Fagen

Especially Fagen, who was performance-shy back in the 70s but now sets the tone with an ebullient enthusiasm and drive.

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

But as Becker and Fagen proved at the Beacon, there's a first time for everything.

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

Beyond the music itself, there is the fact that, originally, Steely Dan principals Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were perhaps the most reluctant rock stars in history, with an aversion to touring that led them, in 1974, to cease live performances for two decades, focusing instead on meticulous studio craftsmanship.

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

But the most intriguing part of the equation, and one that keeps fans coming back again and again, is that Becker and Fagen, unless they have the acting skills of Olivier, actually like to perform -- like really.

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

This particular song is something of a Holy Grail for Dan fans, the one that would have appeared on the Gaucho album had it not been accidentally erased by a hapless assistant engineer; performed live for "the first and maybe the only time" in Fagen's words, it had more than a few in tears .

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

But as Becker and Fagen proved at the Beacon, there's a first time for everything.

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

Beyond the music itself, there is the fact that, originally, Steely Dan principals Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were perhaps the most reluctant rock stars in history, with an aversion to touring that led them, in 1974, to cease live performances for two decades, focusing instead on meticulous studio craftsmanship.

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

For their weeklong run at the Beacon, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen will revisit their entire discography.

Funk Yards, Beacon Blues Andy Beta 2011

The lineup of Beacon shows, each with a different theme, appear to have been Becker and Fagen's tailor-made answer to this dilemma, offering some tantalizing bait to "hardcore" and "casual" fan alike.

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011

Of course, even the special shows like "Rarities" included some of the big hits, like the obligatory "Hey Nineteen," a nod to that casual fan/hardcore fan balancing act although at one point during "Rarities" Fagen made the towel-whacking exclamation, "We're gonna play what we want to play!"

Joan K. Smith: Catnip for Steely Dan Fans -- Ten Days at NYC's Beacon Joan K. Smith 2011