Customer Reviews

Circus Money

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Becker's new album is, as most Dan fans will expect, superbly arranged and performed. Also, the caliber of its musicianship and the subtleties of its production are astounding.

So why three stars? If you are a loyal worshipper of what Steely Dan produced and still represent to contemporary music, you may want more, and more in the sense of originality rather novelty, this is where Becker, to me, falls a bit short. One specific aspect of this is the preponderance of songs influenced by Reggae rhythms, a genre I love but find too "slicked up" here, for my taste.

Of course, he "owns" the Dan sound as much as Fagen, and there no laws against plagiarizing yourself, still the music is too predictable, if you will, and does not take the chances in expanding the Dan universe that prior solo albums--by him and Fagen--took in the past.

This is the paradox for me, no song will join the pantheon of Steely Dan classics yet more than one of these tunes may end up one of your favorite tracks of '08. So, if you can be satisfied with more of their sound, you'd be happy, but if you're looking for a remarkable album you may not be ecstatic.

You might call me unfair in holding Becker to a higher standard than so many other people out there but consider it a tribute to the great influence his work has had in the past on me, rather than any kind of vendetta. In conclusion, more than good enough to own, yet not an album that might dominate your playlists.

Circus Money, the sophomore album by Steely Dan's Walter Becker, comes a mere 14 years after his initial solo effort (11 Tracks of Whack), and if any album has ever justified such a long wait, this one certainly does.

Take the smoothness and production of Steely Dan, add a dash of reggae, top with a voice that is remarkably suited for the songs, and you'll have Circus Money. Larry Klein (of Joni Mitchell fame, whose production work on Herbie Hancock's latest album garnered it a Grammy for Album of the Year) keeps it simple, and the production never detracts from the best parts of the album, namely Walter's intelligent and wry lyrics and the interplay between some of the finest musicians recording today, made into a cohesive unit by touring together with Steely Dan and Walter's songwriting partner Donald Fagen over the last five years. This doesn't sound like a collection of musicians so much as a real band, and that makes this album sound more cohesive than any Steely Dan related release since perhaps Donald's The Nightfly, way back in 1982.

Listing highlights on this album would be as simple as making a list of all of the songs, leaving none off, but it seems easiest to break this album down as such: songs that remind you of why you love Steely Dan (Downtown Canon, Paging Audrey, Upside Looking Down), songs that show the reggae influence most clearly (Bob is Not Your Uncle Anymore, Do You Remember the Name), and songs that show-off Walter's aptitude as a songwriter (all other tracks).

Let me first state that I am one of those people (and we know who we are) that thinks that Walter Becker's first album,11 Tracks of Whack (affectionately called 11TOW) is one of the top 100 albums of all time. There is a genius within that recording that will eventually manifest itself years hence, and the public at this moment in time is not ready to fully appreciate the all the subtle nuances and playfulness of that CD. One needs to listen to 11TOW more than a few times for it to fully penetrate the brain and reveal all the richness contained within.

This is not the case with Walter Becker's brand new effort, Circus Money, however. Circus Money hits you right in the hippocampus at first listen and by day three you are awash in the music so much so that the tunes barely leave your brain. They continue to reveal more of their rich essence as time goes on. Circus Money is more polished than 11TOW, and in my opinion closer in feeling to a Steely Dan recording, but with more of the risk taking and wittiness that is Walter Becker's trademark. From the hilarious Selfish Gene, to forlorn protagonist in Downtown Canon one hears a musical description of the places and circumstances only to be found in a cast of characters from a great literary piece. These little auditory vignettes leave me wanting more and this recording clearly demonstrates that Walter Becker is not done yet with the fine expression of his craft. I hope Mr. Becker is planning on another recording in the near future, as I don't think I can wait another 14 years for the next one as we are all getting too old too fast.

My only disappointment about this record comes from the fact that after following the progress of its eventual release on Walter Becker's website for a number of years, I am still sitting here with all this equipment that he asked me to procure for the journey, and I am flummoxed about what to do with the Xacto knife and playing cards, amongst other things. A little help, Walter, would be greatly appreciated, or maybe I just need to get back to Circus Money and listen some more.....

Walter Becker's first CD, 11 Tracks of Whack, didn't sound like Steely Dan to me and that was a good thing. Not that I don't love Steely Dan, I do, but why do a solo album like them when I could just listen to the old stuff? The new CD, Circus Money, picks up were Becker left off.

As before, Becker proves he's an excellent lyricist ( he's clearly funnier than his partner of forty years) and an able bass player ( a great partner with world class drummer, Keith Carlock). Of course his tasteful and distinctive guitar playing is here too. What surprises me is his the stripped down rock/reggae grooves, and the sparse but appropriate setting for soloist like Chris Potter amd Roger Rosenberg.

This is another fun and unconventional journey.

Thanks Walter!

...or at least one of them. I really cant believe how good this is.

I'll admit, I didnt see anything great about 11 Tracks of Whack. I thought it was good, but easily the worst thing Steely Dan or the two solo ever did, so when I heard Becker had a NEW album coming out, I was very hesitant. I was not planning on getting it at all, and I am probably one of the biggest Dan Fans under the age 30 on the planet. But I heard a couple 30 second clips on his website, and from the first hmmm, 2 seconds, I knew this was different, this was better, this was Steely Dan with a twist...

After listening to the album 3 times, I can safely say this may be the best thing the Dan has put out this millenium and is the second best solo album after (just take a guess...) The Nightfly.

Songs like Downtown Canon, Paging Audrey, and Upside Looking Down show a softer, almost beautiful side of Walter Becker and may be the best songs he (or Steely Dan) has done since Aja... yeah, they are that good. Just listen to Keith Carlock's drum fill at the beginning of Upside, it just opens this beautiful sound that fills your speakers... may be the best opener he (or, again, Steely Dan) has ever done.

Circus Money and Somebody's Saturday Night are probably the two "catchiest" songs on the album... I could see either being a single. These are two great, more upbeat songs, while Saturday Night is probably my fav. on the album...

Door Number Two is another killer that really starts the album great... sounds like classic Dan with a 21st century mini-reggee feel...

Three Picture Deal is a great closer... with the girls singing "1,2,3 Picture Deal!" with Becker following them, instruments building until it is a rocky/reggee/jazzy blast of absolute perfection.

The girl back up vocalists are great as always... love Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery, she's is so attractive and such a great singer... my perfect girl ;)

The musicians are perfect, which is what is expected on a Steely album... Keith Carlock is easily the greatest drummer of the last 20 years...

The suprise that really makes the album... Becker's vocals... they are great. His range has gotten better and he is, well, simply very, very good.... it makes more sense to have him sing these songs, almost better than if Fagen did...

After listening to this thing, it is obvious Steely Dan is two people, and that Becker is just as important as Fagen.

Pick this thing up today, easily the best of 2008 so far.

Steely Dan doing a tour again and the reviews from fans say possibly their best tour ever... I'm seeing them in less than a month for the third time, got Circus Money playing, summer's here... life is good!

It's the summer of Steely Dan... have fun and join the party!

THIS is the CD that demonstrates without a doubt the contribution that Walter Becker brings to Steely Dan. Song choices are suited to his voice and the production values are up to "Steely" standards. The more I listen to it, the more I like it!

Most Highly recommended.

For your listening pleasure...Walter Becker with many of the usual SD suspects -- rolling on a variable,but consistently excellent, groove. What's not to love? The lyrics and characterizations are what you expect from Becker: cynical, sometimes beautiful, sometimes mean, usually cryptic and clever. Music for educated culture vultures. I know that Fagen is the 800 lb. ghost in the room -- but the work stands solidly without his voice and a lot of the expected "mew" piano chords. Did i feel like I "only" got 1/2 of Steely Dan -- No, this is good stuff. Larry Klein's talent as producer seemed more about not getting in the way of Becker's style of music -- and that is to be applauded -- as well as his song-writing contributions. The production values are top-notch -- and with Grundman mastering -- what else could you want for. Have a glass of good cognac, turn off the lights, and wallow in the tunes.

Super deep and clean grooves, great songs, the best musicians around, 40 years of experience, it could be Walter Becker's legacy but one hopes there will be more.

The music sounds ripe, like it has been conceived, imagined and thought through. Add to that the monster band contributing in the studio.

Becker vocals work great, his bass playing is out of this world.

This is so strong and honest - a slap in the face of the many cd's coming out now that are nothing but one big shortcut.

One might say they don't like this track or that one - look at them as bonus tracks - as the cd is diverse and 60 minutes long.

Walter Becker, one half of the mastermind of Steely Dan, has struck the mother lode with his second solo disc, Circus Money. His first album, 11 Tracks of Whack, upon first listen was far removed from the Steely Dan catalog. After closer inspection, however, the snarky lyrics and infectious grooves were clear evidence of the association. The contrast to his partner, Donald Fagen, is clear when looking at their individual projects. It is also apparent that Steely Dan, as we know it, could not exist without their partnership.

I suppose waiting 14 years to put out your second album eliminates the jitters of the dreaded sophomore slump syndrome. That strategy has certainly paid off for Walter. The spare sound of 11ToW is gone, along with the drum machine and replaced with luscious textures and bright solos delivered by some of the finest musicians in the business. Still in tact are the snarky lyrics and infectious grooves that echo Steely Dan but stand out in their own right.

Much has been said about his gruff singing voice, but it suits this collection perfectly. His voice conveys the sadness, the futility and the moments of joy in such a way that you can't help but believe that he really feels what he's singing. "I wear my heart out on my sleeve" Walter professes in My Waterloo from 11ToW and that statement seems just as true here, particularly on the wrenching Paging Audrey, one of the finest moments of the record. Other standouts, for me, are the reggae driven Do You Remember the Name, Darkling Down and the groovy Three Picture Deal.

Die-hard Dan fans will love this album, casual fans will surely find something they like on it and newcomers will be hopelessly whisked away to the wonderful world of Dandom. Buy This Album Now!

I sure hope to God that serious musicians never pay much mind to their critics, because if they did, they might never evolve as artists. Does anyone remember how incredibly different Fagen's Nightfly was? Fagen gambled and it paid off. Yeah, I guess he could have put out "Aja II" or "Gaucho Rides Again" but why? Every great artist has to keep growing, and Becker does so quite nicely here. Sometimes it's subtle, sometimes it's not, but this is no album to scoff at. This is where Becker (and Larry Klein) is in 2008, and it won't please everyone, but you can never please everyone.