Steely Dan Plays Gaucho

When I first received an email from the Chicago Theatre earlier in the summer announcing Steely Dan’s 4-night run playing some of their best albums in their entirety, I knew I had to make it to at least one. Conveniently, last night’s performance of Gaucho and selected favorites featured half-price tickets. Blame it on the recession, a Tuesday night, or that Gaucho may not quite match Aja or The Royal Scam, but for $45 we were able to score floor tickets and locate ourselves in better-than-paid-for 20th row seats dead center.

Becker and Fagen’s “09 Orchestra” (as they’re calling the band) opened the show with a long, bluesy intro that saw drummer Keith Carlock show off chops that would highlight a tight but exploratory take on the band’s classics. As the intro faded out, one of the three backup singers arrived on-stage carrying a vinyl copy of Gaucho which she laid onto a turntable and dropped the needle to as the band struck up the opening notes of Babylon Sisters.
Gaucho was Steely Dan’s last album before their 10-year breakup, recorded in 1980 and released in 1981, and stood as the only studio album from the band until 2000. Gaucho retains the jazzy pop of the group’s past efforts, but has more of that late 70’s, early 80’s disco feel throughout.
The album’s title track is a tribute to jazz pianist Keith Jarrett (whose “Long As You Know You’re Living Yours” is featured within the song), and really seemed to get the crowd enthused as the on-stage vinyl was flipped to Side B. While the band was completely true to the album versions, there was also a fair amount of improv in songs like Glaumour Profession, Gaucho, and My Rival that saw Becker and Fagen trading licks, pushing the horn section to take the lead, or tossing some nasty solos to guitarist Jon Herington or keyboardist Jim Beard.

The band received a standing ovation as Gaucho ended, which marked the beginning of a more engaging second half of the show. Donald Fagen began to talk to the crowd after stepping out of the intensity he brought to all eight Gaucho songs, and lighten up a bit as he belted out the lyrics to Green Earrings, which will be played on Thursday in the context of The Royal Scam.

The favorites kept coming throughout the rest of the night, with hits like Black Cow (from Aja), Showbiz Kids, Kid Charlemagne, Josie, My Old School, and the timeless encore choice of Reelin’ In The Years (video below) from the band’s 1972 debut album, Can’t Buy A Thrill.

Steely Dan - Reelin’ In The Years from The Butter Room on Vimeo.

As Becker and Fagen left to boisterous applause, the rest of the band played us out with a jazzy little jam, a “thank you” for such a respectful and fun crowd. All in all, you could not have asked for much more: one of the best albums of the early 80’s and a host of hits performed with a youthful vigor that would likely surprise the outside observer.

If you’re looking for a fun evening later this week, swing by the Chicago Theatre for Thursday’s performance of The Royal Scam or Friday’s request show. Tickets are plentiful at the door and in the form of extras that people are likely willing to get rid of below face.

Steely Dan
Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL
9.1.09

1. Blues Intro
2. Babylon Sisters
3. Hey Nineteen
4. Glamour Profession
5. Gaucho
6. Time Out of Mind
7. My Rival
8. Third World Man
9. Green Earrings
10. Dirty Work
11. Black Cow
12. Bodhisattva
13. Showbiz Kids
14. Black Friday
15. Parker’s Band
16. (Unknown)
17. Peg
18. Piano Interlude
19. Josie
20. Don’t Take Me Alive
21. My Old School
22. Kid Charlemagne
23. Encore:
23. Reelin’ in the Years
24. Instrumental Outro