Originally published on Oct. 19, 2016 By Alex Biese Asbury Park Press NEW YORK — Over the last several years, artists from Bruce Springsteen to Public Enemy have engaged in the lucrative and crowd-pleasing practice of performing their classic albums in concert, to varying degrees of success. But if there’s one act that seems ideally suited […]
Listening to Steely Dan’s Gaucho
Originally published on Oct. 6, 2016 By Paul Grimstad Paris Review The cover of Steely Dan’s 1975 LP Katy Lied shows an out-of-focus praying mantis floating amid bulbous plants. I used to stare at it as a kid, listening to the record in my dad’s leather reading chair and wondering who this “Steely” was. He […]
Donald Fagen Talks Full-Album Shows
Originally published on Oct. 6, 2016 By Alex Biese Asbury Park Press Steely Dan is getting ready to do it again. For the sixth year, the Grammy-winning jazz/rock combo led by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker will be in residency at the Beacon Theatre in New York City staring Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. The Rock and […]
Steely Dan Hits the Road Again
Originally published on September 28, 2016 By Bruce Pilato Sound & Vision It has been 44 years since Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s jazz-tinged pop band, Steely Dan, soared to the top of the Billboard chart with timeless hits such as “Do It Again,” “Dirty Work” and “Reelin’ In The Years.” Soon after its initial […]
Herington: ‘The Dan Changed My Work Life’
By Jeremy D. Bonfiglio Michigan City News-Dispatch NEW BUFFALO, Mich. — Guitarist Walter Becker and singer/keyboardist Donald Fagen are the heart, soul, rock and jazz behind Steely Dan. Augmented by session and supporting musicians, including guitarists Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter, Steely Dan sold more than 40 million records worldwide behind hits such as “Reelin’ […]
40 Years Ago: Steely Dan Pulls Off ‘Royal Scam’
Originally published on May 31, 2016 By FRANK MASTROPOLO Ultimate Classic Rock Expectations were high when Steely Dan’s fifth album, The Royal Scam, was released May 31, 1976. It featured the band’s most cynical lyrics to date in its tales of outlaws, drug dealers and cheaters. While the LP reached No. 15 on the Billboard albums chart, its two singles, “Kid Charlemagne” […]
Dan Reels in Ears with Slick Jazz-Rock
Originally published on Aug. 27, 2014 By Lynn Saxberg Ottawa Citizen Riding the crest of a renewed interest in their music, jazz-rock pioneers Steely Dan cruised into the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on Tuesday (8/26/2014) and delivered a wealth of musical riches to a packed house. The band’s core creative duo, Donald Fagen and […]
Steely Dan Electrifying
Originally published on Aug. 24, 2014 By Liz Braun Toronto Sun For two spectacular hours on Saturday night, Steely Dan brought their unique blend of rock, R&B and jazz to happy fans at the Sony Centre. The band stepped up and tossed off “Black Cow,” “Aja” and “Hey Nineteen” for openers, finally getting people in […]
Smartest and Slickest of ’70s Popsters
Originally published on Aug. 22, 2014 By Bruce Ward Ottawa Citizen If Steely Dan were just starting out in the music biz, could they make it big in the post-album era? Or would today’s music fans tell Rikki to lose their number? It’s something for the Dans — hardcore Steely Dan fans — to think about […]
Veteran Band Puts on Quite a Show
Originally published on Aug. 14, 2014 By Curtis Schieber The Columbus Dispatch COLUMBUS, Ohio — Steely Dan songs are the perfect live pop music vehicle. On record, they are intricately structured on tight, varied rhythms and precise horn arrangements but punctuated by marvelous solo opportunities. Singer Donald Fagen’s melodies are appealing as candy, while his […]
