Jim Fisk reporting #2: Steely Dan Shuffle Diplomacy Twenty Eleven

The 2011 Steely Dan tour is three months away.

After the addition of a third show at The Wang Theatre in Boston the news and updates during the past two weeks has been the adding and updating of on-sale dates and links over at steelydan.com.

But it still says More tour info and updates to come!

Looking at the list of 46 dates from July 2 to September 30 there's a gap after three New York shows at The Beacon September 13, 14, 16 and 17 to the first at The Wang Theatre on September 27. Maybe a couple more at The Beacon?

Then there are those hoping for a few dates abroad. It doesn't make sense that they would durig the gap in September shows, so if it will happen it will happen in October/November. The next question then of course being where those international dates may take place.

The 2009 tours of the US and Europe was a massive trek. After seven June dates in the States it was off to Europe for 12 dates before heading back home for an additional 51 shows ending in November.

Will there be room for Europe in 2011 or might there be a handful of dates in not-toured-in-since-2007 Japan/Asia/Australia/New Zealand?

Or maybe just keep it US-only like the 48 date June - November 2008 tour. We'll see...

: : : : :

One of the weirder Steely Dan-related discussion forum threads lately (thegearpage.net) does however include a small story I'd like to share. Forum member KLB writes:

I was at a Dennis Chambers drum clinic in the late 90's. During the Q&Q, someone asked him about playing with Steely Dan. He said that every night when it was time for him to do his drum solo, Fagen would get up from the piano, wearing sunglasses as usual, and walk to the side of the stage, out of sight from the audience, in a somewhat introverted and formal manner. Chambers would notice that once Fagen got to the side, he'd take of his sunglasses, grab a beverage, and smile, laugh and BS with whoever was around him. About the time Chambers was finishing up his solo, Fagen would put back on this sunglasses, walk back to his keyboard and resume the somewhat stiff, formal persona.

Chambers got quite a laugh from the drum clinic audience with that story.

OK. And just before I sign off remember this:

/Click Shuffle Dimplomacy Twenty Eleven for all our posts regarding the tour. /

Jim Fisk reporting #1

Hello!

* Saw some comments on Twitter regarding the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl mentioning Steely Dan. That they ought to do it.

Well, the Steely Dan performing at a sports happening sentiment has been aired before. Before Twitter. Back in 2000 during a q & a with fans asking the questions Donald and Walter got a chance to address the subject:

Question:

Would you ever consider singing the National Anthem at a World Series game?
- - - Submitted by: Patty Rasmussen

Answer:

We have been prepared for this possibility for some time now, in that we have written a new, hip, contemporary national anthem for the U.S. which is entitled "Hell of a Country, Ain't That So!" Our previous anthem attempt, "O Say Can You Dig?", which was more of a rewrite than a freestanding original, has been abandoned in favor of this new exciting tune. We have not heard back yet from Congressman Barr or from Chuck Knoblauch, but we are ready to go.

For the complete q & a go to Under The Banyan Trees.

* The dandom.com Bluebook is where quite a few Steely Dan fans go to discuss the music and to share news. It is is currently being rebuilt, so new posts will take a little time to appear.

Another page I expect to change shortly is steelydan.com.

To be truthful I had expected it to publish the first official news of the 2011 tour as the first date went on sale Sunday 6. But so far nothing.

Let's see who's updated first; dandom com's Bluebook or steelydan.com!

* Did you catch the inteview with guitarist Jon Herington on webradio station TheGlowRadio Sunday?

What came across is what a gentleman and nice guy he is. He also shared some news:

- With his news album Shine, Shine Shine still just released he's planning to record the remaining 6 songs of a total of 9 that will make up the next record. Longer songs, more guitar compared to Shine, Shine, Shine.

- He'll tour with Madeleine Peyroux in the Stated in April and then go to Europe. Apart from that and a few dates with his own band he has nothing else planned for 2011 so far.

- Asked about what Steely Dan (Donald Fagen and Walter Becker) are up to he said that as far as touring goes there's nothing official.

Would be nice if that interview could be made available online for all who missed it.

As heard on Radio Dupree: Jon Herington's great new album!