Grousing The Aisles: Steely Dan Edition
Last weekend I finally caught up on organizing all of the amazing shows I’ve downloaded since I started this column 16 months ago. One thing that blew me away was how many incredible sounding (and looking) Steely Dan bootlegs that I’ve grabbed from the torrent and MP3 bootleg sites. I thought instead of being a selfish chazer (Yiddish anyone?), I’d take this opportunity to compile all of the kickass Dan recordings for those who may have missed out in the past.
We’ve got links to 10 of the best Steely Dan bootlegs you could possibly find. Hopefully you enjoy them as much as I am. Let’s check ‘em out:
Steely Dan 03/20/1974 FM (FLAC, MP3):
After listening to one of Steely Dan’s rare live gigs from the ’70s, I’m just confused as to why these guys didn’t tour behind any of their legendary albums. The Dan absolutely tore it up in the live setting with a band that included Michael McDonald, Denny Dias and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. To see what I’m talking about, download this crispy-as-fuck radio show Steely Dan recorded on March 20th, 1974.
I’ve had a copy of this show for years, but the hiss on the analog tape made it unlistenable. But last week a pristine copy of the set made its way to the torrent sites. My old copy has now become my new coaster. The show begins with a high-energy romp through Bodhisattva that features Baxter and Walter Becker trading mind-blowing licks. Do It Again is a little more groovin’ than the album version thanks to McDonald’s work on the Rhodes. Other nuggets on this recording include the nasty solos in Rikki Don’t Lose That Number and a soulful version of Any Major Dude. We can only hope that more crispy recordings from the Dan’s epic 1974 tour surface soon. Read on for much more GTA…
Steely Dan 8/22/93 SBD (FLAC, MP3):
When I first started collecting live music, you couldn’t find many Steely Dan shows. But recently a nice little flurry of soundboard recordings from the band’s 1993 and 1996 tours have found their way out of hiding. Today we take a look at this recording from a stop in Saratoga Springs on the band’s 1993 reunion tour. All the classics can be found, as well as a few lesser-known songs like Book of Liars and Black Friday. Becker and Fagen seem to come out of their shell on this night and share a few stories with the extremely attentive crowd. Plus Donald Fagen plays a keytar, so this show automatically rules.
The final few songs of the show are from a decent quality audience tape, and the My Old School/FM combo to end the show with Walter Becker’s eight-year old son is a worthwhile listen. No band fused jazz and rock together like the Dan, especially in a live setting. Get on this one and get down…
Steely Dan w/ Michael McDonald 08/12/2006 PROSHOT (DVD, MP3):
Nearly every shed in America these days has those screens that show video of the concert to people with bad views. Most of the footage from these screens either doesn’t get recorded or gets stashed in the archives of the venue or the performer. Once in a while, though, video from one of these concerts leaks onto the ‘net. The latest of these leaks comes from last summer’s Steely Dan tour, which featured special guest and longtime HT idol Michael McDonald.
The Dan was feelin’ it this night, rolling through magnificent performances of hits such as Hey 19, Green Earrings, and Josie. Mikey Mac adds his husky vocals to the last seven songs of the set, including the kickass My Old School closer. The Steely Dan Orchestra backing band is made up of extremely talented musicians. Keith Carlock is a revelation on the drums — at times there is so much going on that you wonder whether there are two drummers behind the kit. Backup vocalists Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery and Cindy Mizelle both look and sing beautifully.
The quality of this footage is unbelievably good, allowing a nice look at the ladies as they sing their hearts out during Dirty Work. The crispy soundboard feed that supplies the audio is also top notch, and worth the download by itself. I can honestly say that in my four years of collecting live concert DVDs, this puppy may take the cake as the best in my collection. It’s that good.
If that isn’t enough to feed your Dan addiction here are seven additional high quality Steely Dan bootlegs from various points throughout their illustrious career:
- Memphis, TN 4/30/1974 (MP3)
- London, UK 5/20/1974 (FLAC, MP3)
- St. Louis, MO 9/01/1993 (FLAC, MP3)
- Manassas, VA 7/21/1996 (DVD, FLAC)
- George, WA 08/14/1996 (MP3)
- Clarkston, MI 08/11/2003 (DVD)
- Universal City, CA 10/02/2003 (MP3)
Are there any great Becker/Fagen boots I’ve missed? Share with the class…
Long Live the Dan!
Seriously, these guys are the shit. That first ‘74 FM is all the evidence you need.
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I always loved the Record Plant version of “Any Major Dude” with Royce Jones. I’ve been singing it that way when I play it for years now.
Thanks for the rest of these. I’m excited to hear them, but it’s too bad you have to download them one at a time.
Fantastic! Alive in America was never going to be enough for the dandom. Have seen them every UK tour ( thats only 4 here) and this brings it all back. The bits of dialogue in between the tracks just help to put you right there. Thank you so very much. Please please can you get the Manassas gig on mp3? Heck, any more would be excellent too.
Thank you SO MUCH for these… I am thoroughly enjoying them. Your generosity is much appreciated. These are absolutely amazing-sounding boots. And if the record label ever releases them officially, I’ll be first in line to buy at that time.
Oh man, thank you sooooo much!!!
Steely Dan, for years, has been one of those bands that’s just difficult to emulate. Joni Mitchell & Sting do come close, but the combination of great jazz/rock musicianship and catchy songs seems to elude most bands out there. This is the reason for Steely Dan’s continued popularity. They continue unchallenged. I’ll be seeing them at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, WA this summer. It’ll be the first time I’ve seen this group which I’ve enjoyed for years. These bootlegs are a most welcome addition to my collection.
Haya, Dan with the Donald is better than the 2 against nature dvd. Caught them at Hammersmith Appollo last summer….. Still in orbit now. I have a few bootlegs and even though part of me favours the Pine Knob gig, when Fagan joins MacD with vocals on ‘Do it again’ at the same time on the above dvd something special is being cooked up. If anyone knows of a soundboard recording of the 2007 Hammersmith gig please share the love cos its the only time I’ve heard the band perform 2 against nature track……. It absolutly rocked. No wonder the 2 A N album swept the awards. Any doubts check it out. Big, Huge favour… Any chance the the Gorge, Clarkston and Universal City gigs can be reposted ? I will be eternally greatful and in Santa’s good books 4ever.
Cheers 4 all again
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