Morph the Cat is the third solo album by Donald Fagen. A rumination on old age and death, the album has the same sharp lyrics, tight playing, and meticulous production for which Fagen is known. Musicians on the album include drummer Keith Carlock, saxophonist Walt Weiskopf, bassist Freddie Washington, and guitarists Frank Vignola, Jon Herington, Wayne Krantz, and Hugh McCracken.
Morph the Cat was released on CD and on a CD/DVD-Audio 2-disc package, with a 5.1 surround sound mix engineered by Elliot Scheiner. The surround recording won the Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album.
All songs written by Donald Fagen except where indicated.
- "Morph the Cat" – 6:49
- "H Gang" – 5:15
- "What I Do" – 6:01
- "Brite Nitegown" – 7:16
- "The Great Pagoda of Funn" – 7:39
- "Security Joan" – 6:09
- "The Night Belongs to Mona" – 4:18
- "Mary Shut the Garden Door" – 6:29
- "Morph the Cat (Reprise)" – 2:53
- "Rhymes" – 4:22 (Al Green and Mabon Hodges)
- "Hank's Pad" (Live) - 4:48 (Henry Mancini and Donald Fagen)
- "Viva Viva Rock 'N' Roll" (Live) - 2:42 (Chuck Berry)
Morph the Cat
Backing Vocals – Donald Fagen, Jerry Barnes, Michael HarveyBass – Freddie WashingtonDrums – Keith CarlockGuitar – Frank Vignola, Hugh McCracken, Wayne KrantzGuitar [Solo] – Jon HeringtonFender Rhodes – Donald FagenTenor Saxophone [Solo] – Walt WeiskopfTrumpet – Marvin StammVibraphone – Phonus QuaverH Gang
Baritone Saxophone – Roger RosenbergBass – Freddie WashingtonDrums –Keith CarlockGuitar – Hugh McCracken, Wayne KrantzGuitar [Solo] – Jon HeringtonPercussion – Gordon GottliebPiano – Ted BakerFender Rhodes, Backing Vocals – Donald FagenTenor Saxophone [Solo] – Walt WeiskopfTrombone – Mark PattersonTrumpet – Marvin StammWhat I Do
Backing Vocals – Amy Helm, Carolyn Leonhart, Cindy Mizelle, Donald FagenBass – Freddie WashingtonDrums – Keith CarlockGuitar – Hugh McCracken, Jon Herington, Ken Emerson, Wayne KrantzHarmonica [Solo] – Howard LevyWurlitzer Electric Piano – Ted BakerBrite Nitegown
Alto Saxophone – Walt WeiskopfBaritone Saxophone – Roger RosenbergDrums – Keith CarlockGuitar – Jon HeringtonGuitar [Solo] – Wayne KrantzMarimba – Phonus QuaverPercussion – Bashiri Johnson, Gordon GottliebFender Rhodes, Backing Vocals – Donald FagenTenor Saxophone – Lawrence FeldmanTrombone – Mark PattersonTrumpet – Marvin StammThe Great Pagoda of Funn
Alto Saxophone – Walt WeiskopfBacking Vocals – Donald Fagen, Jerry BarnesBaritone Saxophone – Roger RosenbergBass – Freddie WashingtonDrums – Keith CarlockGuitar – Jon HeringtonGuitar [Solo] – Wayne KrantzPercussion – Joe PasaroPiano – Ted BakerTenor Saxophone – Lawrence FeldmanTrombone – Mark PattersonTrumpet [Solo] – Marvin StammVibraphone – Phonus QuaverSecurity Joan
Backing Vocals – Michael HarveyBass – Freddie WashingtonDrums – Keith CarlockGuitar – Jon Herington, Wayne KrantzGuitar [Solo] – Ken WesselHandclaps – Camille Meza, Candice Predham, Eddie Jackson, Jennifer BattistaOrgan, Piano, Backing Vocals – Donald FagenPercussion – Gordon GottliebWurlitzer Electric Piano – Ted BakerThe Night Belongs to Mona
Acoustic Bass – Harlan Post, Jr.Bass –Freddie WashingtonBass Clarinet – Roger RosenbergDrums – Keith CarlockFlute – Lawrence FeldmanGuitar – Jon Herington, Wayne KrantzHarmonica – Howard LevyPercussion – Gordon GottliebPiano, Backing Vocals – Donald FagenFender Rhodes – Ted BakerTenor Saxophone – Walt WeiskopfTrombone – Mark PattersonTrumpet – Marvin StammMary Shut the Garden Door
Backing Vocals – Carolyn LeonhartBass – Freddie WashingtonDrums – Keith CarlockFlute – Illinois ElohainuGuitar – Jon Herington, Wayne KrantzMelodica [Solo], Backing Vocals – Donald FagenPercussion – Gordon GottliebFender Rhodes – Ted BakerVibraphone – Phonus QuaverMorph the Cat (Reprise)
Backing Vocals – Jerry Barnes, Michael HarveyBass –Freddie WashingtonBass [Remedial] – Brian MontgomeryDrums – Keith CarlockGuitar – Hugh McCracken, Wayne KrantzGuitar [Chorus Solo] – Jon HeringtonGuitar [Tag Solo] – Frank VignolaFender Rhodes, Backing Vocals – Donald FagenTenor Saxophone – Walt WeiskopfTrumpet – Marvin StammVibraphone – Phonus Quaver-*Harlan Post Jr., Phonus Quaver and Illinois Elohainu are pseudonyms for Fagen himself when he plays an instrument sample patch on a synthesizer trying to replicate the actual instrument.
Producer: Donald FagenTracking Engineer: Elliot ScheinerOverdub/ProTools Engineers: Brian Montgomery, T. J. DohertyMix Engineer: Elliott ScheinerSecond Mix Engineer: Brian MontgomeryAssistant Engineers: Eddie Jackson, Jim Keller, Chad Lupo, Steve Mazur, Brian Montgomery, Matt Scheiner, Bryan Smith, Allan "A.T." ThomasPiano Technicians: Sam Berd, Wayne WilliamsDrum/Guitar Tech: Artie SmithMusic Copyist: Gary BluMastering Engineer: Darcy ProperAdditional Mastering: Joseph M. PalmaccioMastering Assistant: Maria TrianaManagement: Irving AzoffProduction Coordinators: Jill Dell'Abate, Cindy OsborneProduction Assistant: Mary Lou ArnoldArt Direction: Jeri HeidenDesign: Ryan CoreyPhotography: Danny ClinchAlbum
