This issue covers the reunion of Donald and Walter live on stage doing Steely Dan songs for the first time in 17 years. The crowd that night gave them a reception that they seemed to have been holding in for the same 17 years.
Also, Pat Metheny played with Donald on stage at The Lone Star Roadhouse which I had a role in putting together, I'm proud to say.
In an interview I think you will all love, I talked with Dinky Dawson who did the sound for Steely Dan on their final tour. He gives you the inside track on life on the road with The Dan. It was great talking to Dinky, and as Walter Becker once summed it up "I couldn't understand a word he said, but I knew he was an intelligent, professional guy."
My nephew Sean got to his first Donald show. Sean is a high school senior and going to college on a music scholarship for piano. He was so taken in by the show, I think it will be a long time before he listens to another Billy Joel record.
After the show Sean said, "You know, Uncle Pete, I love Becker & Fagen's music. It's a challenge to play, but I love playing it." He then said, "The only thing I can't figure out is the lyrics." I asked him to give me an example and he replied, "What the hell is an expanding man?"
I couldn't help but laugh. Welcome to the world of Steely Dan.
--Pete
Metal Leg overview | The Steely Dan Internet Resource