Watch Steely Dan's Donald Fagen Perform 'Paul's Pal' at the Apollo Theater

Steely Dan co-leader Donald Fagen performed "Paul's Pal" in tribute to 85-year-old saxophone legend Sonny Rollins, the recipient of the JFA's Lifetime Achievement Award.
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[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

Donald and Sonny are friends. Rollins lives in Woodstock these days. Whenever Fagen visits him he asks him if there is anything he needs.....particularly from NYC. He looks after him as a grandfather. Despite being a piano player, Fagen said before this gig that Sonny was his favorite musician ever.

[@PLDrums1]

Donald is a righteous dude.

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

When Donald and Walter drove to the "Kamakariad" sessions each day, they played Sonny's CD's for inspiration. He was a massive inspiration to SD, and Sonny's constant striving for perfection so much reminded me of Steely Dan. As so many SD fans know, "Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders" album cover is on Donald's masterful "Nightfly" solo record. He has every right and is a wonderful musician to be honoring Sonny who is such a nice person. I feel the best tributes often come from people who do not play within the musical category they are strictly known for.

[@dwindle]

I never understood how jazz and Steely Dan were cut from the same cloth until now.

[@saucedevourer8858]

Yeah, this song's chords are similar to Peg's chords in a way.

[@simotazoa]

Surely you jest ! : )

[@leoray1234]

Absolutely. Walk Between The Raindrops are straight up jazz changes, and a lot of other Fagen/SD songs

[@davidkopec9442]

Check out their version of Duke Ellington’s “East St, Louis Toodeloo

[@wuodbonde]

This is fantastic

[@groovemessenger2407]

It's a little weird...but also cool to see Al Foster soloing on DeJohnette's distinctive kit.

[@markbuxton2368]

astonishing , thank you

[@marcosavelardemartinez4448]

Donald Faguen,tremendo vocalista y pianista uno de mis favoritos con estelydan

[@jakepconpc4612]

The bass is sssooooo off I'm Sorry but how did it get like that

[@G8GT364CI]

The sound is terrible period.

[@marjoriemorgenstern9125]

@Eileen O'Sullivan it is so NOT enjoyable

[@ClarenceHW]

Yes, open strings are out, as well as some of the playing. Too bad as there's some nice things happening.

[@sheen4dean71]

Considering that Donald once said how he hates electric keyboards because they go ever so slightly out of tune the further up the register you go, I'm so surprised he didn't walk out of this gig.

[@imme.7106]

Yes!; I hate to sound like a snob, but it's so, so difficult to listen to for those of us who are in the know!. Ouch!. check out Donald fagan's induction into the jazz Hall of Fame June 2010. He plays the song Florida room, and you want to hear him improvise?! Check this one out!.

[@BradBolin]

Fagen's solo was great, he has great feel, it's really appropriate. The thing I don't understand is that, whenever he plays leads in his own tunes (Century's End, Shanghai Confidential, Big Noise, New York, on and on) he only plays with one hand. Can anyone tell me why that is?

[@Yahootie]

Bass needs to tune up

[@aaronmccoy5524]

That's not sonny on sax, that's Coltranes buddy jimmy heath

[@docgiggles2893]

Most of the chords, harmonies, and voicings Donald uses with and without SD come directly from jazz. If you understand Tatum, Bird, Monk, Sonny, and Miles you will understand this. If you come from rock n roll you wont.

[@johnsluggett1822]

Understand?

[@kaustik185]

@@johnsluggett1822 Like, get it.

[@johnsluggett1822]

That pretty elitest, Doc. I believe his range of chords and harmony does get more complex than most rock and definitely borrows a bit. And I like it. But the jazz guys you mention? Most very dedicated SD fans I know do not listen to any of the above. They'll get Fagan and Billy Joel before they get Miles or Monk. It's pop.

[@bobbybeast1000]

@@johnsluggett1822 ^ This I listen to Kind of Blue or Love Supreme VERY occasionally , the jazziest I usually go is Grover Washington, George Benson which I'll riff to for hours at a time, but pure jazz ..... not so much. Love Steely Dan cuz its a unique and cool fusion of many style. Same reason I like Supertramp, Dire Straits etc

[@mr.enigma4475]

@@johnsluggett1822 ''Most very dedicated SD fans'' are extremely pseudo, and tend to overlook the blatant Jazz influences in their music because they don't know anything about it. Fagen even bashes them in his book. Steely Dan's music may be formatted for Pop, but fully Jazz influenced. Don't get it twisted.

[@don4476]

Dang it, Donald. Stop aging! !

[@stavrospapadimitriou7631]

They're all over the place. The bass player is out of tune, and the drummer sounds like he's following the band. I've heard tighter school bands.

[@imme.7106]

Obviously;not the greatest of performances by Mr. Fagen. Band isn't"tight"; sound issues.. etc. For those people who want to hear some really good piano soloing; check out Donald Fagen being inducted into the jazz Hall of Fame on June of 2010. He plays his song Florida room, and really gives you a good idea of his jazz piano playing in this performance!.

[@junoroxas]

Sax player blowing flat 👎🏽

[@arthurfunaro5041]

I understand the whole "tribute" vibe, but there is indeed a time when the old lions should quietly exit and find a shady place to rest. Do you want to remember Sonny as a limited "Charlie Parker lick" player after all the wonderful things he has created? Do you want to remember Donald Fagen as an "almost" jazz musician that can't quite solo or can't even comp with any semblance of supportive voicings? This is kind of sad. I feel like I had sex with an unfortunate woman after too many bourbons and endure the aftermath with shame and regret. Wanting to keep my memories of these Kings pure and admiring, I think I will now listen to a John Denver tune and wash my disturbed listening palate clean. Sorry. One too many indulgences here. One tune over the line.

[@CalebMcFarland]

What a weird comment. Michael McDonald and Bobby Caldwell have been in it a while and they’re still incredible. And if people want to hear them why would they stop performing? Even if they weren’t as good people want to see them. And many of them are just as good.

[@jmdavison62]

The main problem I hear is that the bassist isn't tune with the ensemble. Get this man a monitor!

[@pallhe]

It's largely a sound problem. Not mic'd up properly. Probably just one mic way out in the room. As a music magazine, Rolling Stone should up its game on this front. Fagen's solo is fine, but he would be appalled by the sound quality, or lack of it.

[@TheExtremenarcissist]

I can't comment on the other players but as a keyboard player/pianist, I would agree about Fagen. He is a first class composer, arranger, lyricist and bandleader but his own playing was never great, this is particularly evident in a jazz setting.

[@themostimportantshipmentev8222]

Screaming into the void about Donald Fagen doesn't make your forgettable music any better

[@blueanke]

everyone plays a different key, just stupid, everyone thinks it's jazz and art, how poor!!