Steely Dan Reunites with Michael McDonald
PHOENIX (July 18, 2006) – When the Steelyard “Sugartooth” McDan Tour brought Steely Dan and Michael McDonald to town, it did more than put two great musical acts on the same stage during the same night at Cricket Pavilion. It created a reunion that turned back the clock 32 years.
McDonald opened the show with his six-piece band for a rousing 14-song set. Then, midway through Steely Dan’s set, he returned to sit in with the outfit that helped launch his career in the early 1970s.
After Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker introduced the 10 musicians touring with him and Donald Fagen, McDonald walked out and sat at his piano to finish the concert with his former mates. Becker said it was the first time McDonald had played on tour with Steely Dan since 1974.
In late 1975 McDonald joined the Doobie Brothers, taking over lead vocals for most of the group’s hits until it disbanded in 1983. He embarked on a solo career in ’82. He last appeared on a Steely Dan record with backing vocals on 1977’s “Aja.”
Sitting to Fagen’s right, McDonald sang lead on “Show Biz Kids.” He brought the audience of about 7,000 to their feet, and they stood for the next several songs.
The show featured only vintage Dan songs, ignoring material from the “Two Against Nature” CD of 2000 and “Everything Must Go” from 2003. But nobody complained. After all, the band earned its spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with music it produced between 1972 and 1981.
Another endearing feature was the inclusion of songs that Steely Dan eschewed in earlier tours. After “Bodhisattva” opened the set, “Time Out Of Mind” followed. Later on they played “I Got The News” and “Green Earrings.”
Normally Fagen, 58, handles all of the lead vocals. But he let back-up singers Cindy Mizelle and Carolyn Leonhart split the duties on “Dirty Work.” Mizelle sang the first verse and Leonhart the second on the song originally fronted by David Palmer on the “Can’t Buy A Thrill” album.
Becker, 56, has been content on past tours to step back and support lead guitarist Jon Herington with some benign strumming and picking. But he acted more like a leading man tonight as he stepped out and used frisky fingers on the neck of his Fender Stratocaster. His playing was impeccable.
Temperatures remained above 100 degrees at show time in the outdoor venue, and an Arizona dust storm invaded the show at the midpoint. Fagen mused aloud, “I’m wondering what this means – for me!” The only consequences were a music stand being blown down, pages of Fagen’s sheet music being scattered and vapors from a fog machine on stage being quickly dissipated.
When the band revived “Do It Again,” McDonald helped out by singing the second verse. And he delivered his signature backing vocal on “Peg.”
Voices and instruments sounded spectacular on “Kid Charlemagne,” but the band surpassed that effort on the first encore, “My Old School.” The song likely never sounded better. Even when it was originally recorded.
Like an old locomotive, Fagen’s voice keeps chugging along. Time has eroded it very little, and his individual style still rings true. Having suffered from stage fright earlier in his career, he now seems comfortable on stage and can banter with an audience amicably.
After Steely Dan concluded its second encore, “FM,” Fagen arose from his Fender Rhodes keyboard and shook McDonald’s hand. Then they walked off stage with Becker. Fagen promised the crowd, “See you next time.” The tour runs through September 4, when it concludes in St. Louis.
McDonald’s opening set concentrated on Doobie Brothers songs and numbers from his two CDs of Motown remakes.
He opened with “It Keeps You Running” and included “You Belong to Me,” “Minute by Minute” and “Takin’ It To The Streets.” “What A Fool Believes” got the biggest crowd reaction.
Some of the Motown selections were “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I Second That Emotion” and “Stop, Look and Listen (To Your Heart).”
With his ever-deepening voice, McDonald, 54, had trouble hitting high notes. But he also sings with great feeling and is today’s embodiment of blue-eyed soul.
