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Morph the Cat

Donald Fagen Format: Audio CD
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 629 ratings
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Track Listings

1 Morph the Cat
2 H Gang
3 What I Do
4 Brite Nightgown
5 The Great Pagoda of Funn
6 Security Joan
7 The Night Belongs to Mona
8 Mary Shut the Garden Door
9 Morph the Cat (Reprise)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The first solo album in 13 years from Donald Fagan, Morph The Cat is another contemporary classic from half of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Steely Dan. With Fagan's adventurous musical depth, uniquely layered lyrics and entertaining subject matter (from a conversation with the ghost of Ray Charles to a romantic liaison with an airport security guard named Joan), Morph the Cat is the newest chapter chronicling the most sophisticated music in rock.

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For all the delight their fans take in parsing their wry and obstinately obscure lyrics, Steely Dan wouldn't command the kind of following they have if they weren't such consummate craftsmen in shaping melodies, layering keyboard and guitar effects and applying sophisticated doses of jazz, funk and soul. On his own albums, of which Morph the Cat is only the third--and the first since 1993's Kamakiriad--the group's sardonic co-mastermind Donald Fagen avails himself to more socially observant and personally revealing themes. But here, too, it's the music's dark shimmer and bumptious grooves that get under your skin, carrying his serious intentions with them. The grandly allusive "Morph," named after what Fagen describes as a "vast, ghostly cat-thing" that hovers in the Manhattan sky (not unlike Woody Allen's catty mother in "New York Stories"), reflects with no loss of irony or oblique meaning on the angst and sense of loss felt in the post-9/11 world. There are visions of death--including his own--and political oppression. There's a comic romantic encounter with a female airport security guard and a reverent faceoff with the ghost of Ray Charles, whose essence is nailed: "Well, you bring some church but you leave no doubt/As to what kind of love you love to shout about." Even when Fagen's hipster sensibility flirts with preciousness, the music is so richly, radiantly alive, the collective power of the songs can't be denied. --Lloyd Sachs

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 5.63 x 0.39 inches; 3.6 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Reprise
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 2031781
  • Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2006
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ September 2, 2000
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Reprise
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000E5N62U
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 629 ratings

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4.6 out of 5 stars
629 global ratings

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Donald's back: Did he ever leave?
5 out of 5 stars
Donald's back: Did he ever leave?
First off, I'm giving this album 5 stars because quite simply, Donald Fagen is the man and nothing out there can compete in this specific musical genre. What genre is it specifically? Well, sort of a vocal jazz lounge easy listening soft rock hybrid. Basically it defies categorization. When Fagen or Steely Dan release an album it's an event on par with the release of a new Star Wars movie. And they don't make those any more, so you better embrace it when it comes around like the return of Haley's comet. Or a new McCartney album for that matter.But regardless of the irregularity of the release pattern, Fagen's music is lush. Easy on the ears, it's like a musical massage to the temples and this album is no different. It has the trademark Fagen/Dan sound and that's a good thing, because people rarely make music this sophisticated and purely enjoyable. The first time I heard this album all the way through I was driving in my convertible on Mulholland Drive here in L.A. and let me tell you, THAT was an experience. Couldn't have been better unless I saw the man live while sipping a glass of red. And I missed my chance to see him live recently when he performed at the Wiltern. Oh well, I know I'll get my chance eventually...Anyway, back to this album: Morph the Cat. It's blazing 5 stars. Actually I'd give it 6 if there was the option. And if you can listen to it while in a convertible, do it!As Donald himself sings, "Especially qualified, keep'em satisifed, it's what I do."
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Scott Hedegard
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Fagen gem
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If it's Donald Fagen, you can pretty well consider it a Steely Dan album sans Walter Becker. It is no secret that Fagen is the real music mastermind behind Steely Dan, not to diminish Becker's input, but that's just the way it is.
    "Morph The Cat", the third Fagen solo album, is moodier than "Kamakiriad" and is the musically most complex work of his solo career. Having just seen the great Steely Dan a couple weeks ago live, my admiration for Fagen has grown exponentially, and my appreciation for Becker as a fine bluesy guitarist as well. So, having an endless appetite for these guys, and seeing that "Morph The Cat" was far cheaper than it should have been, considering the wealth of great music contained within, I ordered it and was very pleased.
    It's a story of sorts that are better left to reading the lyrics, and being a musician myself who pays little attention to lyrics, I can't really comment one way or the other, although with better known Dan tunes, they're usually quite interesting to say the least. The jazzy music is what grabs you here, with several members of the Steely Dan touring band aboard for the ride. Those familiar with "Two Against Nature" and "Everything Must Go" will see this as a companion piece. Fagen's newest, "Sunken Condos" has more levity but that doesn't mean "Morph" is any less a great album.
    Fagen and Becker have introduced millions to the world of jazz and opened doors for many of us into their favorite music, myself included. I can only cite the top of the line outfits in comparison, Frank Zappa's latter bands, Jeff Beck or any number of jazz groups still struggling to be heard. "Morph The Cat" has enough pop sensibility to retain rock fans' attention but is so rich in influences it would seem they will never exhaust their creative supply. It's music for serious music lovers. Fans of "Bootylicious" need not apply.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Tam H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars All is well.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2024
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    Quick service, no complaints.
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  • Brian Whistler
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fagen's 3rd Solo Album a Winner
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Donald Fagen may very well be incapable of witing bad music. So, to criticize an artist of his caliber is almost superfluous in this age of disposable music. Nonetheless, because of the high standards he holds for his own output if may be useful to discuss his work as compared to the high watermarks of his career.

    First of all, let me say that this is no Nightfly, easily the best of his trio of solo works. That being said, there are songs on here that are as musically deep, as richly textured and as lyrically savvy as anything he has ever produced.

    I read in a recent interview that Fagen considers these solo efforts to be a trilogy of sorts, the first being a look at his youth, the second an exploration of mid life and this (hopefully not his last!) being a look towards the winter of his life. Death, he claims, is the overriding theme here. While there are certainly allusions to the Grim Reaper this CD hardly seems like the last creative gasp of an artist at the end of his productive years. It is interesting to note that the one song that directly addresses the subject of death (Brite Nightgown,) is delivered in the form of a lively and infectious funky groove that makes you want to get up and boogy!

    Contrary to Fagen's stated intention, this CD does not seem to be a concept album per se. While there are a few underlying post 9/11 references, it is really a collection of expertly penned tunes which touch on a variety of favorite Fagen themes, sexual adventure (Security Joan,), rock and roll (The H Gang, a light hearted history of an all girl rock band) rocky relationships, (the autobiographical, "Great Pagoda of Fun",) political paranoia (the chilling, "Mary Shut the Garden Door",) and the ubiquitous lost souls that populate Fagen's ultra cool urban landscapes ("The Night Belongs to Mona",another gem.)

    This album, like all Fagen's stuff, grows on the listener with repeated play. The band is top notch, the horn writing meaty and tasteful and Fagen's keyboards are a joy to hear, particularly his gorgeous melodica playing which he has taken to a level of expressiveness I hadn't thought possible. At times it reminds me of Stevie's harmonica-very soulful stuff. There are many more layered vocals here than in the past two Dan releases. It's a lushly produced recording, yet Fagen's highly accurate ear keeps everything in line and miraculously, manages to allow the arrangements to breathe in the midst of some serious density.

    No, it's not all top of the line Fagen, but there is so much to like on here that I won't belabor the negatives. I will say that I agree with a prevous reviewer who felt that "Morph the Cat" is not the strongest tune of the lot, and seems like an odd choice to be the title track and the album opener to boot. This odd little piece about a "Totoro" like cat who showers Manhattan with good vibes seems too sunny for the rest of the album, and tends to be pretty static. It's my least favorite tune at the moment.

    My advice to the first time listener is to hang in there; it gets better and better the further in you go. Inside, gems Like "Great Pagoda of Fun and "The Night Belongs to Mona " await, songs as good as anything this dependably excellent artist has ever written. Overall, Morph the Cat is that rareest of things in pop music, ear candy with real nutritional value.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • monkuboy
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Surround is There
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    This review focuses on the sound aspect of the dvd, rather than the merits of the music itself to hopefully clear up some of the confusion noted in the other reviews as to does the dvd or doesn't the dvd have 5.1 sound. I have an older Toshiba dvd player (purchased in 2001) that is NOT equipped for DVD-Audio. When I insert the dvd, the first thing that comes up on the tv screen is the menu, showing "play," "songlist" and "audio selction." The audio selections are DTS 5.1, Dolby two-channel and Dolby surround. Selecting DTS or the Dolby Digital Surround results in sound coming from all 5 channels plus my subwoofer.. and it sounds great, as you would expect from a perfectionist like Donald Fagen. Very clean, detailed and also open and airy sound. The two-channel dolby sounds anemic in comparison.

    I read somewhere that true DVD-Audio (or "DVD-A") tracks have a higher bit rate or whatever and that what I am hearing with my older Toshiba are not the highest fidelity tracks available on the disc (those require DVD-A). They sound just fine to me, however, as I would think unless you have really expensive speakers or headphones and do an A/B comparison you are not going to notice any significant difference.

    About the music itself: It is in the same vein as Mr. Fagen's and Steely Dan's more recent works. I like it, but personally, I prefer the older pre-Gaucho style. To me, Gaucho marked a turn to a simpler, less varied style of music. Neverthelss, simpler, less-varied Steely Dan is still better than 98% of anything else!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • spigomars
    5.0 out of 5 stars Donald Fagan truly manages to hit the high notes of Steely Dan with this disc
    Reviewed in Canada on April 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    MORPH THE CAT ... This solo effort by Donald Fagan is a real exercise in bringing back STEELY DAN. Of course he had some assistance from the likes of many contemporary musicians. While i was working on the Computer i was transported back to days gone by and the times of "THE DAN". I truly believed i was listening to STEELY DAN and actually had to check as i could not place the tracks i was listening to or the actual disc for that matter. I actually only recieved the disc yesterday so i can see me having a great deal of fun with this CD over the next month or so... I highly recommend this piece of work for all those who loved Steely Dan over the years, you will be forced into a smile for sure.."MORPH" does indeed capture that vibe of "STEELY DAN " and manages to carry that vibe throughout the entire disc. I listened that day completely thru the entire disc and was amazed at the ability of the group to hold onto the feel those past days...Since that day MORPH has become a regular in my TO PLAY STACK...in fact it has become such a regular that other newer discs have been left behind for later play...I simply have been so completely take up by this latest of Brecker's efforts...its creating a backlog of music for me to catch up on but who cares i am having a great deal of fun with this "Pseudo Dan" music...If you were really and i do mean REALLY into Brecker and Co then you might try this disc as you might have the same response as myself..
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  • Pino67
    5.0 out of 5 stars La musica grande.
    Reviewed in Italy on March 12, 2019
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    L'ennesima sublime produzione musicale del nostro amato Donald. Grande musica, grande incisione in un piccolo supporto digitale. Da acquistare, da ascoltare e da condividere, come d'altronde tutta la musica di Donald Fagen e degli Steely Dan. Al solito Amazon impeccabile per prodotti, prezzi e consegne.
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  • mituyosi matusima
    5.0 out of 5 stars ぶれないです。この人。
    Reviewed in Japan on September 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    通常盤も所持していますが、DVD付きが欲しくて購入しました。この人はスティーリー・ダンの時代から一癖も二癖もあるひねりのある楽曲を作るしコード進行にしても意表を突く展開になるルートを使い音に対しての完全主義ぶりがソロになってもぶれてないのだから恐れいる。この作品を含めて3部作と言われてますけどナイトフライから数えてここまで足掛け24年で完結ってどういう事ですかぁ。この人やはりその辺にいる辺ぴなミュージシャンいもバンドなどとは次元が違います。DVDの方の音は流石に 5.1サラウンドですから通常盤より遥かに上ですねぇ。元々この人の楽曲は音がいいですけど、敢えてサラウンドにする必要があったんですかね。でもハッキリ言ってDVD聴いちゃうと通常盤が物足りなく感じてしまいます。次作期待してますけど御歳が気がかりですねぇ。お元気なら何よりなんですが。
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  • derruckersfelder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Solo-Album Nr. 3, sehr basslastig + nicht ganz so steril-kalt
    Reviewed in Germany on January 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Morph The Cat ist Donald Fagens drittes Solo-Album nach The Nighfly (1982) und Kamakiriad (1993) und stammt aus dem Jahr 2006. Zwischen Kamakiriad und Morph The Cat kamen zu Beginn des Jahrtausends noch die beiden Steely Dan Alben Two Against Nature und Everything Must Go. Im Alter ist der Mann also noch einmal für seine Verhältnisse richtig produktiv geworden.
    Mit Everything Must Go konnte ich mich nie so richtig anfreunden und Kamakiriad klang mir teilweise zu steril. Morph The Cat kam mir anfangs etwas belanglos, beiläufig, unaufgeregt und langweilig vor. Die Musik zündet dann aber nach ein paar Durchgängen. Fagen zelebriert hier zwar auch wieder seine patentierte relaxte Mixtur aus Jazz, Soul und Pop, die oft als Yuppie- oder Fahrstuhl-Musik verschrien wird und sein Trademark Fender Piano Groove kommt auch wieder häufig zum Einsatz. Doch Morph The Cat ist etwas anders als seine anderen 3 Solo-Alben, denn es klingt großteils wie live im Studio eingespielt. Das Kalte und Sterile das Fagen oft vorgeworfen wird, kann man Morph The Cat im Vergleich zu seinen anderen Solo- und Steely Dan Alben am wenigsten vorwerfen. Es hat vielmehr einen wunderbar warmen Sound.
    Die größten Pluspunkte des Albums sind aber der tiefe wummernde Bass-Sound und die Bassmelodien. Mir fällt da spontan kein weiteres Album ein, das man aus dieser Warte hören muss. Die Platte lebt von diesem Groove und funktioniert für mich größtenteils über die knappen, melodiösen und groovigen Bassläufe. Beim Titelsong kann man förmlich die Katze über den Basslauf rumtapsen hören.
    6 der 8,5 Songs auf Morph The Cat überschreiten die 6-Minuten-Marke. Meine Favoriten sind das leicht bluesig-rockige What I Do, das ein witziges Zwiegespräch zwischen Fagen und seinem Idol Ray Charles darstellen soll, das unfassbar groovige Brite Nitegown, das Flughafenintermezzo mit Security Joan sowie Mary Shut The Garden Door mit seinem langen Schlußteil, dem ich noch 5 Minuten länger hätte zuhören können.
    Bis auf The Great Pagoda Of Funn kann ich das ganze knapp 53 minütige Album gut hören.
    Sehr empfehlenswert ist die Version mit der DVD-Audio, die sich auch als normale DVD abspielen lässt. Speziell der Surroundmix ist gelungen und bedient alle 5 Boxen sehr gut. Die DVD-Audios von The Nightfly und Kamakiriad sind diesbezüglich ebenfalls empfehlenswert.

    Fazit:
    Irgendwie mag ich alle Fagen-Solo-Alben, Morph The Cat sticht für mich aber wegen seines warmen Sounds heraus. Sein letztes wiederum sehr gelungenes Solo-Album Sunken Condos klingt da um einiges steriler und kälter.
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  • Jorge Jiménez "Capi-hifi"
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jorge Capi-hifi: Gran descubrimiento y espectaculares temas....
    Reviewed in Spain on December 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Sin duda, de lo mejor que he descubierto últimamente. No lo conocía, y me ha sorprendido enormemente. Sin duda, compraré todo lo que haya publicado.... me ha encantado
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