ALIVE IN AMERICA

I have to admit, I like Steely Dan. I don't love them, but I enjoy their music from time to time. And while I enjoyed "The Royal Scam", it was at that point where their music seemed to lose it's diversity. From that album on, every song, while different in composition, had a sameness in style that made the albums less interesting. And that's the problem with this live recording.

The sound quality is superb. You couldn't ask for more clarity. The song selection os fair, although I would rather hear more from their earlier albums. But I suppose this touring band was built as a jazzy combo that could handle the tracks from "Scam" through "Gaucho". But they attempt to remake some of the early tracks into that same jazzy style. It's particularly disappointing to hear Reelin' In The Years in this way. It loses it's spark.

The highlight to me is a very spirited version of Bodhisattva. They really got this one right. The band blazes, and the additions and changes don't ruin the song.

The low point is the choice of Aja as the closing piece of the album. It's too downbeat, and does not leave the listener wanting more.

So this is a good, but not great live album. I wish they would release the concert they performed for PBS when they released "Two Against Nature". That was a show.