I'm a lot tired of it. Hence, only one concert this tour. First time since '96 that I didn't see multiple.

Date: Mon, October 03, 2011, 11:20:46 ET
Posted by: DYLYNFAN, HARRISBURG PA

Just judging from afar, which can always be dangerous, but so far
this Wang run, doesnt seem to hold a candle to the mind-blowing
stint from 2009!!! IMHO Finally it appears the Wang crowds have
gone a little flacid???? Sorry couldnt resist the pun!! DONE BABBLING

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 20:38:08 ET
Posted by: Charlie Tokyo, CT, baby

Re: Sat. 10/1 Royal Scam show at the Wang, I have to agree with Jazz's earlier comments. I loved seeing the Royal Scam cover to cover. I felt elated. I probably should have left after that. Having seen New England shows earlier this summer, which were full of energy, the strain of the tour was beginning to show. Watching the second half run through the pretty predicatable set, I felt...deflated. My brother went the night before, and caught Do It Again, Rikki, and that incredible YGT jam, which I posted earlier this summer was worth the price of admission along. We got a tired Show Biz Kids, a 2VN that really strained Don's voice and a well-meaning but perfunctory Josie encore.

With respect to the Royal Scam set, if the girls are going to sing The Fez, it should at least be done in its original English. Don't screw too much with a great tune. Everything You Did had a pretty smooth cool jazz arrangement, but lost its defiant edge to sounding very resigned. A neat touch was Carolyn turning over the LP on the turntable at the conclusion of The Fez, ending side one on vinyl.

It sounds like I'm bitchin' a bit much, but I've been to, I don't know 15, 16 shows since 1994. I just get a little tired of that same run of songs near the end of the show. Maybe I should just stick to album shows and leave after the first set. *Sigh*

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 16:32:44 ET
Posted by: jazz,

A topic I am interesting in hearing your opinions about-

The sound quality at larger concert venues.

The Wang definitely had better sound then many amphitheaters and arenas I have been to, but I still feel like it could be so much better. Things get so muddled and at times everything is just blaring and there is no clarity. Most of the time you can't hear the horns. I always want to blame it on the sound man, but is this just the reality of large concert venues?

It would be my dream if SD toured jazz clubs, and in order to get a ticket, you had to pass an SD quiz. IE, all of us would get tix and the setlist would be tailored to our interests, not the radio fan :).

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 16:18:55 ET
Posted by: jazz,

There was a guy wearing a Fez at the Boston RS show? Are any of you that guy?

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 16:00:19 ET
Posted by: ForwardGirl, home at last

@thefez: Yes, that was us next to you! Those were nice seats, I felt like I was watching the Dan from my back porch. You guys were very cool - I was battling the end of a head cold and was feeling pretty scratchy or I would have chatted up your wife more, she was so nice! I could tell she was as excited about hearing Pearl of the Quarter as I was. It's one of their sweetest songs, such as it is, lol.
In retrospect, dancing girl wasn't in our way for the whole show, I was just hacked off that she flipped us all the double salute, plus I checked my phone, and saw that the Rays had tied up the *&%^$#** game in the late innings, so despite the show my mood was souring. Anywho, nice to sit next to real fans, my hubby's a real devotee too.

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 12:30:13 ET
Posted by: jazz,

nice find, straight.

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 10:41:03 ET
Posted by: straight from the horse's mouth,

Pat Metheny on his experience with SD:
http://interact.patmetheny.com/qa/questionView.cfm?queID=371

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 10:09:34 ET
Posted by: Kevin from the North Shore, Boston

What fun! Checking in to see what I missed in town (having seen Aja+RS and Gaucho in '09 and Rarities in NYC two weeks ago, I took my chances and passed on the Wang run) and not only confirmed my decision, but found threads on Metheny and the Sprouts!

I wasn't aware of the Pat/DF connection but am also a fan of the Lyle Mays-era Metheny, when the guitar synth was tempered a little more. (Famously in our household, I left a PMG concert with one date to attend a party an hour away where I first got together with my now-wife!) He's a phenomenal player though, and in that sense I think there's always room in a SD song for him.

As for Prefab Sprout -- particularly the Dolby-produced material -- I always found them to be carriers of the Steely Dan way-slick/obtuse-lyric banner (maybe with a different approach to backing vocalists!) I have to concur that Jordan is track-for-track their masterpiece even if SMcQ/2WG has some of the better songs. Andromeda Heights was also worth the wait but for some unfortunately dated synth patches.

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 08:08:51 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, running out the door

Thanks for the Boston reviews everyone! Awesome!!!!!!!!!

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 07:45:33 ET
Posted by: MindOutOfTime, Boston

Jazz, Thanks for the quick post of the 10-1-11 setlist. And I'll concur on your assessment of the show. Royal Scam was sweet, but I could have predicted all the other songs, except Two Against Nature. I saw the rarities show in NYC three weeks ago and that was a real treat. In fact, I was hoping they would have played Mobile Home for the encore since they have added it back into their repertoire, but wasn't shocked that it was Josie just because they hadn't played it yet (your point, exactly). I think they are just tired after a long tour. Harrington was amazing on Bodhi, though. I was down front and could see see every note he played (to the extent that I could process the information in my feeble brain). He was smokin'! I'll add as well that I did see them in LA this year at the beginning of the tour and they're definititely better on the East Coast. They were all more energetic in LA, but more mis-cues as well since it was the beginning of the tour. I think the only songs the crowd in California even knew were Reelin' and Hey 19 so there was much less appreciation and band-audiance chemistry.

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 05:37:53 ET
Posted by: denise, hinktown

Gus, it was Spanish.

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 03:19:42 ET
Posted by: Gus Winterbottom, Torrance, CA

Jazz and Denise,

Thanks for staying up to post the setlist and the reports. I am curious about one thing: was "The Fez" sung in Spanish, or did the Brats go back to English?

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 01:37:55 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown, wicked tired

I see Jazz has posted the setlist already, and many thanks because I cannot read my writing from my notes written in the dark!

Show was fine, but mixed energy from the crowd. One minute they're yelling and clapping, then the next moment sitting in silence being uber-well-behaved. Kind of strange, I thought. The song selections I had all heard before and Fezzie and I were grooving to all of them. Mark and Bill were with us in spirit.

I enjoyed seeing Walt's many guitars and trying to distinguish the sound of each. My ear is not that discerning, but the blue strat he usually plays is a very clear, pristine sound (thanks, Kid C) the others seem a different tone. The V model is a beauty and no, Walt, it does not make you look fat, just kind of cool. (Or as we say in Boston, wicked cool.) The red one was also a new one to me.

The lighting was a bit different this time around: heavy on the cyan throughout and alot of purple/cyan/magenta combinations. Thanks Jon P. for an interesting visual show.

Well kids, need some sleep, off to the airport in a few hours. Will post a link to sone danfest photos when I return.

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 00:37:42 ET
Posted by: jazz,

Also, the Sam Yahel trio was excellent. Surprised there is not more talk of that here.

Date: Sun, October 02, 2011, 00:33:59 ET
Posted by: jazz,

Here's the set list from the Wang 10/2/2011 Royal Scam Night:

The Royal Scam (Album)

Aja
Two Against Nature
Hey 19
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Bodhisattva
Godwhacker
Papa Don't Mess/Band Intros
Dirty Work (ladies on vocals)
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' In The Years

Encore: Josie
Outro: The Untouchables Theme

The Royal Scam portion of the show was excellent. Very high energy and the crowd was loving it. The second half was a snoozer for me. I am sorry. It's a Steely Dan Worst Of setlist. Hardcore fans who appreciate SD for their true genius will have minimal interest in these songs. Literally, pretty much an SD song OTHER THAN those tunes would be great. And they can't even throw us a bone. I understand Fagen is all about 'we'll play what we want to play,' which I respect, but I don't understand why those are the songs he enjoys playing, year after year.

I will say though that John's solo during Bodhi was excellent.

The crowd was also very good.

Fagen threw two of his sweat towels into the audience before Dirty Work. Not sure if he was responding to a heckler or not.

End of the day, it's my fault for not making it to the Dawn of the Dan show. Just extremely bitter about missing YGT, Pearl, and Rag.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 18:09:46 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, coretking ith now, yes

Correction, previous post:

PF=PS

My bad.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 18:05:13 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, last words from me on PF for now. Promise.

Doc,

I agree that later albums from Prefab Sprout IS better executed - in fact "Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good" has some nasty, quite cheesy details and ditto production. It's just that the eleven bittersweet songs it contains are so damn good. To a certain degree it suffers, like so many other albums from that area, from the 1985-synthetic sound-syndrome.
On your recommendation I will revisit "Jordan: The Comeback" and some more of their stuff the next couple of days.

Have you checked out the 2007 remastered legacy edition of SMQ/TWG?
Definately better/more punchy sound, and accoustic versions of eight of the original songs as bonus tracks... Veeery nice, indeed!

I will quote our fellow SD fan DYLYNFAN: Done babbling!!!!!!!!!!!

(Get on with the Dan, frgodssake ;o))

_____________________________________________________________________

Like british comedy ensemble "Monty Python's Flying Circus" used to say: And now for something completely different:

Some of you have from time to time replied to my comments using the short version of my nickname, Jazz or Jazzy, which is in itself absolutely fine (call me whatever you like, just not early up in the morning), but lately someone else has been posting here under the name of "Jazz".
So, to decrease the possibilities of misunderstandings here, I suggest you use my full nick, OR another short version (Jazzy/Jzsn)

Personally I think JazzAss would be suitable. :D

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 17:20:50 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Jazz - Indeed, arguably SMQ/2WG has more consistent songs, but IMO Jordan is a much better executed album, largely related to the musicianship (ex. Conti's drums) and more interesting and sophisticated arrangements across a wide array of styles - almost Rundgren-like. Jordan the Comeback gets better with each listen. I never thought that TWG possessed that quality.

Carnival 2000 and Moondog are just 2 examples of the fuller approach rather than the lighter and simpler sound of TWG...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdYNJKZ9RDU&ob=av2e

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j4o-EyrmcU

The thing about the Dan was/is that the musicianship and arrangements were always top shelf, with cool jazzy and quirky chords underneath.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 17:04:49 ET
Posted by: NMN, One foot in Boston

Second Shuffle Diplomacy show tonight...very excited. Heading to the show with my 13yo, who has become my concert buddy (a very satisfactory Cake experience with him a year ago). For those attending, he will be the young, stout fellow in the maroon fez. Always has been more fashion-forward than his dad.

The first show was Detroit. I headed up with some of my Ohio homeboys--part of my cohort's celebration of a major birthday this year, a large integral multiple of ten. Was sad to see later on the Blue that I missed Oleander and Permasqueeze at the very same show...made me think back fondly to running into them in Charlotte many years ago.

Yes, Lady Bayside, thank you for the note and sorry to miss you at the Beacon as well. Remember seeing Larry Carlton in the bar after? A moment I will treasure. Sorry not to respond on Facebook. I don't really do the Facebook thing personally...but, now, allow me to contradict myself...

As the US Dan run ends, I hope you'll all take a look at the upcoming Drew Zingg Debut Album project. Expected release is Spring 2012 I've gotten to know those guys and begun to provide a little casual help and financial advice, and I am personally very excited about the project. I have loved Drew's playing since the momentous '93 reunion tour. Of all the wonderful guitarist Don+Walt have included in their bands, Drew is still my favorite.

If you're interested in keeping tabs on the project, consider LIKE-ing the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/dzdap

Also check out the website. When you load it, you'll
hear a great mix by George of Drew's performances with The Dan, Boz
and Michael McD. Here it is:

http://www.dzdap.com/

But that's for tomorrow. Tonight is a night for the Dan.

See the glory,

enimen

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 16:07:03 ET
Posted by: Jazzassin, sprouting & grow(l)ing

Doc Mu,

I too like Prefab Sprout, and think that Paddy McAloon deserves his reputation as a very fine songwriter.
However, I must admit imho they have never quite matched the quality of their 1985 "Steve McQueen" (US: Two Wheels Good) album. It's perfect pop, and should be a mandatory part of the inventory in any serious pop music lover's collection.

That said; like 99% of all great pop albums of all times, it's not possible to listen to it on a daily basis for longer periods without wearing it out. It's extremely catchy, all the songs sticks to your brain like glue, not one weak track, and Paddy sings fantastic.
But still, it has it's limitations.

Couldn't that be said about every album ever released? Maybe.
The reason I mention it, is that it is an outstanding album, and I guess it's the only wrong thing I can find to say about it.

Because with the Dan, which is one of the few bands I find it reasonable to even compare Prefab Sprout with, it's different.
Steely Dan is the only pop band I can listen to any record by on a daily basis without ever getting tired of a single rimshot.

There is, luckily, a bunch of jazz records that have that durability as well, but that's another story.

All'n all Prefab Sprout is amongst the finest 5% of pop bands ever, imho.

These days I listen very much to Mrs. Etta James, btw. I had to learn the old standard tune "Good Morning Heartache", and went through a dozen versions to get inspiration for an arrangement. Jamesetta's version stood out as one extremely good version, and so I got an Etta James-kick. Have been checking out a lot by her lately. A nice revisit, and strong stuff, much of it, that's for sure.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 13:49:21 ET
Posted by: jazz,

Here was RS night before:

"The Royal Scam (Album)

Aja
Two Against Nature (Chris Potter guest/sax duos with Walt W.)
Hey 19
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Bodhisattva
Godwhacker
Papa Don't Mess/Band Intros
Dirty Work (ladies on vocals)
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' In The Years

Encore: Pretzel Logic (Carolyn helped with the vocals)
Outro: The Untouchables Theme ~11:30 PM "

Not even YGT. That's depressing. Seriously, just throw in 2 deep cuts in the second half. Is that too much to ask for?

Sorry for complaining. Still pissed I couldn't go to the Dawn of the Dan night.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 13:44:12 ET
Posted by: jazz,

very excited for the show tonight.

crossing my fingers for boston rag and pearl, but that seems extremely unlikely. i'll be lucky to get either.

Going to a restaurant called "Gaslight" beforehand. Seems apropos :).

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 13:09:31 ET
Posted by: what the?, upset @ requests

hoops, here

Another sad reminder of the loss of Mark "Boston Rag" Drinan: No setlist from Boston this morning.

Perhaps it was better to have not gotten the setlist after all.
Sorry-no one requested Godwacker. I call Shenanigans!

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 12:10:35 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, if you steal, be Robin Hood

Jazzassassin - man, that is one fine live clip of Pretzel Logic. Very nice. Carlton digging in.

That reminds me...For those tangential Dan Prefab Sprout fans, you'll enjoy this clip from a 1991 live show. The sound starts to clear up about 0:35 sec in. 3:35-4:49 is particularly apropos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtisWO16aTQ&feature=related

For those who want more, although Two Wheels Good is the fav of the fans in the UK, Swoon, From Langley Park to Memphis, and Jordan the Comeback are highly recommended to hear Paddy McAloon's genius, particularly with Wendy, Neil Conti on drums and Thomas Dolby assisting with keyboards and production.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53gY7BjNkpc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdON0ortnt8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTdssoO6I_s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS0hpiN_z3g&ob=av2e

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFo1UQTThCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqezD2lqqV0

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jVWMygeZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMQxEsZJAdA&feature=related

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 11:47:48 ET
Posted by: Kaz, Boston

Last night's set list:

Your Gold Teeth
Aja
Black Friday
Hey 19
Time Out of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Bodhisattva
Rikki
Godwhacker
Home At Last
Papa Don't Take No Mess
Dirty Work
Do It Again
Josie
Peg
Dirty Water Tease--> My Old School
Reelin' In The Years

Encore: Kid Charlemagne

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 10:13:02 ET
Posted by: hoops, here

Another sad reminder of the loss of Mark "Boston Rag" Drinan: No setlist from Boston this morning.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 10:11:47 ET
Posted by: peteb, UK

M/O/D/P - okay this cupholder thing has finally got me going. Let's cut to the chase. Cupholders Are Intrinsically Vile. Why? Because they turn that seat into the kind of blob-out couch-potato contraption (satirized in the movie Wall-E, for reference) that is Unworthy of the Dignity and Greatness of The Dan.

There's no point complaining about cupholders at a Journey concert: that's rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. You know? If you really can't stop eating and drinking for two hours (it's difficult to listen with all that sloshing going on in your head!) then in a very important way you are on automatic, and sloppy lyrics and cheesy soft-rock arrangements probably won't do much more damage than whatever awful trauma sent you into your padded cell.

There's a time and a place. Have a drink *then* see gig *then* have dinner. That's nice. If Steely Dan makes you want to dance or get intimate with your partner, in my book that's a great celebration of the music. On the other hand, if it just makes you want to take a big bite out of your burger, you are doing what is known as comfort eating which typically is a reaction associated with *shutting out* the current experience. Ironically, the ushers who have been hassling fans according to many posts are unlikely to have stopped anyone from swilling down their grim and malodorous fast food.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 08:03:07 ET
Posted by: PGE, That Dukes DVD = PBS Special?

After a bit of research I think the DVD mentioned in the article of my previous post is equal to the PBS Special mentioned in another article by the same author on the same website in February of this year:

http://www.houstonpress.com/2011-02-17/music/silk-degrees-of-separation/

The special was supposed to be taped in June "to kick of a wider tour".

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 07:02:32 ET
Posted by: PGE, Dukes DVD?

It was mentioned last year that a Dukes of September DVD was in the making.

Well, this interview with Boz Scaggs

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2011/09/boz_scaggs_michael_mcdonald.php

states it was never recorded.

RO: Last time we spoke, you said the Dukes would be filming a DVD. Did that happen?

BS: No, it was supposed to happen last June, but circumstances prohibited it.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 01:20:50 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, still here in Toronto

Andromeda - Based on what I saw (and smelled) on my Friday and Saturday evenings at The Beacon, it was all pretty discrete, but the action (such as it was) was in the seats, not the terlets. The folks around me lit up real quick, huffed back a few hearty puffs, and then extinguished the illegal fun. Believe it or not, I`ve never (not even once - really) partaken of the stuff, but the foul smell brought back fond memories for me, kinda like what happens when you crack an old 1952 EC comic, or open your grandmother`s cedar chest, or light a real charcoal (!) BBQ. Anyways, it was a welcome break from the much-reported and recurrent flatulence.

Date: Sat, October 01, 2011, 00:58:09 ET
Posted by: Andromeda, NY

Speaking of pot, where the hell does everyone smoke it at the Beacon? The smell of it was pretty strong the night I was there but I didn't see it. Do people really smoke in the bathrooms? Can't say I've ever liked it enough to go smoke in a stall....

Date: Fri, September 30, 2011, 23:44:25 ET
Posted by: henrod, NY

You're most welcome. Glad to share.

<<<<ppps - Belated THANKS to henrod for those downloadable videos from the Friday night show. Ultimately, I didn't make the show, so your clips helped me through my SD withdrawal. Thanks again!
<<<<

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