I caught the Summer of Living Dangerously tour this past weekend at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH (Cleveland's summer concert venue).
Two things really stood out to me.
1. They left an empty mic stand where Walter used to stand.
2. Hey Nineteen was now just another song in the set.
I really enjoyed the show, but it was bittersweet without Walter.
Regarding the empty mic stand -- I've heard this several times. But there always was a mic stand right next to Walter's, and it was for the few times when a horn player stepped up for a solo - e.g., Michael for Dirty Work, Roger for ...I forget. and of course Walt for Aja. So, for instance, Does Walt W use that mic for his Aja solo? Or is there a horn solo mic that is really in addition to another one that remains unused all night? Without going into details, I find it relatively hard to believe that a tribute to Walter, if any, would take that form. Just wondering. Fuuture attendees...?
I went to the show outside Indy in Noblesville, Indiana Sunday night (then drove back home and, 3.5 hours of sleep later, went to work the next morning....). It was very entertaining, but also extremely bittersweet. Walter's personality and wit and guitar playing was such a huge part of the experience, and now it's gone. It was just hard to process, I kept waiting for him to stroll across the stage as the first song was finishing up.
From what I could tell from my seats, there was a large mic set up in between Jon and Donald used exclusively for horn solos, and next to that was a vocal mic that mostly sat unused, but Donald actually used it whenever he got up from the Rhodes on songs where he played melodica.
There were two mics between Donald and Jon Herrrington. One was used by horn players and Donald, I don't think the one closer to Herrington was used at all. It was never acknowledged. The only mention of WB was during Donald's intro to FM.
I went to see SD in February this year in Birmingham and there was two microphones set up next to Jon Herrington, one set up low for the horn solos and one at head height which was used for the trumpet solo (?) and for introducing the members of the band towards the end by Jon Herrington and Michael Leonhart. I'm fairly sure that Walter's set up was further back than this. The media picked up on the empty mic nod to Walter, but I'm not convinced..
Great concert, but I had a lump in my throat throughout. My 18 year old son enjoyed the concert but wished Walter had been there.
I asume the one by the center stage is the one for the sax, trumpet solos. Which was when I was working for the Dan. The other close to Herington I asume is the one that WB used to use during his time with them and I also assume that at least Fagen as respect for WB (which I hope he has a bit of decency left) still put the Mic that Walter used to use to honor his memory.
i am not with the Dan anymore since the passing of Waltet due to Fagen getting rid of all Walter camp, so I don’t know much (in the technical stuff) of their touring
...actually I'm not 100% sure it was used for the trumpet, but they used the head height mic for introductions
Since we're being honest and all, I don't have any desire to see SD w/out WB. Just my opinion but since there were only 2 people making SD music either in studio or live, maybe call it something else.
I feel the same way about seeing Steely Dan perform now as I do about the current iteration of the band doing "The Nightfly" on album nights...it's good, yes, but it's not Steely Dan. I have nothing but respect for Donald Fagen's musicianship and the incredibly talented supporting cast of musicians, up to and inclduing Connor Kennedy, who is a fine guitar player. I don't even begrudge Donald wanted to make Steely Dan money and not Donald Fagen money. I certainly don't fault the concert-goers who just want to hear some good music and forget about the rest of the bullshit for a while. I would pay good money to go see a Donald Fagen show (I did on both of his solo tours) just as I would have if Walter had chosen to tour as a solo act. But i choose to keep my memories of the multiple times I saw Steely Dan intact. I will never have seen Steely Dan without Walter Becker, and that is the way I want it. If Donald had toured in 93 without Walter and called it Steely Dan, I would have been unconvinced. I remain so today. If Walter had toured without Donald and called it Steely Dan, I would have likewise thought it untrue. It took two men to make what was Steely Dan. It didn't take anything more than those two men, but it couldn't be accomplished with anything less.
Agree completely, can't fault listeners for wanting to hear the SD music, or any musician playing it. I'm a little twisted about the "making SD money" part but there are lots of strings attached to life.
Just won't be for me.
That's my feeling as well, Matt. I don't begrudge anyone wanting to see the Steely Dan Band as it is currently, but it's not my idea of Steely Dan. The sum was the whole of both parts. Anything else to me is another band. It's not bad, it's not good, or better. It's just... something else entirely. And I speak as someone who was conflicted about seeing them live in the first place; afraid that there was no way that whatever they could do onstage would stack up to the records. But, that's life, I guess. Things change. I also don't knock DF for wanting to tour; it's his prerogative , I suppose.
Donald went on record just after Walter passed away, stating that if he had his way, when he took the band out on tour he would prefer it to be called something like "Donald Fagen and the Steely Dan band". He agreed with everything you guys are saying. It was the promoters who basically told him it's going to be called Steely Dan or we're not interested. So his hands were tied if he wanted to tour with this band and make some money. And, knowing what I do about his relationship with Walter, I believe him. I will still go to see them when the opportunity presents itself, just because I love the music, they still sound great, and you never know when it will be the last time. I wish Walter was still there, but this is what we're left with, for better or for worse.
I understand what you are all saying...the music and wonderful performances will continue. But for me, SD without Walter - my heart just isn't into it. There was something special about seeing the creator: the author of those incredible lyrics and superfine sound. It's diminished without his presence.