Who knows who contributed what, but my money is on Becker for breathing life into the warped cast of characters who populate the best Steely Dan songs. Despite the fact that Fagen may have been seen as the “star” of Steely Dan (relatively speaking) because he sang lead on most of their tunes, Becker’s contributions were beyond significant. tweet this It is, for many reasons, unfortunate that Walter Becker is no longer with us. It seems that Fagen doesn’t want a perfect replication of the recording, but rather an honest performance of the song.Įvery member of the band is valued, every player gets a chance to step out front, and each is recognized for the contribution that is made. “Kid Charlamagne,” “Peg,” “Dirty Work.” One masterpiece following the other, each one impeccably played, still with some room for a bit of improvisation. “Black Friday,” “My Old School,” “Reelin’ in the Years.” On and on. These days, the trope that is often trotted out when classic rock bands are out on the road is the one that says, when the band announces, “here’s one from our new album,” half the audience goes for a beer and bathroom break. He played the solos from the Steely Dan songbook accurately and respectfully, but he threw in his own mojo, making for a transcendent musical experience. Back from previous tours at Friday’s show were drummer Keith Carlock and John Herington, an unassuming guitarist who is, as they say these days, a beast. If nothing else, Becker and Fagen always had exacting standards, ensuring that, whether in the studio or on the road, they had the best musicians available. If you’re good enough to play for Steely Dan, then you’re good enough for anyone, the thinking goes. Photo by Tom Richards / Anthony Carvajal Primarily on the strength of the Becker / Fagen canon, music’s best and brightest have welcomed the opportunity to play with Steely Dan, considering it a badge of honor.
Like a chamber orchestra, the musicians in Steely Dan have come and gone, but the songs have remained the same. It has always been more a concept than a band. And therein lies the magic of Steely Dan. Becker went to the big jam session in the sky several years ago, but the band didn’t skip a beat.
The only member of the original Steely Dan onstage Friday was vocalist / keyboard player Fagen. They were, as Rolling Stone termed them, “the thinking fan’s top 40 band.” Far from it.Īlways keeping a low profile, never appearing in gossip columns, and definitely not wrecking any hotel rooms, Becker and Fagen minded their own business, cranking out songs that merged rock and pop with a heavy dose of jazz, coupled with lyrics that might be called subversive.
Sure, there are any number of acts who haven’t had a hit in decades playing the shed circuit this summer, but Steely Dan stands apart from them, in that founders Walter Becker and Donald Fagen and never set out to be rock stars.
The house was full Friday night at the Cynthia Woods Pavilion, despite the fact that the band (such as it is) has released no music that could be termed “beloved” or even “popular” in more than 40 years.