Steely Dan - "Gaucho" live Beacon Theatre NYC June 13, 2008

[casestudyification]

Walter has very nice voice, and I'm surprised he didn't wind up the lead vocalist. (Don't get me wrong, Don's voice is the Dan.)

[tulllguy]

Walter=fail

[carlasthere]

awww its painful to listen to Walter sing Gaucho,please leave the singing to Dan and you stick to the songwriting.

[AbiolaAbasi]

@carlasthere Donald was sick that night. He had a bad cold; his voice was toast.

[jcfbell3001]

walt wrote the damn song, he can sing it if he damn well wants...

[drewper73]

Actually, after I finished listening to the rest of it, I'd have to say that if I saw them play this live, either one would do just fine. Nice job Walter!!

[casestudyification]

@drewper73 Dittos!!

[drewper73]

I have nothing against Becker's voice, but if I were to finally get to see them perform this song live, I would definitely prefer Fagen on vocals. One of my top five Dan songs without a doubt. The guitar solo at the end gets me every time.

[autoforthepeople]

I love Walter's versions of songs originally song by Donald Fagen!!! They're often totally unexpected but equally delicious when you get to know them!!! First time I heard him when I was expecting to hear Fagen singing Haitian Divorce I was pretty much horrified (yes, that's probably how I would describe my reaction) but then his style grew on me and his take on things are actually quite interesting and funny- he has a brilliantly dry sense of humour!!!

[extremadrummer]

Ho is singing? Of course Donald Fagen is out... what's kind of joke is it?

[chochief]

love this

[DowntownCanon]

It's like when your old uncle sings at the family BBQ.

[TriDamian]

Ugh! Horrible...I was going to buy tickets for the Gaucho show at the Beacon this year but after hearing this I'm not too sure.

[jamomo1371]

I don't blame you, but I was at the "Gaucho" show in Chicago last night, and Donald sang everything except for "Dirty Work" and "Parker's Band" (sang by the lovely ladies).

[drhey19]

Don ended up singing this one at the Gaucho shows. He was much better on it. I really wish they'll do more Gaucho shows. I believe Don also has been singing Haitian Divorce recently, too.

[tdelacruz61]

this is the second great Dan song ruined live by Walter, the first being Haitian Divorce

[mrhorn2001]

Well this song is as rich for discussion as any the Dan have done.

Like many it is my favorite of all their work and I know and love know them all...

Kings, Brooklyn, Fire In the Hole, Western World, Rose Darlin', Soul Ram, Dr. Wu. etc.

But The Gaucho is sad with a sweet wistful calm that hints at melancholy.

Although the lyrics are ironic, considering they are humorous/outrageous based on a gay love triangle. The few sad lyrics really stick with you over Keith Jarrett's chord changes.

[stuartrossdavies]

this is my favourite Steely Dan tune. It's such a sad story. the melody and harmony are superb and the new tenor solo add to the sadness. seeing them in scotland in june. hope they play it.

[evelsteev]

Sad? It's hilarious story about two gay lovers fighting over a third party. It should have been a sitcom!

[thefreshmusic]

seriously..it's not 13 tracks of whack.

[alsuareziii]

I actually prefer Beckers delivery to that of Fagans for live version of Gaucho. Beckers voice seems to mesh well with the seemly melancholy lyrics of Gaucho. I'd love to hear/see a better highr quality of this song w/Becker. Send me a link if you see one.

[crw3688]

Walter is a good studio singer with the assistance of technology. Live is not great but his swagger and presence makes up for it. I could listen to him live all day. It was odd though, he really did great harmonizing with the back up vocals, like colincliff2 typed. Great job WB!!!

[alsuareziii]

True, but his delivery of the lyrcs is better for the song gaucho than Fagan's in my opinion. The story of Gaucho demands Beckers voice.... I watched Walter sing Gaucho live 4 times this year and enjoyed his performace.

[thefreshmusic]

u wait your whole life to see this song and Becker sings it..man.

[JaysJOM]

LOL!

[alsuareziii]

Yeah, think of this way, you got to hear it with Becker!! Hell, there are pently of videos with Fagan singing it...

[autoforthepeople]

@thefreshmusic Hahahahahaha I'm going to be laughing all day now!!! You seem genuinely hurt!!! :- D

[RL789]

What happened to Donald Fagan?

[colincliff2]

I just saw him sing this live & he harmonizes perfectly with the back up vocals. Beautiful!

[taxiology]

I agree with the positive comments here. Some punk over at the Boston herlad slammed Walter for his performance, quoting a fan who laughed and called it "terrible." I was really happy to hear them pull this out last weekend in the East Bay. And have enjoyed other Walter-helmed performances; Daddy Don't Live in That... and certainly Slang of Ages spring to mind.

[StrayGator]

And Jack of Speed!

I think the only one of the Becker songs that hasnt really worked as Haitian Divorce.

[alsuareziii]

I have to say I almost perfer Beckers Gaucho to Fagans. The song almost demands Beckers melancholy sounding voice to go with Gsucho lyrics

[ackerlaw2004]

Yeah I am elated and can't believe they pulled this one out. Thanks for posting!!

[ronlent3]

GREAT SHOW - I was there. Gaucho is my fave Dan track too and I have to say although I liked the surprise of Becker singing, it was kind of odd. This is a sad song and I think it needs Fagen's sensitivity:

"I'll drop him near the freeway - doesn't he have a home?" that line gets me every time.

Another thing, although they played perfectly, the sound system at the Beacon is pretty bad. I saw Yaz there the other night and it was muddy too.

[jmillzz2]

A sad song? more like weird and hilarious

[bhobsolid]

but the changes....the song's chord changes are kind of..."sad?" dunno...maybe "wistful.." Lyrics are hilarious, tho --"bodacious cowboys such as your friend.." gimme a break..;-)

[JaysJOM]

No yeah, I agree... If listening to the song at face value, it sounds like a sad song. Almost sentimental... I never pay attention to the lyrics when I first hear a song. If you listen to the song in this "on the surface" manner, certain lyrics stick out...

"Lord I know you're a special friend."

"I'll drop him near the freeway... Doesn't he have a home."

Becker and Fagan didn't want everyone to perceive it exactly the same anyway.

[colincliff2]

I've said this before on here, but I think Walter's voice is better suited to certain songs. This is no exception.

[grahamclews]

My favourite Dan song ever.. I never thought they'd do this live!! Thanks for sharing..

[Jantelover]

thanks for sharing this wonderful gem of a song... long overdue for the playlist... walter is good for it