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Donald Fagen: Morph The Cat
Morph The Cat is highlighted by the unique vision and storytelling that Fagen has perfected over the past 35 years. It sounds more like Steely Dan than either of Fagen's two previous solo excursions. The first single, "H Gang," has the chord changes and horn arrangements that Steely Dan fans have grown to know, love and expect.
Morph The Cat is a carefully constructed and arranged song cycle that is more textured, detailed and intricate than it first appears. Fagen delivers his usual sophisticated mélange of out-there lyrics, both vivid and haunting, creating both an audio tapestry and a remarkable theater of the mind. The music is so cool and vibrant that the only real way to hear the disc is to find the dual-disc version, turn off all the lights, turn up the volume and play the DVD side. This CD screams to be listened to in high-resolution audio and 5.1 Surround Sound.
This recording is essential listening for fans of progressive jazz vocalists whose arrangements incorporate the essence of the American musical art form—jazz, gospel, blues, rock and pop.
Track Listing
Morph the Cat; H Gang; What I Do; Brite Nightgown; The Grand Pagoda of Funn; Security Joan; The Night Belongs to Mona; Mary Shut the Garden Door; Morph the Cat (reprise).
Personnel
Donald Fagen
piano and vocals
Freddie Washington
bass, electric
Keith Carlock
drums
Walt Weiskopf
saxophone
Marvin Stamm
trumpet
Wayne Krantz
guitar, electricHugh McCracken
guitar
Frank Vignola
guitarKen Emerson
guitar
Kenny Wessel
guitarPhonus Quaver
vibraphone
Mark Patterson
tromboneDonald Fagen: Fender piano, piano, organ, melodica solo (8), vocals, backup vocals; Harlan Post Jr.: acoustic bass; Brian Montgomery: remedial bass guitar (9); Jon Herington: guitar, guitar solos (1, 2), chorus solo (9); ; Ted Baker: piano (2,5), whirly piano (3,6), Fender piano (7,8); Lawrence Feldman: clarinet (2), tenor saxophone (4,5), flute (7); Roger Rosenberg: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Gordon Gottlieb: percussion (2,4,6-8); Bashiri Johnson: percussion (4); Joe Pasaro: percussion (5); Jerry Barnes: backup vocals (1,5,9); Michael Harvey: backup vocals (1,6,9); Amy Helm: backup vocals (3); Carolyn Leonhart: backup vocals (3,8); Cindy Mizelle: backup vocals (3); Howard Levy: harmonica (7), harmonica solo (3); Illinois Elohainu: flute (8).
Album information
Title: Morph The Cat | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Reprise
About Donald Fagen
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