http://www.steelydan.com/
Some time ago I heard Steely Dan was coming out on tour again in 2011. I always get those cool emails that say pay attention and get some cool seats for Steely Dan shows. I like that. If you read my blog you know that I have been a fan since they recorded the first album in the 1970’s. Since I have already saved that story back in 2000 -something, maybe even several times, I will spare you the part about mowing grass in hundred-plus degree Mississippi weather to buy Dan vinyl. You can research that if you are so inclined. LOL, I haven’t piloted a lawn mower in over a decade. Just sayin.’ Yeah life is good! Remember the little search box on the upper left. Just type “Steely Dan” there…
As for the picture of the trucks above. You may ask yourself, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1wg1DNHbNU not that I am writing a Talking Heads songs or anything, why is there a picture of trucks on this blog. Well it is a couple of things.
Before I start, a salute to the road crew. It is a tough job I volunteer for all the time. I really like this video of the Steely Dan setup…check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYOAqL-L-zw
First let’s start from the beginning. I rode into Durham on this 100 and something degree day in my beloved-scratch-free MINI worrying about parking. I had received an email that there was a ballgame next door at the Durham Bulls stadium at 7:00. So I was concerned about parking. You see I always park in the adjacent deck next to the DPAC which is very new and very nice. So after navigating the streets and traffic I ended up on level 3 in my favorite parking deck. Yeah I was early. I am always early for a concert because that is the way I like it thank you.
As I walked down the steps and avoided the elevator I walked around to the back of the loading dock on the way to will-call to pick up my ticket. As you can see the matching Volvo semi-trucks were parked and chilling in the searing heat outside. The gear was already on stage at this point. I already knew there was a ban on photography inside so I took some photos to add to this trip as a backup plan. It’s not like I need any Dan photos at this point in my life anyway. I probably have 10,000 or so. I have taken so many photos of these guys it is over the top…several thousand per show usually. But that is just my style. I will spare you the soapbox about concert photography bans and why artists are so picky about having their pictures taken. All we want to do is a little fan worship and frankly I don’t care if you are having a bad hair or even a no-hair day. We just want something to share with our friends to try to offset our guilt of paying crazy prices to see old guys playing music or maybe it is even the that special moment when a really good-looking background singer aka Carolyn Leonhart http://www.carolynleonhart.com/ is hitting that special note….
OK before I get accused of being uptight on a Friday night I should say that I still think the musicians in this band are among the best at what they do and that is why I keep coming to see them play. They may even be the best. In fact as I write this I am listening to the studio version of the first song they played last night. “Throw out Your Gold Teeth” from the “Countdown to Ecstasy” album. I have to say it is one of my favorites. I wasn’t expecting it. By the first thirty seconds of the show tears were flowing from my eyes. It was that damn good. Yeah it was DAMN good, sort of the definition of perfection from a music and sound perspective. Steely Dan music is like a fine wine that must be tasted on a regular basis.
As I listened to the lyrics that I know so well I thought it was interesting about being in the middle of tobacco-ville literally, I mean Durham, 100 yards away is the Lucky Strike factory in all it’s glory, and this was the place where so many cigarettes were made for so long. Lucrative addictions. Think about it. Anyway that was just a momentary thought. You read the lryics, you will see. The link to the video of this song is at the bottom of this post. Enjoy.
Got a feeling I’ve been here before
Watching as you cross the killing floor
You know you’ll have to pay it all
You’ll pay today or pay tomorrow
You fasten up your beaded gown
Then you try to tie me down
Do you work it out one by one
Or played in combination
You throw out your gold teeth
Do you see how they roll
I have seen your iron and your brass
Can’t you see it shine behind the glass
Your fortune is your roving eye
Your mouth and legs
Your gift for the runaround
Torture is the main attraction
I don’t need that kind of action
You don’t have to dance for me
I’ve seen your dance before
Do you throw out your gold teeth
Do you see how they roll
Tobacco they grow in Peking
In the Year of the Locust
You’ll see a sad thing
Even Cathy Berberian knows
There’s one roulade she can’t sing
Dumb luck my friend
Won’t suck me in this time
Got a feeling I’ve been here before
Won’t you let me help you find the door
All you got to do is use
Your silver shoes
A gift for the runaround
Use your knack darlin’
Take one step back darlin’
There ain’t nothing in Chicago
For a monkey woman to do
Do you throw out your gold teeth
Do you see how they roll