Steely Dan Tour
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Steely Dan 2018 Concert Tour Co-Headliner: Doobie Brothers | Opening Bands: To Be Determined
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Frequently Asked Questions
What songs does Steely Dan play in concert?
Steely Dan has a fascinating catalog of music and they represent an almost shocking amount of it in bits and pieces. But you cannot get very far without mentioning the importance of their jazz/rock masterpiece, Aja, and its presence all these years later. Aja does not dominate the setlist, but it is the most utilized. The title track comes up early, as well as perhaps their biggest career hit, “Peg,” which is held towards the end of the set.
“Deacon Blues” is not played at every show, more reliably, fans will hear “Black Cow” alongside the other aforementioned Aja tunes. With only four to five selections from the album, this leaves plenty of room for the band to dip into lesser known material.
The second well-represented release from the band is 1973’s Countdown to Ecstasy. “My Old School” is a concert mainstay, and “Razor Boy” is performed in the middle of the set.
The band also gives respect to the last release from their core era, 1980’s Gaucho. The album is seen as the full realization of their jazz sound and the greatest descent into virtuosity and excess. “Babylon Sisters” usually follows “Time Out of Mind,” and “Hey Nineteen” is only performed early in the set. These three make up the trifecta of material from this sprawling release.
The rest of their albums are either ignored entirely or represented with a single tune. Despite a critical lambasting, the band does bring out “Godwhacker” from Everything Must Go. The band closes out the evening with a rendition of the theme song from Brian De Palma’s 80’s gangster epic, The Untouchables. It is an extremely odd cut, but it fits perfectly.
Cubano Chant
Black Cow
Aja
Hey Nineteen
Black Friday
Deacon Blues
Show Biz Kids
Time Out of Mind
Babylon Sisters
Godwhacker
Razor Boy
Bodhisattva
Daddy Don’t Live in That NYC No More
I Want To (Do Everything for You)
Josie
Peg
My Old School
Reelin’ In The Years
Kid Charlemagne
Theme from ‘The Untouchables’
How long is a Steely Dan concert?
Steely Dan certainly does not hold back for their live show. It totals at least two hours, and sometimes a little more.
Any new material expected to come up?
It has been quite a few years since Steely Dan has released any new music. Their last release was 2003’s Everything Must Go, and it was critically lukewarm and quickly forgotten. Though it has been over a decade, this still does not beat that 20 year gap between 1980’s Gaucho and 2000’s Two Against Nature.
Part of the reason for the extended hiatus was the group’s massive overindulgence with Gaucho, where Steely Dan hired close to 55 musicians and engineers to help bring the album together. Accounting for their perfectionist style, this could shed light on their current recording hiatus.
Who is opening the show?
Steely Dan has recruited the Bobby Broom Trio to open their most recent tour. The band performs a 40 minute set.
How do I get access to presale tickets for Steely Dan’s tour?
The popular American Express Entertainment service is covering the entire Steely Dan tour this year. You need an American Express card to make the purchase, but the presale offers are generous.
You can also check the alternative source, Presale Passwords Info. The outlet compiles presale data from multiple sources and provides access in one user-friendly spot. Not all ticket presales work, so be choosy and smart on the approach you take.
Who is Steely Dan’s publicist and press contact?
You can reach out to the band through the email knowbot@steelydan.com. This is a general email and will redirect any inquiries through their main email. You can also reach out to Donald Fagen through his Facebook page which is run by Steely Dan representatives.
Concert Reviews
“No one has ever sounded quite like Steely Dan. Song lyrics often contain references to esoteric literature but symbolism is shallow; these are the stories of the tripped-out, jaded times that followed the burst of the bubble. The music is a hybrid of fusion jazz, blues and rock, mixing influences like Miles Davis, Chick Corea and Weather Report, with some Junior Parker and Bobby Bland thrown in for good measure.” – Kevin Edwards of KDHX Independent Music
“Like trying to decide which Steely Dan album is the best, so it went with the parts of Steely Dan’s band. The horn section, Michael Leonhart on trumpet, Jim Pugh on trombone, Roger Rosenberg on baritone saxophone and Walt Weiskopf on saxophone was outstanding, bringing to life the jazz and rhythm and blues sounds of the Becker and Fagen compositions.” – Ted Hansen of Examiner.com
“Fagen and Becker made their Birmingham debut with a two-hour performance, showing us exactly how the Steely Dan magic is made. Thirteen musicians are required on stage, including a four-piece horn section (funky and cool), three backup singers (with charisma aplenty), a fleet-fingered guitarist (for those crucial solos on “Reelin’ in the Years”) and a drummer of jaw-dropping skill. (Keith Carlock? Superb).” – Mary Colurso of Alabama Entertainment Press
Tour Archive
Steely Dan Mood Swings: 8 Miles to Pancake Day Tour 2013
Started July 19, 2013 in Atlantic City, New Jersey | Ended October 8, 2013 in New York, New York
Steely Dan Shuffle Diplomacy Tour 2011
Tour Opening Acts: Steve Winwood
Started July 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington | Ended October 14, 2011 Valley Center, California
Steely Dan Rent Party Tour 2009
Tour Opening Acts: Sam Yahel and Friends, Deep Blue Organ Trio
Started June 9, 2009 in Durham, North Carolina | Ended November 23, 2009 in Washington, DC
Steely Dan Think Fast Tour 2008
Tour Opening Acts: Bill Charlap Trio, The Chris Cheek Group, Catherine Russell, Sam Yahel Organ Trio, Joey Defrancesco Trio, Deep Blue Organ Trio
Started June 8, 2008 in Hollywood, Florida | Ended November 22, 2008 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Steely Dan Heavy Rollers Tour 2007
Tour Opening Acts: None
Started March 18, 2007 in Wallingford, Connecticut | Ended June 28, 2007 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Steely Dan Summer Tour 2006
Tour Opening Acts: Michael McDonald
Started July 7, 2006 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Ended September 4, 2006 in Maryland Heights, Missouri
Steely Dan Everything Must Go Tour 2003
Tour Opening Acts: Bill Charlap
Started July 23, 2003 in Costa Mesa, California | Ended October 11, 2003 in Honolulu, Hawaii
Steely Dan Two Against Nature Tour 2000
Tour Opening Acts: Ian Anderson
Started June 1, 2000 in Portland, Oregon | Ended July 29, 2000 in Dallas, Texas