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SET TWO:
11. The Steely Dan Show: the girls (Cynthia Calhoun, Carolyn Leonhart, and Cindy Mizelle - the Three Cs, as I call them) sang this number, along with Jim Pugh and Michael Leonhart. A treat for the crowd, this tune was written during the Europe portion of their 2000 tour, self-promoting themselves, and a welcome back for Don and Walt as they walk on stage near the end of the tune.
12. Janie Runaway: nice tune, nothing spectacular, but it went right into:
13. Hey Nineteen: a great rendition, and in the midst of the song, Donald starts talking about "remembering when we were young, and we had those cool summer nights, with a sleeping bag, under the stars, and we were drinking something, can't remember, what was it called, girls?", as he looks over at the Three Cs, and they respond, "The Cuervo gold...". Nice touch. BTW, in the original, Donald sings: "Hey Nineteen, that's 'retha Franklin", but instead chose to sing "Hey Nineteen, that's Otis Redding.."
14. Haitian Divorce: Walter sang this, and Jon Herington cut loose on the riffs throughout the song.
15. Parker's Band: outstanding, and sung by the Three C's. Herington flies on the solos.
16. Josie: Predictable perhaps (that the song would be played), but Carlock absolutely kills on a drum solo for the ages. Good God, this guy is outstanding!
17. Kid Charlamagne: great tune, same arrangement as in 2000, and Jon gets to rip a few more brilliant solos.
18. Don't Take Me Alive: Donald forgets to sing right at the beginning of this tune - or does he? Herington Rules and the band rocks. Jon, I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy. And damn you for making it look so effortless. (I've been a guitarist for almost 37 years...the man makes me weep for myself).
ENCORE:
19. My Old School: What can I saw? Another all time favorite. Baker tinkles the ivories until he hits the opening notes, and the crowd is standing. Jon Herington rules, and then rules more. A reminder why Becker and Fagen are among our most brilliant songwriters, ever.
20. FM: Predictable, Don and Walk thank the crowd, leave the stage, and the band continues on for a while until they finish.
![Steely Dan - Two Against Nature [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AREBE4QDL._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - RW
The Dan gig at the Gorge was the best I've seen in all my years of concert going. This was a band that I never imagined seeing live, and it could have easily not lived up to the hype and anticipation.
They actually blew away my expectations and I was buzzing from the experience for days. Many of the arragenments and performances exceded the orginal recorded versions. Although no one will ever top the Skunk's work on "My Old School"
Overall the performances were much more soulful and tasty than those on the "Live in America" recordings, which tended to be a little busy for my tastes.
Carlock was on fire, Becker and Herington played off each other nicely, Fagan seemed to be truly enjoying himself and sang well, the girls were fantastic, the horn section were spot on and Tom Barney was as solid as a rock.
The musicianship, the sound and setting could not have been more perfect.
This was in no way an oldies act, but rather a complete musical experience that included inspired arrangements and some wonderful energetic improvisations from every player. Everything was completely fresh.
Some of the nostagia acts that are humping around the world these days could learn a thing or two from Fagan and Becker.
Highlights for me were - "Home at Last", "Don't Take me Alive", "Aja", "Hey 19", "Things I Miss the Most", "My Old School", "Babaylon Sisters"...Hell the whole set list was of highlight status and I could have listened to the band vamp on FM at the end of the show for hours....but, sadly, all good things come to an end...
Not sure what's going to top this experience. It will probably be the next time the Dan return to the Gorge.
They are in a league of their own.
2 - Citizen Keith
Nothing from Katy Lied??? An outrage....
Still, it sounds like a great show!
3 - Ray
My buddy and I went to see that at Jones Beach, NY and were especially lucky that they invited Bill Charlap to sit in on piano for Godwhacker. It was terrific. We also went to see them in Manhattan at Roseland and they played Lunch with Gina instead of Things I miss the most. Both concerts were truly great but at Jones Beach they had Bill Charlap to really spark the band in Godwhacker and overall the band seemd to be more motivated in this outdoors band shell.
Love those guys!
4 - h.w. sierra
greetings dan afficionados ...
i saw steely dan's EMG tour stops in detroit and atlanta this summer ... i have reviews and more at:
http://damon.typepad.com/wu/
i welcome your comments and blog linking. i've also met carolyn leonhart in new york and connected with the swiss percussion group lyn leon she sings with ... included a review of their glass lounge cd and links to their site ...
thx!
5 - jack of speed
The song list for that show rules: they pulled out da klassixx:
Home at Last being one of the greatest tune ever...as well as CAves of Altamira and the Royal Scam stuff (i can hear the solo at the end right now)
Carlock does rock but I am not totally convinced that 2AN and EMG are THAT great...there are moments...Lunch with Gina is a major groove, Godwhacker, Last Mall are good, but compared to say Caves of Altamira and Home at Last???
Green Room I dig but it is weird --spooky ...Pixeleen sort of cool and buzzy but a bit sweet....though I enjoy the cyber-punk vibe
EMG--8--8.5 out of 10
6 - randy
I agree about Green Room - spooky is a good word to describe it. Another tune with lyrics that confuse and confound, but with great musical hooks. Also agree about Pixeleen - the cyberpunk vibe is there in spades, brilliant lyrics.