Favorite Steely Dan Songs - Addendum to Steely Dan Album Ranking List

Favorite Counting Crows Songs

As a follow-up to my recent ranking of the studio albums from Steely Dan, here is a list of my current top 25 favorite Steely Dan songs. Overall, this is more difficult than ranking the albums, as there are so many good to great songs to consider and come up with an absolute favorites list. In addition, favorite songs tend to change more readily with time and circumstances, thus this list represents what I am thinking today, and would probably change if reconsidered next week, month, or year (although the very top are pretty solid and probably won't change much). Anyway, here is a list of my current top 25 favorite Steely Dan songs (with album indicated in parentheses-see key below). As with my album rankings, the songs list also is weighted more towards the earlier albums (as they are my favorites) and no songs from the later albums (post-Aja) made the top 25 (but still contain many very good songs). Although in previous lists, I have also included my 5 least favorite songs - ones that I really don't like, I couldn't do that with Steely Dan, as I couldn't really come up with any Steely Dan songs that I just don't like at all (the worst that can be said is that there are some that are a bit dull, but still usually enjoyable). Anyway, here are my favorites, which is just the tip of the iceberg, as their catalog is filled with great songs.
 
25. Reelin' in the Years (CBaT)
24. Rose Darling (KL)
23. Sign in Stranger (TRS)
22. Deacon Blues (A)
21. Do It Again (CBaT)
20. Home at Last (A)
19. Pearl of the Quarter (CtE)
18. Change of the Guard (CBaT)
17. With a Gun (PL)
16. Rikki Don't Lose That Number (PL)
15. FM (NA)
14. Aja (A)
13. The Caves of Altamira (TRS)
12. Razor Boy (CtE)
11. Night By Night (PL)
10. Your Gold Teeth (CtE)
9. Don't Take Me Alive (TRS)
8. Chain Lightning (KL)
7. Kid Charlemagne (RS)
6. Only A Fool Would Say That (CBaT)
5. Parker's Band (PL)
4. King of the World (CtE)
3. Any Major Dude (PL)
2. My Old School (CtE)
1. Bodhisattva (CtE)

(A) - Aja (1977)
(TRS) - The Royal Scam (1976)
(KL) - Katy Lied (1975)
(PL) - Pretzel Logic (1974)
(CtE) - Countdown to Ecsasy (1973)
(CBaT) - Can't Buy a Thrill (1972)
(NA) - Non-Album Track

So, what are your favorite (or not favorite) Steely Dan songs?

BB's Album Rankings - Steely Dan

 

BB's Album Rankings

Steely Dan

It’s about time for another of my artist album rankings, and up this time is another of my favorite artists, Steely Dan, with their totally unique jazz-funk-soul-pop-rock style and sound as well as their usually cryptic, biting, ironic lyrics and tales of losers, creeps, and miscreants. Starting off with quirky, oddball jazz-tinged pop-rock songs that developed slowly over the years into more finely crafted pop-tinged jazz-funk grooves featuring impeccable production, arrangements, and musicianship. Steely Dan consists primarily of the songwriting-performing duo of Donald Fagen (vocals, keyboards) and Walter Becker (bass, guitar) usually backed by various session and studio musicians. Although Steely Dan was first formed in 1971, Fagen and Becker had been working together as songwriters and performers in various bands since 1967, when they met at Bard College. The original lineup of Steely Dan (which started out as an actual rock band) consisted of guitarists Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter and Denny Dias, and drummer Jim Hodder joining Fagen and Becker. When they got their record contract (ABC Dunhill), the label wasn’t satisfied with Fagen as lead vocalist (and Fagen wasn’t that comfortable as a vocalist either), so David Palmer was added to share vocalist duties. Although their first (pre-album) single, ‘Dallas’ tanked, their first album, Can’t Buy a Thrill (1972), was a major success, scoring multiple hit singles, and establishing the band as major players in top 40 rock. That first album featured a more pop-rock sound than subsequent albums with more jazz influences, but served to introduce the band and their unique sound to the world. Their 2^nd album, Countdown to Ecstasy (1973) was darker, more eclectic, less-pop-oriented, but allowed the band to stretch out, explore, and develop their style to a greater degree. By the third album, Pretzel Logic (1974), Fagen and Becker, who were not satisfied with the sound of their early albums, began exerting more control over all aspects of the recording process, and brought in guest artists and session musicians to meet their demanding expectations. By the 4^th album, Katy Lied (1975), Steely Dan was no longer an actual band, but were Fagen and Becker and whatever session musicians they used for each song.  Their sound also moved farther away from rock as more jazz and a softer, slower jazz-funk groove dominated. Aja (1977) completed this transition with a predominantly cool jazz-funk vibe throughout as well as stellar production and musicianship throughout. But the follow-up to that, Gaucho (1980) was a troubled much-delayed production, marred by recording session mishaps, Becker involved in a near-fatal car accident, and record company disputes, which prompted Fagen and Becker to call it quits following its completion. They both went on to do solo albums and shows for many years, until getting back together in 1993 to form a touring version of Steely Dan featuring a Big Band lineup (with horns, etc.). They continued touring without releasing any new material for several years, until in 2000, they released their first new album in 20 years, Two Against Nature (2000). This return was highly successful, garnering 3 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Steely Dan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Another new album was released in 2003, Everything Must Go, which would be the last studio album for Steely Dan. However, their Big Band Dan touring act continued for several more years. Walter Becker died after a battle with esophageal cancer in September 2017. Donald Fagen continues to perform with a current version of the Steely Dan Big Band.

So, Steely Dan’s recording career consisted of 9 studio albums released between 1972 and 2003 (with a 20 year gap from 1980-2000). Here are my rankings and brief comments on each album. As always, these rankings are based solely my own personal preferences and opinions and not any other measures of popularity, critical acclaim, or commercial success. This is just how I rank them from my least favorite to most favorite. All of these rank as at least good, and many as great to exceptional. Really, you can’t go wrong with any Steely Dan album, but I have my definite preferences (as I’m sure you do as well).

9. Two Against Nature (2000) 

Steely Dan made a big splash with this comeback album, their first in 20 years, and it was great to hear the unique songs and style of Steely Dan again (There is just no one else that sounds like Steely Dan). However, although the album successfully resurrects their style and warped vision once again, this is still their overall weakest collection of songs. Other than ‘Two Against Nature’ and ‘Cousin Dupree’, which stand out as the best (and most different) tracks, most of the rest of the album consists of the same slow jazz-funk groove, and relative to the rest of their catalog, are just somewhat lackluster and not very memorable. Still a decent album, but their weakest overall. Best songs-‘Two Against Nature’, ‘Cousin Dupree’, ‘Jack of Speed’. Weakest songs-‘Almost Gothic’, ‘Negative Girl’, ‘West of Hollywood’ (3ó)

8. Everything Must Go (2003) 

Although this has some of the same issues as 2AN (some lackluster songs, same slow jazz groove), it has a warmer, more engaging feel throughout as well as overall better songs, which make it a much more enjoyable listen. The best songs here are better than anything from 2AN, and ‘Everything Must Go’ makes for a fine and fitting final song for the band. But these later albums just can’t quite live up to the earlier period albums. Best songs-‘Last Mall’, ‘Things I Miss the Most’, ‘Everything Must Go’, ‘Godwhacker’. Weakest songs-‘Green Book’, ‘Lunch with Gina’ (3ó).

 

7. Gaucho (1980)

Their troubled last album from the ‘classic’ period, unfortunately, has always left me cold. There are some fine tracks here as well as their usual great production and musicianship throughout. But this one stretches their softer, slower smooth jazz focus to the limit, resulting in a somewhat dull and sterile feel. Production and arrangements are a bit too perfect sounding. I prefer some of the discarded tracks from the ‘Lost Gaucho’ sessions to those that made it onto the final album. Still a quite good album, but relative to everything that came before this, a much weaker entry. Best songs-‘Babylon Sisters’, ‘Time Out of Mind’, ‘Hey Nineteen’. Weakest songs-‘My Rival’, ‘Glamour Profession’ (3.5ó)

6. Katy Lied (1975)

This was the first full album where Steely Dan was no longer an actual band and consisted entirely of Fagen-Becker, and guest artists and session players, and the result was a noticeably softer, more laidback sound and jazzier pop arrangements.  But a wonderful collection of varied songs still made this a great (but less rockin’) album. Best songs-‘Chain Lightning’, ’Rose Darling’, ‘Any World Your Welcome To’, ‘Your Gold Teeth II’. Weakest songs-‘Everyone’s Gone to the Movies’, ‘Throw Back the Little Ones’. (4ó)

 

5. The Royal Scam (1976) 

Great production and great use of guest musicians (Larry Carlton’s killer guitar solos on ‘Kid Charlemagne’ and ‘Don’t Take Me Alive’ are legendary). A more diverse, energetic, and edgy assortment of cool songs than on Katy Lied boosts this one up another notch.  Best songs- ‘Kid Charlemagne’, ‘The Caves of Altamira’, ‘Don’t Take Me Alive’, ‘Sign In Stranger’. Weakest-‘Everything You Did’. (4.5ó)

 

 

4. Aja (1977) 

This album marked a more distinct change in style, with the full embrace of the cool jazz-funk sound and arrangements. Remarkable and meticulous production, arrangements, and musicianship throughout raise this above the previous two (even though they have some songs I like better). Just a remarkable achievement in melding expert jazz playing with the Dan’s pop-rock melodies. Many great instrumental sections, such as Steve Gadd’s sensational drumming through the latter part of ‘Aja’, etc. (but also the end of anything much resembling rock in their catalog). Best songs-‘Aja’, ‘Deacon Blues’, ‘Home at Last’, ‘Josie’. Weakest-‘Black Cow’ (4.5ó)

 

3. Can’t Buy a Thrill (1972).

Their wonderful debut album filled with great pop-rock songs made its mark on the top 40 and introduced their unique sound and style to the world. Contains their most straight-forward, accessible, and radio-friendly songs, showing great melodies and hooks, but also being uniquely Steely Dan. The different lead vocals (David Palmer and drummer Jim Hodder) on some songs is a bit unsettling relative to the more familiar Fagen vocals, but the songs are great.  Best songs-‘Only a Fool Would Say That’, ‘Reelin’ in the Years’, ‘Do It Again’, ‘Change of the Guard’. Weakest song-‘Dirty Work’. (4.5ó )

 

2. Pretzel Logic (1974) 

Great songs in varied styles and great blend of melodic pop songs with more adventurous excursions. Incorporation of jazz more subtle here (except for the outright jazz cover of the Duke Ellington standard ‘East St.Louis Toodle-oo’). Overall lighter, more fun, and the band still rocks as well. Even has Steely Dan's version of a country song. Great album from start to finish. Best- ‘Any Major Dude’, ‘Night By Night’, ‘Parker’s Band’, ‘With a Gun’, ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’. Weakest song- ‘Charlie Freak’. (5ó)

 

 

1.  Countdown to Ecstasy (1973). 

Of their several great albums, for me, this is The One! The Holy Grail of Steely Dan Albums, and one of my all-time favorite albums. Blazing start with ‘Bodhisattva’, one of the greatest album-opening tracks ever. They are a real band here, and this one mostly rocks throughout (Skunk Baxter's guitar solos are tremendous). Contains what I consider the four pillars of Dan-dom: ‘Bodhisattva’, ‘Your Gold Teeth’, ‘My Old School’, and ‘King of the World’, but the rest are great as well. Perhaps the quirkiest, adventurous, and most eclectic of all their albums (‘Show Biz Kids’ is flat-out weird), but fantastic stuff all around. Never been another album quite like this, even among other Steely Dan albums. Best songs- the 4 pillars already mentioned, plus ‘Razor Boy’, ‘Pearl of the Quarter’.  Weak songs-none. (5ó)

Ok, so it's clear that I prefer the earlier albums over the later more cool jazz-oriented albums, but I really do like them all. My top two are pretty much set in stone, but the order of the next three (Nos. 3,4,and 5) may change frequently based on what I am more in the mood for, but I consider the top 6 all great albums. Just a really unique band, nothing else quite like them. Fagen's solo albums are very good as well, particularly The Nightfly (1982) and Kamakiriad (1993). Walter Becker's solo album, 11 Tracks of Whack (1994), is also pretty good (but not as good as Fagen's solo works).  

So what do you think of Steely Dan's album catalog? How would you rate and/or rank them? Lets hear from you.

 

Steely Dan - 1974-03-20 - Record Plant, L.A., CA - TooleMan Remaster-35th Anniversary Edition

Steely Dan
1974-03-20
The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA
Pre-FM (KMET-Live) master recording (as remastered by Tooleman-35th Anniversary Edition - 2009), excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Ok, I'll wrap up this mini-tribute to Steely Dan with another classic show from that great 1974 tour while still a rock band (last before going all studio thereafter, that is, until the reunion and 'Big Band Dan' tours starting in 1993). So, here is a very well-known show, and one that I have previously featured before, as it is a great Pre-FM recording of a radio show (KMET-Live), with great sound. But here, this time, is a newer, remastered version of that classic show, by The TooleMan, for a 35th Anniversary Edition (made in 2009) of the show. Although the original recording was already very good, TooleMan has tweaked it here and there to improve the sound a bit more. The only drawback to this show, however, is that because it was made for a radio show (and to fit a one hour timeslot), it is a shortened version of their show (This show is missing 'My Old School', 'Dirty Work', and 'Show Biz Kids' from their regular setlist for this tour, which is alot to miss). But aside from that, this is a great show, with great sound, and definitely - a classic.  BTW, for those that prefer the unaltered (Pre-FM recording, not remastered), it is still available on the previous post (here), and I have added the FLAC version of that show, too).


Tracklist:
01 - Stalling for time - Intro
02 - Bodhisattva
03 - The Boston Rag
04 - Do It Again
05 - Any Major Dude
06 - King Of The World
07 - Rikki Don't Lose That Number
08 - tuning
09 - Pretzel Logic
10 - Your Gold Teeth II (Jam)
11 - Reelin' In The Years
12 - This All Too Mobile Home
13 - Announcer outro

Lineup:
Donald Fagen – piano, vocals
Walter Becker – bass
Jeff Baxter – guitar
Denny Dias – guitar
Jim Hodder – drums
Jeff Porcaro – drums
Royce Jones – percussion, backing vocals
Michael McDonald – electric piano, backing vocals

Remaster notes - As with many tapes of this vintage, I thought a little more bass was needed. While I was at it, I ironed out a couple of tape wrinkles, too. Also, tiny amount of pitch correction, re-tracking, etc. - TheTooleMan, March, 2009

mp3 - Steely Dan_1974-03-20_RecordPlant_TooleManRem35_mp3.rar

FLAC - Steely Dan_1974-03-20_RecordPlant_TooleManRem35_FLAC.rar

Steely Dan - 1974-04-30 - Memphis, TN - "Memphis Blues Again" (Tooleman Remaster)

Steely Dan
April 30th, 1974
Ellis Auditorium, Memphis, TN
"Memphis Blues Again", Tooleman Version (2008)Soundboard recording (Remastered by Tooleman), Excellent Quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) vesrions

More Steely Dan! After featuring some of the later shows, time to go back once again to the original rock band version of the group in the early '70's, and their great 1974 tour. Here is another one of the classic soundboard recordings from that tour (I've previously featured the Rainbow Theater (5-20-74) and Record Plant (3-24-74) shows with excellent sound). This tour comes right on the heels of recording their 3rd album, Pretzel Logic (one of my favorites), and thus features some 'new' songs from that album, as well as several from my personal favorite, their previous, Countdown to Ecstasy. This was their last tour as a working rock band, before Becker & Fagen stopped touring, dissolved the rest of the band, and retreated to the studio to produce flawless jazz-rock records using various guests and session musicians. But here for the 1974 tour they had a killer lineup, with ace dual guitarists Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter, dual drummers (Jeff Porcaro and Jim Hodder, and even dual keyboard/vocalists (Fagen and Michael McDonald). The energy and performances at these shows are just fantastic. Each of these shows are great (and fortunately a number of hi-quality recordings from this tour are available), showing a much harder rockin' Dan than any of the post-reunion ensembles, with great guitar, keyboard, and drumming work throughout - vocals/harmonies are also quite strong as well, with the backing vocals of velvet-throated McDonald and percussionist Royce Jones. The only drawback is the setlist for all these shows was virtually the same (shuffling 'Any Major Dude' with 'Brooklyn' for some shows seems to be the only variant), so it is the same show each time, but even still, hearing multiple performances of this classic tour is a must. Although the sound from the original recording of this show was already very good, I am featuring here the Tooleman Remastered version of the show, as it does noticeably improve the overall sound quality and gives some extra punch to bass, drums, and vocals.So, if you don't have this already, check out some more classic Steely Dan.
. 
Tracklist:
01  Bodhisattva
02  The Boston Rag
03  Do It Again
04  Brooklyn
05  King of the World
06  Blues in C
07  Rikki Don't Lose That Number
08  Pretzel Logic
09  My Old School
10  Dirty Work
11  Your Gold Teeth II
12  Reelin' in the Years
13  Show Biz Kids
14  All Too Mobile Home

Musicians:
Donald Fagen - keyboards/vocals
Denny Dias - 'bebop' guitar
Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter - 'skunk' guitar/vocals
Walter Becker - bass
Jeff Porcaro - drums
Jim Hodder - drums
Michael McDonald - electric piano/vocals
Royce Jones - percussion/vocals

Remaster notes - The recording has been equalized to make the bass much louder. Treble frequencies have been reduced to help balance the overall sound and make hiss less apparent. Light dynamic compression was used to improve the mix of vocals with instruments. The original recording runs fast and the pitch of the music is a bit sharp, so pitch was altered by -25 cents in the remaster to bring it to proper pitch. Track boundaries were adjusted from the original CD so that the music starts much closer to the beginning of each track. Several seconds of loud hum was reduced in track 14. The separate track for band introductions was merged with the preceding track (track 8, "Pretzel Logic"), while the excerpt of "Your Gold Teeth" was broken out as a separate track. - Tooleman, 2008

FLAC - Steely Dan_1974-04-30_Memphis-Tooleman rem_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Steely Dan_1974-04-30_Memphis-Tooleman rem_mp3.rar

Steely Dan - 1993-08-13 - Auburn Hills, MI - "Kickoff Night"

Steely Dan
August 13, 1993
"Kickoff Night"
Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI
Audience recording, Good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

More Steely Dan! Here is a unique show from their 'comeback' or 'reunion' tour of 1993. In fact, this was the very first show of the tour, so this was the first glimpse audiences got of this new version of Steely Dan, what I refer to as Big Band Dan. Thus, this was the first actual Steely Dan live concert in almost 20 years, and 13 years since Fagen & Backer broke up and went their separate ways. So, this was a historic night. But, in addition to that, this show contained several unique songs that were not continued in most subsequent shows (some never played again anywhere), so this is an especially unique show. First, a little background here. Now, this was at a time when they were both more focused on their solo albums (Steely Dan wouldn't record a 'new' album for another 7 years). Don had recently released Kamakiriad (1993, and produced by Becker), and Becker was getting to release his first solo album (11 Tracks of Whack, 1994, and produced by Fagen). So, it is not surprising that the boys wanted to feature a good chunk of their solo tracks. But at this 'Kickoff' show, they played a whopping total of 12 songs that were 'solo' tracks (7 of Fagen's, 5 of Becker's), which was actually more than the number of Steely Dan songs featured (10, not counting the orchestral instrumental tracks). And I'm sure they rather quickly (within the first few shows) realized that the fans were there to hear Steely Dan songs and not so much their relatively unknown solo tracks, so the setlist was adjusted to drop some of the 'solo tracks' and put back in some popular 'Dan' tracks, which they did for the remainder of the tour (and all subsequent tours). But it does mean that this show featured songs not played at any (or at least only a few) other shows ever again. Becker's 'Cringemaker', 'Our Lawn', and 'Girlfriend' were dropped never to reappear ('Book of Liars' and 'Fall of '92' were kept throughout the tour), and 'Our  Lawn' and 'Fall of '92' were never released on any albums, so are true rarities. Thus, this show also featured more Walter Becker songs than any other Steely Dan show ever, so it also is an appropriate show as a tribute and memorial to Walter. Fagen dropped 'True Companion' (obscure track from the film Heavy Metal) and 'Trans Island Skyway' and 'Countermoon' (from Kamakiriad), but keeping 'IGY' & 'Green Flower St' (from Nightfly), and 'Teahouse on the Tracks' (from Kamakiriad) for the remainder of the tour. So, many rarely played tracks and oddities here to enjoy. The audience recording is good (but not great) quality, not up to the SBD standards of other available shows, but still good and very enjoyable. BTW, the 'Dan' songs they added in subsequent shows after dropping the 'solo' tracks were 'Home at Last', 'Babylon Sisters', 'Reelin' in the Years', and 'Peg'. For an example of the later shows on this tour, check out the St. Louis show, previously posted here.Enjoy!

Tracklist:
Disc 1:
01 Instrumental Overture (Peg->Aja) (First and only time this unusual instrumental was played. By the next show, Peg was taken out of this and played on its own)
02 Green Earrings
03 Bodhisattva
04 I.G.Y. (Fagen solo track)
05 Josie
06 Hey Nineteen
07 Book of Liars (Becker)
08 Cringemaker (rare Walter Becker solo track dropped after only a few performances)
09 Chain Lightning
10 Band Introductions
11 Our Lawn  (rare Walter Becker solo track dropped after a few performances)
12 Green Flower Street (Fagen solo track)
13 True Companion (rare Donald Fagen solo tune; only time played on the 1993 tour)
14 Black Friday

Disc 2:
01 Tuzz's Shadow (Instrumental written by Steely Dan pianist at the time, Warren Bernhardt)
02 Deacon Blues >
03 Tomorrow's Girls (Fagen)
04 Fall of '92 (Becker)
05 Girlfriend (Walter Becker solo track dropped after 2 performances)
06 Third World Man
07 Trans Island Skyway (Donald Fagen tune solo track dropped after only a few performances)
08 Countermoon > (Fagen)
09 Teahouse on the Tracks (Fagen)
10 My Old School
11 FM

-------------------------------------------

THE BAND:

Donald Fagen: Vocals, Fender Rhodes, Lync Keytar
Walter Becker: Guitar, Vocals

Along with The Citizen Steely Dan Orchestra 1993:
Peter Erskine: Drums
Bill Ware III: Vibes, Congas, Percussion
Tom Barney: 5-string Bass
Drew Zingg: Guitars
Warren Bernhardt: Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes
Diane Garisto: Vocals
Brenda White-King: Vocals
Catherine Russell: Vocals
Chris Potter: Tenor Sax
Cornelius Bumpus: Tenor Sax
Bob Shepard: Tenor and Soprano Sax
Roger Nichols: Monitor Mix

FLAC - Steely Dan_1993-08-13_Auburn HillsMI_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Steely Dan_1993-08-13_Auburn HillsMI_mp3.part1.rar
          Steely Dan_1993-08-13_Auburn HillsMI_mp3.part1.rar

Steely Dan - 2009-07-22 - Wang Theater, Boston, MA - Aja and Royal Scam Night

Steely Dan
July 22, 2009
AJA and ROYAL SCAM Night
Wang Theater, Boston, MA
Stereo Soundboard recording, Excellent quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps versions)


Been listening to Steely Dan all week, since news of Walter Becker's passing, especially my two favorite albums of theirs, Countdown to Ecstasy and Pretzel Logic, just superb, and their entire catalog is exceptional. What a tremendous loss. And although I think many falsely assume that because Donald Fagen is the de facto front man and more outspoken member, that Becker played a lesser role in the groups music and sound, but that is not at all true. Becker was an integral part of everything about the band, from the songwriting (music and lyrics) to the musical sound, style, arrangements, and production. Anyway, in looking back on what Steely Dan shows I have already posted on the blog, it was clear that there are many more that could be included to give a more thorough depiction of the band and their various tours (in addition, will update those that don't include lossless versions). So, first up here, is a great show and excellent recording from the Dan's 2009 Rent Party '09 Tour. This tour was notable for featuring shows on multiple consecutive days in major cities, where they would feature a different full album each night. The albums featured included Aja, The Royal Scam, and Gaucho (unfortunately, no dates included Countdown to Ecstasy or Pretzel Logic, or even Katy Lied). In cities where they played 3 or 4 nights, they also included an "Internet Request Night" where the band would play songs requested by ticket-holding concertgoers through a special log-in internet vote for that show (although this request night seemed especially intriguing, as it turned out, and probably not surprisingly, the songs most requested by the audience were mostly the same popular songs they already were playing most nights anyway, but still resulted in several songs that had not been played live in many years, greats like 'Any Major Dude' and 'parker's Band, etc., and overall, between the request night and the full album shows, this tour resulted in the greatest variety of songs being played than on any other Steely Dan tour). Anyway, this Boston show was quite special itself, for several reasons. In Boston, they were scheduled for 3 nights, with the plan being an Aja night, a Gaucho night, and an internet request night. But on this first night of the Boston shows, the band treated the audience to a combined Aja and Royal Scam Night, doing both full albums (in addition to several other songs). This was the only night of the tour where they did two complete albums. In addition, there were a couple of  other Boston-only surprises, in that they also performed a couple of songs with special meaning for the Boston audience, their own 'The Boston Rag' (which hadn't been featured in any live shows in decades), and The Standells 'Dirty Water', a local Boston standard. Again, this was the only show where these additional songs were performed, just for Boston (and only time ever for 'Dirty Water'). So, this was a special night, and this great recording captures it all. The recording I had of this also included a bonus track of  'Pretzel Logic' with guest Steve Winwood from a 2011 date, so that is included as well. Enjoy! 

Tracklist:
01 Teenie Blues
.....................AJA
02 Black Cow
03 Aja
04 Deacon Blues
05 Peg
06 Home at Last
07 I Got the News
08 Josie
09 Donald's Remarks
......................THE ROYAL SCAM
10 Kid Charlemagne   
11 The Caves Of Altamira  
12 Don't Take Me Alive  
13 Sign In Stranger   
14 The Fez  
15 Green Earrings   
16 Haitian Divorce   
17 Everything You Did
18 The Royal Scam
......................
19 Hey Nineteen
20 Love is Like an Itchin in My Heart - Band Introductions
21 Black Friday
22 The Boston Rag
23 Dirty Water
24 My Old School
25 Last Tango In Paris (exit music)

26 BONUS TRACK - Pretzel Logic (with Steve Winwood) - 2011-10-xx Australia (SBD)

THE BAND:
Donald Fagen: Vocals, Fender Rhodes, Melodica
Walter Becker: Guitars, Vocals
along with,
The "Rent Party '09" Touring Band:
Tawatha Agee, Catherine Russell, Carolyn Leonhart: Backing Vocals
Jim Beard: Acoustic Piano, Nord Electro, Hammond
Marvin Stamm: Trumpet
Jim Pugh: Tenor Trombone
Roger Rosenberg: Baritone Saxophone
Walt Weiskof: Tenor and Alto Saxophone
Keith Carlock: Drums
“Ready” Freddie Washington: Fender P-Bass
Jon Herrington: Guitars

FLAC - Steely Dan_2009-07-22_Boston_FLAC.rar

mp3 - Steely Dan_2009-07-22_Boston_mp3.part1.rar
          Steely Dan_2009-07-22_Boston_mp3.part2.rar

Walter Becker (R.I.P.) - Tracks of Whack Demos and Outtakes - 1994

Walter Becker
Tracks of Whack Demos and Outtakes (1994)
Soundboard recordings, very good quality
Available in Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Just heard the shocking and sad news that Walter Becker, of Steely Dan fame, has died today, at 67. No details yet on cause of death. He previously missed the recent Steely Dan appearances at the Classic East and West shows, where music partner Donald Fagen just reported that he was 'recovering from a procedure' without giving any further details. But no one knew or thought that his illness was life threatening. Becker, of course, was one half of the duo at the creative center of Steely Dan for all these years, playing guitar and bass, and the songwriting partner with Donald Fagen (all Steely Dan songs are co-written by Becker and Fagen together, perhaps the greatest songwriting duo since Lennon-McCartney). Steely Dan was one of the greatest rock bands of all time (if you could even call them 'rock', or a 'band' even, as Becker and Fagen were the only constant elements that defined the group, with the rest of the musicians a constantly changing mix of professionals and session musicians). They were unlike any other group, before or since, with totally unique songs, sound, style, and outlook, with their musical sophistication, rhythms, and perfect arrangements and instrumentation, and their savagely biting wit, cynicism, inscrutably hip, oddball lyrics. They certainly are one of my favorite groups, and have been an important influence in my life. 
       Becker first met Donald Fagen while both were students at Bard College in Annandale-on Hudson, New York, in 1967, and the two found they had many common interests, musical and otherwise, and began a collaborating as a songwriting duo. In 1971, they moved to California and together started the band Steely Dan, with Don on keyboards and vocals, Walter on bass, and guitarists Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and Denny Dias, and drummer Jim Hodder. They soon attracted interest from record companies, with their unique sound and style, but initially were not comfortable with Donald's eccentric vocals (not commercial they said) and wanted to try other singers (hence addition of David Palmer on first album). After an unsuccessful single release ('Dallas'-1972), their first album, Can't Buy a Thrill, was released in 1972, and resulted in multiple breakthrough hits ('Do It Again', 'Reelin' in the Years', 'Dirty Work'), firmly establishing the band. By their second album, Countdown to Ecstasy (1973), which I would maintain was their crowning masterpiece, they grew even more creative, even though it's more quirky excellence was not as radio (hit) friendly. Following Pretzel Logic (1974), Steely Dan went on their only full tour as a headlining rock band (previous touring in '72 and '73 were mainly as opening or supporting act), and produced the terrific 1974 shows. However, after this, Becker and Fagen decided to stop touring and concentrate on studio albums (as Fagen did not like touring and performing live anyway, and they both thought it negatively affected their ability to make great albums). At this point, they began bringing in more guest artists and session musicians, and increasingly incorporating a more jazz-influenced sound, and essentially dissolving the 'band', leaving just Becker and Fagen with numerous and various session musicians for the recording sessions, and no subsequent touring. Fagen and Becker were also notorious perfectionists in the studio, demanding take after take of their musicians, until the sound was perfect. This lead to a trio of successful albums from 1975 to 1978, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam, and Aja. But during the recording of their next album, Gaucho (1980), numerous problems, stresses, and difficulties (including Becker being badly injured getting hit by a Taxicab, in addition to a growing drug addiction), leading to the eventual dissolution of the group in 1981.  During this break-up, Becker moved to Hawaii (to deal with his addiction) and eventually began producing other's albums (including Michael Franks, Rickie Lee Jones, and China Crisis). He also eventually got back with Fagen for his Rock and Soul Revue Show in 1991, which then lead to the full-fledged Steely Dan Reunion and tour in 1993. They have basically been touring ever since, and released new albums in 2000 and 2003 (Two Against Nature, Everything Must Go). I have previously featured several Steely Dan shows from throughout their history, but I have many more, and will probably feature a few more in the next few weeks. But today, in honor and tribute to Walter Becker, here are some demos and outtakes from the recording sessions for Walter's first solo album, 11 Tracks of Whack, from 1994 (which was co-produced by Fagen and Becker, and featured Fagen on keyboards on some tracks). Here are several demos of songs that are on the albujm, as well as some outtakes of tracks that did not make the album, and were never released. Although not quite up to Steely Dan standards (mainly due to Walter's limited vocals), there are several gems here, and this collection nonetheless displays Walter on his own, doing his own music. Certainly much in the same style as Steely Dan, but also some notable differences, and well worth checking out Walter as separate from Steely Dan. So, here's to Walter Becker, a giant in the music industry, who will be greatly missed, but not forgotten, as his music will stand forever.

Tracklist:
 1 Junkie Girl (demo)
 2 Girlfriend (demo)
 3 Cringemaker (demo)
 4 Medical Science (demo)
 5 Sanpaiku
 6 Ghost of Hipness Past aka The Ghost Of Hypnos Past
 7 Lies I Can Believe
 8 Three Sisters Shakin'
 9 Book of Liars (demo)
 10 Hat Too Flat (demo)

All tracks composed by Walter Becker except “Cringemaker by Walter Becker & Dean Parks, and “Three Sisters Shakin'” composed by Walter Becker & Donald Fagen

Musicians
 Walter Becker - Bass, Solo Guitars, Ukulele, Vocals
 Dean Parks - Electric & Acoustic Guitar
 Adam Rogers - Electric Guitar on Hat Too Flat
 Fima Ephron - Bass on Hat Too Flat
 Donald Fagen, John Beasley - Keyboards
 Ben Perowsky - Drums on Hat Too Flat
 Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
 Backing Vocals - Katherine Russell, Brenda White-King
 Bob Sheppard - Saxophone, Woodwind Solos
 Bruce Paulson - Trombone
 Jon Papenbrook - Trumpet

FLAC: Walter Becker_Tracks of Whack Demos-Outtakes_FLAC.rar

mp3: Walter Becker_Tracks of Whack Demos-Outtakes_mp3.rar
Links Updated 08/26/21

Steely Dan - The Lost Gaucho and Outtakes (corrected and enhanced version) - 1979

Steely Dan
The Lost Gaucho and Outtakes
(NEW upgraded version - phase-corrected and cleaned-up)
~1979
Studio outtakes, good to excellent sound quality
For this version, Phase-correction and audio touch-ups and clean-up work provided by Anthony Ochoa for the BB Chronicles

Now available in lossless (FLAC) and mp3 (320 kbps) versions!

My previous post of Steely Dan's Lost Gaucho and Outtakes has consistently been one of the most popular posts ever here at the 'Chronicles'. So naturally, as I was preparing many posts for upgrading (to lossless and/or improved, upgraded quality where possible) a month or so ago, and since previously these were posted only as mp3 files, I planned on including the Lost Gaucho in this upgrade group. Coincidentally, around this same time, I was contacted by an alert blog reader who had recently downloaded the files from here, and who happened to be an audio engineer, and he noticed that for the entire CD1 of the post, the left and right channels were completely (180 degree) out of phase with each other, which resulted in cancellation and loss of sound from some frequencies (particularly low end), and an overall loss of fidelity in the recordings. When I checked it out, he was absolutely right, and as I checked around for other (and Lossless) sources, I found that all the available sources I could find also had the same out-of-phase problem, so it appeared that these were the versions that have been around the trading circles for years. Fortunately, correcting this type of phase issue is quite simple to do, and it is surprising that it has not been fixed before now. Anyway, my new audio engineer blog friend, Anthony Ochoa, was interested in not only fixing the phase problem, but also going through the recordings and doing some EQ and clean-up work on them to bring them up to a higher sound quality. So, that is what he did, and his resulting work on CD1 (The Lost Gaucho) has restored these files to a much fuller, richer sound, almost to a commercial quality level. Unfortunately, the many sound problems on the other batch of outtakes on CD2 were not so easily fixed, as Anthony told me, the "warbling & mushy" sound was probably due to a transfer from "a lousy cassette tape that was poorly calibrated and poorly maintained, as was the deck used to play it back" resulting in some sound problems that can't be fixed. Nonetheless, Anthony also did go through the lesser quality CD2 files and performed some "clean-up work" on them to fix some gaps, fades, and erroneous noise.  Thus, CD1 now has greatly enhanced sound quality, while CD2 only has some minor enhancements, but nonetheless this is an overall upgraded and improved package, and is also now available in lossless as well as mp3. Generally, for my recent upgrades, I have not made new posts, just updated the old one, but for this exciting new enhanced and upgraded version, I thought a new post was warranted. Thanks to Anthony for taking time to make these improvements and make this available. For more info and background on the original recordings and sessions, see the original post here. Note: I am leaving the original post (and link) intact, so that those interested in the unaltered files can still get those. 


CD1: The Lost Gaucho (phase-corrected and equalized)
01 Kind Spirit
02 Were You Blind That Day
03 The Bear
04 The 2nd Arrangement
05 Talkin' About My Home
06 Time Out Of Mind
07 Kulee Baba
08 Gaucho (instr.)

CD2: Various Demos, Outtakes, & Alternate Versions (cleaned-up)
01 Gaucho
02 The Second Arrangement
03 Glamour Profession
04 Babylon Sisters
05 My Rival
06 Gaucho (piano demo)
07 Babylon Sisters
08 The Second Arrangement
09 Talkin' About My Home
10 I Can't Write Home About You
11 Kulee Baba


FLAC - Steely Dan_The Lost Gaucho and Outtakes(corrected-enhanced)_FLAC.rar

New Link! (08/26/21)
mp3 - Steely Dan_The Lost Gaucho and Outtakes(corrected-enhanced)_mp3.part1.rar
          Steely Dan_The Lost Gaucho and Outtakes(corrected-enhanced)_mp3.part2.rar

Steely Dan - 2014-08-19 - Appleton, WI

Steely Dan
2014-08-19
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, WI 
Audience recording, very good quality
Mp3 @ 320 kbps

Another excellent show I saw this summer was Steely Dan, on their 2014 Jamalot Ever After Tour. They sounded great, with a fantastic backing band and singers (stand-outs were drummer Keith Carlock and guitarist Jon Herington). They did a nice selection of songs from throughout their career, some with updated arrangements. They've been doing this sort of 'Big Band' version of their songs for quite awhile now, but they have really manged to perfect it now and still keep things fresh and exciting. So, in honor of that show (which I don't have a recording of), here is a good quality recording from another show on the same tour from a couple weeks earlier, with a very similar setlist (only songs different were that the show I saw included 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number' and 'Godwhacker' instead of 'Two Against Nature' and 'Green Earrings'). A fine show, and one that enables me to update the Steely Dan included here to the current year and tour.

Pictures included are not from the posted Appleton show, but are my own pics from the show I saw (2014-08-29 - Bangor, ME).

Tracklist:
1. Cubano Chant (Ray Bryant cover [Instr.] - Band only)
2. Black Cow
3. Aja
4. Hey Nineteen
5. Black Friday
6. Show Biz Kids
7. Two Against Nature
8. Time Out of Mind
9. Green Earrings
10. Razor Boy (Female vocals)
11. Bodhisattva
12. Everyone's Gone to the Movies
13. Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More (Becker vocals)
14. I Want To (Do Everything for You) (Joe Tex cover) (Female vocals - w/Band Introductions)
15. Josie
16. Peg
17. My Old School
18. Reelin' in the Years
19. Kid Charlemagne
20. The Untouchables (Nelson Riddle cover [Instr.] - Band only)


The Band:
Donald Fagen: Keyboards, Vocals
Walter Becker: Electric guitar, talk

Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery: Vocals
Cindy Mizelle: Vocals
La Tanya Hall: Vocals
Freddie Washington: Electric bass (finger)
Jim Beard: Keyboards
Jim Pugh: Trombone
Jon Herington: Electric guitar
Keith Carlock: Drums
Michael Leonhart: Trumpet
Roger Rosenberg: Baritone saxophone
Walt Weiskopf: Saxophone

Steely Dan_2014-08-19_Appleton.part1.rar
Steely Dan_2014-08-19_Appleton.part2.rar
New Links (Updated 08/11/21)