Alive In America

Saw them on this tour at age 16 with Dennis Chambers on the kit. It left an impression on me and the album does also. I can play this live version of “Josie” and everyone, even “young folk” want to know who that was and who bootlegged it. The recording is great, and the performances are only better if you were their in person. The fact that the reviewer states “it offers no new insight into Steely Dan as performers”, boy are you wrong. It offered the ultimate new insight into how polished, tight, and clean they are in every aspect of the performance live, which I had never seen, only heard through production albums. Shame on the reviewer. BTW, they are still as tight today as they ever were, something you can’t say about hardly any new band today, and I’ve seen em all.

Just go buy these songs seperatly. Also I dislike some of these tracks (lookin at you Peg).

I really wanted to give this 5 stars but Black Cow and Deacon Blues were missing from the recording. All in all some really great music. Brought back so many high School memories.

I have that on cd. But it might take up computer space. So I'll get that on iTunes.

I am just buying the album now. What the itunes reviewer does not understand is the desperation we felt as Steely Dan fans. It was a dream come true to finally see them perform. We rented a Limousine to take us to the show. I even got arrested in their honor. I like to think Donald would have been proud. If that is 'nostalgia' then I am guilty as charged.

This album is what you want. Steely Dan and Live?! What gets better than that? (Only When your there!)

Instead buy The Royal Scam, Pretzel Logic, even Gaucho... You'll never get sick of them.

My only question for the iTunes reviewer: compared to what? What's lost on the reviewer is the comparative complexity of pulling off these songs LIVE. Like any truly talented and skilled musicians, each LIVE cut expands on the original song in subtle but refreshing ways. If you loved the original song, each cut on this album brings enough familiarity to assuage your need for a live version, but adds a mildly jazz-like "in the moment" element that makes it unique - in a very, very good way. If you admire Steely Dan for their originality, musicality and skill, then you can't miss with this fine example of their talent.

Whoever wrote the iTunes review for this got it wrong. The fact that Steely Dan could pull off these songs live at all, most of which were only ever done in the studio with a wide variety of session musicians, is an amazing feat of musicianship. The opening three tracks are among the finest in all of the Steely Dan catalog, in fact Green Earrings and Bodhisattva actually outdo the versions on the original albums. Reelin' In the Years and Book of Liars are the only tracks that don't stand out, the rest is a superb affirmation of Steely Dan's place at the top of the rock and roll heap.

whoever wrote the 'itunes' review of alive in america is clearly void of understanding the beauty of this performance. pulling off these songs and arrangements live is a monumental task. fagen and becker did it so skillfully after not having been on a stage together in almost 15 years. please, if you don't understand something, don't write about it. this album is a 'must have' for anyone who appreciates the amazing beauty of steely dan.