Steely Dan Tickets

Entering a Steely Dan concert, one can't help to believe that the quality of musicianship will be high...very high. As long as the sound crew executes then you know the experience will be great. It was. As promised, the band ran through the Aja album flawlessly. The "hits" that followed were equally well done. As a horn player note was taken to just how amazing these guys are both as section players and as soloists. The only disappointing aspect of the evening was surprisingly with the encore, Reelin' in the Years. Through no fault of the back-up vocals, the female vocalists' voice qualities just couldn't quite match the slight edge the original recording has in the vocals. That small point aside, to quote Donald Fagen, "What a night!"

I had read some negative reviews and a lot of positive ones too about their tour so far. Let me tell you they were FANTASTIC. Played all great tunes, fantastic band with Fagen & Becker. Cannot say enough. WOW! WOW! WOW!

Being Steely Dan, one expects A-class musicians on stage with them. But these guys were nothing short of exceptional. From the back-up singers (who all showed their lead abilities with 'Dirty Work') to the horn quartet, the talent was second to none. Both Donald & Walter showed they still have the chops as well. Don's vocals were like a familiar face and his enthusiasm was contageous. I am so glad this was at Massey Hall as their sound was too good to be compromised. To top playing the entire Aja album, they went on to play most of their hits - flawlessly.

The Dan was killer. 3rd time I've seen them and they never disappoint. Seeing them in Massey Hall instead of the ampitheatre was a bonus also.

How cool listening to one of the finest albums of all time being reporoduced live by its creators, the awesome duo of Fagan and Becker, the "steel" of Steely Dan. Last night at Massey Hall, the11-piece power ensemble played the entire "Aja" album as originally pressed onto a vinyl LP, then launched into a cavalcade of better and lesser known numbers from their jazzy catalogue. Nice side touch: just before launching into "Black Cow", the opening cut on "Aja", one of the three back-up singers approached a record turntable sitting upon a pedestal at the side of the stage, and deftly moved the its playing arm onto the black disc lying on the rotating surface (I heard some scratches and crackles, but maybe that was in my own mind and memory of my album copy). After the 3rd song, Deacon Blues, another back-up singer approached the pedestal, raised the player arm, flipped the disc, and replaced the arm for side 2 of "Aja". Highlight of the night: there were many, but "Reelin' in the Years" is still my favourite song in their catalogue, and it was chosen for the absolutely searing encore.

The night started with a cool jazz trio who warmed up the crowd. The SD band made their way on stage with a little jazzy intro themselves. Donald and Walter joined them and went directly in the album material (Aja). It was great, they were tight and Donald's voice was also right on. They played the album without much said to the audience. After the Aja, they added numerous songs, all hits to me. The atmosphere went into high gear. There was electricity in the air, and they continued to blow the roof of the place. Great, great concert! Check out the second night - Royal Scam plus!

Tight! Like you would expect, note for note! Only song that was off was Peg, which only made it funkier!

Steely Dan put Massey Hall on fire last night with sold out crowd and standing ovations. The only negative comment is that sound was not so "clean", should be better mix.

If you are a fan of Steely Dan its hard to imagine a better evening than Wednesday night at Massey Hall. The band looked to be having as much fun as the audience. A rare combination of great musicians, vocalists and arragements in a venue with acoustics second to none. I didn't think it was possible to recreate the feelings from the first times I listened to these songs. I was wrong. Added bonus - my twenty-seven year old son liked it as much as I did.

Modern Drummer readers voted Keith Carlock Best All-Around, Best Pop Drummer and Best Fusion Drummer in 2009. Keith exceeded all my expectations and drove the show through it's entirety. Groove, feel, time, explosive fills and simply awesome musicianship showed he is deserved of the accolades. This was an excellent concert in all aspects. Great use of lighting, musical progressions, replication of some classic tunes and new iterations of others, all delivering great entertainment value. The musical director gets kudos for his interpretation of great guitar lines and for pulling together an incredible band. Vocal harmonies and blend were astounding. Sound was pristine ( the upper gallery could have used a bit more from the subs). I even enjoyed the trombone (a first)

To be honest I have never been a fan and people I know who have been to other SD concerts have always been a little luke warm about it. However, seeing Steely Dan at Massey Hall last night was an unforgettable night. The opening act trio was great and a perfect warm up for what was to come. The sound was amazing and the players were totally locked in. Donald Fagen's vocals were expressive, Keith Carlock on drums added a nice finesse and power and with Freddie on bass the pocket felt great, the backing vocalists were soulful and classy, and the horn section smoking. A masterful job by the MD and Walter on guitar.

I went away from the concert thinking this is the best I have seen them so far. I am not saying the previous concerts were not good, but this one had mostly all my favorite hits. I would highly recommend this concert for those Steely dan fans. I would see them again, no problem.

Don Fegan still got it. It was a great concert. Love every single minute of it.

-Love Massey Hall. -Love Steely Dan. - Didn't enjoy the concert last night. There were three main reasons for this. The first (not the band's fault albeit) was that our seats were in a section marked 'obscured view', usually refering to the old pillars at Massey. This was only a minor obstruction; the real problem was the stage set up which had Donald Fagan stage left of center and too far back so that our entire section could not see him, nor the rhythm section or backup singers- at all. Secondly, the mix was very poor. The drums and keyboard were overpowering while the bass and horn section were barely audible except during solos when it sounded as if their individual levels (and treble) had been cranked. This caused Fagan to strain his voice to be heard and the band lost the smooth sound and tight grooves they are known for. Lastly, I thought the band appeared to be too loose as if they were going through the motions and were a little bored of the material towards the end of their long tour. Steely Dan got off easy as the crowd seemed very generous for a performance that was half-hearted at best, or maybe this is because it was only half visible.

Awesome 2 hors and half show! Incredible experience of "live" Steely Dan!! See how Donald Fagen moves and Walter Becker doesn't!!!

Perfect Sound, Perfect songs! Everything just Perfect!

When I saw the opportunity to see Steely Dan play Aja in its entirety, I had to check it out. It did not disappoint and to those who were worried about not seeing the “Royal Scam” concert Thursday were presently surprised to hear such songs as “Green Earrings” and “Kid Charlemagne.” They played songs from all albums with the exception of Pretzel Logic so suffice to say, no “Rikki Don't Lose That Number.” One of the highlights of the show; the original version of “Reelin' In the Years.” My favourite song last night; Babylon Sisters. With a terrific band once again and (if you’re a drummer fan), Keith Carlock was absolutely amazing to watch and listen to. Massey Hall was a perfect setting for this establish band. 5 stars.

I had been trying to get to see Steely Dan for a few years now, and for some reason or another was not able to get to previous dates. Thankfully I got to see them perform AJA last night and the wait was well worthwhile. I cannot speak highly enough of the musicians, backing singers and the performance as a whole. Both Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were immense, Fagens singing was absolutely perfect, and he looked as if he was enjoying it nearly as much as the crowd were. I absolutely loved it.

After many absent years Steely Dan has come back sounding and better like never before. At this present time no present group or artist can't come close to playing or writing like Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (a.k.a. Steely Dan). Is it bias opinion? These two have been writing and playing together for more than 30 years and they've never sounded so good. You must watch them and learn (you rappers/hip hoppers - Eminem) for yourself. Absolutely phenomenal!!!

This is number three for me as far as Steely goes and it was by far the most memorable in a number of ways. The leaders were crisp, funny and sociable, the band was tight and the back up vocals were bang on. Although you can't stuff all their greatest songs in one night, the setlist was perfect. The mix was excellent. I wish I was going again tonight! They have renewed my faith in these new "full album" concerts as of late. They put out a lot more than Aja and the quality was huge! I think they were taken back by the applause and support at the end. They have earned it all!