Chain Lightning (Live 1991)

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Chain Lightning (Live 1991)" by Donald Fagen, taken from the album The New York Rock And Soul Revue – Live At The Beacon, for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This track, recorded on March 1 and 2, 1991, at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, captures a vibrant moment from a supergroup project led by Fagen. The song itself, originally written by Fagen and Walter Becker for Steely Dan’s 1975 album Katy Lied, was reimagined for this live performance with a jazzy, soulful energy. One piece of trivia comes from a 2021 post on X by @in_yacht, which noted that on October 22, 1991, Walter Becker joined Fagen onstage at the Lone Star Roadhouse in New York City to perform "Chain Lightning" alongside other Steely Dan tracks, marking their first joint live performance of these songs since 1974. This reunion hints at the significance of the New York Rock and Soul Revue as a catalyst for Fagen and Becker’s renewed collaboration, which later led to Steely Dan’s return to touring.

Another interesting tidbit about the 1991 Beacon Theatre performances is the eclectic lineup Fagen assembled, which included heavyweights like Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Phoebe Snow, and Charles Brown. According to a Rhino article, the concerts were a one-off event, blending covers like “Knock On Wood” with originals like “Chain Lightning,” showcasing the performers’ shared love for rock, soul, and jazz. The live album, released by Giant Records, was praised for its pristine recording quality and the infectious fun the artists had on stage, as noted in customer reviews on Amazon. Fagen’s choice to include “Chain Lightning” in the setlist reflects his knack for revisiting Steely Dan’s catalog with fresh arrangements, giving the song a looser, more improvisational feel compared to its studio version. The track’s inclusion also underscores Fagen’s role as the Revue’s unofficial bandleader, a role he took on after being inspired by concerts organized by singer-songwriter Libby Titus, as mentioned in a Wikipedia entry about the project.

Donald Fagen’s journey to becoming a musical icon began in Passaic, New Jersey, where he was born on January 10, 1948, to Jewish parents. His early exposure to music came through his mother, Elinor, a former swing singer in the Catskill Mountains. By the late 1950s, Fagen’s love for rock and rhythm and blues was sparked when he bought his first record, Chuck Berry’s “Reelin’ and Rockin’.” At age 11, his cousin introduced him to jazz, leading him to the Newport Jazz Festival, where he became, in his own words, a “jazz snob.” As a teenager in the early 1960s, he frequented Manhattan’s Village Vanguard, soaking in performances by jazz legends like Charles Mingus and Miles Davis. Fagen taught himself piano, played baritone horn in his high school marching band, and developed a passion for soul, funk, and Motown in his late teens. His move to Kendall Park, New Jersey, at age 10 was tough, fostering what he described as an “anti-social personality” that fueled his creative drive.

Fagen’s professional start came in the late 1960s at Bard College, where he met Walter Becker. The two bonded over their shared love of jazz and Beat Generation literature, forming bands like Leather Canary and the Don Fagen Jazz Trio, which Fagen jokingly said sounded like “the Kingsmen performing Frank Zappa material.” After college, they worked as pop songwriters for ABC/Dunhill Records and toured with Jay and the Americans under pseudonyms. In 1970, they responded to a Village Voice ad by guitarist Denny Dias, forming Steely Dan, named after a reference from William S. Burroughs’ novel Naked Lunch. The band’s sophisticated blend of rock, jazz, and pop, driven by Fagen’s distinctive vocals and keyboard work, gained a cult following through the 1970s. After Steely Dan’s hiatus in the 1980s, Fagen released his acclaimed solo debut, The Nightfly, in 1982, and later organized the New York Rock and Soul Revue, cementing his legacy as a versatile artist.

Fans can connect with Donald Fagen through his official website, Facebook, and Instagram. His X presence is minimal, but Steely Dan’s official account, @steelydan, occasionally shares updates. For fan communities, the Steely Dan Fan Group on Facebook is a lively hub for devotees to discuss Fagen’s work, including his Revue performances. Another fan site, Steely Dan’s official website, offers tour info and archival content, while Steely Dan NL provides detailed discographies and fan-driven insights into Fagen’s career. These platforms keep the Zoo Freaks and other fans plugged into Fagen’s enduring influence.