Steely Dan - Doing It In California / 1974 download free

First, since I love to show off my gold teeth, I was at this show back in 1974, when Steely Dan were the Kings of Cool, going head to head with the Prince of psychedelia Pink Floyd … just considering that aspect of the mid 70’s gives me shivers. The show was amazing, and had I known at the time that by July of that year, Steely Dan would not preform again until their reunion during the early 90’s, I might have just hit the road and seen each any every one of their events.There’s much to be said, and much that has been said about this recording, all I remember is that I was very happy strolling out of the venue, though more than a bit miffed that I’d tossed out my ticket stub along with the empty package of Salems; yes, that was the one and only year I tried smoking. The show was designed to promote Pretzel Logic which had been released in February, and includes the song “Thru This All Too Mobile Home,” a number that was never to be recorded in the studio. Another reason to hear this recording is their presentation a version of “Your Gold Teeth,” one that is entirely different than what you will hear on the album Katy Lied. I don’t remember if tracks 10 thru 16 were taken from a Ellis Auditorium show in Memphis, or if the final track “Do It Again” was taken from an appearance on the then infamous Midnight Special TV series. Though, having listened to this with considered ears, there is a difference in the sound quality between several of the tracks, though not so much as to dissuade one from enjoying this adventurous outing.Here’s what I can glimmer from discussions and reading: There was an FM broadcast from the University of California that composed tracks 1 thru 9 [the show I attended], with tracks 10 thru 16 coming from the Memphis show, which has been recorded as a full concert, though I have not heard it, meaning that a good listen would prove the genesis of tracks 10 thru 16. Regardless, with the Memphis show being available, what you should be concerned with here is the freshness and musicianship of the Californian show. Some say that the University of California show was not recorded that well, though certainly with higher end equipment than the usual handheld microphone and cassette deck from the day. With two versions of the song “Do It Again,” it’s the opening version that’s far superior, coming off as an extended mini jam that alone is worth the price of admission, rather than the confined and restrained Midnight Special take.I would suggest that for the most part these songs are sourced from radio station archives laid down some 42 years ago, and not the ultra multi track precision we’ve become accustomed to from Fagen and Becker. This recording is a piece of history that will never be repeated, a piece that could never be repeated, with a smokin’ hot band that are relentlessly happy to be on top of the world. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter [of The Doobie Brothers] lays down a killer guitar, accompanied by Denny Dias [Dan’s original guitarist], along with Jeff Porcaro bringing the drums alive, Michael McDonald, Royce Jones, Jim Hadder, and not forgetting Becker on bass, and Fagen doing his thing.To sum things up, this is not a sanctioned Steely Dan recording, but it is a stunning tribute to the band, and I for one am happy it was captured, and finally delivered here.Review by Jenell Kesler