Steely Dan: Two Against Nature

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Christopher Potter, Donald Fagan, Michael Leonhart, Walter Becker

It was particularly nice to be able to watch “Steely Dan: Two Against Nature,” a DVD released in 2000 on the Image Entertainment label and coinciding with their CD release of the same name.

While not well known as a “live act,” I suppose Steely Dan is the quintessential example of a band who serves up well-polished studio renditions of songs drawing from various influences. Donald Fagan (1948-) and Walter Becker (1950-) are the two masterminds and only constant members of the band, which was formed in the early 1970’s. With Becker on guitar and Fagan on keyboards and lead vocals, Steely Dan has always enlisted the talents of top studio musicians, as well as other famous players and singers from the Rock/Pop/Jazz firmament to fill out the “band” on any given album. It’s a formula that has obviously worked well for them, given the results.

The DVD I watched was shot live at New York’s Sony Studios in front of a small audience and featured many of their hits from the 2000’s including “Janie Runaway,” “Cousin Dupree,” “Gaslight Alley,” the title track, “Two Against Nature,” as well as various hits from their 1970’s heyday, such as “Peg,” “Josie” and “Kid Charlemagne.”

While precious little live footage was available from this band, the actual performances were so polished and “tight” that there was little departure from the studio versions. The ensemble included three female backup singers, two saxophonists and single players on trumpet, trombone, bass, drums, and two guitarists. Fagan doubled on keyboards, piano, and Wurlitzer. Trumpeter Michael Leonhart (1974-) sat in on Wurlitzer for “Two Against Nature.” Alto saxophonist, Christopher Potter (1971-), was perhaps the most famous sideman in this lineup of superb players.

Interspersed between the musical numbers were humorous “interview” segments with Fagan and Becker, who grilled members of their current band sitting between them on the couch. The same irony that coursed through their songs was on full display here!

At a running time of one hour and 41 minutes, this DVD featured state-of-the-art sound and fine camerawork. There were no bonus features. It’s definitely a “must” for Steely Dan fans.

 

Steely Dan: Aja

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Donald Fagan, Steely Dan, Walter Becker

Steely Dan’s 1977 album “Aja” was and remains the band’s
biggest seller. It was the first of their albums to go “platinum,”
and a fitting entry in the always excellent “Classic Albums”
DVD series, released in 2006 on the Eagle Rock Entertainment
label.

As with the other DVDs in this series, the songs on the album
are deconstructed by band members Donald Fagan (1948 – )
and Walter Becker (1950 – ). Often, we hear them dissecting
the songs “track by track,” and almost providing x-ray versions
of their sophisticated arrangements. Fagan, Becker and the
other session musicians contribute an abundance of anecdotes
and memories of this process. Other musicians interviewed
here include Wayne Shorter, tenor saxophonist on
the title song, “Aja,” and guitarist Larry Carlton. When
discussing the song “Peg,” from the album, singer
Michael McDonald recalled the exacting standards required
by the tight vocal harmonies in that song.

By way of background, Steely Dan has also been known for their
distinctive lyrics which sometimes take an ironic turn, and are
always easy to understand. This style allows them to tackle
some controversial topics with ease. Their music features a
unique combination of Pop and Rock with sophisticated Jazz,
referred to by Donald Fagan as “fake Jazz.”

Initially, they played “live” gigs, yet later limited their
music-making to the studio, often using a very large
contingent of top-of-the-line musicians as session players.
Personal issues and legal wrangling led to a breakup in 1981,
with very little collaboration during that decade. However, fans
everywhere were overjoyed when Becker and Fagan returned
to the studio during 1993, to produce each other’s projects.
A formal reunion and tour schedule followed. In 2000, the
long-awaited release of the CD, “Two Against Nature,” earned
four Grammy awards for this duo. Other album releases have
followed, and they have continued to tour.

The footage regarding their “Aja” album appears to have
been shot in the late 1990’s, as the DVD credits list a 1999
copyright date. A historical perspective is provided by old band
photos, and extra features include a printed history and
discography that were current at that time. The highlight of
the disc is a live performance by Becker, Fagan and other
musicians involved in the original recording of “Aja.” This
60-minute DVD is another great entry in the “Classic Albums”
series, and I look forward to viewing others.