Customer Reviews

New York Rock & Soul Revue: Live At The Beacon

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is one of those rare albums you can listen to 100 times and it's always great. The live performances are some of the best from each of these solid performers, but Boz Skaggs absolutely grooves with 'Drowning in the Sea of Love.' Michael McDonald sings 'Lonely Teardrops' like it was made for him instead of Clyde McPhadder. Donald Fagan shines in both vocals and keyboards, but Pretzel Logic is just awesome, especially with McDonald asking, "Where'd you get those shoes?" One of my Island Albums, for sure, and I bet it will be one of yours.

After he released his 1982 debut solo album, "The Nightfly," Steely Dan's Donald Fagen found himself with a case of writer's block, and he took an extended break from the music business, apart from contributing music to the 1988 Michael J. Fox movie, "Bright Lights Big City" (which Fagen still found very difficult to do), and writing the occasional column for the popular movie magazine, Premiere. But come 1991, and Donald *finally* decided to ease himself back into his music career once more, and what better way to do it then to get together with some big-name friends and put on a concert just for fun. "The New York Rock And Soul Revue: Live At The Beacon" captures Fagen live in concert with other greats like Boz Scaggs, Phoebe Snow, Michael McDonald, Charles Brown, and Eddie & David Brigati of the Rascals, performing some of the classic oldies that inspired all of them to become musicians in the first place, as well as some of their original songs, too. In other words, as Fagen says in the liner notes, "the music we'd like to hear at a good party." And the "New York Rock And Soul Revue" is a damn good party, indeed. Donald & friends play this music with great fire, making for a truly rollicking good time. Standout tracks include McDonald & Snow's duet on "Knock On Wood," Snow's dynamic performances of "Shakey Ground" and "At Last," Donald's classy takes on "Green Flower Street" and Steely Dan's "Chained Lightning," Boz Scaggs' smooth rendering of "Drowning In The Sea Of Love," McDonald's cool cover of his hit with the Doobie Brothers, "Minute By Minute," and, of course, the Steely Dan classic, "Pretzel Logic," with Fagen dueting brilliantly with McDonald for a rousing finale. Not long after this concert was performed, Donald Fagen was finally inspired to record his second solo album, 1993's "Kamakiriad," AND to hit the road with his Steely Dan chum Walter Becker for a pair of reunion Steely Dan tours, culminating at last into the Dan's long-awaited reunion album, 2000's Grammy-winning "Two Against Nature." But, very thankfully, this magnificent live album was the spark for all of that. "The New York Rock And Soul Revue: Live At The Beacon" is a wonderful, must-own CD for any fan of Donald Fagen & friends. Put it on, and enjoy the party!

Long before CDs' were comenplace I had the fortune to pick this album up on tape. Needless to say it quickly jumped up my personal charts, both as a Donald Fagen fan and a Steely Dan fan as well as being a r & b fan. Soon my old tape gave out. Music shops don't always know how to file this title, so it took a long time to get on CD. This web site is a joy to search, it has everything! Fagen is known for his well recorded and produced albums and this live adventure doesn't disapoint, crisp sounds coming from all over the stage lets you at home sit right in the Beacon. Favorite cuts are all the old Steely Dan ones, done in a downstyled, simplistic manner, just Fagen and McDonald alone at the piano. Cut of the album however is the wonderful R&B standard, "Drowning in the sea of love" by Boz Scaggs. This cut I play time and again. This Gulf War era CD is timeless in its classic music, a must for any musical taste, put it on, shake a martini and enjoy a Friday evening.

I have owned this CD since it was first released...and if there ever was a danger of wearing one out.....this would be the one! There is not a week that passes that I don't listen to this cd. In fact, I use it when I am happy to bring me up more, when I am down to lift me, and when I just want to get moving. I have given this as a gift to numerous friends and they still continue to thak me for introducing them to it. The combination of singers and other musicians is inspired and probably will never happen again. It is an electric performance captured just as it happened. How I wish I could have been there to see music history made. Buy this......play it.......replay it.......relish it.......dance to it......but above all.............love it.

This is a great performance by a band comprised of the best in the business. "Lonely Teardrops" performed by Michael McDonald truly does justice to the original. "Pretzel Logic" is better than the original! I had a great feeling of "being there" for the live performance which is not always the case with live recordings. This c.d. is a must buy for fans of Steely Dan, Michael McDonald or any lover of great big band/jazz music.

I've owned this CD for two years and it's still as bright and interesting as the first time I listened to it. If you enjoy Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, or Phoebe Snow this is definitely for you!

A cool and groovy compilation of some great songs by great performers which takes U right in the middle of the live magic. Beginning with the cool swing of 'Madison Time' which prepares one for the energetic performance of 'knock on wood'. Next comes 'green flower street' with its trade mark donald fagen-steely dan groove & sound which any dan fan wud fall in luv with right away!! Shakey Ground is quite easily the most rocky song on the album which hits hard and leaves U tappin u'r feet & shakin those limbs! The song that follows it : 'At Last' showcases the brilliant vocals of Phoebe Snow and is a very melodius & soulful track with some brilliant singing by her. 'Lonely Teardrops' & 'Drowning in the sea of love' are two of the more classic soul numbers which leave one with a nice and easy feelin. Driftin' Blues & Chain Lightning are again the more uptempo fagen-dan type songs with kool grooves, lines and harmonies ( not to mention great solos!) that keep u hooked all the way!! 'Groovin' swings you into a light and comfy mood while 'minute by minute' revs up the energy again and leaves u ready for more! And in wrapping it up the energy of all present at the live venue is conveyed thru 'people got to be free' followed by the classic Pretzel Logic and finally a reprise of Madison Avenue... which wuz how it all began!!

All in All a great album!!

While Donald Fagen dates this CD by mentioning the wrap-up of Gulf War I, the music holds up, giving this gem a charm all its own. The selection of guest musicians is first rate, with Phoebe Snow and Michael McDonald giving it all they have on their rendition of " Knock on Wood", while Fagen himself provides a less electronic, more standard jazz version of " Greenflower Street", a number off his first solo album. Boz Scaggs delivers with " Drowning in the Sea of Love", conveying just the right amount of poetic desperation ensconced in lovely musical arrangement. This was released when I was already a devoted Steely Dan/Donald Fagen fan, and open to the interpretations of oldies by acts that had already stood the test of time. It's hard to believe that this CD is sweet sixteen, but the beauty is the timeless sound.

With a lineup that kicks into high gear with McDonald and Snow's version of 'Knock on Wood', you KNOW that you are in for a treat. Not content with just covers, Fagen and co. do great versions of 'Greenflower St' and 'Pretzel Logic'. I drive a lot, and this is required listening along with the 'Nightfly' CD...Totally enjoyable without being too 'Dan-ish'.

After the first time I listened to this, I asked my friend to borrow it to tape it. It was so good, I felt guilty for not paying for it - so I went out and bought it. Then my ex took it. So I bought it again. Phoebe's "At Last" - wonderful!!!