Hear your favorite Steely Dan album, performed live.

Steely Dan has stood the test of time better than most bands. Fifty-somethings who grew up with the duo have remained steadfastly loyal. But a surprising number of forty-, thirty-, and even twenty-somethings can sing along to My Old School.

Even so, I was surprised when I heard Only A Fool Would Say That while shopping at Macy's.

The group's complex, jazz-rooted melodies, dark lyrics, and impeccable production were finally rewarded when Two Against Nature - their first album in twenty years - won the Album of the Year Grammy in 2001. Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that same year provided the impetus for a successful tour.

The group has toured several times since then. And they're at it again, this time with a twist. Fans in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago can hear their favorite album - Aja, Gaucho, or The Royal Scam - performed live, along with "selected favorites." The fourth option is a set list decided by request over the Internet.

For a "studio" band. Steely Dan is great in concert. Drummer Keith Carlock and guitarist Jon Herrington amply fill the shoes of Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Larry Carlton, and the dozens of stellar session players who created the original sound. The band is usually about 13 members strong. And the venues for these concerts are relatively small. Expect big sound and superb musicianship.

Tickets for Boston, New York, and Chicago go on sale on May 30 for American Express cardholders. Angelenos can buy tickets on June 6. For Dan fans, trying to choose between the guitar-driven Green Earrings and the sublimely succinct Home At Last will be excruciating.

For ticket information, visit http://www.steelydan.com/tour09us.html