― roger adultery (roger adultery), Sunday, 9 March 2003 06:49 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Sunday, 9 March 2003 06:53 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Sunday, 9 March 2003 06:54 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Clarke B., Sunday, 9 March 2003 07:28 (twenty-one years ago) link
― roger adultery (roger adultery), Sunday, 9 March 2003 07:30 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Amateurist (amateurist), Sunday, 9 March 2003 07:36 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Clarke B., Sunday, 9 March 2003 07:37 (twenty-one years ago) link
― roger adultery (roger adultery), Sunday, 9 March 2003 07:41 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Andy K (Andy K), Sunday, 9 March 2003 07:42 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Clarke B., Sunday, 9 March 2003 07:54 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Sunday, 9 March 2003 09:40 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Sunday, 9 March 2003 11:38 (twenty-one years ago) link
― thomas de'aguirre (biteylove), Sunday, 9 March 2003 13:13 (twenty-one years ago) link
― george gosset (gegoss), Sunday, 9 March 2003 13:14 (twenty-one years ago) link
so "nerdy" = "white"?
― gabbneb (gabbneb), Sunday, 9 March 2003 15:12 (twenty-one years ago) link
― N. (nickdastoor), Sunday, 9 March 2003 15:16 (twenty-one years ago) link
― N. (nickdastoor), Sunday, 9 March 2003 15:19 (twenty-one years ago) link
And having black musicians does not automatically make something funky. Witness Allman Brothers, Hootie, etc
A thousand apologies for mentioning "Allman" and "Hootie" in the same sentence. I'll burn in hell for that one.
And i'm all for reprising the old thread, just wanted to respond specifically to some of these posts first.
― roger adultery (roger adultery), Sunday, 9 March 2003 15:58 (twenty-one years ago) link
I don't see that you really had to repeat it, once was fine, he clearly just doesn't feel like it, who's it hurting to have another thread?
― matt riedl (veal), Sunday, 9 March 2003 16:10 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Neil Kulkarni, Sunday, 9 March 2003 16:17 (twenty-one years ago) link
― dave q, Sunday, 9 March 2003 16:30 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Evan (Evan), Sunday, 9 March 2003 17:02 (twenty-one years ago) link
― brg30 (brg30), Sunday, 9 March 2003 20:30 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 9 March 2003 20:42 (twenty-one years ago) link
Very sanitized, and deliberately so. They would run the songs into the ground, doing take after take after take, in order to get each note precisely where they wanted it. Becker and Fagen were fanatical perfectionists, and when you strive for that much perfection, and do that many takes, the sound gets washed out. The spontainaiety gets left by the wayside. But that's the way they wanted it... they never had any aspirations to make "rock and roll." Quite the opposite.
That said, I do love this band.
― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Sunday, 9 March 2003 20:56 (twenty-one years ago) link
― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Sunday, 9 March 2003 21:23 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Sunday, 9 March 2003 21:31 (twenty-one years ago) link
― nonightsweats, Sunday, 15 April 2007 00:19 (sixteen years ago) link
Steely Dan = Smooth Jazz that it's okay to like. But not really that much better musically IMHO.
― res, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:23 (fifteen years ago) link
couldn't possibly be RONGer
― HI DERE, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:24 (fifteen years ago) link
steely dan were so cool they actually didn't know who larry carlton or joe sample even were when they worked with them
― PappaWheelie V, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:29 (fifteen years ago) link
so ignorance = cool?
― res, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:30 (fifteen years ago) link
Uh-oh, I think res might accidentally cause some controversy!
― Party Sausage, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:31 (fifteen years ago) link
They're still deathly dull.
― Alex in NYC, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:33 (fifteen years ago) link
This board certainly needs a few forthright opinions like that :)
― Party Sausage, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Plenty more where it came from
― Alex in NYC, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:36 (fifteen years ago) link
NOW you tell us
― omar little, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:38 (fifteen years ago) link
Steely Dan is like the audio equivalent of some mullet haired 70's cokehead who wears giant brown sunglasses indoors, and tries to clumsily seduce blonde bimbos in his hot tub while bragging about his interest in 'photography.'
Truly, Steely Dan's addition to the cool canon is mystifying.
Tell me about it! This board has gotten so sissified and sterilized that posters who say what they think call the authorities to come beat them down. As a longtime lurker, I've noticed over the past few years that people who make straightforward, if perhaps a bit blunt, opinions-- despite contributing extensively to the level of discourse here-- usually end up getting banned because some easily offended posters can't handle criticisms being leveled on their favorite crap-rock bands, and then complain to management that there's a "troll." But, of course, this is only when the stated opinions are unpopular; you can criticize Dave Matthews as much as you want, apparently, and with impunity.
― res, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:54 (fifteen years ago) link
At the end of the day, these are just opinions about music, after all. This isn't life or death.
― Alex in NYC, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:56 (fifteen years ago) link
that's because Dave Matthews suckatility has been scientifically proven
x-post
― Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:56 (fifteen years ago) link
anotehr in a series of a+ threads
― PappaWheelie V, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:56 (fifteen years ago) link
This board has gotten so sissified and sterilized that posters who say what they think call the authorities to come beat them down.
I don't think you actually meant to say this...?
― HI DERE, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:57 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, the "down" seems wrong somehow
― Noodle Vague, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:58 (fifteen years ago) link
who can I call to come beat them off?
― PappaWheelie V, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:59 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't think Fagen or Becker would disagree with you actually - and you have basically just summarized "Everyone's Gone to the Movies" (except you left out the underaged bit). a lot of people don't seem to grasp that Steely Dan were satirists (see Fagen's comparing them to the Fugs, or discussing the idea behind the sound/arrangement of "Hey Nineteen", etc.)
― Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 26 June 2008 21:03 (fifteen years ago) link
Typo. I meant that when posters speak their minds, other posters have them beat down by the management. Uh, definitely not beat off.
― res, Thursday, 26 June 2008 21:03 (fifteen years ago) link
omg
aw respaws
― dell, Thursday, 26 June 2008 21:32 (fifteen years ago) link
has everybody seen the Aja Classic Albums thing 'cause the drummer discussing the "Peg" beat, and the bassist discussing how he had to hide his hands so they wouldn't know he was actually slapping, is fucking classic
as is this band
― J0hn D., Thursday, 26 June 2008 21:35 (fifteen years ago) link
but, yeah, Shakey otm. They were dudes from nyc who ended up finding themselves contemptuous of seventies' l.a. culture. In short, res, you are really taking a lazy read of them...or maybe trolling like a demon
― dell, Thursday, 26 June 2008 21:36 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah, that vid is classssssique
i just like hearing donald fagen rap...and then later castigating his vocals for sounding like jerry lewis or whatever on the record
― dell, Thursday, 26 June 2008 21:37 (fifteen years ago) link
(because it's the weakest of their original run)
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 12:37 (six years ago) link
Seeing as Gaucho was the first SD album I heard and it made fall in love with the band immediately, I don't think you need to worry about listening to it too much
― niels, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 13:56 (six years ago) link
treeship will love gaucho or I will eat my spats
― harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 15:37 (six years ago) link
Treeship, I wish I could hear these records for the first time again. Hope you dig them!!!
Pretzel Logic is a really good one to start with, right in the middle of their career & a nice dividing line between the earlier rock-oriented records and later studio muso records.
imo Aja would be the one to check out next. and then Gaucho if you dig the smooth sound... Gaucho is antiseptic, in the best way!
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 18:21 (six years ago) link
I started w/Pretzel Logic, bc according to what i was reading around the time (conventional wisdom + the RS 1992 album guide) it was their best album.
moved onto Countdown to Ecstasy from there and i think the Royal Scam was next.
the albums i came to a bit later were Can't Buy a Thrill and Katy Lied, for whatever reason. CBAT still seems like the least Dan of the Dan LPs, i mean it's a genuinely classic one, a ridiculously played and confident '70s rock album, but it's not fully instilled with the Fagen/Becker essence. Katy Lied, for some reason that one took a bit to grow on me.
i would go Countdown to Ecstasy next. Brilliant jams, some incredible singles, kind of the perfect combo of all the SD elements in one package.
― nomar, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 18:26 (six years ago) link
Countdown to Ecstasy and Gaucho are my favorites and they represent the opposite SD streams fully realized.
― gospodin simmel, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 18:33 (six years ago) link
Pretzel Logic is an amazing entry point into The Dan because of the strangeness and stylistic diversity. In terms of next steps, here's a handy guide
If you liked the title track, Parker's Band or Barrytown the most, listen to Countdown to EcstasyIf you liked Rikki the most, listen to AjaIf you liked the creepy character studies (Monkey, Buzz, Charlie Freak) best, move onto Katy LiedIf you loved "Night By Night," check out The Royal Scamif you preferred "Any Major Dude" or "With a Gun," check out Can't Buy a Thrill
And if you liked East St. Louis Toodle-Oo the most...congrats, you're a weirdo. Check out Gaucho
― rock and roll tucci coo (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 18:34 (six years ago) link
I started with Katy Lied because duh minutemen
― harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 18:40 (six years ago) link
Xp Eastside Toodle-oo maybe secretly my favourite Steely Dan track but don't tell
― Shat Parp (dog latin), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 22:01 (six years ago) link
so favorite you can't even remember what it's called?
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 22:02 (six years ago) link
I mean no offense to East St. Louis Toodle-lovers, but picking the band's only ever instrumental and only ever cover as your favorite track is an unorthodox choice
― rock and roll tucci coo (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 19 September 2017 22:08 (six years ago) link
Gaucho is probably my favorite these days.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 00:09 (six years ago) link
― gospodin simmel, Tuesday, September 19, 2017 2:33 PM (six hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
SO correct
― J. Sam, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 01:10 (six years ago) link
listen to any album in any order it's all good
― Shart Dressed Man (kurt schwitterz), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 02:36 (six years ago) link
otm
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 03:53 (six years ago) link
people OTM - Pretzel is really the best entry point
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 08:09 (six years ago) link
― gospodin simmel, Tuesday, 19 September 2017 18:33 (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 10:16 (six years ago) link
Can't Buy a Thrill is easily as good an entry point as Pretzel Logic is, IMO.
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:01 (six years ago) link
CBAT is a great album, but a total outlier. It's a good introduction but it's not really a roadmap
― rock and roll tucci coo (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:19 (six years ago) link
yeah like "Brooklyn Holds the Charmer" is a wonderful song but kind of a fake-out for other 'sentimental' SD songs
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:48 (six years ago) link
Y'see, aside from the presence of David Palmer I don't really get that way of thinking at all. It sounds as much a Steely Dan record as any other Steely Dan record - I don't think it could be mistaken for anything else!
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:52 (six years ago) link
tom
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:52 (six years ago) link
er, otm
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:53 (six years ago) link
I mean yeah it's basically Palmer. thinking of other overtly musically sentimental SD songs that are similar... Any World, Dirty Work, Deacon Blues obv...
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:57 (six years ago) link
Palmer only sings lead on two songs, and you can hear why - as Christgau noted, he "fit in like a cheerleader at a crap game." Even on those tracks - and the one Jim Hodder sings - you can hear the way Donald would have sung them. And I wouldn't call Dirty Work or Brooklyn "sentimental."
― Futuristic Bow Wow (thewufs), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 17:10 (six years ago) link
Oh I guess you qualified that as "musically sentimental," though I'm not really sure what that means.
― Futuristic Bow Wow (thewufs), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 17:12 (six years ago) link
there's a nostalgic quality to the choruses of those songs especially
― flappy bird, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 17:14 (six years ago) link
Katy Lied is the best imo
― Universal LULU Nation (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 17:17 (six years ago) link
Brooklyn Owes the Charmer is p sentimental - it's about how sweet his cranky old school NY neighbors are!
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 17:23 (six years ago) link
re: Hodder singing lead - wtf I never even knew this "Dallas" single existed
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 17:25 (six years ago) link
Palmer only sings lead on two songs, and you can hear why
Yeah. I mean could you imagine him on 'Showbiz Kids' or 'Everyone's Gone to the Movies'!?
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 17:39 (six years ago) link
I should probably reread the lyrics before arguing these points in the future. SD's lyrics are so much fun to read, too.
xxp
― Futuristic Bow Wow (thewufs), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 18:00 (six years ago) link
I've spun Dallas a few times, catchy tune
― calstars, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 20:37 (six years ago) link
Like a Sunday in T.J.That it's cheap but it's not freeThat I'm not what I used to beAnd that love's not a game for three
xpost
― Bee OK, Thursday, 21 September 2017 02:36 (six years ago) link
Palmer singing lead adds to the creepiness!
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 21 September 2017 02:37 (six years ago) link
with Fagen there's never any question that he's in on the joke
That "It's cheap but it's not free" is just such a fucking brilliant line.
― in twelve parts (lamonti), Friday, 22 September 2017 16:37 (six years ago) link
Collective ILX lost weekends in Tijuana bear this out as undeniable truth.
― Moodles, Friday, 22 September 2017 16:55 (six years ago) link
That bit on the Aja documentary during the 'Black Cow' segment where Fagen suddenly starts rapping "uptown baby, uptown baby" cracks me up every time.
― more Allegro-like (Turrican), Saturday, 23 September 2017 09:34 (six years ago) link
Also that yes, it's absolutely great.
― in twelve parts (lamonti), Monday, 25 September 2017 21:18 (six years ago) link
he seems to do that regularly, he did it in that clip of them driving around Vegas in a cab too
― Οὖτις, Monday, 25 September 2017 23:19 (six years ago) link
Babylon Sisters strikes me as sentimental and cynical but I attribute that more to the protagonist than SD.
― Uhura Mazda (lukas), Tuesday, 26 September 2017 03:39 (six years ago) link
"If john go and writes another book, why must I trudge through it? Let George do it."
― calstars, Friday, 29 September 2017 03:35 (six years ago) link
With words that just won't quit!
― calstars, Friday, 29 September 2017 03:36 (six years ago) link
DUD!
"Easy" by Jesse Green, from the expanded edition of Nice and Slow sounds a lot like the Dan, but i like it much better than anything Fagen and Becker put out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjp3cpC_woQ
― bodacious ignoramus, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 19:53 (six years ago) link
Seeing them in a few weeks. Looked at setlists, saw they’re doing some Walter solo songs. Excited for the show, but I know it’s going to be sad. Saw them at the same venue 3 years ago.
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 17 October 2017 20:56 (six years ago) link
Damn... I had tickets so see him at a jazz festival a few weeks ago and he cancelled it citing fatigue. Granted it was halfway across the world but still. Is this current "Steely Dan" band the same as "The Nightfliers"?
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Tuesday, 17 October 2017 21:38 (six years ago) link
running the world's best unofficial steely dan lyrics twitter account@steelydanlyrics
i get some real interesting ats and replies
wkiw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FpOETPa458&app=desktop
― The Poppy Bush AutoZone (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 3 December 2018 21:15 (five years ago) link
Guitar nerds should know that the estate of Steely Dan’s Walter Becker is auctioning off his entire collection of instruments. Here’s a teaser from the preview. pic.twitter.com/izpkqfbZBW— Randall FAIR CONTRACT NOW Roberts 🦅 (@LilEdit) October 14, 2019
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 15 October 2019 02:14 (four years ago) link
I interviewed Becker and Fagen about 20 years ago. Becker was one of the nicest musicians I've ever encountered, contrary to his slightly sour reputation, and even told the record company woman to go away for a while when she came in to say my allotted time was up. (Fagen was polite but slightly phoning it in, and left well before Becker did.)
Lol at the guy at the top of this thread 16 years ago claiming the Dan were one of the whitest bands ever. Their music is JAZZ-rock, ffs!
― does it look like i'm here (jon123), Tuesday, 15 October 2019 07:29 (four years ago) link