THOUGHTS AFTERWARDS:
- The band was hot as can be. Where in the name of God(whacker) did they find Keith Carlock? Migod, this guy can play the drums! (Also annoys me that he looks about 15 years old!) What a backbeat combo, Carlock and Tom Barney. They laid the foundations for every tune with energy and drive and consistency.
- I'd give the show an 8.5, maybe a 9 out of 10. It is difficult to find many faults with a show that borders on flawless.
- What I'd like to see dropped from the show: FM, Josie or Peg, Kid Charlamagne, Janie Runaway. Then again, with Peg and Kid Charlamagne, we get to hear Jon Herington rip brilliant solo after brilliant solo, and the same applies to Walter on FM and Josie;
- Walter's lead playing was tasteful and nicely done
- In other shows, they've done Reeling in the Years (as opposed to their other hit, Reelin' in the Sheeves - check out the DVD, also on line, Steely Dan Confessions, for more about that song), Do It Again, and The Last Mall. Would've loved to have heard those tunes in lieu of the others listed above; but in shows where Do It Again is performed, they aren't playing Babylon Sisters, so it's a win-win situation anyway;
- Missed Donald singing Haitian Divorce (another all time favorite), but was thrilled to hear it nonetheless;
- Donald was really having fun on stage, more so it appeared to me than at the 2000 Gorge show;
- Keith Carlock is a drumming god; Tom Barney is a bassist god; Jon Herington is a guitar god;
- the Three C's are singing goddesses
- Jon Herington never really was allowed to cut loose until the second set, but when he did, wow!
- having the Three C's sing The Steely Dan Show and Parker's Band were two strokes of genius
- was surprised not to hear more from 2VN, given its Grammy award-winning status, and such.
Songs performed by album: Can't Buy a Thrill: 0; Countdown to Ecstasy: 1; Pretzel Logic: 1; Katy Lied: 0; Royal Scam: 4; Aja: 4; Gaucho: 3; Two Against Nature: 1; Everything Must Go: 4; Other: 2
Bottom line: Miss this show at your own peril. The tour just began, and ends in Hawaii in October. The band is truly amazing. Tight, brilliant executions of every song - I've been a musician for 37 years, and continue to marvel at the sound these people generate on stage. It's a bonus that Becker and Fagen are having so much fun in their 50s, making music for the ages.
![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.