Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Studio Band Shines on Stage, May 12, 2000
This record seems to be a litmus test for some listeners- particularly those who cannot bear hearing a band peform a tune any way other than *exactly* as they did on the record. That group will be severely dissapointed; Becker and Fagin are first and formost jazzers, and on this album they flex their jazz chops to bring some new color and style to their best known songs."Reelin' in the Years" is probably the cut that will bug the inflexible listeners the most; gone is that classic (Elliot Easton?) guitar riff, replaced by a horn section, and at a slower tempo, too. But it still swings, in a more sophisticated way. The first time I heard it I thought gee, they've taken away the best part of the tune, but now it's my favorite cut on the album. "Babylon Sisters" is perhaps the closest to the recorded arrangement, but it too benifits from a slightly slower tempo and a jazzier feel. "Green Earrings" is still the ultimate in cool hipster music, and "Boddhisatva" loses nothing, even without the original guitar pyrotechnics. In fact, the entire album swings in a way no Steely Dan studio album ever did. I love it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just As They Predicted...., April 6, 2007
Having listened to the music of Steely Dan for some 30-plus years since their first commercial releases back in the early 1970's; I found the numerous reviews of the "Alive In America" CD most interesting as fans express their reactions(both 'pro' and 'con')to live versions of some of the songs presented during their 'reunion' tour that began in 1993 and extended into 1994. I never had the opportunity to meet up with them during my years of working in the music industry; but having listened to and read numerous interviews they've acquiesced to over the years; I found their personal observations from one particular magazine interview that 'previewed' that 1993/94 reunion tour most fascinating and quite insightful; especially in comparison with reviews of this post-tour CD which documents some of the 'highlights' of their first live outing in almost 19 years. Although Steely Dan began as an actual band built around the musical compositions of Walter Becker & Donald Fagen; it wasn't until they became fed up with the grind of live touring and performing that they finally settled into their most creative musical period and produced what critics(and fans)consider the pinnacle of their work. Before they decided to once again take their show 'on the road' the obvious questions were put to them: 1)Why tour now after so long a lapse? Their true answer: Because live touring finally had become sophisticated enough so as to actually make it enjoyable instead of a torturous ordeal. 2)Is this really a reunion of sorts? The answer: Not really. The tour was conceived to coincide with Donald Fagen's second solo album 'Kamakiriad'; produced by Becker and released early in 1993. But manager Irv Azoff convinced them it could be promoted a lot better as 'An Evening With Steely Dan'. 3)Who were the players going to be(since Steely Dan pretty much ceased to be a band after the 'Pretzel Logic' release)? Their answer: Basically; who was available - that we could get, on such short notice(Dennis Chambers was one of their first considerations for the drummer's chair at the outset but he was already committed that year to a Brecker Brothers tour if I remember correctly - they were able to get him in '94). But Peter Erskine's name came up and it just so happened that he wasn't already booked with anyone for that year. Plus Warren Bernhardt(piano/keys)had worked with Erskine in Steps Ahead so they were already tight musically. And they had Drew Zingg from the NYR&S Review; who pulled off an amazing feat - recreating the sound and 'feel' of Larry Carlton & Steve Khan's studio work on the live stage! Then, for me; the crowning touch was Bill Ware on vibes and percussion; adding the 'spice' they got from the late Victor Feldman in the studio! So that '93 tour group was without a doubt the best of all the packages they were able to assemble through the years. I saw their live shows - in '93(along with my wife); with my brother in '94; plus the '96, 2000 & 2006 shows that all featured different lineups of players(I made crib notes on each gig). I also was handed a bootleg of one of the tour nights from 1993 that has nearly the entire show on it(boy, what a deal,eh?)! As far as the song selections that went on the final CD; it essentially came down to their favorite choices from everything that was available to pick from. I was told by a buddy of mine who knew one of the road crew members that Roger Nichols recorded virtually every night and that the musical arrangements for certain songs were actually modified as the tour continued. So, they were progressively tightening things up musically, as they went along. On some of the earliest dates; particularly with the '93 tour there were some serious flubs by Fagen and Becker as well as other players(you'll hear them on the bootlegs)and that's the reason why certain tunes didn't make it to the final CD. The live version of 'Aja' that closes the 'album' out was taken from the second night of two dates they played at Irvine, California in 1994 - the show my brother and I attended together(we're unofficially on the 'record'- in the 'applause' during the turnaround section - screaming - before they go back to the 'top' of the arrangement)! But actually, they opened that show(surprising almost everyone)performing 'Aja' right after the warmup instrumental overture, which contained snippetts from "Here At The Western World"(which I thought was kind of appropos for the Cali shows)! The previous night though; I was told; they did close with 'Aja' - but they sounded a little 'flat'. So they likely chose to move it up to the front on the next night - while they were fresh. And my brother and I both agreed - they were 'on' it that night! Given their penchant for perfection in times past - should we have expected anything different here? And as far as fans reactions to their live presentations of their past works - they fully anticipated that there might be some backlash since those studio concoctions are so highly revered and treasured among 'Danheads'. But they felt no real constraint to have to live up to anyones' preconceived notions in their concerts - especially since most of their repertoire had never been performed live anyway prior to that time. So they resolved to take it all in stride and I'm fairly certain they managed to enjoy themselves in the process and to continue laughing together 'all the way to the bank!' And that's "Steely Dan" - you gotta' love 'em!!!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a Find!, April 12, 2007
I was looking around in a used music shop for some Donald Fagan albums a couple of months ago when I happened upon this little gem. Being a devoted Steely Dan fan, I decided to give it a try, and boy am I glad I did. I've now listened to it a number of times and it just gets better every time I hear it. That cool, jazzy sound that is inevitably Steely Dan is wonderfully accomodating for a live album such as this, with subtle variations on old favorites like "Reelin' In The Years", and a delightfully spontaneous drum solo in "Josie". Steely Dan generates a cool energy for this live album, and Walter Becker proves that Fagen is not the only one who can tear the roof off the sucker in his vocal performance of "Book Of Liars", my personal favorite.
This album is not just for the hardcore Steely Dan listeners. I would recomend it to anyone brand new to the funky, arcanic world of Steely Dan. And for those who already own every album, well, you can never have too much Steely Dan. A welcome new addition to any collection
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by Steely Dan 
