Date: Sun, April 01, 2018, 03:14:31 ET
Posted by: Walter Becker Media, www.walterbeckermedia.com

https://www.walterbeckermedia.com/forum/rarities-unreleased/posted-april-1

We dropped something new for you, and we might have hidden an egg in the tall grass. Keep your wide eyes open wide, cats & kittens. This one is special.

Date: Sat, March 31, 2018, 08:02:04 ET
Posted by: Cold Porter redux IV, Guilford

Mu: I love your compilation...I distinctly remember an interview with Jeff....circa '81 where he stated that the 'Dan had essentially squashed about 4 albums of material!! circa '80 just to be rid of MCA..so we can hope some more has survived.....it might have been aninterview with Denny Somach at WYSP '-)

Date: Sat, March 31, 2018, 07:55:32 ET
Posted by: Cold Porter redux II, room at the top of the stairs

arrest...incarcerate...repeat.. {again]

Date: Sat, March 31, 2018, 07:53:01 ET
Posted by: Cold Porter redux, west of Hollywood

I guess we're done....



https://www.voanews.com/a/fired-for-liking-a-tweet-tibet-us-worker-feels-chinas-reach/4325196.html



impeach..incarcrate..repeat..

Date: Sat, March 31, 2018, 07:50:09 ET
Posted by: Cold Porter, Oahu

re:Japan
re:David Sylvian

Gone To Earth (Virgin) 1986\\
contains the LP mix of 'Taking The Veil'

...you can thank me later ;-)

Date: Sat, March 31, 2018, 04:52:22 ET
Posted by: Rumpus and Bud, Mizar6

Thank you, Steve M. Especially that Dark Matter tune is hauntingly good, thanks for sharing it here. It's always interesting to explore some of the eclectic beyond the obvious affinities known. It inspires to keep on expanding our own universe as well, and avoid tunnel vision ;-)

Have a good Easter weekend!

Date: Fri, March 30, 2018, 16:24:44 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

While waiting for the next Monkey House one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHmLQEyAshE

Date: Fri, March 30, 2018, 14:43:11 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

Re Rumpus and Bud's post about the activities of ex Japan members.

Keyboardist Richard Barbieri now plays with what I consider to be the most worthwhile modern era (progressive) rock band namely the Porcupine Tree who are now on something of a hiatus whilst main man and all round creative genius Steven Wilson produces, re mixes, works on solo/side projects etc as befits the busiest man in rock.

It's hard to know what to recommend in terms of P/T material to sample as it is so diverse, constantly evolving and I am aware might not be to the taste of S/D fans but here's a couple of my own favourites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMc-75oLgU8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuUV_R93Gv4

Date: Fri, March 30, 2018, 09:39:00 ET
Posted by: OrangeTom, No longer backwoods

Just saw a t.v. ad for the October show in Richmond at the Altria Theater; pretty small venue, seating around 3500, formerly known as The Mosque.

Ad was live footage from a previous performance. No shots of the left side of the stage for obvious reasons. Was weird/sad not seeing Walter as part of the familiar crew.

The show must go on.

Date: Fri, March 30, 2018, 05:16:39 ET
Posted by: Rumpus and Bud, Mizar6

Howdy! Maybe the following story is of interest to you, because it follows various connections over a couple of decades worth of music and insights. The insights part is where you come in of course, because you as a music lover and reader are the one to connect the dots!

https://wp.me/p7bPDF-q0

We can tell you it's unexpectedly more Dantengial than we realised when we found ourselves in a listening loop over in the sympathetic Bandcamp universe. Anyone remember the glam punk psycho synth pop rock band Japan? Anyone familiar with any other band member's curriculum apart from David Sylvian's? We weren't, but we're catching up on all that now. Turns out, it didn't take long to discover or remember the Steely connection so please, be invited to check out for yourselves.

https://wp.me/p7bPDF-q0

Toodles,

Your Mizar6 hosts, Rumpus and Bud

Date: Fri, March 30, 2018, 01:59:15 ET
Posted by: sally's boy, san d

Doc Mu

you forgot Ms Irma!

Date: Fri, March 30, 2018, 00:30:09 ET
Posted by: Abu, David & Denny

Nicely done cover of Horace Silver's Song for My Father on David Garfield's new album entitled Jazz: Outside the Box. Denny Dias is the guitarist, but there is no solo. One can hear his supporting role on the tune. Of course, it is well-known that Don & Walt "borrowed" the bass line of this song for use in Rikki. Nice touch on this cover is that they even perform a line from Rikki before launching into the Silver song. Jason Scheff, formerly bass player and vocalist of the band Chicago, also plays and sings on this song. Slightly confusing review of the Garfield album says that Denny Dias supposedly plays on another tune on the album, but I can't confirm if that is true. Plenty of SD alumni play along with Mr. Garfield on the album, including Chuck Loeb, Steve Jordan, Tom Scott, Pete Christlieb and Vinnie Colaiuta, as well as Denny. Here's the Silver / Rikki link:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8QCeTn_sYo

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 18:44:44 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Left off the coup de gras.

Mr. Sam (dusted off from KL sessions)
Kulee Baba
2nd Arrangement
Snowbound
Can't Write Home About You
The Bear
Stand by the Seawall
Talkin' Bout My Home
Kind Spirit
West of Hollywood


How good is that???!! CD length - clocking in about 55 min.

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 18:41:04 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Charlie - Walter produced Kamakiriad, and co-wrote Snowbound...which is probably a left over from SD's aborted mid 1980s album. So is West of Hollywood.


So think about a mid 80s album that would have included:

Mr. Sam (dusted off from KL sessions)
Kulee Baba
2nd Arrangement
Snowbound
Can't Write Home About You
The Bear
Stand by the Seawall
Talkin' Bout My Home
Kind Spirit

All-digital mid-80s. Porcaro drums on all tracks. What could have been.

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 18:33:20 ET
Posted by: Steve Gennarelli, Tampa, FL

I wonder why the 2 versions of "The Second Arrangement" from 2011's Rarities Night at the Beacon were taken down off of YouTube.
I'm hoping someone will post them again.
If you remember there was a man sitting in a chair sitting behind Donald as he performed the song. He and the secret world of Faye Resnick are probably the reason the videos were taken down.

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 17:57:16 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

there's been no announcement of a second guitarist; it's safe to say JH will be the only one.

When I saw the band in October he more than carried the load. The truth is, WB didn't do much besides solo the last few years. Jon's has been doing most of the heavy lifting already.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't love seeing 2 guitarists up there.

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 13:47:00 ET
Posted by: razor boy, chiraq

I have a feeling they will have JH carry the load. IMHO they need to add a second guitarist LC or someone else. I have a feeling DF is going to just have JH :(

I'm going to miss WB but I am excited that they are playing large outdoor venues. Some in the smaller venues were a little stuffy if you know what I mean.

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 10:21:52 ET
Posted by: Nate, PA

I couldn't help but notice, but you can't really find a live performance of Glamour Profession anywhere. But I do recall seeing a video of the Dan playing it live somewhere on YouTube, but I'm sure the video got taken down at some point.

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 09:44:56 ET
Posted by: Flipkid, Planet Earth

I'm not sure there will be a second guitarist on the tour; I know they did a couple of gigs with just Herrington while Walter was incapacitated, and a couple with Larry Carlton. I realize that this is a pipe dream, but I'd love to see Herrington and Drew Zingg together with SD.

Date: Thurs, March 29, 2018, 01:37:30 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

Any news on who will take Walter's place live?
It's already gut wrenching enough to not have him up there and some of us are still on the fence about going.
Sure hope it's not some Millennial with no connection to Walt..
Adam Rogers would be a great choice, premier NYC top of the crop musician, member of Walter's band, played with Donald before, goes way back with Jim Beard.
His new cd 'Dice' is downright filthy.

Date: Wed, March 28, 2018, 22:01:36 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

I love Beacon runs. Just sayin'

Date: Wed, March 28, 2018, 11:47:48 ET
Posted by: CJB, P=R=E=S=A=L=E

I imagine the following phrase might be useful to some tomorrow morning:

SD2018

"Sharing the things we know & love with those of our kind."

Date: Wed, March 28, 2018, 10:59:52 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

They did a 21st Century Dan night in 2011. I wasn't there but I remember hearing the reception was mixed and attendance wasn't great.

Even Rarities Night was a crap shoot with regards to the audience reaction (I believe it was sold out or close, but it was a Saturday night show). The Second Arrangement got a huge reaction ... from 1/3 of the crowd.

Date: Tues, March 27, 2018, 16:15:50 ET
Posted by: Charlie, Charleston

If demand was the issue, he'd play Doctor Wu and Rikki Don't Lose That Number every night. Standing by a decision to not play the most requested and biggest charting songs in your catalogue while at the same time using "demand" as an excuse to avoid playing a MULTIPLE GRAMMY AWARD WINNING album is more than a bit hypocritical.

Date: Tues, March 27, 2018, 15:54:41 ET
Posted by: Gerry, PA

Fagen has already said that as much as he'd love to do post 2K albums in their entirely, the demand for it isn't there.

Date: Tues, March 27, 2018, 15:24:05 ET
Posted by: Matt, http://www.dandom.com/hey19/

Check it out:

18 new audio raps, mostly from the 2007 and 2008 tours, are now up over at:

http://www.dandom.com/hey19/

A big thanks to Chris Eisold for scouring his mighty collection and contributing these gems. It's so awesome to see this database grow over time, and to hear Walter's hilarity on full display. I can tell by some of the conversation below that some of you miss him as much as I do. Well instead of worrying about what album gets played by who and where, come over and check out the Dan That Was.

And for those of you who might have missed it, along with previously unreleased tracks Were You Close Today and Cinder Annie, the walterbeckermedia.com site has recently added three bonus tracks from Circus Money to their downloads area:

Circus Money Hammerhead Remix
Dark Horse Dub
Bob Is Not Your Uncle Anymore (Demo)

All for the excellent price of free. Can't ask for a better deal than that, right?

Date: Tues, March 27, 2018, 14:00:29 ET
Posted by: Sean, Manchester

I'm very excited about the Nightfly being played live entirely.

I'm sorry Walter's dead. He will be missed sorely. But life also has to go on. I hate to think about it, but in a few years Donald won't be performing either.

Date: Tues, March 27, 2018, 13:09:49 ET
Posted by: stephen, london

THANKS CHARLIE,
LAST OCTOBER WE GOT 90 MINS AFTER A TEN YEAR WAIT ( THE OTHER 90 MINS WERE GIVEN OVER TO THE DOOBIE BROS), SO DON'T GO TO THAT NIGHT.
I WISH I WAS SPOILT
STEPHEN

Date: Tues, March 27, 2018, 13:00:19 ET
Posted by: Charlie, Camptown

If Mr. Fagen wants to do something "new", he could do Katy Lied album night. Or Pretzel Logic album night. Or Can't Buy a Thrill album night. You know, STEELY DAN albums that we haven't heard played live before. For fuck's sake, how about the GRAMMY AWARD WINNNG album Two Against Nature in its entirety? How about another rarities night? Wouldn't you love to hear The Second Arrangement or The Bear or Megashine City just as much as Ruby Baby at this point?

Oh, that's right. Mr Fagen don't do the Wu.

Date: Tues, March 27, 2018, 11:53:15 ET
Posted by: stephen, london

ON THE NIGHTFLY THING, MAYBE DONALD'S THOUGHT PROCESSES ARE WE'VE BEING THAT STUFF FOR YEARS, MAYBE SOMETHING NEW?

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 21:13:59 ET
Posted by: JP, A

Never read this one before.

"But you know, what can you do if they just don�t get into it? I�m not gonna stand there and do that Kenny Loggins shit."

https://byjeffburger.com/1974/05/23/steely-dan-madness-walking-the-tightrope-in-star-city-1974/

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 20:39:07 ET
Posted by: Charlie, Freakville

Walter produced The Nightfly? I�m sure that�s news to Gary Katz.

Look, like I said, it�s probably more about me than it is Donald. We all process how we process. For me Steely Dan was two men, and now one of them is gone. In the same way Imagine ain�t a Beatles album, even though it�s a great album, The Nightfly ain�t Steely Dan. A solo song? Sure. This is a solo album, played by Donald Fagen billed as Steely Dan. That�s not Steely Dan to me, man, no matter how good it is.

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 19:09:20 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

hoops: that reminds me of the Lenin-like poster with W&D in cyrillic letters.

The point was that bots and possibly a few non-bot responded that they were done with SD, Fagen, their albums because of a relatively benign comment.


While I don't actually believe in pseudo-religions like conservative and liberal (because complex, real-world public policy problems rarely have only 2 dichotomous solutions), many of my policy thoughts could be pigeonholed as 'conservative." The trajectory of the Tea Party and "alt-right" don't resemble Buckley/Reagan conservatism (Reagan supported the Assault Weapons ban)...but enough...

I prefer also to keep the snark and sarcasm high.



"Some loser fires off a flare."

Not an arm per se but strategic signaling combustible projectile


SD has covered both Walter and Donald's solo work. I have no problem with a Nightly Night...or a Sunken Condos Night or a Kamakiraid night, particularly as Walter produced the latter.


"For 7 seconds it's like Christmas Day. Then it's dark again.

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 19:03:56 ET
Posted by: Barney Beacon, NJ

Charlie- Get real. Walter produced the Nightfly! Wake up son! Disrespectful? You sound like a little whining baby.

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 16:59:16 ET
Posted by: Charlie, more

I mean, he didn't even play The Nightfly album with The Nightflyers...when I would have loved to hear it.

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 16:58:10 ET
Posted by: Charlie, Eastbound and Down

It comes from a place of grief for me, but I feel like I'm hearing Mr. Fagen say "To honor Walter, I want to keep the music we made together alive with this great band we put together...now here's my solo album!"

It just feels disrespectful, which likely says more about my grief than his.

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 15:08:49 ET
Posted by: Flipkid, Planet Earth

I personally would be thrilled to see/hear the Steely Dan band play The Nightfly in its entirety. The album itself is rather brief, leaving lots of time for other Steely tunes. Just one man's opinion.

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 11:18:12 ET
Posted by: Barney Beacon, NJ

Charlie- Now that Walter isn't around anymore, I guess Donald can do whatever he wants. Don't be a hater

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 08:53:48 ET
Posted by: Charlie, DC

Ah yes, that great "Steely Dan" album...the Nightfly.

Date: Mon, March 26, 2018, 08:39:04 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Back to the Beacon this fall - doing the usual (Aja, Gaucho, Scam, Greatest Hits, "Request" night), bringing back CTE and adding .... The Nightfly!

https://steelydanofficial.com/#/events?page=3

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 23:47:40 ET
Posted by: drewslo, San Luis Obispo

Also "Only A Fool Would Say That" has a gun reference. That first album is filled with outlaws.

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 23:44:04 ET
Posted by: drewslo, San Luis Obispo

"With stocking face I bought a gun"

Probably best not to put on the stocking when buying the gun - reveals too much about your future plans...

(Turn That Heartbeat Over Again)

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 19:13:35 ET
Posted by: Overcast day,

"Good Stuff"

"Don't take me alive" of course.

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 18:37:55 ET
Posted by: Updraught, Philly area

How about �With A Gun� from Pretzel Logic?

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 18:22:37 ET
Posted by: Chet, B

Was there ever a reference to guns in SD songs? There wasn't until uhh... actually... the first line of the first song on the first album, which described riddling some poor sap with bullets because he ripped off a bottle of Poland Spring, or whatever kind of water they sold in 1972.

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 14:49:10 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Doc Mu and others; I'm sure more than a few of the negative comments towards Fagen are from the bots and fakes, but also I'm reminded that there's more than a couple regulars in Dandom who are conservative, at least when it comes to gun laws, and probably more. What disturbs me the most is when some conservative Danfans think forums like this are appropriate venues to go off on a non-Dangential political rant. Moreover, I think of Danfans like Rush Limbuagh (or at least his show's staff) who like the tough, snarky attitude of our favorite duo without ever being fully aware of the lyrics.

Sad.

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 13:43:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Fagen's comment is real. Many of the responses are not.

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 13:39:43 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Casual Fan: Many of the negative comments are from Russian bots, including hijacking a variety of Facebook IDs.

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 08:27:12 ET
Posted by: Casual fan, Orlando

Just Asking,

At the time I wasn't sure if it was one of those fake or hijacked post situations. I later saw it on his page.

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 08:25:17 ET
Posted by: Just Asking, NY

Casual Fan,

Why is it only "apparent" that DF posted a note?

Date: Sun, March 25, 2018, 06:15:18 ET
Posted by: Stephen Gennarelli, Tampa, FL

Yeah, I saw a woman who said she was done with his website/Facebook now.
Hmm...I guess her NRA Membership is nearer and dearer to her heart than either the kids marching or Donald's music.
I certainly don't know how that could be in either case.

Date: Sat, March 24, 2018, 21:28:23 ET
Posted by: Casual fan, Orlando

So I'm seeing on Facebook that apparently DF posted a congratulatory note to the kids in the marches today and is taking a lot of heat for it.

Date: Sat, March 24, 2018, 17:15:23 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Bob, Matt, and others....

Yes! Happy birthday to us! Thanks for your thoughtfulness to say the least.🎊🎉🎈🎂🥂🍾🍧☮️💟 We will have to do something special sometime this year. Donald and Walter we never big on anniversaries but may we can parlay into an excuse to all get together.

Hearing replay of the �Slims� show by Walter would be really cool, to say the least! Thanks so much!

�Jim

Date: Sat, March 24, 2018, 17:11:19 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Date: Sat, March 24, 2018, 13:01:15 ET
Posted by: Bob, Bayside

Something I've dreamed about but never thought we would see or hear.

Looks like something special coming.

I hope it turns out that you guys are right.

Maybe we'll get lucky.

Seems that way.

Date: Sat, March 24, 2018, 12:41:19 ET
Posted by: Overcast day,

Being able to hear the Slim's concert would be amazing. A billion thanks in advance to the people responsible if this ends up happening.

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 22:43:44 ET
Posted by: Jimmie, N

Dean,

I think it refers to this

http://www.steelydan.nl/releaseinfo.jsp?id=593

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 21:35:35 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

"Slims" is what instantly clicked in my mind. So, perhaps it's too obvious.

But I really hope something is happening---and that'd be a great place for it to happen. Unfortunately, the chances of me making it to SF this year, are extraordinarily er---slim. But for the sake of the faithful Dandom, I hope it's something awesome.

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 21:35:27 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

"Slims" is what instantly clicked in my mind. So, perhaps it's too obvious.

But I really hope something is happening---and that'd be a great place for it to happen. Unfortunately, the chances of me making it to SF this year, are extraordinarily er---slim. But for the sake of the faithful Dandom, I hope it's something awesome.

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 20:32:19 ET
Posted by: Jimmie, N

I think alludes to Walter's performance at Slims (Boz Scaggs' club) in San Francisco?

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 19:07:29 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Interesting post on WB media ...

https://www.walterbeckermedia.com/forum/rarities-unreleased/everybody-read

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 18:39:17 ET
Posted by: Matt, Dandom at Large

Wow, 25 years old? You don't look a day over 24!

Are we talking about the digest, or the site that was once at dandom.music.uiuc.edu?

Congrats Hoops on a remarkable feat of longevity, and a big thanks to all you've done for the fans of this band for so many years. From actively posting and arguing and learning to lurking and listening to collaborating with you on the Hey 19 Raps project, you've been THE most gracious host. So here's a toast to the next 25.

Thank you Jim.

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 17:15:48 ET
Posted by: Bob, Not Your Uncle

Happy 25th Anniversary to Dandom! Today's the day..........

Date: Fri, March 23, 2018, 10:54:20 ET
Posted by: Matthew Kerns, www.dandom.com/hey19/

A couple new to us shows over at the Hey 19 Raps emporium. Audio from the August 27, 2011 show in Milwaukee, and the July 19, 2014 show in Kansas City. Both of these raps are courtesy Chris Eisold, and we appreciate his contributions very much.

A second video from the 2016 Bristow, Virginia show is also up.

Check out these, and more of Walter's hilarious Hey 19 monologues, at:

Milwaukee 2011 - http://www.dandom.com/hey19/items/show/125

Kansas City 2014 - http://www.dandom.com/hey19/items/show/124

Bristow 2016 - http://www.dandom.com/hey19/items/show/26

Date: Wed, March 21, 2018, 14:37:33 ET
Posted by: Walter Becker Media, www.walterbeckermedia.com

You may have heard Dark Horse Dub on the International release version of Circus Money. If so, you remember Chalk Miller, the protagonist of said track.

Chalk Miller's story is further illuminated by lyrics that were written, but not sung, in the song.

Additional lyrics, and the full track, are up at:

https://www.walterbeckermedia.com/forum/street-legal/circus-money-2008

Date: Mon, March 19, 2018, 09:59:20 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

The little Twitter window above (sweet!) reminds me that I forgot to share the fun I had with Mobile Home:

https://tsa.substack.com/p/every-steely-dan-song-this-all-too-mobile-home

About ten years ago I got to talk to Will Lee about the pictures his better half took of Walter, how cool I thought the shots were, and that was a fun discussion to have after an obviously killer Fab Faux show. He seems like a good time and holy cow what a player.

Date: Sun, March 18, 2018, 13:17:32 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

The Aja video is worth watching just to see Will Lee and his bass moves. He is into it.

Date: Sat, March 17, 2018, 14:42:57 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Chris,

Props to Jeff Young on the Aja performance as well. He's a solid anchor for the band.

Date: Sat, March 17, 2018, 14:34:44 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Yeah, the band on Cinder Annie is TIGHT. Walter preferred recording more organically and live after TvN. Donald got better, but too much overdubbing and time for Walter's taste. Chronic illness certain drives that progression. In the end, Walter was right. Better to be Through with Buzz, and focus on the musicians and their performance.

It's the People, Stupid.

Date: Fri, March 16, 2018, 12:50:38 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Steve Gadd sounds great. Wish I could say the same for Larry Campbell ...

Elsewhere, that new Becker track is great, the band is hot. Apparently this was recorded during rehearsals for the Slims gig. Hope there's a lot more.

Date: Fri, March 16, 2018, 11:18:15 ET
Posted by: Brennan,

Aja and Reelin' from last night now up on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eawW2cAtZ54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEpRM1H2nsg

Date: Fri, March 16, 2018, 10:55:59 ET
Posted by: Marque, Replying to Bad Sneaks

Hey Bad Sneaks!

Pete Fogel's Dandom Facebook page has the full Aja from last night. Steve Gadd on drums.

Isn't this the first time Gadd has played Aja live with Donald or Steely Dan?

Date: Fri, March 16, 2018, 10:37:17 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga

New stuff!

Cinder Annie up now over at:

http://www.walterbeckermedia.com

Funky bluesy goodness.

Date: Fri, March 16, 2018, 09:09:46 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

The Weight from the aforementioned Love Rocks NYC concert:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IZXymEaENo

Date: Fri, March 16, 2018, 02:00:53 ET
Posted by: BadSneakers, NYC

Did anyone else catch Donald Fagen at The Beacon Theater on Thursday 3/15?
"Love Rocks NYC"

The house band featured Paul Shaffer, Will Lee, Steve Gadd and others.
Fagen played twice during the show ...

First a crowd-pleasing rendition of "The Weight". Later on in the show he played Aja (probably because of Steve Gadd being on the drums) and Reelin' In The Years. Both sounded a bit rough compared to the polish of Steely Dan.

A great night of music... many other great performers: Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, and more!

Date: Fri, March 16, 2018, 02:00:22 ET
Posted by: BadSneakers, NYC

Did anyone else catch Donald Fagen at The Beacon Theater on Thursday 3/15?
"Love Rocks NYC"

The house band featured Paul Shaffer, Will Lee, Steve Gadd and others.
Fagen played twice during the show ...

First a crowd-pleasing rendition of "The Weight". Later on in the show he played Aja (probably because of Steve Gadd being on the drums) and Reelin' In The Years. Both sounded a bit rough compared to the polish of Steely Dan.

A great night of music... many other great performers: Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, and more!

Date: Thurs, March 15, 2018, 01:42:08 ET
Posted by: Abu, Monkeying Around?

Hey,Don B... any tidbits about the new MH album coming out? Guest artists, perhaps? ...Anxiously awaiting the new one...

Date: Wed, March 14, 2018, 23:17:20 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Who are these children?
By William Soutar (1941)

With easy hands upon the rein,
And hounds at their horses feet,
The ladies and the gentlemen
Ride through the village street.

Brightness of blood upon the coats
And on the women�s lips:
Brightness of silver at the throats
And on the hunting whips.

Is there a dale more calm, more green
Under this morning hour;
A scene more alien than this scene
Within a world at war?

Who are these children gathered here
Out of the fire and smoke
That with remembering faces stare
Upon the foxing folk?

Date: Wed, March 14, 2018, 19:50:15 ET
Posted by: ,

Is this an inspiration for Your Gold Teeth II? I haven�t heard this mentioned ever.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Are_These_Children%3F

Date: Sun, March 11, 2018, 18:49:19 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

There's a new high quality version of Were You Close Today up on WalterBeckerMedia.com:

https://www.walterbeckermedia.com/forum/rarities-unreleased/were-you-close-today

This was copyrighted in '97 but is presumably from the 11TOW sessions. The album was originally going to feature The Lost Tribe (the band on this track, as well as Lucky Henry, Hat Too Flat, Surf And/or Die and perhaps some I'm forgetting) as the backing band for the whole album, but at some point (perhaps when DF came aboard?) things were retooled and the demos were used as the basis for the tracks. So this is a window into the album that could have been.

The song itself is pretty great, too.

Date: Sun, March 11, 2018, 18:40:17 ET
Posted by: Geezer, here & now

A great quality Walter track uploaded a few days ago and most of the comments on here are about Beyonce.

I was excited to hear Fima Ephron's bass line, which wasn't as easy to pick out in the first upload. Walter's voice sounding as good as its ever sounded. Typically great Walter lyrics. "Did you get some on ya?" indeed. I'm really looking forward to whatever the Walter Becker Media or estate or whoever is running things over there does next. Part of the staggering sense of loss I felt at Walter's death was the idea that now I'd never get any more Walter. And now here's new Walter. It goes a long way to remind me why that was such a loss and ease it just a little at the same time.

Anybody else dig Were You Close Today? Or am I the only one listening to those guys from Steely Dan while you're worrying about former members of Destiny's Child?

Gzr

Date: Sun, March 11, 2018, 14:45:11 ET
Posted by: Gerry, P

Imagine if there was this type of argument for every time there was a story of a celebrity "athlete" or "musician" or "actor" or "chef" who had dubious credentials at their trade.

Date: Sun, March 11, 2018, 13:37:09 ET
Posted by: Sargeant Hulka, Our New Big Toe

It was an off-the-cuff joke at Beyonc�'s expense. Lighten up, Francis.

Date: Sun, March 11, 2018, 12:42:45 ET
Posted by: popegreg, MKE

For fans of such a musically inventive band as Steely Dan, some of you are really tiring with your Grampa Simpson-esque pronouncements.

A singer is not a musician? Really? OK. And bepop wasn't music because you couldn't dance to it? Rock n'roll is just noise? Hip hop is just even noisier noise. Disco sucks? Please.

A lot of those attitudes are really prejudicial and were historically based on bigotry. I'm not saying that any of you are bigots, but I also won't value the opinion of someone who makes those broad pronouncements on any other matter.

Personally, if there's something I don't like I prefer to say, "It's not really my thing" and just get on with finding stuff I like rather than denigrate things I don't like or understand. There's plenty of great music being produced today and there always has been. That's fine if you want the stay in your lane, but I'm a fan of Music myself and Music is a very broad subject of interest.

Hey less than 2 months until the tour starts!!!

Date: Sun, March 11, 2018, 12:10:38 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

"Just to clarify, I found the reference to "Beyonce" as a "musician" pretty chuckle-worthy mjust because I've always had this belief that a musician is someone who plays an instrument, or who reads or writes music, or who has some knowledge of composition or music theory, and so on. For whatever reason, I've never included dancers, people who mime to pre-recorded sounds, gimmick performers with a contrived image, or other novelty entertainers in the "musicians" category."

Well, shoot, I don't read.

I've been dutifully working a guitar for 25 years now, sometimes even playing it well, but I can't read and I've absolutely no knowledge of composition and theory -- at least not instruction and insight anywhere near that of a professional performer (not musician) like Beyonce.

I suppose, in spite of all that I thought about myself and what I had to offer anyone that wanted to hear my music, I suppose that I'm not a "musician." At least if Beyonce missed the cut, I sit on the sidelines in happenin company.

Good thing Donald and Walter were never caught miming to a pre-recorded track, a single cut for radio airplay, on national broadcast television.

Date: Sat, March 10, 2018, 10:32:06 ET
Posted by: Moe Green, red faced

Minor correction for my last (and hopefully final) post - Silly me, "mjust" isn't even a word, any more than some awful manufactured tabloid-fodder celebrity who dances & lip-synchs is a musician! The word I wanted to use, but was too clumsy to type properly, was "just". Heartfelt apologies to any who may have been re-offended.

Date: Sat, March 10, 2018, 10:17:20 ET
Posted by: Moe Green, Behind Muley's Roundhouse

Hey Chicago Guy! Thanks for your response to my post here! Just to clarify, I found the reference to "Beyonce" as a "musician" pretty chuckle-worthy mjust because I've always had this belief that a musician is someone who plays an instrument, or who reads or writes music, or who has some knowledge of composition or music theory, and so on. For whatever reason, I've never included dancers, people who mime to pre-recorded sounds, gimmick performers with a contrived image, or other novelty entertainers in the "musicians" category.

But like you say, that's just me believing that I know what I'm talking about. I'm glad that you found that concept funny, because I was just trying to add my two cents worth here, and definitely not trying offend a hard-core "Beyonce" fan like yourself. It's all good - I can enjoy my concept of what a musician is (or isn't - see above for details), and you can enjoy whatever it is that 2017's Highest Paid Musician [sic] does! Cheers!

Date: Sat, March 10, 2018, 09:16:00 ET
Posted by: Jimmie, ol

SD is conspicuously missing from this girl's videos of drum covers. I wonder if that's Irving Azoff's doing or SD is just too hard.

https://www.youtube.com/user/sinadrumming

Date: Fri, March 09, 2018, 19:17:23 ET
Posted by: Walter Becker Media, walterbeckermedia.com

https://www.walterbeckermedia.com/forum/rarities-unreleased/were-you-close-today

Updated audio quality. Hear it again for the first (or twenty-seventh) time.

Date: Fri, March 09, 2018, 18:39:58 ET
Posted by: Just me, Chicago

Moe Green said, �I liked the part where that Billy Joel article referred to "Beyonce" as a "musician". That's some funny stuff!�

No, it�s not �some funny stuff�.

Here�s what�s funny: You believing you know what you�re talking about.

Date: Wed, March 07, 2018, 21:27:02 ET
Posted by: Moe Green, Tri- City area

I liked the part where that Billy Joel article referred to "Beyonce" as a "musician". That's some funny stuff!

Date: Wed, March 07, 2018, 21:03:30 ET
Posted by: Roger, H

https://qz.com/1215995/billy-joel-is-touring-again-because-albums-dont-make-money/

Mention of Fagen and his comparable plight.

Date: Wed, March 07, 2018, 12:05:02 ET
Posted by: Amy, Outer anywhere, USA

Matt,

Your reply to Doug, if it was not the best thing I ever read, was, at the very least, the funniest thing I'll read all day. Touch�, sir!.

Date: Wed, March 07, 2018, 09:50:19 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga

Doug,

The actual best thing I've ever read is either Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey or Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov or this masterwork I saw scrolled on the walls of the Cadek Conservatory men's room in the summer of 1990. But I keep reading hoping that the next book will be the next best one I've ever read.

In fact, that article isn't even the best article about Walter's death or Steely Dan. but I was using this literary device referred to as hyperbole, exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. I assumed that the combination of my glowing statement and the obvious lack of quality in the actual piece would spell that plain, but you miss all the shots you don't take, or some shit like that.

I did find the mangled multi-translated take amusing, and some of the resulting language downright hilarious. As with anything that any of us find humorous, there is room for subjective and/or quantitative disagreement. Sorry to induce you to waste your valuable click.

Date: Wed, March 07, 2018, 01:45:05 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Doug: May I introduce you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-6Axpqeuik

Date: Tues, March 06, 2018, 16:56:43 ET
Posted by: doug, LA

Matt- "This may be the best thing I've ever read"

Please, please tell that you're just kidding about the above statement. You got to be fucking kidding me!! There was noting in that article that was funny. Was that pyt together from a Russian bot? I thought SD fans were supposed to have a keen sense of humor? The best thing you've ever read? Holy shit. SMFH!

Date: Tues, March 06, 2018, 00:37:24 ET
Posted by: CJB, YVR

Was someone asking for "Megashine City"? Nice demo version up here, along with a bunch of other rarities, on Big Public Site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpm5ZSHKRyg

Date: Mon, March 05, 2018, 18:59:00 ET
Posted by: Ned, L

She was on maternity leave in '08.

Date: Mon, March 05, 2018, 18:50:34 ET
Posted by: OrangeTom, NoLongerInBackwoods

Where's Carolyn? Was she boycotting that tour because of the bizarre Jetsons-style outfits the other background singers had to wear?

Date: Mon, March 05, 2018, 14:06:01 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

I must have watched that Cincinnati show a dozen times. IMO, it's one of the best late-period (post '03) shows in circulation. Love the opening run of EGGTM>Fez>Royal Scam>I Got The News>Show Biz Kids>Everything You Did. A bunch of deep cuts to open - and SEGUES!

TvN had just snuck back into the rotation in 07, New Frontier hadn't been played in ages (and wouldn't be played for ages after this year), Show Biz Kids was still pretty fresh, Parker's Band wasn't around since 03, and fuck it, I love Walter's version of Gaucho.

And this soundboard gives us a lot of Freddie Washington, whose tasty fills and subtle feel changes often go unnoticed due to the nature of live sound in cavernous venues like the Haliburton Center for the Performing Arts.

Hell, even the band intro song was hot in '08.

Date: Mon, March 05, 2018, 11:33:00 ET
Posted by: Matt, Down the River

http://www.dandom.com/hey19/items/show/83

Recently identified as being the July 13, 2008 show in Cincinnati, Ohio, we're happy to announce that this rap is now online.

Thanks to Hans Jonkhof for the initial submission, and to a team of former cosmonaut trainees for pointing us to the full show online, viewable at:

https://ok.ru/video/91896089203

Date: Fri, March 02, 2018, 20:53:12 ET
Posted by: Steely Director, NOLA

Great link, Matt. Haven't laughed that hard in a long time. That article is full of gems, but one of my favorites concerns "You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It Or You'll Lose That Beat". Now we know why that movie wasn't a bigger hit...it just needed a catchier title: "You Gotta Carriage It Passion You Prate It or You�ll Mislay that Cadence".

Date: Fri, March 02, 2018, 14:26:10 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Matt,

That's right. The "Grass Roots" group that scored the big hits was the 3rd Fake Group the producers put together.


Ironic that this Steely Dan touring band is mostly unchanged for nearly 20 years aside the sad loss of Walter... and previously Cornelius.

Date: Fri, March 02, 2018, 10:46:55 ET
Posted by: Vic Hedges, Melonvile

Thanks for the link, Matt. The end quote pretty much puts it all in perspective:

"Fagen summed up Becker�s donation to common heavy metal compactly and accurately, stating, �he was brainy, an champion musician and a fat composer.� "

I for one am very thankful for online translation services. At least in this case.

Date: Thurs, March 01, 2018, 22:07:30 ET
Posted by: Matt, Deep South

This may be the best thing I've ever read:

http://worldeducation.220w.net/walter-becker-1950-2017-paying-tribute-to-the

Date: Thurs, March 01, 2018, 21:07:20 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Matt, it's good to know that there's someone here who gets my occasional The Office references. Creed Bratton, indeed.

Date: Wed, February 28, 2018, 12:07:57 ET
Posted by: Matt, On the fast lane of the information superhighway

Doc,

So you're saying that wasn't all Creed Bratton?

I think those two producers replaced everyone in the band two or three times. So odd to think that there were quite a few bands where all of the album music was performed by LA session guys (The Wrecking Crew) and then a handful of dudes went out to tour the music they had no hand in creating.

Reminds me of the Fake Zombies...if you haven't heard that story...wherein two different American bands toured as the disbanded English group The Zombies after that band's song "Time of the Season" became an American hit, though neither touring band had any association with the original recording unit. One of these fake Zombie bands counted as members Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, who would later keep the Zombie Z and double down with Billy Gibbons to form ZZ Top.

Further (out) reading:

The True Story Of The Fake Zombies, The Strangest Con In Rock History https://www.buzzfeed.com/danielralston/the-true-story-of-the-fake-zombies-the-strangest-con-in-rock?utm_term=.hx095qZbw

Date: Tues, February 27, 2018, 17:23:09 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Oh, and the Hal Blaine connection (Any World)...

Date: Tues, February 27, 2018, 17:11:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Matt, Don,


The Grass Roots was a vehicle for 2 LA Producers, Steve Barri and PF Sloan, and arguably on the Milli Vanilli side of The Monkees. or the Partridge Family or whatever.


Barri and Sloan definitely sought out songwriters for the hit maker machinery behind the popular song...

Temptation Eyes - 2 bars into this iconic 60s pop/bubblegum it's clear the studio band is the Wrecking Crew. Sho' 'nuff

Sooner or Later

Midnight Confession

Pure Confectionary - catchy and professional.


Not much Roots about them. The "face band"for the late 60/early 70s hits was the 3rd grass Roots fake group, snagged from a Battle of the Bands contest.


So a fake band in a different way than Steely Dan became a fake band beginning with Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied.

Date: Tues, February 27, 2018, 10:10:27 ET
Posted by: Matt, Gig City

Fred,

That is Bob Dylan's Ring Them Bells from his 1989 release, Oh Mercy.

It is generally regarded as one of Dylan's best songs, certainly one of the best from that period.

If you're only a casual Dylan fan, or even not really a Dylan fan at all, I think Oh Mercy is a fucking great album, with some of the best tracks he's ever committed to tape.

Date: Tues, February 27, 2018, 00:15:06 ET
Posted by: Fred, DE

Anyone know what song this is that Fagen sings?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNjoLUXkmwo

Date: Mon, February 26, 2018, 22:53:51 ET
Posted by: Nate, PA (hate it here)

There's this really cool radio station that broadcasts up in Minneapolis. One show that airs at around midnight on Fridays, Crap From the Past. (you might've heard of them because they were the first to play Ready N' Steady by D.A.) But anyway, recently, recently being Sep of 2017, they played the Second Arrangement on the radio which is unheard of.
https://archive.org/details/cftp-2017-09-15
Just thought this was pretty interesting. Everything else played that night was regular Dan stuff and other shit.

Date: Mon, February 26, 2018, 14:27:55 ET
Posted by: Abu, Pulling it out by the (Grass) Roots

Thanks Matt for your thoughts. No doubt you're right. IMHO, Midnight Confessions ('68) and Temptation Eyes ('70) were fairly decent Top 40 songs by the Grass Roots. When I first started listening to Top 40 radio, it was February of 1972. They came out with Glory Bound on Feb 24th, which I liked as well.

Date: Mon, February 26, 2018, 07:38:49 ET
Posted by: Clete, W

The name of that crossword puzzle is "Kinda Sorta", which explains why an answer would be Steely Danish.

Date: Sun, February 25, 2018, 10:51:45 ET
Posted by: Sunday, Reading

An old EW review of TvN that I hadn't seen before.

http://ew.com/article/2000/03/06/two-against-nature/

Date: Sun, February 25, 2018, 08:08:00 ET
Posted by: Flipkid, Hanging in there

Dangenetal:

From today's LA Times crossword puzzle, 48 Across: "Pastry with a metallic taste?"

Answer: "Steely Danish"

Date: Sun, February 25, 2018, 08:07:17 ET
Posted by: Flipkid, Hanging in there

Dangenetal:

From today's LA Times crossword puzzle, 48 Across: "Pastry with a metallic taste?"

Answer: "Steely Danish"

Date: Sat, February 24, 2018, 13:40:30 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Abu, I think that song is only in the database because it was mentioned in a 1974 Rolling Stone article:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/steely-dan-comes-up-swinging-19740815
which confirms it was never recorded. The thing is that, like much else, it might just have been bullshit. I could see Gary Katz thinking it was a funny joke to lie about a song called Tell Me a Lie.
I would assume that if it were real, Walter and Donald likely made a demo of it that the guys from Grass Roots might hve later heard. I don't think they were submitting songs via sheet music.

Interesting one to add to the wishlist.

Date: Sat, February 24, 2018, 13:39:40 ET
Posted by: DonBreithaupt, Los Angeles

I had a couple of Grassroots singles as a little kid, but man � was there ever a more unintentionally hilarious idea than having Becker + Fagen write for that group?

Date: Fri, February 23, 2018, 19:48:45 ET
Posted by: Abu, Sounds Like?

Anyone ever hear Tell Me a Lie, written by Becker & Fagen? I believe the Grass Roots never recorded it. At least Hans Verlouw's SD Database says so. But what about this "Sound Alikes"? Is there an actual recording of the song that anyone has ever heard? The SD Database also says "Studio Musicians" might have recorded it. Quite vague, it seems. Anyone have any info about it?

Thanks, Matt from Chatt, TN for your great list of unreleased tracks you posted on 02/13.

Date: Fri, February 23, 2018, 12:14:19 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Audio clip of Walter's rap from the July 21, 2013 show of the Mood Swings tour in Toronto, Canada.

Enjoy!

http://www.dandom.com/hey19/items/show/122

Date: Thurs, February 22, 2018, 10:33:06 ET
Posted by: Helper, Interwebs

JoeM,

Email walterbeckermusic AT gmail.com and we'll try to get it fixed for you.

Sorry you've had any problem at all.

Date: Thurs, February 22, 2018, 08:22:41 ET
Posted by: JoeM, CT

Great new forum over at WB.com. Seeing a lot of old familiar faces over there! Very exciting indeed.

Don't know about the rest of you - but I'm not able to post, upload photo's, view comments, respond to comments, etc. on the site and I've tried every browser in my possession - IE, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari...

Was wondering if anyone else was having this difficulty and maybe has a solution. Probably just a Windows Internet setting of some sort.

Date: Wed, February 21, 2018, 20:40:15 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

If only William Ethane had invoked this Gaucho Amigo, perhaps inquiring about his clothing choices, rather than some unknown Dr. Amigo, he might have found some takers here.

Date: Wed, February 21, 2018, 17:48:54 ET
Posted by: Matthew, Kerns

Heya, Robert Davidson, send me an email to matthewrkerns@gmail.com and I'll get you the file.

Date: Wed, February 21, 2018, 16:38:11 ET
Posted by: William Ethane, usa

I want to use this medium to thank powerful Dr Amigo wonders for helping me get my broken home back after my wife of 12 years left me for another lady. Two months ago my wife filed for a divorce through her lawyer when we had no issues at all. i was surprised because our family was a very happy one with three beautiful kids that even neighbors were jealous of us. i never knew a man she met at the mall cast a spell on her so she would love him alone and forget about her family. i tried all ways to reach her and make peace ordinarily but i could not because the potency of the spell was so high on her that she could not even get herself. a friend of mine who felt pity for me introduced me to Dr Amigo through his email so i contacted Dr Amigo and told him all about my marital problems. He assured me that he will help me and that my wife will be back to me in 24 hours, i trusted him because he had worked for my friend who wont stop testifying about him. To my greatest surprise, after 24 hours of contacting Dr Amigo and following his advice to provide for what he requested, my wife called and was begging and immediately came back to us and now we are happy family again. i cant stop thanking Dr Amigo and his entire temple. i advice anyone out there with any relationship or marriage problem to contact him immediately for help Google his name as Dr Amigo the online spell caster.

Date: Wed, February 21, 2018, 14:17:57 ET
Posted by: Robert Davidson, looking for help

I absolutely LOVE "Were You Close Today" but I can't seem to figure out how to download it even though it's described as "available for download" according to the website. I grabbed the MP4 videos from WB.com using the "right click" method, but that's not working for me on this one. Can somebody here who's more tech-oriented that I am ("everybody", I assume!) help me? I don't want this one to come down before I can grab it for future listening pleasure! Thanks in advance.

Date: Wed, February 21, 2018, 08:29:09 ET
Posted by: Jon, @his yellow stripe

I am loving that Reuben Fowler Big Band interpretation, if for no other reason than the piano break and outro horn arrangement is so sweet.

Date: Wed, February 21, 2018, 07:53:00 ET
Posted by: Peter Jones, Chiswick, London

There's a highly talented young musician/big band arranger here in London called Reuben Fowler.

He has released a fabulous (and highly respectful of the original) version of Black Cow.

Very fine musicians, and the great Hamish Stuart (AWB) on vocals.

It's available for streaming. And proceeds to oesophageal cancer research - a nice touch.

I love it. I suspect readers of this forum will too.

More at this excellent music blog: www.thebluemoment.com

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 23:02:11 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

I know this has already been referenced and posted, but in case folks are scrolling through quickly:

There is a previously unheard Walter Becker outtake available for download here:

https://www.walterbeckermedia.com/forum/c32bdab6/were-you-close-today

A number of 11TOW outtakes have been floating around for years but this is something completely different, with a live band. 11TOW was originally going to feature "The Lost Tribe" as the backing band on each track. Things changed and they only appeared on a few, with WB's demos becoming the basis for most of the other songs. But The Lost Tribe recorded an album's worth of material, if not more. To my knowledge this is the first outtake with The Lost Tribe to surface.

Point is, it's a "big fuckin' deal."

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 21:05:36 ET
Posted by: ,

That was an amazing breakdown of Kid C. How did he separate the instrument tracks that way?

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 20:58:44 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

The latest edition of the Dandom Digest was sent out in the past hour or so. It covers January 11-February 20, 2018. (The previous Dandom Digest covered January 1-10, 2018.)

The following are the subjects/headlines of the items in the latest newsletter:

Happy Birthday, Walter!
New Walter Becker Newsletter
Check Out Walter's Hey 19 Raps...
***REDUX: Walter Becker Media Project Update***
100+ Clips of Walter's "Hey 19"
2011 Beacon "Hey 19" Rap
REDUX: Walter Takes It to the Streets
New Walter Becker Gallery Pics
Da Fra Lippo Lippi skulle ta Amerika
DF on upcoming Tour
Love Rocks NYC Bene Featured DF
Spinal Tap Bassist Returns with Solo LP featuring DF
2000 Vh-1 StoryTellers with SD on YouTube
Interview with Jon Herington
Mike McD Briefly talks W+D
Story on Connor Kennedy
Chuck Rainey Interview
W+D, song, play on newly released Denny Doherty Oldies Collection
Elliot Scheiner on Mixing SD
Jeff Porcaro on Black Friday, more
Why Do People Hate Jazz?
Grammy In Memoriam
Fresh Air's Best Appreciation of WB

...followed by PRETZEL LOGIC

====

If you are a subscriber, you should have already received it. If you don't see it, check your spam filters first; then, if it's not there, please email me at jjmckay AT me DOT com.

As I regularly remind subscribers, some people have problems with delivery of the Dandom Digest, usually because of their spam filters, firewalls, etc. That's why this sort of notice is posted here--so you are aware that you should have received the latest edition. Heck, if you want, email me privately that you did get it. With email filters and spam what they are today, there can be some issues beyond our control. For example, many work-place email servers reject email that it scans as having a naughty word.

If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to receive the free Dandom Digest email newsletter, please email me at jjmckay AT me DOT com or see http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest/.

Also, if you wrote something for this most recent Dandom Digest and it didn't appear, please email me as well.

For the record, the Dandom Digest is a fan newsletter with content written by and for the fans of Steely Dan. The newsletter and its content is independent of, nor to be confused with, the glorious and much more glamorous official newsletters from steelydanofficial.com, sdarchive.com, walterbecker.com, donaldfagen.com and other sites of Steely Dan and associates.

---

Thanks to all who contributed to the latest edition of the Dandom Digest, be it through the emailing digest AT dandom DOT com or through posting to our BlueBook guestbook or Facebook page; or tweeting @dandomdotcom.

As always, thank you for your support and writings through the years, especially Pete and Shari, always Matt, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Winterbottom, and especially thinking of Mark, Bill, and Fezzie, and purposely not to mention a couple of people who request anonymity. And now of course in special way, Walter.

Fly about as low, be so cool,

Jim

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 20:14:38 ET
Posted by: The Greater Dandom, Everywhere

Happy Birthday, Walter!

👏🎈🍾🥂🍷🎂🍧🚙🏎🎺🎷🎹🎧🎼🎸🌹🙏☮️💟

Thanks for everything!

We miss you more than ever...

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 15:24:07 ET
Posted by: Gus Winterbottom, El Segundo, CA

HouDanFan,

Regarding this year's touring band, the only information I have so far is from this link:

http://latanyahall.com/gig/la-tanya-hall-joins-steely-dan-2018-summer-tour-2/

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 12:12:15 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

HouDanFan - I don't think it's been officially announced anywhere, but word on the street is it's the same band as always.

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 03:39:45 ET
Posted by: Greg, Dunedin, NZ

Not sure this is old or not, but radio interview with DF on upcoming tour:

http://www.kkgl.com/2018/02/19/donald-fagen-from-steely-dan/

Date: Tues, February 20, 2018, 01:23:28 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga, Tennessee

https://www.walterbeckermedia.com

Happy birthday Walter.

Thanks, for everything.

Date: Mon, February 19, 2018, 18:41:26 ET
Posted by: HouDanFan, Houston

I�ll admit I�m not tech savvy and haven�t been keeping up. I can�t seem to find out who is touring with band this year. Any assistance would be nice.

Date: Mon, February 19, 2018, 14:51:14 ET
Posted by: hoops, Thanks, Dean!

To reduce some spam problems, I've reworked some scripts. You may need to do a reload/refresh this page before clicking the "Post" button and posting.

Thanks, especially to Dean,

Jim

Date: Sun, February 18, 2018, 13:56:25 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Holy ****, that's great, Dave!

What an amazing breakdown of KidC. Elegant de-csontruction of the main Carlton solo, which given the chord changes on the fly is a performance that would actually exceed say Pavarotti's vocal rendition of Nessun Dorma.

Date: Sun, February 18, 2018, 11:54:48 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

Has everyone seen this? https://youtu.be/xKIC9zbSJoE

In other news, the track by track breakdown of credits is coming along nicely. I�ve been working with some of you as well as Robustelli. I�m going to post it on the Steve Hoffman forum when we feel comfortable with it. And of course here as well.

Date: Fri, February 16, 2018, 20:50:51 ET
Posted by: Question,

That�s what prompted the question. I was enjoying Hejira and started wondering. Would seem more plausible than Elvis on a Dan album. Though you never know.

Date: Thurs, February 15, 2018, 23:21:23 ET
Posted by: Chris , Nh

Forgot that Jaco was a sideman (of sorts) for Joni Mitchell.

Date: Thurs, February 15, 2018, 19:56:03 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Matt,


That has to be a nearly definitive list.


Here's Stand By the Seawall. Has a real Sea Level fusion flavor - superb musicianship. Gadd and Rainey rule on this one. Not sure about the piano - it may be Joe Sample, although Sweet exclaims it's Omartian...and the little figure at the end suggests Omartian Carlton on guitar. Superb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7EkDDzpPrk

Date: Thurs, February 15, 2018, 13:20:52 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

That's an odd question, unless there's more back story there. To my knowledge Jaco didn't do a lot of (any?) session work after Bright Size Life, it was mostly Weather Report and his own stuff. For that matter you might as well ask why Miles Davis or Elvis didn't appear on any Steely Dan releases.

Date: Thurs, February 15, 2018, 10:47:57 ET
Posted by: Question,

Anyone know why Jaco Pastorius never played with SD?

Date: Wed, February 14, 2018, 08:11:15 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

I am considered by my friends, many of whom are Steely Dan fans, to be an el supremo Steely Dan Fan. I consider myself to be a fan who makes an above average effort to learn about the music and the band, and to see them when possible. But sometimes there is a post on the blue like Matt's that makes me realize that I'm little more than a piker, an amateur student, and that there are PhD's in SD out there who have invested time, effort, and money far beyond my efforts. Many thanks to those on the blue who share knowledge, information, and insight.

Date: Tues, February 13, 2018, 19:36:03 ET
Posted by: SD, trivia

Final Jeopardy is correct with the answer Gaslighting Abbie. And if you're still trying to figure out the sequence, it's by way of the lyric "fifteen watt bulbs."

Date: Tues, February 13, 2018, 15:05:55 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga

This list was posted on the bluebook back in October of 2012, and is a good place to start on thinking about unicorns, those rare mythical creatures that just might exist, but are not currently corralled at the SD zoo.

Unreleased Tracks from the Pre-Dan years (1968-1971)

Bus Driver is a Fruitcake
Taking a Dip With Dinah (Kenny Vance - Lost and Found: Archives, Vol. 2)
Footprints on the Moon
One ticket to L.A.
Surreal
Shuffling Up Your Downs (Kenny Vance - Lost and Found: Archives, Vol. 1)
Burn Baby Burn
Be Tender
Anyway You Want It
Oh Mr. Lyle
Number One
Tell it to the Fat man
Stand by the Seawall (was this a pre-Dan AND an Aja rarity?)
Who Got the Credit?
Burnin and Freezin
Giles of the River (known to exist, but rare)

Becker and Fagen Freelance songwriter years (1971-72)

I Mean to Shine (Barbra Streisand)
Proud to be your Slave (Diamond Head)
Canyon Ladies (Navasota)
Giles of the River (John Kay)
Runnin Child (Christoffer Kearney)
Tell me a Lie (The Grass Roots/Sound Alikes)
Jones (Thomas Jefferson Kaye - Video of Walter singing this with alt lyrics on wb.com)
American Lovers (Thomas Jefferson Kaye - performed at Rarities night)
Turn My Friend Away (Linda Hoover)

Can't Buy a Thrill Sessions

Sacajawea (some people who aren't me have this one, rare)
Roaring of the Lamb (not the pre-Dan demo?)
Runnin' Child (in circulation)
Gullywater (in circulation)
Dr. Udu's Proto Man

Tracks written specifically for David Palmer during their first tour (1972-73)

Megashine City (in circulation, Fagen vocals)
Take my Money
Hellbound Train
My Boyfriend's Back

Countdown to Ecstacy sessions
Razor Boy (Reggae version)
Countdown to Ecstacy (Title track)
Gold Teeth (Different arrangement from what made the album)

Pretzel Logic Sessions

The Rolling Man (This All Too Mobile Home studio version, different lyrics)

Katy Lied sessions

Funky Driver (instrumental) (in circulation)
Mr. Sam (in circulation)
I got the News (Alternate version) (in circulation)

Aja sessions

Were you Blind that Day (in circulation)
Stand by the Seawall
Shanghai Breakdown
The Bear (in circulation)

Gaucho Sessions

The Second Arrangement (in circulation)
Kind Spirit (in circulation)
Kulee Baba (in circulation)
Talkin about my Home (in circulation)
I Can't Write Home About You (demo in circulation - rumored complete version not)
Heartbreak Souvenir

Songs from Steely Dan's second generation, live copies may exist, but what about studio versions?

Cash Only Island
Wet Side Story
Carrie (Joni Mitchell cover)

Song titles from the copyright database (No futher information)

Asleep In Your Car/In my Car
Miss Irma (possibly an Aja outtake)

Date: Tues, February 13, 2018, 05:01:19 ET
Posted by: Pedants, R us

LOL - I am so relieved! .. and there's no charge, by the way !

Date: Mon, February 12, 2018, 23:31:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

French culture, particularly of the period, was well noted for being highly critical, and those receiving punishment or who were victims clearly deserved it.


Thus a lecherous loser as an addict of the sensual pleasures of fine women, wine would fit well into the Steely Dan A Rebours (Against Nature) theme, influenced by the Joris-Karl Huysmans absurdist novel (where Two Against Nature draws its name). The aesthete antihero, who retreats from bourgeois society and lives in a bubble of decadent pleasure is mirrored by the character in Second Arrangement. So it's not the broken wheel connotation that is as compelling as the libertine philanderer.


While Second Arrangement was never released, perhaps its "soul" lived on and permeated the TAN album 20 years later, as the next studio Steely Dan release....


Second ---> (W&D) --> Two A Rebours --> Against Nature


So I am convinced now to go with the Anglicized "Rou�."

The Rou� (Roo) steps out.
With no regrets.
A sparkling conscience.
A new address.

Date: Mon, February 12, 2018, 22:15:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Roue - without an accent is pronounced "Ra-oo" It translates as a "wheel."

Rou� - means broken on the wheel. The wheel was a torture device Rou� also can mean a man devoted to sensual pleasure. A rake. It is pronounce "Roo-ay."


French is very, very picky as I learned all too well from our French teacher from Orleans, France. Her specialty was correcting, barbing, torturing, and humiliating students. Miss Morris was built like a Charlie's Angel with the mind of a devil.



From Miriam-Webster:

"Rou� originated as a French word and gained momentum when it began to be used in reference to the libertine companions of Philippe II, France's regent from 1715-1723. Rou� means "broken on the wheel" in French and ultimately derives from Latin rota, meaning "wheel." Since the wheel being referred to was an instrument of punishment, the French were implying that such dissolute beings deserved this punishment. By the end of the 18th century, English-speakers added "rou�" to their list of synonyms for a rake, libertine, debaucher, lecher, etc."


So I can go along with Rou�, but mispronounced (Roue would be mispronounced as well), but hell, Par-ee is ParIS Anglicized.

Date: Mon, February 12, 2018, 05:15:42 ET
Posted by: Pedants, R us

Better clear this up - ROUE (no accent on the E) is a wheel - pronounced ROO. ROUE (with an accent that my keyboard won't produce) - pronounced ROO-AY - is someone who has been 'wheeled' ie. broken on the wheel of life. If I was inventing a character in that song I think 'La Roue' (pronounced ROO as we are all agreed is the sound in the lyric) would be a great idea because it hints at ALL of the above, while also just being a French sounding 'character name'. When you think of SD characters, isn't their very essence people who have been broken on the wheel of life ?

Date: Mon, February 12, 2018, 02:39:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Roue is pronounced "Roo-ay." Not "Roo."

Roi is pronounced "Rwaw." Not "Roo"


But then Donald had folks in Ghana speaking Italian, so who knows?

I'm still betting on Ruse... It could also sound like La Rue which means "street" in French, but I'm lost on the connection to the song, unless the notion is to portray this loser with a French surname as a scoundrel, a kept man, bouncing from lady to lady...his home is thus really the Street.

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 18:55:49 ET
Posted by: Updraught, Philly

Thanks, "roue" it is!

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 16:27:53 ET
Posted by: CJB, It's ROUE, guys

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 15:22:57 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

Roue,sounds about the best match for me.Refers to a broken man in french. The wheel or roue was a torture device in medieval France. To be "rouee" is to be broken on the wheel. Perhaps the wheel of life? Just sayin'.

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 13:00:42 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

lol Anthony Robustelli interprets the lyric as "The Rube"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdz1tQjpKGU


I think the live SD clip is down, but I couldn't understand Fagen's singing anyway...

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 11:17:47 ET
Posted by: Final Jeopardy, On location

Trivia: Gaslighting Abbie.

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 09:52:21 ET
Posted by: Pedants, R us

How about the French word ROUE which means a "debauched man, especially an elderly one". Sounds like every SD character ever.

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 00:53:16 ET
Posted by: Updraught, Philly Area

Or "le roi" (the king).

Date: Sun, February 11, 2018, 00:51:35 ET
Posted by: Updraught, Philly

On second thought, the word may be "roi" (king in french)

Date: Sat, February 10, 2018, 21:51:06 ET
Posted by: Updraught, Philly

I believe the word you are looking for is "rogue".

Date: Sat, February 10, 2018, 20:47:14 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Sounds like either "the ruse" or "LaRue".

Given the boys' preference for naming their characters, I've leaned toward "LaRue". I have a hard time making "ruse" work, given the context---but that doesn't mean it isn't the right lyric, either.

I've always figured it was probably something else, that if/when it is revealed I will say, "D'Oh! Of course."

Date: Sat, February 10, 2018, 14:54:18 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Just a small thing re: the lost Gaucho songs - as some of the demos are cleaned up.

It sounds like "The ruse steps out with no regrets." Ruse as in trick or ploy, used as a metaphor and replacement for the scoundrel's name; although, as usual, Walter and Donald interject some sympathy and humor into their loser character.

Probably not Le roux or Who or whatever else is out there.

Date: Sat, February 10, 2018, 12:52:57 ET
Posted by: Roger, M

Jeff Porcaro discusses recording Black Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vacPFeTEiVM&feature=youtu.be&t=3m37s

Date: Fri, February 09, 2018, 21:45:31 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

DonB: Ironic, since the Gaucho album's overriding theme is about the excesses of California, including their (now) former LA home. Drugs, money, discos, parties, hedonism, boat parties, sex parties, pyrotechnics, more drugs.

Date: Fri, February 09, 2018, 11:44:06 ET
Posted by: DonBreithaupt, Los Angeles

While we're on the subject, here's Steve Khan, talking to me for my Aja book: "On that session, Donald and Walter hardly said a word to me � almost nothing! I just played what I felt was right for the tune. I thought for certain that they were going to tell me to do something else. After a while, I asked Elliot Scheiner, 'Am I playing anything usable?' He answered, 'Yes, of course, they love what you�re doing. Otherwise, you would have heard something.' I think the problem is that, for some artists, when writers start labeling you a genius, it becomes much too heavy a cross to bear. It's some deep psychological shit, but I think it's why they could never finish anything, never let go of anything, never just say, that�s enough, let�s put it out. Having the unending budgets and the power of guaranteed sales is a license for abuse. How does one follow up on being a genius? Most of us don�t have to worry about that!"

Date: Fri, February 09, 2018, 09:21:20 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga

I had heard the Kenny Vance Shuffling Up Your Downs & Take a Dip...but had forgotten about them in the meantime.

Ms. Irma is an interesting one. I could never nail down if it is supposed to be an outtake from Katy Lied...or Aja. It would be great to hear it, you can't deny.

I've thought about establishing a proper online SD archive, where every article, live show, alternate lyrics, and recording is catalogued and enshrined. Lots of legal hurdles one would have to jump through. But I think Steely Dan/Becker/Fagen music as a case study of American pop music at the end of the 20th century works as well as anything else. Just like American history studies can focus on the life of William F. Cody as an interpretive framework for American attitudes and cultural exports at end of the 19th century, our boys are the product of many different cultural strands, and their work has reverberations in the cultural zeitgeist beyond just the music.

But there are a handful of collectors who have, and jealously guard, their goodies. I've heard the rumors of a copy or so of Sacajawea floating around, but no one with a copy has offered it to me. To be completely honest, I might have a track or two that isn't widely available, but I don't have any way to REALLY know, aside from just what's out on YouTube. I do know that every once in a while I hear of this guy or that guy that has an old tape...but rarely does it yield something to be added to this imaginary archive.

The other big dream/goal would be to amalgamate the great writing that has been done in service of this music by the greater Dandom, scattered about the various repositories, archives, and dark dank corners of the web. Jim has done a great job of keeping an archive of this site, which remains the BEST place for SD discussion on the web, if not the BUSIEST (largely because of the ease of use and ubiquity of Facebook), but Oleander's Fever Dreams, St. Al's Under the Banyan Trees, John G's Steely Dan Reader, Metal Leg. I'd love to, in the context of the archive I dreamed of above, parse the contents of all of these great sources (and more) out across the songs, shows, lyrics, music of SD/WB/DF.

In some ways, the Hey 19 Raps database is a bit of a proof of concept. It is very narrowly focused, but the format shows what is possible. The raps are arranged by date, the dates are arranged into collections by tour. Further, there are collections. For the moment there are only two, the Coachella festival in 2015, and the band's visits to the Beacon Theatre in NYC. I would love to see another contributor (all are welcome) offer suggestions or even offer to throw together a collection. For example, SD seemed to have a great relationship with Boston audiences, despite being New York boys. There is room for comments, or even essays. Further, users can (and have) submitted their own clips, remembrances, comments, pictures, and more. Even if you have nothing else to offer, you can transcribe a rap, which makes Walter's words searchable and adds to our understanding of his wit and talent.

Sorry for the wall of text. This is one of those things that gets me really excited, and has for a long time. I appreciate Jim immensely for this forum and his ongoing commitment not just to this band, which deserves it, but all of us, who often don't. Thanks!

Date: Fri, February 09, 2018, 07:49:18 ET
Posted by: Donald Rumsfeld-Fagen, Unknown unknown

pacific hiway: I've never heard of "Ms. Irma." What's the story on that one?

Date: Fri, February 09, 2018, 01:52:35 ET
Posted by: pacific hiway, south

Matt - don't forget Ms. Irma

Date: Thurs, February 08, 2018, 22:30:06 ET
Posted by: El Sup, Louisville, KY

Matt:

"Take a Dip with Dinah" was released on Kenny Vance's Lost and Found archives Volume 2, I think. Once again, it features Vance on vocals and you can buy the individual track from Amazon. It is fun little track.

A couple of people have Sacajawea but I jave yet to hear that one. The others I know bg name only but I'm sure they are around.

El Sup

Date: Thurs, February 08, 2018, 20:19:42 ET
Posted by: Donald Rumsfeld-Fagen, YouTube

Matt:

"Shuffling Up Your Downs" has been floating around for a while:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f23jPefNBxo

Kenny Vance on vox, string arrangement by Donald and Walter. From my understanding, this is the definitive version. I don't think there was a version with DF on vocals. If there is, such a version has certainly never escaped into the wild.

Date: Thurs, February 08, 2018, 19:37:36 ET
Posted by: SD, trivia

What's the next song in this sequence?

Pixeleen
Planet D'Rhonda
Two Against Nature
Miss Marlene
Everyone's Gone to the Movies
....

Date: Thurs, February 08, 2018, 12:42:00 ET
Posted by: Lee, G

"Not surprised Any World goes back that far."

It goes back even further, to the early years demos.

Date: Thurs, February 08, 2018, 09:03:52 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga

So do we have a list of supposed songs that were recorded, at least to some degree, but never heard?

What are the names of the unicorns?

Sacajawea
Tell It To The Fat Man
Be Tender
Burnin' and Freezin'
Oh Mr. Lyle
The Rolling Man
Shuffling Up Your Downs
Take a Dip With Dinah

Any other names we know?

Date: Wed, February 07, 2018, 20:02:53 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Nate,

Yeah that's consistent with an old Metal Leg interview:


The greatest concentration of work that I did for them was during the �rhythm section� dates for Gaucho.� At times fun, but a fundamentally excrutiating process� a process fallen victim to, in my opinion, the completely unnecessary excesses of big budget record production. As the years go by, I�m more likely to reflect on four of the tunes that were never finished than on what now remains on the recording� Songs like �Heartbreak Souvenir,� �I Can�t Write Home About You,� �Kulee Baba� and the now infamous �The Second Arrangement� (erased by an assistant engineer). In my opinion, it remains that there is at least one version of each of the aforementioned tunes that would have made any artist thrilled to have on their recording� Now, they�ll never be finished and never heard. I recall reminding Donald about how great �Heartbreak Souvenir� was with a track that featured some classic Bernard Purdie and Anthony Jackson� When one more song was needed to finish Gaucho, they decided to pull out �Third World Man,� (cut during the Aja sessions) as Donald felt that �Heartbreak Souvenir� would be �too hard to sing��


ML: Can you tell us more about the three other songs you mentioned: �Heartbreak Souvenir,� �I Can�t Write Home About You� and �Kulee Baba�?

SK: There�s not much to tell, but I can say without any hesitation that, to me, they were tremendous tunes� and I�m sorry that they never got completed.

http://steelydanreader.com/1991/01/01/metal-leg-15/#6

Date: Wed, February 07, 2018, 19:45:25 ET
Posted by: Nate, PA

I emailed Steve Khan earlier today about Heartbreak Souvenir and I got a response. Here's what he said.


"As for "Heartbreak Souvenir"? It was an actual track that we recorded during the "GAUCHO" sessions!!! And for me, the best interpretation was with Don Grolnick(Keys); Anthony Jackson(El. Bass) and Bernard Purdie(Drums). But I have never heard or seen a track that escaped the studio of our performance. Sorry that I can't be more detailed."

Date: Wed, February 07, 2018, 13:40:11 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Of all the pre-Dan songs in the can, Come Back Baby was one of my favorites. Could have been a hit single if pan-fried right. "My Old Man Never Told Me How" draws attention.

Date: Wed, February 07, 2018, 13:36:22 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Nate: Not surprised Any World goes back that far. So much better on Katy - it's in with the downer surrealism. Palmer? and Fagen on double lead vocals. Sounds more like Walter or Hodder though with The Don.

Date: Wed, February 07, 2018, 13:29:02 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Just observational.

It's amazing how this song becomes truer by the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=los9WulxBjM

Prophets!

Date: Wed, February 07, 2018, 11:26:45 ET
Posted by: Jack, L

I quit acknowledging farewell tours after tuning in to hear the "final" North American concert by The Who on Dec 17, 1982.

In 2008 I was at a World Series game in Philadelphia while The Who were next door performing.

That said, when artists in their 70s acknowledge a farewell tour it's probably credible.

Date: Wed, February 07, 2018, 11:03:28 ET
Posted by: Razor boy, Cicero

I suggest you catch SD on this tour .
Rock is dying :(
Paul Simon , Elton and Ozzy just to name a few are on farewell tours .
Father Time is catching up with all of us .
Appreciate DF and his band while you can.
RIP WB always in our ❤️

Date: Tues, February 06, 2018, 18:22:07 ET
Posted by: steelydoc, near the Tower

Court documents! Estate of Walter Becker Files to Dismiss Fagen lawsuit!


https://pitchfork.com/news/walter-beckers-estate-files-to-dismiss-donald-fagens-steely-dan-lawsuit/

Date: Tues, February 06, 2018, 16:31:56 ET
Posted by: Nate, PA

Wow, did they really consider Any World for Can't buy a Thrill? It's hard to imagine it on there.

Date: Tues, February 06, 2018, 14:45:09 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

I haven't seen this link posted, yet. Hope everyone in Danland is great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpm5ZSHKRyg

Date: Tues, February 06, 2018, 11:33:59 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

I think that's Skunk directing Walter to "stay there" while playing blues licks over Baxter's chords, at the end of that 'Come Back Baby' snippet, I've thought that for a month now and it destroys me every time.

I feel like Skunk tried, that he really tried.

Date: Mon, February 05, 2018, 20:41:15 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Brite White, I always considered King of the World, New Frontier, and Last Mall as the Cold War Trilogy. Then along comes Memorabilia and now it's a quartet.

Date: Sun, February 04, 2018, 20:35:10 ET
Posted by: Brite White, Flash

If songs like New Frontier and Memorabilia piqued your interest in the Cold War, check out the book Command and Control by Eric Schlosser. Fascinating reading.

Date: Sun, February 04, 2018, 02:39:36 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Correction on the 1st arrangement of the 2nd Arrangement:

Anthony Jackson on bass. Same core group as Glamour Profession.

Piano: Rob Mounsey
Rhodes: Donald Fagen
Rhythm guitar: Steve Khan
Bass: Anthony Jackson
Drums: Steve Gadd

Date: Sun, February 04, 2018, 02:30:08 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

This is a nice cover:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z231VlNUSE4

Date: Sun, February 04, 2018, 02:25:04 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Shark - that one's been out for > 15 years. It is indeed a full demo of the 2nd arrangement of the 2nd arrangement with vocals ;)

Nate's post is a full version of the original sans vocals, horn, lead guitar (which would have been overdubbed). there was initially a 16 sec fragment, then a much longer clip, and finally the full monty. I like to loping shuffle of the original considerably better.

Date: Sun, February 04, 2018, 01:49:26 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, up on the hill

this full backing track has been floating around for a few months at least, and it's interesting to note the 'arrangement' is different than the full band with vocal version we've heard, which is also the way they performed it in 2011 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8et-iZWHHqU)

whereas this one is arranged like the demo, with the alternate intro and bridge section. the first arrangement if you will (;

Date: Sat, February 03, 2018, 22:23:25 ET
Posted by: Nate, PA

Doc Mu - Can't really do much about the guitar, unless someone were to play the solo themselves and edit it in. I did see on Reddit that someone took the vocals from the Second Arrangement Piano Demo and put it over this one.

Date: Fri, February 02, 2018, 23:19:56 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Nate - wow, I've never heard the original, complete core track: drums, bass, rhythm guitar, piano, Rhodes


Very organic...especially in comparison with much of Gaucho.



So, who's playing here?

Piano: Rob Mounsey
Rhodes: Donald Fagen
Rhythm guitar: Steve Khan
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Drums: Steve Gadd (could be Porcaro, but now that I hear the full version, it seems like Gadd)


Sure would have loved to have heard the horns, guitar solo and goals with it...but, wow

Date: Thurs, February 01, 2018, 21:34:21 ET
Posted by: Nate, PA

I scrolled through the forum to see if there was any comment about the full length Second Arrangement being uploaded on YouTube, but I didn't find a single one. So, here it is. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sqHpBpI1yQM

I cried. Literally.

Date: Mon, January 29, 2018, 00:15:20 ET
Posted by: Chet, B

In case you ever wondered what Bullwinkle might sound like covering SD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weNcdO4g-vA&feature=youtu.be&t=55s

Date: Fri, January 26, 2018, 15:44:25 ET
Posted by: Ran, E

Story on Connor Kennedy

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/entertainment/2018/01/24/winter-hoot-spirit-hudson-valley-music-takes-spotlight/1037963001/

Date: Mon, January 22, 2018, 17:55:13 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown

Here, thanks for posting that link. Some nice shots.

Date: Mon, January 22, 2018, 10:11:06 ET
Posted by: Here, There

The Walter Becker site is updated with a gallery with many new/ unseen pictures! http://walterbecker.com/slidegeneral.html

Date: Sat, January 20, 2018, 22:49:59 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

My Guess, that's what I heard.

Date: Sat, January 20, 2018, 20:39:18 ET
Posted by: My Guess, US

Barrytown?

Date: Sat, January 20, 2018, 20:31:03 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Listen to the Beatles "Tell Me What You See" and a SD tune will leap to mind.

Date: Fri, January 19, 2018, 22:36:07 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Hans, I want to second Tom's thank you for posting the VH1 special. I've been looking for that for some time. While I would have prefered they squeeze in a bit more music in the alloted time, it was good to see Don and Walt relaxed and, seemingly, having fun. There were also a few very good shots taken---and appreciated.

Date: Fri, January 19, 2018, 19:31:51 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Danfans will probably dig this track from Steve Khan's Backlog release from 2017.

Cover of Stevie Wonder's Go Home.


Amazing tone and tasty runs! The rhythm section percolates - amazing use of space.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SorYqwLy2BA


Herington + Kennedy? Man, that would really cook. Kennedy was just smokin' on the Nightflyers Tour. It was kind of like a Countdown to Ecstasy Tour, reimagined and much better. Donald and the band were high energized, swinging, and rocking at the same time, while delivering a technically sophisticated, but aurally young version of THAT SOUND.

Date: Fri, January 19, 2018, 17:00:35 ET
Posted by: Tom W, CT

Hans, thank you SO much for uploading the Storytellers. I've been wanting to see it for ages. I couldn't watch it when it aired because I was 3 months away from being born. Thanks a bunch again.

Date: Fri, January 19, 2018, 11:43:27 ET
Posted by: Hans, Tiel

I upped Steely Dan VH-1 Storytellers and Youtube seems to accept it. Have fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MguExw6BCck&feature=youtu.be

Date: Fri, January 19, 2018, 09:41:57 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Barney, I LOVED the Nightflyers show, and Kennedy's playing in particular. But I definately missed the second guitar. And that isn't a criticism of Kennedy. From what I've heard of the Walter-less Dan performances, I miss the second guitar in those, as well. And I'm certainly not criticizing the playing of Jon or Larry.

Date: Thurs, January 18, 2018, 21:59:25 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

The Niteflyers show I attended, too, was marvelous and Kennedy is just an open tap. Wonderful player, smart dude.

Can't lose this summer.

Date: Thurs, January 18, 2018, 18:39:11 ET
Posted by: Steve Gennarelli & Friends, Tampa, FL & elsewhere

Yesterday on www.rollingstone.com, there was a short story blurb about Harry Shearer of "Spinal Tap" fame and "The Simpsons" too, releasing an LP of his Spinal Tap characters music.
Many big name musicians are guesting on the album including Peter Frampton and David Crosby. The legendary Donald Fagen will be joining Larry Carlton and fellow SD alumnus Skunk Baxter for one of the tunes.
Here's the link:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/spinal-tap-bassist-derek-smalls-returns-with-all-star-solo-lp-w515516

There was also a story on this last summer at another source:

http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2017/06/08/harry-shearer-to-release-spinal-tap-bassist-derek-smalls-solo-album/.

Date: Thurs, January 18, 2018, 17:48:38 ET
Posted by: BadSneakers, .

Steely Dan - May 27, 2017, Greenwich, CT
Walter Becker's final performance

https://vimeo.com/236172187
Full Show

Date: Thurs, January 18, 2018, 15:57:55 ET
Posted by: Ben Jammin, Indy

Maybe Derek Smalls will return's Donald's favor by joining Ready Freddie on a couple tunes this summer?

https://www.relix.com/blogs/detail/the_bassist_from_spinal_tap_is_releasing_his_first_solo_album?utm_source=Relix+Daily&utm_campaign=bd27a4ebe3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_486e6e4b54-bd27a4ebe3-25731077&mc_cid=bd27a4ebe3&mc_eid=a0ea23347e

Date: Thurs, January 18, 2018, 13:09:45 ET
Posted by: Barney Beacon, NJ

KD- You know what I missed during the Nightflers show? Absolutely nothing! It was perfect! In my opinion Connor Kennedy is Donald's guy. Not Jon Herington, not anymore.

Date: Thurs, January 18, 2018, 08:55:38 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

I wouldn't be against a solo lineup with Jon, he is a tasteful player that leaves a lot of room, and his contributions don't stray too far from the approach outlined by a lot of the bass guitar lines on the songs.

Some guitarists miss those cues, and I also feel that Jon is more tonally appropriate -- gotta shoot for that Luther Tucker or Jimmy Rogers start to things.

Date: Wed, January 17, 2018, 17:28:08 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

I second the addition of Wayne Krantz. He also played on Weather in My Head of Letterman. A GREAT live performance by the group!

Date: Tues, January 16, 2018, 22:49:04 ET
Posted by: ,

KD: I know what you mean, and I think Wayne Krantz was great on the Morph tour in combination with Jon Herington.

Date: Tues, January 16, 2018, 20:57:04 ET
Posted by: Ben Jammin, Indy

Here's a cool benefit at The Beacon featuring quite a lineup, especially The Donald:

http://www.jambands.com/news/2018/01/16/norah-jones-emmylou-harris-billy-f-gibbons-warren-haynes-donald-fagen-mavis-staples-and-more-to-perform-at-love-rocks-nyc-benefit/

Walter's tribute of "Book of Liars" was poignant in the mini- tour dates last fall. What might the summer shows include, if anything, as a salute to WB? I'd love for at least one of his solo tunes to be featured, as well as an instrumental medley jam of a few other of his gems.

Keep Warm, and Groove On!

Date: Sun, January 14, 2018, 10:46:35 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

I wish they could add a Walter Becker-style guitar player. I badly mean that, I missed it during the Niteflyers shows and in October, and I know they don't really exist (though if you give me two weeks practice ...)

Let's hope we can get to a warm summer, it's always good to see dates on the board, have fun out there everrrybody

Date: Sat, January 13, 2018, 21:53:34 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

As far as accuracy goes. What I�m doing now is narrowing everything down by process of elimination the best I can. If the song has been specifically credited (like on a greatest hits compilation, etc) then most if not all of it can be filled in. The first five albums except pretzel we have complete credits for in terms of who played what just not by each track. You�d be surprised how much of it can be filled in using old interviews, the various books that have been written, and then just basic observation (Michael Omartian's piano on Pretzel and Katy for example sort of sticks out like a sore thumb, if it doesn�t sound like him it�s gotta be one of only a few other key players). But I agree we�ll probably never know for sure.

Date: Sat, January 13, 2018, 20:26:45 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Dave - email on the way.

Date: Sat, January 13, 2018, 20:13:52 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

I think the song-by-song database is a great idea. But who is going to confirm its accuracy? I'm not sure even Don remembers who made the final cut on every track. From what I remember he and Walt seemed confused, on occasion.

Date: Sat, January 13, 2018, 18:38:59 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Dave: that sounds really cool. If I might suggest for your consideration, we�re looking to revamp Dandom to include sort of �post-Facebook� magazine format encouraging longer form content and more intelligent discussion that follow such pieces. So many times there�s great writing that�s in depth, but then it gets lost in social media forums. It any rate, consider saving it for that.

Best,

Jim

Date: Sat, January 13, 2018, 18:30:28 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

I noticed some of you guys posting below about track by track instrument credits. This is something that has bugged me for a while that there isn�t a definitive SD track by track database anywhere. I�ve been in touch with Anthony Robustelli about this very topic, particularly for the first 5 albums before they started doing liner notes for each song. I have a working document that I�m currently updating by scanning through all known online dan resources, old interviews, etc. email me (email is in my handle) if you�d like to start a group email chain so I can share this document with you and get your input. I�m looking for all the help I can get on this.

Date: Sat, January 13, 2018, 17:49:07 ET
Posted by: James, L

Is it true that Second Arrangement was scrapped because the male musicians wanted 1000 times more money than the female backup singers to re-record it?

Date: Sat, January 13, 2018, 15:22:55 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicagoland ❄️❄️❄️

Chicagoland show already 25% off on Groupon.

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-tickets-steely-dan-hollywood-casino-amphitheatre-chicago-chicago-june-2018?utm_campaign=UserReferral_mih&utm_source=undefined&utm_medium=sms&bypass=true

Date: Fri, January 12, 2018, 17:28:02 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

I just bought tickets to the Dallas (Irving, actually) show. There are premiums available - meet & greet + swag at one level, swag only at another - related to the Doobie Brothers. None for SD, as you might imagine, although I seem to remember a premium package during the Morph tour that included a scarf like the one DF was wearing in the album pics. Maybe I jut dreamed that.

I would have paid for the meet and greet if I thought it would let me convince them to play Cheat the Hangman or For Someone Special.

Date: Fri, January 12, 2018, 14:59:35 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Thanks to Matt, the hard worker with the talent. Without you we would have just had a directory page listing with links and not a cool database, etc. (Think the ancient Y2KTour iDanvention.) I am fortunate to have the web server space available and the privilege of sharing it with a great Danfan community. We are most blessed to have you with your dbase talent, not to mention your ability and willingness to listen to me philosophize in logarithmic spirals. BTW: It was the SD Webdrone aka WB's wife who did point me to the affordable and infinitely roomy server back 8 years ago when I was unemployed and previously paying for server space that was enough rent a Manhattan penthouse apartment. And thanks to Annette & Co. at Hosting Matters who emails, "We'll take care of it" when on those rare occasions I need some quirky accommodation.

Date: Fri, January 12, 2018, 14:10:43 ET
Posted by: stephen armstrong, london

Wait......walter on I Got The News

Date: Fri, January 12, 2018, 14:04:53 ET
Posted by: Dr. H�nd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

Superb Michael. Bravo! Fagen & Becker deserve musical genius credits just for being such motivating studio rats/slave drivers to some of the world's best guitarists in their absolute prime.
And none of those would have been possible without the song craft to begin with.

Wait....no one mentioned Larry Carlton on "Everything You Did"?

Date: Fri, January 12, 2018, 12:05:40 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Milestone alert! Today, with the addition of the Jul 24, 2014 show at the Wal-Mart Amphitheater in Rogers, Arkansas, the Hey 19 Rap database has reached 100 clips (audio or video) or Walter's raps. 100 times Walter stepped to the mic and delivered a wry, insightful, or otherwise hilarious rant, rap, or spiel. They're incredibly diverse and really a lot of fun.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted clips, and to Jim McKay for everything.

Date: Thurs, January 11, 2018, 19:05:23 ET
Posted by: Pete Evans, Manchester UK

What about Steve Khan's guitar on Glamour Profession, especially the fade !? I could listen to that all night.

Date: Thurs, January 11, 2018, 16:15:22 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Don, that is cool. Is there any truth to the rumor that you and Monkey House are working on the follow-up to Left? If so, any chance of a brief recording session video (surely someone has an iPhone) hitting YouTube with a link for the blue?

Date: Thurs, January 11, 2018, 15:41:14 ET
Posted by: DonBreithaupt, Los Angeles

The first time I was over at Graydon's writing with him, I said, "Hey, I don't want to nerd out too much, but you gotta show me the 'Peg' guitar!" He said, "Dude, of course." Emerging from his well-stocked guitar room a couple of minutes later, he handed me THE red 335. #Victory

Date: Thurs, January 11, 2018, 08:51:06 ET
Posted by: Bookkeeper's Son, Florida

Must give a nod to Jay Graydon's Peg solo as one of the best SD guitar riffs. One phenomenal piece of playing. So many to choose!

Date: Thurs, January 11, 2018, 06:39:21 ET
Posted by: Steve Gennarelli, Tampa, FL

I'll add "Rikki..." to the list of great Guitar solo SD Songs.
Love it.

Date: Wed, January 10, 2018, 23:19:42 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

The latest edition of the Dandom Digest was sent out in the past hour or so. It covers January 1-10, 2018. (The previous Dandom Digest covered November 15-December 31, 2017.)

The following are the subjects/headlines of the items in the latest newsletter:

Happy 70th Birthday to Donald Fagen, January 10, 2018

STEELY DAN / DOOBIE BROTHERS TICKETS ON SALE 1/12/18 with PRESALES 1/10/18

Check Out Walter's Hey 19 Raps...
***Walter Becker Media Project Update***
Walter Takes It to the Streets
REDUX: Uncut "Ultimate Music Guide: Steely Dan."
Spotify Lawsuit - (DF related)
Upcoming vinyl release of NY Rock and Soul Review.
REDUX: Unwrapping "Cheap Xmas"
Mobile Fidelity 45 RPM Nightfly Limited Edition
Re: Mobile Fidelity 45 RPM Nightfly Limited Edition
Re: Mobile Fidelity 45 RPM Nightfly Limited Edition
Re: Mobile Fidelity 45 RPM Nightfly Limited Edition
DF Interview from 1992

====

If you are a subscriber, you should have already received it. If you don't see it, check your spam filters first; then, if it's not there, please email me at jjmckay AT me DOT com.

As I regularly remind subscribers, some people have problems with delivery of the Dandom Digest, usually because of their spam filters, firewalls, etc. That's why this sort of notice is posted here--so you are aware that you should have received the latest edition. Heck, if you want, email me privately that you did get it. With email filters and spam what they are today, there can be some issues beyond our control. For example, many work-place email servers reject email that it scans as having a naughty word.

If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to receive the free Dandom Digest email newsletter, please email me at jjmckay AT me DOT com or see http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest/.

Also, if you wrote something for this most recent Dandom Digest and it didn't appear, please email me as well.

For the record, the Dandom Digest is a fan newsletter with content written by and for the fans of Steely Dan. The newsletter and its content is independent of, nor to be confused with, the glorious and much more glamorous official newsletters from steelydanofficial.com, sdarchive.com, walterbecker.com, donaldfagen.com and other sites of Steely Dan and associates.

---

Thanks to all who contributed to the latest edition of the Dandom Digest, be it through the emailing digest AT dandom DOT com or through posting to our BlueBook guestbook or Facebook page; or tweeting @dandomdotcom.

As always, thank you for your support and writings through the years, especially Pete and Shari, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Winterbottom, and especially thinking of Mark, Bill, and Fezzie, and purposely not to mention a couple of people who request anonymity. And now of course in special way, Walter.

Fly about as low, be so cool,

Jim

Date: Wed, January 10, 2018, 23:15:49 ET
Posted by: Matt, Chattanooga

Great list Michael! I�d add the solo from Haitian Divorce as an obvious standout. The one that I love the most as a musician is the solo and outro solo from Gaucho. So tastefully understated that I almost forget it�s there. One of my all time favorite Steely Dan moments was the live debut of Gaucho, with Walter on vocals. It was pure magic.

Date: Wed, January 10, 2018, 22:45:14 ET
Posted by: Jim Taylor, Hello, Baton Rouge

The best sounding outdoor show I have ever heard was at the Nashville downtown Amphitheatre several years ago. I am going to that show. New Orleans, which is closer to home, I am not so sure about. I�ll probably go, but really? It�s a basketball arena...

Date: Wed, January 10, 2018, 22:26:27 ET
Posted by: Fred,

Awesome, Michael!

Date: Wed, January 10, 2018, 19:50:53 ET
Posted by: Michael Versaci, Atlanta GA

For my maiden post I thought I'd dig up this essay (blog post) I wrote back in 2006. It is purely my opinion. I believe it to be factual so forgive me If I've gotten something wrong.

Note: Regarding Elliott Randall - I asked him via Facebook a few years ago if the "legend" (referenced later) was true and he confirmed it was.

Note 2: The formatting might be a bit off - apologies in advance.

***

Steely Dan's Top 10 Guitar Solos

Steely Dan. Just hearing the name conjures up all sorts of superlatives in my mind. Fantastic songs with interesting and unique chords and chord progressions, lush and expansive arrangements, slick yet inspired instrumentation, immaculate state-of-the art recordings , literate, obtuse and hilarious lyrics (often derisive, ironic and even sarcastic character studies sung in the first person) and the list just goes on and on.

And then there were the guitars. Steely Dan records had some of the best guitar playing going. While rock radio in the 70's was being dominated by the likes of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, etc., Steely Dan were featuring many brilliant guitarists who were often anonymous except to industry insiders. Their classic first 6 albums (Can't Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam and Aja) in my mind remain unparalleled in terms of pure quality and consistency by any other musical ensemble since The Beatles. Those albums feature some of the best guitar playing ever committed to tape. So, without further adieu, here are my top ten Steely Dan guitar records, not in any order save the last two:

Home at Last
From Aja
Lead Guitar: Walter Becker

Easily one of my favorite Steely Dan songs from their perfect album. Homer's Odyssey and Joyce's Ulysses as pop / jazz. The whole track just reeks of the sea. You can smell the salty air and feel the boat bobbing in the waves while being pushed forward by the wind from Bernard Purdie's signature shuffle. Indeed, the eccentric Purdie wanted to share writing credits for the song because of his drumming. Walter Becker's economical guitar solo is gentle and watery. Not a single note is misplaced. (As an aside, I've included a most memorable moment regarding this song at the end of this post.)

Night By Night
From Pretzel Logic
Lead Guitar: Jeff �Skunk� Baxter.

Okay, so the tune is a bit derivative (listen to it back to back with Traffic's Rock and Roll Stew) and the lyrics are perhaps not their best, but the song is expertly arranged (love the horns and clavichord) and Skunk just tears it up on the solo in is own imitable style.

My Old School
From Countdown to Ecstasy
Lead Guitar: Jeff �Skunk� Baxter

Becker and Fagen reminiscing about some of their misadventures at Bard College. Baxter rose to the occasion with a number of blistering guitar breaks that get hotter at each turn.

Don't Take Me Alive
From The Royal Scam
Lead Guitar: Larry Carlton

The song starts off with Larry's explosive playing, and doesn't let up until the break at the end, just before the repeat of the last chorus. Superb.

Chain Lightening
From Katy Lied
Lead Guitar: Rick Derringer

Such a cool, bluesy record. Rick's understated licks are carefully placed between the vocals on the verses, never descending into the cliches that often dominate the genre. His solo is breathtaking - subtle and easy the first half and then kicked into high gear for the second, ending with an unexpected sustained note that hangs in mid-air for a couple of eternal seconds and then just melts into the last verse.

Your Gold Teeth II
From Katy Lied
Lead Guitar: Denny Dias

The solo in this pop / jazz masterpiece as played by unsung guitar hero and founding member of Steely Dan Denny Dias is nothing short of stunning. There's a bootleg floating around someplace that has Fagen listening as it was being played and expressing his unbridled approval peppered with some serious 70's profanity. Who can blame him?

Parker's Band
From Pretzel Logic
Lead Guitar: Denny Dias

Avid bop fans Becker and Fagen paying tribute to Charlie Parker. Denny Dias opens the track with a guitar solo unlike any other. Brilliant.

Kid Charlemagne
From The Royal Scam
Lead Guitar: Larry Carlton

Kid Charlemagne is a true Steely Dan classic. Telling the story of a famed producer of LSD (rumored but never verified to be one Augustus Stanley Owsley,) the song features what surely must be Larry Carlton's most celebrated work. We are treated to not one, but two guitar solos that burn the house down.

Bodhisattva
From Countdown to Ecstasy
Lead Guitar: Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter

Arguably The Dan's hardest rocking tune (ostensibly about people dabbling in eastern philosophy as if it was a trifle,) opens their second album, allaying any fears that they were just a flash-in-the-pan. From the opening snare-hits to the closing ringing licks courtesy of Jeff Baxter, the record is just relentless. The high point of the song is Denny Dias' guitar solo, putting to rest any doubt that he was anything but an �A� player. There are no words that can adequately convey the depth and breadth of his playing. Crank it up.

Reelin' in the Years
From Can't Buy A Thrill
Lead Guitar: Elliot Randall

Ahh. The birth of a legend. The first Steely Dan song I ever heard was Do It Again, and I loved it immediately. Little did I know that the follow-up single Reelin in the Years was waiting just around the corner. Can anyone argue that Elliot Randall, for that 4 or 5 minutes was the best lead guitarist on the planet? Legend has it that the song was virtually finished, including the transitional guitar vamp by original member Jeff Baxter. Trouble was, neither Skunk nor Denny could come up with a guitar solo that seemed apt to the song. Supposedly Elliot Randall just happened to be in the studio the day that Baxter had just about had it. The frustrated Baxter suggested that Randall take a crack at it. On many occasions the members of the band have claimed that Randall listened to the track once, uncermoniously plugged in his guitar, and blew the room away. What we hear is what he played in one take. Whether that is truth or exaggeration, the lead guitar part on Reelin' in the Years remains as one of the best recorded guitar solos on a rock / pop record. Every time the song comes on, my first reaction is always �Yay � turn it up!�

***

Home At Last � as performed by The New York Rock and
Soul Revue at Jones Beach, Long Island circa 1992.
(originally written by yours truly December 2003)

Ok, they announced the show � Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Phoebe Snow etc. We ran out an bought tickets figuring a least a couple of Steely Dan songs would get played, and besides, we'd hear some vintage Scaggs tunes, (we did) and some good music from McDonald ("Minute By Minute" was a definite high point of the show.) What we didn't know, was that a few days before the performance, they announced that Walter Becker was going to be there. You have to remember that Steely Dan had been dead and buried since "Gaucho" with (up to this point) little hope of ever
seeing them live.

The night of the show was perfect weather for an outdoor concert. It was about 75 degrees with a gentle breeze blowing out over the audience from the bay. The air had that pleasant salty seaside aroma, not that "fishy" low-tide stench that one might have to endure on the wrong night. About three-quarters of the way through the show, (with three or four Steely Dan songs already in the bag, and the crowd never knowing when the band would play another, but hopeful at every turn) the lights went down and they put the spot on Donald behind the grand piano. He began to improvise some of their famous "mu major" ;^) jazz- chords and the audience was trans-fixed wondering which Steely Dan classic we were we going to be treated to � and he got to a stopping point, with a typical trill on the mice keys � and at that moment you could have heard a pin-drop! We were all holding our collective breath, teetering on the edge of our collective excitement. After what seemed like a long time, but was probably 5 seconds, he played the opening chords to "Home At Last" and virtually everyone at the theater leaped to their feet and exploded into a frenzy of cheers, whistles and applause. It was probably the most electric moment I've ever experienced at a live show. The song was exquisitely played, flawless and clean. The fact that we were at the beach, with the sea just a stone's throw from the theater was not lost on us � and for those few moments we were on the ship, bobbing to the waves dreaming about being served the smooth retsina and being kept safe and warm, but anticipating the impending storm. It was perfection for 6 minutes in time, a time that I will never ever forget.

Date: Wed, January 10, 2018, 19:06:26 ET
Posted by: Geo, A

I wonder if the "friend" was Walter.

https://youtu.be/rfzk2ZPR664?t=26m24s

Date: Wed, January 10, 2018, 00:41:16 ET
Posted by: The Greater Dandom, Everywhere

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY, DONALD!

👍🍾🎊🎈🎂🎉🎊🍧🎂🛸💐🌷🌹🎆🙏

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 23:56:44 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

The latest edition of the Dandom Digest was sent out in the past hour or so. It covers November 16-December 31, 2017. (The previous Dandom Digest covered September 28-November 15, 2017.) The next Dandom Digest will go out tomorrow and cover January 1-10, 2018.

The following are the subjects/headlines of the items in the latest newsletter which concluded coverage for 2017:

STEELY DAN/DOOBIE BROTHERS TICKETS ON SALE 1/12/18 with PRESALES 1/10/18
***Note to the Loyal Dandom...***
New Offiicial SD, here
sdarchive.com & sdarchivetalk.com
OPINION: SD Websites
Walter Becker's Widow Details Swift Illness, Death
Article about DF Lawsuit
Becker Estate Responds to Lawsuit
Response from DF's Lawyers
Rolling Stone Interview with Donald
OPINION: Re: Rolling Stone Interview with Donald
OPINION: Re: Steely Lawsuits
OPINION: Re: Steely Lawsuits
JamBase on Hey 21 rants
Re: JamBase on Hey 21 rants
***Walter Becker Media Project Update***
Re: Hey 19 Raps Database
Larry Carlton On Walter
Informative 1981 SD Interview
Good vintage interview with Walter
KD Does It Again
Uncut "Ultimate Music Guide: Steely Dan."
Unwrapping "Cheap Xmas"
New SD Outtakes via Village Recorders
Re: Megashine City
Re: Megashine City
Re: New SD Outtakes via Village Recorders
Charlap, Potter, & The Beas up for Grammys
Jeff Porcaro Grooves NOW AVAILABLE
In Memoriam-NBC Evening News
In Memoriam-NPR
Walter's Last Moments on Stage in CT


====

If you are a subscriber, you should have already received it. If you don't see it, check your spam filters first; then, if it's not there, please email me at jjmckay AT me DOT com.

As I regularly remind subscribers, some people have problems with delivery of the Dandom Digest, usually because of their spam filters, firewalls, etc. That's why this sort of notice is posted here--so you are aware that you should have received the latest edition. Heck, if you want, email me privately that you did get it. With email filters and spam what they are today, there can be some issues beyond our control. For example, many work-place email servers reject email that it scans as having a naughty word.

If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to receive the free Dandom Digest email newsletter, please email me at jjmckay AT me DOT com or see http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest/.

Also, if you wrote something for this most recent Dandom Digest and it didn't appear, please email me as well.

For the record, the Dandom Digest is a fan newsletter with content written by and for the fans of Steely Dan. The newsletter and its content is independent of, nor to be confused with, the glorious and much more glamorous official newsletters from steelydan.com, walterbecker.com, donaldfagen.com and other sites of Steely Dan and associates. (Please note: I have no idea if Donald Fagen's official newsletter is currently active. It's been a few years since I've received anything from it.)

---

Thanks to all who contributed to the latest edition of the Dandom Digest, be it through the emailing digest AT dandom DOT com or through posting to our BlueBook guestbook or Facebook page; or tweeting @dandomdotcom.

As always, thank you for your support and writings through the years, especially Pete and Shari, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Winterbottom, and especially thinking of Mark, Bill, and Fezzie, and purposely not to mention a couple of people who request anonymity. And now of course in special way, Walter.

Fly about as low, be so cool,

Jim

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 22:39:00 ET
Posted by: Lee, Tampa

I agree with Casual Fan about the venues in the Tampa Bay area. The sound quality of shows at Ruth Eckerd in Clearwater is phenomenal.

The sound at the amphitheater in Tampa is terrible. That amphitheater's sound is even worse than most because it was not originally built to spec, leaving a wider opening in the rear, which caused too much noise to escape into the neighborhood. They did what they could to mitigate the complaints of nearby residents, but it was not enough, so they limited the volume of the music acts. Unfortunately, this degrades the concert experience.

I have been to a few Steely Dan shows in downtown Tampa at Amalie Arena. While not as good as the sound in Ruth Eckerd and other small performing arts venues, it was much better than at the amphitheater. I wish they would go back to the arena instead of the amphitheater for larger shows. I skip the amphitheater shows. They sound just good enough to remind me of how great they would sound at a better venue.

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 18:43:30 ET
Posted by: Jane Wicker , Wing Chair

That tour graphic doesn't convey danger to me.

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 15:02:52 ET
Posted by: Barney Beacon, NJ

I would trade a Steely Dan tour for a Nightflyers tour in a New York minute! Those young musicians were fantastic. They reminded me of the 1973 SD band. Rock and roll!

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 14:21:22 ET
Posted by: casual fan, orlando

Hoops,

That's a very apt description of the way things are now, at least down here in Florida, and its not just because they are without WB. The shed show phenomenon, in a word, sucks. Some years ago I saw them in Clearwater at Ruth Eckerd Hall and a couple of times at the Hard Rock in Orlando, plus once at a performing arts theater here in Orlando. The Clearwater show was the best of them, by far, but all were as a group a lot better than the amphitheater scenario that has been the standard now for awhile outside of Beacon and a few other choice locales.

In addition to the issue of sight lines (be it drunken dancers or people hawking beers -- I've not personally experienced that one), I just find that the quality of the mix is pretty off. I suppose if you are either front and center or right near the board maybe its okay. But if not, then it is often muddied or overrun with percussion. At least that is my experience at the Tampa Amphitheater.

FWIW, I on the one hand join in complaining about the prices. It will cost me north of $150 to get a halfway decent seat even for Tampa. Tack on a companion, parking, a libation or two, and you are now talking $500 to see a shortened set list, outside, with meh sound quality.

So, having just complained about the cost, I'd readily pay $100 more a ticket if it were at Ruth Eckerd, or at least some place with a closed environment and decent acoustics.

I am hoping you are right about the Nighflyers. They were excellent. And it felt like there was more potentially lurking there than a one-off experiment. But for now, even as someone who has happily in the past coordinated schedules and paid fairly handsomely to see the band, I confess I'm getting a little jaded about the entirety of the current experience.

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 13:51:48 ET
Posted by: stephen armstrong, london

A very thoughtful post hoops. Parts of it could be paraphrased as "things ain't what they used to be". That works for north americans who have basically had a tour of some sort for the last decade. Us poor relations have not been so lucky, it would cost us the guts of $2,500 to travel stateside to see a sd show.
I can assure you there were no 'drink poles' or on mass iphones at the Dublin/London shows. We loved it immensely. I have no idea when they'll be back, if ever.
Enjoy
Stephen

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 11:37:55 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago, finally feeling less fatigued from the flu

I think the Steely Dan/Doobie Bros pairing is a good match because both bands are missing some of the classic members that one would expect one as a casual fan hoping to hear their greatest hits albums played note for note . It should be parenthetically subtitled, "At least some of the members who are still alive." In some ways, it's really a revue, a sort of tribute band, just like "The New Who Revue" as I've been calling The Who's never-ending reunion/farewell tour that started in 1989.

When Steely Dan had Larry Carlton or Denny Dias joining them, it wasn't all that much closer to the 1970s because neither can play those SD songs as well, or at least the same, as they did 40 years ago. They are different people, different guitarists, etc.

The tour graphic reminds me of Joe Walsh's, "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get." I'm sure that part is coincidence.

The artist's oeuvre is very similar to that the of the Nightflyers tour graphic with the masked, winged, tuxedoed man (or is he a woman).

I caught one of the post-Walter shows in Grand Rapids last October. It was very melancholy, indeed like someone had died. I will likely go to a show near Chicago--but I don't think I will travel from place to place. On the way to work yesterday morning I literally got nauseas thinking, "No more Walter at shows, and Donald Trump is POTUS." (25 years ago, a common, lame joke I had on our predecessor group was based on feigned confusion about OUR "The Donald" versus "The Donald Trump." Now look where we are at.

This is a shed tour. What I've noticed about shed shows in the past year or two is that they have become unbearable in terms of drinking and people holding up smart phones and tablets during the whole show. Even more casual fans than usual, looking to complete their bucket list of "See'em before they, we, or both of us die." When I saw Paul Simon, Buckingham/McVie, and Macca at Chicagoland sheds last summer, that was my experience. Most maddeningly of all was the addition of vendors working the audience with beer and other drinks hung on a sort of tree/pole that carried similar to those carried by vendors in the stands at a baseball game. My views kept getting blocked by "trees" of drinks and the sound was drowned out with discussion about whether people in the next row wanted regular or light beer, etc.

With all that in mind, I'm hoping as some others have commented that this SD/DB tour is such that it makes a Nightflyers tour more financially viable for Donald. When I saw the Nightflyers last summer, it was tastelyfully clear that it wasn't Steely Dan, but it was a really forward looking take on some Dan tracks, how it might be one day when DF & WB could no longer tour. Donald actually seemed a touch in the background�in way that was flattering to the band and Donald. To me that was inspiring. The energy and buzz reminded me of 1992-93. I also think that Connor Kennedy's "Dirty Work" is the best damn version ever of that ditty. (I know it's a sing-a-long hit for many, but I've alway thought of it as one of the "support songs" alongside "Rose Darling," "Pearl of the Quarter," "Razor Boy," etc.

Date: Tues, January 09, 2018, 08:16:45 ET
Posted by: City of St Johns , St. John�s

Is it or is it not Steely Dan ?

Funny , I�ve been ready some post on FB and �some� of the comments have been referring to the fact that DF is still calling the band Steely Dan without WB being with us anymore . I find it comical. Some folks go as far as saying it�s blasphemy.
Look no futher than the Eagles . The are still called the Eagles although GF is no longer with us and Don Felder hasn�t played with them in many years . I miss WB just like the rest of us however if DF wants to tour under the SD name is see no problem not to mention MM isnt with the Doobie Bros or Skunk and they still use the name DB.

Thoughts ?

Ps: has there ever been a female poster in the BB?

Date: Mon, January 08, 2018, 18:58:55 ET
Posted by: tommytomato, Columbus

Happy New Year! Summer Tour 2018! This touring band incarnation (post Walter) is my favorite so far, although I only have the Grand Rapids 10-16-2017 as reference. Song tempos were crisp, DF lively, talkative with humorous hand gestures as well. J. Herrington absolutely incredible. He is ALL the lead guitar ANY band needs. Go see this band. 3 stops for me...Cleveland, Indianapolis & Cincinnati.

Date: Mon, January 08, 2018, 17:32:07 ET
Posted by: Steve Gennarelli, Tampa, FL

So glad SD is going on tour this year, but they've priced me out.
I will look forward to winning a radio contest. Otherwise, I'm shut out here in Tampa.

Date: Mon, January 08, 2018, 14:16:54 ET
Posted by: stephen armstrong, london

Dublin and London

Date: Mon, January 08, 2018, 14:15:46 ET
Posted by: stephen armstrong, london

Having done the db/sd live nation gigs in both Dublin and Dublin,
be warned my friends.
The dan gig will only be about 90 mins long!
stephen

Date: Mon, January 08, 2018, 12:43:59 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine Beach

Try this one on for size:
https://youtu.be/bPcIXEjmnJE

Pretty interesting arrangement, I think. Not all that crazy about the vocals, though. Some of you will probably like it.

Date: Mon, January 08, 2018, 12:19:54 ET
Posted by: Roy, NV

Damn, I booked my trip to VA after Fife's post and then all these other dates popped up.

Date: Mon, January 08, 2018, 08:42:47 ET
Posted by: Hans,

STEELY DAN & THE DOOBIE BROTHERS TOUR

Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers announced today their co-headline North American 2018 summer tour kicking off May 10 in Charlotte, NC and wrapping July 14 in Bethel, NY. Promoted by Live Nation, the legendary bands will travel to 30+ cities across the U.S. and Canada including Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Nashville, and Toronto.

Tickets for the tour go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, January 12 at 8am local time in most cities on LiveNation.com. Please see below for full tour itinerary and details.

Citi is the official presale credit card for the Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers tour. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase U.S. presale tickets beginning Wednesday, January 10 at 10am local time until Thursday, January 11 at 10pm local time through Citis Private Pass program. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

05/10/2018 - Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
05/11/2018 - Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
05/13/2018 - Jacksonville, FL @ Dailys Place
05/14/2018 - Tampa, FL @ MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
05/17/2018 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Coral Sky Amphitheatre
05/19/2018 - Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Amphitheater
05/20/2018 - Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater
05/22/2018 - New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
05/24/2018 - Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
05/25/2018 - Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
05/27/2018 - Austin, TX @ Austin360 Amphitheatre
05/30/2018 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
06/1/2018 - Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
06/4/2018 - Portland, OR @ Moda Center+
06/5/2018 - Seattle, WA @ KeyArena
06/7/2018 - Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena**
06/9/2018 - Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena**
06/10/2018 - Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre
06/12/2018 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
06/15/2018 - Saint Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
06/16/2018 - Madison, WI @ Breese Stevens**
06/18/2018 - Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
06/19/2018 - St Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
06/21/2018 - Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
06/23/2018 - Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center
06/24/2018 - Indianapolis, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
06/26/2018 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
06/27/2018 - Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
06/30/2018 - Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
07/2/2018 - Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage**
07/3/2018 - Syracuse, NY @ Lakeview Amphitheater
07/6/2018 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
07/7/2018 - Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
07/10/2018 - Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
07/11/2018 - Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
07/13/2018 - Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook**
07/14/2018 - Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Date: Sun, January 07, 2018, 19:58:20 ET
Posted by: Fife, Baltmore

The Bay radio just announced The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan July 10th Jiffy lube Live, venue in VA, just outside of DC!!

Date: Fri, January 05, 2018, 23:50:03 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Matt: "They're looking at me." lol Not a clue...

Date: Fri, January 05, 2018, 23:47:20 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Tom Misch - potential breakout artist in the Fagen/Steely Dan vein. Did Wake up this Day with Jordan Rakei.

A few of his other other tunes are below. Misch is British - about 22 or 23. Jamiroquai R&B sound, but not as gimmicky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEJk2FJJ18c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyOySHPhn0o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MmaWXHm6_8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CUpeqg8W9Y

Date: Fri, January 05, 2018, 09:28:14 ET
Posted by: Bookkeeper's Son, Florida

The video of Walter playing along to FM on the street is fantastic for a number of reasons. Shows he still had his sense on humor. (Oh, do I miss his internet written postings of the past). Also, typical NYC, no one seemed to be phased by him being there, let alone recognize him. Hope to see more of these nuggets in the future.

Date: Fri, January 05, 2018, 09:28:05 ET
Posted by: Bookkeeper's Son, Florida

The video of Walter playing along to FM on the street is fantastic for a number of reasons. Shows he still had his sense on humor. (Oh, do I miss his internet written postings of the past). Also, typical NYC, no one seemed to be phased by him being there, let alone recognize him. Hope to see more of these nuggets in the future.

Date: Thurs, January 04, 2018, 19:37:52 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

At first I thought Walter was looking for one of those giant, triangle picks he was using toward the end, inside that coat. Turns out he was pointing to the SD silhouette logo, I think, kinda hope

Dan Travis, if that's the case then we better find that goddamn sphere, awwright?

Date: Thurs, January 04, 2018, 18:17:59 ET
Posted by: Vin, VT

This 1984 Rikki cover includes lyrics from another SD song. If you're going to make a shit cover, hey why not?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rONwYOPn7Rk

Date: Thurs, January 04, 2018, 16:11:53 ET
Posted by: Matt, Here/There/Everywhere

New video up over at the walterbecker.com media project. Apparently on the night that the Empire State building synced its light display to FM, Walter drug out his guitar and played along, thinly disguised as an itinerant dweller of the city. Pretty funny stuff. Reminds me of the time he said he always liked when people doubted that he was the guy in Steely Dan.

Also, some info about the future of the media project, and a brief audio clip of Walter.

Date: Thurs, January 04, 2018, 12:49:16 ET
Posted by: Pete Evans, Manchester UK

I've read that Jimmy Hodder did some backing vocals on Pretzel Logic ?

Date: Thurs, January 04, 2018, 00:16:42 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

KD: Chain Lightning for sure. Bass is one set of credits I'm least confident about, though.

On Pretzel Logic Wilton Felder play bass on the title track and Night By Night. Probably more.

* = songs I'm more confident I have the credits correctly delineated.

Corrections and suggestions welcome!! Here's my most recent iteration for PL and KL credits:


PRETZEL LOGIC


*Rikki Don�t Lose That Number:

Drums: Jim Gordon
Bass: Walter Becker
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
Rhythm Guitar: Dean Parks
Electric Guitar & Solo: Skunk Baxter
Piano: Michael Omartian
Flapamba: Victor Feldman
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen, Tim Schmit


*Night By Night:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Wilton Felder
Guitars: Skunk Baxter (solo)
Walter Becker
Clavinet: David Paich
Percussion: Victor Feldman
Sax: Plas Johnson, Ernie Watts
Trumpet: Ollie Mitchell
Trombone: Lew McCreary
Clarinet: Jerome Richardson
Backing Vocals: Tim Schmit, (Sherlie Matthews, Carolyn Willis, Myrna Matthews?� uncredited)



*Any Major Dude:

Drums: Jim Gordon
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Acoustic Guitars: Dean Parks (right channel), Ben Benay (left channel)
Electric guitars: Denny Dias (left channel) Skunk Baxter (right channel + solo � second half doubled up)
Fender Rhodes: Michael Omartian
Percussion: Victor Feldman (tambourine):
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen


Barrytown:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Walter Becker
Acoustic guitar: Ben Benay
Electric Guitars: Denny Dias, Dean Parks
Pedal Steel guitar: Skunk Baxter (last verse)
Piano: Michael Omartian
Percussion: Victor Feldman (tambourine)
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen, Tim Schmit


*East St. Louis Toodle-oo

Drums: Jim Gordon
Bass: Walter Becker
Wah-wah Guitar: Walter Becker
Pedal Steel guitar: Skunk Baxter
Banjo: Dean Parks
Piano: Donald Fagen
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Alto Sax: Donald Fagen


Parker�s Band:

Drums: Jim Gordon (right channel) & Jeff Porcaro (left channel)
Bass: Walter Becker
Guitars: Denny Dias (left channel), Dean Parks, Walter Becker
Piano: Michael Omartian
Organ: Donald Fagen
Dueling Saxes: Plas Johnson, Ernie Watts
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen, Tim Schmit, (female - Sherlie Matthews, Carolyn Willis, Myrna Matthews??)



Through With Buzz:

Drums: Jim Gordon
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Piano: Donald Fagen
Fender Rhodes: David Paich
Backup Vocals: Donald Fagen

Orchestration by Jimmie Haskell


*Pretzel Logic:

Drums: Jim Gordon
Bass: Wilton Felder
Guitar: Walter Becker (lead, solo) Rhythm guitar � right channel: Dean Parks
Piano: Michael Omartian (left channel)
Wurlitzer piano: Donald Fagen (left channel)
Sax: Plas Johnson
Trumpet: Ollie Mitchell
Trombone: Lew McCreary
Backing vocals: Donald Fagen, Tim Schmit


With a Gun:

Drums: Jim Gordon
Bass: Tim Schmit?
Acoustic Guitars: Dean Parks, Ben Benay
Electric Guitars: Skunk Baxter (good Western flavor)
Percussion: Victor Feldman (tambourine)
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen, Tim Schmit


Charlie Freak:

Drums: Jim Gordon
Bass: Walter Becker
Guitar: Walter Becker (left channel)
Pedal Steel: Skunk Baxter
Piano: Michael Omartian
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen (left channel)
Percussion: Victor Feldman (tambourine, sleigh bells, triangle @ 1:52 mark)
Backup Vocals: Donald Fagen


Monkey in Your Soul: (a very underrated song)

Drums: Jim Gordon
Fuzz Bass: Wilton Felder? Walter? (I think Walter)
Guitar: Dean Parks (right channel); Skunk Baxter
Wurlitzer: Donald Fagen
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Saxes: Plas Johnson, Ernie Watts
Percussion: Victor Feldman - handclaps
Backing vocals: Donald Fagen (great echo)

All lead Vocals: Donald Fagen

Orchestration by Jimmie Haskell


KATY LIED


Black Friday:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Walter Becker
Guitars: Walter Becker
Keyboards: David Paich (right channel), Michael Omartian (left channel)
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald


*Bad Sneakers:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Guitars: Hugh McCracken
Walter Becker (solo)
Piano: Michael Omartian
Percussion: Victor Feldman
Vibes: Victor Feldman
Backing vocals: Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald


Rose Darling:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Guitars: Larry Carlton (acoustic & electric � left channel), Dean Parks (electric & solo � right channel)
Piano: Michael Omartian
Percussion: Victor Feldman (tambourine)
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald


Daddy Don�t Live in That New York City No More:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Walter Becker
Guitars: Elliot Randall, Walter Becker, Larry Carlton?
Piano: Michael Omartian
Organ: Donald Fagen
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen


Doctor Wu:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Guitar: Larry Carlton
Piano: Michael Omartian
Fender Rhodes: David Paich
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Saxophone: Phil Woods
Percussion: Victor Feldman (chimes)
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen


Everyone�s Gone to the Movies:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Dorophone: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Guitar: Walter Backer
Fender Rhodes: Donald Fagen
Organ: Donald Fagen
Saxophone: Donald Fagen
Percussion: Victor Feldman (maracas, congas)
Vibes: Victor Feldman
Backup Vocals: Donald Fagen, Sherlie Matthews, Carolyn Willis, Myrna Matthews


Your Gold Teeth II:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Guitar: Denny Dias (solo)
Guitar accents: Walter Becker
Piano: Michael Omartian
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Backing vocals: Donald Fagen


Chain Lightning:

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Wilton Felder
Guitars: Rick Derringer (both 9 and 11 o�clock)
Fender Rhodes: Michael Omartian
Backing Vocals: Donald Fagen



Any World (That I�m Welcome To):

Drums: Hal Blaine
Bass: Chuck Rainey
Guitars: Larry Carlton, Elliott Randall
Piano: David Paich
Organ: Donald Fagen
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Percussion: Victor Feldman (tambourine)
Backup Vocals: Michael McDonald


Throw Back the Little Ones

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Walter Becker
Guitar: Walter Becker, Elliott Randall
Piano: Michael Omartian
Synthesizer: Donald Fagen
Horns: Jimmie Haskell, Bill Perkins


All lead Vocals: Donald Fagen

Horns arranged by Jimmie Haskell

Date: Wed, January 03, 2018, 22:45:09 ET
Posted by: ccw, NY

Barnes & Noble (and I imagine other outlets) currently has on its magazine rack the Uncut "Ultimate Music Guide: Steely Dan." It's really nicely put together, 128 pages, tons of old interviews (some familiar to me, many not) with lots of great nuggets, and nice glossy photos throughout. I highly recommend. It also looks like you can order online here: http://www.uncut.co.uk/publication/uncut/ultimate-music-guide-steely-dan

Date: Wed, January 03, 2018, 19:13:52 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

it destroys me that the fella that played the guitar solo on Come Back Baby thought he wasn't good enough to play lead in Steely Dan

Date: Wed, January 03, 2018, 14:45:13 ET
Posted by: Shark DeVille, up on the hill

Drew Zingg's version of Megashine City is based on the late 70s version, more commonly referred to as Talkin Bout My Home. it's been available on youtube and elsewhere for many years now.

the early 70s version we're just hearing is a revelation. the song was fully fleshed out, with a bridge verse that we've never heard and an extended jam with various sections. must have been a powerhouse when they played it live (WHY don't we have any tapes of those shows???) one of the jam sections is quite similar to the solo section of Reelin in the Years... wonder which song came first?

Runnin Child has also been on youtube for a few years but this version does sound better.

Come Back Baby sounds exactly like the version we've heard on all those Kenny Vance recordings that have been repackaged umpteen times.

Any World is similar to the Vance demo, same arrangement basically but the double-tracked vocal gives it a fuller and more polished sound. love it

Date: Tues, January 02, 2018, 23:49:01 ET
Posted by: Cold Porter, Hawaii, USA

Thank you for the wonderful Christmas present!! I am constantly amazed with the ever evolving story of this great band Steely Dan..
I will leave a few comments as to when these may in fact have been recorded
01 Any World [possibly recorded in late 1972 or early 1973...I hear some Denny Dias in there]
02 Running Child [early 1972 or late 1971..this recording possibly recorded straight from an acetate pressing....I think Running Child was even possibly considered for the Citizen Dan box set- which led to its' surfacing in the first place- probably recorded with Baxter and Hodder]
03 Megashine City [this is truly a bizarre and rare find...we know the song was performed in concert in early 1973 [Salt Lake City] no known studio version was known to exist..the song was resurrected circa 1976 and the name changed....I like this song but it doesn't sound like it would have worked on Countdown.....maybe Pretzel...
04 Come Back Baby > instrumental fragment[another very rare find....possibly recorded in late 1971...vocals might be a mix of Becker/Fagen/Hodder]
Wow!! I am still in awe..thanks again for these rare and what seem like
"official" Steely Dan recordings

Date: Tues, January 02, 2018, 09:44:50 ET
Posted by: KD, asdf

Doctah Mu: I haven't listen to Zingg's yet, that was quite the surprise when I Googled the song, our man must have gotten an advance copy years ago.

(he used to wear a grape vine, wine-themed bolo tie during shows, so I'm gonna give Drew's version a couple of days before diving in.)

What's your go-to site for the track lineup research you've done? Katy Lied credits are starting to get a little hazy for me -- I gotta know what else Wilton Felder played on!

Date: Mon, January 01, 2018, 20:15:46 ET
Posted by: Dan Travis,

Are the lyrics of "Time Out of Mind" autobiographical in any way?

Date: Mon, January 01, 2018, 13:16:36 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

Happy New Year to all my Bluebook pals worldwide! And thanks to Hoops, your efforts are truly appreciated!
Peace

Date: Sun, December 31, 2017, 23:34:35 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

KD: Drew Zingg has a fantastic version of Megashine City/Talkin 'Bout my Home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d50bjmVW2E

That's one massive lineup.

Drew Zingg (guitar)
Vinnie Colaiuta (drums)
Will Lee (bass)
George Whitty (keyboards)
Bob Merrill (trumpet),
David Mann (saxophone),
Eric Crystal (saxophone),
David Smith (trumpet) and George Petit (incidentals).

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