Published on Jan 24, 2006
The reunion of Steely Dan in 1994 could be best
described as finding a pair of old shoes under your bed that you
really loved because they were so comfortable. What you maybe had
forgotten about those shoes was the way they smelled, or that the
soles were nearly worn out.
Alive In America, an admittedly
studio-doctored disc that captured Walter Becker and Donald Fagen
on the road as Steely Dan for the first time since Countdown To
Ecstasy, was less about setting the world on fire with their
rebirth as it was getting comfortable again with the music that
made the band legendary. While the new version of Steely Dan does
bring back memories of the old standards, the magic of seeing them
live is definitely lost without the visual images.
In a sense, Becker and Fagen were fighting a losing
battle with this tour, despite the generally positive press they
received for it. No matter which songs they selected, there would
be some hardcore fans who would wonder why their particular
favorites weren’t included. (I, myself, longed to hear “Do It
Again,” undoubtedly my favorite Steely Dan track.) Yet if they
varied from the original song even by one note, the same purists
would be up in arms decrying the way the classic was butchered —
never mind the fact that they should be thrilled they were even
hearing these cuts performed live.
Although this disc is a pastiche of Steely Dan’s 1994
tour, it does feel like it takes some time for the band to really
warm up and get the excitement level going. I don’t know if
“Babylon Sisters” was necessarily the right track to get things
moving — and I’ll admit I don’t really care for the key being
dropped a notch, though I understand why it maybe was
necessary.
But once Becker and Fagen get rolling, Alive In
America does seem to come to life. “Green Earrings” may seem like
an odd selection, but when paired up with “Bodhisattva,” it’s a
one-two punch to the sternum that works well. Likewise, “Kid
Charlemagne” seems like an odd choice to play live, but they are
able to generate more than a little interest in this
all-but-forgotten track.
There are a few missteps along the way, though. While
I understand that music must change in order to keep things fresh,
I can’t say I like the new take on “Reelin’ In The Years.” I kept
hoping to hear that knife-sharp guitar solo that opens up the
studio version, but despite repeated listenings to this album, I
realized it just wasn’t coming. And while I understand the Steely
Dan reunion came about due to Becker and Fagen’s solo works, the
inclusion of “Book Of Liars” seems out of place, despite the fact
it’s the first time in Steely Dan’s history that Becker took the
role of lead throat.
Still, there are some great performances on this disc
worth shouting about. “Peg” sounds almost spot-on, despite the
passage of over 15 years, while “Sign In Stranger” — one of their
best songs forgotten by commercial radio — loses none of its
power. And to hear “Aja” performed live is, pure and simple, a
treat.
Admittedly, Alive In America is not a disc
you’re going to get the first few listens, and it definitely does
help to have more than a passing knowledge of Steely Dan’s back
catalog before diving into this one. But while I should be thrilled
to even have the chance to hear these tracks performed live, I did
find myself longing for the chance to see these performances for
myself. Yeah, I understand that DVDs weren’t in the marketplace
back then, but a boy can dream, can’t he?
Alive In America is the kind of album that
will please the diehard Steely Dan fans, but most likely confuse
anyone who thinks they know the band because of what they’ve heard
on the radio. It’s an interesting way to announce to the world
you’ve returned from a decade-plus long vacation.