Search - Steely Dan :: Marian Mcpartland's Piano Jazz

A wonderful conversation with Steely Dan

Eric J. Anderson | Ankeny, Iowa | 04/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Steely Dan performs, with limited backup -- Steely Dan unplugged is what this is -- a few of their classic songs, along with some jazz classics. The best part of this album is the jazz music.



The Dan are not annoyed with Ms. McPartland at all. They are in awe! This grand old lady of jazz was there when the classic era of be-bop jazz was happening. She met the legends that Walter and Donald idolize -- Charlie Parker, the Duke, Louis Armstrong.



Yes, there is a bit of awkwardness as these musicians from different genres and clearly different generations try to connect. But I've listened to this show several times and I can only see the utmost mutual respect between all involved. McPartland is out of her element trying to jam with The Dan. Donald and Walter do not exactly shine as jazz players, either. Walter Becker is clearly not suited to playing Duke Ellington -- he is the most like a fish out of water. But it's all in good fun.



My advice is for Steely Dan fans who are not otherwise into jazz music pass on this disc. For those of us who have extensive pop and jazz collections, this show is very enjoyable. That said, the best musical performance is McPartland's moving solo performance of Star Eyes (requested by Donald Fagen). The second best is Hesitation Blues. Limbo Jazz is kind of a hoot, too. Steely Dan can't lose when they play the blues -- many, many of their songs are based on the classic blues structure, twisted, bent, and run through the Cuisineart. But it still boils down to the blues and jazz.



It was a truly special hour with McPartland and The Dan. Yes, it gives me warm fuzzies. Still, it might not be your cup of tea, so be advised."

Best live interview of Donald and Walter ever recorded....

William Anderson | Austin Texas USA | 03/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Overall, though, I think there is a lot of warmth and mutual respect throughout this interview and jam. Donald and Walter are a lot less pretentious and more relaxed than usual. I've loved Steely Dan for nearly 30 years, but just try getting a straight answer our of the boys in an interview. Let me tell you, Marian does.



The version of "Josie", with a 4-piece band, is the best that SD ever recorded, in my opinion.



During the interview, there is this running gag that Donald seems to be pulling on Marian, which is based on their mutual admiration for Duke Ellington. The gag is this: Donald keeps referring to songs by Duke, and playing songs by Duke, that Marian has never heard. This seems to confound Marian, and I think that this puts her off her form, somewhat. By the end of the show, the attentive listener would swear that Donald has spent some energy in finding obscure Duke Ellington tunes with which to stump the hostess. All in good fun, I think.



Also, for ten bonus points, listen to "Limbo Jazz" and name the cut from Aja where the same hook is used..."

A true dan fan will love this

A. EDWARDS | MARION, NC United States | 12/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a true Steely Dan fan, this is a must have album. Marian McPartland's influence on jazz to the mainstream will not be appreciated fully until she is gone. I read that at least one NPR station refused to play the interview on her weekly piano jazz show, on grounds that having Steely Dan on the jazz program was demeaning to jazz enthusiasts. Nothing could be more wrong. This album, and the clever commentary that fills in the gaps, demonstrates that jazz created Steely Dan.



This CD is Walter, Donald and Marian unplugged, and, to agree with a previous review, with their respective guards down a bit. Buy it, it is worth it."