It's become something of a touring tradition for Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Walter Becker and Donald Fagen to bring Steely Dan to Manhattan's storied Beacon Theatre for several nights of Special Setlist Nights in New York City. The venerable tradition continues into 2015 with 8 nights of Classic Albums, Greatest Hits, and Popular Demand Sets, capped off by a finale night of Special Treats.
The Beacon stand extends a tour that began in April with a fortnight of west coast shows — including two mind-and-media-blowing shows at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Becker and Fagen's long-standing supporting ensemble has earned the reputation of perhaps the finest touring band on stage today. The Santa Barbara Independent concurs: "... one of the greatest recording groups of the late 20th century looks set to also be remembered as one of the best touring acts of the 21st."
Joining Fagen on vocals and keyboards, and Becker on guitar, eight individual virtuosos come together to animate selections from The Dan's extraordinary four-decade catalog, serving up the tight, irresistible grooves and the swinging, sleek aural richness of one of the most iconic repertoires in modern popular music. The Dan's inimitably sly, subversive lyrics over rich ensembles, blazing solo work, and soulful vocal harmonies; they all add up to sets "distinguished by ... muscularity, finesse and chopsmanship." (Toronto Globe & Mail) — and they also add up to still more audiences blown back in their seats — when they're not up dancing — by astonishing musical power and the psychosonic joy of hearing their favorites brought to life.
These superb supporting musicians are: Keith Carlock on drums, Freddie Washington on bass, Jim Beard on keyboards, Jon Herington on guitar, Michael Leonhart on trumpet, Jim Pugh on trombone, Roger Rosenberg on baritone saxophone, Walt Weiskopf on saxophone, with Paulette McWilliams, Carolyn Leonhart, and Cindy Mizelle offering up the sublime vocal harmonies emblematic of that utterly unique "Steely Dan sound"