Elly Roberts reviews
Donald Fagen: Morph The Cat
Distributed by
Reprise
- Cat.no: CDW49976
- Released: March 2006
- Rating: 10/10
When going solo,
sophisticated cross-over jazzman Donald Fagen doesn't
gravitate much from the latter Steely Dan template. Morph The Cat, the third
in the solo trilogy following Nightfly (1982 - UK no 44) and Kamakiriad
(1993 - UK no 3) can be regarded as the climax.
My Steely Dan love affair began in 1973 whilst at Art College. The entire
'smart' student brigade seemed to embrace them. Their debut Can't Buy A
Thrill, was a sensation, spawning hit singles Do It Again and Reelin' In The
Years. Each album progressed, until they had reached such a clinical, smooth
and predictable state, they left themselves open to some criticism. By the
time of Gaucho (1980), my interest waned.
Then came Nightfly, a more inspiring offering without cohort Walter Becker.
Becker doesn't appear here either, though tried and tested musicians make
the cut. Nowadays, Fagen can't nail the killer 3 minute pop song. Early on
in SD, there was more adventure, which he seems to have forgotten or
abandoned for the sake of safer ground. Most run 4, 5, 6, even seven minutes
long.
He says, "I like it when songs develop in some way and four minutes
usually isn't enough time for something to develop musically." Everytime, we
know what we're getting - highly polished funky grooves that don't appear
anywhere else in the biznizz. Tight is the keyword right now, though the
songs aren't too much of a straight jacket, because it's not ALL Fagen
making this happen. Allowing all involved, the album breathes the freedom
afforded to the respective musicians to flourish within the parameters of
Fagen's supremely crafted compositions.
The really interesting stuff happens
within the songs i.e. the quality of musicianship - Fagen and Becker were
always musicians' musicians. Attention to detail and those little touches
have always been his forte too, and there are bucket loads of it spread over
the nine tracks.
Effectively built around protracted 'textured' jazz, soul and rock grooves,
Fagen is still plugged into the Duke Ellington model. Lyrically he deals
with impending mortality and assorted apocalyptic scenarios, to homeland
security and the ghost of Ray Charles.
WARNING - this isn't instant appeal; I can assure you its outstanding music
- class from start to finish. Put on and enjoy.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.