Steely Dan

Steely Dan’s music was definitely a new sound to people when the band started playing in the early seventies and their musical style still holds its defining characteristics that make them so unique. They have the ability to mix the diverse elements of jazz, funk, and rock into one musical style and make it sound cool and smooth.
When performing live Steely Dan does an excellent job presenting their signature style of laid-back music that allows the audience to sit back, relax, and take in the smooth breeze of their music. Donald Fagen is highly responsible for delivering the chilled vibe that we all love so much about Steely Dan’s music. Fagen is the driving force behind the catchy chord progressions ,which he smoothly plays on the Fender Rhodes Electric Piano and the Wurlitzer Electric Piano. Fagen also has a polished, pristine voice that he delivers with much clarity over the jazz-funk rhythms of the music. Walter Becker also adds much of the edge to the sound with the jazz like scales he plays on his guitar. Steely Dan’s sound has a loose feel to it and while at one of their concerts you can see them present this style in a free-form kind of way. Steely Dan is also able to get a full sound by having a backing band consisting of saxophone players that add to the smooth jazz element of the music, as well as having background vocalists that harmonize with each other to create a great depth to the performance. Steely Dan always looks cool and suave when they are on stage. The members wear sport jackets and ties, and sport dapper sunglasses. Their sound has garnered them much praise for their innovated style having already been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and having sold over 40 million albums.
You will always be thrown for a surprise when you see Steely Dan. Their rhythmic and melodic shifts are always changing in ways that captivate the audience and keep their toes tapping to the floor.

What a show! Steely Dan, known most for their studio albums was in rare form last night. I closed my eyes a couple of times (on purpose) and could not tell if I was listening to a CD or a live show. They were in top form, and the young ladies they chose to accompany them on stage could not have been better. They went through most of their most popular songs, but, intentionally or not, did none of their songs that had to do with Las Vegas. I tend to believe it was the former not the latter. But that's okay, considering the massive catalog they had to choose from. Now, on to the audience. What a bunch of dead heads! and I don't mean a Grateful Dead reference here. The show was not sold out, which surprised the hell out of me. There was rarely (if at all) a standing ovation given to a band that clearly deserved a few. But, all in all, I had a great night and would go to see them again in a heartbeat!By the way, I'm 64 and grew up listening to them. Just a point of reference for you all.

Occasionally I am quite proud that I am not so young anymore as it means I can say I have seen some bands that others might regard as legends. Steely Dan fits the bill here. It is difficult to remember a lot about the concert as I saw them back in the 1970s at Leeds University (a great place for gigs in those days and probably still is). I also saw the Doobie Brothers in the same year. I tend to group Steely Dan, Doobies and Eagles together (Eagles I didn't see until many years later). What I remember is a great gig, all the hits like "Do it Again," "Reeling in the Years," "Haitian Divorce."
Sorry I cn't recall much more, but what I do suggest is you check out their music as it is far from old-fashioned.
I am unsure if they are still around, but I am certain there is at least one tribute band! They are American rock with a jazz feel and in my opinion one of the best of that genre.

Okay, this review comes in two parts - a review of the band and a review of the SSE Wembley Arena.

The band. Brilliant musicians and they played magnificently. They go on a bit, though! And any Steely Dan set that omits Do It Again, Haitian Divorce, and Rikki Don't Lose that Number, is below par. Perhaps if they'd spent less time showing off (a drum solo for Chrissakes - who cares?!), they might have squeezed in another tune or two.

The Arena. I haven't been to Wembley Arena for many a year and was surprised to see how little has changed. I spent £95 each for two 'good' seats on the floor of the arena - easily the most expensive non-festival tickets I've ever bought - and they were dreadful. Almost impossible to see the whole stage with someone sitting in front. I would not return to Wembley unless it was a reincarnated David Bowie, supported by XTC and Kate Bush!

This concert began with fine, vintage music from the DOOBIE BROTHERS singing all of their hits from the '70s & '80s ... naturally, this stirred up good memories for those of us at JIFFY LUBE LIVE who are in our 50's & 60's! After the intermission, STEELY DAN (Donald Fagen and company) arrived on stage and began playing what I considered to be contemporary jazz tunes that did not cross over to the pop charts/American Top 40 ... . It is quite clear that Donald Fagen has not lost his supreme talent for music and for the selection of excellent, new band members; however, he seems to have forgotten his "old" fans in that he did not perform his top hits-"PEG" and "DO IT AGAIN" ... this sadden Me. Maybe, his band member, "Lord" Harrington, should tell him how many of Us love these vintage tunes ... .;)

I loved the Steely Dan concert I saw last Thursday! Donald Fagin was in fine form. he seemed looser than the last concert I saw him in at the Sony Centre in Toronto in 2015. He really seemed to be enjoying himself. The Rama Theatre Centre looked to be sold out and everyone there was adoring, especially me. His music resonates somewhere deep in my chest. Is that my soul?
I hadn't expected to find the concert so flawless considering half of the original team was missing with Walter Becker's death, but John Harrington proved to be a master guitarist!I did miss Walter Becker's vocals though. And didn't there used to be four Danettes?
I'm thrilled that Donald Fagan is still touring and I'll sign up to see the next one.

Gratefully I remain,
GailKendall

I should start by saying I have weird obsession with Steely Dan. They're the greatest band ever. "America greatest maybe rock non-band" in their own words. I really enjoyed the concert at the overture center in Madison. Their band for the Jamalot Ever After tour is really solid, and the sound quality was great. I've seen them a few times, and they're really starting to get over themselves and play what the people want to hear: the hits! There was a time when they wouldn't play Reelin in the Years live. They played it! They played almost all of my favorite songs. I would've liked it if they got into their deep cuts more, but you can't say no to one great tune after another.

First...I have never missed a Steely Dan concert!!
I was fortunate enough to win a trip to meet and see them in concert in London,England back in September 2000.
When I met Walter Becker and Donald Fagan at the Apollo Hammersmith in London back in 2000..It was a dream come true..meeting my all time favorite band. Talking with Walter..he was a cordial .great guy to talk to...like he was your next door neighbor..in fact If you had asked Walter to come over and mow your lawn..he was THAT nice and would probably do that. That trip of a lifetime I will ALWAYS remember..and meeting the two who formed Steely Dan! RIP Walter....

Saw Steely Dan with Doobie Brothers in Charlotte PNC pavilion. Had a good sized crowd there of people 4O to 80. The musicianship was excellent. I would have preferred some deep cuts from Steely Dan such as Doctor Woo, Pearl of the Quarter, or Razor Boy, but you can't have it all. I got in and out of the show in about 15 minutes. Beer is around 15 dollars, so I saw the show completely sober. I particularly liked the dance groove Green Flower Street and Natural Thing.

Oddly, the first time I knowingly heard Steely Dan (Reeling In The Years) I didn't like them. It wasn't until a few years later that I heard "Deacon Blues" on the radio and asked who that band was. When I learned it was Steely Dan I did an about face and began listening to their earlier works. After that I was hooked and they are now the only group that I have in their entirety on my iPhone songlist. By the way, I still don't like "Reeling In The Years".