SIS Archives -- June 2000

Dammit Clas, now I'm up way past bedtime listening to Gaucho. Did ya ever notice that the very *first* note (bass) on Babylon Sisters sounds like a mistake! It's quickly corrected, almost like speeding up a turntable. When the theme is repeated before the first verse, that bass note is gone and replaced with the "corrected" one from the first pass! Another sneaky trick?

Dr. Mu...

Sorry about the mutated citation...I will gladly pay the fine.

...with the last piaster I can borrow...

DBD

citation mutation: Jive = Razor sorry...

My take on the discussion about TOOM is that maybe D&F had it right when they didn't comment seriously about their words. It's idiotic to believe that commenting on experience is promoting it. One of the the things I like about their lyrics is that they're not judgemental. I reckon Donald would be better off giving them the usual BS.

poly-segmented danfan: Ah - that last one was my favorite pair au d. Green Eggs & Ham is one of the best books of all time.

But all your pair O ds are fine. Where do you get the time? It takes a major life event or at least 30 minutes for me...

I trust Clas. His hearing is impeccable! Gary Katz is Da Producer!

rb

weekendworm...TOOM is absolutely NOT suggestive of a good time unless you like sticking yourself w/ needles or waking up (maybe)and not knowing where, or for that matter, who you are. I had cousins in S. Fla who not only looked deeply into the dragon's eyes, but were consumed by its fiery breath. Thank God St. George arrived when he did...

F#...I didn't take your comment to be pro-drug at all...that would be rather untrendy by today's standards don't you think... and I hope my reply back caused no offense...no need for disclaimer either...had not Don opined that maybe he shouldn't have penned the references in TOOM the way he did, autobiographical or not, none of us would be discoursing on this particular thread. I'm simply saying the fact that he suggested he and Walt may have made a lyrical transgression possibly opens up an opportunity for our heroes to make the lessons of the past available to the next generation of dandom in a way that would be both appealing and accessible...sadly, you are correct in your assertion that D & W are not particularly given to social commentary so this opportunity too shall probably pass.

Razor...VERY interesting theory advanced on the relationship between the journey taken by Kama's protagonist and the re-energizing of the creative juices of one DF. Correlation of your theory evidenced by the assemblage of the New York Rock and Soul Review shortly thereafter with Don in fine vocal form and becoming more comfortable with himself as bandleader / ringleader...want a good volume-cranker off that CD? How about Boz Scaggs on the Joe Simon classic "Drowning in the Sea of Love" with Drew Zingg ripping off a very tasty solo and outro...

everyone have a great fourth...talk to you after I finish the fifth...

she serves the smooth retsina...

DBD

Wonderwaif/Aus: Bring on the IPO! We could pull a Hillary

Blazer Rouge: "Kamikiriad is an album by the depressed for the depressed." Brilliant! Kama has a unique other wordly/dreamy/surreal/off kilter soundscape that fits in well with the black and white illustrations in the liner note jacket. As The Nightfly was a modern man looking wistfully at his past, the bookend Kamakiriad was a apprehensive, quirky, clever, near future subconscious look at an uncertain future. Notice how the 2-dimensional eerie sound slowly melts away during the 2nd half of the album. Compare the sound, the flavor of first 3 songs (Trans-Island Skyway, Countermoon, and Springtime) with the last 3 (Florida Room, On the Dunes, and Teahouse on the Tracks)...like a series of dreams with the last being a decision to fish or cut bait with the new day.

Fagen had suffered from writer's block, dramatic personal life changes, and growing up (they made it big young - never had the chance). After an aborted attempt in the mid 80's could Donald Fage and Walter Becker work together fruitfully? Could he get his creative juices flowing again? NYR&SR, touring, and this album were part of the Dan in artistic rehab. essentially. The answer is given at the end of Kama - back on the adventure trail.

The soundscape is strange or I should say different than the Dan albums of The Nightfly...but it's on purpose mostly just as 11 ToW. Becker could have easily made the album sound like China Crisis, but that was not what he was after.

Razor: I know exactly what Clas means by the 3-dimensional sound associated with Katz, coincidence or not. He knows of what he speaks as he can virtually reproduce it in in Track One and Pan Am Roof on Technicolor Motorhome. Please don't confuse soundscape with songwriting, arranging, and vision. Clearly in Steely Dan, the vision was Becker and Fagen. But I think you are underestimating the intangibles of Mr. Katz. Listen to pre-Dan Da (Sun Mountain or whatever your collection) the CBAT. Also Katz is able to recreate that certain openess on both Eye-to-Eye albums and Laura Nyro's Walk the Dog and Light the Light (1993) - the song A Woman of the World and Louis's Church are examples. Although many aspects are different than Dan - there's that something that tether's the soundscpae with Dan. One could argue that Katz learned a great deal from Donald and Walter and I expect that that is correct. It is more than probable that Katz did not contribute to the charts of those wonderful guitar solos we discussed, but his ear was still an integral part of the final product.

Pure Speculation: The Laura Nyro album and Kamakiriad were recorded at River Sound about the same time. I wonder if that was the beginning of the end of Fagen and Katz' relationship. They co-owned the studio - a coup occurred in about '96?

I argue that TvN has a big 3-dimensional sound as well - quite different that Kama. It's just not quite the same as on The Nightfly, Gaucho, or Aja. It may be better - like Alive in America with better clarity (yes, I know Roger Nichols' involvement in both).

My parents were in for a visit - originally from the NYC area (but could not be located on the VH1 map also). Anyway, he revealed that he saw many of the Dan heroes (Bird, Davis, Coltrane, Gillespe, etc.) in the early and mid-50s in NYC. He must have picked the wrong nights as many of the gigs he saw were marred by the performers "chasing the dragon" prior to going on stage (not his words of course). As a result he stuck with Big Band.

I've got a great ticket for Atlanta, July 18th, fourth row in the orchestra section. Selling at face value. Email if interested.

re:TooM- my comments shouldn't be misconstrued as interpreting the song as "pro-drug" in any way shape or form [or in need of some disclaimer any more than Don't Take Me Alive might be pro-terrorism via dyn-o-mite]. At the time "chasing the dragon" was trendy practice especially on the west coast [as was the rise and fall of cocaine- seen anyone with a spoon necklace lately?]. I'm sure that W&D seek timely subject matter with which to invent characters for their songs.

Heraldo Rivera [ha! Jerry Rivers, who once sold encyclopedia door to door or ws it vacuum cleaners? what do you mean you don't have electricity?????] even did a tv special on the fad and used the song under the voice-over. The "voice" of the song is a mere caricature and not necessarily one that has any autobiographic implication/connection [such as Down in the Bottom]. I 'get it' from a literary context as a character in a story [like Deacon Blue], as though we can listen in on the machinations in the affected brain of the user/abuser [who is to say what constitutes abuse?] singing this ode to opium. it was a product of the time... that is all.

gotta match?
F

Greetings all.

I have to go with the crowd on the TOOM thread. It certainly seems like Don was stumbling over himself trying to get out of that one. The lyrics take you in one direction which appears quite obvious. Then again with The Boys anything IS possible.

I almost feel some sort of personal vindication in regards to WASAM after reading this little snippet...."Like in this instance, the character sort of seems like a loser on the surface, but he also has this kind of personal honor." A while back I posted that I had felt that at the end of the song where he turns her down for a romp at her hotel, he was really standing up for himself to not be used more than he was feeling sorry for himself.

all I have time for now.

Peace love and DAN

Razor

off for the weekend
dragon chasing serene (tamer dragons)

Dan Boy Dave - is Time Out of Mind all that suggestive of a good time?, I think an actual pusher friend is more at risk of being a corrupter then a song. I thing TOOM (yes nice accronymic ring) talks about the dark side in rather complex imagery that most people don't understand and with an ironic upbeat backing. The boys are hesitant to glorify the underbelly and plenty of the new songs definitely talk of the dark side of drugs and gals of negativity

TaN is all about trying to avoid addictive and harmful things

DBD a warmwelcome aboard, I have enjoyed your insights

and please help yourself to Ole's excellent enlightening page or backpedal through the guestbook (lots of neat song descriptions)

oleanders Dan analysis
http://home.earthlink.net/~oleander1/Index.htm

as for Walt and DOn backing up from TOOM, I find that odd, as they usually have this funny evasive - we don't know what this means, you tell me attitude

anyway off till monday, have a great one

enjoy

TOm

the water will change

LaPage...

We'll expect a full report...travel safely...

lost in the barrio...

DBD

Dan Boy, We'll all provide a hearty AMEN to that!
Those of us with children, know where you're coming from.
Pehaps the fact that Fagen is now a step-father, has caused him to rethink or back away from the lyric in Time Out of Mind.
God, knows, we can't blame him. In light of the band's history of 'health problems', this tune comes too close to autobiographical to be dismissed as standard Steely Dan sarcasm and clever repartee'.

I don't think that Becker and Fagen are much about social commentary so that's probably why he chose to rose color the lyric.

I'm off to NYC for the Jones Beach show this weekend! Everyone please have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Craig

Blaze, WormTom, F#, Aja, LaPage...

Been following the TOOM discussion (interesting acronym if you think about it...)

Listen, all of us who've been following our heroes for years know EXACTLY what that track was/is about...but it's a different day and age...whether or not Donald was recanting, backpeddling, shuffling or simply can't remember from 20 years ago, it doesn't matter...the fact is there's a whole new generation of Dan followers (my 21- and 17-year old sons for example) who are certainly as smart as are we and will figure all this stuff out without us telling them...the best thing the boys could do if they feel compelled to re-write the past for some reason is fess up, come clean and use their position and experience to maybe prevent some of their new fandom from becoming products of the sins of their fathers (and mothers....)

I'm not trying to be altruistic here 'cause Lord knows, I did my more than fair share of contributing to the subterranian economy...I agree with you guys...tell it like it is and tell it like it shouldn't be...

Dan Boy Dave

Blaze - my son is playing green eggs and ham on the pc
so I can get work done

could you would you
Don and Walt
eat them eat them
with no salt

I could not eat them if I tired
I could not eat them, Katy Lied

I do not like great eggs and ham
but I so like the Royal Scam

never mind

Tster

and before my friends find out, I'll be on the road

Edd - Even then, it'd be a crappy summer. You would actually have to catch those (circus) acts. Aghhhh, indeed.

Happy 4th to our yankee friends. Tomorrow, Canada Day.
Ciao.

Funny how Dr.Mu is now Dr.Wu and we find a Mike C. after we've seen a Mike A. not to mention two Mark B.s. I'm sooo confused!

Wiggly wonder - a small post and then you leave? That's odd.

Blaise

Hmmm, for the price of 1 Steely Dan ticket you can get tickets for Britney Spears *and* Christina Aguilera.

That doesn't seem right. You should also get n'sync, Backstreet Boys and $48 change...

Not My Nance - wow what a way to take in a fourth show
so you only caught the second set but still, good for you

Walter retracks the Time Out Of Mind lyrics
ahhhghhh - the funny thing was that it was played on easy listening stations as a fun light pop song
I't Mystical "sphere" not steel
I alsways liked the song to get me in the mood for a night out
I just chased different dragons

Dr Wu - I agree that Larry Carlton certainly is adaptable to the ever changing styles of the Dan and solo projects, Nightfly being rather tasty.

WOuldn't one like to hear a bootleg of all the different soloists who were able to attempt to lay one on over a dan track

on the drummers - I like Ricky Lawson - he does an admirable job
I like Purdie too, the guy has chops and I enjoy watching his jamming with the guys on the old Aja classics in the Making of Aja DVD

and horns - isn't it amazing how seemless the horns are at times

I really like the dissonant out of control sax work on the new album - reminds me of Pharoah Sanders and that's a good thing

have a great 4th

wormtom

keep your eyes on the sky...

Jive- Right on with the Katz report! I think you hit the nail right on the head!

Mr. Lapage: the metaphor *is* a mystical mythical metalurgical one... alchemy. change the silver to gold, water to wine [how devine!]. the entire uplifting groove evokes a wonder of wonders
as though chasing the dragon will work its alchemy on the chaser.
however, as mentioned, the alchemy under scrutiny here has the effect of turning one's life into nothing but shit... tra la?

btw: The Modern Alchemist, Blodwyn Pig circa 1969/0? highly highly recommend. Roland Kirk meets Jethro Tull? yes i'll be there. the album: Ahead Rings Out. nice cover.

Bigtongs: the price is that high because you bought a ticket.

Robin: most gracious thanks for your enjoyable post. retort: but the boys are tricksters and most certainly do throw split fingered pitches and weird breaking stuff not even intended to go over the plate in the first place. i'm not suggesting their intentions are to lure listeners into over-interpreting- but, it seems to amuse them sufficiently to lean more towards the cryptic side of the lyrical spectrum if the choice presents... and then, when asked, entertain themselves with the sort of quips that endear them to us all the more!

warmly,
F#

Mr. LaPage-I had the same reaction about the backpedaling on "Time Out Of Mind". The title alone is revealing enough. It's okay, guys, it was the seventies, we understand!

Have a wonderful long weekend all, and Happy Fourth of July!

Aja

wonderwa*if - Don't go anywhere! I just had one question that's been bugging me for a little while there. How did you manage to take pictures with a zoom lens when other people were turned away at the scene with similar gear? Do you enjoy a special relationship with the band? Got their approval (and dare I say financing) for your project or something? Set this old monkey straight if you please. Love your tour journal and pix, btw.

Randy - great pictures!!!! - feel like I was standing there - oh that's right I was.

Akron, Ohio paper:
http://www.ohio.com:80/bj/news/docs/008907.htm

Bland pop act - oh please:
http://www.ocweekly.com/ink/00/43/music-kane1.shtml

all - too bad we can't attach pics to our GB submissions. any of you computer wizard fans think this might be a possibility? prob. best that we just get our own web page in order i suppose. in my "spare time" i use dreamweaver but it's been under construction for a year now. in the meantime I think I'll send the wonderwa*if summer party pics to hoops...

Hoops - Thanks for the kind words on the Digest. BTW, did you leave a fancy blue pen at our pad on Thurs. night last week? It has a faux diamond on the cap....I have it so if it's yours let me know and i'll send it along.

Expanding Man - ohhh you're endearing too. I like the Jasmine tea and rice at big bowl...what did you have?

DrWu - have to agree that a dan IPO would rock! i think all the GBers would have to get pre-IPO shares since these are SOOO hard to come by these days...we have had $2.30 /gal gas prices forever ..actually they are down to 2.09 as of yesterday. IL has the highest gas prices in the 48 contigous states, and don't get me started on TAXES!!

caramia - thanks, and if you'd like you can send those pics via snail mail, if i can find your bus. card I'll email you our address. how's life?

can't wait for dallas, happy 4th everyone.

LaPage - Is this a concession to these politically correct times we now live in? Looking to shield themselves from an eventual finger-pointing a la Ozzy? Yes, this tune always struck me as the equivalent of EGTTM only the pushing changes from dirty movies to heroin. Come on, come on, children we have it right here...
Chasing the dragon was well-known in my furry hazy years as an expression to hint at the ritual or technique involved in smoking heroin, heating it up on tinfoil (silver turning to gold) and chasing the smoke. If you prefer another means of administration, there's always the old syringe where water and blood mix in as you shoot (water turning to cherry wine). It's all on Oleander's page, btw. But yeah, don't tell the kids, it's not advisable to tamper with such things. I too wouldn't want to be associated with promoting such activities.
It's understood.
For the record, the song is really about an invitation to experience chasing a real dragon at night and the euphoria that follows, OK kids?

Randy: WOW. AWESOME pics! Thank you x 100,000,000 for sharing. The backup gals are certainly easy to look at at!! What a ball!
Have a great Independence weekend all!

Aus
"...Mr. magnificent, the one, the only one, Mr. Steely Dan"

Blazer Rogue, I too find it hilarious how Fagen is trying to backstroke from the Time Out of Mind lyric thing. It is clearly a song about heroin/opium experimentation. And this was at a time when Becker was heavily involved in his 'health problems' which included heroin abuse.

Come on. "The mystical steel, direct from Lhasa." "It's the smile on my face." Sure, the songs about metallurgy, and comic reflection!

Can there be any other meaning to "chasing the dragon' that these guys were alluding to in the lyric? Perhaps they're talking about purchasing false happiness and the terrible price it exacts, but it doesn't follow lyrically.

Son you better be ready for love
on this glory day
This is your chance to believe
what I've got to say
Keep your eye on the sky
put a dollar in the kitty
don't the moon look pretty

Sounds to me like the narrator is inticing a young initiate to experience the euphoric heroin high for the first time. His pied piper to paradise. Decscribing the head in sublime brushstrokes.

"Water to cherry wine, silver to gold"

You can here his tempting come-on:
"It's wonderful man! It'll change the way you see things. Your problems will all melt away. The revelation'll blow you away!
You'll taste perfection. Be endowed with lifesaving grace.
And to top it off, I've got the El Supremo stuff, Stygian Black Lotus, direct from the steppes of the Tibetan Himalayas. Picked by Buddhist monks in their high mountain Shangri-la.

Don't be fooled people, this is what Fagen & Becker were conveying in this song, their protestations notwithstanding.

Craig

So, after surviving the trip to and from the Gorge, and enjoying myself beyond my semi-wildest dreams, I returned home with photos and sweet memories. Some of these photos and memories have been gathered together in a trip report. If you wish to check it out, please go to my home page and click on "Steely Dan Road Trip".

http://www.ualberta.ca/~rreichar/

Many thanks to StAl, et al...

-Randy

Dr. Mu: Unfortunately the equity capital markets have been taken to the woodshed for a solid, old fashioned good one. Absolutely no enthusiasm, no road shows, nothing. Perhaps a Steely Dan Inc. initial public offering is just what the capital markets need to get up and running anew.

Aus
"...you can tell your little purty ones, they're gonna miss out tonight!"

Running late for work this morning..telly blaring in the living room...on our channel four here (NBC)...circa 7:00 a.m. EST, Steely Dan Two Against Nature tour advertisement..in the background you hear snippets of tracks from Aja, and a few others including the new effort. Promo pictures of Messrs. Fagen and Becker flashed..voice over urges fans to rush to buy tickets for the Jones Beach and PNC venues.. Thrilling.

"...Mr. Whatever is here tonight!"

Aussie

Enjoying the recent talk about guitars - nice to hear that there are plenty of people who appreciate Dias' unique "bop guitar" style. Apart from Bodhi, some other classic D. Dias solos:

Your Gold Teeth II
Green Earrings
Aja

One thing I've never figured out though. We read all the time about how Dias' would never played bent notes, and his solos certainly confirm this.

... and yet, on early live versions of Bodhisattva where Skunk and Denny are playing, the introduction section clearly has both guitars playing bent notes on the two-part melody line. Then the keyboard enters, and all three voice are bending the notes.

This means that DD *did* play bent notes when absolutely necessary, no?

Howard

I'm really enjoying the guitar and production threads on the GB of late, which is why I must rouse from my sustained lurk and thud in here with a totally personal non sequitur of an anecdote:

I'm on for three shows this summer, right? Boston, Hartford and Maryland. East Coast Charlie, that's me. But a week ago, I head to Colorado with my family for an 8-day vacation and, upon landing in Denver, begin hearing a suspiciously disproportionate amount of Dan on the radio.

Hmm. Why are they playing so much Dan? Were the Kennedy Center awards announced? Did Fagen die?

My turtle brain eventually comes around to the possibility that, gee, Steely Dan has been touring out west, and maybe they're in town TONIGHT. Quick consult with the Denver Post confirms an appearance at Fiddler's Green starting about the time that the kids go to bed.

It is kismet.

Kids go to bed, spouse is loaded into car, and two offsetting wrong turns later, we are at the box office listening to echoes of the end of West of Hollywood, purchasing 10th row tickets alllllllll the way on the right hand side. Midriffs obscured, sadly, but darn close.

We stroll the front of the stage, get a good look at Roger Nicholls, and then set two begins.

The band sounded great. Fagen's voice, weak and wavering on the TV appearances, was strong and on. The practice is clearly helping him, and it puts the listener at ease to not worry about fuzzy or flat notes. The second set was clearly the crowd pleasing set, despite Scam and Monkey, both of which I loved and both of which elicited crickets and tumbleweeds from the audience. I went back and listened to Monkey on the disc--it sounds like a tribute to Smashmouth, yet the boys have taken a lot of the really jaunty, go-go 60s sound out of it for this performance. Odd. Nevertheless, a great resurrection and great fit for Becker's voice.

Herington sounded very good, good tone, taste and chops. Only complaint: does he give up on his solo lines too early? He works his way up the neck, building energy and intensity, then suddenly gives up and starts back down on the low strings again. Is there a lack of lead guitarist swagger here? Dr. Warren Kruger, call your office.

Dirty Work is now a sexy soul ballad and should be released as a single with Carolyn "Ouch" Leonhart on lead.

More to say, but I consider myself a lucky Nance to stumble into fourth Dan appearance. See you at the Meadows!

I agree with my Canadian fellow. Gary Katz, as far as I know, has not produced anything noticeably great besides his work with Steely Dan. In interviews (see Metal Leg archives), he took a great deal of credit for the Dan's music and maybe that's why he's not involved anymore.

Clas, where's that medication? Kamikiriad is an album by the depressed for the depressed. I agree with you that something was lost after the Nightfly. I'm not convinced it was Katz, especially after hearing the new one.

Mr LaPage - You feel the same enthusiasm for Aja after 25 years. TAN got me to appreciate Gaucho, a record I had dismissed at first (except for BS, of course). Now, I love it. It sounds better today than it ever did as it fits my little personnal Zeitgeist like a glove. Can't wait to get an earful of this one remastered. I read in a recent interview posted here how Donald is back pedalling on some of the old lyrics. He now says he didn't know that "chasing the dragon" meant what it meant. I hate to doubt such a statement as the rest of the lyrics of TOOM also clearly point towards a heavy drugs reference. Denial, denial...

I am dreadfully tired...as usual...the price for owning your own business...however, I haven't posted in some time and I feel the need to set the "Gary Katz Question" straight...

I don't think Gary really had that big of influence on either the music or the production techniques with SD...D+W learned very rapidly in the studio, but mostly from others (e.g. Bob DeValia), not from Gary himself...

Gary was a believer and a friend to D+W and opened a huge door by fighting, and pushing, for the creation of SD! He is largely responsible for SD ever being formed, because he believed in the music, but I don't think Gary ever really fully understood it!

The title of Producer, I believe, was bestowed upon Gary initially out of necessity, however, this honour continued out of a debt, perhaps of gratitude or someother, not because Gary Katz was ever really the producer of SD music! That was, is, and will always be D+W's providence, as they are they creators of "The Sound" and the only 2 who truly understand where the music starts, progresses, and finishes!!!!

Gary Katz is a nice man...a good friend to D+W...a huge reason for SD ever being formed...but never, and I mean EVER, was REALLY the producer for Steely Dan records! Those who think otherwise are sadly strung out on deludin!

Jive!

PS on the DMX satellite system at the Coffee House tonight, 6 hits of SD, including a Double-Header, featuring Dr. Wu, then Donald's IGY, wow!

PPS Cuz Dupree is beginning to slow down in air time, and Jack of Speed is picking up all of the time...nice!

Chuck Klosterman - thanx, cool post. That comments from Fagen on Kid Charlemagne just confirms my own thoughts about it; the Kid is obsolete, times they are changing. The "drug thing" in the song is just, well.. something to hang the issue on.

Dr Mu - I didn't mean to complain over a flat hihat sound or the lack of a Baldwin piano or the sound of Lawsons snaredrum. What I mean is; when I listen to Gaucho or The Nightfly, it's like walking into a room, or a jungle. It's a 3D-sound-thing. The soundpicture is excellent architecture. And I can't walk into these latest CD's like I used to do with the old albums. And though Gary Katz didn't produce Kamakiriad, 11 Tracks Of Whack and Two Against Nature my guess is that he had a great deal to do with the older 3D-Soundpicture/architecture - albums.

And there's never been any questions why he's no longer with the band, and no disscusions about his contribuition to the Steely Dan success.

But hey, that's no big deal for me, I love Two Aginst Nature. The reason I brought this thing up is maybe because I threw away my antidepressive pills in October -99, or that I have been sober for one year and 24 days, or maybe it's just my bad stereoequipment?

I guess I'm just growing old. I can't muster the enthusiasm anymore.

Seeing and hearing (the live albums & the Sony-show) Steely Dan nowdays is kind of an absurd thing; a band making covers of their own songs.

The chord is frozen.

Stockholm audi and out,

C

I also just had to say that the good doctor mu's diagnosis of chronic boplicity in the patient is correct and requires no other than spiritual attention. yes we're on gospel time here.

German operatic lineage is breaking bad tonite with Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier. Insane parts.

Robin that was truly wonderful, laid out and written beautifully. Write a book, I'll buy it.

two or mm: glad to hear you scored the todd. only thing, a store like mine would have it for say $13.99 and todd would actually get a buck or two instead of paying for you to have it. NOT that I wouldn't buy or trade in promos, but with artists I want to support, I try to make sure they are gettin' that handful of change....there I go...now I'm preachin' again. Sorry man, you know I love ya for caring past Todd Who?...So why be...why be...yb...yb...TODD...

ybtodd: As one sincere steely GB good buddy here to another, when that reissue FINALLY hits the dragway, I believe I'd give that Gaucho the once or twice over. Apparently our parts dept. recommends the title track somewhat highly. I'd go with that. That alone puts her out of the pit and on the track.

I am right now listening to the end of Black Cow and have been listening to Citizen Steely Dan constantly, and I have also been reading the little book contained within. I am a huge reader of liners and album covers, and I feel fairly confident in answering questions regarding the "who plays what" on a lot of my favorite (read "old" or "classic") albums. Not so with this Steely Dan guy. He has so many players, and all are of such quality and talent, I don't know how you all keep them straight!
The production values on all the albums are equally staggering. I consider myself a guitar type, and one of my favorite guitar songs is "Reelin' in the Years" I practiced it all the time.
I have a current favorite song from that box set and it is "Gaucho".
For some reason, I really like the line: "Why is he standing in your spangled leather poncho, with the studs that match your eyes" if I am listening correctly. I like the fact, to my ears anyway, that the EYES are the STANDARD to which the studs are compared.
This song is a masterpiece. IMHO.
I also have a greater respect for "PEG". When FM radio used to play it to death, I grew tired of it. I like it again.
I think from 2vN I like "What a Shame About Me" the best.
What a wonderful commentary on a life left behind.
I agree with a comment I read somewhere that mentioned the fact that WB and DF don't try to be 21 years old anymore. They know they are mature men and conduct themselves as such. DF knows when to use the "midriff section" to cover for a high note out of range. He is still in fine form, and although he doesn't have a "pretty boy" voice, it's one of those beautiful sounds that you just can't describe even after all these years.
Some of the resurrected bands from the 70's don't know they are fast approaching 50, and although to me "Toys in the Attic" was one of the greatest albums going, c'mon guys, that was better than 20 years ago! All that jumping around and stuff. Hummph!

Is there a Steely Dan Inc. to invest in? The freakin' total gross from The Gorge alone was $481,444 behind only George Strait, N'Sync, and KISS. I mean the "new" economy is beginning to look the the emporer's new clothes thanks to Greenspan, the Microsoft suit, high taxes, and gas prices - I've gotta invest my paltry sums somewhere, eh?

I'm not a big Bill Gates fan because...well, their products suck...I'm sure those billions he has left must soothe the pain of rejection in the bars years ago:

"Hey baby, I own a tech up-and-comer"

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Microsoft"

"Well, I'm sure it is" *rim shot*

KD: Floyd is denying that Krause swallowed a poison pill by grabbing Fizer to screw up an even bigger deal between Orlando and the Clippers, but I don't buy it...Krause is fuckin' nuts. Prediction: a full year managing/owning the Wizards and Jordan will suit up.

Augustus Wiggly Wormsley: Since Gaucho ended with a semi-shredder (Carlton's Third World Man solo), it would have been cool to begin TvN with one.

Clas: You know I'm a fan of Mr. Katz and I agree that Katz could have avoided the edgy imbalance on Kama (as you know I though that that was on purpose)...but truthfully - the balance, sound, clarity on TvN are absolutely superb and met my expectations. The snare may sound a little saturated on Gaslighting Abbie and Donald Fagen vocals sound a little low in the mix on the title track... But I don't see how Katz could have improved What a Shame About Me, Janie Runaway, Almost Gothic, Jack of Speed, or Negative Girl. The problem for you I suggest is that this album is more bop oriented with little LA Jazz left...and you are not a bop fan. Aside: Those critics who think TvN sounds like Gaucho or Aja are only listening superficially.

wormytoungedone...

you slithering subterrainian soloquist...brilliant prose-ack from last eve!

...as sung to the bridge in IGTN:

Walter Becker, baby if you only flew
Half as fast as Johnny H's fingers do
What we'd hear would be true
I would still proud to jam with you

Like many of my brothers in axedom, I was particularly ennervated by yesterday's axe e dent and pulled out my Strat late last night...kept the house awake working on the intro to DTMA just to prove to myself again that can only get about 90% of it right!! Oh well, what's a poor Dan Boy with short, fat fingers to do...

Unlike many of my brothers in axedom, it's verrry difficult for me to pinpoint a favorite Dan album because they each have their own enduring musical qualities and influences, lyrical subtleties and vagueries and varying infusions of all of the things in life we're supposed to avoid...which makes each album very special in it's own way, separate and distinct from the rest. I love each and every one equally, for different reasons musically and influentially...every song on every CD can take me back to a very fond memory of some sort...and isn't that what music in general is supposed to do...take us away for a while?

Biscayne bay...where the Cuban gentlemen sleep all day...

DBD

You can't take the experience with you either.

http://www.rouze.com/buzz/10/3958ECC7-0001-00C1-1.cfm

nice q&a with DF

Wormtom & Mr. LaPage: Thank you for your kind words. Magical is a great word to describe last night.

I found this while looking for a post-concert review and thought it quite interesting and unexpected, given the usual articles we see (hats off to Oleander!):

Published Thursday, June 22, 2000, in the Akron Beacon Journal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
A closer listen to songs delivers a surprise
BY CHUCK KLOSTERMAN
Beacon Journal staff writer

Twenty years ago, writers used to ask Donald Fagen and Walter Becker if they worried that the surrealism of their lyrics might be going over the collective heads of their audience. Today, they're more often asked about the people who continue to obsess over what they've written, dissecting every line as though it was lifted from Beowulf. ``There is a certain kind of fan who wants to do deep analysis on everything they like, and at some point they go past what they're analyzing,'' Fagen explains.

``I recently read an interview with Philip Roth, and he was talking about going to a book convention in France. People were asking him about his use of certain syllables in certain words, trying to figure out how his stories were constructed. The metaphor Roth used to describe this was that it was like people who go to a football game and study the way the numbers on the scoreboard are shaped.''

Of course, the fact that Fagen casually references Philip Roth in an interview is probably evidence enough that the music of Steely Dan is a few tiers above What a Girl Wants or Bawitdaba. In fact, there's even a fan Web site called Fever Dreams (http://home.earthlink.net/~oleander1/Index.htm) that academically breaks down every song in the entire Dan catalog.

So what exactly do Steely Dan songs sing about? Well, here are a few examples:

Kid Charlemagne (from The Royal Scam): ``A lot of our songs about (drugs) really aren't about that subject specifically,'' Fagen says. ``In that song, the main character is sort of an acid-head LSD dealer like Augustus Owsley, but the song is really about how the excitement of the 1960s eventually wound down and a lot of people were at loose ends when it was over.'' The once popular Kid is forced to vacate his suddenly drug-free environment, which is why the closing lyrics ask, Is there gas in the car?/Yes, there's gas in the car.

Everyone's Gone to the Movies (from Katy Lied): If you only listen to the lyrics of the chorus, this track sounds vaguely romantic. However -- when you listen to the verses -- it turns out to be about a pedophile.

Peg (from Aja): Punctuated by the soaring background vocals of Doobie Brothers frontman Michael McDonald, this is another song that initially seems like a conventional love story. But upon further review, it appears that Peg is actually a struggling porn star, making foreign movies in ``blueprint blue.''

Time Out of Mind (from Gaucho): It's not clear what this tune is about, but Fagen admits regret over including the line tonight when we chase the dragon, which is slang for smoking opium. ``In that particular case, we made an error. We used a drug term that we thought was terminally obscure, without intending it to be so restrictive. But sometimes it doesn't matter what you write. Sometimes you make up words or phrases and later find out they mean something else in real life. That happens to science fiction writers a lot.''

What a Shame About Me (from Two Against Nature): At first blush, this seems like a prototypical Dan tune where the writers stick it to a flawed protagonist. But Fagen describes it a little differently. ``A lot of times, when we stick it to somebody, we're really sticking it to ourselves. Like in this instance, the character sort of seems like a loser on the surface, but he also has this kind of personal honor. I think the ambiguity of that contrast is interesting. I mean, I don't know if we're necessarily sticking it to that guy or not.''

Chuck Klosterman can be contacted at cklosterman@thebeaconjournal.com or by phone at 330-996-3758.

Bigtongbokes: That's how much quality concerts cost these days. And believe me - this one is worth every penny and then some.

Life is too short to sweat money vs memorable and uplifting experience. You can't take the money with you, but the experience becomes a part of you.

just my humble o

rb

Going to my first Dan show, please tell me why ticket prices are so high? Does the price include drinks?

Cool...as long as there is no one else in the air. Can you say collision vector?

The SkyCar is very cool.

I've been following the Moller for about ten years now. I heard they flew a test version at a show in London earlier this year and that they are going to go through the FAA certification process. I've also heard reports these guys think these things will be about $300,000 each in 5 years. It's about time we got flying cars. They just need to add the greenhouse for good fresh things every day of the year.

90 minutes from New York to Paris...

Forget the Kamakiri, meet the vehicle of the not-so distant future:

http://www.moller.com/skycar/

George Jetson

Speaking of ticket prices and SFX . . . the Fox story left out the parking fees, the facility fees, the handling fees and the ticket service fees, all "'. . .charges you must pay before you walk in the door,' points out one concert veteran. 'As opposed to buying that Coke or T-shirt.'"

More at:
http://www.salon.com/business/feature/2000/06/27/tickets/index.html

One thing I love about Tomas' page, and I'd never thought I'd say this, is the MIDI stuff. He's doing solos note for note! Baxter's finest from "My Old School," Walter funking it up on "Josie," some great stuff.

I can't believe I'm listening to this.

Then again, Steely Dan sounds great on a pan flute, or even when Smash Mouth covers them...

I have seen my last concert. Anything after last nite's Dan performance at Blossom would be a let down.

KD & GuitarMan, Sorry, guys I stand corrected. I didn't follow your disussion from the begnning and opened my mouth when I should have kept it shut. I concede I have egg on my face. Baxter and Dias DO indeed have dissimilar styles. I actually wasn't thinking of the seperate solos when I responded, but instead my recall of the interview I'd read.

Craig

I like Guyton, he's perfect for the Triangle b/c all he has to do is shoot. I'm not sold on Fizer, like you, but I don't think the Bulls wanted either Miles or Swift (and I wanted Darius for Chi).

Darius, who made less than half his free throws in high school, had a little problem with one of the Bulls shooting drills.

The Bulls mark six spots on the floor, starting close to the basket and progressively moving further out. You have two minutes to advance as far as possible by making three consecutive shots at each spot and then moving on to the next one.

When his two minutes ended, Darius was still standing on the first spot.

Voskuhl's a terrible pick. Most people didn't even have him getting drafted at all. Orlando had to trade Alexander, the Mavs got him! Great draft for the Mavs, it feels even nicer knowing I had a hand in it. Crawford will be fine in the Triangle, and the Bulls got the best Euro chump of the flock.

Mr. LaPage: no way Skunk played that solo. Sure, he played the loud outro stuff, after "come on," but that middle solo section is all Denny. Do you really think Skunk could pull that off? Not a bent note to be found.

Skunk is fine and dandy, but nothing says "Denny" like that first solo. Even Broberg's page has:

Guitar: Denny Dias (1st solo)
Jeff Baxter (2nd solo)

YBTodd - I too am less inclined to Aja then to Scaming Royally or Lying With Katy

I love the excursions on Aja and Deacon but Peg and Josie, although fun and vintage Dan are too ready for airplay, and I miss the heavier emphasis on over wraught irony in the lyrics (which seem to take more a back seat on Aja)

I also don't like the fact that Aja opened up and made them more appealable to a much larger audience. I said it, I am a snob and enjoy it when the music I like isn't top ten fodder

One Long YEar, new Todd album
first two Rundren songs are keepers, cool,
third a lame techno jaunt,forth - a acoustic bang on drum with the lion sleeps tonight yaps - this is getting weird, okay
when I found it in the used store it wasn't a good omen (dud?)
nope, just a distributers copy and oh goody I didn't have to give $19 to those corporate scum suckers at Tower

can you say markup boys and girls?
I knew you could

craig - yes that Hiatian guitar is oh so killer
unless you have a hot passionate but heartless wife sqawking at you just like it ;-[

wormy t

tell us to stop.... before it's begun

Mr. LaPage writes:

"GuitarMan, The reason I answered the Bodhi solo question the way I did was in reference to an interview (found on Tomas Brobergs excellent site) where Fagen & Becker state that that particular solo was Baxter's and that, to the best of their knowledge, he conceived it without direct attribute or suggestion from outside sources.
I don't recall the exact words, but I'm certain that they credit Jeff with the solo in this interview."

Just goes to show you can't believe everything you read, Craig. It is ABSOLUTELY indisputable. Dias owns Bodhisattva. It's just that simple. Baxter does the rockin' outro and that's it. There IS no debate here... We're talkin' Steely Dan 101 stuff.

Like all great musicians, Baxter and Dias have their own VERY distinct and unique sound. Their two styles are utterly unmistakable.

GuitarMan, The reason I answered the Bodhi solo question the way I did was in reference to an interview (found on Tomas Brobergs excellent site) where Fagen & Becker state that that particular solo was Baxter's and that, to the best of their knowledge, he conceived it without direct attribute or suggestion from outside sources.
I don't recall the exact words, but I'm certain that they credit Jeff with the solo in this interview.

Your point is taken that both Baxter and Dias contibuted heavily in a dual capacity on many early Steely Dan numbers. That's probably the case on Bodhi since it filled with numerous distinct solos, but I haven't had a chance to listen to it since we began his theme.

I listened to Haitian Divorce this morning and I challenge everyone on the heels of yesterday's conversation to give it a good going-over. VOLUME 10! The Dean Parks solo is completely outstanding and really quite unique as far as melodic solos go.
It must have been such a treat for Becker and Nichols to belly up to the board (becker with talk-box tube firmly implanted in cheek) and add the freaky guitar effect. The fuckin' guitar work on this song is incredible. I get CHILLS!

Craig

mlp- I fully understand the attraction of Aja. Upon further review, I was a bit extreme in my vituperative ether, but I'm prone to that...especially when prone. I do very much like the other tunes on the album, and Chuck Rainey's bass work is worth the price of admission 1000 times over. It's just that my appreciation for the tunes is a bit higher in my body than the earlier works.

Now for a different thought...what about the drummer? I find that this might be more of an influence than the guitar changes. 2vN is pretty damn straight-up drumming, and there isn't a lot of funky feel (GA notwithstanding). Not that that is inherently bad, but it is much different than Purdie/Gadd/Pocoro, etc. One of my big complaints with AIA is that most of the tracks are from '94. While Dennis Chambers is a great drummer, I thought he was too much for the tunes, and that Erskine was (to quote the album notes) "perfect".

Mr. LaPage wrote:

"KD, the Bodhi solo that you rightly shower with such lavish praise was conceived and performed by one Jeffrey "Skunk" Baxter."

Baxter does the outro... The rest is Denny's. The jazz inflections give it away...

ybtodd, That's a mighty big statement about 'Aja' for a danfan to make. I respect your opinion.

Aja is my absolute favorite Steely Dan album! Hands down! It's the place where all roads meet concerning my love of music. The lyrics, melodies, themes, solos, horn charts, musicianship, epic scope all combine to kick my ass with every listening. I can't explain it but it's been this way for nearly 25 years.

KD, the Bodhi solo that you rightly shower with such lavish praise was conceived and performed by one Jeffrey "Skunk" Baxter.
Perhaps you're referring to a particular version of the song but even the 'Jerome Aniton' introduced version features Jeff's chops.

Tom, where'd that nifty parody come from? Chortle, Snort, Guffaw!
I'm with you on running out and buying Todd's new offering. A wizard indeed!

Robin, your Cleveland review was truly magical. Your reflections caught the true heart of the evening better than any review I've read to date concerining this summer's tour.
Hope you regale us again folowing the Pittsburgh show.

It's true, no discussion about Steely Dan sax men can be complete without paying homage at the feet of "The King of 'The Delaware Water Gap Jazz Fest' Phil Woods.

Craig

"[...] AJ Guyton and El-Amin are nice 2nd round picks, but Pfizer can't play small forward and did Krause need the cash that bad when Jamal Crawford was available anyway. It appears Krause was caught with his pants down (that's an ugly thought!) when Swift and Miles were picked earlier than expected[...]"

What?

Ooops, sorry wrong forum...

ybtodd - yes but "why be Todd" when you have just opened the lock to Dan Nirvana -

yes grasshopper, the universe now resolates at your frequency
the frequency of OF (no, worm's do not stutter)

no sacred cows here batman, I think he's on to something
Moo Moo, no no no, it's Mu Mu, oops Wu Wu

Of - King OF the World, West OF Hollywood, Caves OF ALtimira, Change OF the Guard, Pearl OF the Quarter, TIme Out OF Mind

Doc Mu - yes I know Larry played that choice non in your face guitar on Nightfly, but I couldn't fit it into the song stanzas and make it swing, sorry

worm OF the quarter

I wanna be your holy man

wheeling

last night I finally picked up my Heritage guitar out of layaway guitar heaven

the lawyers can't have it all, thank God

anyway this red H150p is every bit the Les Paul
with a lot better headgear and made by the same guys that brought you those luscious 57's and 58's

boy is it a pleasure to play

now if I could only learn a few dan tunes

I think I'll play around with Bad Sneakers
that one looks doable and I can steal Walt's chops off the DVD

toodles from the topsoil

Tom

with a "tran" sister and a large sum of money to spend

KD: Incredible sheeling and dealing by Mark Cuban. My head is spinning...he had Versace on the run. I like this guy.
Orlando keeps Courtney Alexander and paves the way to get some BIG free agents under the salary cap: Grant Hill and maybe Duncan, who ironically might stay because of their excellent catch of another Blue Devil Chris Carrawell - who was drafted low for shoing up in class instead of the camps. Couldn't believe the Bulls passed him over for "Twiggy" Voskhul. Could you explain what the hell the Bulls were doing? AJ Guyton and El-Amin are nice 2nd round picks, but Pfizer can't play small forward and did Krause need the cash that bad when Jamal Crawford was available anyway. It appears Krause was caught with his pants down (that's an ugly thought!) when Swift and Miles were picked eariler than expected...then realized that Mihm was too white, so he picked a slower European center who don't know how to use their bodies at the NBA level.

Sigmoidal Segmented Sargossum: But don't forget the adaptation of Carlton to more tasty, smooth, jazzy accents on The Nightfly!

"Read into this what you will, but 'Aja's my favorite Dan album, as it is with most of us."

Well, I guess I'm not most of us, because Aja is most definately *not* my favorite SD album. While I have softened my stance some over the years, I always considered that album the end of SD (in fact, I don't even own a copy of Gaucho). Maybe it's because of all the airplay DB and Peg got, but once I get past Home at Last, and pick my jaw up after listening to Gadd's work on Aja, I move on.

I'd be really hard pressed to pick a favorite from the first 5...maybe KL, but it would be the slimmest of margins. I do like 2vN quite a bit, and put JofS up with any Dan tune ever penned (WofH is a killer to).

Hey...maybe that's it. The best SD songs are one's with "of" in the title...

OOPS!!! Try this for ticket prices - not boat trailers - has anyone else noticed that the precipitace increase in concert tickets has mirrored the fact that SFX now has a virtual monopoly on venues?
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/062800/ticketprices.sml

Q - did the emails arrive?

sorry I couldn't resist
a treaty on Walt and Guitar Aces and Warm Places

to the tune of Jack of Speed

Larry's flying fingers - outta sight
he slammed on Scam - playing oh so tight
But he's gone - no more frontal guitar attack
He's gone - Walt's chops oh so laying back
Carlton's almost metal, when his sixstring sings
He's a jack of speed

Aja's abstractions - there's a case in point
don't need no shredding in this jazz club joint
Wailing's gone - all the feedback to apease
It's gone - no stinging lead
Walt's grooving with the bluesters, funkin with the newsters
Ain't no Jack of Speed

On to horns and jazz grooves in their later years
Skunk and Denny gone, as they've shifted gears
to the... slower sidekicks
and the sombre jests
and Walt new best friend ain't a Tele or a Les

He can't wail you, honey - that's alright
His chops aren't Larry's but they still delight
Don't stop - with those choice notes - Walter's tame
Don't stop, the bare midrifters plead
cause while Herrington's been the guitar rave
Walt's hanging in the Vick Cave
no Jack of speed

wormy

Ticket prices out of control:
http://www.swfishing.com/fentressmarine/images/fentcat10.jpg

Pre Cleveland show article:
http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf?/music/features/0623steely.html

Hard to believe Wilkes Barre would have been tomorrow ans they are playing Saratoga Daturday - which is pretty close to where I'll be - so close and yet so far. The east coast leg officially starts. See you there.

RObin - thanks for a memorable insight into Cleveland
I enjoyed your insights into the show
Cleveland is up there with Detroit and Jersey as having the most appreciative and rocking fans

MR LaPage and Dr Mu and Dan Boy Dave and others
thanks for jumping so nicely into the guitar thread
I certainly was inspited by JMONEY's guitar shredding comments
and felt wait a minute, wasn't Scam where they started abandoning the guitar as main messenger boy? Uh OH I feel a parody coming on

StevieD- the Tower here in N.O. had the new Runt in I am sure
I just was busy - so is it a Toddlerian keeper or another diversion???
If it's a keeper I will wiggle down to the Quarter at lunch for my ear candy fix, don't keep me in suspense too long

wnet home and got my walt fix ala TaN plush DVD
overwelming obvious conclusion? simple
Vicki Cave has a very nice ass

Tom

I stepped up on the platform, the man gave me the news

June 28th in Cleveland.

Home of Donald's parents (who look like the absolutely sweetest and nicest folks a person could have).

A perfect night--temps in the high 60s, low 70s, the sky patterned with the occasional cloud.

Site of an impromptu DanFest in the parking lot, where like minds from 3 states celebrated their love of the Dan, along with libations and sustenance.

The venue--the beautiful wooded parklike Blossom Music Center, located between Cleveland and Akron, to be exact.

The crowd--numerous, I am guessing around 15,000--filling the greatest part of the lawn, with few available seats in the pavilion. Walter seen scanning the crowd; a screen onstage showing a view of an area of the lawn (what was up with that?).

I have loved these guys for over 25 years--their music takes me to places that I can go to no other way. After seeing the show tonight, my admiration for their talents and achievements has increased (if that is truly possible). My voice is hoarse from all the cheering--I have had little sleep--and I'm ready to do it again!

Everyone was on. The Cleveland crowd was duly appreciative (at least in my area--left front section of the pavilion). The majority of songs received a standing "O" accompanied by many cheers and yells. There were a few dancers in the aisle, but the largest group started at the front left, and gradually grew until the entire front of the pavilion was on their feet. After Kid C, I don't know if there were any folks left sitting anywhere!

The setlist was unchanged from recent shows, so I won't rehash that subject. What I will remember was the look on Jon Herington's face after the audience acknowledged his great guitar work (it was priceless). The smiles on Don and Walt's faces (I think they knew we liked them, we really liked them!). The band "testified", I know of no other way to describe what took place tonight. Every one of them did exactly that. Bob Shepherd--West Of Hollywood--sax solo--'nuff said. The enthusiasm exhibited by all members of the band toward the other members throughout the show. The audience--drumming, dancing, singing. So many people standing when Don introduced his family.

The band was so tight, so incredibly talented. Those who have seen them so far know what I mean. I can use all the words in the dictionary and still not be able to tell you how incredible they are. The surprises in the songs are great. I add my voice to the chorus of "release another live album"--I want a copy of everything!

Nothing--no concert, no televised show, no album can top this. I am a happy woman tonight. I know euphoria.

Thank you Donald, Walt, Cornelius, Bob, Michael, Jim, Ricky, Jon, Ted, Tom, Vicki, Carolyn, and Cynthia. Bless you all. It was a fabulous evening we spent together. I hope you enjoyed it, too. I look forward to doing it again Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Robin

NOTHING from Cleveland... Big Fan, where are you when we need you?
Somehow I knew all this talk-box talk would degenerate into a discussion on the virtues of Peter Frampton... agh...
Contest: how many times did the words "onhoops.com" appear in last night's discussions? Winner gets a free tatoo of said words on his/her forehead.

Later...

should be paying attention to guests, but fark it...

"Shine On," favorite, "Smokin'" second.

and I know "Smokin'" was a hit, but "Shine On"'s first side is as good as it gets.

I think we're prejudiced to Phil b/c he plays Alto. I just listened to it meself.

I love me some Crowes. The only two rock songs that my band covered last year were "79th and Sunset" off "Shine On" and "Hard to Handle," although we went closer to the original than the Crowes version. Other than that, twas straight R+B.

Actually, we threw in that "Your Gold Teeth" I and II medley, seriously, and Big Star's "She's a Mover" in most of the gigs, so I'm full of shit.

"Smokin'" smokes, but it misses the Frampton touch among all the Marriott bombast. And I love Steve, I have all the Small Faces albums, to only one Faces album.

KD I'm with you on the PIE, however for me their best was with Frampton out on his......own: Smokin'. I played this album for my nephew and he wanted to know which Black Crowes album it was. Come to think of it, I liked 'em better when they were called Humble Pie. Rock On KD.

I have a hard time separating the solo elements from the tunes themselves. Sometimes I might like a solo more because I like the harmonic jungle gym on which it hoists itself.

All I know is we've been talking SD horns for virtually hours here and no one has typed the name "PHIL WOODS".

Super MC let me pop a cap in da whack listbot,
dat mac daddy ain't tipped me new jack squat.
I am attempting to help Ole finalize some of the later ambiance.
She is temporarily off da hook, but fret not, she is all over the case.

Worm: The lowsoil is DEEP man, really DEEP. Also man, the Rundgren came out Tuesday. Your store don't got it ? They SUCK. My store has it at the TOP of the waterfall, you know, up where my employees thought 2VN was to be PERMANENTLY located. Most albums get one week. 2VN holds the record at "enough that I can't recall".

Something DanBoyDave said (for a rookie that boy prods us...a good thing for sure) about the absence of pedal steel made me think about the pulling in of the wagons, the refinement of the pool. A carefully placed (is there any other danplan ?) guest soloist OTHER than a guitarist or saxophonist would be interesting occasionally. One's unbridled fantasy might turn to say a Toots Thielemans or a Bela Fleck. Bill Ware's vibes were the absolute deal. We couldn't afford to have him back ? A kick ass Zappalevel percussionist ? An ACCORDIAN ? Everybody uses 'em these days. BETTER: Bandoneon. Yessss !!! Forget Larry Carlton. Think DINO SALUZZI. Oh YESSS !!!

Just when I said Aj' I can't dis,

She was wasted, then she says this.

No, she left "King" on the floor,

What do you think I'm writing forrrrrrrr?

I'll drop her on the freeway,

Doesn't she need to dance?

Lord I know you're all Steely fans,

But you don't seem to understand.

You're naive nudniks with no place to go,

Post again tomorrowwwwwwwwww.

my bud Lo, great friend and lacrosse player at Mizzou, heard "King of the World" and went nuts. Fell in love with it. He's been slowly Steely every since.

I should stop typing, my wrists are about to explode. Mostly because of this:

http://www.onhoops.com/content/articles/Jun2000/2000draft.html

6,000 words of fun!

I'm a whore, I'm a whore, I'm a whore whore whore...

What a wonderful day of posts! You cats did a great job.

I'm going with "Katy" as my favorite, mostly on the strength of Denny's heart-wrenching work on YGTII.

Sorry to add to all the acronyms, or should I say, STATATA.

I always wondered about "The Fez." You could tell it was a talk box, but it wasn't being used in the usual way. Usually the box is used to actually emulate words, save for a few classic rock hits, but this was different. That and I read that Dean or Elliott played it, and Walter added the box.

I don't have a good talk box history. I've never played with one (I reckon you can't exactly try that tube out and give it back), and I don't own "Frampton Comes Alive." Now, my collection is thick with Humble Pie albums, just no Frampton (I don't like his stuff, although it's obvious the Pie's best work is with him on board).

"Shine On" is bloody brilliant. Speaking of guitar tones you can sink your teeth into.

Does this mean he sent the tape through a 1/4 inch jack through the box, through an amp, and recorded again? Did he copy the part and play it again through the box? What's up here?

Also, although "Bodhisattva" gets listed under full-on shred mode, I'd put Denny's in the jazz category. No bent strings, amazing stuff. That solo still blows me away, every damn time. How many times have we heard that song? Billions, with all the live versions floating around. Do I feel the same way about the "Peg" or "Josie" solos? Nup, they get old (well, about as old as Dan songs can get). Denny doesn't.

Favorite guitar albums, Dan-wise:

Katy Lied
TvN
Countdown
Royal Scam
Pretzel Logic
Gaucho
Can't Buy a Thrill
Aja

Read into this what you will, but 'Aja's my favorite Dan album, as it is with most of us.

R.I.P. Paul Griffin and Jerome Richardson. I'm listening to "Dirty Work" right now. Man, this hits hard.

Add me to the list of "King of the World" volume crankers. I heard that song before I knew Steely Dan very well, and I immediately rushed to Tower and kept buying Steely CD's until I found that song (I didn't know the correct name). You can imagine the delight of exploring unknown Steely terrain looking for one song.

"King of the World" stands out from all the other numbers because it is the only song (I believe) that communicates such raw despair. The tone of most Steely songs tends to be subdued (and by that I mean expressing cynicism, irony, disillusionment, etc.) but "King of the World" jumps at you with emotion, both in the tone of Fagen's voice and the music. "Don't Take Me Alive" by contrast sounds smooth, even though the theme is desperation.

The other song that stands out is "Aja". Though no one knows for sure what it's about, it's the only song that portrays longing for something positively. Or longing after something positive.

On second thought, I think I'll fire up "Aja".

'night, all.

Aja

Tom, thank you for starting the wonderful guitar theme today. It really brought back some pleasant memories and I also listened to some of the songs we discussed today with 'fresh ears'

Dan Boy,RE: The Horn thing. Both Fagen & Becker are on record as late as 1997(AJA's 20th anniversary) as saying that Tom Scott was as much a part of the album's success as anyone. They state that they gave him complete autonomy as far as the horn charting was concerned and that he took the responsibity very seriously and composed some of the slickest most innovative charts ever recorded in a popular music format.
Also, his sax work on Black Cow ain't too shabby either!

The compliation of Tom Scott, Wayne Shorter and Pete Christlieb make Aja a very memorable sax album for me though it's clear that the work of Chris Potter on the new disc rivals the best of SD's session men.

Craig

How does one write a melody as beautiful as the verse in Almost Gothic over such an illogical chord progression? Divine intervention.

Mr. LaPage...

Thanks for the insights on LC's work on Kid C and DTMA...in celebration of my newfound knowledge, I decided to turn the vol up XTRA loud on the way home from work and I listened to DTMA with a fresh set of ears...quite extraordinary I must admit.

I actually had been a fan of LC's since some of his early solo efforts (Strikes Twice is an exceptional body of high-energy work just perfect for that cherry-red ES335 he used to sling around)...I actually saw him live a couple of time when I used to live in No. Cal...if you've ever seen him, especially prior to the attack, you'd have to agree that no one played the the guitar with such grace and seeming ease as LC.

It's really too bad, on multiple levels, that he suffered the gunshot...he's really never been the same since...I've tried to listen to his newer works but they lack ANY of the intensity found in his early solo works and in his Dan portfolio.

So, I guess we can thank our lucky stars that LC was in his prime when Walt and Don pulled out the little black book.

who was that gaucho amigo?

DBD

I am afraid I am in the same position as another poster to this GB. I didn't even think about getting a t-shirt at Pine Knob, and realized I never got one after I got home. (The mind is the first to go)
I would never ask,normally. I usually get tattoos to mark points in my life. I have enough of those.
Could I ask nicely for someone to help me out? Any sites I might go to?
If this is possible, an offline E-Mail would be wonderful.

there were somber pieces sans dominant guitar before Scam

it's just that the in your face guitar domination of the song certainly started to receed with a large number of the compositions on Scam

as for Horn Players - those were way back too
although they evolved into a minimalist formula where they blended so well

Tom Scott certainly cut his teeth here

the non 4/4 time signatures and extended sections predominantly not guitar driven nicely expanded the dan's aural canon

wormy

they got a name

both links take you to the same place, but www.steelydamned.com has cool pix.

http://lebarbat.com/damned.htm

Craig, Midnite-you can access the Steely Damned songs at www.steelydamned.com and click on "samples". Yes Midnite, Hank sure does nail those licks, doesn't he? Steely Damned is playing July 3 and I'll be able to dance for 4 hours straight with no one asking me to stay out of the aisles :)

Aja

Craig....as you've read since our posts, it is the box with the tube that comes up to and is usually taped to the side of the mic. That's one reason most people didn't want to "play" anyone elses, you never know where that guys mouth has been. *lol*

As for what I think, it's brilliant! I thought it was just the coolest sound when I first heard it back in the '70's. By the way, did you ever hear Hank Easton (I think that's his name) from the Steely Damned (lovebob & Peg's Steely cover band) play the Haitian Divorce solo? Bob had a real audio link posted to it here at one time and Hank nailed that sucker! The man can play some serious Dan licks and melodies. If you haven't heard it maybe you can persuade Bob or Peg to dig it out of the archives and post it again.

Ground Control to Major ole....when you get home from the road, please send me a note with details on Raleigh. I think the list-bot has crapped out on me.

whoever it was that said the My Old School/Beat collage from JW's West of Hollywood Gallery was interesting, I appreciate the input. I like Clas's work as it's more of a conventional art style and I like John's work because it's a bit more surreal and out there. Very nice variety in the gallery. More folks from the Guestbook should contribute!!

MC

ybtodd

Yeah, to your point about the poor DJ who dropped the needle on DIA for the first time...I can only smile slyly when I envision his or her reaction...certainly wasn't along the same lines as the Jackson 5 or the Guess Who or that famous power trio Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds Wrap...god, to think I even remember those bozos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another thread for consideration...

We talked earlier about the metamorphasis of the Dan from the early guitar influences a la CBAT, CTE and PL...how about the evolution of the jazzy, horn-based sound following RS...Dr. Mu and the slithering, slimy one have all advanced how RS was kind of the turning point...I'm wondering about everyone's ops on the changes in horn players and how different player's horn styles may have affected the band's sound...or is it opined that Walt and Don are so in control of the charts that the parts are interchangeable?

I'll learn to work the saxophone...

DBD

Roy/DBD: Yes, yes yes. I think I once blew some speakers out when Pearl of the Quarter started...I had cranked the ending of My Old School way high to hear that last descending lick...

I actually couldn't narrow down a particular "guitar" album. All of the first 5 have their repsective moments (and Aja has some very sublime stuff). One thing that still gets me is trying to imagine the thoughts of radio station dj's when they unwrapped Can't Buy a Thrill and dropped the needle on "Do it Again" for the first time. The face of music changes yet again...

It certainly is the Heil Talk Box effect (No wah-wah no way!), but whether that actual device was used ...?

The devices are pretty easy to make. A smallish driver directing moving air into a tube. Tube in mouth. Shape tonal changes with mouth.

Roger could have built one with a speaker, some duct tape, and a garden hose. Or bought one.

Blaise/no that's MC: "The thing that I found most inaccurate was this big thread where Webb said D + W did not connect with audience. I have been to hundreds of concerts, more than a dozen SD shows, and including all three midwest shows this past weekend. I don't see how this critic could say that the band did not connect. Chicago was the hugest audience response I had ever seen, including previous SD, Grateful Dead, Phish shows and more. Except Milwaukee the night before, I had never seen so many standing ovations at a show--SD or otherwise. After "Kid Charlemagne" Sat Nite, there was one standing ovation that was at least four minutes long (5?) and Walter and Donald and all of the band were laughing their asses off since they couldn't move on to the next song, there was so much response. None of the Chicago papers mentioned this."

Yes, that is indeed the libelous part - that's the thing that really irritated me and prompted posting the review of the review a couple of "daze" ago...and he presented evidence in HIS OWN ARTICLE - how stoopid are these creatures?

MC again: You are correct you axe man you. There's been mention by a number of sources included Mssrs. Becker/Fagen that Roger Nichols built the box just for the purpose of that solo, now that my memory is prompted Frampton Comes Alive came out about the same time that Royal Scam was recorded, so I'm not sure if it is the same or just a similar device. Anybody know?

slithering centimetric scintilla: Well of course no one could make the album - if so my guess is cult following, but even better critic raves only if Steely Dan had never existed. The nouveau hip to be square thing ya know...

Roy.Scam...

glad to hear there's another believer who cranks up the vol. when Skunk breaks into the outro on KOTW...if that piece were any smoother, it would be a baby's ass!

DBD

me again - Actually the more "serious" the papers, the better the reviews. The second Toronto review posted is from The Globe and Mail which is Canada's answer to the New York Times or the Washington Post. The reporter is informed even though he remains brief in his comments (no spoiler here). The article manages to praise the concert and the new album while it clearly dismisses both the MMandI soundtrack and the No Static compilation. Bottom line: look for serious papers to get the better lowdown.

Blaise

Cruiser, Sorry, I'm not a guitarist. I really didn't know what the actual name of the device used on "Haitaian Divorce" was called. I do know that it is the same apparatus used by Frampton, on his Comes Alive album and Nazareth on Hair of the Dog. I've heard it referred to as a 'talk-box' by several guitarists though.

The device I'm talking about has tube thing running up the mike stand and into the guitarist mouth.

Now that we've got thatr out of the way; what do you think of Parks/Becker combination on the song?

Person Who Said They Would Get Me A T-shirt: Thanks a zillion! You Da Bomb! You Da Man! That's what you am - you gonna be my holy man!

With all this talk about guitar solos
wouldn't it be great to hear what Walter
and Jon could do with that Midnight Cruiser
solo? It would be HOT!

Also, I hear Boston Rag in a brand new way since
I heard it live. OoooWheee!

Matt & Amanda: Great site! Love the tour journal, fan shots, etc.

rb

WW: You asked whether people would prefer to hear "Dirty Work" as a solo by one of them women, or trading off.

I was at the Gorge, and while I was VERY impressed with Carolyn Leonhart's interpretation of the tune, I felt disappointed that I didn't get to hear the other two sing something.

At that point, I wasn't aware that they were taking turns with each new venue - so it felt (to me) as if Carolyn had been given an opportunity to prove herself, but the ability of the others was to some degree still a mystery to me.

I think each one getting a shot at a verse is a good idea. I would like to have heard it that way.

Regarding the Almost Gothic Negative Girl's writing about the Daily Herald's slam of the Chicago show, I stand right behind her.

As for the view that these critics should be ignored by us: I had three people, casual or non-Dan fans, write to me saying they had seen the reviews and sent condolences in advance about my probably having a bad time at Milwaukee and Chicago, based on the reviews.

These critics are libelous, writing about things they know little about. Sure there were some legit criticisms--like at Allstate, the sports arena acoustics created a delayed boom/echo on Ricky's drums.

The thing that I found most inaccurate was this big thread where Webb said D + W did not connect with audience. I have been to hundreds of concerts, more than a dozen SD shows, and including all three midwest shows this past weekend. I don't see how this critic could say that the band did not connect. Chicago was the hugest audience response I had ever seen, including previous SD, Grateful Dead, Phish shows and more. Except Milwaukee the night before, I had never seen so many standing ovations at a show--SD or otherwise. After "Kid Charlemagne" Sat Nite, there was one standing ovation that was at least four minutes long (5?) and Walter and Donald and all of the band were laughing their asses off since they couldn't move on to the next song, there was so much response. None of the Chicago papers mentioned this.

In terms of audience response, I would have to say it was amongst the best at a Steely Dan show. With the writer saying that Walter sang just "Daddy" when he really sang more later and then seemingly missing the many standing ovations, I can't help but wonder if this guy just stayed for the first set or something.

All three Chicago papers, a Detroit paper and now Toronto have all dissed the shows. All the reviews had errors from incorrect song titles, to major details omitted. I think these days, the cheap, faux way "critics" add "sophitication" to their reviews is to say they hate the show with flowery words. What a bunch of bullshit. No wonder people read the Internet instead while newspaper readership goes down.

Excerpts from the Entertainment Weekly review (by Rob Brunner) of the "Me, Myself, and Irene" Soundtrack: " There may be no band less suited to interpretation than the idiosyncratic Steely Dan.... ... predictably lame stabs at Dan classics. ... ... Save a decent 'Bad Sneakers' from the Push Stars, you can't buy a thrill on this execrable exercise."
My opinion: It's not that bad. I thought the Dan classics lent themselves pretty damn well to alternate interpretations. It's just that a few of the interpretations to which they lent themselves drew no interest.

My choice for guitar solo album: Katy Lied. I know Dias and Carlton are superhuman, but, on this one, mortals Becker and Derringer sat in beautifully.

Best guitar moments: 1) Becker's great use of the jazz cliche' of melodically quoting another song (Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much..") in the middle of the Black Friday solo. 2) The screaming, almost metallic guitar breaking up the quiet part in the middle of "Boston Rag".

Hope to see some of you at the Virginia beach pre-concert party. You bring the snails, and I'll bring the water and chess openings (I prefer the queen's gambit against novices).

Am I the only person who maxes the volume at the end of some SD songs just to hear the closing riffs of the fade out? [as in KOTW, Pretzel Logic, My Old School]

RS

and for what it's worth, Royal Scam is THE guitar album from the Dan....they're all great but this one stands out above the rest for me.

Re: Hatian Divorce....I keep hearing the effect Walter added to the guitar after the fact as "squawk box" and "wah-wah" and a few other things but isn't it a Heil Talk Box? The type used by Frampton on "Frampton Comes Alive" and used by Joe Walsh in the Barnstorm days and Joe Perry on "Sweet Emotion"? Maybe this is nit picking but I hate seeing a misnomer of this type. I've just been heavily into guitar since '76 and these little things bug me. Call me anal, I don't care but I like to call a spade a spade. I always wanted one of these units because I think it's a cool effect if used sparingly but since you need a PA (or at least a mic into something to hear the effect back) I never bought one. It does sound similar to a wah but is much more expressive.

oleander....can you e-mail me with details of the what to do, the where to go on dinner in Raleigh before the show? I'm not getting much from the list-bot lately, don't know if it's something to do with my hotmail or there just hasn't been much traffic? For a while I was getting several a day from the list bot? Hope to see you there along with our other friends from the Guestbook! Opti says Hi!

MC

new fodder

the new Patti SMith album is quite nice
the Continetal Drifters played some great new material
at Saturday nights homecoming (rush out and buy Vermillion if you do not have it already, and thanks me later)
The latest Peter Green - Robert Johnson sketchbook is nice

blaze - get out of the closet and shake it up there bud

I did mention Green Earrings

is there an existing Dan album that could be released today that would sound a bit dated??

how would TaN be received if a new band had put it out?

ponder ponder

oops the topsoil beckons

Tom

sorry angel, I must take what I find

Actually i'm almost a newbie. I'm just having fun with Edd's secret handshake. Yes, Dr.Mu, FM is forever burned into my brain because of the soloing. BTW, any new sound treats or do I have to settle for Springsteen?

Hi to all,
Blaze

other solos: A Dean Parks not quite worked out jazzy/light shredder on Here At the Western World. Beyond categorization on Surf and/or Die - 11 ToW. Jaazy blues on This Moody Bastard - 11 ToW.

Yeah, the total # of guitar solos is certainly on CBAT, but Subterrainian Tomesick Bruise and Mr. LaPage are right: the intro to Don't Take Me Alive and the outtro to KidC can't be beat for wizardry and power.

: Welcome

How could I forget FM, one of the definitive Dan solos...incredible tasty runs by Walter. Hey check this out: just before the sax solo Walter play plays almost a crying high note then a second lower pitch and volume note - a perfect lead-in. Do they remind anyone else of the hi/lo couplet that begins What A Shame About Me? Lower key but there's an eerie déja vu in there.

ah

life is this here gb

Dr Mu - gives the whole dictionary of guitar rush
and it seems CBAT and KL are just as guitar laden as RS

Mr Lapagian Craig - revels in more guitar insights

and a newbie without a name agrees with me
and therefore deserves a nice warm wormy welcome
would help to use a name for us to refer to

my whole intention on this thread was for those so strung (pun intended sixfold) on Royal Scam as the end all guitar Dan album that it really was a transition to songs less driven by the guitar as evidenced by Aja and Gaucho

and that the earlier albums hled more dominance from the fretboard

what's a worm to do

your everlasting sermon, you can see it

I agree with worm dude that CBST (Can't Buy Some Time) is
the most guitar-oriented album of the SD catalog.

I'm a newbie, anybody want to welcome me?

Dan Boy, It may surprise you to know that it is much documented that even though Fagen & Becker did put Carlton through his paces regarding session work, the famed solo in Kid Charlegmegne was done in 2 takes with the incredible outro done in a single taping.

The smokin' gun intro to Don't Take Me Alive was done in ONE unbelievable blurr of unsurpassed guitar chops by the no-longer-Dan-worthy-over-the-hill guitar maven; Larry Carlton!

Skunk's work throughout his Dan tenure is sublime. Great chops, innovative licks, nifty slide, blazing speed, worldclass technique.

Can't buy a Thrill is IMHO the most quality guitar-driven SD album to date with Royal Scam coming in a very close second.

I do tend to agree with Edd and some of the contributors to last week's guitar discussion that the guitar-heavy, licks-laden albums are for the most part, products of the past, though I do so love a kick-ass solo.

Once again, Becker's quality work on West of Hollywood feeds this primordial jone's just fine!

Craig

... and of course, FM (tone, grabs your spine and shakes it around a few times). I agree the movie was really bad but...

oozing neural network: lesse - here are the shredders/gut wrenchers (these are not the only guitar solos by any means). Did you mention Green Earrings?

Reelin' - CBAT
Midnite Cruiser - CBAT
Bodhisattva - CTE
Boston Rag - CTE
Rikki - PL
Night By Night (short) - PL
Black Friday - KL
Bad Sneakers - KL
close call w/ Daddy - KL
Chain Lightning - KL
accent on Any World - KL
KidC - RS
DTMA - RS
Haitian Div - RS
accent/outro on Fez - RS
Everything You Did - RS
last 1/3 of Green Earring solo (Randall) - RS
Peg - Aja
borderline w/ Josie - Aja
Third World Man - Gaucho
jazzy/gut borderline in My Rival - Gaucho

Lucky Henry - 11 ToW

KL would actually be close if it were not for the magnitude of shredding on DTMA and KidC

Skunk slide solos:

Brooklyn - CBAT
Razor Boy - CTE
Pearl of the Quarter - CTE

Typical Rock solo:

Change of the Guard - CBAT

More jazzy solos:

Do it Again - CBAT
Kings (some gut wrenching) - CBAT
Only a Fool (is there a solo really?) - CBAT
Turn That Heartbeat Over Again (awesome - underrated) - CBAT
Your Gold Teeth I - CTE
King of the World - CTE
Any Major Dude (a theme really) - PL
Pretzel Logic - PL
Rose Darlin' - KL
Your Gold Teeth II (you know the quote) - KL
first 2/3 of Green Earrings (Parks, Dias) - RS
Home At Last - Aja
I Got the News (another great Walter solo) - Aja
theme on Gaucho - Gaucho
What A Shame About Me - TvN
West of Hollywood - TvN
Cousin Dupree - TvN

Carlton's stuff on Nightfly
Junkie Girl - 11 TOW
Snowbound - Kama

I Don't Know What the Hell It Is:

Show Biz Kids - CTE
Gaslighting Abbie (TAFKAP imitation?) - TvN

I'm sure I've missed some, but back to work...

Personally, the reason I jumped on Andrew Webb, music critic extraordinaire, had very little to do with the fact that he gave the show a bad review or that he didn't *get it*. It was because his review was full of misinformation and idiotic statements. He didn't do his research very well, and the article was poorly written. I am assuming that someone paid him to attend the show and write the piece, and therefore, as a professional writer, he failed miserably.

Dan Boy Dave is on to something
and your enthusiasm is more than welcome here

I was waiting dangling as bait in a lonely fish bowl
and our new Indiana buddy takes the hook

The CBST songs are almost all driven by the guitar hysteronics

I expect more commentary
especially from you axe men

I know Larry's solos are awesome and you techies can revel in his tecnique but which album is really the most up front guitar sounding from start to finish

I think it says alot about the evolution of Don and Walt's writing style and the size of their little black phone book of studio ace's numbers

wormwood

so you grab a piece of something

Gotta jump in here...

Worm...absolutely Kid C and DTMA solos scream and you're right, I'm SURE that WB and DF worked LC until not only did the solo bleed, but so did his fingers!

An alternate suggestion as a heavy Dan guitar album might be CBAT...witness...

Do It Again - post Harrison-meet-the-Maharishi electric sitar...blew everybody away then and still does today

Change of the Guard - chunky, chord-based solo with a GREAT pick-down-the-fretboard treatment at the end...the cruiser slides into verse three...

Only a Fool - latin, tinged jazzy solo...updeat and hopeful

Reelin' - Elliot Randall scorches...'nuff said

Brooklyn - It's too bad the boys don't use the pedal steel much anymore...I challenge anyone to play a more soulful, introspective pedal steel than the Skunk on this homesick rhapsody

wormyone...Carlton, Parks, et al are absolute guitar heroes no doubt...but for diversity in a body of guitar work, I'd vote for CBAT...

responses and/or differs of op...

i crossed my old worm back in indiana, don't take me alive...

DBD

Wow! Check this out:

Not since Murphy did “Landlord” have we been treated to locution like this! Shot through with haunting melodies, patented Dan irony and superior “horn” work, this may be their best yet…

Jesus F.N. Krist
The National Probe

Guys

I was trying to contrast the shredding guitar mentioned by JMoney with the fact that most of Scam is actually more sombre in approach with the guitars playing less out fron troles much like AJA

Carpet Crawling Dr Mu - yes it's a choice guitar in Fez
but it isn't the defining in your face guitar that Kid C or DTMA is

ED - I stand behind my statements of those guitar solos having an intent purpose and imagery

sometimes a cigar is more than a cigar
and the one smoking it all to aware of it's ram ah fah kay shuns

as for Don't Take Me ALive

You don't think Don and Walt took Larry aside and said "Look buddy we want this real fugative take no prisoners type of guitar intro on this song - the guy is holed up, he just went on a rampage and I want the guitar to bleed profusely of the situation"

wormytonguetwister

with rage in your eyes and your megaphones

where can i find a site that will give a listing of what they have performed during this tour. none of the ones listed here
seem to provide for this feature.

Spineless SineWave Generator: Beside the Parks/WahWah killer hooks on Haitian divorce, there's a neat guitar accents and outro on The Fez: I think it's Elliot Randall - have to listen when I get home from the office

Mr Lapage wrote

I say let the masses scoff. It's cool belonging to something that by it's very nature is unconventional and rages against the prevailing zeitgeist. It was
my aversion to convention that caused me to eschew the crowd-pleasing sounds of groups like Zeppelin, Springsteen and The Who long ago.

~ ah

try growing up in the Midwest in the late 70's and liking Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Roxy Music, Talking Heads and John Cale

my friends in high school couldn't get it and I didn't even try to convert them nor did I go along with them to Styx, Nugent and REO Speedwagon concerts

they could handle the Dan but they thought they were more the light rock fluff of other Ambrosia or Little River Band type groups, weird

wormy t

on the hill the stuff was laced

Bill C: Are you kidding me?

Aus

"In Kid C the frenetic guitar signifies the out of control aspects of the aging hipster and the danger that awaits him..."

"On Don't Take Me Alive the guitar intro signifies the tortuous path of the songs fugative - and the agression and force assembling to take him out..."

Wonderful imagery and interpretation, but it sounds like you're digging way too deep. These are 4 minute pop songs with guitar solos.

Hey Craig - good to have you back and glad the Windy City is in a state of you four eeh ahhh

I knew when I wrote it that Haitian wasn't mentioned intentionally
I do have to drag you and SoOut out to post somehow ;-]

I was talking in your face guitar ala Carlson or any other Dan accomplice

whereas Hiatian is more the squawk box emulating the couples heated arguing it doesn't drive the song it more pushes from the backside

passion mislaid can be a dangerous thing

so is Scam really the guitar album ala steely?

come on and bite into this thread

topsoilant thomass

oh no, no hesitation, no tears and no hearts breaking

Aussie- Just wondering...Do you live in NYC?

Tom, You failed to mention Haitian Divorce in your discussion of great guitar solos on the Royal Scam album. I feel that Dean Park's haunting and poignant work accompanied by Becker's ex-facto wizardry on the 'squwak-box' make this one of the most notable Steely Dan guitar songs to date. The sheer magic of this solo is it's visceral musical digression from frenetic banter to it's o-so-drawn-out sorrowful fade.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Chicago reviewer was a bit misguided in his criticism but such is the case for many music lovers today who did not catch the Steely Dan Tsunami during the bands heydey in the 70's. The 'uninitiated' hopelessly mired in the churning undertow created by the wave we've been riding since it crested somewhere west of La Cieniga circa 1975.

I can apreciate where he's coming from as I can imagine the legions of Springsteen fans vilifying me for not catching his amber wave/purple mountains majesty prairie fire back in the day.

We all don't collectively "get" everyone's overriding passion for their particular brand of music. Steely Dan music happens to be my favorite. Springsteen, Neil Young, The Stones, Jimmy Buffet, Garcia, Zappa; undoubtedly hold that particular position of esteem in countless other's hearts and minds.

I say let the masses scoff. It's cool belonging to something that by it's very nature is unconventional and rages against the prevailing zeitgeist. It was my aversion to convention that caused me to eschew the crowd-pleasing sounds of groups like Zeppelin, Springsteen and The Who long ago.

The reviewers are intitled to thier opinion.

I'm happy where I'm at.

Craig

Stop making us hungry
Beth wrangler's gotta take a break sometime
Gotta feed the machine
Steamer Heaven is empty
A couple of kids sitting high on the counter
The love that you need
Soon as he walks in the door, she's smiling
Covers his eyes with his hands

Robin: Great heads up! Thanks for the blast. The locomotive is moving and gathering speed I guess. Good news all around. And I hope that the article prompts a few to go rent Stanley Kubrick's classic Lolita....wonderwaif is right!

Expanding Man: Super post. Thank you for the colour. I'm literally jumping outta my skin. July 8.....I can taste the sweetness..........

And a million thanks to the others who've posted commenting on the shows...keep 'em comin'

Rockin' not too far away from Grammercy Park, Manhattan, NYC
Aussie

StevieD - how's that lowsoil doing?
so when's the new Todd release - aren't most things on tuesdays?

Hey Cara Mia Marsha - if Ole's done twisting your arm, I'll second the persuasion for you to do Raleigh, look forward to meeting you there

I ran into the owner of my fav musician store the other night in a coffee shop, with him was a rep for one of his PA lines who also has and runs a studio in Austin. We talked Stevie Ray who he had worked with extensively and somehow the conversation went to summer touring bands. He is friends with Mr Nichols and flew up and saw the Vegas show. He was overwelmed that the Dan would send their studio ace out on the road to try to capture that sound in large venues

~ ~ ~ ~

new thread (well sorta)

the Walt/Carlton debate of last week - funny thing is only 3 songs on Royal Scam really feature runaway let loose guitar
Kid C, Don't Take Me Alive and Green Earrings

In Kid C the frenetic guitar signifies the out of control aspects of the aging hipster and the danger that awaits him

On Don't Take Me Alive the guitar intro signifies the tortuous path of the songs fugative - and the agression and force assembling to take him out

Green Earrings is just a more blues jam related song in the vein of Bohis

most of the album is actually more sombre pieces based on piano or with the guitar used to complement not shred, a trend that would go full cycle by Aja

so just what is the most guitar laden Dan album? may surprise you

send your thoughts and illustrious portrays to the GB

wormy

a wise child gets right out of here

Dandom...

StevieDan...thanks for the welcome...I agree with you about the reviewers being geared to modern rock...the media ought not to send boys to do men's work...to understand the game, you have to play the game.

Parts Department...better late than never...sounds like you're now "complete"

Razor and Expanding Man...thanks for the great reviews...until Black Friday the 21st, I can only sit, read and sing along...

Clas...no need to close the book after Stockholm...the Dan lives forever!

Now I've been reading all this stuff about Jon Herrington...I've seen him on the DVD and I agree that he is one outrageous m*fr...he can really make that 335 sing...I also agree that Kid Charlemagne is the solo on which new players should be judged...but, I'd like to suggest another very tasty jam that in my opinion gets far less notoriety...the Skunk's work at the end of "King of the World" is simply one of the smoothest and best guitar riffs you'll ever hear. I would love for the boys to turn Herrington loose on that one for about 4-5 minutes!!

So, Walter, if you're watching, how about a heaping helping of KOW in Raleigh, followed up with a kirschwassa and a couple of cobalt cigarettes...

I think my face is on fire...

Dan Boy Dave

http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/Music/20000628/UDANNM.html

http://www.canoe.ca/JamConcertsR2Z/steelydan_062700.html

Clas...wait a minute here, what's this....when I first entered this GB I followed the comments on Home at Last and lots of other Danabouts ..now it seems some of us have run into a wall ...is there something in the water overthere in Sweden, maybe???

But hey, if you feel like closing the books, it's your choice..only hope you'll do that in a less dark manner...

Bye now, Gina

For some reason I listened to "The Nightfly" yesterday. A lot of memories came running like bills at the end of the month. But except for the memories the songs brought up, I was again struck by how great that record is. It's so sharp and the lyrics are at its best.

And I realize that Gary Katz had a great deal to do with the soundpicture of the old Steely Dan. I think it's too bad he's no longer working with Fagen/Becker.

"Kamakiriad" is a great album, sure, but there is something wrong with it, can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's the coldness, or George Wadenius enervating picking, or the lack of melodies. I never listen to that CD nowdays.

"11 Tracks Of Whack" is Walter Beckers sketchbook with some good lyrics and a couple of good songs. Nothing more. I never listen to that CD either.

"Two Against nature" is great, sure but, hey, can't help thinking how it would have sound with Gary Katz as the producer.

I will finally see and hear the Steely Dan live September the 1st, the band that has been such a great part of my life, not only for the music, also for their attitude, their arrogans and for the feel that there are two people that I have a certain relationship (affinity, kinship) with.

I guess it's time to close the books after the concert here in Stockholm.

Clas (child of the Bad Sneakers era)

Escargot...stuff is CRAP...I'm sorry.

Conversely worm, some of the most nourishing food is hard to swallow. I love Todd's balladry as well. He usually includes at least one that's worth much more than the price of any CD. First tune on this new one, however, is "I Hate My Frickin' I.S.P.". Another tune is entitled "Jerk". He may even do some rappin', as he did brilliantly on tr-i. But I also see an apparent remake of "Love of the Common Man". Sounds like a winnah ! Oh you take the topsoil & I'll take the lowsoil and I'll be in Alltel at nearly the same time as ye.

Welcome to DanBoyDave

Gee guys, these are MODERN ROCK critics. What do you EXPECT ? These are the same guys that just love stuff like....well nevermind...I'm sure I'd insult somebody...forget it. However, our local M.R.C. who is usually totally F.O.S. is amazingly a HUGE SD fan. One of the two times a year I'd agree with him is his customary Glowing-Like-Hickory-Embers review of the Dan. That's just one reason that I KNOW this planet was put here for me !

Gina, the weather ? These boys bring the weather with them. I saw Browne/Raitt/Hornsby/Colvin in a virtual hurricane. One of my absolutely most memorable rock shows. Now, not from the lawn of course, but I was soaked. It didn't matter. With SD it definitely won't matter. Just as long as the voltage holds out the power will flow.

Hello all. It's been great meeting and talking with all of you. I know some of you said you would be at various shows throughout the tour, and if you want to get back together with us, just email and let us know.
Also, for those of you who are looking for setlists, comments on the shows or even pictures, head over to our website at http://members.aol.com/lovethisgig/ and check it out.
Hope to hear from all of you soon, and for those of you who haven't been to any of the shows yet, we're looking forward to meeting all of you as well.

Hey guys, i saw Steely Dan in Chicago a few days ago. Needless to say, it was awsome, one of the best shows i have ever seen. But i forgot to bring my wallet and was very upset that i didn't get a shirt. I was wondering if there is any place online a can get a shirt, or if there is somebody willing to send me one for some money?? I really wanted one. Thanks.
JJ

ChiRival---- The getting up and moving thing applied to the Pine Knob show as well. Lots of movement, but I was lucky to be in an isle where folks came to see the show. My wife first made this observation, I was too busy being mesmerized to pay much attention.
WB seemed to graciously defer to young
Mr. Herrington on the intense solos, but I believe Walter has the market cornered on his particular style, which to my untrained ear, is hard to define. He does it all so very well.
The dry wit, to those of us who usually get the joke, is a welcome ice breaker for the new Dan fan.
Do I wish the concert would go on for a lot longer? Yes I do.
Do most of us understand there are many pressures involving the playlist. Yes we do. I would like to have heard Gaucho, Barrytown,Any Major Dude,Here at the Western World and others.
The selections I most identified with were Bad Sneakers, and Deacon Blues. Unbelievable!
I am a late bloomer when it comes to this GB and a late bloomer when it comes to SD's complete works,
(got the box set a few months ago) but as I stated in another post, I have been a fan of the Dan music I had for a lot of years. I missed out on a lot of their best music on a detour through the different styles of rock as my years progressed.

Just the ravings of a born again Steely Dan fan. And thanks to the rest of you all here, as the folks at my workplace could give a sh>t less to hear my rantings. I get laughed at for liking Peter Frampton,too!

Robin: Excellent find of great significance. It appears inded that the guys have indeed primed the pump. Throw back the little ones and pan fry the big ones... First, TvN, tour, "see you next year", now this! Pinch me!!

Still trying to face real life here while the aftershocks of Trifecta settle in......

blazed - sorry, didn't get the memo on what should be posted here vs. the Digest. Could ya forward dat one? (and the reference to YGT2 should not, was not, nor evah was intended to imply that the boys played it....not without express written consent of the Commish...)

Razor - did the sign make it out to Day-twah?

wonderwa*f - you're as endearing as they get! 'Twas a pleasure meeting you and your better half.....me and my better half hope to see ya at future concerts, and we'll schlep you around anytime...been to dat Chinese place already, btw.......

Some recollections, synaptically etched:

The 5 younguns at the Mwa-kee pre-concert; always nice to see fresh blood keeping the faith...

Talking to Hoops on the cell pre-concert, knowing that he, Moonflower, Pete, and Shari were turned around on the Hoan Bridge...

Walter referring to the Trifecta at the Marcus - my clenched fist raising from the 5th row, and him nodding at me in acknowledgment...

Ricky's asskicking solo in Josie in Milwaukee - made up of three segments, actually......standard snare, cymbals, mounted toms, and bass, changing into an all-tom segment, followed by cymbals and double-pedaling bass segment. It freaking ROCKED. And Razor was right; the man never did stop smiling...

Ted's melodical, lyrical solo between Janie Runaway and Josie...in Chicago (I don't recall if he did it in Milw), just before he starts with the intro chords to Josie, he makes a final, subtle, and BREATHTAKING quote of the last two lines of Janie Runaway....

Bob Sheppard's solo on WOH.....he had it on both nights.

Something Pam (my partner in crime) noticed during Royal Scam -- the Leonhart siblings both play tambourine during the song, and with the exception of the BG vocals during the chorus, they kept flashing looks and goofy faces to each other that only bruthuh and sistah can get away with....

Walter NAILING the vocals on MIYS....

The midriff section taking the vocals in "Dirty Work", soloing the verses and harmonizing the chorus (I guess that's why they call it the chorus....)

The ovations BOTH nights for Mr. Herington's solo, on Kid C....and let's not kid ourselves, it's the guitar solo we ALL use as an acid test when the boys bring in a new guitarist...from what I've read here in the GB, he even outdid himself in Detroit.....

Watching a hotly contested ping-pong match between Ricky and Cynthia backstage before the Chicaaaguh show....and meeting Cornelius, Jon, Michael, and Carolyn backstage after the Chicaaaguh show....and what absolutely kind and gracious people they all were.

The video-fest at both post-concert venues.....and just like DanFest '97 in Chicaaaguh, "Decade" on the jukebox at the Clark Street Ale House....

And there's still too much to mention.......I'll gather my thoughts for more comprehensive reportage later on. Until then, talk amongst yourselves. I've gotta get back to work.

Peace. And keep the faith.

Expanding Man

A little of the usual, with something to look forward to this fall:

http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf?/music/features/0623steely.html

LOL!!!!! A reporter caught in his own Webb:

First he sez -

"...Instead, the Dan relied on lesser-renown singles like "Bodhisattva" and "Josie," to score points with the enthused crowd of Steely Dan experts. The band proved they didn't need to bring out their biggest hits to please their fans; however, it didn't take much,..."

"...Although they returned to touring in 1992, Saturday's show was Steely Dan's first Chicago performance in support of "Two Against Nature," their first album in 19 years. Audience response to new songs like "Jack of Speed" and "Cousin Dupree" was strong although misguided..."

"...Of course, as far as denying your art to pander to the audience, Becker hit a home run when, between songs, he remarked, "Daddy don't live in New York City but Daddy sure is happy to be playing in Chicago."..."

"The encore featured the only song recognizable to a non-Dan fan, "My Old School," during which the back-up singers cooed "Guadalajara just won't do" and Fagen, with the crowd, answered, "I'm never going back to my old school!""

But THEN he inexplicably ATTEMPTS to argue:

"...Steely Dan seemed to have a problem connecting with their audience who were sitting patiently during each of the 22 songs performed..."

"...Steely Dan's inability to connect with the fans may be due to the glossy performance of songs that should have at least a hint of an edge to them..."

Is Webb a product of public schools, post-modern day liberalism or is he schizophrenic or just plain stoopid? We report - You decide!

OR is he covering up the fact that HE JUST DOESN'T GET IT:

"Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, the duo that make up '70s jazz/pop meddlers Steely Dan, avoided what are possibly their three most well-known tracks, "Do It Again," "Reeling In the Years" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" at their Allstate Arena performance this weekend."

"..."Black Friday" and "Don't Take Me Alive," the latter being the most upbeat song about a hostage situation, were both performed entirely too up for their subject matter. Three back-up sing