Rating: 
Summary: Great Audio Quality and a Great Working Band
Review: I bought this dvd close to when it came out. The band is amazing, including Ricky Lawson on drums, plus backing horns and vocals. Most of the tunes are from 2AN, but there are some great older tunes (Josie, Peg, Babylon Sister, FM) as well. The audio quality is outstanding, especially the DTS track. I was thoroughly impressed by the improved sound quality when I upgraded my system. The reason is the set was recorded at a sony sound studio in NY, and edited in the studio later. You can tell some things, like some of the drums had been rerecorded, but I don't think this is a bad thing, considering what we are used to from Steely Dan. You won't be dissapointed when you hear how good it sounds. Some of these versions rival the originals. As far as what I didn't like, this was promotional for 2AN, and there is an accompanying documentary. The problem is that it has been spliced between songs, making the concert less fun to watch. You have to press fwd chapter to get to each next song. Other than that annoyance, this would be 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing sound...
Review: Wholeheartedly agree with all the accolades being deservedly heaped onto this DVD. I also agree with some regarding the awkward camera angles and the video presentation in general. I saw SD live on their "2vN" tour this summer, and the ambiance (through the stellar production and lighting) was sadly missing in their performance here on the DVD. The DVD was recorded at Sony Studios NYC, so I imagine they worked with what they had--but couldn't they at least have avoided those shots up Donald's nostrils? (--like the "opposite of an aerial view?") Quibbles aside though, the incredible SOUND is what I really wanted to comment on here. I can't disagree more with some that have criticized the DTS or even the Dolby 5.1 sound, because on my system especially in DTS it truly sounds as close to a live performance-in-an-intimate-setting as it gets. I was truly blown away by it. When the sizzling, samba beat opening to the title song comes pumping through the speakers my heart starts to soar and then I know I'm in for a real treat. Easily the best sounding music DVD in my collection. Even the Dolby 5.1 sounds great, though not as lush as DTS. I only wish they had done the Aja DVD in digital audio also (btw, a great companion DVD to this one). Oh yeah, congrats to the boys on the 5 Grammys and the pending R n'R Hall of Fame induction. And all it took was a new millenium and a new album to finally get a little well-deserved recognition!
Rating:
Summary: Great Concert...Edit the Chit Chat!
Review: Awesome show...intimate setting...just copy this one to SVHS, and edit out the interview segments! Makes for a far more enjoyable experience ( at least the songs are complete, which is more than I can say for certain other DVD concerts ).
Rating:
Summary: Great musicianship and a perfect sound mix make for a winner
Review: After the VH-1 "Storytellers" edition featuring Steely Dan, I honestly didn't have too high hopes for this DVD. "Storytellers" left me wanting for better sound (of course...TV, what could one expect? ), and quite frankly, something that didn't smack of simply "PR" for the new disc. This disc, however, laid all fears to rest. From the opening moments of "Green Earrings", I knew this one was a true winner. This disc features "bang-on" performances from the entire ensemble...no slackers in this crew. Where do they find these guys, anyway? Is there some top-secret underground facility that cultivates and raises top-notch session musicians for Becker and Fagan's private stock? Hmmm..... Sound-wise, there are three choices of mix: Dolby Digital 5.1, which seems to be the most balanced; DTS 5.1, which features far better separation of channels, but typical "overdone" bass; and 2- channel PCM Dolby Stereo. The folks at Digital Theatre Systems (DTS) seem hell-bent on demonstrating the extended headroom DTS is touted to offer over Dolby Digital by trying to blast viewers out of the room with bottom end. While it works wonders for movies such as "Saving Private Ryan", it really is overkill here. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is well-balanced, and just about as good as it can get for a live performance. Highly recommended for Dan Fans!
Rating: 
Summary: Poor video and interviews distract from great performance
Review: Oh, if only they could have separated the interviews! The music portion of the DVD is great but every song is followed by a goofy interview. I found this very distracting. Also, the video footage of the concert is a bit too "modern" for my tastes. Funky camera angles - in one shot the bottom 1/4th of the screen shows the heads of the background singers will the upper 3/4ths of the screen shows the top of the soundstage! Huh? Also, the lighting is distracting. Fagen's face is usually in shadows. Finally, the dts mix was so heavy on subwoofer, the furniture started to move and my dog barked. Dolby 5.1 sounded much better. In sum, I'm glad I bought since I have everything Steely Dan, but I wish they spent the time to allow an option to watch the concert straight through.
Rating:
Summary: This Is Great
Review: I don't know why I waited so long to buy this. I must confess that I taped it when it was shown on PBS, but there is a huge difference in quality between the television broadcast and the dvd. The quality of the sound is excellent - would you expect anything less from Steely Dan? Sitting in the middle of the surround sound either in DTS or Dolby Digital mode makes it seem like you were there at the concert. Hearing the horns come from the rear speakers is kind of odd at first but it actually places you as one of the band members at the concert. I like the DTS better but they're both done very well. Every instrument is so clear and distinct, and everything is in balance. The video portion is done well, too. And the songs: I am a big Steely Dan fan so all I can say is the music is great. I especially like the way "Bad Sneakers" was performed. I've read many complaints about the inteviews spliced in between the songs. I just skip them. After one song is done, I press the button for the next track and am right at the beginning of the next song. So I don't understand why some people are raving mad about the interview parts - the only thing I can think of is that they changed the dvd and previously you couldn't skip the interviews. Otherwise, my feeling is, don't be so lazy! Just press the skip button on your remote!! Anyway, this is one great dvd from one great band. I love it.
Rating: 
Summary: Better on CD than DVD
Review: Steely Dan sounds great on CD but is boring to watch on DVD as there is not much stage presence. I will stick to their CD's which are great and not any DVD's. They also omited their best songs like: School, Rikki..This one is not a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Did it again... : ((
Review: Why in the hell can't these artist pre-screen their material BEFORE they let it be released? I enjoy the interviews and other info on DVD's in general, but PLEASE, put it ALL at the END of the concert! There is'nt many things worse than sitting down to enjoy an hour plus concert and then having it INTERUPTED with jibberish! I have found so many concerts that either have to much background noise or video from the bands tour of the city they are playing in. Excellent concerts include, Eagles (Hell Freezes Over), Styx (Return to Paradise) and Journey (2001) to name a few. I'd like to see more reviewers mention interuptions in the DVD if there is one. The listed reviews just saved me a few bucks. Thanks to all that mentioned the short comings. Very disappointed, John
Rating:
Summary: BE VERY CAREFUL
Review: I gave this a 3 star because the music is actually quite good, but the version I got only has a still picture of a lawn and a couple chairs, BUT NO ACTUAL VIDEO ON THIS DVD...Aparrently this is just designed to be played like a CD but in DVD form for surround sound. Seeing how I already had the CD I wasn't too pleased with this copy. I wanted the issue that shows them playing to a studio audience, but I got a glorified CD instead....
Rating:
Summary: So ya wanna know if it's worth your Jackson ? ...
Review: If you've read the other reviews, then you already know that all serious Steely Dan fans must have this DVD. If you are a casual Steely Dan fan and you like excellent sound quality and performance then you must have this CD. If you are unfamiliar with Steely Dan and you want to catch a glimpse of what the current incarnation of the band is ... then you must have this DVD. To some reviewers, the occasional skewed camera angles were off-putting. For me, they allow for a "fly on the wall" effect which can be engaging for the viewer. The between-the-songs interviews were entertaining, but for those who want just the music, the DVD is indexed so that you can skip easily over these interview segments if you want. I believe that this DVD is a great way to bridge rock 'n' roll DVDs and jazz DVDs ... just like Steely Dan's great music is such a bridge. If you end up liking this DVD one tenth as much as I do, then it will become one of your most chereshed DVDs.
| 
