Since their debut album was released in 1972, nothing about Steely Dan has been conventional, from their cryptic lyrics and complex arrangements to their refusal to tour for years. Co-founder Walter Becker and current guitarist Jon Herington talk to us about the role of the guitar player within the band’s unique blend of rock and […]
Archive | 2004-2012 RSS feed for this section
Klein and Hadar: Recording ‘Circus Money’
For his second solo album, Steely Dan’s Walter Becker made the unexpected decision to apply his band’s high production values and jazzy sophistication to the world of reggae. By Paul Tingen Sound on Sound The relaxed, sensual rhythms and simple harmonic structures of reggae are, in many ways, the antithesis of the cerebral jazz-rock universe […]
Solo ‘Circus Money’ Has Deep Grooves
By Mr. Bonzai MixOnline.Com Walter Becker and Donald Fagen have been on the road all summer leading Steely Dan through its paces, drawing enthusiastic crowds to their Think Fast tour. Meanwhile, Becker has a little side treat for us: His second solo album, Circus Money, thrills with exquisite musicianship and just the right touch of Dan […]
Steely Dan in Fine Form at Nokia
By Mallary Jean Tenore The Dallas Morning News Grand Prairie, Tex. — The Nokia Theatre became a haven for cheering fans when Steely Dan took the stage Thursday night. Wearing black shades and a white jacket, legendary singer Donald Fagen and guitarist Walter Becker graced the stage following a short instrumental. The first song they […]
Steely Dan Shows It Is As Vibrant As Ever
By Preston Jones Fort Worth Star-Telegram GRAND PRAIRIE — Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the men who comprise the core of Steely Dan, have grown from sour, sharp-tongued hipsters into irascible iconoclasts over the course of their 25-year, stop-and-start career. During Thursday night’s set at Nokia Theatre, as the Grammy-winning duo’s “Think Fast, Steely Dan” […]
Steely Dan in St. Louis
By Daniel Durchholz Special to the Post-Dispatch ST. LOUIS — Steely Dan principals Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are known for their sardonic sense of humor. But even when they’re kidding, there’s an element of truth to what they say. So when Fagen remarked that Monday night’s concert at the Fox Theatre would feature “some […]
Steely Dan Remains True to its Nature
By Doug Pullen Flint Journal FLINT, Mich. — When an artist wins the Album of the Year Grammy Award, that artist pretty much can expect a healthy bounce in sales of said album and a not-so-healthy afterglow of cocktails, parties and God knows what else. The learned, enigmatic men behind the curtain that is known […]
Walter Becker: Circus Money (2008)
By Mike Perciaccante AllAboutJazz.com Coming a mere 14 years after his last and first solo recording, Walter Becker’s Circus Money sounds a lot like Steely Dan — jazzy, pop rock over witty, somewhat sarcastic and sardonic lyrics. By mixing in a bit of reggae, Becker has released an album that fits in well with the Steely […]
Reliable Steely Dan Delivers
Originally published on July 21, 2008 By Michael Senft The Arizona Republic Another year, another great show from Steely Dan. The ’70s jazz rock superstars, who eschewed touring for the bulk of their career, have turned their concerts into well-oiled machines, featuring stunning playing from top jazz sessioneers and plenty of hits and album tracks from […]
Steely Walt
Bass player for iconic group steps into his own By Michael Senft The Arizona Republic Throughout the 1970s, Walter Becker was the silent partner in Steely Dan. He played bass, handled production duties, wrote songs and served as a musical foil to his longtime friend, Donald Fagen. But to many fans he was the “Oates” […]
