Steely Dan - Two Against Nature - DTS 5.1 (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you've scrolled down the page this far, it's obvious that you're a Steely Dan fan and you, therefore, don't require a long-winded biography of this most unique band and its principal founders, Donald Fagan and Walter Becker. You already know they write great songs with memorable hooks, fascinating lyrics, and keen, jazz-influenced harmony. And no doubt you know that their latest studio album, "Two Against Nature," is their first in nearly twenty years.
This extraordinary video concert, taped at Sony Studios in New York this past winter and now available on VHS and DVD, was first presented by PBS Television as an installment of its "In The Spotlight" series. I purchased the DVD and it is remarkable in terms of both the performance and the overall production.
If you've seen the PBS version, be advised that the DVD offers essentially the same program, only with few more interview segments, rehearsal footage and short clips of Becker and Fagan humorously interrogating various friends and band members. It also includes an energetic performance of "FM" edited out during my PBS station's pledge week, perhaps to allow more time to pitch tote bags and umbrellas.
The old songs like "Kid Charlemagne," "Pretzel Logic," and "Babylon Sisters" sound better than ever. And the new material is superb as well. Thankfully, the concert is produced without the usual obligatory special effects that so often make concert videos annoying. It simply looks and sounds great.
While you're waiting for the Steely Dan tour to hit your town this summer, this DVD will have to do it the meantime. And it will do just fine.

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Steely Dan has not had a new studio album in twenty years--"Two Against Nature" was worth the wait! This concert, recorded live in New York at the Sony Studios, contains new songs as well as classic hits from the minds of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. Together, they deliver a unique music experience that is truly unforgettable. Songs: Green Earrings, Cousin Dupree, Bad Sneakers, Janie Runaway, Josie, FM, Gaslighting Abbie, Black Friday, Babylon Sisters, Kid Charlemagne, Jack of Speed, Peg, What a Shame About Me, Pretzel Logic.Full Frame - Color - English - 5.1 Dolby Digital, 5.1 DTS

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All One Review

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(More customer reviews)A great addition to the KD collection, All One provides a unique and at times racy accompaniment to his other albums. The pitch and rhythm is rich and powerful, and the nuances are structured so that no two verses repeat the same flow. I greatly enjoyed the balance that the choir brings on singing the return chant, responding to the invitation to open the heart. Very difficult to concentrate on `head stuff' when listening to this.
Krishna Das is a master at creating conscious connections between 'sound' and the heart. The standout quality in All One is the way these connections are initially subtle, and then melodiously the tempo is increased until at times, I experience a complete change in my state of being. The technical description of the beats and styles of the four tracks are really superfluous; ultimately its the feeling of Oneness that is engendered by the whole package that counts.
If this is your first introduction to Krishna Das you might find the continual invocation slightly frustrating because of course, KD is capable of so much variety. If that is the case - go for it and purchase Door of Faith and his Greatest Hits - you can't lose either way. So be aware it is a full on hour of Hare Krishna Hare Rama chanting.
Kind Regards
Daniel John Hancock

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"All One" is Krishna Das' first new studio recording in two years. Featuring Walter Becker and Def Leppard's Rick Allen, "All One" is a Mantric suite in four movements. "All One" covers musical ground from western classical music to South African township music.Co-produced by Walter Becker, "All One" features a 20 instrument orchestra and 70 voices. Other musicians included on this recording are longtime Krishna Das sideman Ty Burhoe and guitarist/composer David Nichtern.

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Alive in America Review

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(More customer reviews)This record seems to be a litmus test for some listeners- particularly those who cannot bear hearing a band peform a tune any way other than *exactly* as they did on the record. That group will be severely dissapointed; Becker and Fagin are first and formost jazzers, and on this album they flex their jazz chops to bring some new color and style to their best known songs.
"Reelin' in the Years" is probably the cut that will bug the inflexible listeners the most; gone is that classic (Elliot Easton?) guitar riff, replaced by a horn section, and at a slower tempo, too. But it still swings, in a more sophisticated way. The first time I heard it I thought gee, they've taken away the best part of the tune, but now it's my favorite cut on the album.
"Babylon Sisters" is perhaps the closest to the recorded arrangement, but it too benifits from a slightly slower tempo and a jazzier feel. "Green Earrings" is still the ultimate in cool hipster music, and "Boddhisatva" loses nothing, even without the original guitar pyrotechnics.
In fact, the entire album swings in a way no Steely Dan studio album ever did. I love it.

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Talk about reeling in the years! The first Steely Dan recording in 15 years is culled from their series of sold-out concerts in 1993 and 1994.No Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: STEELY DANTitle: ALIVE IN AMERICAStreet Release Date: 10/17/1995

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New York Rock & Soul Revue: Live At The Beacon Review

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(More customer reviews)This CD is one of those rare albums you can listen to 100 times and it's always great. The live performances are some of the best from each of these solid performers, but Boz Skaggs absolutely grooves with 'Drowning in the Sea of Love.' Michael McDonald sings 'Lonely Teardrops' like it was made for him instead of Clyde McPhadder. Donald Fagan shines in both vocals and keyboards, but Pretzel Logic is just awesome, especially with McDonald asking, "Where'd you get those shoes?" One of my Island Albums, for sure, and I bet it will be one of yours.

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Two Against Nature Review

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(More customer reviews)Steely Dan is like an enigma. The true die hard fans have longed and yearned for anything by this dynamic duo. Finally it is here. The nine new songs in Two Against Nature deliver what any fan desires - the familiar sound with unfamiliar songs. Although they are spectacular live and we all should have the various box sets available (the best is on MCA), this recording is a must and will appeal to the fans from before as well as an entire new generation of Steely Dan fans. A must buy.

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: STEELY DANTitle: TWO AGAINST NATUREStreet Release Date: 02/29/2000

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