And though it is a solo album written and produced only by donald fagen the dans singer and co. In fact after reading a number of pages i checked back to the title to confirm i was reading a book by donald fagen. For an entrance evaluation at the princeton school of music, the completely selftaught musician. Morph the cat is the latest product from the dan imprint.
Bringing up steely dan find this article in the cjn. The year obviously had some fine diversions and big surprises in store for the cluedup rock fan. The classic midlife crisis song about a man in the suburbs with dreams of being a jazz saxophonist, donald fagen and becker wrote the song in malibu, california. Produced by gary katz, it was released october 1, 1982 by warner bros. The last year has seen a spate of books from such wellknown stars as neil young, graham nash. He has also released four albums as a solo artist and in 2001 was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame.
The 2017 death of steely dans cofounder walter becker left fagen as. For the young donald, an upbringing in a new jersey housing development was more or less a prison. Fagen was previously best known for his work in the group steely dan, with whom he enjoyed a successful career in the 1970s. Yet, you can be sure a whip smart, newspaper reading, tv watching, cinema going, obsessive radio listener like young donald would have, by a process of osmosis, been saturated in the optimism of the age. Glenn freys death is sad, but the eagles were a horrific. Aug 18, 2017 steely dans donald fagen to revisit his past with a little help from a new, young band posted by jeff niesel on fri, aug 18, 2017 at 4.
As widely as my tastes range, their music lacked a certain fire. Donald fagen will not be immediately charged with assault after a physical altercation with his wife, according to the wrap. It was his first collaboration since 1980 with steely dan partner walter becker, who produced the album. The 1993 interview when walter becker opened up about. Morph the cat wrapped up an alleged trilogy in 2006 a trilogy that only became apparent when donald fagens three solo albums were boxed in a set called the nightfly trilogy in 2007 and fagen then busied himself with live performances, something he avoided at the peak of his popularity in the 70s and 80s. T his book is a piece of pure bliss, and its not even the book i thought or hoped it would be. Walter becker, cofounder with donald fagen of steely dan, died sunday at age 67. Joining fagen keyboard, vocals is an all new band the nightflyers a quartet of young musicians that donald has been working with over the past few years near his home in woodstock, ny. Donald fagen he is a graduate of bard college, where he met musician walter becker and started a musical partnership that eventually became the band steely dan. Donald jay fagen is an american musician best known as the cofounder, lead singer, cosongwriter, and keyboardist of the band steely dan, formed in the earl.
Sep 03, 2017 the classic midlife crisis song about a man in the suburbs with dreams of being a jazz saxophonist, donald fagen and becker wrote the song in malibu, california. Dec 19, 2017 donald fagen describes painful last meeting with a very ill walter becker losing a long time bandmate can be as painful as saying goodbye to ones spouse. A helpful resource for budding or seasoned collectors. Otherwise, he goofs around on the piano and discusses jazz chords with his 15yearold niece, emily, an honor student at shaker heights high school, who also plays piano. And tom scott is one of the most prolific studio reed and wind players who established the latenight television saxophone sound. On sept 3, 2017, the music world mourned the loss of steely dan cofounder walter becker, who had died that morning at his home in maui, hawaii. Fagen agreed to enter into an adjournment in contemplation of. Backing vocals donald fagen, frank floyd, valerie simpson, zack sanders bass marcus miller composed by, arranged by donald fagen drums jeff porcaro electric piano michael omartian guitar hugh mccracken, rick derringer lead guitar larry carlton piano donald fagen synthesizer donald fagen, rob mounsey. With walter beckers untimely death in 2017, donald fagen continues to keep the bands flame burning on stages around the world. The first few chapters illustrate the early jazz, bop and country style music that he loves and of course what you are actually reading is all of the early musical influences of fagen. His writing has appeared in premiere, slate, harpers bazaar, and jazz times. Like many other rock stars, becker was separated from his mother far too young, at age five, when. If you view the 1970s as the brutal crash after the previous decades brief period of love and optimism of social change and elevated consciousness then steely dan is the.
Michael mcdonalds latest album is ultimate collection here. Nick utap becker, who has died at the age of 67 from an undisclosed illness, was born in the new york borough of queens. In eminent hipsters, musician and songwriter donald fagen, best known as the cofounder of the rock band steely dan, presents an autobiographical portrait that touches on everything from the cultural figures that mattered the most to him as a teenager, to his years in the late 1960s at bard college, to a hilarious account of a recent tour he made with boz scaggs and. Mar 31, 2000 there is the occasional jaunt to halfprice books fagen majored in english literature at bard college and is an insatiable reader or a casual meal in little italy. Lr jim hodder, david palmer, denny dias, donald fagen, jeff skunk baxter and walter becker of the rock band steely dan pose for a portrait in 1972. In january 1974, joni mitchell released the exquisite, deceptively sunny court and spark. Cant buy a thrill, steely dans first album was released. Donald fagen, 65, cofounder of literate, aggressively dyspeptic jazz. This book gives an overview of steely dans career while investigating every track recorded across the nine steely dan studio albums, plus becker and fagen s six solo albums. Fagen was previously best known for his work in the group steely dan, with whom he enjoyed a. Steely dans donald fagen tours with young nightflyers. Donald fagen s ode to the futurethatneverwas as seen from the vantage point of the eisenhower and kennedy years a vision fueled by the bounty of the nuclear age and the space age, with. Along the way, hes also worked with sting, bonnie raitt, peter himmelman and shawn colvin, while holding a lengthy tenure with jackson browne. Feb 24, 2019 donald fagen, walter becker licensed to youtube by believe music on behalf of coqueiro verde records.
Henry mancini, whose swank, noirish soundtracks left their mark on him. Oct 22, 20 fagen, cofounder of rockpopjazz group steely dan, begins by introducing the eminent hipsters that spoke to him as he was growing up in a bland new jersey suburb in the early 1960s, among them jean shepherd, whose manic nightly broadcasts out of worradio enthralled a generation of alienated young people. Fagen, cofounder of rockpopjazz group steely dan, begins by introducing the eminent hipsters that spoke to him as he was growing up in a bland new jersey suburb in the early 1960s, among them jean shepherd, whose manic nightly broadcasts out of worradio enthralled a generation of alienated young people. Steely dans breakup was officially announced on 17th june 1981 when donald fagen gave a scoop to journalist and longtime fan robert palmer in the new york times. He is a graduate of bard college, where he met musician walter becker and started a musical partnership that eventually became the band steely dan. Sep 26, 20 donald fagens top10 its silly to choose ten, but okay. Donald fagen licensed to youtube by wmg on behalf of elektra. Sep 03, 2017 walter becker, cofounder with donald fagen of steely dan, died sunday at age 67. Sunken condos by donald fagen 93624947875 cd barnes. For an entrance evaluation at the princeton school of music, the completely selftaught musician showcased the moving theme song from the film.
Jeff young, keyboardist with jackson browne, steely dan. Steely dan fans can follow the groups evolution in intricate detail in major dudes. There is the occasional jaunt to halfprice books fagen majored in english literature at bard college and is an insatiable reader or a casual meal in little italy. Jan 10, 2016 jeff young is a longtime collaborator with donald fagen and steely dan, adding keyboards and backing vocals to a series of tours after appearing on the new york rock and soul revue. Fagen is cofounder of the literate jazzpoprock band steely dan, and his first book is a wry compendium and artobiography, as he coins it, consisting of pieces that illuminate the musical, literary, and cultural influences on the young fagen and a. During times of chaos, its natural to seek some semblance of control. Oct 28, 2014 a witty, candid, sharply written memoir by the cofounder of steely dan in his entertaining debut as an author, donald fagenmusician, songwriter, and cofounder of steely danreveals the cultural figures and currents that shaped his artistic sensibility, as well as offering a look at his college days and a hilarious account of life on the road. A witty, candid, sharply written memoir by the cofounder of steely dan in his entertaining debut as an author, donald fagenmusician, songwriter, and cofounder of steely danreveals the cultural figures and currents that shaped his artistic sensibility, as well as offering a look at his college days and a hilarious account of life on the road. Donald fagen was born in 1948 and grew up in new jersey. He is a graduate of bard college, where he met musician walter becker, with whom he formed steely dan. Steely dans donald fagen arrested for domestic assault. September 3, 2017 posted by donald and libby fagen a song by mark oliver everett. Steely dan singer donald fagen just being honest in new.
In the interview, fagen didnt rule out the possibility that he would one day reunite with steely coleadercosongwriter walter becker, but neglected to mention that he had. Donald fagens top 10 the current the criterion collection. Bringing up steely dan find this article in the cjn archive. The 1993 interview when walter becker opened up about steely. If you view the 1970s as the brutal crash after the previous decades brief period of love and optimism of social change and elevated consciousness then steely dan is the soundtrack for how the whole thing went to hell. Mar 22, 2020 donald fagen and walter becker have been waiting for this moment. The young fagen was the rabbis only student in 1961. In eminent hipsters, musician and songwriter donald fagen, best known as the cofounder of the rock band steely dan, presents an autobiographical portrait that touches on everything from the cultural figures that mattered the most to him as a teenager, to his years in the late 1960s at bard college, to a hilarious account of a recent tour he made with boz scaggs and michael mcdonald. Books by donald fagen and linda ronstadt take a look at. Our goal for every customer is to be personally responsible for them owning the books they cherish most and a partner in their excitement. Donald fagen describes painful last meeting with a very ill walter becker losing a long time bandmate can be as painful as saying goodbye to ones spouse. When they said a memoir by donald fagen was on the way it seemed reasonable to assume that the co. Donald fagens latest album is sunken condos or get all of his solo albums in cheap xmas. Sep 04, 2017 walter becker with donald fagen, right, in 1977.
Jan 19, 2016 walter becker and donald fagen captured it in one line. Janie runaway is the fourth single from steely dans 2000 album two against nature. In eminent hipsters, musician and songwriter donald fagen, best known as the cofounder of the rock band steely dan, presents an autobiographical portrait that touches on everything from the cultural figures that mattered the most to him as a teenager, to his years in the late 1960s at bard college, to a hilarious account of a recent tour he made with boz scaggs. The album is a futuristic, optimistic eightsong cycle about the journey of the narrator in his hightech car, the kamakiri. Steely dan singer donald fagen just being honest in new book. We offer a concierge service, to those unfamiliar with fine books, for the perfect gift on any occasion including personalized gifts for business clients. Nick utap becker, who has died at the age of 67 from an undisclosed illness, was born in. With walter becker, he took several classic steely dan albums. Oct 14, 20 dubbed by its author an artobiography, its a thoughtful collection of essays about the artists who most influenced a young donald fagen growing up in the jersey suburbs during the 1950s, the folks whose origins lie outside the mainstream or creatively exploit material from the margin. Donald fagen s latest album is sunken condos or get all of his solo albums in cheap xmas. Its impossible to separate the bands era from their ethos. Donald fagens top10 its silly to choose ten, but okay. The nightfly is the debut studio album by american singersongwriter donald fagen.
The nightflyers are connor kennedy guitar, vocals, lee falco drums, vocals, brandon morrison bass, vocals and will bryant keyboards, vocals. Fagen is cofounder of the literate jazzpoprock band steely dan, and his first book is a wry compendium and artobiography, as he coins it, consisting of pieces that illuminate the musical, literary, and cultural influences on the young fagen and a hilariously cranky tour diary from 2012. And though it is a solo album written and produced only by donald fagen the dans singer and cocomposer, it is inarguably a steely dan. Books by donald fagen and linda ronstadt take a look at music and life.
Fagen, upon his friends passing, spoke vaguely of beckers childhood misery back in queens. Jeff young is a longtime collaborator with donald fagen and steely dan, adding keyboards and backing vocals to a series of tours after appearing on the new york rock and soul revue. Steely dans donald fagen and walter becker were known for their perfectionism. Donald jay fagen born january 10, 1948 is an american musician best known as the cofounder, lead singer, cosongwriter, and keyboardist of the band steely dan, formed in the early 1970s. Cant buy a thrill, steely dans first album was released in 1972. Sep 25, 2016 the reference books tell me this took place between july 1957 to december 1958 when donald fagen was not yet a teenager. Kamakiriad is the second solo album by steely dan artist donald fagen, released in 1993.