Morph The Cat (studio album) by Donald Fagen

"Morph the Cat" from 2006, is Donald Fagen's third solo album. Apart from the absence of Steely Dan's partner Walter Becker, the musicians are almost the same as on Steely Dan's latest album from 2003 "Everything Must Go". The sound is thus not surprisingly very similar to Steely Dan's, and as Fagen also takes care of the vocals in the group, it can be difficult to detect differences between Steely Dan and Fagen solo.

There is for me something indefinable magic that often is missing on solo albums. This applies to some extent also in this case, although I obviously respect and accept that album was very well received and even awarded a Grammy.

As always, most of Fagen lyrics are very interesting and have a substance that gives rise to interpretation and reflection. This is particularly true of the songs on "Morph the Cat" while I find many of the actual songs somewhat less interesting than those on Steely Dan's albums. Musically these sangs can be ghard to distinguish from each other and for me it is very much the lyrics that makes me able to tell them apart.

Songs I want to highlight are "Morph the Cat", "The H Gang" and "The Night Belongs to Mona", that all have lyrics that give food for thought, while musically they are also among the most interesting. Also the lighter "Security Joan" is an uplifting acquaintance, which proves both twinkle in his eye and humor with Fagen; You might call Fagen’s bid for a new "Lovely Rita".