As I promised (HERE), this is my review of the book, Eminent Hipsters.
This is Donald Fagen's first attempt at writing a book and as he says, a preview of a book about his life. Being that we Steely Dan fans have had nothing to go by, except the Brian Sweet book "Reeling in the Years", this is huge to us.
The first part of the book, he centers his time on some of the influences who shaped him. Radio DJ Mort Fega, Henry Mancini, Jean Shephard, The Boswell Sisters are a few of them. His quirky mixing of jazz changes in his rock songs, is a direct result of the synthesis of all these influences...so I found it of interest.
The vast majority of the 2nd half of the book (it is only 159 pages long) centers on his being "On Tour" in 2012, with the Dukes of September Rhythm Review. The Dukes are: Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Donald Fagen and a Band. 3 old friends on buses, touring the US. He does not tell us anything about his partners on the tour, but he strictly stays with his own story and his own experiences of life on the bus. It is not pretty and at times, quite depressing. I couldn't put it down.
Take that comment as roaring approval of this book and go get it.
If you would like, you can purchase it on Amazon HERE.
Enjoy.
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