Customer Reviews

Marian Mcpartland's Piano Jazz

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Steely Dan performs, with limited backup -- Steely Dan unplugged is what this is -- a few of their classic songs, along with some jazz classics. The best part of this album is the jazz music.

The Dan are not annoyed with Ms. McPartland at all. They are in awe! This grand old lady of jazz was there when the classic era of be-bop jazz was happening. She met the legends that Walter and Donald idolize -- Charlie Parker, the Duke, Louis Armstrong.

Yes, there is a bit of awkwardness as these musicians from different genres and clearly different generations try to connect. But I've listened to this show several times and I can only see the utmost mutual respect between all involved. McPartland is out of her element trying to jam with The Dan. Donald and Walter do not exactly shine as jazz players, either. Walter Becker is clearly not suited to playing Duke Ellington -- he is the most like a fish out of water. But it's all in good fun.

My advice is for Steely Dan fans who are not otherwise into jazz music pass on this disc. For those of us who have extensive pop and jazz collections, this show is very enjoyable. That said, the best musical performance is McPartland's moving solo performance of Star Eyes (requested by Donald Fagen). The second best is Hesitation Blues. Limbo Jazz is kind of a hoot, too. Steely Dan can't lose when they play the blues -- many, many of their songs are based on the classic blues structure, twisted, bent, and run through the Cuisineart. But it still boils down to the blues and jazz.

It was a truly special hour with McPartland and The Dan. Yes, it gives me warm fuzzies. Still, it might not be your cup of tea, so be advised.

Overall, though, I think there is a lot of warmth and mutual respect throughout this interview and jam. Donald and Walter are a lot less pretentious and more relaxed than usual. I've loved Steely Dan for nearly 30 years, but just try getting a straight answer our of the boys in an interview. Let me tell you, Marian does.

The version of "Josie", with a 4-piece band, is the best that SD ever recorded, in my opinion.

During the interview, there is this running gag that Donald seems to be pulling on Marian, which is based on their mutual admiration for Duke Ellington. The gag is this: Donald keeps referring to songs by Duke, and playing songs by Duke, that Marian has never heard. This seems to confound Marian, and I think that this puts her off her form, somewhat. By the end of the show, the attentive listener would swear that Donald has spent some energy in finding obscure Duke Ellington tunes with which to stump the hostess. All in good fun, I think.

Also, for ten bonus points, listen to "Limbo Jazz" and name the cut from Aja where the same hook is used...

If you are a true Steely Dan fan, this is a must have album. Marian McPartland's influence on jazz to the mainstream will not be appreciated fully until she is gone. I read that at least one NPR station refused to play the interview on her weekly piano jazz show, on grounds that having Steely Dan on the jazz program was demeaning to jazz enthusiasts. Nothing could be more wrong. This album, and the clever commentary that fills in the gaps, demonstrates that jazz created Steely Dan.

This CD is Walter, Donald and Marian unplugged, and, to agree with a previous review, with their respective guards down a bit. Buy it, it is worth it.

Now if you're a Dan fan,you take what you can get. Although this is not a studio album,it's worth the price of admission for sure. Word has it that certain jazz aficionados and/or jazz radio programmers were offended by the appearance of Becker/Fagen on the famed 'Piano Jazz' show. Although SD are jazz inspired,they are still at the core a Rock n' Roll band. That being said, the banter mixed with the live tracks is quite a treat. "Josie","Black Friday" and "Chain Lightning" are the SD nuggets done in a refreshing and laid back way. My favorite parts of the disc though, are when Fagen is stripped of his cynical nature when McPartland is discussing her encounters/friendships with Parker/Ellington/Armstrong. Obviously Becker/Fagen worship at the altar of these greats and when you're listening to this disc you're almost listening to B/F as curious fans and not performers. This is a clean,crisp recording that is a must for any serious Steely Dan fanatic. This is the sort of cd you enjoy with a fine imported beer in front of a fire on a cold,cold night.

I'm a big fan of Marian McPartland- both her show, and her playing- and perhaps a bigger fan of Steely Dan, so when I saw this album it was of course a must-buy. McPartland and the Dans may not always mesh perfectly- McPartland isn't an R&B player, and Fagen isn't her equal as a jazz player- but all three share a common love of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and other greats, and there's a great deal of shared respect and enthusiasm here. The conversations between the tunes are (as in all McPartland shows) as rewarding as the music. And though she may not be an R&B player, McPartland does pull off an excellent solo on "Chain Lightning."

Marian McPartland "un hip"? yeah, right, and perhaps a certain reviewer needs an attitude adjustment. The "Edna St. Vincent Millet" give and take was pretty typical and it sounded pretty umm.."hip" to me and it seened like the guys in the band, enjoyed it too, and I suspect that Steely Dan is a tad "hipper" than someone who would look down their ivory noses at a still-great jazz legend! Try to remember that Ms. McPartland basically just cold-jammed with these guys and yes, things drag here and there but stick ANY piano player unfamiliar with the Becker-Fagan repertoire and you'll get the same sporadic hesitancy on occasion. I enjoyed all the cuts, especially the last one "Black Friday"...you could tell that the old girl was just getting warmed up during the previous hour. This cd holds up after many listenings so get it and you won't be disappointed!

The spotlight reviews both have the definitive reviews for this gem. If you like Piano Jazz which I have been listening to for years and if you love the Dan, this is one of the best episodes of Piano Jazz. It is a live show with an old time jazz pianist who is fascinated with eclectic musical styles. The Dan came in ready to play on her turf, on the jazz scene and you really get a sense of their limitations and strengths. All the artists stretch themselves, but there is the utmost respect shown to all the musicians.

This is not for Dan fans who aren't willing to hear something quite different. The show is honest and insightful and a true joy for me. If you don't like hearing experimentation, this may not be for you. Donald Fagan playing 3 Duke Ellington tunes....enough said.

I fell in love with Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz program on NPR many years ago. They would play it just as I was drifting off to sleep and her smokey voice and amazing piano playing was like a lullaby. She taught me to love and appreciate jazz and her guests were an education of who's who in the genre.

Then, to my utter horror and dismay, my local station (Red River Radio out of Shreveport, Louisiana---shame on you!) quit carrying her program. I was devastated until I discovered her CD's.

This CD, with Steely Dan, was a blast to the past. I wouldn't have paired them with her, but the result is fabulous and satisfying. Steely Dan has the same familiar rhythms with just the right amount of jazz added for good measure. A wonderful CD which I highly recommend.

being a long time steely dan fans , I found this album excellent .
Great to hear them talk ,sing ,play and discuss their roots and influences . highly recommended for any serious fans .

This CD has some great music on it. I know that Ms. McPartland is an NPR legend and that this was taken from her radio show but that doesn't make the conversation/song format any less annoying. Yes, the interview of Becker & Fagan has some interesting points but Marian isn't the world's most informed Dan fan (faker!). Thank goodness the music is well worth it. The 3 SD songs are wonderful in this stripped down format and it's great to hear the jazz standards that Walt and Don chose to perform. As any major dude will tell you, any Steely Dan is good Steely Dan, right Nan? My suggestion would be to buy the disc and throw it in your computer and reburn with just the songs. You can always go back to the original if you want to listen to the conversations.