Steely Dan Breaks Out Classic Albums On Current Tour

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are giving Steely Dan fans what they want on the group’s 28-date Rent Party ’09 tour. Not only is the band taking song requests online, but they’re also playing the group’s classic albums – The Royal Scam, Aja and Gaucho – in their entirety on select nights.

The tour started one week ago in Durham, N.C., and finishes up on Sept. 6, at the MotorCity Casino in Detroit.

Becker tells Billboard.com, "In the current climate of financial desperation, we figured there's no reason why people who are going out and buying tickets to concerts shouldn't get a little extra. We've been sort of thinking about this and talking about this for some years and never got around to doing it. And this seemed like a good time to do it."

Steely Dan had stopped touring before the aforementioned albums were released, so for many fans this will be the first time they can hear some of the songs live.

In the same interview, the band members said that they currently have no plans to follow-up their last studio album, 2003’s "Everything Must Go," in the near future, and will not be taping any of the current shows for DVD release.

"It’s be there or be square," Becker says.

Thanks for the report to Gibson.com.

Comments

[highwaysalmon]

I would kill to see The Royal Scam in it's entirety played live.

Can't get enough Steely Dan.

[Les Paul Ell]

I seriously hope they come to England with this epic idea.

[CerpinTaxt]

Three nights in Boston, still might go. Saw them in 06 and it was f-in amazing.

[gus_metallica]

hit the lights!

[toast565]

yeah, come to England!

[Nike-Man]

Incredible, but the tickets are always really expensive

[mastaofrocknrol]

GREAT, I heard they`l come to Holland as well .

[zAg1619]

Yeah, if you happen to have the money for the pricey tickets, go see them. They put on a hell of a live show, and to hear those albums in their entirety would be great.

[TheTrooper5]

Good golly, Kid Charlamagne would be an amazing live tune.

[aig91]

Checked

[jsurf06]

shit yeah walter play what you wanna play!

[Corey Taylor]

love steely dan. the doctor put him on them morning when i was gettin my wisdom teeth out

[guitarplayer292]

i really like steely dan, but this isn't news, they showed on the article on here with their tour dates that some shows would have these albums played exclusively

[HeathenChemist]

Australia again please?? I was too poor last time and found out too late....

[SixStringHero]

Does anyone care that they're not playing Countdown to Ecstacy?

[SixStringHero]

Does anyone CARE about Countdown to Ecstacy?

[Deacon Blues]

i've already bought my 4 day pass for the shows in los angeles. i can't believe this. steely dan is my favorite band, this is like a dream come true.

[MXFNCK]

SixStringHero wrote:

Does anyone CARE about Countdown to Ecstacy?

yes of course. but its too bad that they only do this concept in the US. still its gonna be awesome when Im gonna see them next thursday.

[CerpinTaxt]

SixStringHero wrote:

Does anyone CARE about Countdown to Ecstacy?

for one, royal scam, aja, and gaucho are three of their most legendary albums. they weren't touring at all when the albums came out originally, so to hear each album in its entirety will be cool, especially hearing lesser played songs (the fez, everything you did, i got the news, my rival)

unfortunately donald and walt don't look at their earlier material with as much eagerness. instead, it's an awkward discomfort. songs like pearl of the quarter probably make them very uncomfortable.

they played razor boy at a sound check a few years ago and rumor has it that once it ended, walter dismissed it as "boring."

but they did play Bodhisattva when i saw them in 06. w00t!