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This update has been a little slow coming, but I have a good reason I swear. You see, I’ve spent the weekend in the Hunter Valley 
catching Steely Dan at Bimbadgen Estate. The show was one of the fabulous A Day on the Green events, which is one of my favourite ways to see concerts. Where else can you enjoy a concert under the stars with delicious wine and a spread of gourmet cheeses and smoked salmon?
The afternoon kicked off with a performance by Australian rock pioneers Gangajang. I must admit, I didn’t have very high expectations, believing I knew nothing more than “Sounds of Then.” As it turned out, I knew a great deal more of their songs than I realised, but there was more than sing-a-long classics to their repertoire. They reminded me a lot of an older Cat Empire, with their eclectic tunes and good vibes.
I had similarly low expectations of the next act, Great Britain’s World Party. Again I felt I only knew one song, “Ship of Fools,” and on watching them I realised why. They weren’t bad, but there wasn’t anything remarkable about them at all. The songs melded together in a wave of bland until that signature tune, which failed to live up to the hype. Lead singer Karl Wallinger struggled to reach that high note, his age clearly showing.
The highlight of their set was the arrival of Australian Idol judge, Ian “Dicko” Dickson who actually took a seat virtually in front of me. Perving on Idol’s hot judge definitely made World Party’s boring music a bit easier to swallow.
Of course, the opening acts would never compare to the band we all came to see, Steely Dan. I must admit, the first few songs left me feeling frustrated. I’m not sure whether they were tracks from the most recent albums, but they certainly weren’t familiar to most of us. They were good, but after so much anticipation we were all dying to sing along.
They gave us that chance with the next song, “Hey Nineteen.” This is actually my favourite Steely Dan track, and I lapped it up. After that the hits seemed to come thick and fast: “Peg,” “Josie,” “Dirty Work,” “Black Friday,” and “Do It Again” were all highlights.
The band was one of the tightest I’ve ever seen. Every performer was individually 
brilliant, but together they were phenomenal. Drummer Keith Carlock deserves a special mention for the most amazing hand speed and energy I think I’ve ever seen. Of course original members Walter Becker and Donald Fagan were also sensational, still on top of their game despite doing this together for four decades.
However, towards the end the concert sadly lost its gloss for me, and many other fans. They did a big finish, then came back for the obligatory encore which ended with “Kid Charlemagne.” It’s a great song, but we were sure that wasn’t it. After all, they still hadn’t played “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” or “Reelin’ in the Years.” We were all sure there’d be another encore, that there’s no way they’d leave us without playing at least one of those big hits, but soon the crew started to clear the stage.
I understand that performers can’t play everything, but these songs are the signature tunes. They were even featured on the ads for the tour. To use them to lure fans to the shows, but neglect to play them, almost feels like false advertising. Everything Steely Dan did on stage was wonderful, but sadly most of us will remember what they didn’t do.
Image source: own photos
You obviously suffered from a commercial radio upbringing restricting your knowledge of anything other than top forty. if you are going to pay the big bucks to see a live gig then have the courtesy to do a little homework on the acts. If you had, you would have realised the set by the Dan hasn’t changed for months. And to bag World Party clearly indicates your lack of appreciation of great music. Jeez you must have been in the minority. Maybe you should stick to Pop acts and leave the real musicians to those who believe there’s more than just Top 40.
Ah man. I wish it would have been better for you. It sounds like you had a good time anyway but I hate when bands don’t play a favorite song. In this case they did because Dirty Work is my absolute favorite; (Can’t Buy A Thrill is my favorite album by them).
Still it sounds nice — on the green, under the stars. I love outdoor shows like that.
You write good reviews — make you feel like you’re there. I’m beat tonight but at some point this week I’m gonna post some of those shots you sent me (They were so clear!) I suck at pictures, mine would have been fuzzy.
Thanks for the email and photos!
Hi Stanley Brain. You’re entitled to your opinion, but it’s dangerous to make assumptions of my musical upbringing based on my views of the show. I assure you I got a good musical education … after all, most twenty-somethings don’t even know who Steely Dan are.
I try to avoid checking out setlists online as I’d rather receive a surprise at the gig. The place was buzzing about the ommissions of those songs, and if they do that to every crowd I think it shows a really selfindulgent streak. After all, the band can play here now because they sold so many albums in the past. I think those fans deserved to hear the songs they loved.
I assure you, my views weren’t in the minority, regarding Steely Dan’s set or World Party’s performance. I was in the third row, so I’m not just talking about casual listeners either.
Hi Jen
Glad you enjoyed the review and the photos. I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit – I let my husband take them as it’s actually his camera. He does good work!
And rest assured, I did really love the show. There was just lingering feeling of disbelief at the end which is really hard to shake! I’d still do it all again though, because they did a great job with the material they delivered.
Hey LKATULKA,
If you went away unimpressed with the setlist I can tell you that’s not uncommon. In fact, there were very few deep cuts played. I’m surprised that it wasn’t until you heard Hey 19, that you recognised something. The first song Time Out of Mind is from that same album, Gaucho, and was released as a single back in the day. The song that followed that, Black Cow from Aja, is an album cut to be sure but a solid fan favourite. In the end, I envy you because if you really like this music you have a lot left to learn and enjoy. If you were holding out for Reeling in the Years I can tell you that it would not have been played the way you might have expected. It has been completely re-arranged for live shows – they haven’t played it anything like the album since their last tour in 1974. They haven’t played Rikki since 1996, and it too was arranged differently. These guys do not stand still….and when you come to realize and appreciate that, you respect for them and enjoyment of the live experience will go way up. Keep listening and party on !
Thanks for your views Still Sparkin’. I’ll be honest with you – while I consider myself a fan of Steely Dan’s music, I’m a fairly casual listener. While my Dad had a few of the records on vinyl, they were only pulled out on rare occasions when we could trust people wouldn’t jump around. I spent most of my time listening to “The Best Of,” which in some ways gives me a fairly superficial knowledge. But then again, my parents who lived through the 60s and 70s made the same comments about the setlist. Several people when we were walking out made the same comments.
Steely Dan have every right to perform exactly what they want, and while the die-hard fans might dig it, it’s also going to alienate others. One of the things about A Day on the Green is that it really does pander to a casual listening audience, so maybe it just wasn’t a good fit for them.
Your comments do make me think of the expectations big fans have, as opposed to sometimes-fans. I’m seeing Tori Amos tomorrow and I don’t expect Cornflake Girl, but I’m worried my two sisters might.
Anyway, this post has become a lot more controversial than I really intended it to be. I really did enjoy the gig, but to me the lack of those two songs was a really notable mention. It certainly seemed the topic of conversation on everyone’s lips, and to not speak about it was only reporting a half truth. I can’t really shy away from any negative impressions I have just to please the die-hards.
I’m reading all the comments about the Dan not playing Ricci and Reelin’ and I think the comment is valid about people going to these outdoor gigs so they can sing along to the old classics. I can understand that as a valid cause for minor disappointment but, having heard these comments the next morning from lots of people up there, I suggested that SD album fans, as opposed to radio fans, could not possibly be disappointed.
A good analogy is someone going to the Beatles’ last concert in 1969 and complaining that they didn’t do “I wanna hold your hand”.
The only problem I had with the entire set was that Walter Becker sang (or tried to) Haitian Divorce. He really should stick to singing with his guitar.
Glad you enjoyed the set Jim! I’ve been thinking more on this after my revelation that I don’t expect Tori Amos to play “Cornflake Girl,” but I did expect at least one of the Steely Dan songs. I think a big part of it is that these guys are staples of commercial radio – while they were underground in their day, now these songs are played on every golden oldies station. They have a lot more casual listeners.
And it’s true – these big outdoor gigs do attract those sort of fans. I won’t say I’ll see anything at A Day On The Green, but I’ve seen plenty of artists there that I may not bother seeing at an Entertainment Centre. The lure of wine and a bunch of bands is incredibly persuasive.
Hi lkatulka, saw the show too, we were in row 5 centre stage, behind Dicko, so we must have been near you also.
Being a more than casual Steely Dan fan, I was in “Awe” for the whole show. Donald and Walters abililty to hold harmony, both vocal and instrumental is amazing, and to recreate that magic live is a rare talent. I felt priveleged to be there.
The stage was filled with blending rythms and stacked harmonys, and Donald was so lost in this magic at times he almost forgot the audience was even there.
Great review, please, please, please send pics. Cheers, Pete.
Thanks LKATULKA for expressing my thoughts exactly – from my position amongst the rugs and fifty-somethings close to the stage. A fan of the Dan since I discovered them at 24 fifteen years ago, I enjoyed the more obscure album tracks, and marvelled at the tightness of the band. However like most of us, I came with a partner – my wife is not quite the afficionado, but beckoned by ‘Reelin’ in the years’ on the ads, suggested us going to the concert in the first place. She couldn’t believe it when Donald Fagen threw his hands up in the air, like a foremen calling stop work. Not a bow in sight! ”But we’re really a studio band”!!!
The Dan’s playing of the ’standards’ is a repectuful acknowledgement of the reverence of their audience, both hardcore fans – and their loyal partners!
I watched some hysterically angry fans actually throwing things at their bus, such was the atmosphere. Not very cool, of course – they obviously hadn’t spent enough time on the Green!
Couple of things surprise me reading through these comments and review. First … that angry fans were throwing things at the SD bus? What??? If true, this is behavior of the lowest and most embarrassing kind – all too prevalent in a country too full, apparently, of dickheads. Too much alcohol and misdirected testostrone the usual suspects, I suppose. Sad, sad, sad! Second surprise: the bemoaning of the absence of a couple of songs from the repertoire. Then again, I’ve been a fan – devotee might be a better word – of these guys for over 30 years, so I didn’t care what they played. This concert lived up to and surpassed all expectations – tight, unbelievably great playing and arrangements, a fine set of songs (Peg a highlight … the bass line especially, and then the guitar solo; and Black Friday, too), crystal clear sound that allowed you to hear everything. Indeed, as one of the notes in the string says, a real privilege to be there. This after all, like everything they do, was ‘beyond perfection.’ The guy in front of me put it best: after each song, he’d stand and raise his wine glass high in the air in a gesture of humble thanks and utmost respect – the absolutely right response to 35 years of great music, and then a concert that will be hard for anyone to surpass
Hi Pete. I’d be happy to send you digital copies of my best photos – I just need your e-mail address. Glad you enjoyed the review!
Hi Jim – thanks for stopping by. It’s nice to hear that one of the hardcore fans can appreciate the disappointment felt by many when they neglected to play these key songs. I’m glad you enjoyed the show though, and hope your partner did too despite not hearing that song she was really hanging out for.
Simon & Leona, I agree with you about the drunk idiots. I too am appalled to think that people would be so frustrated that they’d be throwing things. Then again, I’ve been in the general admission section many a time and know how crazy it can be. I think choosing to be seated this time protected me somewhat. Then again, as we were leaving some drunk girl lay herself across my father’s car and rolled all over the bonnet. He was less than impressed!
I’m glad you enjoyed the show. I did too, and for some reason that seemed to get lost when I mentioned parts that disappointed me. I do think the comment someone made about this being a show for album fans rather than radio fans is a really valid one. I still believe the best bands manage to play to both so no one leaves unhappy, but maybe that’s just me.
This was my first day on the green and i was blown away. What a great way to see live music. i went for two reasons, Steely Dan first and foremost and World Party. i wasn’t dissappointed in that both bands didn’t play particular songs ( Karl Wallinger was in The Waterboys and I would loved to have heard certain songs performed. Unfortunately we were right up the back in the GA area and had to rely on the big screen for most of the gig. Still i guess I’ll never get to see Steely Dan again. And if that’s the case, then I am happy with what I saw. And thats the point Lkatulka is making. People seem to have forgotten that. Please might you consider sending me a copy of your photos?
Hi Jeff – thanks for stopping by, and also understanding what I was getting at *lol*. I hope the show encourages you to get to more Day on the Greens – they’re my favourite way to see live music, no question.
I’ve also sent you a copy of the best photos I took on the day
.
Thanks Lauren and all, that’d be fab.
gotta1001 at yahoo.com
Cheers.
No problems at all Pete – consider it done!
G’day All
As a lifelong SD fan it was fantastic to see them at the Brisbane concert last Sunday night. I wasn’t surprised NOT to hear Reelin or Rikki, not surprised at all considering the huge choice of material at their disposal and after many years of concert-going I make it a point NOT to expect ANYTHING in particular. Certainly at Brisbane there there were a few vociferous complaints (mostly disbelieving) at the end of the concert about the absence of those two songs. Everyone talks about the great quality sound they heard at various venues, sadly I couldn’t say that about Brisbane. The folks at the back of the BEC (myself included) were badly short changed and I enjoyed the show immensely despite the less than pristine sound quality. At the BEC they really need a bank of speakers half way down the hall and there was no Video screen so Walt and Don could have been just about anyone. Still, I loved it and experienced the privilege that previous writers have expressed just being there. I was hoping to hear My Old School for an encore based on a review of a London concert with a different set list earlier in the year which raved about their live rendition. Just goes to show YOU CAN”T HAVE EVERYTHING!
Why does everyone go on about those ‘two’ songs – the only ones they ever play on radio, over and over and over and over and over again!!! Don’t get me wrong – we love ALL SD music, Rikki & Reeling included but having heard these played all week long on commercial radio, we had no objection to them not being included. I don’t know why that’s all you ever hear on radio – funny that. Whatever they chose to do was fine by us. My husband and I were up front at Bimbadgen, in seventh heaven – what a wonderful venue and an amazing night. A dream come true for us, we loved every minute and every note. Cannot believe people out there are disappointed in SD’s music choice – I guess you can’t please everyone.
Faye, everyone “goes on” about those songs because they were the biggest hits Steely Dan had in this country. I can’t imagine seeing Led Zep without hearing “Stairway to Heaven,” or The Eagles without “Hotel California,” and this is really the same thing.
Personally hearing the songs on the radio is really no comparison to seeing how it comes alive in a live arena. I’m glad you enjoyed your night … I think most of us did regardless of what they played.
But would it really have hurt them to indulge the people who made those songs so popular in the first place, the fans? I think that WOULD have pleased everybody.
Came across this copy/paste below in reference to the recent SD tour. It’s from an Amazon blog site. Mentioned it to a mate of mine who said it occurred in Melbourne – he is adamant he was not the “guy” mentioned although he was disappointed not to hear any DF solo stuff!
Do It Again – ok now here is the weirdest thing I have ever seen at a Steely
Dan show. Donald starts the intro and then stops dead. He looks at a guy in
the 3rd row, then points to him and says “You’re annoying me now man, we
play what we want so just cool it” Then he starts the intro again. We later
find out that this guy was screaming out “play nightfly” after every song.
Reflects nicely what the major discussion is surrounding song selection! You know the Dan they do what they want to!
On another note it’s great to see the Dan have lots of female fans – on a personal note I’ve never yet come across one (Oh apart from my sister!) and the Brisbane BEC was swarming with them. Great to see!
Interesting comments Jed! While I definitely don’t appreciate those people who yell out repeatedly for songs (we’ve all been at gigs with these folks), I also think it’s a bit rude of Donald to say “I don’t care about pleasing you.” Isn’t that part of the reason one tours? If it’s just about playing the songs they want to play, why not just get together and jam privately?
The Dan seem like a bit of an equal gender band to me – certainly my show didn’t seem biased towards one gender or another.
Saw Steely Dan at Sydney Ent centre on 18th Sep with my wife. We sat centre stage 7 rows from the front. One of the best consert experiences that I have had, and I have been to many concerts over the years. I am 46 yrs old and discovered Steely Dan in 1977. Their song selection was excellent particularly playing virtually all of their classic 1997 album Aja except for one song. Overall, sitting less than 10 metres away from them was an experience I’ll never forget. Perhaps two more songs – My Old School from Countdown to Ecstasy and Bad Sneakers from Katy Lied would have topped it off for me. I wasn’t disappointed at all that Rikki Don’t Lose that Number or Reelin in the Years were left out. What a jaw dropping drummer they have !
I hear you about the drummer Greg. He knocked my socks off
Glad you had a good night and got to hear almost everything you wanted to!