Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Steely Dan show tonight - July 29 - cancelled

Tonight's Gaucho + show at the Beacon in New York has been cancelled with a "reschedule to follow" according to steelydan.com.

Next up of the Beacon shows are the July 31 The Royal Scam + and August 1 Internet request night.

UPDATE July 30:

The show is now scheduled for August 12. Tickets for July 29 will be good for the August 12 show.

Quote from New York Times:
A publicist for Steely Dan released a statement at 4 p.m. saying the cancellation was due to illness, and that tickets would be honored at a rescheduled performance on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Refunds are available for ticket-holders who cannot attend.

A colleague who attended the Steely Dan concert on Tuesday night, when the band played the album “Aja,” said that mid-way through the show, lead singer Donald Fagen told the audience that he had a cold but would “soldier on.”

Steely Dan: Yes or no?

Steely Dan pro an con on New York public radio station WNYC, who presents it all like this:
The jazz-inflected rock group Steely Dan set the bar high for studio precision and musical complexity in rock during the 1970s. Fans laud the band’s light-funk touch, sarcastic lyrics and lasting popularity. Others say the duo of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen is just too smooth. As Steely Dan mounts an eight-night stand at the Beacon Theatre, rock critic Kandia Crazy Horse and Sean Manning, editor of the essay collection Rock 'n’ Roll Cage Match, face off in a Soundcheck Smackdown.


Download the whole episode above as an mp3 and/or leave your comments on this page.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Donald Fagen: We’re more philanthropists than perfectionists

Donald Fagen & Walter Becker. Photo: Danny ClinchDonald Fagen & Walter Becker. Photo: Danny Clinch

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in a short but well-worth-reading interview in am New York. Just click here.

We do like answers like Donald's take on today's pop music and his answer to the question if they like touring nowadays:
We adore it. It’s so much fun. You get to travel around and play for people. Sometimes they like it, and sometime they couldn’t care if you live or die.
And Walter's explanation of why the do the Internet request nights this tour sounds enirely plausible:
I had dream one night, and in this dream I was visited by an animal that was a cross between a ram and goat, with 14 eyes and six horns...
Go here for the rest of the answer ... and the whole interview.

Monday, July 27, 2009

U2 on tour means The Edge on Twitter!

Photos from The Edge...

While U2 tours member The Edge takes snaps and posts them on Twitter! See what he's snapped so far on Twitpic.

Elton John on live mixed instant tour CD:s

He's not the first, but as an artist more or less constantly on tour this makes sense. And so you can now buy all 13 of Elton John's UK and European shows as 3 CD packages mixed and delivered to your home. Or picked up directly after the concert as a souvernir.

More info on the Concert Live homepage here. £20 per show.

Supplies are said to be "limited".

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Michael Jackson: Sickest ... so far

According to Billboard.com the charred locks of hair from Michael Jackson's disastrous Pepsi commercial shoot are being turned into diamonds. Chicago-based jeweler LifeGem has announced plans to release a limited collection made from the King of Pop's hair.

"Our plan is to give people an opportunity to own a diamond made from Michael Jackson's DNA," said Dean VandenBiesen, founder of LifeGem, in a statement.

The hair was first obtained by executive producer Ralph Cohen during the now-infamous 1984 Pepsi shoot for Pepsi when Jackson's hair caught on fire. After helping extinguish Jackson's hair with his Armani jacket, Cohen scooped up the hair and put it into the jacket's pocket, where it remained until Jackson's death 25 years later.

After Jackson's passing, collector John Reznikoff received the hair from Cohen and reached out to LifeGem about turning the hair into diamonds. The company had collaborated with Reznikoff in 2007 when they created diamonds from Beethoven's hair.

Reznikoff:
"The provenance and authenticity of this lock of hair is impeccable, including the highly publicized video showing the original owner of the hair using his Armani jacket to extinguish Jackson' hair."

Radio Dupree is ... speechless. The whole thing is sick, twisted, disrespectful.... So wrong and we can't think of one right thing about it all.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Steely Dan live 2009: Setlists Boston



Three shows, three setlists:

July 22 - Aja (+)

: : : Aja : : :

Black Cow
Aja
Deacon Blues
Peg
Home at Last
I Got the News
Josie

: : : The Royal Scam : : :

Kid Charlemagne
The Caves Of Altamira
Don't Take Me Alive
Sign In Stranger
The Fez
Green Earrings
Haitian Divorce
Everything You Did
The Royal Scam

Encores:
Hey Nineteen
Love Is Like An Itchin' In My Heart + Band Introductions
Black Friday
The Boston Rag
Dirty Water
My Old School


July 24 - Gaucho (+)

: : : Gaucho : : :

Babylon Sisters
Hey Nineteen
Glamour Profession
Ggaucho
Time Out Of Mind
My Rival
Third World Man

Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Ggodwhacker
I Got The News
Home At Last
Show Biz Kids
Parker's Band
Deacon Blues
Love Is Like An Itchin' In My Heart + Band intros
Peg
Josie
My Old School

Encores:
Kid Charlemagne
Reelin' In The Years (Original version)
Dirty Water

July 25 - Internet request night

The Royal Scam
Bodhisattva
Hey Nineteen
Black Friday
Babylon Sisters
Aja
Peg
Dirty Work
FM
Rikki Don’t Lose that Number
Doctor Wu
Any Major Dude
Do It Again
Love Is Like An Itchin' In My Heart + band intros
Black Cow
Josie
Don’t Take Me Alive
Kid Charlemagne

Encores:
Reelin’ in the Years
My Old School
Dirty Water

Upcoming shows :

July 28 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Aja (Plus)
July 29 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Gaucho (Plus)
July 31 - New York - Beacon Theatre | The Royal Scam (Plus)

August 01 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Internet Request
August 03 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Aja (Plus)
August 04 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Internet Request

August 07 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods Casino
August 08 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata

August 10 - New York - Beacon Theatre | The Royal Scam (Plus)
August 11 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Internet Request

August 14 - Memphis, TN - Mud Island
August 15 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain |on sale now

August 21 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | Aja (Plus)
August 22 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | Gaucho (Plus)
August 24 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | The Royal Scam (Plus)
August 25 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | Internet Request

August 28 - Las Vegas NV - Palms/Pearl

August 31 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | Aja (Plus)
September 01 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | Gaucho (Plus)
September 03 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | The Royal Scam (Plus)
September 04 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | Internet Request

September 05 - Detroit MI - Soundboard/MotorCity Casino

- - - - -

Two useful links:

steelydan.com - The only place for updates.
dandom.com/Bluebook - The fan page for breaking news, views and the occasional rumour.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Italian travels - 3

Two new friends found in Italy relaxing in the sofa back home in Sweden

A final report from Radio Dupree's Circus Money t-shirt:
Back home a week now, slightly worse for wear and reflecting on the trip to Italy.
As the original plan of me reviewing the Padova and Perugia Steely Dan shows was scrapped, I can concentrate on a couple of other things from the week in the warm and welcoming parts of nothern Italy that we visited.

The shows are covered in this post written by my wearer.

In the small town of Piazzola sul Benta (population about 11 000) just north of Padova, I was stunned to find that the legendary Italian sense of fashion had experienced a local blackout: I was the only Circus Money t-shirt in town!
In fact, the lack of Steely Dan apparel both puzzled and stunned me.

While casually walking down the street I did see and hear at least one pair of guys spot me and say something about "Steely Dan" and "tonight".
I decided to check out what was on sale at the arena. Not surprisingly all stuff marked Rent Party Tour was missing. That's the name of the US leg of the 2009 tour. While in Europe it ws the Left Bank Holiday Tour.

So I saw a white Left Bank Holiday t-shirt (€25) as well as a female Steely Dan 09 t-shirt, a keyring and a mug. Now, I am not quite sure if the mug and the keyring was Rent Party or not, but they looked like the stuff pictured here. You could buy the familiar black Aja t-shirt and maybe something more, but I concentrated on the LBH t-shirt and then the show.
CORRECTION July 25: The Left Bank Holiday tour mechandising is pictured here!

Highlight of the day for me personally was when Mr. Herington did comment favourable at me showing up there. A great guy with a keen sense not only for guitar playing but also spotting good looking clothes!

In Perugia a couple of days later I turned even more heads strolling along the Corso Vanucci and Via Baglioni in a city knee-deep in history and the ongoing Umbria Jazz Festival.

Once again the lack of Steely Dan t-shirts was obvious. And this time I didn't find anything for sale at the arena except the official Umbria Jazz Festival stuff. Might have missed the Steely Dan merchandising, but if it was there I doubt that it was any different from the Piazzola sul Brenta/Padova show.

All in all I had a great time. As great a time as a t-shirt can have. And I look forward to follow my wearer on his next Steely Dan adventure ... wherever and whenever that might be.

Keep clean!

/Radio Dupree's Circus Money t-shirt
All the Rent Party merchandise is pictured - but not for sale - at steelydan.com. But since we haven't seen any pics of the Left Bank Holiday design we'll publish two photos here of the front and back of the t-shirt for sale at the shows:


CORRECTION July 25: All of the Left Bank Holiday tour mechandising is pictured here!

Italian travels - 1
Italian travels - 2

Thursday, July 23, 2009

And here's yet another Steely Dan collection...

Looks like the Netherlands gets an expanded Steely Dan collection this year. While most of the world has to settle for the 2 CD 33 track Very Best Of , this TV ad talks about Steely Dan Collected, a 3 CD 47 track collection:



UPDATE July 24:

We did a quick and fruitless search for a track listing yesterday, but thanks to Quaudiophiliac who left a link in the comments here it is:


CD 1
01. Do It Again
02. Dirty Works
03. Only A Fool Would Say That
04. Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)
05. Midnight Cruiser
06. My Old School
07. Pretzel Logic
08. Rikki Don't Lose That Number
09. Rose Darling
10. Bad Sneakers
11. Everyone's Gone to the Movies
12. The Fez
13. Deacon Blues
14. Hey Nineteen
15. Babylon Sister

CD 2
01. Reelin' In The Years
02. Turn That Heartbeat Again
03. Night By Night
04. With A Gun
05. Any Major Dude Will Tell You
06. Black Friday
07. Doctor Wu
08. Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
09. Any World (That I'm Welcome To)
10. Chain Lightning
11. Green Earrings
12. Kid Charlemagne
13. Here At The Western World
14. Peg
15. Josie
16. Time Out Of Mind
17. Third World Man

CD 3
01. Bodhisattva
02. Show Biz Kids
03. Pearl Of The Quarter
04. Parker's Band
05. Barrytown
06. Throw Back the Little Ones
07. Don't Take Me Alive
08. Haitian Divorce
09. Sign In Stranger
10. Black Cow
11. Aja
12. Home At Last
13. FM
14. Gaucho
15. Everyone's Gone to the Movies (Demo)

And the release date is July 24.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Steely Dan live 2009: Radio Dupree's envoy on the shows in Padova and Perugia



The shows in Padova (or rather Piazzola sul Brenta outside Padova) and Perugia was the sixth and seventh times I've seen Steely Dan live.
And looking back on it I find that although a lot of songs have been on that setlist each and every time, the seven shows have all been very different shows to me. I've enjoyed them all.

It also means that I know what a Steely Dan show will bring and what to expect:

* Great music played great by great musicians. Check.
* Familiar songs but some of them rearranged. Check.
* Not much of a stage show part from that and some dry comment from Donald and Walter's Hey Nineteen story. Check.
* As this was my first time in Italy I expected some nice surroundings and arenas. Check.
* A loud and engaged audience. And that's where I was surprised to find an audience that was ... reserved. Clearly enjoying the show, but leaning back a bit too far in those chairs. It wasn't enough to get that audience - band thing going. You know what I mean. That upward spiral of audience feeding band feeding audience.

I enjoyed both shows from roughly the same spot; row 7 and 11 respectively. Padova and Perugia are both outdoor venues. Perugia a more traditional one on a sports field, Padova in the piazza of the beautiful Villa Conatrini dating back to 1546.
With a mild breeze on a warm evening I can't think of any indoor arena that could be better.

The sound was to my ears better in Padova than Perugia, but how you experience things
like that is also in many ways individual. I talked to a person who had found the back
-up singers mixed way too low in Piazzola. Something I hadn't noticed.

After looking at some of the videos on YouTube it seems like the scene lights in both Padova and Perugia were cut to aminimum. Black background and little more that a spotlight on Donald singing or the person playing a solo. At least that's the way it felt.

By now I know that a Steely Dan show will not include any stage antics from anyone in the band. Singing and playing and not much moving save the back-up singers. But a wall of light patterns is a plus.

The opening act for some of the European shows; Toon Roos Quartet, wasn't listed for the Padova show, but appeared and played while I had a beer at the bar just behind the stage.
People sitting around small tables on a patio. I spotted Keith Carlock and Jon Herington a couple of tables away. And Roger Rosenberg and Walt Weiskopf walked by.

Sow what about the actual shows?
Donald was in fine voice and made more short comments than I've seen him do before in Padova. A bit hoarser in Perugia.

Jon Herington had less to do and Walter more.

Jim Beard was hidden away behind Donald and the singers but delivered a organ solo on Green Earrings that had me smiling. Still does.

And I must say that three singers sound so much better than two. In their big wigs they did a fair amount of moving about seeming to enjoy themselves.

In the horn section "newcomer" Marvin Stamm did his thing very well.

Did I like the "new" Show Biz Kids? Yes. The new Reelin'? Yes.

And I do feel that Walter did two inspired versions of that Hey Nineteen stroy.

The previous time I saw Steely Dan was in Stockholm 2007. Then I was surprised at how tight and no nonsense the show was. From one song to the next. Bam! Bam! Bam! But it didn't feel like they were hurring through it to be someplace else.

The Steely Dan show 2009 has a bit more air in songs and between songs. Is it just me or did they slow down Two Against Nature?

Villa Conatrini in Piazzola sul Brenta outside Padova was a great place to listen to Steely Dan live. Under an Italian evening sky that even managed to deliver a storm with lightning that came creeping closer during the first few songs jut to pull back and then stop altogether.
The air was warm and I had a great time.

After the show the place quickly shut down. Which didn't stop me from experiencing what the centre of Piazzola sul Brenta feels like at 2:34 AM. And I've got a 30 second video of it:



Perugia was in the middle of the Umbria Jazz Festival and Steely Dan played a longer set while the audience was slightly more engaged and active in the proceedings. Another outdoor arena on a warm night. Another fine show.

P.S.
As I said to a non-audience member after the Padova show; I'm there to have a good time so I'm not looking for the small wrongs but the big right in the whole of the show. Or something like that. It sounded profound and like an insight at the time and I still stand by it. :)

What was played:

Padova/Piazzola sul Brenta - - -

Time Out Of Mind
Bodhisattva
Show Biz Kids
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Black Friday
Aja
Hey Nineteen
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Glamour Profession
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Green Earrings
Love is Like an Itchin' In My Heart + band intros
Josie
Peg

Encore:
Kid Charlemagne

Perugia - - -

Reelin' In The Years (new version)
Time Out of Mind
Bodhisattva
I Got The News
Show Biz Kids
Black Friday
Home At Last
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Green Earrings
Love Is Like An Itchin In My Heart + band intros
Peg
My Old School

Encore:
Kid Charlemagne

Finally a great big thank you to all the firnly, fun and helpful people I met on the trip and who helped me get to see a great band make beautiful music in a beautiful land. You all know who you are.

Steely Dan live 2009: Premiere for special setlist shows tonight

It's just a few hours now before the second leg of the US Rent Party '09 tour starts with the first of a series of special setlist shows.
The Wang Theatre in Boston is where Steely Dan will play Aja + tonight, Gaucho + the 24 and Internet request night the 25.

From then it's on to New York, Los Angeles and Chicago who'll also get a The Royal Scam + nights in addition to the three mentioned above. New York will get a double dose of all.

So what can we expect of this the first night?

Most definitely: All seven tracks from Aja. Dedicated fans in the audience. A great evening.
Definitely not: Dr. Wu. Left Bank Holiday t-shirt for sale.

Interesting to see will be what songs hide behind the moniker "selected additional favorites". Will it be from the setlists played so far this year? Will they avoid the other album night albums; The Royal Scam and Gaucho? Will they try out a couple of the songs from those two not played yet this year? Will Aja be played in actual song order from first to last or will the songs be spread out all through the setlist?

AND THIS JUST IN FROM THE STEELY DAN NEWSLETTER:
Steely Dan's Rent Party '09 12-piece band will be enlarged by one when Donald and Walter reunite with the legendary guitarist Larry Carlton for six special setlist shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
The six shows in question are July 31 and August 1 at the Beacon, NYC, August 24 and 25 at Gibson, Los Angeles and Sept 3 and 4 at Chicago Theatre, Chicago. Will Kid Charlemagne be played all six nights? We would think so! Just wondering who'll play the guitar solo... ;)

UPDATE July 23:

Apparently a g-r-e-a-t night last night. The fans are rawing and two reviews from local newspapers are more than happy with the Aja night as well:

The Boston Herald

The Boston Globe

Not only did the band play Aja from start to finish. It followed that up by playing the whole of The Royal Scam plus five more songs making this the longest setlist so far this tour. Something of a contrast to the final European show; the Monaco one with the shortest setlist this tour. About half.

Next up Gaucho tomorrow. What will they add on to that album? The Royal Scam again?

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Steely Dan live 2009: Setlist Milan & Perugia, Italy and Monte Carlo, Monaco

OK. We have the final three setlists from the European Left Bank Holiday Tour '09 here:

July 09 - Milan, Italy - Arena Civica:

Reelin' In The Years (new version)
Time Out Of Mind
Bodhisattva
I Got The News
Show Biz Kids
Black Friday
Home At Last
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Green Earrings
Love Is Like An Itchin' In My Heart + band intros
Peg
My Old School

Encore:
Kid Charlemagne


July 11 - Perugia, Italy- Umbria Jazz Festival

Reelin' In The Years (new version)
Time Out of Mind
Bodhisattva
I Got The News
Show Biz Kids
Black Friday
Home At Last
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Green Earrings
Love Is Like An Itchin In My Heart + band intros
Peg
My Old School

Encore:
Kid Charlemagne

Jul 12 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Sporting Club

Reelin' In The Years (new version)
Time Out of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Two Against Nature
Black Friday
Aja
Hey 19
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Love Is Like An Itchin' In My Heart + band intros
Josie
Peg

Encore:
Kid Charlemagne

As posted by T on the dandom.com Bluebook.

Identical setlists in Milan and Perugia and the shortest so far in Monaco. Just 14 songs.

And it's back to the US for the second leg of the Rent Party '09 tour starting in a few days.
If you're going to any of the shows and would like to meet up with other Steely Dan fans do sign up for the Danfest list and get involved!

Upcoming shows :

July 22 - Boston - Wang Theatre | Aja (Plus)
July 24 - Boston - Wang Theatre | Gaucho (Plus)
July 25 - Boston - Wang Theatre | Internet Request

July 28 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Aja (Plus)
July 29 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Gaucho (Plus)
July 31 - New York - Beacon Theatre | The Royal Scam (Plus)

August 01 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Internet Request
August 03 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Aja (Plus)
August 04 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Internet Request

August 07 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods Casino
August 08 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata

August 10 - New York - Beacon Theatre | The Royal Scam (Plus)
August 11 - New York - Beacon Theatre | Internet Request

August 14 - Memphis, TN - Mud Island
August 15 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain |on sale now

August 21 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | Aja (Plus)
August 22 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | Gaucho (Plus)
August 24 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | The Royal Scam (Plus)
August 25 - Los Angeles CA - Gibson Amp. | Internet Request

August 28 - Las Vegas NV - Palms/Pearl

August 31 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | Aja (Plus)
September 01 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | Gaucho (Plus)
September 03 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | The Royal Scam (Plus)
September 04 - Chicago IL - Chicago Theatre | Internet Request

September 05 - Detroit MI - Soundboard/MotorCity Casino

- - - - -

Two useful links:

steelydan.com - The only place for confirmed dates.
dandom.com/Bluebook - The fan page for breaking news, views and the occasional rumour.

There’s no scamming Steely Dan fans - The Boston Globe

Some fun and, if we can take it as truth, some info regarding the upcoming Album nights in the following article/telephone interview with Donald Fagen & Walter Becker in The Boston Globe:

There’s no scamming Steely Dan fans

Becker gives away what the top resquested songs are and we also get a slightly different answer to the often asked question "If you stopped touring back in the 70's because you didn't like touring, why are you out on the road year after year these days?"

Also what of the three albums to be performed that management thought would be most popular and what album is selling the most tickets.

Just a short taste from the article:

Q. So are you all working on new music, either for Steely Dan or solo albums?

Fagen: We’re talking about it.

Becker: We have all sorts of irons in the fire.

Fagen: We have some strategies.

Q. So what you’re saying is you have nothing?

Becker: Right. Exactly right.
:)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Radio Dupree Top 20 - July 2009

1. Steely Dan - Doctor Wu
Katy Lied

2. Eric Bibb - Every Time It Rains
Natural Light

3. Van Morrison - The Big Royalty Check
The Bang Records Contractual Obligation Sessions

4. The Beatles -You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
Past Masters Volume Two

5. Frank Zappa - Wind Up Workin' In A Gas Station
Zoot Allures

6. Paul McCartney & Wings - Let Me Roll It
Band On The Run [25th Anniversary Edition]

7. The Electric Light Orchestra - Boy Blue
Eldorado

8. George Duke - The Once Over
My Soul - The Complete MPS Fusion Recordings

9. Jethro Tull - Hunting Girl
Live Bursting Out

10. Matthew Sweet - Room To Rock
Sunshine Lies

11. Frank Zappa - Outside Now - Broadway The Hard Way
12. The Doors - Waiting For The Sun - Morrison Hotel
13. Pink Floyd
- Remember A Day - A Saucerful Of Secrets
14. Yes - Mood For A Day - Fragile
15. The Tubes
- She's A Beauty - Outside Inside
16. Todd Rundgren - Dust In The Wind - Something/Anything?
17. Jimi Hendrix - Crosstown Traffic - Electric Ladyland
18. The Beatles - Good Night - The Beatles
19. David Bowie - Moonage Daydream - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
20. Peter Gabriel - Only Us - Us
-------------------------------------------------------
Chart compiled by listeners voting
on the songs they hear on Radio Dupree

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Doctor ... Wu?

Back home from the trip to Italy and waking up in my own bed after sleeping good and long. Breakfast. TV on. Flipping through the channels and up pops ...

Dr Wu:


... on a show called The Doctors.

No, it's not the Steely Dan Dr. Wu, but still...

Is someone, or something, trying to tell me something?

[cue eerie background music ...]

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

New Steely Dan interview on BBC Radio 2 tonight!

Tuesday July 14, 2009:

Tonight's episode of The Radcliffe & Maconie Show will feature a new interview with Steely Dan. The two hour show is on 8 - 10 p.m. UK time = 2 - 4 p.m. New York time ... and so on.

If you miss it you can catch it for seven days before it is history. Just click this link to get to the "archive".

UPDATE July 16:
Go to 1:11 and you should be at the start of the interview. Not bad but we get the feeling that it was done with the explicit understanding that the questions would be centered around the "new" Very Best Of collection just released. So we get a lot of questions about old songs and the past and none about what might happen after this tour.

Always fun to hear Donald and Walter though.

In related news we're looking for the 30 minute Rent Party special that aired on the MSG network July 14. Might pop up somewhere on the web ... eventually:






Monday, July 13, 2009

So where's the report(s) from Italy?

Piazza IV Novembre, Perugia, Italy earlier today.

Due to a wonky internet connection at my hotel for the past few days + an urge to enjoy the stay outside doing "touristy" and other things rather than sit holed up typing text, editing video and fixing photos, I've decided to do it all once I get back to Sweden in a couple of days.

Vacationusly yours,
Radio Dupree's Umbrian envoy

P.S.

Our Circus Money t-shirt says hi. It will also finish up its Italian reporting before the weekend.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Steely Dan live 2009: Setlist Rome, Italy

July 6:

Opening: Oliver Nelson's Teenie's Blues (Band without Don & Walt)
Reelin' In The Years (funk version veeeery beautiful)
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
Black Friday
Home At Last
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Aja
Hey Nineteen
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Glamour Profession
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More (sung by Walt)
Green Earrings
Love is Like an Itchin' In My Heart + intros by Walt
Josie
Peg
Don't Take Me Alive
Kid Charlemagne
Ending: Theme from "Last Tango in Paris" (Band without Don & Walt)

With thanks to Damiano & Liana from Cagliari who delivered in our mailbox.

If you're going to any of the shows and would like to meet up with other Steely Dan fans do sign up for the Danfest list and get involved!

Upcoming shows:

Jul 09 - Milan, Italy - Arena Civica
Jul 11 - Perugia, Italy- Umbria Jazz Festival
Jul 12 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Sporting Club

- - - - -

Two useful links:

steelydan.com - The only place for confirmed dates.
dandom.com/Bluebook - The fan page for breaking news, views and the occasional rumour.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Italian travels - 2

Our correspondent in the form of a nice looking t-shirt continues towards the Steely Dan show in Padova Piazolla sul Brenta:

After Venice in less than one day - including 30 minutes of rain - I managed to, with a lot of help, wrestle the Italian transport system and arrived in Piazolla sul Brenta where I'm staying at a Bed & Breakfast.
As you may or may not know Steely Dan playing here tomorrow is just part of a concert series held here in Piazolla sul Brenta this summer. A mix of musical styles and Italian and foreign artists.

Here's 47 seconds of Venice. And no, the music that can be heard is not Steely Dan busking in the background:





Tonight is some heavy metal evening and I swear that when I opened the window I could hear the music blowing this way on the wind. Still overpowered by the serenade the crickets decided to deliver.

Let me end with a view from my window here at the B&B.

/Radio Dupree's Circus Money t-shirt

Monday, July 06, 2009

Italian travels - 1

Radio Dupree's reporter relaxing

As you may know we've sent one of our staff down to Italy to see and report back from two of the concerts Steely Dan will be playing there in the coming days; Padova and Perugia.
Apparently he's decied to just enjoy himself in a vacation-like way, and let his t-shirt file the reports. Whatever. Here's the first one:

As I type this Steely Dan should be in the middle of the Rome concert. I hope it's all going well.

After a long day going from one plane to another I arrived in Venice where it was 27 C. Quite a step up from the 10 C or so when I left Sweden.
Saw posters of an upcoming Wynton Marsalis concert. The gondoliers doing brisk business with happy tourists and my owner moaning something about having to carry me and the suitcase over yet another bridge.

Observation: The sellers of Louie Vuitton bags doesn't seem to afford stores. They're selling them on spread out on the steps of the bridges just mentioned. Oh well... They seem to pass on the savings from not having to pay any rent for a store; I've never seen cheaper Vuitton bags!

After a couple of hours walking this town of water for the first time I found myself at the hotel, relaxing on the bed and listening to the mix of foreign voices coming in through the open windows.

Tomorrow I'll try to see a bit more of Venice before it's time to leave for Padova ... and Piazzola sul Brenta.

/Radio Dupree's Circus Money t-shirt

Steely Dan live 2009: Montreux, Switzerland

July 4:

Reelin' In The Years
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
My Old School
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Black Friday
Aja
Hey Nineteen
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Glamour Profession
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Deacon Blues
Love is Like an Itchin' In My Heart + intros
Josie
Peg

Encores:
Kid Charlemagne

As posted by T on the dandom.com Bluebook.

July 7: Corrected with two songs stricken that apparently weren't palyed; My Old School and Deacon Blues.

If you're going to any of the shows and would like to meet up with other Steely Dan fans do sign up for the Danfest list and get involved!

Upcoming shows:

Jul 06 - Rome, Italy - Cavea Auditorium
Jul 08 - Padova, Italy - Villa Contarini
Jul 09 - Milan, Italy - Arena Civica
Jul 11 - Perugia, Italy- Umbria Jazz Festival
Jul 12 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Sporting Club

- - - - -

Two useful links:

steelydan.com - The only place for confirmed dates.
dandom.com/Bluebook - The fan page for breaking news, views and the occasional rumour.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Steely Dan live 2009: Setlist Paris, France

July 2:

Reelin' In The Years
Time Out of Mind
Show Biz Kids
My Old School
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Black Friday
Aja
Hey Nineteen
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Glamour Profession
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Deacon Blues
Love is Like an Itchin' In My Heart + intros
Josie
Peg

Encores:
FM
Kid Charlemagne

As posted by T on the dandom.com Bluebook.

If you're going to any of the shows and would like to meet up with other Steely Dan fans do sign up for the Danfest list and get involved!

Upcoming shows:

Jul 04 - Montreux, Switzerland - Montreux Jazz Fest
Jul 06 - Rome, Italy - Cavea Auditorium
Jul 08 - Padova, Italy - Villa Contarini
Jul 09 - Milan, Italy - Arena Civica
Jul 11 - Perugia, Italy- Umbria Jazz Festival
Jul 12 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Sporting Club

- - - - -

Two useful links:

steelydan.com - The only place for confirmed dates.
dandom.com/Bluebook - The fan page for breaking news, views and the occasional rumour.

Friday, July 03, 2009

Steely Dan live 2009: Elliot Randall on Reelin'...

And here in glorious lo-fi is the video of Elliot Randall guesting on Reelin' In The Years at the London concert July 1:

Don't miss the happy, quick-footed guy jumping on stage and circling the security at 2:37!

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Steely Dan live 2009: Setlist London, UK

The big buzz among fans after the show of course the surprise guest appearance by Elliot Randall playing on Reelin' In The Years just like he did on the original recording on Can't Buy A Thrill from 1972.

Setlist June 1:

Reelin' In The Years (The new arrangement the band has been playing this tour)
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
My Old School
Bad Sneakers
Two Against Nature
Black Friday
Aja
Hey Nineteen
Parker's Band
Babylon Sisters
Glamour Profession
Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
Deacon Blues
Love is Like an Itchin' In My Heart + intros
Josie
Peg

Encores:
Reelin' In The Years (Original version featuring Elliot Randall)
Kid Charlemagne

As posted by Jaydee on the dandom.com Bluebook where you can read more comments.

And here's a link to some pics from the show. Thanks to bilko/colonelhall for those.

If you're going to any of the shows and would like to meet up with other Steely Dan fans do sign up for the Danfest list and get involved!

Upcoming shows:

Jul 02 - Paris, France - Olympia
Jul 04 - Montreux, Switzerland - Montreux Jazz Fest
Jul 06 - Rome, Italy - Cavea Auditorium
Jul 08 - Padova, Italy - Villa Contarini
Jul 09 - Milan, Italy - Arena Civica
Jul 11 - Perugia, Italy- Umbria Jazz Festival
Jul 12 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Sporting Club

- - - - -

Two useful links:

steelydan.com - The only place for confirmed dates.
dandom.com/Bluebook - The fan page for breaking news, views and the occasional rumour.

The Soft Parade - Album of the Month

Album of the Month on Radio Dupree in July is The Soft Parade by The Doors.
This was the 4th album by The Doors, released in July 1969 exactly 40 years ago. It did not turn out to be their most successful though. Many fans and critics did not like the group's experiments with brass and strings on the album. Others thought that The Doors had run out of good material, and considered several songs as "fillers".
Why do Radio Dupree choose this one for Album of the Month then? Well, we realised that we had heard the classic Doors songs over and over again, but most of the songs on this album were totally new to us. We are just curious and we want to explore the music of this era. And in the worst case, let's find out how bad this album is then.