Donald Fagen, “Ruby Baby” from ‘The Nightfly Live’ (2021): One Track Mind

After a few listens of Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly Live and the simultaneously released Steely Dan concert recording Northeast Corridor, I decided not to review either. It’s not that they aren’t great. How could they not be with iconic songs and a group of musicians who have been together, with the exception of a few, for the most part of more than 15 years.

My hesitancy with looking at the songs from The Nightfly Live is that it seems almost pointless to re-record a perfect album. The original Nightfly, runner up to 1982’s Toto IV for album of the year in the Grammys, is a musical and audio gem. Producer Gary Katz honed Donald Fagen’s semi-autobiographical work into a studio project that’s revered by audiophiles.

Taken from shows at the Orpheum and Beacon Theatre, Fagen’s new eight-song recreation was recorded with expected acumen by Michael “Coach” Connor. The problem in most cases is that the performances are too faithful to the originals.

“Ruby Baby,” recorded at the Orpheum, is a curiosity. Donald Fagen does an admirable job with his lead vocal, which stands up well to the multi-overdubbed studio version. The talented backing vocalist recreates the strut of original singer Valerie Simpson. It would be nice to know if Jamie Leonhart was part of this gig. Jim Beard tackles the tricky piano solo, making it all his own, and Michael Leonhart’s horn arrangement is as tasty as the celebrated 1982 edition. 

In the hands of these merry men and women, Fagen’s newly released live take on “Ruby Baby” is a fun ride. It’s just not a necessary one.