A smooth, electrified celebration of elegance, groove and musical brotherhood
The live performance of “Who’s That Lady” by The Dukes of September, featured in the concert film Live at Lincoln Center recorded in New York City in November 2012 for PBS Great Performances, represents one of the most captivating reinterpretations of a soul classic in recent years. This rendition did not chart as a standalone release, yet its significance rests not in commercial numbers, but in the chemistry of the trio behind the project. With Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, and Boz Scaggs sharing the stage, the performance became a masterclass in musicianship, memory and reverence for American rhythm and groove. The song itself, originally recorded by The Isley Brothers, provides the perfect vehicle for the collective voice and instrumental finesse that defines The Dukes of September experience.
What makes this version so striking is the tasteful reimagining rather than replication. The arrangement respects the sensual glide and falsetto elegance of the Isleys’ iconic 1973 recording, yet layers it with a distinctly refined, late career perspective. Fagen’s cool, syncopated keyboard phrasing gives the groove a subtle Steely Dan sophistication while the rhythm section lays down a clean, relaxed, almost liquid pulse. McDonald’s unmistakable tone, warm and deeply soulful, carries the vocal heart of the song. He approaches the melody with restraint, never imitating the original, but instead delivering it through his own seasoned phrasing that feels organic and lived in.
Then comes the moment that defines the performance: the guitar work. The solo, rich with expressive bends and melodic clarity, feels like an extended conversation rather than a display of technical bravado. It channels Ernie Isley’s original soaring tone yet speaks with a contemporary smoothness that feels at home in the grandeur of Lincoln Center.
Beyond technical execution, there is an emotional truth running through the performance. The Dukes of September were not a nostalgia act chasing past relevance. They were longtime peers and collaborators offering a curated journey through the music that shaped them. Every note of “Who’s That Lady” communicates respect for the lineage of soul, funk and R&B. The audience does not merely hear a classic. They witness its continued life.
With its soft lights, flawless sound staging and the unmistakable New York cultural setting, the PBS recording immortalized the performance as more than a concert capture. It became a document of three voices and one shared musical memory converging in a moment of grace.
“Who’s That Lady” in this form is not just a song. It is craftsmanship, legacy and the quiet certainty that great music remains timeless.