Steely Dan Album: “Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz: Radio Broadcast”

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...

Now if you're a Dan fan,you take what you can get. Although this is not a studio album,it's worth the price of admission for sure. Word has it that certain jazz aficionados and/or jazz radio programmers were offended by the appearance of Becker/Fagen on the famed 'Piano Jazz' show. Although SD are jazz inspired,they are still at the core a Rock n' Roll band. That being said, the banter mixed with the live tracks is quite a treat. "Josie","Black Friday" and "Chain Lightning" are the SD nuggets done in a refreshing and laid back way. My favorite parts of the disc though, are when Fagen is stripped of his cynical nature when McPartland is discussing her encounters/friendships with Parker/Ellington/Armstrong. Obviously Becker/Fagen worship at the altar of these greats and when you're listening to this disc you're almost listening to B/F as curious fans and not performers. This is a clean,crisp recording that is a must for any serious Steely Dan fanatic. This is the sort of cd you enjoy with a fine imported beer in front of a fire on a cold,cold night.

Marian McPartland "un hip"? yeah, right, and perhaps a certain reviewer needs an attitude adjustment. The "Edna St. Vincent Millet" give and take was pretty typical and it sounded pretty umm.."hip" to me and it seened like the guys in the band, enjoyed it too, and I suspect that Steely Dan is a tad "hipper" than someone who would look down their ivory noses at a still-great jazz legend! Try to remember that Ms. McPartland basically just cold-jammed with these guys and yes, things drag here and there but stick ANY piano player unfamiliar with the Becker-Fagan repertoire and you'll get the same sporadic hesitancy on occasion. I enjoyed all the cuts, especially the last one "Black Friday"...you could tell that the old girl was just getting warmed up during the previous hour. This cd holds up after many listenings so get it and you won't be disappointed!

being a long time steely dan fans , I found this album excellent .

Great to hear them talk ,sing ,play and discuss their roots and influences . highly recommended for any serious fans .

This album is a treasure to anyone who has followed Fagen and Becker (aka Donald and Walter) since the 1970's. This great set shows two pathfinders who know their musical roots and the wonderous Ms. McPartland who as the dowager Empress of Jazz, can still match our boys note for note and witty remark for witty remark.