Latin(4,643)

More Concerts(510)

New Age and Spiritual(2,507)

R&B/Urban Soul(22,670)

Rap and Hip-Hop(3,962)

Rock and Pop(135,786)

World Music(5,350)

Sports

Venue

Find Tickets

Rock and Pop or

Choose a Category

Fan Reviews - Ticketmaster

Reviews Home > Music > Rock and Pop

Top Rated

Reviews

Steely Dan

Average rating:

4.6

1719 of 1798(96%)customers would recommend this to a friend.

Steely Dan Fan Reviews - Ticketmaster

5 / 5

Great as Always

Mud Island Amphitheatre @

- Memphis @

,TN @

- Fri, Aug 14, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The whole Show @

Posted 08/17/2009

by TrueSteely

Location: Memphis

Featured Review

The Night was great for a Memphis outdoor concert and Steely Dan were fantastic as expected. A legend in their own mind and time. One of the lasting unique sounds of all times. They were on it!

Mud Island Amphitheatre @

- Memphis @

,TN @

- Fri, Aug 14, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The whole Show @

1 of 4 found this review helpful.

Share this review:

Review 2 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Steely Dan rocked!

DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center @

- Durham @

,NC @

- Tue, Jun 9, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The opening song, that version they did of "Reeling In The Years" was incredible. @

Opening act(s): Jazz Trio, unsure of name @

Posted 07/22/2009

by Danzelle

Location: North Carolina

Featured Review

The set was unbelievable! They started out with a new, slower paced version of "Reeling In The Years" that would be excellent to hear again, hopefully on their next album they'll think to add it in. That's right, they announced they have new songs for an album upcoming and they played some of them! They also played some old favorites such as "Kid Charlemagne" , "Bad Sneakers" , "Hey Nineteen", and "Babylon Sister".

One of the most amazing things to me about a Steely Dan show is all of the musical talent that hits the stage. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are amazing musicians and they always bring a lot of other amazing musicians along with them. They had 3 female back up vocalist/dancers, 4 horn players, a drummer, a bass player, and a keyboard player up on stage with them. Quite a bit of the show Fagen played Melodica instead of playing a keytar or a keyboard. This show was just so amazing to watch and hear.

It was an exellent show and I hope to someday see them again while they are still touring. If you have not experienced one of their live shows I would highly recommend you try to make it before these living legends retire or pass on.

DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center @

- Durham @

,NC @

- Tue, Jun 9, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The opening song, that version they did of "Reeling In The Years" was incredible. @

Opening act(s): Jazz Trio, unsure of name @

Reviewer Images:

(click to see full-size image)

5 of 6 found this review helpful.

Share this review:

Review 3 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Steely Dan: All About the Music

St Augustine Amphitheatre @

- St Augustine @

,FL @

- Thu, Jun 18, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Jon Herrington's solo on Bad Sneakers @

Opening act(s): Don't know. Apparently, they played before the official starting time. @

Posted 07/16/2009

by dougguitar

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Featured Review

It had been several years since I last saw Steely Dan live, so I was really looking forward to this show. We sprung for high dollar tickets, and were not disappointed, with seats in the7th row of the pit area, with a great view of the band.

We got to our seats a few minutes after 8:00, expecting to see the opening act playing, but to our surprise, Fagen and Becker walked out to join the rest of the band "already in progress" within about 60 seconds of our sitting down. It certainly wasn't disappointing, just a bit surprising.

As expected, the band sounded great. The 4 piece horn section really did justice to all the great horn arrangements from the Dan classics. The female backup singers, projecting just the right mix of edginess and cool aloofness to complement the songs.

Fagen and Becker were, of course, great. Becker's guitar playing exudes an old soul blues flavor that merges surprisingly well with the sophisticated harmonies and arrangments of most Steely Dan songs. As for his singing, well, he only sang one song, which was plenty, though is rap during Hey Nineteen was very amusing.

Donald Fagen showed great energy and enthusiasm; you'd never realize you were watching a 60 year old man up there. His love for the music really shines through. It's so good to see someone so into playing and performing the songs, despite the fact that most of them are at least a quarter of a century old or older. I've seen too many "classic rock" performers who just seem to be going through the motions. None of that here.

The crowd was very enthusiastic, and Becker and Fagen seemed genuinely impressed with their response. Some may have been disappointed not to hear Reelin in the Years or Deacon Blues, but I thought the set list was fantastic, including personal faves like Bad Sneakers.

St Augustine Amphitheatre @

- St Augustine @

,FL @

- Thu, Jun 18, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Jon Herrington's solo on Bad Sneakers @

Opening act(s): Don't know. Apparently, they played before the official starting time. @

3 of 3 found this review helpful.

Share this review:

Review 4 for Steely Dan

4 / 5

Steely Dan perfection on stage

DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center @

- Durham @

,NC @

- Tue, Jun 9, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Aja. Until I saw this done live, I did not realize how intricate this song was. Once again the drummer gets two big thumbs way up! @

Setlist: Aja, Bad Sneakers, My Old School, Time Out of Mind, Josie, Black Cow, Hey Nineteen, Most of the songs on Aja and Gaucho @

Opening act(s): This trio was tight and played well. @

Posted 07/15/2009

by FlyingV

Location: Cary

Featured Review

Steely Dan has been around so long they can play an entire concert of familiar songs and not run out. I personally like a band that can recreate the studio sound on stage well. SD does this better than anyone else. The title track from Aja was an example of this and a tribute to the drummer's great talent as well. For me that was the best song of the set. SD's later albums veered more towards the jazz side of things. This jazz influence was evident and flavored some of their earlier songs which I thought were more rock oriented. I was hoping to hear "FM" and "Don't Take Me Alive". With this many hits though, they can't play them all. Becker's only turn at lead vocals was a little thin but still better than most live performances I hear. I had to remind myself that I started listening to SD in 1975 and they (and I) are getting older. Fagen carried almost all of the vocals as usual, and did a good job of it. If you want jam band type musical adventures and loose playing, SD is not your choice. If you want tight jazzy performances recreating the recorded versions (no easy task), no band does it better! This was my first trip to the DPAC. I thought the acoustics were really good. Of minor note the seats were a little uncomfortable to me, but the entire DPAC experience was overall, a good one.

DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center @

- Durham @

,NC @

- Tue, Jun 9, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Aja. Until I saw this done live, I did not realize how intricate this song was. Once again the drummer gets two big thumbs way up! @

Setlist: Aja, Bad Sneakers, My Old School, Time Out of Mind, Josie, Black Cow, Hey Nineteen, Most of the songs on Aja and Gaucho @

Opening act(s): This trio was tight and played well. @

Share this review:

Review 5 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Steely Dan

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Posted 11/19/2009

by Caddy95

The concert was awesome. The music was great. The problem is, where we were seated was bad. We paid $91 per ticket and people were getting up and walking back and forth almost constantly during the entire concert. This was very aggravating. They really should do something about that.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Share this review:

Review 6 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Steely Dan still rocks

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the whole damn concert @

Setlist: The Royal Scam and then numerous other hits including Reeling in the Years, Aja, Peg, Deacon Blues. @

Posted 11/19/2009

by scoop007

Location: Oh

Even though Donald Fagen can't still belt out the lyrics like he used to; the band rocked hard and played many of their hits. Catch them on this tour and you will not be disappointed.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the whole damn concert @

Setlist: The Royal Scam and then numerous other hits including Reeling in the Years, Aja, Peg, Deacon Blues. @

Share this review:

Review 7 for Steely Dan

4 / 5

Was there a fire?

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Aja, again. And The Fez, and Haitian Divorce.....Sweet... @

Posted 11/19/2009

by KimmyPage

Location: Vermilion

I ask since the massive feedback of John's amp? was maddening. Thanks to the crew for getting that bug worked out.
Otherwise, much better sound than the night before, better, less rowdy(drunk) crowd too, from my POV....

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Aja, again. And The Fez, and Haitian Divorce.....Sweet... @

Share this review:

Review 8 for Steely Dan

4 / 5

Steely Dan was like being back in Royal Scam time

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Black Friday @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Dreamers

Enoyed the concert immensely and it went like a smooth glass of wine. Notes were crisp and clear and the music took me back in time. Musicians were there to please the crowd - and they did! Only thing, they ran out of posters and I wanted one to remember the night since it was the first concert my new husband & I attended together and I wanted a remembrance of the event.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Black Friday @

Share this review:

Review 9 for Steely Dan

4 / 5

Good performance, problems with venue

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Malaki

The show started with a 3 piece jazz band I didn't know. Like most jazz bands they had their moments which you needed to wait for, but I enjoyed it.

Steely Dan was great. The show had two parts; the first was the entire Royal Scam album and the second a mix of songs. I liked the second part best.

Fagan and Becker were what I hoped for and the supporting guitar player was exceptional, but the rest of the band was above average. I was expecting perfection, but that is probably my fault and not the bands.

There was a problem with the venue, EJ Thomas Hall. The fire alarm was set off by the smoke effects and they could not keep it shut off. The worst part were the flashing strobes. This lasted for half of the first part of the act.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Share this review:

Review 10 for Steely Dan

4 / 5

Old Men ROCK

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The whole experience was a favorite moment---a class act band with great musicianship. @

Setlist: Entire Royal Scam---don't want to ruin the rest but some songs from Aja, Katy Lied, Gaucho, Countdown to Ecstasy, Can't Buy a Thrill @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Riegs

Location: OH

Great show from Kid Char to Reelin in the Years and everything in between. Alarm kept sounding off during Caves of Altamira and Green Earrings --- fault with venue not sound system --- ruined those 2 songs but everything else was great. Pretty much stuck to the album sound and not much improvisation. Fagen's voice still sounds pretty good for an old timer. Thank God Becker did not sing one of my favorites---Haitian Divorce---as he did on the Everything Must Go Tour. Would like to have heard some tunes off Pretzel Logic but they have way too many good songs to please everyone. Enjoyed the twist on Dirty Work. Don't know why the stoners took to lighting up the place for The Royal Scam but it was sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Don't imbibe myself but I do like to sniff the cork.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The whole experience was a favorite moment---a class act band with great musicianship. @

Setlist: Entire Royal Scam---don't want to ruin the rest but some songs from Aja, Katy Lied, Gaucho, Countdown to Ecstasy, Can't Buy a Thrill @

Share this review:

Review 11 for Steely Dan

4 / 5

Steely Dan still has it!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Aja was extremely good. @

Setlist: The Royal Scam in its entirety, followed by various songs from their illustrious career! @

Opening act(s): 3 man jazz band---they were good if you appreciate jazz. @

Posted 11/18/2009

by 48something

Location: Massillon, Ohio

The musicians were excellent. The showmanship was good but not over the top. A very professional performance, it was all about the music. It was a great show, the selections were remarkable. The sound quality was amazing!!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Aja was extremely good. @

Setlist: The Royal Scam in its entirety, followed by various songs from their illustrious career! @

Opening act(s): 3 man jazz band---they were good if you appreciate jazz. @

Share this review:

Review 12 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Evening with Steely Dan - a night to remember!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Every moment was our favorite! @

Setlist: All the best! @

Opening act(s): Great job! @

Posted 11/18/2009

by DK7069

Location: Ohio

The sound, song selection, lighting was all amazing! The crowd was equally tuned in and enjoyed every minute of such a master of music that will live on forever! What musicians and singers! Perfection!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Every moment was our favorite! @

Setlist: All the best! @

Opening act(s): Great job! @

Share this review:

Review 13 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Steely dan gets better with time!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: performing the song "Aja". @

Setlist: The Royal Scam (complete), Hey Nineteen, Peg,Josie, Black Friday,Third World Man,Daddy don't live in that New York City no more,Reeling in the Years, My Old School, and more! @

Opening act(s): The Deep Blue Organ Trio @

Posted 11/18/2009

by strung

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

I've been a fan for over 30 years and my wife and i couldn't wait to hear "The Royal Scam" in its entirety. Just when i thought that couldn't been topped, Fagen and Becker pulls out gems from "Aja" and the earlier stuff. When's the last time a band had become popular by inventing its own genre? With FM radio airplay, no less? Their fusing of Jazz, Pop and Rock 'n' Roll is pure alchemic genius! A must see. Using humor in and around the songs, a nice touch was just before the concert began, a turntable was placed stage left where a singer placed the needle on the lp!!!!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Favorite moment: performing the song "Aja". @

Setlist: The Royal Scam (complete), Hey Nineteen, Peg,Josie, Black Friday,Third World Man,Daddy don't live in that New York City no more,Reeling in the Years, My Old School, and more! @

Opening act(s): The Deep Blue Organ Trio @

Share this review:

Review 14 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

What a night

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Gordofrombutler

Steely Dan was excellent. The sound was superb. One of the best concerts I have seen.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Share this review:

Review 15 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

An amazing and intimate night with Steely Dan!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Mon, Nov 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: My Old School - the audienec went nuts and you could tell the band was having an awesoem time! @

Setlist: Sorry can't remember - I live too much in the moment! @

Opening act(s): Hmmm... I know this. A local blues band, I think called Blue Organ? They were very good. @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Mglln

Location: Cleveland, OH

I am only 30, but I have been a huge Steely Dan fan for all of my life; I am even named after Katy Lied, so this was a huge treat! I was not as familiar with some of the older music, as I was raised on more of the later 70s work, but all of it is excellent. The Jazz/funk sound is unforgettable, the lyrics intelligent and thought provoking. We saw the Aja show. I love hearing them perform the album as they want it to be heard. It was phenomenal! After the album, they did a catalog of songs that, according to Fagen, chronicled the history of the band. Of course, this included some of my favorites such as Boddhisatva, My Old School, and an amazing encore performance of Reelin' in the Years. For me the only thing that would have made it better would have been additionally hearing Haitian Divorce and Dr Wu, but as it was I heard some songs I was not familiar with and that is more of a treat. Another interesting part was hearing Becker sing Daddy Don't Live in that New York City No More, as well as a couple of other songs. The band was hot all around - the guitarist kicked butt, but the drummer, brass, and background singers were also unbelievably good! The venue in Akron, Ohio was intimate but not cramped, with the audience largely made up of Baby Boomers. Still, the 30-somethings were nicely represented. Good music transcends all boundaries, or maybe more kids grew up listening to Steely Dan than I thought! Bottom line: unforgettable, worth every penny, will definitely go again given any opportunity!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Mon, Nov 16, 2009 @

Favorite moment: My Old School - the audienec went nuts and you could tell the band was having an awesoem time! @

Setlist: Sorry can't remember - I live too much in the moment! @

Opening act(s): Hmmm... I know this. A local blues band, I think called Blue Organ? They were very good. @

Share this review:

Review 16 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

I went to both Akron shows---Fantastic!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Setlist: They played all their best in addition to the album they featured. @

Opening act(s): Great! @

Posted 11/18/2009

by treyzer

Location: Marietta, OH

What a wonderful concert experience! Steely Dan seems to get better every time I hear them.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Setlist: They played all their best in addition to the album they featured. @

Opening act(s): Great! @

Share this review:

Review 17 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Classics with class

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Posted 11/18/2009

by TitleGuy

Location: Avon Lake, Ohio

Some things just get better with age and Steely Dan proved it on November 17, 2009, at the E J Thomas Performing Arts Center. The feature of the show was of course "The Royal Scam" which they performed in its entirety at the beginning of the show. They covered all the songs in order, mostly staying true to their recorded versions. However, some arrangements were updated for a 10 piece ensemble (plus three back-up singers) and a few improvisions were added, too. The result showed how this material remains lyrically relevant and the music truly timeless, belonging to no specific era, movement or fad.

The second half of the show featured selections from their career from their first album, "Can't Buy a Thrill" through "Gaucho," but nothing from their last 2 studio releases. And fortunately, no "FM"!

This show focused on musicianship, not flashy stage theatrics. Consistent musical mastery was the norm. It is hard to think of this show as a "rock concert." It felt more professional and classy than that.

The only issue was that the fire alarm repeatedly went off during the first half of the show. The flashing lights and buzzer were distracting, but not enough to blemish this first rate, classy and classic show.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Share this review:

Review 18 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Awesome Show

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Anonymous

Location: Columbiana, Oh

Great place to see Steely Dan. The sound was excellant. This was the 2nd time I've had the priviledge of seeing of them. Been a fan for many years. The lead guitarist, John, is unbelieveable. What a talent. The 1st time we saw them John had been with them about a year. It was in Pittsburgh @ Starlake Ampitheater. I hope to catch them again and, the next time, I would like to be upclose. Seems that I can never get tickets in the first 20 rows.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Share this review:

Review 19 for Steely Dan

5 / 5

Steely Dan is better every time I see them!

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Mon, Nov 16, 2009 @

Setlist: Album Aja (in order), also included original arrangement of Reeling in the Years, finished with Kid Charlemagne. @

Opening act(s): Deep Blue Organ Trio @

Posted 11/18/2009

by wreck54

Location: Akron, Ohio

Looking for a relaxed, easy listening show? This wasn't it! This was one of the most high energy, great sounding concerts I have been to in many, many years. The musicians and singers backing up Fagan & Becker are extremely talented and work together beautifully. They started the show by playing the album Aja in order. Amazing how that album works as a whole. They then completed the 2+ hour set with some of their other hits -- and not-so-hits. I have never seen F & B that animated in a show. It was a great crowd and they really got into it. I'm just sorry I couldn't go to see them the next night as well -- they started by playing the album The Royal Scam in order! Go see them. Now.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Mon, Nov 16, 2009 @

Setlist: Album Aja (in order), also included original arrangement of Reeling in the Years, finished with Kid Charlemagne. @

Opening act(s): Deep Blue Organ Trio @

Share this review:

Review 20 for Steely Dan

4 / 5

Good show.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Opening act(s): Deep Blue Organ Trio- Great Jazz performance. @

Posted 11/18/2009

by Punn

Location: Ohio

An awesome performance by all the musicians. Great selection of songs. Obviously it was weighted towards the Royal Scam but with a smattering of songs from other albums as well.

My only complaint is about one part of the lighting. During the chorus on one of the songs, bright spotlights were shown onto all parts of the crowd. They were also turned on at the end of the show before the encore. Having to close my eyes during the chorus takes away from the show. This same lighting effect actually ruined a concert I went to in the past because it was used in every single song and would blink rapidly. Thankfully it wasn't as heavily used by Steely Dan.

E.J. Thomas Hall @

- Akron @

,OH @

- Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @

Opening act(s): Deep Blue Organ Trio- Great Jazz performance. @

Share this review:

12345...90next>>