After diggin' these guys my whole adult life, I finally saw them - Donald & Walter in the flesh, from 16 rows back. Lord have mercy, why did I wait? It was truly special to hear those quirky rock masterpieces performed live. Fagen reminded me a little of Ray Charles - kinda old and bespectacled - even cranky looking -- but still able to deliver the goods and then some. Now I didn't know what to expect from Becker. He's a guitar man and you know how they've showcased some pretty awesome outside help over the years in this category. Well, Walter played non-stop leads on his Strat throughout the show, while handing off most of those familiar riffs & hooks to his young band colleague (Jon Herington). I also got the feeling that Becker might be the glue that holds these stellar musicians together. When's the last time you heard a trombone at a rock concert? All I know is that it all fit like a glove.
They opened with a 10 minute version of AJA. One of my favorite songs ever and performed superbly (…Chinese Music always sets me free). Then Time Out of Mind from Gaucho (I choose not to chase the dragon). It's probably no wonder that they started off with a couple of older tunes - the crowd was distinguished (somewhat gray) and knew every line. I certainly did not feel out of place. During the evening, the band cranked out a few from the new album (Everything Must Go) and I think only one from Two Against Nature (Janie Runaway). The other great songs were all from the fertile 70s - a decade that seems to dominate, but not overwhelm, the soundtrack of my life. As if I needed further validation of my love for all those masterful Steely Dan album cuts, the boys encored with Don't Take Me Alive and then My Old School. We were hootin' and hollerin' and the band was jamming wildly as Donald & Walter ambled off the stage. Heading to the Dude Ranch, I suppose. GD