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Andrew Green: Dime Dancing: The Music Of Steely Dan
ByThe startling new context is immediately evident from the strings, oboe and vocal that open "Black Cow" from Aja (ABC Records, 1977). When bass and drums enter on the third verse the rhythmic feel begins to recall the original, only to have a totally unexpected Bluegrass guitar solo at the end. Aja's title tune (whose lyrics provide the album's title) alternates between lush woodwinds and strings and rhythmic gamelan textures, concluding with a lush vocal coda.
"Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" from Katy Lied (ABC Records, 1975) gets a stunning re-imagination as 1970s' salsa, complete with a montuno section with coro accompanying vocals and Green's Carlos Santana-like electric guitar solo. "Dirty Work" from the band's debut, Can't Buy A Thrill (ABC Records, 1972), occupies similar stylistic territory, this time as a slow samba with accordion (also featured in a rollicking solo). "Reelin' In The Years" from the same album is done in a dramatically slower tempo, which reveals surprising emotional depthaccentuated by the reed ensemble. Waks' singing here is a wonder, drawing every drop of feeling from the song. Closer "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" from Pretzel Logic (ABC Records, 1974) receives a similar ballad treatment, ending the program on a wistful, sad note. The plaintive vocals are ably supported by an ensemble of woodwinds and cello, plus Green's acoustic and electric guitar playing.
Green's ambitious, adventurous arrangements are a revelation. After the initial shock of hearing arrangements so different from the original recordings, the listener is presented with additional meanings and emotional depth previously only implied in these classic songs.
Track Listing
Black Cow; Aja; Any World (That I'm Welcome To); Reelin' in the Years; Dirty Work; Daddy Don't Live in That NYC No More; Everything You Did; Rikki Don't Lose That Number.
Personnel
Andrew Green
guitarMiriam Waks
vocalsMeg Okura
violinJody Redhage
celloLois Martin
violaZach Brock
violinJorge Roeder
bass, acousticKenny Berger
saxophone, baritoneRichie Barshay
drumsVince Cherico
drumsRob Curto
accordionScott Kettner
pandeiroVerdinho
bass, electricDave Smith
tromboneLolly Bienenfeld
tromboneMike Weiser
synthesizerAdditional Instrumentation
Lois Martin: viola (3, 6); Zach Brock: violin (3); Jorge Roeder: bass (1, 3); Dan Wieloszynski: woodwinds; Kenny Berger: woodwinds; Richie Barshay: drums, udu, percussion; Vince Cherico: bongos, percussion (3); Rob Curto: accordion (5); Scott Kettner: surdo, pandeiro (5); Verdinho: electric bass (5); Dave Smith: trumpet (7); Lolly Bienenfeld: trombone (7); Mike Weiser: synthesizer (2, 4); Andrew Green, Jorge Roeder, Kevin Frias: coro (3).
Album information
Title: Dime Dancing: The Music Of Steely Dan | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Shifting Paradigm Records