By James Lamperetta The Saratogian SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Steely Dan was the reigning king of FM style and sophistication through the ’70s and into the ’80s. However, since the group existed almost exclusively in the studio during this time, seeing Steely Dan in concert just didn’t happen — then. On Friday night, the dynamic […]
No Doubts That the Sound Transfers to Stage
By Eric Fine Atlantic City Press A Steely Dan concert sounds almost exactly like the recorded version of the “group.” But that’s OK — anything close to a live performance is welcome after a nearly 20-year hiatus from the stage. The band’s recent gig at the Tweeter Center in Camden featured an 11-piece ensemble that […]
Steely Dan: Storming On At Nissan
By Joe Heim Washington Post BRISTOW, Va. — There was much to celebrate about Steely Dan’s concert at Nissan Pavilion on Wednesday night, not the least of which was that no one was struck by lightning. Much of the venue is covered, of course, but the evening’s massive storm arrived at the same time as […]
Deacon Blue meets Steely Dan
By Bob Bankard Bucks County Courier Times LOCATION: The Tweeter Center, Camden, NJ Carnival lights are strung across the Delaware beneath the Ben Franklin Bridge. They tie Philadelphia’s skyline to this place, anchored by the dome of the Aquarium, bathed in gaudy lights of primary colors. The stage is nearly a quarter mile away, but […]
Steely Dan Has a Great Sound
By GREG SMITH Norwich Bulletin MOHEGAN, Conn. — They’re known for their sophisticated studio genius and not their live performances. In fact, Steely Dan founders Donald Fagan and Walter Becker shied away from the stage even during their most potent years in the 1970s. But it’s not the promise of stage antics or pyrotechnics that […]
A Boomer Band Grows Philosophical
By Rafer Guzmán Newsday Donald Fagen is likely the only rock star able to drop the word “eschatological” into a conversation — and use it correctly. Speaking by cell phone while walking around his hometown of Manhattan, Fagen is explaining “Everything Must Go,” the title track of Steely Dan’s latest album. The song, like the […]
Steely Dan still reels in the ears
By Steve Morse Boston Globe MANSFIELD, Mass. — Steely Dan singer Donald Fagen is known for his irony, but he sounded totally sincere when he told Saturday’s crowd, “There are no Steely Dan fans anywhere who are cooler or hipper to play for than the Steely Dan fans in Boston.” His emotional words came after […]
In concert, Steely Dan reeling in the years
Walter Becker, Donald Fagen blend old with new in civilized evening at Blossom By Malcolm X Abram Akron Beacon Journal CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — In 2000, when jazz-pop duo Steely Dan released “Two Against Nature,” their first new CD in 20 years, it was met with much fanfare. It yielded a Grammy for Album of […]
Carefully Crafted Work Still Pleases Ear, Mind
By Curtis Schieber Columbus Dispatch “Agents of the law / Luckless pedestrian / I know you’re out there / With rage in your eyes and your megaphones,” Donald Fagen sang during “Don’t Take Me Alive” in Steely Dan’s second set on Saturday night in the Value City Arena. Thousands in the audience joined in for […]
Steely Dan Goes Back in Time to 1979
By Bobby Reed Chicago Sun-Times Examples of irony, riddles and perversion have been prevalent in Steely Dan’s lyrics for over 30 years. The same is true for the duo’s relationship with the road. They didn’t tour when they had big hits, and two decades later, they toured without new material. Walter Becker (guitar, bass) and […]
