Steely Dan is Walter Becker and Donald Fagan, who got together in the late sixties on a college, and soon formed the successful duo. They developed a very individual sophisticated style, which combines elements of Rock, Funk, Blues and Jazz. Steely Dan began in 1972 with the following line up:  Donald Fagen (vocals and Keyboards), Walter Becker (Bass), Denny Dias (Guitar), Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Guitar), Jim Hodder (Drums) and David Palmer (Vocals).
On their first album 'Can't buy A Thrill' also guestmusician -guitarist Elliot Randall did a very good job. Live Steely Dan were accompanied by Michael McDonald on vocals and keys and Jeff Porcaro on drums. After the sudden end of live touring, McDonald changed over to the Doobie Brothers and Porcaro founded Toto. Although Becker and  Fagan did not play any concerts anymore, they still continued making brilliant records like Countdown To Ecstacy’, ‚Pretzel Logic’, Katy Lied  ‚The Rojal Scam’, ‚Aja’ and ‚Gaucho’.
The final split started with an argument with the label, led across the drug death of Becker's girlfriend, of which he was accused of, went further into a car accident, where Becker broke one leg several times at once. And he fought agains his own drug addiction. He moved to Hawaii to find to himself again. And he is still living on the island of Maui just up the road to the volcano Haleakula. I got the prove, as I was there a few years ago. 
Donald Fagan started to work more intensively solocarriere. Inbetween also Walter Becker released solorecords and some Steely Dan Anthologies and Best of's... came out. 
First in 1993 Steely Dan found back together and toured - 'Alive in America' A worldtour followed in 1996. And in 2000 the first album after more than 20 years named ' 'Two Against Nature' came out. They were intoducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and two years later the current album 'Everything Must Go' was released. About two years ago, Steely Dan received the lifetime Grammy Award and it wenit around the globe in every daily news. 

And now they are back again on the so called 'Heavy Rollers' tour. By the way, a Heavy Roller is a gambler who plays for a high amount of money at the Casino. 

Steely Dan live in Concert....
Oh by the way, the name Steely Dan is borrowed by a novel named 'Naked Lunch' by William S.Burrough, where the figure in the story is a metal Dildo.


                                                                                                           

This concert here in Stuttgart within the Jazz Open Festival 2007, is a double headliner concert set. Starting off with Blood Sweat & Tears, who also started their carriere in the 60s, most known is David Clayton Thomas, who came into the band one year after it was founded. The selftitled album got a grammy in 1969. and sold successfully 3,8 Mill. copies. Every child knows their biggest hitsingle 'Spinning Wheel'.

Alright, with those Blood Sweat&Tears from the past this one here hasn't got anything to do anymore except still playing the old music. Unfortunately there is not even one original member left.  They all are very good musicians as well, who show their talents with some extensive soli. But these soli are sometimes a bit too much. Nevertheless  the presentation of the band is great and carries the heritage of Spinning Wheel into the future. 
Blood Sweat & Tears Website

’Hi Kids’ - a seemingly slightly overdrawn Donald Fagan says hello to... - no not to the audiance, but to his collegues on stage. He shows a certain coolness like an elderly Gigolo. Jesus wept.... up there the world's best musicians are gathering, but they still seem like an average Jazz Fusion Combo, who are glad to be able to appear live. Whereby probably it's the other way round. And the promoter of the Jazz Open is more than happy to have got this lot for one gig. That's like a winning in a lottery game. The Pariser Square is truly the right place for a Steely Dan concert. On one side  the hyper modern glas building of two bank companies, and on the other side empty building sites. But like we say - contrasts pull each other to each other. Walter Becker and Donal Fagan are two contrasts for themselves, Al Capone meets uncle Albert, pardon ... Walter...who - on the other hand build up such a unique harmony. The rest of the supergroup consists of:  Drummer Keith Carlock, Bassist FreddieWashington , John Harrington (Git.), Michael Leonhard (trumpet) and Jeff Young on Keyboard, as well as the two background singers  Ann Excoffery and Cyndie Mizelle. 
No, they don't need long solos to show their quality, only about 20 seconds intro to introduce every single musician. That's it. 

The actual phantastic fact at a concert of Steely Dan is, that not even one song sounds like on records, and is also differently arranged from gig to gig. But this ain't a coincident. Everything is 100% perfectly calculated. every tune, every cord, every detail. And though nothing sound steril. 
Another true fact, - the music of Fagan and Becker sounds as it it has been written just yesterday. What's up to the lyrics, according to to one Rolling Stones Editor, you almost need a degree in literature. 
Although everything sounds so easy light like a feather and not too complicated. Yeah Steely Dan are sophisticated, advanced and with a certain concept. Those most expensive and best instruments they use up there seem partly like collectors items from a street market. Uncle Walter seems selfconfident and relaxed in opposite to Donal Fagan, who's funny movements are reminding me somehow at Ray Charles, including the sunglasses. But fortunately Fagan ain't blind and not handycaped. And he's got that unique voice, which is like a brand for Steely Dan. No it's not that great, but good and listening to it, you know immidiately who is singing, either Fagan - solo or Fagan within Steely Dan.

Unfortunately not everybody here tonight seems to give full attention and enjoy this great performance of all those V.I.P.s. And many of them are rather here to enjoy the rich buffet and the countless free drinks and make an awful noise as well which is pretty annoying. We are here not at a Heavy Metal concerts, where the sound swallows every other noise. 

Next to this negative point, there is even one more to complain about. Steely Dan play a full 90minute set. But it still seems miles too short. Not just because they easily could fill another 3 hours with all their music but also simply because of the fact, that you expect more of an artist like this. But unfortunatley it doesn't happen. Strike 10.30 PM the magic is finished, and the probably best band in the world  says good Bye with the song 'Carolyn no more and without a big fuss.

I come to the conclusion that despite the circumstance, that the simple tunes like ‚Ricky Don’t Lose That Number’ und ‚Do It Again’ were missing in tonight's setlist, this show here has been one of the best concerts I've experienced within 30 years.  And I mean it....


PS:..... Question: , which other Band gets a one page full Concert Live Review in the Süddeutschen Newspaper?! the biggest conservative paper we got here in the south of Germany.  – I don't know any other artist - And you?.....
http://www.steelydan.com/