Date: Tue, March 30, 2004, 18:08:54 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

Hi Kids;

The BlueBook is undergoing some minor changes--generally it will look t he same but the way you post will be a touch different. As as result of editting and coding, posting may be disabled off and on through Wednesday evening; however, you can always email your burning, tangentially Steely Dan messages to me at hoops@dandom.com and I will get them up ASAP.

In a nutshell, the only difference will be that there will be two ways of posting. If you are registered, your post goes right up as usual. For those who want to remain anonymous and post cool SD news or discussion, you can still post the old way BUT there will be a delay.

I hate to make even this change, but at least for now, it needs to be. Thanks!

jim

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 19:07:08 ET
Posted by: Anon Again,

And so we come to another bump in the road for us Internet Dan fans.

We've had a lot of these. Clas calling GB members at home while soused. Pat having to put IP numbers on the individual posts. Hoops getting so disgusted with the Yellow format that he succeeds in building a better, saner version. Trout ruins both versions and forces Pat into building a threaded version of the Yellow. The Yellow's chat room fiends force Pat into re-instituting the old format of the yellow so they can chirp away. Jim finally loses it after over 11 years of dealing with these idiots and starts to call some of them out.

Why do I keep coming back, why do we keep coming back? I don't know. I think it's because we're supposed to be Steely Dan fans, so I expect quite a bit. But I'm so pissed off at how little I'm getting from the Blue that I pass on posting and offer then occasional angry outburst that doesn't help anything out. I've sunk, we've all sunk.

It's been barely nine months since a new Steely Dan album, the second in 24 years, and we're already losing focus? I'm as guilty as anyone, I gave up on trying to start discussions, and the glimmer of hope that the new Yellow book offered has passed so others can ramble without recourse.

I'm glad that the "just scroll on by" readers here have enough focus and werewithal to ignore the bleatings. I wish I had that. Instead, I'm turning into 1/20th of the fucked-up anons that ruined the Yellow for me so many years ago.

Hoops still has that focus. He still thinks enough of the posters and the fans that he knows they can do better. He isn't underestimating our intelligence, he's merely questioning the impetus behind some of our decisions. That is beyond admirable. He is the man. if you don't like his expectations of you, the internet poster, than move along to another website.

(or, shock horror, start your own! I'll check in after 11 years to see if you're still around)

I'm gonna stick around, and try to do better, and I hope everyone else tries to see where Hoops is coming from.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 18:16:17 ET
Posted by: hoop,

"Come Together"

Email me. Thanks.

jim

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 17:55:28 ET
Posted by: Chain Lightning , aka Your Pal Jer from Boston

Some good points by all. Good thing Hoops finally cleared the air on this. You really voiced my frustration of late.

"Come Together" needs to understand some people aren't meant to come together. A lot of the trouble as I see it is that people come from the yellow and they want the blue to be like the yellow.. Then are pissed off when it's not. Look who's been babbling endlessly about "me" or picking fights. Gina, Clas, SteveeDan, Rajah, Moll. OK, I don't think Trout is from anywhere but another planet.

OK, we can like Steely Dan, but the past few weeks have been a lot like the yellow. Nothing wrong with the yellow if you like that. But some people should realize that there is a reason why we are all here and not there, act accordingly or don't come at all. For people who love to bad mouth the blue, they sure love to check the place out.

Jer

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 17:17:25 ET
Posted by: Come together, right now

(Note: the only reason this is posted anonomously is in the interest of conciliation, not because I am personally afraid of any identity issues.)

I found the Blue first because of the preconcert get-togethers, but even after I became a regular, I still stayed quiet for the longest time. Everyone seemed so musically smart and it was somewhat intimidating. Still I learned lots and got to know some very fine folks and got some great tips on music, in general, here.

That is still the case, BTW.

I surveyed the Yellow, but the reason I never posted to there was that it scared the crap out of me. I had no idea what kind of person would want to inform the world of their breakfast choices, their sexual fantasies, their self-righteous political viewpoints. Hell, I don't even tell my best friends that stuff.

In time, I learned the differences between Pat and Jim and the way they ran their sites and, even though Pat's was not my cup of tea, he is paying the rent there and it is not mine or anyone else's place to tell him how to run it, even though he certainly tolerates that.

Personalities are always going to come into play in social settings, even virtual ones, but it really bothers me to see the devisiveness here lately. Some of it can't be helped, but some can, I think.

In the words of a very dear friend (you know who you are), "I never met a Steely Dan fan I didn't like." Let's get back to the focus of why we came here in the first place: a love of Steely Dan and the things we share by sharing that.

Thank you for your time.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 16:24:17 ET
Posted by: '',

http://www.angelfire.com/il/babel7/images/Donfagen.jpg

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 16:23:42 ET
Posted by: alias,

Way too in love with themselves, for no good reason.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 16:19:28 ET
Posted by: Rick,

First, let me congratulate Hoops and Dandom on 11 years. You put up with a ton of shit on behalf of the loyal fans.

The Anon post about the personal chat room nails it. Some of these people are way too in love with themselves. And they have the nerve to complain after they torture us with stories of their boring lives.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 15:51:33 ET
Posted by: Anon,

Sorry for going anon, but every time I come here to post I read the posts below me and decide not to.

Is it too much to ask that you guys don't turn this place into a personal chatroom?

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 15:18:13 ET
Posted by: T.K.,

uh,among others who shall remain nameless.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 15:15:01 ET
Posted by: K..T.,

>clap!< >clap!< >clap!< >clap!< >clap!< >clap!<

Bravo Hoops! Rajah, Moll, Stevie and Trout have been insufferable to bear. You speak for us!

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 14:55:48 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Excuse me, but Moll and pals come on and say what an asshole I am and then Stevee Dan and Rajah come on and say how Moll's been missed. What the fuck!?????? It's enough to make vomit squirt outta my eye sockets as Our Joey might say.

All the three of you do is talk mostly about yourselves telling jokes that you think are funny but are fucking dumb to most everyone else The only time you guys talk about Steely Dan is when it's about yourselves. Except for sheer indulgence, why would Steely Dan fans being interested in these fucking poems???? I sure don't get it. You post a bunch a shit like the el dorko at a party who can't stop talking about themself and thinks they are intereting to others.

I think tribute bands can be great. Glad to hear the PL show went well, but holy fuck, how much are you gonna shamlessly promote yourself? Even the times I've tried to call you and politely explain, all you do is talk about yourself, not even listening to a word I say.

Look, myself and others who came here did so because we have lives elsewhere but also like to talk about Steely Dan on occassion, not here about some visit that had next to nothing about Steely Dan or music or is even funny. There are other Steely Dan Fan boards where you can expose your private lives with all the self-importance you want. We came here, made the extra effort so we wouldn't have to put up with it.

If this place isn't your cup of tea, fine, go the fuck away. No one says this is the only place you can talk about what you like to indulge yourself in.

And after all those insults from Moll, esp after I was pretty friggin nice makes you want to miss her you're fucking high or the fish nut is posting as you.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 14:45:26 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

What can I say, tricks ARE for kids ya'know.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 14:31:14 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Oh Wow, it's Me Again ...

Oh Silly, Silly Rajah ...

Don't Ever Change.


SteveeDan

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 14:29:38 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Corporate Headquarters

I'm well rested and back to work. Daddy G., those ice sculptures were breathtaking. At night when they are lit up, they are enchanting. I would love to have seen that in person.

Moll - nice to see you here. Yes the Dan Collective boys (my brothers from across the pond) are indeed hip. You are groupying around with a great bunch of guys ... but remember, you've always got Los Angeles if you ever want to "look" west ...

It looks like a calm has finally returned to the Blue. I hope it persists. This is the good stuff (not my post !).


SteveeDan

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 14:05:49 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Jay - never saw him go to the mallet grip once in all the shows last summer. You'd think he's go there occasionally to rest the ulnar nerve a bit but noooooo. He's a disciplined player.

SteveeBaby - now that I'm thinking about it could you send those checks for the reviews to my favorite charity:

Vinnie Boombatz' Home for Retired Friends of Ours
86 Fugazi Knolls,
Canarcie, Brooklyn

Send it care of my old cumare, Angelina "Coochy" Campari, oh yeah and Stefano, double wrap it in Saran and mark it, "perishables" m'kay? Thanks babe.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 13:36:19 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London - catching up

Wish I could've been at the Baked Potato for the fab-sounding PL jig (my old mum still asks me if I've got a jig this week), just as it would be a treat to hear the Dan Collective's SD workout on May 1st, but duty calls.

Agree that the dedication needed to cover a Dan tune, either note for note or interpretively is daunting, and I've only ever played 'Do It Again' and 'Rikki' ('Aja'? Forget it). Most ambitious attempt I ever saw was just two guys, keyboards and guitar, playing a whole evening of Dan songs in a west London pub about 10 years ago. I think they later became 'Stealing Dan and Don', a respected 10 piece Dan covers band, but there was something inspiringly ambitious about that early duo gig !

Keith Carlock answered one of the questions I sent in for his recent interview on stingus.com. The question was 'Do you always use the traditional left-hand grip?' and the answer was 'Yes'.

Daddy G - great pics of Chinese stuff.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:57:03 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

"Close your eyes and you'll be there,
It's everything they say,
The end of a perfect day,
Distant lights from across the bay."

"Chinese music under banyan trees
Here at the dude ranch above the sea."

======================================

Maybe this is one of those things that's been making the rounds for a little while, I don't know, but I hadn't come across it till this morning. Admittedly it's not really Steely Dan related, but it did bring to mind the above quotes. You can follow this link...

http://www.rtoddking.com/chinawin2003_hb_if.htm

...to a set of photos (14 of'em) of a snow and ice festival in China featuring some intricate sculptures. The pics really are quite amazing though they may take some time to load.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:48:44 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Moll - you can rearrange my Turban anytime, none of my wives will mind, I assure you. Frankly, Moll, I'm missing our mutual friend so bad right about now.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:29:24 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Yup, we do need to behave. Now if I just didn't suck so bad at it.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:24:34 ET
Posted by: Moll,

Fingers, I'll gladly send you a hug. But don't worry about losing a bit of hair. Any smart woman will tell that balding guys are very sexy. They don't waste those sex hormones growing hair ;-)
Bass, I'm betting my luck will still be holding and you are already attached to someone. Therefore, I can't be REALLY bad. I wouldn't want any jealous wives or girlfriends scratching my eyes out. So I guess I'll continue being The Dan Collective's "semi-sedate" groupie from afar at the moment. ;-)

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:23:05 ET
Posted by: Moll,

Gina
that was great. Thanks so much for link. I needed a laugh. I got both sorts of admonishments! Although the ban was a case of mistaken identity...Do I look like Trout to any of y'all? I think Hoops was upset because I told Rajah I'd rearrange his turban for him. Perhaps if I'd written that I'd play Steely Dan while I worked on Rajah's headgear it would have been more acceptable ? ;-)

Fingers
Yay!!!! I remember you once posting, " A flirt a day helps keep those wrinkles away". Is that why you look about 30 btw? ;-)

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:22:44 ET
Posted by: Shotan,

MOLL
Is that the self same Mistress of Mayhem of old we love and admire so much?
I (and surely all other buddies herein?) would be bitterly disappointed if you suddenly turned up in 3-piece tweeds and pince-nez!!! (unless of course that witheld a basque and barbed underwiring!!!)

Heavens above...no way must you behave "properly" here...we enforce a strict code of tasteless innuendo, outrageous unabashed flirtation, bawdy ribaldry and any other farcical, gut busting, beyond the knuckle shinanagins you care to carry out.

Any person attempting to take themsleves or anyone else too seriously will most definitely have the pxxs taken out of them until they desist!

The only thing I censor here is crude language...
it strikes dumb the inarticulate, and encourages the more insistent mud slinger to seek out the thesaurus and conconct alternative curses!

Their loss...our delightful gain. Great to have you with us! LOL.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:22:17 ET
Posted by: Gina PS,

LOL i just read the Blue and i dunno, somehow that trout nut cracked me up today. everything seems funny or hilarious today.
(Carlock solo in Josie, the Tampa disc, wow wow wow)
toodles, Gina

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:21:55 ET
Posted by: Gina,

??? Did he ban you from Blue or what, Molly .. sent you an email? darn, you make me wanna go there and check things out but i refuse to go in Blue LOL
instead, i got something else ... please check the URL above.
cheers!!
nice poem btw ...

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:21:21 ET
Posted by: Moll,

I thought I'd share this poem with y'all. I know how much Beers enjoys them lol ;-)

Courage by Anne Sexton

It is in the small things we see it.
The child's first step,
as awesome as an earthquake.
The first time you rode a bike,
wallowing up the sidewalk.
The first spanking when your heart
went on a journey all alone.
When they called you crybaby
or poor or fatty or crazy
and made you into an alien,
you drank their acid
and concealed it.

Later,
if you faced the death of bombs and bullets
you did not do it with a banner,
you did it with only a hat to
comver your heart.
You did not fondle the weakness inside you
though it was there.
Your courage was a small coal
that you kept swallowing.
If your buddy saved you
and died himself in so doing,
then his courage was not courage,
it was love; love as simple as shaving soap.

Later,
if you have endured a great despair,
then you did it alone,
getting a transfusion from the fire,
picking the scabs off your heart,
then wringing it out like a sock.
Next, my kinsman, you powdered your sorrow,
you gave it a back rub
and then you covered it with a blanket
and after it had slept a while
it woke to the wings of the roses
and was transformed.

Later,
when you face old age and its natural conclusion
your courage will still be shown in the little ways,
each spring will be a sword you'll sharpen,
those you love will live in a fever of love,
and you'll bargain with the calendar
and at the last moment
when death opens the back door
you'll put on your carpet slippers
and stride out.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:20:57 ET
Posted by: Moll,

Hey guys, I can't flirt with any of y'all on the Blue anymore. :-( I guess Hoops was afraid someone might actually have a bit of fun or silliness, and wouldn't maintain that infamous atmosphere of seriousness he's so fond of.
Fingers, Do I have to behave here?

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:15:03 ET
Posted by: Moll,

Hey guys, I can't flirt with any of y'all on the Blue anymore. :-( I guess Hoops was afraid someone might actually have a bit of fun or silliness, and wouldn't maintain that infamous atmosphere of seriousness he's so fond of.
Fingers, Do I have to behave here?

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:14:38 ET
Posted by: Moll,

Bass, thank you, you're charming even when disagreeing. ;-)

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:14:06 ET
Posted by: BassicInstinct,

Molly:

"Talented and pretty" is a testament to qualities which YOU possess, not PQ!! LOL We`ll have to agree to differ on our opinions on him and his "novel".

Have a great weekend y`all!!

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 12:13:27 ET
Posted by: Moll,

Bass
re: Peter Q ... I dunno about his taste or lack there of ? But having been called stupid, shallow, a liar, crazy and a two bit whore by others on both the Blue and Yellow message boards; I thought Peter saying I was talented and pretty was a much nicer sort of thing. His novel is not the sort of thing that I prefer to read. I do however admire the fact he has the guts to put his creative work out there for others to see.

Date: Tues, March 30, 2004, 02:59:11 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Hi Dave -

We are entertaining the idea of out-of-town gigs, but there are logistics to work out, and expenses to control. I'm sure that we will be doing this sometime soon, ... I guess it depends on the offers we receive.

Which SD trib bands on the east coast are you refering to? I seem to remember one New York based SD trib band named Nearly Dan. I'm not sure if this is right.

All of this impersonation stuff is both a labor of love and a nasty obscession ... but after a while, (at least in Pretzel Logic) individual personalities will emerge and certain songs will be expanded. We hope that in doing so, the original spirit of the music is still left intact.

And again to Rajah ... thanks again ... OK, OK, I'll send a second check alright ? Where was that to again ? ... The Grand Kamens ?


SteveeDan

Date: Mon, March 29, 2004, 22:12:14 ET
Posted by: Dave,

Great report on the Pretzel Logic Steely Dan Impersonation band. Next time I'm in L.A I will have to check it out. Steve, Do you guys ever tour outside of Southern Cal?

Where I am at on the East coast has even more of these acts. This one has this guy who tries his best to LOOK like Donald Fagen. Note for note reproductions of Steely Dan is no easy feat. When I see these impersonators, all I can wonder is how much practice it must take.

Date: Mon, March 29, 2004, 17:59:59 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Was putting together a little "Anniversary Digest" of my favorite items from the Dandom Digest over the past 11 years. These seem to hold up pretty well, thought I would repost here as well. Sorry they sound so NPR'ish

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1993 12:55:17 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Detroit Review (U Got To Shake It Baby, U Got 2 Shake It)

The Palace--Not in Dallas

After a 7 hour drive at 80 mph I made it to the opening show of the Dan tour
at the Palace of Auburn Hills near Detroit. The show was wonderful. I will
not name specific songs here except I will say my previously posted wish
was granted: they did "Black Friday" for Friday the 13th.

I was a few minutes late but I did catch a recap during intermission. With
intermission, the show lasted about three hours and 15 minutes. They played
at least two songs from every album but did "skunk" one early album (i.e
they didn't play any songs off of one album.) Newer albums had many more
than two songs. Also, about a third was devoted to Walter and his new album
which was quite good; however, I was annoyed that so many folks left to the
rest room, snacks, and souvenirs when he sang. Granted he's not
a fantastic vocalist but he sings in the same vein as the blues and
jazz greats.
Anyhow, I hope that you folks stick around and support Walter. It must be
tough to get up there and see folks walk out especially when the
stuff he's doing is great--I'm looking forward to his album which will be
bluesier than a SD or Fagen album, IMHO.

The renditions struck a balance between familiarity and improvisation.

The Palace was a wonderful place to see a concert. The Ushers were friendly
and helpful and, more importantly, the acoustics were excellent. I'm
dreading both the ushers and acoustics at Chicago tomorrow (Sun) night.

There were three Steely Dan T shirts available (reminds me of
the line from "Show Biz Kids"!). Thought I better prepare you for expenses.
one is the cover of "Aja" on the front with the words "Tour '93"
added and the concert dates on the back ($25). The cover is screened only
in white and red so the oriental woman's face looks rather blotchy.
Another T-shirt has two line silhouettes on the front that suggest Donald
and Walter and on the back it says "Becker/Fagen STEELY DAN
TOUR '93" in the same block lettering that appeared on the tour trunks
from 1974. It's a black shirt with white screening. This is the one
I bought and I paid $25. The last one is a greyish blue which has nothing
on the back and has Steely Dan Tour 93 on the crest--$30. They took
VISA at the Detroit Show as well as cash.

If you have other questions, please write here or to me individually--Looking
forward to your reviews. I, like the other 200+ of us will be excited
to hear how the other shows go.

--Hoops!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 11/14/93 5:39 PM
From: Joe via Mark S Kenney
Subject: "Steely Dan Kids"

I was listening to Showbiz Kids a few days ago, and I found it odd
that shallow "showbiz kids" would be wearing Steely Dan t-shirts. I mean,
they don't really fit the profile of a Dan fan, and I doubt Don or Walter
would have wanted their type to be one of their fans. I think you get what
I'm saying.
It seems to me that Danheads would most likely be wearing SD
t-shirts. ( Yes, what a scholar I am! ) So I decided to write a parody of
Showbiz Kids , dedicated to, and about the Danheads of this here mailing
list! Hope you like it.

Steely Dan Kids

Blow your last paycheck, last paycheck, you blow your last paycheck
(continues)

[Chorus]
While the plain folk are waitin' in the supermarket line
All the Dan fans at Tower buyin' Gaucho a third time.
(repeat)

After dozing time, when I've time to spare,
I log onto Compuserve-o, from my room at the top of the stairs
Well I read rec.music.jazz, and all the other newsgroups,
But my favorite babble comes from the odd rabble who get this list from Hoops.

While the plain folk are waitin' in the supermarket line
All the Dan fans at Tower buyin' Gaucho a third time.
(repeat)

They got the gold Kama promo, autographed inside.
The 8-track T-Girls CD, Howard just had to buy.
They got the red vinyl Aja, they got the Steely Dan t-shirts
And when they 'terpret a song, they write pages
Oh honey let me tell you

While the plain folk are waitin' in the supermarket line
All the Dan fans at Tower buyin' Gaucho a third time.
(repeat)

Blow your last paycheck, last paycheck, you blow your last paycheck
(repeat about 10X)

Steely Dan kids makin' bootlegs for themselves
You know they don't make a buck offa anybody else
You know you

Blow your last paycheck, last paycheck, you blow your last paycheck
(repeat 100X)

kids yelling: DOOOOOOOOOOOONIIIIIEEEEEE
WAAAAAALLLLLLLLLTYYYYYY


I want to be your holy man,
Joe

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Steely Dan Dream Play List
From: (Brian Garland)
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 93 19:35:29 EST

Unfortunately the following Steely Dan dream playlist was not ready
in time for the big SD contest a few weeks ago. This was through no
fault of my own but because of problems with my collaborator AMY E.
ROLFES (herein after referred to as dirt) we we unable to get our list
in and win the prize (I think you'll agree this would have been the
winning entry... and I'm not just saying this because it's me, Brian! but
because of the effort and care that went into preparing it).

Anyway, we felt that we should address the negative comments from
the critics about the lack of visuals at the Steely Dan concerts this
summer. Obviously Donald and Walter musn't have put on the kind of
show that the rock critics are used to. So we decided to put together
this crowd pleasing play list. It's part of the new Post-Irony era stuff
Donald has been talking about lately. We hope that if Steely Dan
follows our prescription for success they'll be bigger than really great
bands like U2 or Pearl Jam!!! This list should get more of my 20
something year old peers in the seats!

Song: Kylie Minogue's version of "Locomotion"
Visual: Donald and Walter come on stage wearing engineer type caps
and pin-striped coveralls. They line up in front of about 12 scantily
clad female dancers fanned out in a triangle behind them. They do the
locomotion dance in sync with the dancers, all the time motioning the
crowd to join them. At one point a 7 foot version of a locomotive
crosses the stage.

Song: "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" by Andrew Lloyd Weber
Visual: Donald sings to Walter who is dressed up like Evita Perron.
Donald is dressed as an Argentinian general. The stage is dark, with
the exception of a spot light on Walter in drag (I know he'd love this
concept!). Wow, imagine the romance.

Song: "I'll be nice to you, you'll be nice to me" by Barney the
Dinosaur.
Visual: Donald is dressed as Barney the Dinosaur and Walter is
dressed as Big Bird. They get into a mock fight on stage, feathers fly.
They make up with a big hug (they're such touchy-feely guys) and
begin singing the song. They both wade into a crowd of children at the
front, passing out candy. The rest of the band is dressed up as various
children's TV characters.

Song: "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver
Visual: Donald, Walter and the rest of the band are dressed in overalls
and John Deere caps. The stage is set up to resemble a Hee Haw set
with bales of hay used as risers for the horn section. This should be a
big hit when they play Farm Aid.

Song: "Copacabana" by Barry Manilow
Visual: Donald and Walter are dressed in tight white pants and long
flowing flamenco type dancer shirts. The stage is scattered with pink
flamingos with a large "White Sands" casino sign flashing in the
background. Should go over well when they take their show to Vegas.

Song: "Tribute to the Partridge Family"
Visual: Donald will dress up as Shirley and Walter will dress up as
Danny. They will play a number of selections of sweet love songs form
the Partridge family's repertoire. Unlikely though they'll have nearly
the calibre of musicians as people like Susan Dey with them so they
might have trouble with some of the changes.
Note: This medley could be substituted with "Themes of 70's TV
shows... The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Gilligan's Island, etc. " if the
crowd didn't seem to enjoy it early on in the tour.

Song: "Tale of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Roger Whittaker.
Visual: Donald and Walter are dressed up in sailor suits. Donald gets
to be Captain one show and Walter the next. A large ship's steering
wheel is at the front of the stage manned by the captain. The band
rocks back and forth as if they were on a boat. A 12 foot model of the
Edmund Fitzgerald sits behind the drummer.

Song: "Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Old Oak Tree"
This will be Steely Dan's tribute to the Gulf War victory.
Visual: Donald and Walter are dressed as Generals and the rest of the
band in varying degrees of rank depending on musicianship. At the
end of the song two tanks come onto the stage from either side. From
one tank appears Bob Hope and the other super model Cindy
Crawford! The crowd goes wild.

Ok, that's enough. Oh yeah, I'm supposed to include the following
tribute "Thanks to Amy Rolfes for inspiring me and making my life
worth living". It's awfully important to humour Amy, she still has to
make me some tapes.
................../s
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 18 Jan 1994 12:00:55 -0600
From: "Lexi Farralon"
Subject: DREAM PLAY IN THREE SCENES

DREAM PLAY IN THREE SCENES

Scene 1:
Donald and Walter are fishing for blues and stripers off Anguilla.
Suddenly, Walter's rod lurches and doubles over, almost slipping the sheath
of the pelvic harness. Quickly securing his gear, Donald runs over to lend
a hand. Together, their sinews straining, their bodies drenched with sweat
and salt water, the celebrated duo battle their unseen opponent. Fifty
grueling minutes later, the boys lift the beast out of the water and onto
the deck.

Exhausted, they regard their catch: a rare great trumpeter fish, nearly
seven feet long. Except for a shallow gasping, its eel-like body is at rest.

Scene 2: In the kitchen below decks.
From above, we hear music, The Mysterians' 96 Tears. Two attractive young
women, Janice and Lexi, have laid out the enormous fish on a long table.
Both are wearing shiny, black leather smocks and surgical gloves. They are
removing professional-looking equipment from a case. They begin to filet
the trumpeter, laughing and talking as they work. From above, we hear the
voices of Donald and Walter, singing along with the music in loose, drunken
harmony.

Scene 3:
Donald, Janice, Walter and Lexi sit around the table, now lit with candles.
They are drinking coffee and cheap blackberry liqueur. Lexi is now in a
short, black mini and a white blouse. Janice is wearing a bright red dress
and matching lipstick.

From a beat box on the floor, we hear an old Enoch Light "Provocative
Percussion" tape playing softly. After a while, Janice digs around in her
bag and produces a thin, elegantly wrapped cigar. She lights up, takes a
drag, and offers it to Walter, who takes a drag and passes it to Lexi. Lexi
looks at it, decides to abstain, and offers it to Donald.
BLACKOUT

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 23:20:39 -0600
Subject: ROSELAND REPORT: Concept #2

(Dan Inspired Report Concept #2)

(Print and put set-the-coffee-down ring on it)

(DRAFT)
(-2-)

I saw the best musicians of my generation

-the best and plenty good believe me-

and the most loyal, of fandom who could make the trek

some all the way from phoenix, chicago, st. louis

despite weariness and driving rain

who came to revive their spirits in the synergy

of the band that was alive in america again

playing their Music for the Music's sake

with a sincere love and craftsmanship

who came to be with more of the faithful

and the most holy -- swami pete for One

and the predominantly middle-aged white men and assorted others

with a house dedicated to the spirit of the Music

and a huge heart to fill that house

who came wistfully but cooly to broadway's land of roses

to see history

toodeloo, aja, bad sneakers, green earrings/bodhissatva, reelin'

do it again, josie, peg, liars,

on the dunes (fm)

who were satiated but never enough

pete, shari, hoops, annie, john, scott, bill, booty, stacy,
maggi-wearing but a star of donald, (insert your own)

by

walt and don, drew, c. b., bob, tom, diane, catherine, chris, brenda,
peter, john bill and of course the immortal and those uncited

who (some) came to the bat bar

to be

and celebrate

who realized the vibe of the music

and the vibe of the fandom was good

who came back to broadway's land of the roses again the night aft

to do it again

(you got to shake it baby you got to shake it baby you got to shake it)

who went their separate ways the next monday morning

to travel agencies, booking acts, university teaching, whatever

and back to reading the stack of old metal legs by the bathroom stool

dreamed of dan '96 dates in europe and wherever.

-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Hoops@mac.com
Subject: ANOTHER MEDIUM: Letterman interviews Steely Dan
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000

KD Wrote:

Yeah, it would have been nice to get the three kings 'o' irony shootin the
breeze, but the Late Show isn't the place for it. That meeting will have to
come to us through some other forum.


Yes, indeed. Some other forum...some other medium.

Too bad about all of us Dan Fans seemingly dazed and
confused by the lack of interview foreplay patter before the Dan launched
into an extra horny version of "Cuz" (six horns if I am correct).

Thanks to KD's inspiration, I did seek out another forum...another medium.
Despite having led us astray with erroneous news that 2vN debuted at #2
on the charts, I gave a certain medium a second chance--Sister Clare Rae
at the Lucky Psychic Hut near the rebuilt Speed Lube VI on U.S. 45 North
in Urbana, Illinois.

Sister Clare Rae was successful. Entering a parallel universe/television
network, with a special 90-minute edition of "Late Show" (just like the old
"Tonight Show") where Letterman always interviews his musical guests,
Sister Clare Rae was able to intercept the missing Late Show interview of
Becker and Fagen. Here's the transcript:

------ Letterman Show in Parallel Universe ------

Dave Letterman: Our next guests are legends. Having recorded such well
known ditties as "Do It Again," "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and "Deacon
Blues," they now return with their first studio album as a band in 20
years. Here they are for for their second "Late Show" visit. Please give
a warm "Late Show" welcome to Walter Becker and Donald Fagen--
STEELY DAN!

(Wild Applause, Paul Shaeffer and the CBS Orchestra play "Do It Again; "
Walter and Donald come from back stage escorted by those two babes who
usually escort Dave on stage at the opening; however, one is wearing a Girl
Scout uniform and the other is dressed in US Postal Service attire; only
the skirts are really short. Dave goes over and greets them and whispers
inaudible things in Walter and Donald's ears. D + W slightly shake their
heads in response to Dave. The babes walk away. Walter and Donald and
Dave all take their places at Dave's desk.

Letterman: Last time you were here, we had Sam Donaldson here and it
was very confusing. Then I remembered--SAM wears the fake hair like
me! Wonder where he gets his!

(WB & DF look at Dave, Audience laughs.)

WB: Dave, we still have our own hair, but you can bet we'd talk to Sam
and you if we were ever in the market and needed advice on making a buy...

DF: Yeah, I think Sam got his at Madame Tousad's...

(Audience laughs.)

WB: Or maybe it was at a Carpetland USA in Jersey.

(Audience laughs more.)

Paul: Hey, you can have my old toupees if you ever need 'em!

Letterman: Yeah, Paul owns a collection, "Fake Hair of the Middle Aged."

(Audience laughs, with a few tentative claps).

Letterman: Speaking of the aged...so your first studio album in 20 years!
What a wait! Why so long?

DF: We were waiting for the right time...

WB: Yes, and it took 20 years for things to seem right...the right music...
the right climate...

DF: The right marketing...

WB: That's right...we're launching "Two Against Nature" by partnering
with two fine American institutions, The United States Postal Service
and The Girl Scouts of America.

Letterman: That's what I have heard! Why don't you tell us a little bit
about it...

DF: Well, we were approached by the US Postal Service when they were
looking to replace Steve Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle" in their commercials.
At first they wanted "Jack of Speed"...

WB: Somehow that didn't seem right...so we offered them "Two Against
Nature" instead...

Letterman: We have a clip...Hal...roll the clip...

(Commercial Clip Starts)

Bad news breaking Box 18a
My check's shredded Miss Kitty say
Beautiful housewife in deep distress
Been months since they sent the mail order dress.
Everyone's waiting in this gruesome dream
Mail late again, make you scream
Called your Fed Ex, got USPS
Got the mail dude, don't bet yo' ass.

Two against the Mail Carrier don't you know?
Who's gonna drop the box of your things to go
Two Against Postal Service make it slow
Grannie's gift location is unknown
Two against nature don't get so bent
These boys wanna burn the bags of mail unsent

(Commerical clip fades out)

Letterman: Wow! Now that's a new image!

DF: And, as a tie in, they issued a new postage stamp to go with the album.

WB: Last October, in time for the holidays, they issued a special
commemorative deer stamp...only you have to use two to get the two
deers to match the artwork on the new album.

DF: Apparently, during the McCarthy era, Congress passed a law
prohibiting the appearance of two deer on one stamp...

WF: ...viewed as a communist plot... the deer were perhaps plotting...

DF: ...but we think the Postal Service was plotting to get Dan Fans to use
two stamps...to match the album...

Letterman: I see...so I understand you are working with The Girl Scouts
of America too...

DF: That's right...we're sponsoring their cookie sale...

WB: Instead of Thin Mints and Sugar cookies, the Girl Scouts are
exclusively selling only our special recipe, "Hall of Fame Swedish
Ginger Cookies."

DF: Look for them for sale at card tables set up at malls everywhere...

Letterman: As a matter of fact we have a camera on Eighth where
the special goodies are being sold...Hal...!?

(Screen cuts to street scene where Girl Scout-dressed babe in mini from
earlier is outside on Eighth standing at a card table selling "Hall of
Fame Swedish Ginger Cookies." Pink neon sign behind her blinks the word
"Girls" off and on. The same babe from earlier who was dressed in Postal
Service attire lights a bag of mail on fire so they can stay warm. The
babes stand close together, snuggling in front of the fire.)

(Return back to the Late Show set.)

Letterman: Thanks to cookie sales people Janie and Melanie...hmmm...
would that be a federal case? (Cringing laughter from audience.)...Kids!?
You love that Rock and Roll? Well, we'll be right back with Donald Fagen
and Walter Becker. They're gonna play something off their new one....
we'll be right back with Steely Dan!!!

(Applause, fade to eight minutes of commercials, followed by the same
performance of "Cousin Durpree" and quick end of the show we all
saw in THIS parallel universe/television network. )

So there you have it...given her previous track record, I can't attest to
Sister Clare Rae's accuracy, except in counting my cash. I guess this
won't sooth the pain of there not being a Letterman interview of D + W.

h
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, March 29, 2004, 12:02:42 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Shoot, gotta tell you one more thing about PL's arrangments. Steve is out of his gourd, as you know, about cutting and pasting tasty little bits of the live arrangements of some tunes. Dirty Work, Do It Again, Night by Night and others all harken to the live shows we've seen over the last ten years more than they do the record. His piano solo on Green Earrings (actually I like the Scoobie-Doo version better: Green Rearrings) he's been working on for months and it was just marvelous to see someone play with their LEFT hand all night, you know, like a real piano player? What he does on AJA is fantastic, he's got the keyboard kinda partitioned off into four distinct sounds. His marimbas, easy now, are just magnificent, you know, those triplets in AJA? Thrilling, he's locked to the middle of the beat, effortless. And yes, he has the shyte-eating grin goin.

Now as for their version of Any Major Dude. It starts out a capella, the other singers join in, tiny guitar touches help out early, they build it slowly this way to the bridge and then the whole band kicks in on "I can tell you all I know, the where to go..." And so the song is really an intimate conversation between two friends, the one tenderly advising the other on how when you feel like the whole world is just goin to shit sometimes, it's really mostly just shadows on wall projected there by our own fears, misgivings perhaps over something we've done and done badly maybe or failed to do. And the protagonist advises his friend that he's not going to tell him or her how to deal, what to feel, but to seek the answer from within which is ultimately where we find all our answers isn't it, I mean, no one can tell what's inside of you but yourself and perhaps it's wisest to just wait till morning when the world won't look so very dark and lonely and you can access you true self more easily and with better clarity. I felt this song in an entirely new way last night and yes, Mrs Calabash, it touched the Rajah's cold cold heart. When people tell you Steely Dan never displays emotion, affection or understanding of the frailty of the human heart, how brittle we all are no matter how tough, give them my email.

Date: Mon, March 29, 2004, 11:32:40 ET
Posted by: JoeM,

From the Tribeca Rock Club NYC website...

Fri 4/2/04 (doors at 9:00PM)

Headlining

Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock & Tim Lefebvre

The best kept secret in New York is coming to the TRC! What used to be a brain-folding weekly occurance is now harder to catch than an Elvis gig on Atlantis. Do yourself a favor and catch Wayne, Keith and Tim defying the laws of physics and smashing atoms in your ears before K3 goes the way of budget surplus and hookers in Times Square.

Opening:
TBA

Show time is 9:30PM

See you there...

Joe

Date: Mon, March 29, 2004, 07:01:25 ET
Posted by: Stevee(Insomnia)Dan, Floating Away on a Cloud

To my Great Friends SouthOfHollywood and Rajah ---

Most importantly ... Thank you both for coming out on a school night to see us play. South ... you had quite a drive up and back ... I thank you for that, and lots of other things ... Rajah ... you never cease to amaze me.

Those two reviews were over the top ... much like my clowning around.

You'd all probably think I paid these guys for them ... well, OK ... I DID !!! ha ha.

Your checks are in the mail gentlemen ... big fat ones ...
I took the gig money (90 + people in attendence ... close to a record for The Baked Potato) and added to it the last piaster I could borrow.

See you both in Greece this summer for the Track and Field competitions.

This gig was simply way too much fun.

As far as tomorrow (later today) and work is concerned ...
fagetta 'bout it ... I'm toast (something for the jam to land on).

One more thing: You all should have heard Mark Vincent's guitar solo on Kings ... he nailed the bugger. Every time he plays that great solo, my head explodes. I'm too tired to pick up the minute brain matter.

Chumba Wumba


SteveeDan ... Zzzzzz !

Date: Mon, March 29, 2004, 04:14:10 ET
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.

I was gonna wait till tomorrow to tell you all about the Pretzel Logic boys' gig at the Baked Potato but what the heck, who needs all that sleep. Now you all know Stevee and I are close buds and this calls into question my ability to review them objectively but let me assure you that if they sucked, your Loyal Rajah would say so. Well when I dropped in on them rehearsing last Thursday they did kinda suck. The time was all over the place, lots of starts and stops. Well, you take that old saw, "bad dress rehearsal, good performance" to the bank because they KILLED.

I'm sitting there with our South of Hollywood, we're having sprites and cokes and talkin smack about the Blue when the PL soundchecked with Kid C. The early crowd roared their approval. So we girded our collective loins for the ride.

Pretzel Logic has a new vocalist, a guy named Mark Wilson, Berklee boy, I would rate him a true tenor. Now PL's former crooner, my friend Warren W. was a marvelous front man for these guys so I'm not about to make any comparisons. But Mark Wilson's presence changes the dynamic significantly. He's a smooth pro, he's relaxed, he's in control and he's a whole lotta fun. Like bags and bags of fun. He does a lot of oral interp, he sings a high razor line, he makes very tasteful choices. He's animated but not schmaltzy, he really takes it right to the audience, he's an upper for certain. And it struck me how much fun these songs are, they're a riot, each one in its own world or otherworld as the case may be.

Here was their setlist:

1
King of the World
Black Friday
Night by Night
Bad Sneakers
Dirty Work (as rendered by the lovely Felice Hernandez, balzy voice on this spitfire of a lady and yikes what a looker she is)
Pretzel Logic
AJA
Green Flower Street (Steve, I love that tune)
Kings (performed by Evan Daum, this young guy's voice keeps getting stronger and stronger and this song is just great, I hardly ever play it)
Home at Last
FM
Bodhisattva

2
Any Major Dude
Caves of Altamira
Babylon Sisters
Black Cow
Boston Rag(Evan again)
Gaucho
Green Earrings(Steve's work on this was primo, some kind of counter
Do It Again
Dr. Wu
Peg
Don't Take Me Alive
Josie
My Old School
Kid C.

Screams from the packed Potato people, constant solo applause for the two great guitarists, Mark Vincent and Dave Hill. Mark, whom I lovingly call Mr. Snarly, was in full Snarl tonight, the boy is baaad to the bone. He looked like he's gonna play this here solo then come out and kick your ass. Dave is a friggin music professor and it shows, fluent command of the instrument. These two cover all the bases, nothing, absolutely nothing is missed or left to chance, each taking solos.

Of course you know how I feel about the heart and soul of this
ensemble, Steve, Jake Feldman vituoso bassist and son of you know who and the demonic Paul Goldberg on the trap. It's the kitchen, they cook hot and hard - I'm never anything but blown away by these three rhythmn monkeys from Mars.

The horn boys had their best night ever. Different horn players are constantly being shuffled in and out but I really think these three young fellas are aces and they did get better and better as the night wore on.

Steve of course is on such a high every time he plays, our boy loves to make the people happy and I just admire him so much for that spirit of his. He makes it look easy and he's constantly clowning around, doesn't take himself seriously one bit. Ya know, I was feeling kinda down as I left for the gig, Sunday night and all plus some other stuff buggin me from last week but those old Steely Dan songs still have the power to unlock something in me every freakin time, they set you free, they take you to another place. A netherworld where you can forget your mundane existence for a while. A place all of us know. A place that continues to call to me even now as I sit in this dark little library of mine where I tap on these keys for you and me to be understood.

Date: Mon, March 29, 2004, 03:00:47 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Home At Last

Had the distinct pleasure of seeing SteveeDan and his band of
Pretzel Logicians this eve at The Baked Potato in North Hollywood...
The place was SRO with our beloved Rajah (sans turban) in attendance, natch...
How nice it was to hear tour-forgotten gems such as "Kings", "King of the World", "Pretzel Logic", "Green Flower Street" and the Cynthia Calhoun version of "Dirty Work" (absolutely NAILED by Felice Hernandez) performed live and flawlessly at that...Stevee's band is sounding better than ever and they are a must-see...Perhaps they can go public more than 3 or 4 times a year???
Thanks for an evening of great music and a much-needed dose of live Steely Dan tunes, Stevee...

SOH

Date: Sun, March 28, 2004, 11:41:58 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

I tried to find this online to provide a simple link, but apparently the Philly Inquirer has now gone from a "1 week free online access" policy to a "free registration for online access." So I registered only to find the review is not posted there, at least not yet anyway. So I'll do this the hard way, but at least it's short...


Review by Karl Stark in today's Philly Inquirer of:

Bill Charlap --- "Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein"
(Blue Note, ***.5 out of ****)

"It is rare for a jazz disc to be achingly beautiful. But on this elegant trio set, pianist Bill Charlap packs an emotional wallop without getting schmaltzy as he takes a dark approach to Leonard Bernstein's show music.

"Charlap comes to this music from inside the musical-theater world. He is the son of the late Broadway composer Moose Charlap ('Peter Pan') and singer Sandy Stewart. But Charlap is also a leading jazz pianist who makes the Great American Songbook sound new and resonant. His choice of Bernstein is welcome, because the tunes are marvelous, and they make great scaffolding for the trapeze art of jazz.

"Some choices are obvious, such as 'Cool' from 'West Side Story,' which Charlap and his trio mates, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, turn into a tense but swinging affair.

"Charlap's interpretations are reverent and surprisingly spare, letting the melodies speak and then carrying the conversation where where his heart leads. Charlap often plumbs a more subdued Lenny, finding poignant and gorgeous chords on 'Some Other Time' from 'On The Town.' The title track is a tiny take of wistful solo piano that's a certified raiser of goose bumps."

Date: Sun, March 28, 2004, 02:05:50 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Websters

Or, perhaps, spatial?

I'll scratch your back...

SOH

Date: Sun, March 28, 2004, 01:50:03 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Chairman Of The Bored

Still Sparkin'...

Getting back to you on the disabling of the surround speakers with the Gaucho DVD-A...It's my non-audiophile belief that the DVD-A still sounds better than the CD in stereo mode, but only if you are using an optical input to your receiver...

If you want a real trip, play the Gaucho DVD-A with headphones only...Very different...Spacial...
And pure DF in your, um, head...phones...

SOH

Hey South....presumably you have surround sound. What happens if you use only your front speakers -- that is, if you disable the surround and run the Gaucho DVD-A only in stereo ? Is it still an improvement over other Gaucho discs ?
I'm curious because I don't have surround but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Nightfly DVD-A on both the Dolby surround mix (which works in curious but useful ways without surround), and on the stereo mix.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 21:10:44 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Thanks for your email Rajah ( responding here since I think it would be of interest to others), as well as Steve's earlier concerns about Leo. I think you are all great people but want to remind you something.

(Read in an NPR-'lude-ee kinda way:)
The idea of the Bluebook is a discussion board for Steely Dan fans, primarily about Steely Dan; I don't want to waste my time running a discussion board primarily ABOUT Steey Dan fans and their personal soap operas.

Some personal discussion is good, some tangential discussion is good. More than good, in fact: it's essential. But when people's vacation discussion, usage of the blue is for personal discussion that might be better suited to email, or bickering about what they think someone might have meant—even if the other probably really did passively mean it—takes front row to the main topic then we all lose out.

If you will: yeah, I kinda see this place as sorta leaning towards both the newsy as well as the stimulatingly funny and smart side of something like NPR.

If you think some is being a smart ass, it's very often best for you AND the whole Blue to ignore them rather than to go back and forth. Some of you compulsively fall for the bait. You can't help yourself. I've told a couple of you this dozens of times in email, in chat and even on the phone.

As for posting personal info, you never know who's gonna read that and what they are gonna do with it. Don't be uptight, but be don't be dumb. If you have to share too much about yourself with strangers here, maybe you need more "in-person" relationships.

I made a glaring mistake about the "Gaucho" DVD-A It DOES come with a surround version for non-DVD-A DVD players.

Finally, several of you have emailed asking how they can be invited to attend the Dannys ceremony. Just come. No invites. Can't wait to see you there.

Peace out.


jim

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 19:25:41 ET
Posted by: Nice Guy, Boston

I am interested in putting together and trading Steely Dan (and solo work) arrangements for Band in the Box, for private use.

Not put much together yet in terms of whole songs, but am working on Maxine. The song charts are pretty widely available on the Internet, which could make things very easy, I suppose, although I've not been using them.

I am working from a guitar point of view, but these can be easily adapted for any instrument.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 19:23:05 ET
Posted by: s.e.,

chat?

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 19:13:16 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Well then OK.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 19:11:34 ET
Posted by: spinning eel,

um, I was being serious.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 19:06:36 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Am I that obnoxious? Yeah, probably. I apologize.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 19:04:45 ET
Posted by: spinning eel,

Rajah, please elaborate on the shower. Did you shampoo AND condition? Exfoliate? Got a webcam? ;)

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 18:52:32 ET
Posted by: Rajah, dripping from the shower

Steven it truly does begin and end with the drummer.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 18:13:30 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, At the Piano Laboratory

Guilty as charged Rajah -

This is one of the things that I will be doing my best to harness.
The fact is, that it's darn exciting to play there. The room really does have an electric vibe. It's simply great playing there.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 18:00:29 ET
Posted by: Rajah for the Roses, ankle deep in fertilizer

As I sit here smelling like poo, I'm so excited about tomorrow night's show, I always run into someone I know or have worked with from the near or distant past. Steve's crew always give their utmost; my only concern, Steven, is being too loud for the room. Not for myself, you understand cause I love it set at 11, but the LA Sunday night illuminati jazz crowd love the quiet intensity thing and I don't know if Pretzel Logic can bank down that incendiary rhythmn section sufficient to satiate their thirst for cool cause let me tell you all that tapping one's foot in that room is sometimes sufficient for the one. Great natural cavernous sound in there made even more rich by the lingering spirits of the great players who have graced its confines.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 17:38:17 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Merely scratching the surface

I cannot list every amazing jazz artist who has played at The Baked Potato. This place is steeped in music history. It may not be the slickest looking club in town (it certainly is not) but the talent that has graced its stage is staggering ...

Alan Holdsworth
Jeff Berlin
Robben Ford
Joe Zawinul (Weather Report)
Frank Gambali
Lee Ritenour
Abe Laboriel
The Brecker Brothers
Tony Williams
Vinnie Caliuta
Jeff and Steve Porcaro
Stanley Clarke
Pete and Sheila Escovito
George Duke
... and on and on ...

It would be nice if the club held more people, but, as it is, the club is intimate and a totally fun place to play.

We've got various civic events and festivals lined up for the upcoming season ... hundreds of people flock in to see those shows. These are fun too, but the feel is very different.

None of these club or (most of the) festival gigs are for the money. We do them for the fun it gives us. Corporate gigs and private parties are where the better money is to be found. We have started to land some of these gigs recently. A key ingredient to finding these higher paying gigs came directly from playing clubs and public events.

In a city with as much musical competition as Los Angeles has, one has to be willing to get out there in order to gain attention. Persistence pays off. It's all good.

Besides, I do this primarily for the pure enjoyment of it and for the challenge of making it work ... and keeping it going. As far as I'm concerned, the pay is "found money". It's an extra gift above the payoff we get from playing Steely Dan songs to an appreciative audience.

Do you find this acceptable ?


SteveeDan - In pre-gig mode ... I'll see you all next week.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 17:30:42 ET
Posted by: Pam, Sweating to the yard work

Boy, if Stevee & co. were playing at my local post office, I'd be thrilled to be one of the 15 people that could squeeze in. Living in Jersey has it's drawbacks (unbelievable, eh?). How about an East Coast tour?

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 16:46:23 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

L - Indeed.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 16:25:29 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Rajah- And don't forget Larry Carlton.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 16:15:32 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, sweeping the floor

Boys, boys...

Stevee, Leo said he was sorry. And I think that the marketing strategy quip was aimed at yanking your chain. Now let's review...when someone does that, what is the most effective means to react?

Scroll on by.......

I sent you that e-mail, BTW. No sense bothering these good folks on their weekend.

KL on earlier. Did I mention that if I ever meet Phil Woods in person that I will kiss his feet? Ah, yes, we're back to the Feet focus group.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 15:50:41 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Leo, do Brian Auger, Andy Summers, John Beasley or leni Stern register on your radar screen? Check the Gallery of artists at the Baked Potato:

http://www.thebakedpotato.com/artist_gallery.shtml

Then check the monthly schedule, you'll see a guitarist named Wayne Kramer in there (amongst other notables) from the old MC5 with whom your mysterious Rajah sang in a band with in the 80s in Manhattan called The Last Words of Dutch Schultz.

http://www.thebakedpotato.com/index.shtml


Seventy people in one of the best rooms to hear music in L.A. Sunday and Monday the old pros come out to catch each other. Last time I was there Royce Jones and his Dad were in.

Now please don't bother me like this, I have roses to tend to.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 15:32:07 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Leo -

You really do need to find Peace.
Don't just write the word Peace. In that context it is meaningless.

The rest of it ... is not worth dignifying.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 15:27:57 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Steeve- Sorry. I didn't mean to come sounding "negative". But, I was thinking of some new strategy for the Pretzel Logic band to draw more than 70 people to it's shows. The way I figure is this... If you play every six months and draw 70 people, why don't you just play once a year instead? This way you can double your draw and get 140 people. This way when you say the show will be sold out, it will just sound better. That's all.

Peace,
Leo

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 15:00:53 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Leo --- Having a bad day ? ... Again ?
You're entitled ... have at it Dude.

The Baked Potato holds probably around 70 ... but since you aren't going to be there (or turned away for coming late), why are you so concerned ?

Doesn't anybody want to play with you? Nah ... me neither.

Why are you always so negative ? ... Nevermind, I don't really want to know.

Have a nice ... whatever.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 14:39:45 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Hey Steeve- It's going to be sold out? How many does The Baked Potato hold? 40 people?


Has anybody heard about this tour? Looks like McDonald stole the name of the tour from Fagen. I wonder if Mike asked Donald if it was ok to use the name?

"Hall & Oates teams with Michael McDonald for Rock & Soul tour":

Daryl Hall & John Oates join forces with Michael McDonald this summer for a co-headlining run dubbed the Rock 'n Soul 2004 Revue.
The outing--which features Average White Band in the opening slot--kicks off in late June, and dates for the first leg are set through mid-July. A second leg, for which dates have not yet been announced, will run from mid-August through mid-September, according to organizers.
Registered users of the tour's online-ticketing service will have access to a ticket pre-sale that begins on Tuesday (3/23), according to McDonald's website. On-sale dates for the general public were not available at press time.
McDonald is supporting last June's "Motown," which features the baritone-voiced singer-keyboardist's interpretations of Motown classics such as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Sign, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." The album recently went platinum, signifying U.S. shipment of 1,000,000 copies.
Hall & Oates are backing last year's "Do It for Love," which is the duo's first new studio effort since 1997's "Marigold Sky." The set features the singles "Forever for You," "Man on a Mission" and the album's title track.
The pair is currently at work on a new album that is expected to surface sometime this fall, according to the Hall & Oates website.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 14:34:45 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Little Wild One:

We need to talk. Send me an e-mail and I'll tell you what's up.

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 14:26:57 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, The Green Room

ATTENTION ALL LOS ANGELES AREA STEELY DAN FANS ...

Tomorrow night at The Baked Potato (www.thebakedpotato.com) is the Pretzel Logic band's first live performance in 6 months.

If you plan to attend, prepare to arrive by 7:30. This gig is going to sell out.

Hope to see you there.


SteveeDan (BL & KM for PL - ASDR)

Date: Sat, March 27, 2004, 08:37:26 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, awake too early

I, for one, will sleep better tonight knowing that we DanFans have someone on the "inside" at Muzak... not picky about where I hear my Steely Dan.

Thanks Traci. Love to hear more about the research that goes on in selecting tracks for a particular retail venue, i.e., does different music work better in a home improvement store vs. a grocery store? Also, I seem to recall from one of my college courses (Oy! too long ago) that the whole reason the Muzak thing came into existence was to improve productivity among workers in the '40's.

And, admittedly, some folks rail against the subversiveness of society's attempts to influence the human psyche in these ways, but I just kinda accept it all as part of living in the 21st century, enjoy what I can and ignore the rest.

People yakking about inane stuff on cell phones in public places bothers me a helluva lot more.

And on another note, Travelocity has some great fares to NYC right now just in time for Memorial Day weekend and the Danny's. Check it out! Fifty-Fourth Street is the junction this year....

Happy last Saturday in March everyone.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 23:39:55 ET
Posted by: AmericanSquirm,

Traci,

I took on a new job last week, one that has muzak playing 24/7. For the first three days, I didn't hear one song I recognized, which I thought was odd. Then, while sitting around waiting for my shift to end, a familiar melody pops up: "Slow Ride," by Foghat.

Again: "Slow Ride," by Foghat. Muzak Foghat. Amazing.

And for it to be the first song I recognized (since then I've only recognized "Satin Doll"), wow. No "Islands In the Stream," no "Yesterday."

"Slow Ride," by Foghat. Had to get that off my chest.

It was shweet.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 20:14:43 ET
Posted by: Traci, Leaving Work

Hi Rajah,

Can probably do that next week; I'm sure you can assume some of the obvious (Aja, Deacon Blues) but there are a few that make you scratch your head.
I've been asking the Director to get some of those instrumental versions burned onto a disc and send them off the Donald and Walter
but he said he can only do it with a written request from them.
Then again, they may not want to hear them...

Talk to you next week,
Traci

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 19:28:25 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 12:09:45 -0600
From: hoops <hoops@dandom.com>
Subject: 3/27: Free Bill Charlap Appearance in Person, on Radio & Internet

REMINDER: Bill Charlap Trio will be appearing at Manhattans J & R Music World on Saturday, March 27. WBGO with DJ Monifa Brown will be simulcasting from 2-6 PM (NYC time) at 25 Park Row, 2nd Floor. The trio will be signing his new album, "Somewhere: Songs of Leonard Bernstein" which is due March 23 in the USA. The cool part is that http://www.wbgo.org offers a simulcast so even you guys down under can listen.

Bill is, of course, the amazing pianist on "Pixeleen," among other credits. He did a guest spot at the Jones Beach show last summer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 19:26:29 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The latest Dandom Digest--marking its 11th Anniversary--is out.

You should receive it in the next 12 hours. If not, please email me and I will see what the problem is. If you don't currently subscribe to this free newsletter, then please get over to http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest and subscribe. Or email me. I'm always glad when someone new joins us in the Digest.

Headlines in this Dandom Digest for March 22-26,2004 include:



-- Rikki Coincidences
-- 3/27: Free Bill Charlap Appearance in Person, on Radio & Internet
-- The Dannys—May 29, NYC
-- Le Bar Bat
-- Re: Le Bar Bat, The Lizard Lounge
-- REDUX: 5 Steely Dan Surround SACDs in June
-- REDUX: CBAT Added to SACD Schedule
-- Aja tapes
-- DVD-A of "Gaucho" now out in the USA
-- REDUX: DVD-A Primer by the Immortal
-- Snowbound Video
-- Royal Scam Instrumental
-- re: Royal Scam Instrumental
-- Concert Review: Dave Brubeck Octet at Avery Fisher Hall/Lincoln Center (NYC) 22Mar04
-- ELEVEN YEARS OF THE DANDOM DIGEST

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 19:25:46 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Traci - Wow, 38 songs, I didn't think it was more than 10. Maybe sometime when it's convenient for you, you might list them for us. That would be somewhat fascinating.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 18:48:52 ET
Posted by: Traci, My Office At Muzak

It's interesting to hear comments on how much Steely Dan original music is being played in different locations.
I should point out that Muzak has been licensing music from the original artists since the 70's and what you would call "elevator music" represents about 4% of our business and is actually never heard in elevators.
The original Steely Dan you're hearing in most grocery stores, pharmacies, Home Depot, etc., is Muzak. The other programmers that I work with actually "get it" so they (like myself) tend to be very careful when deciding what to place into a program due to the subversiveness of their content and Muzak's policy of lyric screening. Otherwise you'd actually hear much more of them. And yes, I do understand that IGY, Blues Beach, Lunch With Gina, etc. is certainly not what it seems, but again, it's so completely subversive no one is catching it.

We do have a small database of Steely Dan music that has been covered instrumentally. Last time I checked there were 38 Steely Dan covers, including a cover of "Monkey In Your Soul" that I found particularly humorous.

I wish to not receive e-mail at work so if you have any questions or just want more information about Muzak, please e-mail my home address below. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 18:36:05 ET
Posted by: Moll , another reality

Rajah, I always thought announcers on NPR sounded like they'd taken a few too many hits of Valium. But I too love the news and music on NPR.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 18:20:49 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Rajah, what you've said reminds me of when people say "Rock and Roll is a bunch of noise" or my Metallica-loving neice who dises Steely Dan as mellow elevator muzak. I know we convince each other otherwise, but NPR news is lowkey without a lot of noise or hype and pretty well put together than our local CBS/Infinity news radio channel and the like. You should give the other shows I mention a listen—a number are hilarious.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 17:58:18 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Hoops - I also listen to NPR a lot for their music, I couldn't live without Piano Jazz (I loved the way Donald treated that lovely woman Marian MacPartland with the deference you would an esteemded grand dame of your kindred, BTW) and Morning Becomes Eclectic. It's the news people, H, they have, over the years, made me crazy and insensate. It's the tone. It's like if every song had the same key, tempo and pitch. It numbing.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 17:48:11 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Rajah, Spinning, etc. Thanks for your views—interesting to hear other perspectives. I subscribe to my local NPR stations. Have volunteered to work phones in the past during pledge week. I listen to WBEZ in Chicago, From 8 PM to 4 AM Monday through Thursday, they have jazz; mostly NPR programming at other times. http://www.wbez.org When I lived in Urbana, Illinois, I listened to http://www.will.uiuc.edu (WILL AM).

NPR is far from perfect, and clearly they've bowwed to some conservative political pressures. Sure, there are some great local alternative news stations (and web sites too).

However, I listen to NPR an average of five or six hours a day. "Morning Editon" (too bad what they want to do to Bob Edwards), leave it on all day on weekends for so many shows—"Weekend Edition" (not nuts about Scott Simon), "Piano Jazz," "Jazz with Dick Buckley," hilarious shows like "On the Media," "This American Life," and "Whad' ya Know," and for you PeterQ/Meal Reviewer fans there's "Word Jazz." Can't imagine a Danfan at least not liking "Car Talk." Sure, that SNL skit was hilarious. I think some on NPR even played it again. But NPR can be very hilarious too—again, the three shows I mentioned are examples.

The day EMG came out they played snippets between segments (they play SD between segments all the time) and although few other stations would, they found time to interview Steely Dan several times. And of course, NPR had "Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz" with our heros. To be sure, there are some alternative news talk stations that are more aligned with my political leanings—some segments on NPR, IMHO, suck up to the current administration way too much. But of all the national radio networks, I think NPR is the one that "gets" Steely Dan as a current creative force and not as an oldies act.

On rare occassion I get a taste for Stern as I would for Hotess Twinkies, blue Hawaiian Punch and pork rinds. People gotta learn to change channels if they don't like what they here and if their younger kids are listening maybe they should pat attention and their teens learned most of that stuff on the playground, if you ask me. My favorite Stern interview was back in 1986 when he had a lot of fun with the much-too-serious Justin Heyward of the Moody Blues.

People who bash NPR also tend to bash "The New York Times" a lot. I agree that the NY Times can be pretensious at times and succumb to political pressure too much. But fact is, it's a helluva lot better written than most newspapers and they at least raise issues that other newspapers are too dumbed down to even write about. Of course, there is the "Wall Street Journal," which makes me crazy since it's news from the primary perspective of money and stocks. But just to prove me wrong about that, they've also run some great stories on Steely Dan in the past.

I don't see how you can completely dis NPR when they are by far the most Steely Dan-friendly network out there today.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 17:09:21 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Exactly what I was picturing. If there is a hell and your sinful and prodigal Rajah is dispatched thither, I will, no doubt, be stuck in a room with NPR on round the clock, an Eagles album with a close n play turntable (Yes, Gretchy, like you had when you were a little girl), and a bottle of varietal red wine from Oregon (OK come at me Oregon) that I can never finish. Help me, Jesus, save my recondite soul. I ain't no sinner, I ain't no Savior, every other Christmas, I practice good behavior.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 16:56:40 ET
Posted by: spinning eel,

Rajah, ever see the SNL sketch making fun of NPR? It's a cooking show called "Delicious Dish" with Molly Shannon and Anna Gasteyer, playing the 2 droning, nauseously soothing announcers. Friggin hilarious!

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 16:47:39 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

RCray - NPR is still worse than Stern. Stern's a twenty-minute freak show I like to hear driving into the office, NPR is a life sentence to banality and that very irksome slower than normal speech cadence that all their jocks seem to have be certified in before they can go on air. See cause if you speak fast, you're lying is I'm certain the pretzel logic behind that one. It's sad, independent voices do not have a decent forum on our airwaves; look, we have no statesmen left, i.e., politicians who work toward the greater good and not their faction's agenda; musicians who go ass-up to Management's demands for accessible pablum; novelists, pundits and op ed editors pandering to people's religious beliefs and prejudices, lawyers who'd lie to the mothers who bore them. Now Howard is guilty of errecting this facade of the everyman; well, it's BS naturally. Eschewing big words cause they're "pretentious" as he constantly drones. Well, Howie, no, some people just have an alacrity with language which tends to make illiterates and lazy morons feel inferior in some twisted turn of the mind. How dare someone use the full version of English 2.0 instead of the "Hooked on Phonics" edition? How dare you make me feel like shit cause I'm a dummy who never cracked a book with a hard cover? Since we're all equal under the law, how dare you be smarter than me, more honest than me, prettier than me? He panders to the lowest common denominator. This is the danger with Howard.

The people who buy into the NPR propaganda are just about in the same boat. If there's one thing I can't stand more than a Republican shill is a pious liberal.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 15:47:47 ET
Posted by: rcray, nyc

Stern was funny for awhile. But now it's just the same old shit over and over. Lesbians, short people, mentally challanged people etc.....

It's almost like listening to NPR. All they do is point out why capitalism doesn't work ad nauseum. If you don't like it LEAVE. Communism will take you. -OR- go north to our socialist friends...Oh Canada. I think NPR is worse than Stern.

But alas, I have choices. Sattelite Radio is the future.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 14:01:45 ET
Posted by: Merrium, Websters R US

Elevator: one that raises or lifts something up. Root word: elevate: to raise in rank or status; exalt; to improve morally, intellectually or culturally; to raise the spirits of; elate.

I don't know about you, but generally Steely Dan music does that for me.

I don't mind, I don't mind....

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 12:44:30 ET
Posted by: Woodie, Eastern Canada

Hey Fife,

I am with ya. I think there is something in the air regarding the music piped in Ottawa's buildings. I work downtown, in a huge tower. Every a.m. it is guaranteed that I will hear either Rikki, Peg, Blues Beach, or Tomorrow's Girl during my coffee break. Not that I mind; it is just for those ignorant people who do not know any better. The music gets into their heads and then then next thing you know they have identified it as elevator music which it is not. Trust me, I prefer SD being piped out more then anything else. I just have a problem with people identifying it as elevator music.

Oh the horror.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 11:39:42 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

BF - Amen. Howard is anti-intellectual, inimical to the artistic process, and above all, purile. He's taseless, insensitive and sophmoric. He's also very important to protecting our 1st Amendment rights against all the small minds out there who simply cannot brook a disparate voice, opposing sensibilities, or even a whacky sense of humor. But it isn't just Howard who is being attacked these days, look around and you will notice it everywhere-and I do mean everywhere- what with all our sacred cows and unbearable societal pressures to conform. Our inability to recognize and accept irony and satire is the main reason Steely Dan doesn't sell like they truly deserve. It's also the reason they are played in stores! It's ironic then, is it not, that a forum like this, ostensibly devoted to Dan, is experiencing much the same crisis. We are losing our ability to discern the difference between a person who is employing devices of speech which are satirical and offered in a good-natured fashion and sociopaths' mean-spirited, tortured and desparate ravings. We refuse to understand the difference, maybe it takes too much work or attention. We are a fearful and cloaked community in America these days, our true voices are closeted and we are being forced to walk in lockstep; marginalizing of all of us who hear and move to a different time signature.

Now, personally, I listen to Howard cause I like to hear strippers getting lunch meat thrown at their mayonaise-schmeered behinds. Knowing me as you all do - and I daresay those of you who have read the Rajah for any appreciable time know me very, very well - I would think you would understand why. Howard throws incorrect colors up onto the canvas - and that's all he does - he does not analyze and synthesize anything for us -- until now that is, now that his very existence is being threatened by an America with a tiny heart, a miniscule sense of the absurdity of existence and it's natural balm --comedy and satire, and an unwillingness to suffer discomfiture of any kind in the name of expanding one's sensibilities or just having a laugh. Peace.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 10:42:48 ET
Posted by: Big Fan, at work - is spring finally here yet?

With all of these SD moments being revealed, I struck with another instance of how life imitates art once again. Don and Walt joked about the shopping aspect of the last CD – Everything Must Go, Last Mall etc. I don’t know if good or very, very sad that their music has been reduced to what we now shop by. How ironic is that – don’t ya think? Do they realize that their music is more popular at stores than on the radio and what would they think of that? What’s so weird is that if anyone actually listened to the lyrics and understood the characters, they would be appalled at the topics playing in their stores – but it goes right over most peoples heads. Certainly a strange world we live in.

I don’t know if anyone commented on the Steely Dan mention on Howard Stern’s show last week. Howard is not a big fan – but Gary is. Howard said that they played “gay” music and Gary said that Howard didn’t realize how stupid he sounded when he said that. Howard references about the Steely Dan name origin.

I do listen to Howard in the morning s for my 45-minute drive. If I don’t like what he’s doing, I have 5 other buttons I can push. I’m a free speech, let the people choose, capitalist type of person. If people don’t want to listen – don’t – and don’t support the advertisers. It seems to me this isn’t the problem –people want to listen and are apparently very brand loyal to those products that advertise on his show. I’m not easily offended, and certainly I am never offended by anything he says or does. I’m more offended by Oprah at 4:30 in the afternoon because that’s when the kids are home watching TV.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 09:56:37 ET
Posted by: fife, eastern ontario

Every time i walk into a mall opr grocery store here there is a very good chance i will here the Dan at sometime. The weirdest was one day about 2 months after the release of EMG. I was wondering around the merivale mall when all of a sudden blues beach came on, not even the local radio stations were playing it. At billings bridge mall they are very fond of playing anything from Nightfly. Don and walt must have a deal with the musak industry!!! thank the dan gods LOL.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 07:21:22 ET
Posted by: TG, Stargate

I've heard Blue's Beach in Rite Aid, and IGY and Walk Between the Raindrops in Big Lot's. The strangest one was Sign In Stranger in Moore' Dept. Store. I had to laugh, I'm sure no one else in that store would get that one.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 01:35:59 ET
Posted by: Still ' Sparkin, China

Hey South....presumably you have surround sound. What happens if you use only your front speakers -- that is, if you disable the surround and run the Gaucho DVD-A only in stereo ? Is it still an improvement over other Gaucho discs ?
I'm curious because I don't have surround but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Nightfly DVD-A on both the Dolby surround mix (which works in curious but useful ways without surround), and on the stereo mix.

Date: Fri, March 26, 2004, 00:08:32 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, More

As far as visuals go on the Gaucho DVD-A...

*None!
*Only playlists for surround and stereo...
*A click-to-view screen of the SD catalog that includes sound bytes from each album (but NOT 2vN nor EMG)...These bytes are in stereo, however, NOT surround
*Click-to-view lyrics from Gaucho
*Album credits
*A click to view photo gallery with some VERY old pix of the boys

This part of the disc could have been soooo much better...Anyway

SOH

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 23:56:53 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Listening closely...

First listen of the Gaucho DVD-A and a few comments...

*Very prominent bass lines on all tracks...
*Much "warmer" sounding than the 5.1 DTS mix...
*DF sounds as if he is sitting right in the room...
*Hearing many things I've never noticed before...Nice!
*Ultra-crisp guitars on all tracks...
*Background vocals inconsistently mixed somewhat...

It's too late to crank it up to the desired levels, so more to come later...

SOH

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 23:24:28 ET
Posted by: angel,

We got Donald singing IGY at Trader Joe's tonight. From what was posted earlier, I figure we just missed Blues Beach.

Article in Los Angeles Magazine about Actor Michael Chiklis (The Shield). It mentioned that in his younger days, he was part of a band, playing gigs in the Boston area. Last year, for his 40th Birthday, the old band got together to play. The other members of the group got off the plane and immediately started playing together, no rehearsal involved. The song? Babylon Sisters by Steely Dan.
Chiklis' comment was that "to cover that kind of stuff without a rehearsal was pretty ambitious".

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 23:13:52 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Big Fan: I've heard "The Last Mall" and "Blues Beach" in Home Depot quite a bit. But for me the most unusual was "Green Book" in Boston Market last July. Runner up was "Rose Darling" in Jewel-Osco Food/Drug (part of Albertson's).

Like I once said, wouldn't it be funny --sorta the anti-Radio Free Dandom-- to have a web page that told Danfans what stores to go to to hear their favorite Dan tunes?

jim

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 23:10:49 ET
Posted by: hoops,

In addition to the usual posts by the fish whacko, there has been a really odd series of posts not by the fish, that really seemed to be awfully strange. Hey, I'm not against some tangential carryings-on since that can help the karma. But a lot had bad karma and I didn't know where to begin.

If for some reason, your very legit post was accidently deleted below (meaning not the fish nut for sure) please accept my apologies and repost.

Sorry but the mess was all a bit too confusing for me to sort out.

Due to some of you who abuse this place, there will be some changes coming to the blue this weekend. Thanks for your patience.

jim

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 13:35:30 ET
Posted by: Crimea,

Think this headline writer might be a SD fan?

http://www.newsday.com/news/yahoo/nyc-nyrept253722394mar25,0,6927221.story?coll=ny-newsaol-headlines

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 12:25:51 ET
Posted by: John,

Does the SACD of Aja mean that they found the missing masters to Black Cow? Or is this one of those dealies where they just enhance the stereo sound with no surround feature? Has Elliott Shiner said anything about this?

Keep the faith.

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 10:00:13 ET
Posted by: Spinning wheel,

yes and I heard Lunch With Gina (the actual album track) in the supermarket the other day, too funny

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 09:30:17 ET
Posted by: spinning eel,

big fan, i also heard Blues Beach in the grocery store yesterday, followed directly by IGY! I almost dropped my avocados!

Date: Thurs, March 25, 2004, 09:17:40 ET
Posted by: Big Fan, at work - cable modem has been down for a day at home

My wife and I went and saw Al Stewart last night in concert in Northampton, MA at the footsteps of Smith College. A very small place ñ the Iron Horse Music Hall. It cost $20 at the door - $17.50 if we had bought them in advance. They brought beers to your table and served food. Good beer too ñ local microbrews from Northampton and Berkshire breweries. Place was full ñ maybe 50-75 people. A one man acoustic show ñ he elicited requests from the crowd. He stayed and signed autographs afterwards. This is what I consider a great concert. I last saw Al Stewart on Nov. 5, 1976 at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. I know this is only tangentially related to Steely Dan, however in that 1977 time frame, Year of the Cat, Aja and Fleetwood Macís Rumors albums could be found on my Technics direct drive turntable with a Sonus Blue Label cartridge a lot. I sometimes wonder in what landfill that turntable is ñ resting under thousands of tons of garbage. It played a lot of great music.


I saw that Fleetwood Mac is going to play at The Meadows here in June - $145.50 plus handling charges for EACH ticket ñ not scalped. I would like to see Fleetwood Mac, but that is just plain nuts, Iím sorry.


Of the most bizarre Steely Dan moment ñ I was in our local CVS last week getting a prescription filled for the kids. What do I hear on the canned music track but Blues Beach ñ not musak either, Iím thinking no way. First, Iím 100% sure that no one else in the store could have named this tune for $1 million. Second, I never once heard any song from EMG on any local radio station ñ poor marketing by the record company for sure ñ so to hear it at CVS really blew me away. Good thing they sell drugs there. With Fleetwood Mac coming to town, it seems that about every third song on the radio is one of their oldies. Why couldnít it have been that way with Steely Dan last year ñ and they at least had two new albums with fresh material.

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 23:10:24 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

Woodman, to me the new Carlton cd is - with the exception of 2 songs,boring. I think, he plays it way too safe for a guy of his talent . It’s straight blues mostly and while it’s done well and he plays good it doesn’t create much excitement for me. It has been done so many times and you can hear that format live in any blues club in the US, minus Larry of course.
Robben Ford makes the blues a lot more exciting and throws in some guitar stuff that is superior. I don’t even like Larry’s sound so much here.
Rajah, right on about Howard Stern. Do we really need to know more about Carmen Electra?
He has his audience and that’s fine but his humor is the one that would be popular at a college party with a bunch of(us)drunk guys. Most of us have fond memories of these times. But every morning??
Imus on the other hand has high profile people on the program before they put their suits on in the morning and for some reason they seem to be more candid and less pretentious that way.

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 23:01:31 ET
Posted by: suedave, the emerald city in springtime

You've talked me into it - after reading your remarks about Apogee I went straight to Amazon and bought it....it sounds like I've just made a good move. thanks!

Another call to let you know about the Danfest on May 15th - an evening of dinner, jazz, and the company of those of our kind while we listen to Larry Carlton at Jazz Alley here in Seattle. Email me if you are in - I'll be making reservations by April 1st. A group of us went last year - it was an awesome, high energy show.

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 17:51:51 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Yes, I did hear Howard show his unintelligent ass, he said something like, "Ba-ba-buee loves Steely Dan, do you know what that name stands for? It's a dildo!" I will defend Howard's right to the airwaves but his tastes are in the toilet.

Howard is a moron. Full stop.

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 17:38:30 ET
Posted by: Priscil, So. California

Hey there,
Did anyone listen to the Howard Stern show this morning?
His sidekick, Gary, said "If anyone says Steely Dan sucks, they
are making fools of themselves".

I thought that was cool.

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 16:23:11 ET
Posted by: jazzfan, florida

Hey RCRAY


HEre you go:

JAZZ
Pete Christlieb-Warne Marsh Quintet -- "Apogee" (Warner Bros.)
FOUR STARS out of four stars

At the height of fusion in 1978, Warner Bros., which had little interest in straight-ahead jazz, somehow released an LP featuring an unlikely pair of tenor saxophonists, an underground legend (Warne Marsh) and a young swinger (Pete Christlieb). The result was one of the great unsung records of the decade.

The sparks fly on every track, with Marsh's snaky lines curling around the robust Texas Tenor sound of Christlieb in ultra-inspired duets and chase passages. The West Coast trio sets a simmering groove, and the material is slick enough to avoid monotony without squelching creativity -- dig the way the overdubbed saxes on "Magna-tism" shift the music into overdrive only 5 minutes into the record. A backstage secret: Those noted jazz freaks Walter Becker and Donald Fagen (a.k.a. Steely Dan), ran interference at the label and produced this beaut. Thanks, guys.

By Mark Stryker, Free Press music critic

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 16:01:45 ET
Posted by: rcray, nyc

I heard some mention of "Apogee" the album becker/fagen produced.

Does anyone have any reviews of it??

Just wondering if I should pick it up. Thanks.


Rcray

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 15:32:08 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, one more time, I can't quit this

Perhaps it's because I'm a New Englander, but I find the scenery here, with the palms, haze, and unusual light very exotic. The first thing that comes to mind is the scenes from the "Making of Aja" DVD. I keep hearing the songs from Aja and Gaucho in my head. Just the atmosphere, I guess. That's all, folks.
G

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 15:31:16 ET
Posted by: Woodman, Canada

Just picked up Larry Carleton's Blue Sapphire. Totally unexpected for what I was to hear.

Anyone else have an opinion on it?

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 15:26:01 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, How about you?

Cat, Apogee is the most elegant thing I've heard in years, very sleek and romantic, very old New York, but a cool, laid back twist. It's real jazz, not smooth, synthesized material trying to be sophisticated.
I've been listening to it thoughout the week, definitely a winner.

I'm getting the "goodbye look" from the staff here, best for me to sign off for now...............one does miss some conveniences of home.

G

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 15:16:47 ET
Posted by: Happening Cat,

Check out the review the new "Apogee" reissue got at the Allmusic site...

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDSUB040403241507302555&sql=Aag4gtq2zzu45

Date: Wed, March 24, 2004, 15:09:18 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, postcards from the edge of the Pacific

Was notified my DVD-A of Gaucho shipped Friday so I expect it in the barrel of the past week's mail when I get home.

G

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 21:48:25 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Rajah--

Nope DVD-A is BETTER than 5.1. More advanced, much newer technology.

However, this is the first SD-related DVD-A that didn't also include an older, inferior technology DTS 5.1 That's because DTS already sells a 5.1 of "Gaucho" (that one came out in 1998/99).

Russ:
Not much in the way of non-audio from what I can tell. I have limited capabilities, but another Danpal with a full-feature system reported that the only additions in the visuals department are some photos we've previously seen. Still, it's nice to finall have THREE surround versions of "Gaucho." I believe this is the only album out there from a high quality artist like Steely Dan, that we can compare all three technologies.

jim

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 21:47:02 ET
Posted by: repost, from your favorite fish!

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 20:07:50 ET
Posted by: DonWand, Puka Lani, HI


Walter and I were shooting a Viagra commercial in an Maui onion field with Tara Reid in the back of a ghetto cab (our record label dumped us) when Trout landed on top of the cab in a UFO shaped like a giant squid.

Where the heck is hoops, this is not funny?

The Donald

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 19:32:37 ET
Posted by: Hugh McCracken, Anyone seen hoops?


Trout just did a crop circle on my lawn and laid some fish eggs and I am pissed off.

Who is this trout person?

Why is March Trout Madness Month?


Hugh

**********************************************
Message from bluz to Little Wild One “Get a job @ the

National Enquirer”

*********************************************

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 21:07:35 ET
Posted by: hoops I got my sleepng bag out and a year's supply of , peeps, donuts, Pringles and Redtail Ale


I am not leaving until you apologize for spreading rumors and constantly crapping in your bloomers here.

Trout in a Pout

You have as much integrity as Scott Peterson and it is obvious to all.


Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 21:43:17 ET
Posted by: Attention Little Wild One with the Large Mouth, your rag is daily and dirty 4 sure


but your writing career and your friend hoops diddy's
is for the Weekly National Enquirer. Isn't your latestest story about Marilyn Was Killed by a Vampire?

Such quality writing and reporting. Not to mention the content of your chat. Your broken record mantra:

"South of Hollywood is so arrogant and shallow"

Sounds like you got rumped and then dumped. Sour Grapes and PMS headaches. Try some Midol.

Nurse Trout

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 21:45:53 ET
Posted by: Stevee Pewee?????, WTF?

Gosh that is a bit graphic for my taste, In total shock. Such advertising.



STEVEEDAN (Head Cheerleader, and Seasoned Cock Suckster in the Sear Sucker suitfor PL - ASDR)


Anything for advertising these days!




Too bad I will be washing my hair that night and will be unable to attend.

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 21:42:41 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Steven - The candelabra is at the ready, the ass-crack cam is poised, ouch, and we fully expect to be altered by the truth this coming Sunday night at the Baked Potato at 3787 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City, California 91604 please be prompt. So outrageous so punkin, don't be concerned that the Rajahnissimo el Grande Capuccino will be scrutinizing your every move on the ivories and spilling it to a worldwide audience whether anyone likes it or not. Me well frankly I'd be somewhat shitless with nerves -- but you're better than that -- so I think we're cool. I know you love this, has it really been six months? Yowie, wear control-top undies cause it's Steely Dan, time to get freaky.

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 20:01:47 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, The Marketing Dept.

This Sunday is the gig. Hmmm ... that's not going to get it done ...
How about ...


THAT'S SUNDAY, MARCH 28TH, 2004 AT 8 PM PROMPT ...

PRETZEL LOGIC - A STEELY DAN REVUE

WILL PLAY IT'S FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE IN 6 MONTHS.

PLAN TO SHOW UP EARLY ... EVEN WITH THE FIRE MARSHALL LOOKING THE OTHER WAY, WE'RE EXPCTING A "TO THE RAFTERS" CROWD.

WE'VE ADDED NEW SONGS, NEW MUSICIANS, NEW SHTICK ... ETC.

WHERE IZZIT AT ? ... WHY, IT'S AT ...

THE BAKED POTATO
3787 CAHUENGA BLVD. WEST (AT LANKERSHIM BLVD.)
STUDIO CITY, CALIFORNIA
(818)890-1516 OR CHECK OUT WWW.THEBAKEDPOTATO.COM FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

WE LOVE TO TOUR THE SOUTHLAND ...


STEVEEDAN (Head Cheerleader, and Seasoned Huckster for PL - ASDR)

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 18:07:38 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Hoops - I thought the DTS 5.1 option was the whole point to DVD-A. Yikes, I don't get it.

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 17:57:33 ET
Posted by: Russ,

Hoops.. what video is showing during each song? Are there new graphics that they developed? Did they add any other bonus video footage to it like they did for Kamakiriad?

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 17:54:55 ET
Posted by: hoops,

FedEx delivered the "Gaucho" DVD-A today. Looks like it does NOT include the DTS 5.1 option that the other SD and DF DVD-A's have been including. If I am correct about that, then the other 5.1 DVD that's been out for 5 years or so is still the only way you can get it...for about $7-$10 more.

Any one else get theirs today?

jim

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 16:33:10 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

I can't visualize Donald driving in Manhattan. I get the impression he travels around by secret underground corridors disguised as Barry Manilow so no one bothers him. Now Walter in Hawaii just never made sense to me. Bermuda shorts, flip-flops and a Totes hat? Or, perish the thought, Birkenstocks? Walty really made me laugh at Universal last October when he said something to the effect: "Here we are back in LA where I very nearly escaped incarceration many years ago." He so funny.

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 15:46:39 ET
Posted by: (*)(*), cali

fagen most likely takes cabs and it has been well noted before that becker drives a lexus.

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 14:51:18 ET
Posted by: rcray, nyc

YET another steely reference from ben folds:


Ben Folds hopes solo equals success

According to Folds, with "Rockin' the Suburbs" he took advantage of modern recording techniques. This meant trusting the instincts of producer Ben Grosse in deciding how refined the recordings would become.
"I would have a really live sounding take; and I would kind of be pushing for let's just leave it because that sounds like some out of control band," Folds says. "But Ben (Grosse) felt like if it was not tight and clear and people weren't going to know it sounded like an out of control band because there wasn't enough clarity in the mix. So a lot of times we'd have to go a little Steely Dan on things to get it to calm down. I was OK with that."

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 14:48:03 ET
Posted by: rcray, nyc

one more steely article for your enjoyment:


Ben Folds Five's Approach To Steely Dan's 'Barrytown'
(LAUNCH, 06/22/2000 4:00 PM)

By Craig Rosen

(6/22/00, 4 p.m. ET) - Ben Folds Five has contributed a smoking version of Steely Dan's "Barrytown" to the Me, Myself & Irene soundtrack album. The song epitomizes the Northeastern mood of the movie, which stars Jim Carrey and Renee Zellweger and hits theaters on Friday (June 23).

LAUNCH asked Ben Folds Five bass player Robert Sledge if they compared the sound of their version to Steely Dan's original. "We did it and we looked at the meters," he said. "You run white noise through a spectrum analyzer and then you use a microphone and EQ the room. If you can get it flat, that's supposedly the bomb track. Steely Dan sounds like that -- they're so ultra hi-fi, and we don't sound like that, but we did listen to it and then we didn't listen to it, yeah. Because Ben started using this chorus-y piano thing that sounded really neat, and I'm using, like, a synth bass and stuff, so it's a bit more out there than they did. We tried to do a bit of a trippy thing with it -- as trippy as we can be."

Ben Folds Five will visit CBS's The Late Show With David Letterman and play "Barrytown" on July 19.

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 14:45:56 ET
Posted by: rcray, nyc

steely reference in this interview"

http://www.baldwinpiano.com/what/benfolds.html

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 13:43:09 ET
Posted by: Beautiful Housewife, confirmed Beemer operator

Even I, slow-poke that I am, know the subject of driving tastes was covered once before here in the Bluebook, so beg apologies to those appalled by retreads. Circumstances at the time (2002?) prevented my posting. (grovel) I realize the impatience of youth makes it difficult to endure the ramblings of us old-timers.
Walter, back in the lean, mean ‘80’s, spoke of driving his kids to school in a Jeep. There’s an old interview from the ‘70’s where Walter speaks of Donald going out to “learn how to drive his new Jaguar”. But Swami Pete recalls seeing Donald tooling around L.A. during the “Aja” sessions in something to the effect of a 280Z. And then was it a Beemer screaming out of the dog pound parking lot? Japanese or European? You make the call.
As to what they’re driving (or being driven around in) nowadays, besides rental cars, limos and cabs, let your imagination take over. However, it is gravely apparent, even to this wise child, that in the Fagen household, it’s Libby doing most of the driving. (joke)
An Audi TT is nothing really but a squashed “Bug”. There’s a silver one that scoots around my neighborhood here in the ‘burbs. I believe the driver, an avid cell phone user, is stalking me.

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 10:49:34 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, The Daily Rag

The Tangentiannual Danny's...can't wait!

Time to combine the best aspects of HOF week and Tour '03. Looking forward to seeing all of the fine Danatics from Jones Beach and Roseland, as well as Sponge Bill, Boston Rag and all those men in uniform from Syracuse.

I see Wo Hop in our future. Last one out of the cab gets.....

Date: Tues, March 23, 2004, 00:03:56 ET
Posted by: Dave,

I hope they don't cut off the intro to Rikki on the SACDs when they come out. Every version before seems to be initially released that way. At least the ones in 93 inc box set and 99.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 21:14:42 ET
Posted by: hoops,

whoo hoo!

Just got an email that my DVD-A of "Gaucho" will be here in the morning! YAYYYY! Ordered from Circuit City online.

Break out the hats and hooters!

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 18:43:59 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Just came across this nice pic of Mr Bumpus with his 'other' band :

http://www.stevemarshallband.com/images/Swing.htm

Jaco - I like Alive in America too, though it's a pity they didn't include the stunning 'Overture' of Scam, Sneakers and Aja.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 17:57:16 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Gretchy - don't be unappreciative, it was snowing on my Turban in NYC this weekend. You want sunshine? Call me.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 17:56:25 ET
Posted by: Alan, Downunder

Hey Hoops

Count me in on the Danny's weekend. I am due for another trip abroad and what better excuse.

To everyone in the Wreck-less Crew... Prepare to Party !!!!

Hey Ed, what about some of Ray's Pizza ?

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 17:11:48 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, downtown Laguna

Jim, sounds like a perfect weekend for the Danny's. It always rains at some point Memorial weekend so no beach weather back home, so what better way to spend it?

Rahah, you promised me sun this week...........

I'm off to find an ace bandage.

Peace all,
G

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 16:54:22 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Dixie Down might have finally found it's true voice. Gregg's life just resonates through that song, it's like it was written for him. And to sing it in a house full of Yankees yet.

Why Does Love and the Dead song medley was done a few years ago I was informed by those in the know, just great. I think they should do the whole Layla album eventually.

ABB ran some projections of Woody, Duane, Oakley and-- a coupla shots of Dickey during Nobody Left to Run With. Hmmm.

Their covers have always been outstanding. BTW, Bill, you probably know that they're coming to Pittsburgh in September yes?

For those of you who don't know, the Allmans do an extended stand at the Beacon every spring. Now why-oh-why can't Our Boys do something like that? The whole band lives in town pretty much. If I had written those SD songs, I'd wanna be singing and playing them all the freakin time. And another thing: the Allmans allow people to bring in recording equipment - I mean like mic stands with two or three mics on 'em set up on the Lodge level. They WANT people to record and share the live stuff. They trade tapes and stuff right on their website! You hit a button and go to the big flea market.

Do I sound like I'm complaining? Well doggone it, I am. I don't get it. You can't take it with you, ya know.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 16:29:18 ET
Posted by: non-NY Bill, Pittsburgh

Still no SD, sorry:

I see the ABB is still doing Liz Reed, and I think I have seen Jessica on some set lists post-Dickey, so there may be an exception to the no-DB songs settlement for instrumentals.

I sure would have loved to hear Gregg sing The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down! I think they have chosen some very interesting covers in this incarnation - Layla, Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad, Walk on Gilded Splinters, Afro Blue (that one must have been Derek's choice).

I wouldn't discount Dickey and Gregg working out a reunion sometime - back in the 70s when Gregg testified against a former roadie/dealer the rest of them swore they'd never play together again, but it happened. I think it would depend on Dickey's committment to sobriety, but both bands are sounding pretty good these days and may have little interest in reuniting.

Dickey's keyboard player sang a couple tunes that Dickey wrote but Gregg sang like Nobody Left To Run With, and sounded a lot like Gregg.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 13:17:29 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Bill -I'm glad to hear that news about Dickey. Sometimes it takes getting knocked on your ass to wake up and appreciate what you have. BTW, at the Beacon party beforehand, some of the die hards were talking about how, as a term of Dickey's settlement with ABB (there was threatened or actual litigation), the Allmans no longer do the Dickey songs live. Apparently, their guest board has been in a civil war for years over the Dickey thing and people still want him to return but there's no way Gregg is gonna allow that.

Another thing about them: you can see them huddling and changing the setlist between songs depending on what kind of crowd they have that night. After they played "Stateboro Blues" and the crowd did what you guys did at Roseland on "Don't Take Me Alive," i.e, shouted down the singer with the song lyrics, they figured they were playing to the Amen Corner and altered things accordingly. The Saturday show was more an Allman Bros. rock n roll show, Friday was up for grabs.

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" was a religious experience, so much so that Gregg kinda got emotional after the line, "he was just 18, proud and brave, till a Yankee laid him in his grave." He had to drop out the next two lines and collect himself - I had the glasses on him, he got choked up.

The shows were also a tech nightmare. Warren broke a string during one tune, got another guitar from the Tech man and broke another one about 16 bars later. That guy got his behind reemed fer shur. Then one of the legs on Butch's hi hat screwed up and his Tech had to hold it down for the rest of the tune. But the kicker was Derek's new Fender amp (it was like a futuristic chrome-faced thing with blue lights) messed up and his guy came on during the song and took the pressboard back off of it and played around in there; amazingly, he fixed it and they played on...

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 12:55:05 ET
Posted by: Bill (not NY), Pittsburgh

There was an official studio version of Fall of '92 on a promo single from 11TOW that I found a while back. Sounds like an unfinished Whack Track as I recall with the same sort of sequenced rhythm and keyboards that appear on the outtakes that are floating around. The '93 live versions were much better.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 12:44:09 ET
Posted by: Bill, Pittsburgh

No Dan content so scoll along:

The current ABB sounds great, Warren Haynes is the man of the hour and Derek Trucks is a genius on the slide, but I think the best thing about Dickey Betts' eviction from the band is that he and the others hadn't gotten along in years and the friction was wearing on the band itself. I remember an article about them that said Gregg rode on one bus, Dickey on another and they never spoke to each other for an entire tour - their roadies would run messages between them to negotiate set lists. I had also heard horror stories of his drunken rages leading to the departure of Haynes and Allen Woody some years back.

I saw Dickey and his current band, Great Southern, a few weeks ago when my local jamband, Fungus, opened for them. I expected him to be drunk and beligerent, but he seems to have changed his ways. (He was seen drinking in "moderation" so he's no 12-stepper yet.) He was very gracious to fans before the show and signed some autographs, and he was in top form during the show itself, which featured some hot playing from Dickey and his second guitarist, longtime ABB associate Dangerous Dan Toler. His bassist, drummer and keyboard player are no slouches, either. He had plenty of new material to debut and started the show with a great electric version of the old "Eat A Peach" acoustic duet "Little Martha." He was very animated and appeared to be enjoying the whole show, unlike some of his sullen appearences with the later lineups of the ABB.

I also got to see his soundcheck during which he was rehearsing his band through some tight changes and duel lead guitar bits - felt like the proverbial fly on the wall. He seemed to be acting like a professional once again.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 12:05:41 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

J - Oteil and Derek have rejuvinated the Allmans and what with Warren Haynes in his prime as a performer and band leader, these guys have come roaring back. Derek Trucks just doesn't play fair. He plays the guitar with a style that brings Segovia to mind, it's that classical down-strumming, thumb on the top E string, all four fingers articulating Spanish-guitar style. No plectrums of any kind that I could see. He wound up one tune with what looked like a friggin guitar arpeggio, fore and ring fingers cascading down the scale - simply amazing. Oteil is simply amazing, you want him to hold down an old rock bottom line-you got it; you want him to get freaky on a five-string, he's there. he did a 3 minute bass solo, what can I say, it sounded like a guitar.

Getting Dickey Betts outta there was the genius move of all time.

What I'd like to throw out there and I hope I can do this without pissing anybody off is this: the Allmans played nearly six hours of music over the two nights I saw them and repeated 3 songs! Out of the 36 or so songs they played, I mean just take a gander at those setlists, over three nights, 53 tunes, 6 were repeated, no song was played 3 consecutive nights. Only the most die-hard Allman fans were familiar with the obscure shit they were playing. They played nearly all of their first two albums, folks, those puppies are over 33 years old!

Now what am I trying to say here? I realize this is a different mucical form than our Boys, it's the original classic southern blues n rock; the form lends itself well to improvisation and jammin, a lot like the Dead -- but way tighter. Just the amount of music played by the guitarists is staggering, I don't know how they keep it all straight in their heads, improvs notwithstanding. The songs, as you know, are jazz-blues jams bookended by traditional blues and I am not attempting to compare them to SD.

But let me tell you, my 3 old college buddies were taking the piss out me over the Dan's approach to playing live. And here's my short response to them: the Allmans are, in the truest sense, a band. A band with a history, a tradition of perseverence and, yes, brotherhood. Don and Walt are loners, they are detached and you could say, somewhat aloof. They are not a traditional band. You can't play with the same feeling as you do when you hire people - even great people- to tour. It's not what Steely Dan are about. The Allmans are inspirational, they appeal to your heart and soul and your pain is all I can describe it as.

But I must admit, the question did arise in my head, why the hell do they just play the crap out of the same 20 or so tunes every time out? Help me please.

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 10:29:58 ET
Posted by: Russ,

SouthofHollywood, that was a promo-only CD single for "Cousin Dupree" that was released in Europe. The Overture was from one of the '93/'94 shows, when the band (minus B&F) would open the show with a three-song SD instrumental medley

Date: Mon, March 22, 2004, 10:15:46 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Rajah - how good is Oteil?! I used to watch him play here in Atlanta with a group called Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit. You guys may have heard of'em. I got to study with their drummer, a guy named Jeff Sipe who also goes by the name Apt. Q258. He's been Tedeski's drummer for a few years now. All of those guys were so good!

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 23:37:53 ET
Posted by: Rajah of Infinite Space, Los Angeles

Please gravitate toward the groove and report back.

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 23:09:09 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

I have some inflammatory things to say about seeing the Allmans two nights in a row, but that's for later. Those setlists, I hope you liked them, along with most of the commentary was from a serious member of their community. That's why they were so concise and to the point.

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 19:30:50 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The latest Dandom Digest is out--the first in a month; thanks for your patience.

You should receive it in the next 12 hours. If not, please email me and I will see what the problem is. If you don't currently subscribe to this free newsletter which celebrates it's 11th birthday later this week, then please get over to http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest and subscribe. Or email me. I'm always glad when someone new joins us in the Digest.

Headlines in this Dandom Digest for Feb 21 through Mar 21 include:

--Thanks for your Support & Patience
--5 Steely Dan Surround SACDs in Jun
--CBAT Added to SACD Schedule
--DVD-A Primer by the Immortal
--Free Bill Charlap Appearance in Person, on Radio & Internet
--Aloha from Spain with Phil Woods
--New Keith Carlock Newsletter
--Gary Katz mention
--Most Essential Non-Dan Album
--Essential Albums not by the Dan
--REDUX: Becker/Fagen-produced "Apogee" now on CD
--How about The Dannys May 29 in NYC?***
--Happy Birthday Walter
--Walter's Birthday in New Zealand!!!!

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 19:17:38 ET
Posted by: ed , @there

I'm there at the Dannys in May..where do I sign up?

Do we get to eat at that sleazy diner ?

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 18:50:15 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The Second Sorta Annual Dannys very likely will be held Saturday, May 29, 2004 in New York City. That's Memorial Day weekend here in the States. Any comments on this date? Last call...

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 10:36:57 ET
Posted by: Rajah, NYC

One Allman setlist more before I go:

Saturday, March 20, 2004 - Beacon Theatre NYC

Set One:
Don't Want You No More>
It's Not My Cross to Bear
Every Hungry Woman
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl*
Wasted Words*
Statesboro Blues*
Rockin' Horse>
No One to Run With

Set Two:
Key to the Highway*
Ain't Wastin' Time No More
Black Hearted Woman
Same Thing
Need Your Love So Bad
Can't Lose What You Never Had
Don't Think Twice#
Dreams>
Liz Reed>drums>bass>jam (Derek, Butch, Oteil, Kofi Burbridge on flute)>Liz Reed
e) One Way Out*

* = with Thom Doucette on harmonica
# = with Susan Tedeschi on guitar and vocals

It was a Warren Dreams, Gregg sang the first and last parts of Key to the Highway - Warren got the middle - and Kofi showed up just for that jam after Oteil's bass solo (no scatting tonight).

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 10:20:03 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Yesterday's (Mar 20) "Chicago Tribune" had a story on DVD-A and SACD. It's very, very basic and over-simplified, but I still learned some interesting things. Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" is the top-selling DVD-A and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" is the top-selling SACD. Also, there are supposedly over 100 SACD players on the market. It still makes me wonder why Sony, pretty much the maker of SACD, only sells a small subset of their systems with SACD. If they had SACD on all their systems, I bet it would be more widely adopted. They are blowing it. Here's the link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0403200151mar20,1,4397485.story

Speaking of the "Chicago Tribune," today's Sunday magazine section has Chicago native Herbie Hancock on it's cover. He talks about how he would never be able to make it if he was starting out today. http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/magazine/chi-0403210440mar21,1,861101.story

jim

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 09:55:40 ET
Posted by: hoops,

South: BlackCat is pretty much right on the money about these tracks. The were released only in Russia as part of a promo CD in support of AiA. I tried for a long time to get my mitts on it since that "Overture" still gives me the same spine-tingling chills that I got when the '93 tour opened. I also believe that this is actually the only legitimately released version of "Fall of '92." "Aja' is the same version as AiA. Eventually, it came out elsewhere circa 2vN. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong on any of this.)

Good to see you Mr. Rag! I can just hear Donald telling the audience, in his DF voice, "Yeah, we're a dope band!" LOL

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 09:16:32 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag,

This week's issue of Entertainment Weekly features a story on the Hip-Hop group N.E.R.D. There is a side bar with pictures of the artists who inspired them. They include Frank Zappa, Steppenwolf, John Coltrane and .....Steely Dan. EW calls Steely dan "the revered pop-jazz experimentalists" and band leader Pharrell Williams refers to them as "A dope band".

N.E.R.D. was the musical guest last week on Saturday Night Live but I did not catch them.

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 03:51:31 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Purrrrring

Thanks...Black Cat

Do tell more...Do you own it?...Why is Cuz on there if it was released waaaay back (AIA) when?

Sounds like it might be some of the live stuff from '93 to me, but...

SOH

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 03:33:11 ET
Posted by: Black Cat, a splash of.....

SOH....Those songs were released in Europe back around the time AIA came out.

Date: Sun, March 21, 2004, 02:59:39 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Wondering, wandering

Hiya Kids...

Just became aware of a "release" from the 2vN era (touted as an original release, not a CD-R or a, ahem, bootleg) that includes these 4 tracks:

Cousin Dupree (Studio)
Aja (Live)
Fall of '92 (Live)
Overture (Live)

Is anyone familiar with this particular "release"?
And "Overture" to/from what, pray tell?

SOH

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 22:36:06 ET
Posted by: car dealer, up on the hill

WB rented an Audi TT once in San Francisco just for a laff

I think they own nicer cars mnore appropriate to gentelmen of their stations ha!

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 22:19:04 ET
Posted by: Jaco, UK

I like Alive in America! That solo on Green Earrings - brilliant!

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 17:14:22 ET
Posted by: Green Fleur,

I agree Leo. Rock and Soul sounds like you are in the audience. Alive In America sounds so stiff, like a taxidermy (sp?) job. All that studio tweaking. Has it ever been mentioned why only Fagen produced it?

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 16:02:46 ET
Posted by: Leo,

KT- The major problem I have with AIA is that it sounds like crap. Go take a listen to the New York Rock & Soul Revue cd and then compare to AIA. You'll see what I mean.

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 15:23:33 ET
Posted by: Nigel, UK

Does anyone know if Donald or Walter drive an Audi TT and if so what colo(u)r ? cheers Nigel

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 12:00:21 ET
Posted by: K.T.,

That's a tough call about the '93 players, Raj. AIA was remixed and air-brushed a ton. Have to wonder what the '94 players think of that. Does anyone really listen to AIA much? I bet it's the least popular of all Steely Dan albums. They should have had two discs making up a whole show. I'd rather listen to just to the audio portion of the Plush DVD.

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 09:54:19 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Anyone else feel Pete Erskine (and the rest of the 93 'orchestra') got a bit of a raw deal on 'Alive in America', where Chambers and the 94 band got the lion's share of the action. Recent listen to 'Live in 94' (curious title as it was clearly 93) shows how Erskine, Zingg and co really did cut it on Aja, Bod, Josie, Peg etc.

Rajah - never been a big Allmans fan, though an old band of mine used to do 'Les Brers in A minor' and I did visit Duane's grave back in 86 (well, what else do you do in Macon?). To Earth Wind and Fire at Hammersmith Odeon next Wed - should be a fine and funky nite out.

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 09:41:32 ET
Posted by: Rajah, NYC

Thursday's Allman Bros. set. I wasn't there for this one but here's the set list:

Set I:
Mountain Jam
I Walk on Guilded Splinters
Trouble No More
Midnight Rider
44 Blues
Black Hearted Woman
High Cost of Low Living
Key To The Highway (w/ Chris Robinson on vocals and harmonica)
Instumental Illness

Set II:
Wasted Words
Woman Across the River
Old Before My Time
Every Hungry Woman
Rockin' Horse
Afro Blue
drums>
Afro Blue>
MTN JAM

enc: One Way Out

Two nights after six months off, two completely new setlists. Six hours of music so far without repeating themselves. Didn't see Fagen in the audience, maybe tonight.

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 09:13:59 ET
Posted by: K. T.,

Got my copy of Apogee. I noticed there are other CDs by the Yellow Jackets and Bill Evens. I've always found the Yellow Jackets a little too lite for me. Is this Yellow Jackets album that great? Should I get it?

Great review Rajah. Have a great time in NYC.

Nice waxing on the Internet, Broadway.

Forgot to mention, if the IP numbers really do match NYBill, then Bill should lock his door and prevent Hoops from coming over and using his computer.

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 09:07:18 ET
Posted by: K. T. ,

Given Hoops' pathological lying nature , I say:

1. All the posts by NYBill including the last one are by Hoops.
2. Hoops should take down all the posts he keeps making as NYBill.
3. As Pat puts it, it's simply "a misunderstanding." Yeah, that's it........

"You can't argue with a sick mind."

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 07:15:19 ET
Posted by: Bill,

I've read the May 5th entries Jim.

If you read the entries you can see that I was going back and forth with someone there telling them not to post as me. If you say that you did an I.P. address search and that all of the "Bill" posts from that day were the same then you are again misrepresenting the truth Jim, but you've been known to do this quite often so I'm not suprised in the least.

All one has to do is read the posts and you can see that many of them were not mine. The phrasing is just not my phrasing. I have NEVER referred to you as a "faggot" and I have NEVER made any derogatory statements about Jewish people. For you to bring this up when you know it isn't true just proves what I've been saying all along Jim, you're lying. My personal belief is that the alternate "Bill" of May 5th, 2003 was actually YOU JIM. After all how can any of your statements be verified? You can say that you did an I.P. address search and who is there to verify what you say? You know why Jim? Because you're lying Jim.

In any case, who cares what you think Jim. I would'nt have returned to your site if you had'nt mentioned me in another one of your misguided posts. So if you never want to see me again, NEVER MENTION ME AGAIN.

(Say now, does THIS seem like a real NYBill post?)

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 03:25:46 ET
Posted by: Rajah, NYC

Allman Brothers Band, Beacon Theatre, NYC 3/19/04, great new arrangements of many classics, they consciously pushed the tempo, Gregg Allman takes a backseat, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks lead the way. The band is the best it's been since Duane.

Set 1:
You Don't Love Me
Firing Line
Statesboro Blues (crowd was louder than band)
- they spoke amongst themselves for like 3 minutes, changing things,
then:
Who's Been Talkin'
Come and Go Blues
Desdemona
Don't Keep Me Wonderin'
Hoochie Coochie Man
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down(GA)
Hot'Lanta

Set 2:
Stand Back
Done Somebody Wrong
^I've Got Dreams To Remember(WH)
Leave My Blues at Home
#Why Does Love Have To Be So Sad(WH)>
#Franklin's Tower(Oteil)
Whipping Post
encore:
^#Southbound

^w/Rob Somerville(sax) & Bryan Smith(trombone){Deep Banana Blackout}

#w/Rob Barraco(keys)

Nice party beforehand at the Beacon Hotel.

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 01:33:12 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Climbing a big tree...

bwaySteve...

WORD

SOH

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 01:29:21 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Thanks, Pat. Well put (tho the comments about me are kinda embarassing.)

As always, we Danfans are interested in what other Dan bands are doing, I know you will also be actively supporting the Dandom Collection CD coming soon. Thanks!


Hi Sue!

jim

Date: Sat, March 20, 2004, 01:04:47 ET
Posted by: W1P, LA

Well even I have a song on Yellow Peril -- a "garage" cover of Any Major Dude with Mys Tery Shredder guesting on lead guitar with my "regular" backing band "Tortfeasor." I can assure you that, no matter what trouble you may have with the vocal "performance," you will like the guitar playing on this track.

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 22:20:53 ET
Posted by: suedave, Friday, at last

Hey Steelyfolks,

I haven't quite caught up in my reading but I am almost up to date.....lotsa good stuff on these pages!

Maroon 5 - cool band. Anyone else hear a Stevie Wonder influence in their music?

Joss Stone opening for Sting? That should bring in a few extra fans. I'd like to see her do a solo show.

Kulee Baba - you all got me going on that one. Seeing those lyrics in blue & black - wow, trippy stuff. I'd love to hear the entire full band version, 'cause the thought of those lyrics in full orchestration gives me quite a chuckle. Ha!

The Who - I was never a big fan until I had a chance to see them - which turned out to be right after Entwistle passed away. I'm a big fan now - go see them if you have a chance.

But hey the big news has been broken - there will be a Seattle Danfest on May 15th - which happens to coincide with the Saturday that Larry Carlton is playing in town at Jazz Alley. Anyone up for joining us for dinner and the show? It is a great place, recently remodeled and a first class club. A group of us went last year and it was fantastic! Send me an email, I'll be making reservations soon. Check out the website http://jazzalley.com/ if you want more information about the place.

I just heard that Leo Fender failed as an accountant, or actually couldn't live on what he made as an accountant, so he went on to put 6 strings onto a few sticks of wood -- and came up with the Fender Stratocaster....played by Hendix, Buddy Holly, Clapton, and the list goes on.

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 22:19:12 ET
Posted by: bwaySteve, 43rd and Bway

This board is about people who are in to the band Steely Dan, right ? Its about learning about things you did't know about the writers and the players from people in the know or who have nothing better to do than comb the media for facts and stories, yes ? When the internet came along it seemed perfect to facillitate the type of contact people who were in to Steely Dan would enjoy, am I wrong ?
Over the years the eccetric participants discovered unique, strange and cryptic ways to communicate in print and while it did't create an environment you'd consider to be warm , it seemed to sit well with the participants and it grew like everything on the net did , true ?

Would somebody please explain how all this emotional drama came to be ? How did people get to feel so left out, hurt, despised and twisted? How did all the negativity develop to a point where the content and the discussion got eclipsed by the ego circus ? I don't friggin ' get it .How can a chat room , the epitomy of banality turn in to a soap opera , a place of identity theft and harrassment ? It could be a fun place to spend a few procrastinating minutes, now it's become anoying like life. Whe your escapes go away, that's serious.Where do you go to get away from it all?

There are no trees where I live.

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 20:42:35 ET
Posted by: juror # 12,

as if we needed more evidence of nut-baggedness, NY Bill is being represented by Trout!

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 20:33:09 ET
Posted by: Jaco, Throwing nets

Trout - Your paranoia and bad grasp of lyrical understanding is only paralled by your rudeness and the pointlessness of your timewasting actions.

Please grow up, and stop talking and acting like a child. And stop pretending to be tight with Mr Becker - you're boring everyone here.


Kindest Regards


Jaco

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 20:01:17 ET
Posted by: StAlphonzo, Seattle

After re-reading my last post I want to make one thing clear. Jim said he's "a pushover to a fault" I would insert "almost" between "pushover" and "to." It is, after all, what makes Hoops such a nice guy...

Furthermore, John, I might add that is exactly the type of behavior I'm talking about...

StAl

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 18:39:44 ET
Posted by: John, Erie Pa

Actually, I wasn't even sure who NY Bill was. I went and read the May posts. What a fucking nut!

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 18:21:58 ET
Posted by: juror #12,

you just figured that out?

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 18:18:52 ET
Posted by: John,

Your honor,
After reviewing over the May 5, 2003 Blue Book Transcripts, it's clear: NY BILL IS INSANE.

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 16:05:05 ET
Posted by: StAlphonzo, Seattle

I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t stopped by here in a while. My intention was to come over here and attempt to apply a little diplomacy and help champion the upcoming “Guestbook CD.” But more on that later… Low and behold I see Hoops’ post…

Amen brother. Last time I spoke with Jim he brought up a very valid point I hadn’t really considered much before. That is many (not everyone, certainly) forgets about the level at which we deal every aspect of this odd little community of Danfans on the Internet. Almost on a daily basis -- for Jim that means daily basis for the last 11 years, for me it means almost 9 years -- we sit here like sponges and absorb. Think about that for a minute. On some level it’s all too easy for the fans who get frustrated to simply check out. Many have in fact. For us it’s not so easy. Sure, Jim and I have had some disagreements, but we’ve loooong worked past that. Point is many forget that the granular level which we interact with ALL of you will inevitably lead toward disagreements, frustration, anger despondence, etc, etc. Couple this with the fact that Jim and have different styles (Jim’s much nicer than I am), is it any wonder there are two “Steely Dan Forums?”

But the reality of the situation is this perception of rift is perpetuated by all of you because in many cases ya’all are like a bunch of 14 year-old teenagers intent on gossip and rumor mongering. Or, there’s always the core group or rotating assholes but this really isn’t any different than life in general.

The statements I just made are not directed solely at the users of this forum. I’m talking about my 9 years of experience with the Dandom community as a whole. Furthermore the statements I just made are sweeping in their accusations and please do not take them personal, unless, of course you’re one of them...

In fact, I’m going to re-post this message on my site as well so everyone understands I’m not point my finger at the fine people of this forum exclusively. Ok?

>I am a pushover to a fault.

This describes Jim fairly well. He’s one of the nicest guys it is my pleasure to know in the world of Dandom. Life so often is clouded by misunderstandings. I’ve heard both sides of the NYBill/Hoops saga and I’d say it really does sound like a misunderstanding. I believe I speak for Jim in saying we’d prefer to never have to exercise our administrative powers EVER again. We usually do so only after being pushed to the limits. I know this is true so if anyone feels as if they’ve been targeted by either of us you must know it’s probably a misunderstanding or you deserved it…

We have different styles which has created two distinctly different forums. One is not better than the other. Only different. Bill – it’s like the “art” discussions we’ve had in the past. It’s a matter of personal taste.

Ok, back to the matter that brought me here to begin with. The 4th Edition of the banyantrees.net “Guestbook CD is almost ready. Someone posted on my forum there have been grumblings about the differences between a few or the users of this forum and a few of the users on my forum.

Let me first state I think you’re missing the point if you wont even consider supporting this new CD. The purpose of this CD is for members of the Steely Dan community to share something we dearly enjoy – M U S I C. It isnt’ about Clas, or the banyantrees.net forum, or some clique of users you all aren’t privy to. Many of the musicians on this CD also participate in this forum. Steevedan, W1P, Gina, etc. This CD is almost free. No one is asking for money, just enough to cover postage and shipping materials. I really do hope you all give this a chance. I’ve heard some amazing music over the previous 3 cd’s and I think you’d be foolish not to give it a try. Point is, please don’t’ confuse the intention of this project. It is, and always has been about Y O U.

Peace out
StAl

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 14:50:09 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Couple of other things in reply Bill;

Yeah, Pat and I have gone through some disagreeable times where we weren't getting along all that well. Given how people make up their own imaginations about what Pat, myself and others are like in real life, I think Pat nor I would find it even worth discussing with eveyone -- it's between us. But you know, Pat and I talk on the phone every few weeks about the nutty people in Dandom, the problems we encounter and what we're working on. When he dropped his chat room a few months ago, I called him and convinced him he SHOULD put his chatroom back. I dropped my plans at the Concord show to chat with him in person. We respect that we have much different takes on Steely Dan and chat and discussion but we're pals and we talk. One thing Pat and I are working together on is that I'm helping him straighten out the webring he started—which is why it's going slowly (LOL), I'm slow these days.

So back last May with you, I'm sure there was ill will, but I sure did the best I could to deal with it. When are you going to meet me half way on this?

As for being too serious, I certainly consider that, as I pointed out yesterday; yet, when you kept flaming me and others last May, don't you think you were being serious and still are? If you are talking about how extensive off-topic discussion isn't encouraged here, yeah, that's intentional. I prefer to have political discussion or talk about what I ate last night in person rather than in chat (in general at least).

A final thing, Bill: if you would have responded on May 5 last year with the same intelligent tone that you did below--even if it was disagreeable, this problem would have been long behind us back then. We could have even chatted or phoned or whatever if needed, but not if you are going to call people faggot, etc. in a tirade.

Some of you imagine all this nasty shit about me and imagine what a hardass I am when anyone who has met me knows I am a pushover to a fault. If you have issues with me, it's not for my lack of kid gloves.

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 14:27:37 ET
Posted by: hoops,

NY Bill:
Thanks for writing. If you go back in the BlueBook to May 5, 2003, you will see that I attempted a dialog with you about the Green Room problems and your responses were flames, insults and name calling. I'm very open to discussing any problem, often even discussing over the phone.

You know, I'm not sure I was out of town that day, but I know for certain I wasn't in chat that evening. (For that matter, I don't even thing I had my screen name password protected back then.) And definitely you weren't banned.

This is documented in the BlueBook on May 5, 2003.

This was maybe a week or two after the Green Room was started. Things were new , at least to me. I had no idea why I couldn't login at times or why I was even being bounced. In fact, I still get bumped when I log in from AOL. And I still get a message, which I have since changed from the unfriendly warning that you, myself and others received by default.

I think also Toya, Mr, Sam were amongst others who were being dropped out of chat without warning and were given a message that we were banned. Maybe you don't recall but the message was nasty; nastier than even what you posted below. I believe it was, "You have banned, you idiot" or "You are bounced idiot." There was some name calling or something in the message. It was a message I didn't put there and was there by default. My message would've said, "You have been dropped, please email hoops@dandom.com if you think this has been in error."

Given the chat software had an annoying message, I posted that Monday, in response to you--I understood how you might be upset by it, given some of the BS that happens at other chat and discussion venues.

Here is what I responded to several intense posts from you that I found that morning:
-----

Date: Mon, May 05, 2003, 11:04:51 ET
Posted by: hoops,


{Part about Irving Azofff deleted ]

Bill:
I'm all for mixing things up—there were a few people last week that were pretty fun (I actually meant "funny") in this regard. But your last post is just a little weird, or maybe it's that I haven't had coffee yet, so I'm not getting it. This morning, I received a bunch of responses supporting that you had been banned from chat when actually you hadn't. When I saw your post, I figured you were just jumping the conclusions. But then when you respond to me with your last post, I start to grok what the others are talking about.


Everyone:
I was going to elaborate that the problems with people getting booted seem to happen after the room gets about dozen chatters ( or attempted chatters) all at once which has happened a lot of evenings. Also, some people's names stay in the list long after they have logged out.

Thanks for Emailing me when you experience a problem. If someone is giving you a problem, I will handle it—please ignore and don't give them attention.

jim

---

After I posted this, you continued with name calling, "faggot," etc. and then a series of odd posts by "Bill" which you claimed not to be making. So I had my ISP's security people trace all of these posts by "Bill" which you said you weren't making to find out who WAS making these insulting posts. Guess what? They showed me all of the flaming, posts by "Bill" were in fact by the same person, namely YOU Bill.

After I made my first response that Bill, that you weren't banned and reminding people there are problems, you could have simply replied, "I'm sorry, I was just upset at the message and given how some people have treated me in other chat rooms, I thought it was the same nasty stuff."

That would have been the end of it. Nadda more!

Instead, you you go around for months claiming all this other stuff, telling people what an asshole I am, etc.

Furthermore, what still bugs me is that prior to that last May, I had been pretty damn supportive of you against others who were picking on you. It's not like I had a prior history of beating up on you. Quite to the contrary.

Hey I sure make mistakes or have misunderstandings or can even be a jerk, but you know, I am pretty nice to people and very eager and willing to apologize quickly if I am ever cause a misunderstanding and I am very forgiving.

But some of this stuff you, Clas and others complain about with me is partially your own thoughts and not reality. Whatever happened before, I made a point that day of trying to make it clear you weren't banned and everything was OK. You refused to believe that Bill. This whole problem you had would simply go away if you would simply let it.

Trout Post deleted

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 13:31:03 ET
Posted by: NYBill, See first two letters of "NYBill"

Hoops,

I haven't posted here in quite a while but it was brought to my attention that you mentioned me in a recent post so I thought I'd stop by. I've read your post and am rather amazed at how you can sit back and post a complete series of outright misconceptions and, well... lies concerning my banishment from your chatroom. I am therefore left with no choice but to set the record straight.


THE FACT IS Hoops, you were not out of town when I was banned. You logged into the chatroom and immediately tossed a few people out without saying a word, one of those people was me. I subsequently attempted to log in again and recieved the message "You Have Been Banned!". I attempted to log in a few times after that and recieved the same message.

Furthermore, you and I have NEVER spoken. You NEVER told me that if I
insisted on being banned then I was banned. This is an outright lie.

And as far as people who spread ill will goes, you yourself have spead quite a bit of ill will around concerning Pat and his website. I've personally chatted with you over at Pat's chatroom and you've said quite a few negative things about Pat's style and his method of running a website. I agree with you that if a person doesn't like what they read or see at a website then they should just refrain from visiting that website, but if that is so then why don't you follow your own advice?

The fact is, you've done an excellent job with this site, as has Pat, but I'm not talking about the technical aspects of website developement here, I'm talking about the human side of running a site. After visiting both your sites I'd have to say that you both have done an excellent job technically, BUT Pat has you beat hands down in the fun department. And fun is what it's all about isn't it?
Having said that, I find most of the posters here at the bluebook to be genuinely good people and great SD fans. You're a great SD fan too, but I think you take the whole thing too seriously sometimes, that's all.


Bill

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 09:59:23 ET
Posted by: Da Bill, Where's Da Beach

Got the confirming email that the Gaucho DVD-A has already been shipped. I wonder if I'll get it before the 23rd?

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 09:53:05 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Hi Moll! I saw Keb Mo last summer, was fantastic. Checking into dog day care today, Lucky Henry comes home the week before Easter.
G

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 09:53:02 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Hi Moll! I saw Keb Mo last summer, was fantastic. Checking into dog day care today, Lucky Henry comes home the week before Easter.
G

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 09:50:52 ET
Posted by: Mary, Texas

Dear Daniel Lovers,
My name is Mary and i am starting a Dan Radcliffe Fan Book for Dan. You can E-mail me a message to him and I will print it and Put it in the Fan Book! Or you can Mail it to me. But you have to ask for my address. I will mail it off in April Or May. If you have any questions or comments, Please e-mail me!
thanks, Mary

Date: Fri, March 19, 2004, 09:14:39 ET
Posted by: Moll, Spike, kids and critters, Hooterville aka Kentucky

Gretchen, we love ya *Hugs and Kisses*
I'm listening to Keb Mo's new stuff..... is soooooooo sublime :-)

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 22:11:51 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, the Green

Anyone feel like popping in?

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 18:27:37 ET
Posted by: John,

This joint is auctioning some basses and a guitar used by Steely Dan. Auction is in Dallas, April 17 & 18.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040318005617&newsLang=en

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 17:33:03 ET
Posted by: Scotty, Sydney - @ work

Hoops, thanks for the Bill Charlap simulcast info. It will air on Sunday morning around breakfast time over here.

The spot he did at Jones Beach was breathtaking. I recall Donald encouraging him to keep going with his solo and go he did! A remarkable talent.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 17:15:21 ET
Posted by: John, Erie, Penn.

For Clas, Duncan and the others who grouse about Hoops and the rest of us, I don't get it. You're glad to be rid of us at your usual haunts. But then you come follow us here. Do you always go visit people you don't like? If it's so bad, don't come here. Don't like chat here, then chat elsewhere. It's not like there aren't other places. Why would anyone come here to push their CD on a bunch a people they don't get along with? But if you like this joint enough to come lurk then shut the fuck up, cause it must not be as bad as you say.

I wasn't at Jones Beach. What did Charlap perform on? I know Pixeleen wasn't played on the tour.

Count me among those hoping for a DVD of last year's tour.

John

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 16:17:24 ET
Posted by: funky1,

Duncan, go back to the yellow. How would you like all of us to come over and post insulting sh** on your pages? Take your yellow buddies and get out, you're polluting the place!

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 15:59:52 ET
Posted by: duncan, h

I'm with clas
Hoops is one touchy mofo
the length of his ''im not with the band'' paragraph said it all
hoops take that finger out of your arse & poke yourself in the eye would ya

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 14:35:04 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Clas- Pay back is a bitch!

Randy- Stop crying. Come back in about a year or two.

I was lucky enough to score a few tix to the Hall of Fame inductions in NYC this past Monday night. Let me tell you, the four hour drive was well worth it! Freaking Prince came on during the final jam and BLEW EVERYONE off stage! They were doing a George Harrison song. Check it out this Sunday on VH-1.

Oh yeah...Jackson Brown's induction speech was more boring than his songs.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 14:07:51 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, under an icy snowdrift

Speaking of Sting, a good friend of mine (another Danfan and reliable source) saw him last night here in CT and while he said Carlock did an awesome job, the rest of the show sounded "empty," needing a little more filling out instrumentally. Specifically another guitar player and bigger horn section, more in line with what SD provided. Sting has a minimalist quality to his voice, which was great with the Police, as that was the style back then, but I prefer the warmer sounds of Ten Summoner's Tales, heavier on the jazz. Just my humble opin. Anyway, what's everyone listening to today? Currently I'm spinning:
1.Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
2.Kindred The Family Soul
3.Who is Jill Scott?
4.D'Angelo, Brown Sugar
5.Marvin Gaye, What's Going On

Just that kind of day.
Peace,
G

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 14:06:36 ET
Posted by: Beautiful Housewife, f i n

The word "smug" used twice in one week. Good karma?

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 13:54:36 ET
Posted by: Keith, Owings Mills, MD

Hey gang!

I see Sting has a new summer leg of his tour and it's a double-bill with Annie Lennox. Wonder if our buddy Keith will be part of the summer tour. I bet Sting and Annie use their own bands. Would be cool if Keith drummed for them both.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 13:09:57 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Bill Charlap Trio will be appearing at Manhattans J & R Music World on Saturday, March 27. WBGO with DJ Monifa Brown will be simulcasting from 2-6 PM (NYC time) at 25 Park Row, 2nd Floor. The trio will be signing his new album, "Somewhere: Songs of Leonard Bernstein" which is due March 23 in the USA. The cool part is that http://www.wbgo.org offers a simulcast so even you guys down under can listen.

Bill is, of course, the amazing pianist on "Pixeleen," among other credits. He did a guest spot at the Jones Beach show last summer.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 13:04:12 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Clas:
Thanks for clarifying that you don't hate me. Please understand, the way I perceive your multitude of flaming posts all these years, you just come across to me that way. I'll consider that you think I take being a Steely Dan fan too seriously. I even sometimes think that myself so I will consider what you have said as well.

I disagree with you saying that I delete posts simply because that don't match my thoughts on Steely Dan or music or humor or things tangentially Steely Dan. One exception is Trout's posts (and the like) since they are meant as abuse, and another is simply the few times you do post something is intelligent, it's nestled amongst a bunch of other anon baitings and flames by you.. And the fact is, if I have a poster's email address and there is a problem, then I contact people. In fact, with some people, I've called and chatted with when we've had problems. And posts are not deleted here anymore frequently than the previous formats of the Banyan Trees (I'm not sure about the current format). Clas, the fact is that people wanted an alternate choice of GB that was more focused in a certain way. People have a choice of where they can post. If you don't like the style here--and I understand it's not for everyone--then I recommend other places. I list alternates in every Digest as a matter of fact.

As far as back-stage-passes and your thinking that I think people should be impressed. A couple of things. Even before the internet, starting around 1986 or so, I did things with computers and always used Steely Dan as inspiration for doing them. First Steely Dan things I did on computer were on Cyber mainframe and then I went to an IBM 360. I don't even remember who made the cyber. I did this sorta thing with computers for maybe 9 or 10 years before I was ever aware that Becker or Fagen were aware of any of it. So please don't tell me I facilitate this just because I got tickets or passes. Been a hardcore fan (am I being too serious?) and doing this sort of thing for a long, long time. The few times I have met them, I've been floored and speechless, and all can I think is that I am there representing other fans or something because I sure can't see why they would want to meet me. Pat Beemer is the same way. I don't think I will ever convince you, but I genuinely go out of my way NOT to make too big a deal out such things. I guess we're going to disagree, but I think that thought is more in your head that they way I expect people to act or the way I view it. You said, "I am just not impressed, and you can't take that." I've never thought of it that way. Sorry. I'm often embarrassed in a kinda way so I wouldn't want anyone even to think SD should be impressed. I hate talking about it. I mean, tell me the last time I posted about such an experience? At the Sony shows in 2000, a couple people had to pester me a month before I would write about it and that's kinda typical.

As far as people being booted from chat, besides Trout, there was a situation where NY Bill got disconnected from chat when I was out of town. Still NY Bill kept insisting I banned him. I can't ban people, as far as I know, even if I wanted to. This NY Bill guy keeps running around saying I banned him. It's not true. Finally, I told NY Bill, if you insist you are banned then you are. I couldn't convince him he WASN'T banned. There was another situation--and I have not been sure who it was, claimed to be Paige--who insisted that WB vocals sucked, which is OK for them to express. But then they got very verbally abusive about it. They ended up moving beyond WB, randomly flaming Steely Dan for the sake of pissing people off in ways that didn't even make sense. I mean, every other line was this SD albums sucks and this one does, simply because myself and others disagreed with him. After enough insanity and profanity he was booted. They weren't trying to have a conversation or debate--they were just trying to piss people off. Say I am an asshole, then they should go to other SD chat rooms.

As far as, "how come, every god damn time we, on the "yellow side", are about to release our compilation CD, you're coming out here, telling everybody what an asshole I am?" Well,I believe this is only the second compilation since the Bluebook was started so by "every time" you mean this time and last. Well, last, I said only this (which I just reposted a little while ago): "* Clas and his son can certainly play. It's really too bad that he's alienated more than a few of us with pointless abuse and has made it hard for people to get past that to catch his talents and that of his son. " And then what I have said today and Tuesday, that's all I have said. I think the comments stand on their own.

You, Gina and a couple of others come over here hyping other SD places that some of us left because we were unhappy there. Why do you and Gina and NYBill and others come here to harrass us? If you don't like me and the rest of us, then stay away. Pat and I chat now and then but we realize that each place has different personalities.

So, hey what else is on your mind, Clas? I understand we're not gonna exactly see eye to eye but I'm game.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 12:24:59 ET
Posted by: Randy, Northern NJ / USA

And I say unto you all (and no one in particular): who are these assholes who scheme and run wild?

I would surmise that not a single thought has been given to the fact that some of the recent posts here might not be the type that anyone with properly firing synapses might want to read. Is there such a (foul) degree of self-importance that the assumption has been made that ANYTHING that comes into the misguided little head of any given individual is something worth typing and thus reading? I can assure you quite vehemently that this is not the case.

I'll check back in a few weeks from now and hopefully there will be something more interesting and insightful to read; possibly even something relating to Steely Dan. Perhaps the level of self-righteousness and presumption will have decreased by some (likely immeasurable) degree, though I certainly won't count on it-

Randy

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 12:19:24 ET
Posted by: Beware the Ides, Space Center

Is this like a solar flare thing?

HFS

Can't wait to hear from all the talented folks in Dandom/Banyan Land. Sharing the things we know and love should always be the focus.

But feet are good too...

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 11:31:07 ET
Posted by: Tuesday,

Clas, you do a good job of promoting yourself as an asshole. No one here wants your smug commentary and condescending bullshit. As far as Hoops deleting posts, he's just protecting those of us who are being slandered and ridiculed. Why can't you rise above your own ignorance? Talent does not equate dignity and integrity, and you are sadly lacking those 2 most important qualities. You are truly classless.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 11:19:49 ET
Posted by: Clas,

I don't hate you Hoops (I don't know you that well, so don't flatter yourself) you're just taking this Dan-fan business so serious, and that makes me laugh. That makes me want to make fun of "you", which means the guy you are on this forum, "Hoops", the control freak, who has to delete posts that doesn't match his thoughts about Steely Dan or other things in life.

And you, on the other hand, you really don't like me, because I don't give a fuck about how many back-stage-passes you've had in your life, or how many times you've had your pic taken a with your arms around Walter Becker.

I am just not impressed, and you can't take that.

I remember the guy who got thrown out from this place, and your chatroom, just for saying he did'nt think Walter Becker had the greatest voice on earth.

And he hasn't been the only one thrown out from this place.

I mean, what kind of shit is that?

And how come, every god damn time we, on the "yellow side", are about to release our compilation CD, you're coming out here, telling everybody what an asshole I am?

Are you jealous?

What's the matter with you Hoops?

/Clas

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 11:08:00 ET
Posted by: hoops,

BTW: I forgot to include the review I said I would include "below." Remember, it's just my politics as usual, trying to sabotage Clas and his projects. I even spreaded the sabotage by emailing this to 1300 people.

Here it is:

Date: Thurs, July 18, 2002, 21:20:37
Posted by: hoops,


I got my copy of Techno Mo Ho 2002 today. First of all, the packaging is first rate. Top Notch. Professional typography and printing on slick paper with professional label printing. Litho quality. The cover and back remind me of the "Heavy Metal" soundtrack and is cool, but you know, I think Mindy's illustration for TM 2001 captures the true spirit of it.

While not every track is my personal taste BUT they are all pretty damn professional sounding, ready for radio play.

A couple of general comments.

I'm pretty impressed with the vocals. Just one listen so far. The CD is an hour long. Here are just a few comments...sorry to leave some tracks out.

* Floridave is up to form and I think this is one of his best, especially in terms of vocals and production.

* Malcolm really does has that Ben Sidran thing down. I where he will take it from this track?

* Ducky should head up to East Troy, Wisconsin and join the Terrapin Station Family reunion in a couple of weeks. I kept waiting for Jerry's Guitar to break out at any moment on that one. I guess because it reminded me of that Rob Wasserman "Trios" album; specifically the last track, with Rob, Jerry and Edie Brickell, called "American Popsicle." Rob and Jer's original idea for this album was to make songs up on the spot--preferably with audience input, record them with no retakes and then release them. They ended up redubbing anyhow. That's what Ducky's track reminded me of Edie Brickell on "American Popsicle." Or maybe Van Morrison on "September Night" or "Evening Meditation" from his "Inarticulate Speech of the Heart" period.

* Clas and his son can certainly play. It's really too bad that he's alienated more than a few of us with pointless abuse and has made it hard for people to get past that to catch his talents and that of his son.

* I am just floored by Gina's great vocals. Absolutely amazing, kiddo. Get your vox and midriff ready for an audition!

* Steven Baker has a couple of tracks on RFD2 [ see http://www.dandom.com/radiofreedandom] I really like his spartan style. It shows how great the songwriting of Becker/Fagen hold it's own without much production and I have a preference for Dan covers that are much different the original SD tracks.

* Then there is Pretzel Logic with Steve Chernove. The playing is really great. If your Steely Dan cover band vocal preference is for someone who approximates Fagen's voice and mannerisms--something a subset of fans feel is essential to the Steely Dan sound--then you will like Warren Weinberg--he does a great job. Of course, like I said, my personal preference is for something radically different in terms of vocals.

At the same time, the next CD better have jk and Pink as a priority for the next one. These are pretty talented musicians. As jk, pointed out, their tunes were great but maybe not for the mix on this one.

Regardless, getting this all together and packaged so professionally as Brett has done is no easy task. So thanks to him for doing a great job.

h

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 11:05:07 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Clas, I don't remember that about Steely Knives but I do know it was all over the Digest as well and I purchased a copy and encouraged others to do so. But you're right, I'm totally selective in what I remember. I must be wrong about encouraging people to buy the CD. What else? A lot people think I am at least half-way decent but clearly you know the whole evil story about me. So air it. Let everyone know what a sonofbitch I am. I just want to be done with your incessantly flaming myself and others for all these years. Go ahead, explain to everyone what an asshole I am.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 10:58:12 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Clas, I'll go along with you being right.

So tell us more, why do you hate me so much? Why do you repeattedly attack me and those who I interact with. I'm completely open to listening.

So far, I don't know what an anti-Semite is and I erroneously called you one which you havbe calrified that you aren't. And you are correct, I'm a American Gringo who only sees in black and white and is probably one sided.

So I'm changing my ways. So tell me more.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 10:50:53 ET
Posted by: Clas,

And didn't you advice people not to send for the last CD compilation, the Steely Knives, just for the reason I was in on it? Don't you remember that?

You have a very selective memory, dear Hoops.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 10:44:02 ET
Posted by: Clas,

Oops Hoops, be careful with your words, what are you going to call a real anti-semite when you meet him?

You're too careless with the expression "anti-semite", but I'm not surprised, you're the archetype of the US-gringo seeing everything in black and white.

Good guys, bad guys.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 10:13:53 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Jaydee & Gina, others: Politics? I've been damn supportive of past GB compilations and I am fed up with being told myself and others here aren't. How can you describe Clas' unprovoked nastiness as "politics?"

You ask Clas why through the past four or five years he has posted more "anonymous," nasty, rude spam towards me and others than even this Trout person who is such a pain in the ass. Clas's persistent and unprovoked attacks on more than a few of us—even Pete Fogel—was a big reason people left the SIS GB and came here, where Clas continued his "anonymous" attacks and spamming towards a number of us here. If you think Trout's spam has been a pain in the ass, she doesn't even come close to Clas' history of "anonymous" spamming and attacking. For months I would come in in the morning and take out Clas's "anonymous" spam routinely like the garbage.

So Gina and Jaydee, if you are thinking maybe myself or others have done something to him, fine. I'd love to know what it is. Hell, I'll apologize as I sure as hell hate the devisiveness. If I could do something about the situation I would have gladly done it would gladly do it. But the fact is Clas won't say what it is (if anything), he's persistent in his antagonism, and for him it's really been nothing but sick jollies.

As for those not liking the last guestbook compilation, to hell with Dave and the rest of the naysayers. It IS quality stuff by many people who are my friends. Even if it's not perfect, it's a great way for people to come together. And if you think I'm just talking, back when it came out, I wrote a glowing review of it that appeared both here and in the Digest where it was mailed to about 1300+ people, where they were encouraged to buy it from Brett. I've reprinted my review below. Myself and some others did more to promote and support the last GB CD than even Pat and some of those who were on it. And, yes, Clas, I know all about Brett's role. Myself and a couple others here even offered to reimburse Brett with the costs of the CD, after Brett advanced some copies to others outside of the Blue and they failed to pay him for the CDs.

Yes, two bluebook regulars were left off the last GB compilation.

So you gotta understand why some of us have strongly mixed feelings about hearing from Clas and another he's involved in. We very much support the music of our Dan friends, be they here or elsewhere, but Clas has a history of being extraordinarily nasty to us. We'd like at least a little support in return against this guys' sick, perisstent rudeness and insults.

Even after all support the last GB compilation got from here, Clas STILL came and continued his spamming and his "anonymous" attacks. So call "political" if you want, but until Clas does his part to make amends, we don't be invgolved with the abusive nut. That's why were doing a CD of our own. We need a project where we don't have to deal with anti-semite nut. Fine if you want to be associated with that sorta thing.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 09:29:00 ET
Posted by: Go back to Yellow,

Jaydee...Clas is a very insecure cat that's been throwing the bad vibe around here for years. He bad mouths everybody but the people that tell him how talented he is. He hates America and loves Jackson Browne. Go figure. He's also not afraid to let everyone know about his hatred towards Jews. Other then that he's a wonderful guy.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 08:59:00 ET
Posted by: Clas,

Jaydee - thanx, and yes, that drummer, Linus Bladh, is the nicest guy you can imagine. Very focused. And you don't have to sit (as you usually do when it comes to drummers) and worry about "the drummer's going to forget the bridge or the fill or this or that".

He's so devoted and concentrated.

Date: Thurs, March 18, 2004, 06:23:20 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Just listened to the 'Steely Knives' thing - "pretty good shit" indeed! Not 'au fait' with the politics and not even sure who Clas is, but if his two tunes are self-promotion then it's ok by me. Drummer has a wonderfully relaxed style and that fill in middle of 'Dr Warrens Heights' is astounding.

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 19:06:46 ET
Posted by: Dave,

I don't think so Clas. Go away would you?

I don't have anything against your Yellow Peril pals, Gina, even met Nigey and John in New York. Just a little tired of the shameless promotion when you don't seem to know about our shindig is all. Meant nothing personal. Sorry.

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 18:46:02 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

S of H, Thanks for the labelling answer re that dualdisc. Pretty much what I figured would be the only way possible to label it given the 2-sided format, but I was curious anyhow.

I hope you enjoy it for many years to come, long may it play.

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 15:03:48 ET
Posted by: Rajah of the Blarney, my hair was perfect

We need a bigger mirror.

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 14:53:50 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, self-promoting yuppie hollow groupie

Hey, South, stop hogging that mirror. I need to see myself, too!LOL

Anyway, there's a Pioneer SACD/DVD-A/CD whatevah player on ebay very reasonably priced. I think I'll give it a try. Too bad we have to wait until July for the Steely releases.

Fetchin, as always
G

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 14:17:33 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Blushing

Oops...

Didn't notice that Hoops had already taken out the trash this morning...That "kissing the mirror" thing must appear quite odd to those of you who missed it earlier...What a shame about me...

SOH

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 14:13:36 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Kissing The Mirror

Daddy...

The labeling on the DualDisc is really non-existent...No graphics or art work at all...Just a small bit of fine print around the inner circle of the disc..."Side A To Play DVD This Side Up"..."Donald Fagen Nightfly"...

SOH

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 09:20:33 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

SOH, Glad to hear your dualdisc works in all players for you.

Guess the rumors of the format's finickiness may be exaggerated. Sounded like most of the problems reported in that article I found were on PC playback, though, and I'm not sure they necessarily tested on the best machines that way. We probably all know how balky PCs can be at times.

One stupid question.... What do they do for disc labelling? I know there has to be a label of some sort on it or else if the format becomes the wave of the future how will folks know what disc is where in their changers when they reload? If nothing else you have to at least know which side is CD and which is DVD. Just curious. Thanks for the personal report on the format.

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 03:36:49 ET
Posted by: Gina, Sun Mountain

Hello Hoops, good to hear there is indeed another compilation coming up, a Blue one if we have to be specific about this :-) I don't care much about Dan Fan politics but sense there's a lot of it going on beyond my knowledge or interest, but it's good to hear it's not just whining and complaining but focussing on something REAL instead as well. The more compilation cd's, the merrier i'd say!

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 03:07:33 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable, Honduras

"Listened"?

"Listening at", maybe?

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 03:01:28 ET
Posted by: Clas,

The songs from the Steely Knives CDcan be listened to over at this site;

http://www.banyantrees.net/music/index.html

Some of it are actually pretty good shit.

/C

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 02:31:10 ET
Posted by: Clas,

Hoops/Dave - Brett, Schwinn the Eskimo Biker, was the one who put together the Banyan Trees Compilation CD, Steely Knives (the previous one). No one was left out on that one.

Brett had a hard time to fill the CD, and went out on the Yellow Pages several times asking folks to send in songs. I sent in two songs, The U-Turn and Dr. Warren's Heights. That's about it.

And about the two CD's before that one, put together by JW Malibu, I remember JW Malibu saying he wanted NO covers, living in Los Angeles he was scared to be sued.

Saying this is Clas' CD Compilation is pure bullshit.

/Clas

PS - Good luck with the Blue CD Compilation.

Date: Wed, March 17, 2004, 01:34:42 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, BetaTestingLab

Hiya Kids...

My "Nightfly" DualDisc arrived yesterday and I am happy to report that I experienced none of the aforementioned problems with the playback of this format...

The content and quality of the DVD-A side of the DualDisc are identical to the origianl DVD-A release and I experienced no playback issues whatsoever...

The quality of the CD side of the disc "seems" to be crisper (?) than the original CD version but I really have no true to way to verify this...And again, no playback issues on the home unit, the car or the computer...

This appears to be a great format for those of us wishing to upgrade the old CD's and venture into DVD-A for one price...And for the boys to sell a few more units...

SOH

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 23:30:57 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Gretchen, I **WISH** I had a Saab to tool around in! I appreciate the upgrade, but sad to say I'm nowhere near the Saab class. No, that was just the tail end of a more general tech article by a Jonathan Takiff of Knight Ridder Newspapers. The words are his, not mine. Should have made that clearer I suppose. I agree with your philosophy of (savory) music appreciation, by the way.

As for the dualdisc format I have no firsthand knowledge. I just recalled the format being mentioned here previously so I thought I'd post the review just for the sake of the info. I've since scrolled back and found that SouthOfHollywood first mentioned it on Mar 6 at 13:50. Then on Mar 11 at 1:00 he announced he'd actually won one (Nightfly) on ebay and would review it when he receives it and gets a chance to try it out. So let's wait to find out what SOH has to say before jumping to any conclusions.

Personally, I'd be skeptical of any format that new (still in the experimental test market phase) and the Takiff piece seems to bear this out. Sounds like it may work sometimes, but may also cause migraines depending on one's player of choice and which side of the disc one tries to play.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 22:56:59 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, cosy, at home by the fire

Daddy G, I certainly don't blame you for not wanting to mess with that Saab. So you think these dual discs are a waste? I don't want to have to use my computer in any way to listen to music, it's just too much of a hassle. It's like the separation of church and state, only different elements, obviously. Music, IMHO should be one ot the simple pleasures of life, to be savored, not one where you need a scientific mind to get it going. Thanks for the info. Back to my cabernet and Coltrane.
G

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 22:28:43 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Doing another Google news search for fun, this time on "Donald Fagen", and came across this little piece from a Fort Wayne site on March 4 regarding dualdisc format (CD one side, DVD other side) which I'm sure has been mentioned here recently. It just happens to reference "The Nightfly."

The URL is http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/8105303.htm if you care, but for your convenience here's the relevant section:

DUALDISC UPGRADE: As reported here, a new breed of DualDisc with a CD on one side and a DVD Video/Audio program on the other is being test-marketed in Boston and Seattle, with support from the five major music labels. Now we've gotten a few samples.

Each side of the sandwich disc has a shallower-than-usual focusing layer for the laser beam to hit. To compensate, track width is maximized, and a player's laser beam is forced to tilt outward instead of pointing straight down. This modification throws the discs out of compliance with the official specifications for CD and DVD formats and, on paper at least, compromises players' tracking ability and error correction.

In practice, we found no problems at all with disc playback on home and portable CD and DVD players from Panasonic, RCA, Samsung and Toshiba, though we've heard that another tester burned out a cheap, off-brand Chinese machine with one of the discs.

When we spun the discs on PC drives, however, we definitely had issues. On our office Compaq, the CD side of AC/DC's "Back in Black" resisted start-up then suffered annoying signal dropouts every few seconds, while the CD side of Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly" wouldn't play at all.

At home, the DVD drive of an eMachines desktop PC with Windows XP refused to play the video side of the Fagen disc until we logged onto our AOL account and checked in at a Warner Bros. Web site. And AC/DC refused to give up the video content, no matter what.

CD content played fine on the eMachines T2625, and both sides of the discs could be enjoyed via the external drive of an older (Windows 2000-era) Compaq laptop.

Literature supplied with these thicker-than-normal prototype discs cautions that they're "intended to play on standard CD and DVD machines" and "may not work in certain car, slot-load players and megadisc changers."

Not wanting to suffer a disc jam in my new Saab 9.3, I've refused to take 'em there.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 21:58:09 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Been out a bit, everyone. Just catching up.

Hey Gina, you are missing the point of Dave's post which is pretty much dead on. We are in fact doing a compilation. Dave and Sean was organizing it but through various circumstances, myself with help from Danfiend are doing it. Dandom hasn't done anything like this in ten years but after the last SIS GB was indeed, as Dave put it, chatted up about ten times as much here and on the Digest as on the SIS GB, we decided we would do our own again.

Last time with the SIS GB compilation, some people were left off and some people were unhappy about that, especially when Clas does get in on 2-3 tracks. But now as then, I said kind words about Clas's songs AND I also understood that Clas wanted to focus on non-covers, despite the fact the covers that were left off kicked ass compared to some of the stuff that was included.

So we thought we'd do it again. Give a chance to those who didn't get on last time and then give a chance to those who never got on any GB compilation. Between the thousands of hits this place gets and then the 1600+ people who get the Digest, it's a huge DanFan audience and it would make for some nice sharing, friendship and exposure for the fledgling. Just for fun.

Also, Gina, Pat and I chat and he understands that a huge reason for the Blue is Clas still verbally beating the shit out of me and others. Clas has no reason for that. You gotta understand it's Clas' abuse.

For everyone else, just a reminder that the Blue Disc will be forthcoming later this spring, with precedence for those who haven't been included in any previous compilations elsewhere or even here ten years ago. Email me if you need further details. Toya's doing something extra special, something I've been wanting everyone else to hear.

GREAT NEWS ABOUT CBAT in SACD! WHoo Hoo.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:55:30 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Just couldn't find a turbaned dude on a magic polyester shag carpet, that was my dream. Hypo friend came up with that one.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:43:52 ET
Posted by: Gina, Doc Mu Mountain

sorry, made a mistake when fasttyping-reading, following Doc Mu's itch for perfection kinda now ... ofcourse Sergio couldn't have found the GB in 1994 because it wasn't online yet, still, he's been around ever since its early days.
and Rajah, quite an inspiring avatar you got ...
looks like this is it for now on this particular subject-project-thread. i know BwaySteve has a special rendition of "Bad Sneakers" and if it sounds half as good as his Caves of Altamira, ouch ...

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:34:18 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

fw - thanks for that encouraging note.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:27:57 ET
Posted by: father william,

Rajah - I have the Pioneer DV-563A which is fine on DVD-A but I've only tried one SACD disc and settings aren't sorted out yet. It cost about $170 when I bought it last September but I think the price has dropped some since then.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:09:32 ET
Posted by: Gina, Yellow Peril Mountain

And here's our mysterious "Gaucho", i received an email just a few seconds ago, just love the whirling ways of internet!
His name is Sergio Ruiz Mier, he lives in Bolivia nowadays and is a genuine SD adept. Flirting with the darker sides to human nature, he is like Kid Clean in Rita's cab, true SD Fan Confessions i have in writing!
But we won't go there ... Sergio's been around the GB world since 1994 and tells his own story:

"I got into SD when I was in college (Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana). My older brother had an Aja album and I thought the music was wonderfully strange and complex. Some years after I realized Donald Fagen was responsible (mostly) for those SD sounds and I bought all the SD CDs and DF CDs I could get my hands on. In 1994 I moved to Miami from Bolivia and discovered the GB. I got to meet St. Alphonzo, he sent me a tape, which started my weird habit of collecting SD rarities.
I live in La Paz, Bolivia since 1998 and I still listen to SD. This is a
beautiful city crowned by the most amazing snow-peaked mountain (Illimani) you will ever see.

I made the song during my stay in Miami, in 1997. The lyrics are from a poem by Edgar Alan Poe, the name of the poem is Eldorado. It's a poem that my father loves and he used to read to me when I was little (a loooong time ago!!). I did everything at home on my Mac, using drum tracks from Bernard Purdie (who played for SD) plus some synth drums for more depth. I used a KORG synthesizer, for all sounds except the flute which is a real Yamaha French style transversal flute (played by myself) and the voice by a friend called Andrea Binski. The whole thing sounds different to me now, but I was really happy with it then, especially since I have no music background whatsoever except for some recorder lessons when I was 7 years old ..."

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:03:05 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Gretch - the 200,300,400 multi changers always have eventually screwed up on me, I've had like three of em. They're OK if you use them as a storage annex of sorts, I stick all the stuff I rarely play in there. But as an everyday workhorse they will break down, too much spinning and double clutching goin on in there.

And as for DVD-A, wasn't it here that someone mentioned that a Pioneer comes out in June that plays all formats. Hmm, why do I think that's too good to be true at the quoted price of a couple hundred or whatever? As for the DTS amp and speakers, that price has really come down as well. I still like the strait-ahead stereo sound coming from two good speakers but the DVD-A sound is so much more fun. It's full, it's intimate and, you can really hear Don at 3:40 of Greenbook. There's an inducement for ya.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:01:58 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Clas,

They're in the shaker now.....

G

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 13:00:09 ET
Posted by: Clas,

No worries Gretchen, as long as you keep pouring me those Cuban Breeze's.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 12:41:01 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, my office, listening to Ben Webster

Thanks Rcray for the link. However, Raj, I tend to agree that Nichols' article went over my head a bit, too.

I'm mainly concerned about the SACD issue. Excuse my ignorance on the subject, but some of the SACD players are receivers as well, some offering space for up to 400 cds/dvds/sacds. I'm assuming this is an auxillary item, to be hooked up to something existing, or are they stand alone? Total confusion for me, I have one of the Bose lifestyle systems, plus a dvd player, and cd changer, and would love to "throw out the hardware" so to speak and consolidate to one piece of equipment aside from my Bose. Is there such a thing? Much as music is half of my existence, I'm really challenged when it comes to all of the new electronics that seem to be coming out at the speed of light. Does anyone know what to get that would be most practical? The only thing that bothers me about those ultra multi disc changers is the annoying pause and clatter between discs. It kills the experience.
G

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 12:24:30 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

If I could figure out the second part of that Roger Nichols article I'd be a genius. The DVD-A sounds good to me is what I do know.

We don't even know what kind of contractual committments, if any at present, our boys are laboring under. They don't seem to be doing any laboring at all that we have any evidence of. I dunno what they have to do all day if not worry about the Loyal Fandom's ravenous appetite for anything Dan, write tunes and rifle through the "great notebook" of tasty tidbits. The big party ended 5 months ago, I know I get bored after a long weekend at home. Walty has kids so I give him a pass, he's busy doing what dads do I'm sure. But Donald, the ultimate reclusive one, we don't ever know whazzup with him and he sure doesn't tell anybody. The man ought to run the CIA.

Hey Webdrone: could ya remind Don that we're still here, waiting downstairs with the motor running? I really thought we'd hear something by now. Man, maybe they're pissed off at us, was it something that we said?

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 11:45:31 ET
Posted by: *************,

then don't come around, smug one.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 11:30:38 ET
Posted by: Beautiful Housewife, Deserving of the very best,

...which explains why I don't come around here more often.

SOH: looks like I'll have to be sent out again to do another detail job on Elliott Scheiner's new car whilst Gollie Angel meltdown.

- Per GOLEM Nyquistlimid

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 11:25:59 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Gina, I do have Miles of Aisles, and while I like the "spark" Tom Scott and co. give to her music, I still prefer her lineup on Shadows and Light. On Aisles, I like the fact that some of the more mournful songs are picked up quite a bit, more upbeat than her folksier efforts on Blue, etc. Jericho, which I always loved, sounds even better on this album. My favorite period of Joni is the era of Court and Spark, Hissing of Summer Lawns, Don Juan's Reckless Daughter and Hejira. I do appreciate her earlier works, but her utilization of a more jazz influenced style is why I love her music. I just wish she would put out a retrospective book of her paintings, she's a great visual artist, too.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 11:18:06 ET
Posted by: rcray, nyc

Great article on DVD Audio for those of you that find it hard to understand:
Like me.
http://www.rogernichols.com/EQ/EQ_2002_08.html

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 11:08:56 ET
Posted by: Gina, L.A. Express Mountain

hey Gretchen, this on my mind for some time now, you once posted you were watching the Shadows & Light dvd-video, Joni Mitchell before hitting the Green Room. Do you, by any chance, also know her Miles of Aisles double album, she's playing live with the L.A. Express, Robben Ford, Tom Scott, John Guerin etc. I dug up that golden vinyl and enjoyed listening to Joni talking, especially when she addressed the audience in regards to her Circle Game sounding best when sang out of tune ... i can't imagine you not having this album ...

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 11:03:55 ET
Posted by: Gina, Yellow Peril Mountain

Well Dave, will you do the honors then for the musicians in Blue and organize a project?
It's pretty much (or less) surprising to sense a certain kind of hostility but hey, i can look past that and see things from positive angles. It's not JUST the people from the yellow book, it's not just a Clas compilation ...
Anyway, here's Nigey Lennon herself, a very cool lady with whom i got connected via the Dandom Radio here, so Dave :-) it's not all yellow, see?
Music is in all colors. So are people.


REINVENTING THE WHEEL
In 1972 I discussed the concept of a solo album with Frank Zappa, with whom I had been loosely affiliated in various capacities during the previous year. After considerable badgering, Frank reluctantly agreed to help me produce it, but he wasn’t convinced the project had any particular commercial potential and was unwilling to fund it. Undaunted, I feverishly began recording demos, and managed to finish six or seven of them before the project imploded, the victim of entropy and attrition.

After a couple of decades spent playing casuals, proofreading technical specs for a swimming pool and spa industry publication, publishing seven books, and typesetting at a Jewish newspaper, among other things, my life underwent a rapid metamorphosis in 1997-98: in less than six months, I split up with my husband of 20-plus years, became involved with the love of my life, was diagnosed with cancer (now in remission), and decided that under the circumstances, I wanted to focus solely on music.

In 1997 I had received a contract from Muffin Records in Austin, Texas to record a solo CD, but the label went out of business before I could do more than record two demos. During this time I had begun to work with John Tabacco, who had sent me some of his music after reading my book Being Frank: My Time with Frank Zappa (1995; reprinted 2003). Reading in the book that I had used a purloined Akai tape deck to create some of the demos for Frank Zappa in 1972, John felt there was a cosmic coincidence afoot, since he had also recorded on an Akai as an impressionable youth in Saint James, New York. John also had a contract with Muffin to release several CD”s, so it was natural for us to collaborate on my Muffin project. We kept working on it even after Muffin folded, since by then it had acquired a half-life of its own.

The Reinventing the Wheel CD was recorded in 1998-99 at John’s studio, Sonic Underground Studios, in Stony Brook, New York. A few of the vocal tracks, plus Zappa sideman Mike Keneally’s guitar overdubs, were added at a nameless facility in Los Angeles. In 2000, my partner Eric Weaver and I moved from Los Angeles to the North Shore of Long Island, near John’s studio. The CD was finally completed that year and subsequently released on Dinghy Records. The title came from the realization that my life had been a series of coincidences that, when I looked back at them, were actually cyclical; that the harder I worked to make sense of it all, the less sense it made, when in reality it had all made sense from the beginning. Kind of a cosmic joke with no punchline.

Today (March 2004) John and I continue to work together, sometimes with Candy Zappa (Frank’s sister) as Lennon/Tabacco/Zappa, and often with Ed Palermo and his big band. Lennon/Tabacco/Zappa and the Ed Palermo band were among the featured performers at the Zappanale 13 festival in Bad Doberan, Germany. In addition to his collaborations with me, John has also recorded more than 60 CD’s worth of his own material, examples of which can be heard on this CD compilation.

I am pleased to be part of the Yellow Peril CD. Since the appearance of Steely Dan in 1972, the music of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen has inspired and influenced countless songwriters and performers. Despite the fact that there have been muzak versions of Steely Dan songs almost since the beginning, only now is the titanic influence of Becker and Fagen beginning to be acknowledged by the musical mainstream via Grammy awards, honorary doctorates for Becker and Fagen bestowed by the Berklee School of Music, and, perhaps inevitably, by the appearance of a plethora of tribute bands. From the personal standpoint, John Tabacco and I had our respective youth completely wrecked by these two miscreants, as I’m sure the other participants on this CD have also had. It’s high time we all gave them tit for tat, don’t you think?


BRAIN TAP SHUFFLE
When John Tabacco and I began working together, we discovered almost immediately that we shared a mutual obsession with the music of Steely Dan. A couple of years earlier, I had bought a cassette called “Becker and Fagen: Founders of Steely Dan” at a car wash in Los Angeles (where it was sharing rack space with such other stellar releases as “Portrait of Claudine Longet” and “Best of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds” -- the latter had only two or three tracks on it, as I recall). The songs on this unauthorized “Becker and Fagen” tape turned out to be eleven of the pre-Steely Dan demos, which at that time (the mid-’90s) I was unfamiliar with.I liked them all, but my favorite was “Brain Tap Shuffle.” It was hard to describe why exactly, but the more I listened to it, the more “Brain Tap” seemed to mirror my own ambivalence toward the 1970s’ wretched excesses. That elusive but powerful quality, along with the song’s bluesy feel and Becker and Fagen’s duet vocal, which translated well into a Lennon and Tabacco duet (John’s a lead vocalist and I most definitely am not), made a the song a logical inclusion on the Reinventing the Wheel project.

The guitar solo in the middle is by John’s former roommate, Jim Dexter, a fine songwriter and player, whom we waylaid as he was grabbing a midnight snack in the kitchen and dragged downstairs to the studio. Considering the fact that he was forced to play an unfamiliar guitar (my ‘69 Gibson SG, with a fresh set of strings) in very humid weather (so it wouldn’t stay in tune), I think he acquitted himself remarkably.

After the basic tracks were recorded, John spontaneously added what he called the “Brain Tap Extension”, which has a Frank Zappa-in-the-1970’s flavor and supplies a bit of conceptual continuity between this and the other tracks on the CD.

CALLE SIN NOMBRE
This song was a blatant excuse for me to use a couple of my favorite chord clusters. The lyrics’ sinister travelogue was probably due to my reading too much Graham Greene, as well as Malcolm Lowry’s novel Under the Volcano. Not long before, I had been in the hospital undergoing major surgery, and I was still in kind of a post-morphine drip haze when I wrote both the music and the lyrics.

Originally it appeared that I was going to have to sing the vocal myself, but when I found out John could do a credible Donald Fagen impression, I got a reprieve. Later, when the CD was released, I received an irate e-mail from a guy in Santa Cruz, California, taking me to task for hiring “Steely Dan to sing on your record.” Guess you can please some of the people....

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 11:00:37 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Sorry, Clas, it's early here. Typo.
G

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 10:56:19 ET
Posted by: Clas,

Gretchen, her name id LINDGREN. Astrid Lindgren.

Lind as in lime tree, gren as in branch, limb. Lindgren.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 10:51:29 ET
Posted by: Dave,

I heard that there is no way there will ever be a DVD or video of 2003 since it was never filmed for that. They need all sorts of camera angles, etc, they don't have. The only stuff they might have is geared towards projection for the lawn seats. Nevertheless, sure would love for someone to post that I am wrong.

Boz Scaggs jumped ship from Virgin and started his own label. So did the Eagles. The non-big label CDs are still in the big box stores. With Irving Azoff being both Walter's and the Eagles manager, they have experience. Given that EMG sold less than 400,000, it makes no dif whether they are with a big label or not. Then again, Mike McDonald went indie for an album and is now with the biggest of all labels. Maybe that Warner Bros was recently bought and is now separate from Time Warner will make a difference for the boys.

Speaking of all this compilation stuff of past, let's hear more about the Blue compilation What's the deal with that? It was kinda strange last time the yellow had a compilation. Ironically, the Blue talked up the disc like ten times as much the yellow itself. Looking forward to the Blue Disc, especially those of us who were left off the yellow CD. Maybe Gina could profile all those who contributed outstanding music to the last yellow CD only to have it axed so Clas could appear three times on it. Then again, it really is the Clas compilation, isn't it?

I'm surprised they haven't reissued a CD remaster of the Nightfly since it came out on DVD Audio. Whoever posted about the double-sided disc they bought of it: any way you can burn only the CD side?

Hang ten!

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 10:43:31 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Stonehenge

I was all for the grassroots campaign, sadly the original did not last long. Howard, we hardly knew ya.
G

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 10:18:44 ET
Posted by: :()^, Scarsdale, NY

We need to get a grass roots campaign to have steely dan release a live DVD.

We need to send Reprise or Warner 100's of emails a day demanding one.


Otherwise my TVN Dvd will never leave my player.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 09:56:40 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, not diggin' the forecast

Gina,
Thanks for the Pippi Longstocking reference, Lundgren's stories were always my favorites growing up. I have a calendar of Pippi, too, and some friends of mine always say I'm her in adult form (without the braids, lol)!
If only I had kept the Pippi doll I had in the 70's............
G

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 06:27:03 ET
Posted by: ,

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=10934317

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 05:12:13 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Hitched to Gina's Post

Hi Gina -

Thank you for posting all the interesting stories about the contributors to Yellow Peril. You sure do know how to promote a project ... great job.

I totally agree with what you said in your post (a few posts down) where you said:

" ... it's a labour of love to begin with, love for the music of Steely Dan and being able to share music with fellow Dan fans. It's a nice tradition, along with any other traditions in Steely Fan land such as the Danfests and the online mixing & mingling."

This next quote of Gina's is truly IT ... "

"This CD also makes for something tangible when it comes to the enthusiasm of Steely Dan Tribute Bands, often not just your every (as in ... average ?) weekend amateur musician enjoying his or her 5 minutes of fame (besides, ... I want at least 6 and a half minutes ...)."

I don't know why I have not come up with this fact in such a succinct manner ... but Gina, you completely summed up the whole Steely Dan tribute band effort (love for it and entertainment from it) with this following quote of yours:

"Fame is not of any relevance in this regard, it's FUN and entertainment."

There certainly is a lot of work and effort involved in putting together a competent Steely Dan tribute band. Musicianship, persistence, an ability to get along with your fellow band members over the long haul, scheduling rehearsals, gigs, and other logistics, and more.

But after all the hard work is done ... it's time to ENJOY it all. The most tragic mistake of all would be to take oneself too seriously when performing this music. I am a firm believer in allowing the music (and the occasional original solos from the SD trib bands) to speak for themselves ... but the rest of the time, is absolutely to have as much fun as possible. Creating the party atmosphere is what it's all about for me. I intend to have at least as much fun performing the music as the audience (hopefully) has listening to it.

I can't wait to hear everyone's tracks on the Yellow Peril CD. Thanks again for your efforts ... Gina ... and Clas ... and of course ... all the contributors. This is a great tradition ... one that I hope will continue for many years to come.


SteveeDan

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 03:34:06 ET
Posted by: Clas,

Scotty - starting a Record Company isn't that hard.

Distribution and promotion, that's the trick.

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 03:05:03 ET
Posted by: Gina, Yellow Peril Mountain

W1P is a funny dude. But not so off track being a Pink Floyd fan. Not so far fetched to conclude the name of the two bands, Pink Floyd and Steely Dan somehow have a connection, or am i too close to the Janet Jackson syndrome with this?
Any major Dan fan would welcome the song W1P sent in for the compilation CD.
Let's find out what he says about it:
"My band is called Tortfeasor -- the same outfit that brought you "Pigs on the Wing" on the Pink Floyd compilation "A Fair Forgery of Pink Floyd" Tortfeasor is Dan "W1P" Johnson on lead vocals, John Would on rhythm guitar and shakers, Ira on bass and backing vocal, Michael Kinkade on drums and shakers and Mys Tery Shredder on lead guitar. The track was recorded at Stanely Recordings, Venice, California and produced by John Would.

A note on John Would. John Would is the house producer/engineer at Stanley Recordings. John Would is a former member of Warren Zevon's touring band (and actually appears briefly in the recent VH-1 special (now a DVD) on the making of Warren's last album "The Wind"). John Would produced 85% of the 31 tracks on "A Fair Forgery of Pink Floyd" and is the co-producer of Graham Parker's new album "Your Country".

Tortfeasor has recorded a "garage rock" version of "Any Major Dude" for Yellow Peril. Arrangement by John Would & Dan "W1P" Johnson."

Date: Tues, March 16, 2004, 02:40:02 ET
Posted by: Gina, Yellow Peril Mountain

Hi Hoops, not sure whether you were referring to my posts regarding the 4th compilation CD, it wasn't my intention to be anonymous, just figured it wasn't relevant to use my own name, the news itself was and is the main factor here :-)

There once was a discussion about how projects like these could best reach all interested parties and there was even some hastle about who was included and why or why not. Well, it's not like one has to pass a few guards or a scary secretary wearing x-rayed glasses.. May i therefore note the fact it's a labour of love to begin with, love for the music of Steely Dan and being able to share music with fellow Dan fans. It's a nice tradition, along with any other traditions in Steely Fan land such as the Danfests and the online mixing & mingling. This CD also makes for something tangible when it comes to the enthusiasm of Steely Dan Tribute Bands, often not just your every weekend amateur musician enjoying his or her 5 minutes of fame. Fame is not of any relevance in this regard, it's FUN and entertainment.
So i'd like to vote against prejudice and emphasize the music we'll be hearing once this cd is distributed for free, it's only the stamps you'll have to pay for!

And now back to presenting the Yellow Peril Line Up:
Sweden. We all know the music of Abba, the fairy-tales by Hans Christian Andersen, the books by author Astrid Lindgren and especially her charming little heroine Pippi Longstocking who's a symbol for endearing anarchy and freedom. Even Rickie Lee Jones fell complete in love with this red-haired girl and has a Pippi-calendar like glued to her fridge.
Stockholm is a city of many faces and also the womb of a vivid hip-hop culture, the underground heart of a steady and growing community which finds its way all throughout the country.
Jonas Lundkvist grew up with love for music and even went to the States, he studied at the Berklee College of Music and in Los Angeles but went back to Europe because he couldn't identify himself with the Great American Dream or as he would like to put it perhaps, the Great American Desillusion & Keeping Up Appearances. Too many of his fellow-students pretended to be a musician, stuck in jobs such as working in a carwash or diner and waiting for fame to be handed on a silver platter. He wanted to really pay his dues in able to earn credits in the music business and managed pretty well back home in Stockholm. True to his own identity and having met wonderful people sharing the same vibes, he's a driving force in many projects, reflecting the essence of a strong swedish hip-hop voice blending facts of life and inner creativity.
But that's just one side to his versatile nature. Basslegends such as Jaco Pastorius and ofcourse the music of Steely Dan have also been part of his musical upbringing.
Caspian One9 works all over Sweden and is well-known in the hip-hop movement. Music is life and words are rhythms, poetry in emotion caught in a glimpse we can easily sustain.
One has to listen without prejudice to get acquianted with this Swedish crowd, presenting their own distinctive views and visions.
A journey well-spent!

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 18:56:32 ET
Posted by: Scotty, Sydney - Working from home

South, you're automotive selection criteria is spot on. You expect the thing to get you from A to B. So it comes down to which vehicle "sounds" the best. Seems this beast will have you arriving at your destination smiling, but decidedly deaf.

Nice choice.

On another matter. Do any of you think D&W will start their own record company so they can do what the hell they like? Personally, I think they should. Get rid of any shackles and unleash all of their creativity exactly how they see fit.

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 18:09:07 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Wow

For those of you shopping for a new car, I offer the 2004 Acura TL...The first car offered with factory a DVD-Audio system...But wait, there's MORE!...This car come equipped with the Acura/ELS Premium Audio option...ELS?...Elliot L. Scheiner, natch...How good is THIS thing going to sound...Yikes

http://dvdaudiodaily.com/news/0309/03.elliot.scheiner.dvd-audio.system.acura.tl.shtml

SOH

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 13:17:42 ET
Posted by: hoops,

I appreciate and even think it is a good thing that sometimes posting under an anon name can be useful in presenting rumors that couldn't otherwise appear. Or it can allow someone's opinion and post to stand on it's own without people being biased towards who is posting. So if you need to use a name other than your usual name, that is totally unerstandable and even encouraged in certain cases.

But due to past and recent problems with certain "fishy" posters here, as well as a recent increase in just plain spam posts from advertisers who don't even know who Steely Dan is, it would be a huge help if you could stick with one or two names or similar variations at least. I won't go into it, but it's helpful. At the same time, I don't want to have logins, etc, lest it discourage people from posting things we need to hear.

Thanks for helping and supporting me in this way. I appreciate it.

Sincerely,

jim

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 12:25:58 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, In the Amen Corner

Yes Jaydee --

Me too. Thank you Mate !!!


SteveeDan
Head Cheerleader and Chief Bottle Washer for
Pretzel Logic - A Steely Dan Revue

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 12:24:34 ET
Posted by: Gepettto is a Waiter, Yellow Peril Mountain

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/040901/opi_horsley.shtml

One could either read this entire article or scroll downwards until you come across his name. Ken Vogel surfaced with his Gepetto's Blues on the second compilation CD and seemed astray among the company there, but somehow he fitted perfectly in the banyan trees picture. The comment given in the article really says it all. It keeps ringing in your mind and yes, fear is part of this audious deal.
But WHO is Ken Vogel, who surprised and startled us with his Oh No I'm A Waiter Again on the Steely Knives cd ... is it possible he's the geologist, as Google spit out on the screen ... or is he someone else?
He's in on the 4th and we can't wait to hear what's it gonna bring us this time around ...

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 12:03:46 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham UK

Jaydee:

Thanks for that bro`. `Preciate it.

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 11:45:35 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Day off work (well, technically I'm at the London Book Fair) so had the chance to listen to some of the excellent audio-links posted recently.

Great to hear the Pretzel Logic big-band renditions, then the stripped-down five-piece Dan Collective versions of those familiar compositions. Also thought the Brent Gallaher stuff was superb (both Razor Boy and his own tunes), and loved 'All American Bumble Bat' (now who did that remind me of?).

Which all makes it harder to admit that one of my band's regular show-stoppers is indeed The Monkees' 'I'm a Believer'. But you should hear our 'Birdland' (rehearsals only).

Excellent 'South Bank Show' (UK arts prog) last night about John Lennon's 'portable' mini juke-box (kind of 1960s i-pod) - mostly American soul records.

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 11:16:37 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

YMP - you're more fun than me. Do tell. I like to talk to a person who likes to talk to a person who likes to talk. (Sidney Greenstreet)

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 10:18:58 ET
Posted by: The New York Connection, Yellow Peril Mountain

http://www.cyber-songs.com/artists/jtabacco/default.html

Sometimes things are beyond words. Some music is beyond words.
All one can do is listen to it and watch what happens.
The URL above kinda says it all, in words.
This 4th CD into a 4th dimension?
- - - - - -

http://www.nigeylennon.com

Now this is certainly one of my fav people to talk about, in here or anywhere. Nigey Lennon's CD "Reinventing the Wheel" is something else, a rare example of how the universe works in mysterious ways.
"Brain Tap Shuffle" is orginally a Steely Dan demo they somehow never recorded. Nigey Lennon adapted it, added some juicy Zappanesque colors and turned the song into a secret meeting of astute geniusses.
At this point I'm not really sure which song of her CD will appear on the Yellow Peril, but any which way the wind blows, it'll be fine, more than fine!

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 10:12:08 ET
Posted by: Roy.Scam's "Weightless", Yellow Peril Mountain

Roy.Scam's posts often make me grab my Oxford dictionary and it's always a treat to lift a ride on the rhythm of his poised words. His music provides similar notions, so we're proud to have him on this 4th edition!

Roy.Scam: "Weightless" is a song I wrote when I was young, then forgot about for many years. One day a few years ago, my son Zach was noodling on the piano, and I said, "Hey. I once wrote a guitar piece that sounded sort of like that." So I dredged it out of my memory and rewrote what I couldn't recall. Zach said he liked it, so we played it together at a banquet I was scheduled to sing for.
It's recorded on a tiny 8 track in my house, except for the drum track by Scott Davis which was recorded at my son's house. Zach provided the electronic sounds and the voice distortions (intended to sound like a guy trapped outside a space capsule). The flat sounding piano part was done by draping a sheet over the strings in an old upright piano. (We both like those old Brian Wilson Beach Boys recordings like "Wild Honey" that were allegedly recorded in an empty swimming pool, so we tried to duplicate that tone.) The Steely Dan sampling was ,of course, gratuitous pandering to this audience. When you're an amateur, wedged among professionals, you have to do something to grab attention."

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 10:09:07 ET
Posted by: Four in a Florida Row, Yellow Peril Mountain

From the Florida Room it's sheer joy and fun, perhaps it's one of the best places to be when you're in the U.S.A. We got a GB-er here who's been around this online block for ages and he's one of the few who has been in this guestbook CD project from the start, three cd's ago. Occasionally dropping in from his tropical Florida scenery to send a warmhearted greeting, David Moore sent in his "At the Beach" for this 4th compilation CD.

Floridavid: " When I wrote the song "At the Beach" for my CD "Clockdrive World" I wanted to sort of pay tribute to the wonderful place called "The Beach Pierside" that has been my Friday and Saturday night gig for 8 years now. This place is located on Estero Island, Florida. It's also known as Fort Myers Beach. It sits at the base of a large pier that stretches out into the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A very beautiful and tropical paradise looking place.
They treat me like a king there and the people who work there are all like a big family. They allow me to play all sorts of Steely Dan and Jazz Fusion that I love. It is very much vacation land for tourists from around the world.
I wanted to convey what I see from behind my drumkit. At the same time I was experimenting with the way Steely Dan could create a song that sounded musicially nice, cool, sweet, fun etc. and at the same time using that as a cover for a lyric that is a little "smartass". You know, when someone is saying something that is perhaps a little negative or darkly humorous and wisecracking, but saying it with a big happy smile on their face. Kind of a contradiction in terms, right?"

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 10:04:26 ET
Posted by: The Dan Collective, Yellow Peril Mountain

Their website is absolutely fabulous.
It tells a tale of friendship, the love for music and why this bunch of enthused musicians decided to continue exploring the universe of Steely Dan rather than wander in their own. The audience loves it. They love it. So why not sail the seas and participate in the 4th edition of the formerly known as yellow guestbook compilation cd?

Neil "bassicinstinct" Thompson: " When TheDanCollective was formed from the core of the 10-13 piece (depending on night) Danny Steel Orchestra or DSO, one of the first considerations was to what extent we could do justice to the material in a "stripped down" 5 piece format, minus Brass Section and Girlie Chorus. Which songs would prove suitable for interpretation we wondered. Dr. Wu was, with hindsight, probably one of the least likely songs to survive from the DSO set, if only due to Phil Woods' legendary sax solo which has its pride of place in Steely Dan folk lore. This particular song however has become one of the most popular in our set, so we decided to offer it for inclusion on this compilation CD."
Dr. Wu was taken from a promotional CD made by TheDanCollective in order to open a few more doors for live performances. A session was arranged for 16 February 2003 in Leicester UK.
Neil Thompson: " This experience has become known as the "Sub Arctic Sessions" due to absence of heating and the temperature constantly dipping below freezing. This brought a new urgency to the proceedings and chillblains to the extremities in a "first take" approach to avoid hyperthermia! But we sincerely hope you will enjoy the results ..."

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 09:59:30 ET
Posted by: NEWSFLASH, YELLOW PERIL MOUNTAIN

Ah, we all know Steveedan's quite confident in using words, so we'll let him do the talking:

Steveedan: " The track that we submitted for the compilation CD is "Gaucho". The actual recording of this track was a live recording of our May 31st 2003 gig at an outdoor festival called "Fiesta Hermosa" (Hermosa Beach, California). To be totally honest, we did do some overdubs but not a whole lot. This recording is truly indicative of how we play live. We had a great audience, the largest we've ever had at Hermosa Beach. But what was REALLY COOL for me was that my wife (who almost NEVER comes to check us out live) came with our 5 year old son Jona.
Jona found some other little kids near the fron of the stage and he was dancing (jumping up and down) with these other kids. They totally stole the show as well they should have. It was a great moment. I was thinking to myself that I must be in heaven because ... I was performing my absolute FAVORITE music with a great band of musicians, all of whom totally in love with Steely Dan .. my wife was there and my son was having a great time and stealing the show. NOTHING could be better than that combination of events for me, the proud (and silly) father of the "show stealer". It was absolutely great!
Two of our regular sax players had to miss the gig because of another engagement that was forced upon them, so we had two replacements. One of these guys had never played with the band before. He simply showed up at the gig and read the charts and when it was time for hos solos, he played so well that most of us were blown away!! I mean, he was GREAT. Possibly the best sax player we've ever had. And this was the strongest sax section we've ever had as well.
We also had recently acquired a new guitarist, bringing our band back up to two guitar players. This guy is a true professional, his father is a musical director and has worked with Wayne Newton and other ... anyway, for the most part, this guitarist has been fairly low key, a very dedicated and studious learner. But during the Hermosa gig he was taking a solo and started to do the Jimi Hendrix theatrics of picking his guitar with his teeth playing a solo. The entire band just looked at him with complete amazement! This was one of the rarest moments where both the band and the audience just watched this guy transfixed.
It was unbelievable and quite a gig!!!!"

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 09:37:02 ET
Posted by: Alias Peg, Behind cube walls

Go to Brentgallaher dot com, click on Play Music. Listen to Razor Boy. You will like. Promise.

Date: Mon, March 15, 2004, 04:02:25 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, The School of Rock (on DVD)

In just 2 weeks ... we'll be appearing at the ... oh ... wait ...

Now it's time for my very own patented S H A M E L E S S ... P L U G G I N G ...


PRETZEL LOGIC RETURNS TO HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA FOR IT'S FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN 2004.

COME ONE, COME ALL, BUT COME EARLY OR YOU MIGHT NOT GET IN ...

THE BAKED POTATO

SUNDAY NIGHT MARCH 28TH, 2004 AT 8 PM

(For the club address go to thebakedpotato.com for details.


... we love to tour the southland ...

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 20:45:42 ET
Posted by: Rajah, under the radar

Martha, even though you're goin to dee beeeg house, best of luck BYW, this is decidedly NOT the place to ask for bootlegs, m'kay, but LMTY I have heard Cubano Chant from last summer: holy sheet what a rendition. They've made Ray Bryant an icon.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 20:37:56 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, way deep in the eastern sky

Seems to be shades of Muriel Spark around lately. Now that's a thought, she, Donald and Walter co conspire to turn one of her stories into a musical opera, more twisted than Tommy.
G

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 20:01:38 ET
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, back from the track

Santa Anita is the prettiest racetrack I've ever been to, been to a lot. If you come to LA in the winter, forgetttabou the Hollywood sign. Go to dee trakk.

Bway - holy cripes that's a memory...could you ship yourself to the Smithsonian, yikes. The smashing is crazy, I never understood it, it's better to just punch each other out which they eventually discovered. Do you recall, "Pictures of Lily" being performed?

Daffodil? The Testosterone Firestorm that is the Rajah of Erase, a Daffodil? Not that there would be anything wrong with that and I'd be proud to be queer and here with you all but the Rajah is a man as steeped in the knowledge of his endless and rapacious cupidity of the female body as he is in all other things, he is in no way vulnerable to innuendo to the contrary and not ashamed to say that Steve and I have been dating for about a year, his wife is fine with it and everything is just great so far. It's just that we don't have sex, not that I can recall at any rate. In most respects, it's much the same thing as dating. Except that we already walk alike we talk alike at times we even dork alike. Steve and I met about four years ago, he was holding his infant son on his lap and playing piano, he was the very picture of a Dad who wants his boy to have great love for music, for me it was love at first sight after that, and we immediately hit it off. Steve's fondest desire is for his boy to be a great player and aficcionado of the craft. We were at a Sunday BBQ with mutual friends from other SD Tribute - there's that word I loathe-bands, then lost touch until last year or so. We found each other again, so it's still so exciting and new.

I love you, punkin, I don't care who knows it.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 15:48:45 ET
Posted by: bwaySteve, The Who am I

Been home catchin' up on the posts , notepad in hand.This is one of my favorite escapes which supports my overall procrastination and avoidance behavior in all areas of my life.Thanks everyone for the interesting tidbits keeping me from doing anything worthwhile today and for days to come.

My Who story : I saw The WHO for the first time at one of the old Murray the K shows in NYC maybe '65 or '66. It was one of the first concerts I had ever attended. You sat through hours of cartoons and shorts in a smelly theater after waiting on a line outside for hours.The show consisted of one or two numbers from each of a dozen acts, people who were once pretty well known, in the twilight of their careers.I guess the best of those was Wilson Pickett.The last act and they were not on the program was the WHO.I had just seen them on the Today show on one of the first live remotes of its kind, performing on a street in London the week before.
The staging was minimal with the drums up on a high riser in front of the Union Jack surrounded by eight of the largest amplifiers I had ever seen.Well these guys played My Generation through these giant amps and turned that motherfucker out.My ears were hurting .Townshend destroyed his guitar and crazy Moon threw his kit off the stand.I was shocked , dumbfounded , hypnotized , energized and knew that the music was going somewhere I could not have forseen. My friends and I walked out of the theater trembling from the exprience.I will never forget it.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 14:06:14 ET
Posted by: Peg, With the homeskillets

Greetings, all. Missed visiting, I do say. Great topics lately.. Jim Hall! Whew, that's cool. Didn't Walter say Grant Green was his favorite guitarist? What are the similarities and differences?

Well I've returned to do some shameless promotion, but not for self. A wonderful jazz sax/piano arrangement of "Razor Boy" has been recorded by some friends of mine here in Cincinnati. You can hear it on a new CD by super saxophone player Brent Gallaher -- and hear it at his web site, I've been told (My computer's sound has not worked lately!). The site name is Brentgallaher, plus the dot com. The arrangement was done by pianist Jim Connerley, a big appreciator of all things Dan.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 13:57:04 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Hoops:

Anywhore that I'm welcome to, (anywhore will do)
Anywhore that I'm welcome to, (yes, I'm talkin' 'bout anywhore)
Anywhore that I'm welcome to is better than the 'ho I come from.


Sorry, I couldn't resist.... LOL

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 13:51:10 ET
Posted by: Lyle Mendez, San Quentin

Stevee while you are at it can you buy me a gun?

Thank you in advance.

Lyle


Rajah did our new pal from Honduras call you a daffodil?

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 13:43:58 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Just a heads up that Jim Hall is the subject of an episode of "Jazz Profiles" airing on NPR these days. A little excerpt from the JP website: "Master guitarist Jim Hall's approach to melody and improvisation has led critics to rank him with Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. He helped develop the "cool jazz" sound of the 1950s and with Paul Desmond and Bill Evans. In the late '60s, he played hard bop with Sonny Rollins and he continues to evolve and grow."

Like "Piano Jazz," this show airs on various US National Public Radio stations at various times—check http://www.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/index.html for a radio wave or internet stream that fits your scedule. I do know you can hear this particular "Jim Hall" edition of "Jazz Profiles" over the internet today (Sunday) at 3:00 pm Chicago time via http://www.wbez.org If you tune in before, you can hear classic jazz with Dick Buckley which is a great show every week from Noon to 3. I've heard a couple of versions of "Cubana Chant" on that show in the past few months.

ChOWWW!

jim

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 12:54:49 ET
Posted by: Moll, Hootewrville

Boy am I glad I took up with Bass now.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 12:49:49 ET
Posted by: Rajah, hey-la hey-la my boyfriend's back

Steven - just let it go, some people will just never accept us, maybe cause we're different, sniff. Such a gentleman, our Stevee is even nice to fictional characters. Cognitive inclusion is what the DSM-IV might say. I called him yesterday to tell him it was PQ, he said, "I believe you should be nice to new people, I gotta take the kid to the park, goo-bye." Me, I'd say it was a temporary case of stupid on the couch. It's OK boyfriend, I realize a mother's work is never done.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 12:15:05 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, At the Casbah

to Erich Maria Remarkable - You are welcome.

I must say though, I'm not sure that you are for real. No one offers to give a gift of a death mask to someone they haven't met. That's a little too personal.

And as for my boyfriend ... leave Rajah out of this.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 11:29:42 ET
Posted by: Rajah, misty mountains

Erich Maria - Welcome, benvenuto and willkommen to the Blue Book where we sing and dance just as good as we want. You've come to the right place, binominal one, that peaceful shore where we hobnob, confab and rub elbows with our fellow Wizards, geniuses all, ahem, and generally rumage through the archeological record of the Steely Dan entity such as it is as here the begining of the end. So feel free to yell, opine, laugh out loud and get freaky all from the comfort of your cozy booth. But if you EVER dare to disagree with me I'll rip your lungs out son. Yup-per, that's what we're like here at the Happiest Board on Earth. Home at last, home at last, great God-almighty, we are truly home at last. Feels nice.

I myself just returned from Camaroon where I attended the No. 9 Dance. Wooo. I have no idea however just how I might have received these claw markings on my back. Interesting formation though...hmm

Catherwood! To the lab.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 09:43:17 ET
Posted by: Bill, Pittsburgh

some clever juxtaposition there from our friend - worthy of being a minor character in 2vN:

"doctor lawyer beggar man thief,
philly joe remarkable looks on in disbelief,
if you want a taste of madness,
you'll have to wait in line, you'll probably
see someone you know on heartattack and vine."
- Tom Waits

http://www.slider.com/enc/44000/Remarque_Erich_Maria.htm

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 08:36:51 ET
Posted by: Jive Miguel, in from Bogota

Erich Maria Remarkable=Meal Reviewer

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 02:57:54 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable, Honduras

Stevendan, thank you so much for yourthoughtful information,I wish to send a gift to you and you boyfriend, something special for my beautiful country a mask we put on our faces when we cerebral our dead relatives, on augosto 3. Tell me what is a credocard?

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 01:41:44 ET
Posted by: ,

Anywhore? lol!

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 00:22:41 ET
Posted by: hoops,

To follow up: I just noticed that itunes even has two versions of "Decade." So that would generate two versions of each track there, just by itself. Here's what I find hilarious: one of the versions of "Decade" is *The Gold Disc" edition. I believe Gold Disc has the same masters as the "Citizen Steely Dan" version of masters (circa 1993)—but I thought the whole deal was that it was pressed to 20K gold oxide leaf on the CD. How do you down load the gold leaf? LOL! I know, special ink jet cartridge!

Seriously, maybe someone here had more technical infor than I do.

Anywhore, the top six SD albums on iTunes,cin are Decade (Gold Disc Version), CBAT, AJA, Gaucho, Show Biz Kids: The Steely Dan Story 1972-1980 and Decade.

Date: Sun, March 14, 2004, 00:16:06 ET
Posted by: hoops,

About a year ago, I occassionally posted what the top ten Steely Dan downloads were at itunes.com. A twist is that now that each instance of a SD song on an album or collection is tabulated separately. So "Do It Again" from "Can't Buy A Thrill," "Decade," "Citizen Steely Dan," etc each count as separate songs and so the some of the same titles appear twice in the top ten or twenty. Since they don't give actual numbers, as far as I can tell, you can't add the different entries together to get a tally for a single track ("Do It Again" in this example).

One curious thing I found: of the 220 or so Steely Dan tracks, the least downloaded appears to be "Throw Back The Little Ones." Both the "Katy Lied" and "Citizen Steely Dan" versions are listed near the bottom, below #200. Keep in mind that this is combination of how many times the track is downloaded individually as well as part of "Katy Lied."

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 22:19:52 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

When they play the Kulee Baba, no one's safe.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 18:17:24 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, somethin' somethin'..............

Was it Kulee Baba that started all this? Damn, do we need a tour announcement, lol.

Going back to my paints and charcoal, for the time being

G

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 17:24:28 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, But Seriously, Folks...

You guys are KILLING me with this shit...SOH

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 16:43:36 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, The African Explorer

Honduras in in Central America ... oops.

I got lost after George Harrison said to turn left at Greenland ...

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 16:42:15 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Hey you guys !!! Be nice to Erich Maria Remarkable ...

She's new to all of this, and she is translating everything. I want to send her a copy of a Pretzel Logic band CD so that I can start my assault on South America ... that's a continent I haven't gotten to yet ... but the month is still new ...

Erich - welcome here. You have found a great place to find out about CDs, and various answers to your questions.

With a credit card or a PayPal account you can shop for almost anything you are lookind for over the internet and what you buy will be shipped directly to your home. There are 2 new studio albums and 1 live album from Steely Dan ...

Alive In America (various 1993 and 1994 concerts rolled into one CD).
Two Against Nature - won 4 Grammys in 2001 (the year of the telecast)
Everything Must Go - released June 10th, 2003 in the USA.

Donald Fagen has 2 solo albums
The Nightfly and Kamakiriad

Walter Becker has 1 solo album
11 Tracks Of Whack!

I hope this helps you.


SteveeDan

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 12:31:08 ET
Posted by: Rajah, mainly on the plain

We love it out here, kinda flat but on Saturday night we chase the dragon over to the saloon...well, time to hitch up the wagons and vamoose.

Hey ya hoooo!

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 12:10:52 ET
Posted by: Panama Jack, British Columbia

Erich Maria, don't mind Rajah, he's from Kansas.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 12:09:25 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable, Honduras

Que?

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 11:44:54 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Middle age macho libido per las chicas, de shame on heeem, dat Dan de Steel. Mui inappropriaddo, troppo viagro.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 11:21:07 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable, Honduras

DK, what is a link? A telephone wire? I am afraid if I have scarced you, it is not my intendos to scarce anybody on earth. So what is that /2vn? Tell me?

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 11:18:11 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Enricho - "Mambo" essperimento con jungle ritmo. Vibes and congas, ABC you later. Switch companias en relasso "Quonky Brew" Stinkeroo and busto.

AHH, qui es los gauuuchhooo amigo?

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 11:16:33 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham UK

You are beginning to scare me now!

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 10:51:47 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable,

Raggha! Is that so? You are not driving with me, I am easy to fool you see hi hi! En esta hora, exactamento, un nino esta en la calle!!!!

I am sorry for the doubleposting. The telephonewire goes from our little village over Sierra Meatress, and it is raining hurricano in da mountains at this very moment, or so I have been told.

Yours truly, Erich Maria

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 10:43:13 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable, Honduras

Thanks for a warm and spicy welcome jayDee, it warmths our souls and spirits.

We forgot the most importante question, are there any southafrican influences in the Steely Dan music?

We argue about this, me, my sister and my boyfriend, his name is Puerifoy by the way, they say they cannot hear no southamerican influences in the music of Steely Dan.

But I insist there are some influences, in the song Gaucho for example, there is a slight feel of tango, bom bom bom bom BA bom bom bom bom BA bom bom bom bom

And in the Time out of Mind there are several indications on the Finnish yenka folk dance.

It's signifacantz that Steely Dan have multi cultural transpirations.

What do you say, Rahgga and Bassinject and you other danofillis?

Yours truly,

Erich Maria, Puerifoy and little Maria del Carmen, true believers and hardworking Catholics.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 10:43:12 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable, Honduras

Thanks for a warm and spicy welcome jayDee, it warmths our souls and spirits.

We forgot the most importante question, are there any southafrican influences in the Steely Dan music?

We argue about this, me, my sister and my boyfriend, his name is Puerifoy by the way, they say they cannot hear no southamerican influences in the music of Steely Dan.

But I insist there are some influences, in the song Gaucho for example, there is a slight feel of tango, bom bom bom bom BA bom bom bom bom BA bom bom bom bom

And in the Time out of Mind there are several indications on the Finnish yenka folk dance.

It's signifacantz that Steely Dan have multi cultural transpirations.

What do you say, Rahgga and Bassinject and you other danofillis?

Yours tryly,

Erich Maria, Puerifoy and little Maria del Carmen, true believers and hardworking Catholics.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 10:02:39 ET
Posted by: Rajah, el scoopo

Lo Dan de Ferro e constituato con Maestro Ronaldo Fagini e Dottore Wally Beeker. I dischi doppo Gaucho sono 8. Si, 8 album dischi:

1) Mambo 1984
2) Quonky Brew 1987
3) Ishtar (Sonotrak) 1990
3) Kareemakiriad 1993
4) 11 Whacks de Cracke 1994
5) Viva las USA 1995
6) 2 Horny Honchos 2000
7) El Dumpo Supremo 2003

First three stinko grandissimo, Kulee Baba freak out mama, so messo en archivo por los retirement security, God willing. Ronaldo en processo con Carolina Bayer-Sagerelli fa los duo per cinema presentazione in 2005, "Arturo 4," entitelato, "Schtuppo fra lo coulis e New York City." Commedia romantica. ahhh...Parigi.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 09:44:43 ET
Posted by: angel,

Jaydee: I'm a Believer? As in the song by the Monkees?

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 09:07:35 ET
Posted by: KD,

"Two Against Nature" is a dish best served cold.

Or something like that.

Here at the Western Front.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 09:03:34 ET
Posted by: Pam, looking for a beach

Uh oh, it's Meal Reviewer' cousin! Fruity!

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 08:57:28 ET
Posted by: KD,

Erich, welcome!

Here is your link:

http://www.steelydan.com/2vnbuy.html

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 08:38:16 ET
Posted by: Erich Maria Remarkable, Honduras

Today is happy days for me and my fellows in Hiaujxo, Hondura, our little village has just receieved its first modem.

We are three Steely Dan fans here in Hiaujxo, me, my sister and my boyfriend.

We are dying to ask a few questions about Steely Dan, and we hopw in Simon time some kind spirit here on the official Dan Site will answer them.

1. Who is Steely Dan? Renaldo Fagen or Walter Becker?

2. Has the Steely Dan recorded anything after the Gaucho album, and if, what, and where can we get in touch with the retailer?

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 05:36:32 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Notingham UK

Jaydee:

Yeah, point taken. I`ll leave it with you then! LOL

Very pleased to hear your guy is NOT going for a Diggins bass although I have to confess I have never even heard of a Bernie Goodfellow!! I`ll have to have a google and see what comes up.

Anyone heard the new(ish) Larry Carlton album Sapphire Blue yet? An absolute stormer IMHO and a welcome return to form.

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 05:24:20 ET
Posted by: HB as in Honeybun,

Hoops:
Yep, sorry Hoops, tis indeed Honeybun. Might have been more interesting if it'd been Hb Friedenberg though...
:)

Date: Sat, March 13, 2004, 03:47:09 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

bassic: Cushy? You try playing 'Simply the Best' for the tenth time in a row under hot lights with a floor manager telling you to 'keep the energy up guys'! Your ref to Jaydee basses confused me until I googled it and found that the maker (John Diggins) has virtually the same surname as me (just move a 'g' a bit). Weird. But our man is going for a GB (Bernie Goodfellow) I think.

angel: no we can't play any Dan - they like songs they know well, so they can script some punchy camera changes. 'I'm a Believer' is a favourite, for some reason.

Raj: I've always had a hi-hat thing - something about the interplay between stick and foot. Got a great video by one of the jazz veterans (forget who) where he explains that classic swing feel on hi-hat should be 'closed-open-open' not 'closed-closed-open' as most of us play. Love Chambers' little hh lift on the AIA 'Reelin' verses.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 19:58:58 ET
Posted by:hoops ,

Assuming that's Hb as in Honey Bun and not Hb Friedenberg, co-founder of the Dandom Digest and technical advisor extraordinaire for this place and other Dandom.com endeavors (?)

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 19:55:21 ET
Posted by: HB,

BB_on the tracks: Sorry, didn't blank you, my pc shut down while I was talking to you. By the time i got back online you had gone.

Hb

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 18:04:51 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Jay - My old hi-hat had just the right flexibility, great shimmy, like a little side-to-side movement, clamped shut like a dream and you could even sneak up on it from underneath and give it a little love tap or two. Had a little claw thingy on the back of the pedal that gave you just the right tread. Paid $150 for her back in the seventies, a pitance by today's standards. And what a bang for the buck. I called her Lorelei but when I moved to LA I sold her to a pal of mine. Hope he treated her right. I find the newer models are stiff and unforgiving, no play at all.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 16:50:12 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, a pool of margaritas

Why, scarf man, do you want one? They can be replicated, but unfortunately the original is gone...........
G

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 16:40:06 ET
Posted by: angel,

Hey Jaydee: I resemble that remark.....actually, I was crew (long, long time ago) on the american counterpart of totp. Execpt we never got to reherse our moves.... :-)
Do you get to play whatever you want, say some Steely Dan, perhaps?

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 16:18:39 ET
Posted by: Scarf Man, Waterbury, CT

Has anyone seen Gretchen?

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 15:58:14 ET
Posted by: Nigel, UK

Rajah "Maybe this Steely Dan persona needs to go" I'm sure you dont want this to happen. But, my gut feeling is that you are wrong. Steely Dan will bring out at least another 3 or 4 albums and tour until they are too old....(many years to come) just my gut feeling Nigel UK nb thanks Mark in Boston to replying to my last post.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 14:30:32 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham UK

Bloody hell Jaydee! What sort of a cushy number is that? Performing to "train" cameramen/directors?? - I am a jealous bunny! Do they applaud though? LOL

Your guy surely isn`t buying a Jaydee bass is he? I sure am ageing, but even I can see no attraction whatsoever. LOL

I think I could probably put up with Herr Schtingle if I`d already had the pleasure of witnessing Joss Stone. Enjoy!

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 13:34:07 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Just found out Joss Stone will be support for Sting at the Albert Hall in May - 'sweet holy Jesus what a night'.

bassic: pencilled in your Mayday Dan Collective gig but fear I will have a jig myself (as my old mum used to say). Bunch of BBC work coming up - they use us to train directors/cameramen for TOTP etc. Re basses - our man has just taken the plunge and ordered one from the guy who makes Mark King's. Little lights flashing up and down the fretboard apparently - I guess ageing bassists need that kind of thing!

Rajah: there's something inyour metaphor I think. Having recently retired my dear old Ludwig for a Roland electro-kit, the only part I'm not happy with is the rather unresponsive hi-hat.

Re HSO: DF and WB will be doing their stuff in one form or another until senility sets in and that's good enough for me. I even look forward to that final compilation - 'Steely Dan - the Vegas Years'.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 13:04:19 ET
Posted by: rcray, nyc

Wow it's been a long time since I have been here.

I have to admit I have been listening to Pretzel Logic recently and that album really rocks.

Most notably, Night by Night. That is what I miss from AjA/TVN/Gaucho/EMG. I am not saying I don't love those albums just that Pretzel was a little more on the edge. That being said, we need to get our boys to release a DVD....I am jonesing for one.

Regards, RCRAY

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 12:38:25 ET
Posted by: Rajah, blip

The lady would be Gretchen, the hangers would be plastic.

Driving to Ventura, see y'all later.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 12:35:15 ET
Posted by: Rajah, calming influence

Joe - now come on young man, let's just face the music and dance here. Isn't it better to face your deepest fears than cringe in the corner attempting to stave off anal leakage? That answer would be yes. Let's drag the boogey man out from under the bed and take a good look at him. Reality is a beeaatch, sunshine. Do you really think these two are going to be satisfied with the status quo? They told us as much. They're going out of business as we know them. It's like recycling my Joey, you go in as an old plastic milk jug and come out as something new and useful, like platic hangers or something.

Funny about your comment about being torn in those two directions. Seems like you're not the first lady I've heard that from...hmm. Gives one pause.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 12:09:38 ET
Posted by: Joey,

" Unchain Don & Walt from Steely Dan. Maybe it's time these brothers were free. For at least a couple records at least. Then maybe one last Steely Dan record in 2010. One last blast and out. "

Rajah , You make Young Joey Weep and Sh## Liquid !!!!!!!

Why ?!?! WHY ?!?!?! Why must you make the Jo Jo use so much toilet paper on a Friday Morning ?!?!?!?! WHY ?!?!

WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?! WHY ?!?!

Baby Joe !

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 12:06:59 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham UK

Jaco:

I think I`m right in saying that Mr Miller graced us with his presence, Nightfly-wise, on:

Maxine
The Nightfly
The Goodbye Look

I certainly am interested in your Sadowsky email. Don`t know much about their guitars (except, of course, that WB uses one) but I DO know that the basses are absolute killers. I`ve aspired to one for longer than I care to remember but I think that, so long as I`m playing SD material, I`m going to have to settle for my trusty Warwick. Can`t see me ever having the necessary fiscal liquidity to take me down the Roger Sadowsky route. LOL

Hey Jaydee. How`s it hanging?

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 11:39:05 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Gretch-o-lina: look, whatever happens will be cool, I don't think they'll disappear like 1982. How could anything Don does NOT be cool and perfect? How could anything Walty does NOT be clever and devlish? As long as they're breathing the party will never end. Music is their life, they're made of it, it's just like, on to the next thing. A new adventure. Never too old for that.

I've got half a tab left you guys; I'll split it with you. It's better over here.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 11:36:19 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

Gretch - LMAO. Thanks for the chuckle.

Raj - Nothing wrong with letting it hang out there.
Your opinion that is.


KC

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 11:26:11 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, groovetime in Calcutta

Kid C, whatevah Rajah is on, there's a thin line between wanting some for myself and running like hell.
G

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 11:25:50 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

K - I'm just saying we should be prepared for anything, even the unthinkable...the end. Hey it's Friday, I feel brave & feisty.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 11:20:23 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

Raj - Did you get your medication screwed up this morning or what???

I would actually find it hard to disagree with most of what you said. It just pains the heart so to think along those lines. To have them rise from the grave after so long only to drop a couple of new nuggets to us and then hop back in the coffin.....it's just to painful to think about. Thanks for throwing it up there, none-the-less.


KC

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 11:08:32 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Randy - it's the best disco song ever, the cheesy protagonist matching the cheesy diso format but, of course, with lots of other nuances in there. Disco did indeed suck but it did happen, we can't change that.

Disco was great for drummers. Talk about sexy. You could have sex with your trap set, the hi hat always reminded me of a certain female hot button. I'm not trying to be naughty here, but once you set that drum kit righteouisly shimmerin' and sizzlin', using your heart, soul and extremities in that place called groovetime, save for one extremity hopefully in the case of your trap set, there comes a point where she just takes off on her own, and you just watch her go...

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 10:53:23 ET
Posted by: Randy, Northern NJ/USA

I must say I am thankfully not in agreement in regards to the recent discussion of Steely Dan's "Glamour Profession," as I have always considered it a classic as well as a favorite: the great, moodily atmospheric horns; the pristine sharpness of the sound; the cryptic storyline of the lyric; the sexy background vocals; the ominous and unwavering drum beat; Anthony Jackson's bass lines spilling out melodiously; Donald Fagen's haunting vocal delivery; the staggeringly stark and soulful piano break; Steve Khan's killer guitar solo on the extended outro; "Illegal fun / under the sun..."; nothing sounded like THAT in 1980, let alone now-

Randy
Music History Site
http://hometown.aol.com/nightfly62/nightfly.html

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 10:45:20 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Gretchy - Didn't mean to bring you down, it's just the first thing I thought of when I bought the record. A rumor had been floating around- and I will neither reveal nor attest to the reliability of the source- last spring that this would be the last SD tour, period. What I really truly feel is that they will not be seen or heard from until the political and recording industry climate changes, and it will, it's all cyclical IMHO. And when they do return, it will be different. Maybe this Steely Dan persona needs to go. We all realize that when they write as Steely Dan, they must serve Steely Dan and by that I mean the substance must adhere to the form. And Steely Dan is a very exacting master, burdensome by now perhaps. So maybe it's time to give this guy, this Steely Dan, his walking papers. He got a few good licks in, not that a lot of people will ever know. He were great, he died, he was re-animated like Frankenstein on the cover of AIA (love that pic) and lo and behold was great again. Point proven. QED I think we all have to prepare ourselves for this eventuality. So bag Steely Dan and let Don & Walt together and separately travel to the new realms. If they were to indeed shuck off this body armour that is Steely Dan, a heavy load by now, many new possibilities will emerge.

Unchain Don & Walt from Steely Dan. Maybe it's time these brothers were free. For at least a couple records at least. Then maybe one last Steely Dan record in 2010. One last blast and out.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 10:27:49 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Tried something a little different this morning. Just for fun I entered "Steely Dan" in the Google NEWS search page just to see what might come up. Nothing revelatory, but I found two mildly interesting items...

-- http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040306/asp/calcutta/story_2967171.asp

Scroll down to the "Dan Revisited" heading for a short review of a Steely Dan tribute night somewhere in India.

-- http://tennessean.com/entertainment/news/archives/04/03/47869689.shtml?Element_ID=47869689

There's a short grouping of lists by Clint Black. Who cares? The first list is his "Top 5 deserted island discs":

"1. Everything by Merle Haggard. Because he's not just a man, he's the man.

2. Kentucky Thunder, Ricky Skaggs. Despite the fact that you never hear thunder, it's lightning on a disc.

3. Aja, Steely Dan. I didn't hear any Asian language, but I overlooked that and enjoyed it anyway.

4. Off To See the Lizard, Jimmy Buffett. I was confused when I bought this one, thinking it was Judy Garland's soundtrack to the film. But I was glad I got it."

At #5 he just plugs his own newest recent release.

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 10:06:40 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, with the Mock Turtle

Steve, I like your interpretation much better! How about, though, Steely Has Started Over? Just a little something to ponder.......
G

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 09:42:27 ET
Posted by: Joey,

" It was like hearing it for the first time, little nuances that I appreciate now that I never could have at 17, when it was released. I really feel that only SD can give me the emotional "high" (and sometimes low) that I get. It's been that way since I was really young, thought I'd grow out of it, but I guess it's here to stay.
G "


You raise an interesting point there G !!!!!!! I too have often felt a lucid connection to the current space/time continuum whilst listening to Steely Dan , save it is Spaceless , Timeless and of such loveliness ...........................Indeed , it becomes a shocking , vivid , flashing electrical ....................Wait !!!!!!!!! ................Oh , DAMN !!!!!!!! I just got called to a meeting .

*************** END TRANSMISSION *****************************

Snarky !

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 06:35:02 ET
Posted by: Jaco, Scarborough, N.Yorks

Jaydee/Bassicinstinct: Many many thanks! I thought it was a great line - I'm a big fan of Marcus Miller - forgot he had worked with Fagen. Didn't he do some work on Nightfly? Or am I wrong? I know Will Lee was involved too.....


..if anyone's interested, I had a mail from Roger Sadowsky, who makes Mr Becker's sweet sounding guitars and basses. I was interested in what bass he plays these days - turns out it's a Standard Sadowsky Jazz bass with a maple neck. This can be seen in the promo photos, of course.


Does anyone know what bass he played when he was in that role in early Steely Dan? Did I see him once with a Gibson Thunderbird?


Kind regards



Jaco

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 05:17:27 ET
Posted by: P-G E, Sweden

Gretchen,

I know how you feel!

Listening to their music ALWAYS give me this mixed feeling of longing for something lost as well as putting me in a good mood reflecting on the positive things about being alive (there are a few!).

My first real meeting with Steely Dan bak around the time of Aja...

The first shows I caught i London in the mid-90s...

First listen to Two Against Nature...

Pictures of summer and sun in my mind.

A sort of melancholy happiness.

----------------------
Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 23:07:03 ET
Posted by: Gretchen , melancholy


EMG reminds me of summer, I want it back.
. . .

I really feel that only SD can give me the emotional "high" (and sometimes low) that I get. It's been that way since I was really young, thought I'd grow out of it, but I guess it's here to stay.
G

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 04:53:12 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Hangin' with Chef Boy-Oh-Boy-R-Dee

Hi Rajah and Gretchen ---

NO NO NO !!! You've got the anagram all wrong ...

H ... S ... O ...

Could only mean one thing ...

Hurry ! Soup's On !!!

Date: Fri, March 12, 2004, 04:47:15 ET
Posted by: Per-Gunnar Eriksson Esq, Sweeeeeeeden!

Not here to add anything profound or insightful to any thread or discussion ... just want to say that these new Gaucho outtakes got me movin' and a-groovin' this Friday! Great stuff!!

Isn't it about time we got a new issue of the official Steely Dan Newsletter? If only to tell us that the r & r is going as planned and if Carol Bayer Sager has been visiting lately?

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 23:21:39 ET
Posted by: Q, Tampa

Andy,

Try searching for the 5 disc SACD/DVDA player on audioreview.com and audiogon.com

Regards

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 23:07:03 ET
Posted by: Gretchen , melancholy

EMG reminds me of summer, I want it back. "Blues Beach" reminds me of driving up the coast of Maine in June, those crashing waves, steel blue and the bright early summer sky. It doesn't get better than that. Green Book is just sexy, and as far as Glamour Profession, I, too have to admit I didn't appreciate it until last year. It was always a "skip" for me until one Sunday afternoon, lying on my deck in the sun, I listened, really listened, and was just blown away. It was like hearing it for the first time, little nuances that I appreciate now that I never could have at 17, when it was released. I really feel that only SD can give me the emotional "high" (and sometimes low) that I get. It's been that way since I was really young, thought I'd grow out of it, but I guess it's here to stay.
G

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 22:27:30 ET
Posted by: Scotty, Sydney

Rajah, I refuse to even entertain the notion of a swan song. How about something like "Steely Hallowed Sounds Orchestrated"

Some interesting questions in todays local paper:

Do you ever wonder where the world is headed? Do you ever wonder why doctors call what they do 'practice'? Why you never see the headline 'Psychic wins lottery'? Why 'abbreviated' is such a long word? Why you have to click 'Start' to stop Microsoft Windows? Why the person who invests your money is called a broker? Why there isn't mouse-flavoured cat food? Who tastes dog food when it has a 'new and improved' flavour? Why Noah didn't swat those two mosquitoes? Why they sterilise the needle for lethal injections? Why they don't make the whole plane out of the material used for the indestructible black box ? Why sheep don't shrink when it rains?" Why they are called apartments when they are all stuck together?

It's funny how a song or the sound of someone's voice can brighten one's day. Happened twice today already. Got me thinking about where a song will take you when you hear it. For me, the entire Gaucho album reminds me of summer. It was released around November here, which is the tail end of spring and every time I hear Third World Man I have this instant vision of sea water washing over shells from a day spent humming the song, walking along the foreshore of a beach. Total recall! There is a story for nearly every SD song and I bet London to a brick that its the same for everyone here. Even to the point of being able to answer the question "Where were you and what were you doing when you heard X" Where X is any song in the SD catalogue.

The Last Mall takes me straight to the Greenroom. Same for you South?

Thats my ramblings on this Friday afternoon. Have a great weekend everyone.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 22:12:24 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, The service elevator

Rajah, how could you entertain such a thought, or, worse yet, how could you share it with us? I think we would be better off not knowing if that is the case. But even worse, my steely brother, damn, why didn't I come up with that first?
G

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 20:33:09 ET
Posted by: Rajah, codex conspiracy theory

beauty - On the cover of Steely Dan's Everything Must Go, the word Steely and the letters h, s and o are highlighted. We know da Vinci loved these very anagramical exercises. "Steely Has Signed Off" would be one, I suppose. Could they be so cryptic and so cruel?

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 19:24:18 ET
Posted by: Pam, dreaming of...streaming

Aaarrrrggghhhhh. I am in a no DSL/cable zone, and my satellite provider doesn't offer internet. I checked out Andy's site and behld a treasure trove of unknown-to-me SD stuff. But....I can't hear it. It bu...f......fe.......r.......s. And I suffers.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 15:40:01 ET
Posted by: Beautiful Housewife, bewitched

Well, it's been about nine months to the day, and all I can say is,
Everything Must Go - annoying in it's simplicity? Over the top in it's bare naked desperation?

I would like to make the assertion that B & F got a "few good licks in" by planting some kind of secret code or message (that, of course, only they would be able to decipher) in the way the some of the letters of the songs are highlighted - and not others - on the EMG CD jacket. Nabokov used to do that all the time - have the beginning letters of sentences (or what have you) spell out secret messages that would, if the reader were savvy enough, give tremendous insights to the character motivations within the novel. After noting that Walter himself had a hand in the design of the CD jacket, I have my suspicions that this might be the case here as well. However fond as I am of anagrams and word puzzles, crosswords, etc., I'm afraid I don't have the time at this juncture of my life, unfortunately, to finagle around with rearranging letters and making up words and sentences that would make sense only to B & F. But it's still fun to try to figure out how they, I suspect, got their "few good licks in" - one way or another.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 14:47:35 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

I'm catching up with a few responses here ...

Dave - Regarding the Steely Dan Schlitz commercial spot ... yeah, it was very interesting to hear ... I just wish I could find a copy of it somewhere ...

Rajah - Regarding your "Last Will and Testicles" post ... I guess I'll see you at the ball.

Hoops ... we'll catch up, I promise.

On Glamour Profession - I loved this song the moment I heard it. I was so into the jazz chords and that classic jazz piano solo that I didn't even stop to realize that the song was set on a disco beat ... which I hate. But, if you were ever to classify this song as a disco song ... it would be the best and classiest disco song ever ... even beating out those "Hooked On Classical" and etc. cheezy disco records.

You could call it "Frug to the Classics" ... with visuals by Fellini !

Bassicinstinct - My backlog is ... not as impressive as yours, but if you need assistance ... I'm here for you !


SteveeDan

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 12:41:49 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham UK

LWO:

Apparently, that Maroon 5 album has gone Platinum (not that it`s any indication of quality).

Jason who??

Not familiar with that name at all. What`s the story?

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 12:21:32 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, on the 11th track

Yeah, bass, I have to keep my ear to the ground on the kidfront music scene as well and Maroon 5 is one of the brighter spots in pop music, as I see it. You're right on with description of a blend of funk and pop and an alternative twinge.

And the more I listen to Jason Mraz, the more he reminds me of Don McLean.

Is it Friday yet?

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 10:43:43 ET
Posted by: hoops,

My problem with pinning down a date for the Dannys has been that I can't leave Chicago the Fourth of July weekend because of a family commitment planned a very, very long time ago, before last summer. The weeks around are also very bad (at the end of June and early July) because of summer session at work. So I have been undecided about the Dannys as I have been hoping circumstances will change or could be re-arranged for me so that I can accommodate the necessity that the Conn. Danfest be held July 4th weekend. Given everything, I don't think it will be possible to have the Dannys the same weekend or time frame.

I'm going to suggest this: CTE (Balt DC Danfest) will be held around late May. So it looks like the best thing if for the Dannys will be tied in with that Danfest instead, having it in Baltimore or maybe Baltimore one day and in NYC (as some have requested) a day or so later. Other options include a completely different Danfest or an on-line Dannys only. Fact is that it's great everyone is getting togetherin Conn. and Baltimore and elsewhere and the Dannys are just secondary to connecting if you ask me.

Anyhow, I'm sorry the Dannys have been so much in flux. I guess I have been trying too hard to accomodate the July 2 date Now that the events have been detached, things can move full-speed ahead on the Dannys. Thanks for your patience.

jim

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 10:16:59 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

KC - we look forward to a detailed review of Oconomowoc's finest. Now when can we expect our bootleg of their concert dude? Kinda runnin low on product here as we comb through the Gaucho outtakes once more.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 10:09:40 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work (but not really workin')

Gretch - I don't know. He's got the program from the show and I'll try and remember to ask him about it.

KC

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 10:05:41 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Satellite Relay

Kid C,
Any word on whether that show will be performed anywhere else,(NY, perhaps) or was it a one time thing?
G

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 09:58:59 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

Tuesday, March 9, The Lawrence Jazz Ensemble performed their tribute to Steely Dan: "Bodacious Cowboys: 3 Decades of Steely Dan" in Oconomowoc, WI.

This is almost a review of the show. I wasn't able to attend but my partner in Dan here, Tony, was able to go. He said it was an excellent show, especially the solo guitarist, Ryan Ferreira (who has played with many upstanding artists, include Peter Erskine).

The show:

Do it Again
Bodhisattva
Pretzel Logic
Black Friday
Home at Last
I Got the News
<break>
FM (No Static At All)
Gaucho
Goodbye Look
Negative Girl
Two Against Nature

Gaucho was the highlight, brilliantly performed. They took quite a bit of liberty with Pretzel Logic, barely recognizable. Overall a great show.

I'll be looking for the cd myself, sounds like it will be one of the best tributes yet.

I'm going to try and talk Tony into posting his own review of this soon, he's stuck on jury duty for the next few days.

KC

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 08:14:08 ET
Posted by: bassicinstinct, Nottingham UK

Jaydee:

You are bang on regarding the Bass duties on Shangai Confidential. It was indeed the mighty Mr Miller.

Whilst perusing my daughter`s CD collection, I came upon an album called "Songs About Jane" by Maroon 5 who I think charted recently in the UK with "Harder To Breathe". Anyone else heard it? Suffice to say that it is now in MY CD rack - don`t think she`s noticed yet. Nice blend of rock and funk with a slight nod in the direction of Living Colour but with a little more "restraint".

Would love to hear what y`all think of it.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 07:50:28 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Doc Woo:

Yes, 'Kind Spirit' and 'The Bear' are indeed worthy Dan excursions. Start of 'Kind Spirit' is very like 'Home At Last', but (angel) would Donald really 'la la la' - definitely more of a 'na na na' kind of guy I think ! Nice little snare roll before the second 'verse' too. Drums on full band version of 'Kulee Baba' are over-fussy though, IMO.

Jaco: Marcus Miller played bass on 'Shanghai Confidential' I think.

Tucker: interesting to listen to 2vN and EMG and wonder what lines Mike McD might have sung.

Rajah: pity Feb 14 has gone as I had the perfect candidate for 'Lust is fleeting' - next year maybe.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 07:31:18 ET
Posted by: Still' Sparkin, China

I must fess up as another of the Glamour Profession luke-warmers. At least I was....until I caught on to Anthony Jackson's bass. I also spent years caring neither this way nor that about Josie. That changed when I saw it played live. Just takes me a while to sift through the nuances.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 05:54:35 ET
Posted by: Beerberian, Hangin'

Sat May 1st 2004


The 2nd Annual gathering in the Marquee @ the Museum all fellow 'Dan Fans Welcome indeed Demanded ...

The Dan Collective plus guests will wow you, As always with The Best Don & Walt in the UK

Pre Booking Essential / Local Accomodation Available / Damn Good Time GUARANTEED

www.thedancollective.com
_________________
I decline to walk the line ...

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 01:01:15 ET
Posted by: Tucker Pentz, Youngstown, Ohio

I realized what the 1990's, and beyond, Steely Dan is missing. Michael McDonald. He is as integal to the Steely Dan sound as anything. That voice soaring in the background of their sounds is sorely missed and would probably have knocked their last 2 albums out of the ballpark. To be sure, I'm not a crazy Michael McDonald fan. I'm a Steely Dan fan and to me Michael McDonald is a major part of that band. Just a thought.

Date: Thurs, March 11, 2004, 01:00:50 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Baton Rouge

Hiya Kids!

I just "won" one of those dual-sided discs that I mentioned here a few days ago (CD on one side/DVD-A on the other) on E-Bay...Scary place, E-Bay...Anyway, it's the Nightfly disc(s) and I will report back on this format as soon as it arrives...It seems that the dual-disc was test marketed recently in Boston and Seattle, so those of you in these areas might be able to find this format...

SOH

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 22:44:45 ET
Posted by: Lutz, SF

Are many fans aware of "Home at Last" the live version from the 'Kamakiriad' single cd ? It sounds like it could have been included on 'Live in America'. Recorded at the Beacon Theatre.
Just wonder because I have never seen it anywhere incl Ebaby.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 22:32:19 ET
Posted by: Rajah, rusty French

Phillipe, voulez-vous bien m'emmener a Kulee Baba full band version?

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 22:28:37 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

bway - Here ya go: http://www.andymetzger.com/sounds/

Scroll down to Gaucho outtakes. Acoustic, I dunno, this version is a bit choppy and disjoined. Then again, maybe that's what makes it what it is.

But we need a good link to the full-band version.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 22:19:18 ET
Posted by: bwaySteve, 43rd and Broadway

All the talk about Kulee Baba here has made me interested in covering the song. Do you think this would go over as a solo acoustic cover ?

Would it be unethical to cover a song not released by the band ?

Would some kind fan direct me to a source for it ?

Thanks in advance.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 22:04:48 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, again

will anyone be in the green 10:30 or 11ish EST? I'm watching Shadows and Light, after that I'll stop in. Also, has anyone seen a very bizarre movie/cartoon called "Waking Life?" It's the kind of animation I'd picture if SD songs were put into cartoon form.
Peace all
G

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 22:02:20 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, edge of oblivion

Scotty, the NY thing will have to be sometime before the 6th of July as my vacation will be ovah........maybe I can stretch to the 7th, depends on the damn bond market. Hopefully everyone can make it and Mr. Greenspan will cooperate with my plans. Sam, if you're reading this, email me. I need directions to a town in MD to pick up a puppy.
G

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 20:25:56 ET
Posted by: Scotty, Sydney

Hi Hoops,

Aussies have already made travel arrangements and will be attending Gretchens Danfest on July 2nd. There is also talk of arranging a big night out at Pete's new venue in NYC during the week prior to or after July 2nd.

The Wreck-less Crew will be re-united and grand plans are underway for celebrations, the equal of which, have not been seen since the New York State Trooper's hosted the after party in Cyracuse to end Leg I of last years tour.

I'm still recovering from that night/morning....

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 19:03:59 ET
Posted by: Frank Sinatra, sizzlin in the merciful rays

He doesn't even do impersonations well. Make that past-tense.

Jilly, call SammyD and tell him to bring the Chrysler around, the one with the big trunk. I have something unsightly to take to the waste treatment plant.

If these interruptions don't stop I'll never get through the Gaucho outtakes.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 18:42:00 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Yo Rajah, you crack me up, impersonating Frank and all. LOL!!! Thanks for giving me a chuckle.

In terms of Danfests, etc, here's what I know of:

* SueDave is planning a Danfest for May 15 in Seattle

* The Baltimore / D.C. Danfest folks are talking a "Coundown to Ecstasy" for late May around Memorial Day—maybe later. (This is one active Danfest bunch!)

* Gretchen was talking about a Danfest at or near her home in Conn. 4th of July Weekend, July 2.

* Planning some sorta event for passing out Dannys come late June or early July. Would think it should be in NYC.

Aussies need to make travel plans, I know, I know. Would love to see'em again.

St

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 18:05:42 ET
Posted by: Rajah , last will and tesiticle

It's been fun folks. Looks like he's finally flying me to the moon. I guess it's on to Cameroon...

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 18:00:48 ET
Posted by: Frank Sinatra, bang zoom to the moon

Rajah you f**king mook, I'm gonna break your typing fingers, tear out your toenails and make you listen to Celine till you BEG for the sweet release of death. I'm fed up with your crap you ungrateful pr**k. You think you're amusing, huh Dicky-bird? I'm croaked and you're sharing Valentine couplets with your nerdy Steely Dan pals? Well enjoy yourself you rat-bastard scungilli suckin' schmendrick, cause when I get through with you, you will be singing the Kulee Baba from out the other side of your asz.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 16:05:03 ET
Posted by: angel,

I might have missed someone mentioning this, but there is a very touching letter on Cornelius Bumpus' page. Linda thanks many people, including the fans. http://www.corneliusbumpus.com

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 15:19:55 ET
Posted by: angel,

Rajah: I just KNEW they would appeal to your twisted sense of humor.... lol!

That last one you mentioned, reminds me a little of Rose Darling.... ;-)

Donald can say "la la la" and I will listen anyway, but man, I want lyrics, to Kind Spirit. Am I repeating myself here? lol

I love "Bear" but that break in the middle with the weird sounding thing, needed to be changed. I can hear Donald saying, nope, not quite there....

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 14:26:40 ET
Posted by: Rajah, busting a gut

angel - honey I'm dyin ovaheer widat list. I have to share these few Mafia Valentine's day sentiments starting with one Frank is NOT gonna be happy with:

I've waited so long for you to be mine!
Now that Sinatra's dead, be *my* Valentine.

Violets are blue, roses are red.
I blew up your car -- So why ain't you dead?

Lust is fleeting,
True love lingers.
Be mine always
And you'll keep your fingers.

And my fave, it could've been a Walter Becker lyric:

Valentine, Dear, lend me a hand,
So I won't be a self-made man.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 14:07:42 ET
Posted by: Dr. Woo,

I revisited my collection of unreleased Dan last night and while Kulee Baba is beginning to grow on me, the songs that really knocked me out were Kind Spirit and You Got the Bear. Man, do these songs GROOVE! These two have moved to the top of my unreleased favorites list.

Peoeple, do yourselves a favor and give these two another listen. They are so funky and infectious, I cannot begin to imagine how good they would be if they went the distance.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 14:06:46 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Jaydee - I think you may be right on your lyric, this was a tough one.

Bill- I also thought, WTF, when I first played the Glamour Pro. Cheesy disco. Wrong, oh so wrong. It's a beautiful piece of satire, one of their best statements ever. Still, it remains for me a bit of a guilty pleasure. I just love, "IIII'mm the one..." I still yearn to hear it done by three accordions.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 14:04:11 ET
Posted by: angel,

Kulee Baba is indeed a fun and funny song. It reminds me of Glamour Profession on many levels, including catchy jumpy tune and it screams of LA and the shallow lives some people live here. That may be the reason the song never made it, since they have a tendency to not want too much of the same type of song on an album. The reason they left "Here at the Western World" off of Royal Scam.

Do others wish that there were some lyrics to Kind Spirit....sigh

Rajah: Check out today's Top Five. The Mafia Valentine's reminded me of you. www.topfive.com.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 14:01:44 ET
Posted by: Jaco, UK

On an unrelated subject, can anyone tell me who played bass on "Shanghai Confidential" ?


Many thanks



Jaco

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 13:47:05 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Just noticed Doc Mu already pointed out "a word with...". And I think the guy's nom is 'McSween'.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 13:34:57 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London

Docs Woo and Mu, and SOH - thanks for the audio info. I'll check out the Pioneer this weekend.

Re Kulee Baba - have now listened to it a few times and it's growing, especially the intriguing lyrics. I googled up an interesting discussion about them from some time ago - well, SteveeDan was also talking about the newly released (and IMO sadly under-rated) 'Eyes Wide Shut' - where someone thought the first line was 'I'm on the voyage next week'! Rajah's lyrics seem right to me, except it's "a word with my chief engineer" rather than "bored with...".

I guess it's about a TV guy working on some Sunday night pop-anthropology show - either that or the tour-manager for a Sting tour.

Bill - glad someone else had trouble with Glamour Profession. It was the only Dan song I didn't like for about ten years - then I learned to love it.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 11:50:26 ET
Posted by: Dave,

Thank you for the post about the Beer commerical, Steve!!!!!

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 11:46:39 ET
Posted by: Dave,

Excuse me but what's with all the dumb pseudonyms? Is there supposed to be something secret about a Sting concert or a DanFest? It's not like you guys are dishing on secret bootlegs of the next Fagen album or something.

Yes, it's true. We Danfans in the Baltimore and D.C. area are planning our 8th or 9th COUNTDOWN TO ECSTASY WEEKEND for either in May around Memorial Day OR early July around the weekend of the 4th. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!! BE THERE! But I don't think we will head up to NYC to see Sting, even if Carlock is drumming.

Dave

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 11:08:46 ET
Posted by: East Coaster,

Yes, it does coincide perfectly. Danfest is 2nd & 3rd of July.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 10:47:13 ET
Posted by: This Just in Yesterday's Paper,

Sting is also playing PNC a few days later. American Express had a full -page ad for both dates in yesterday's papers. Not sure how this will impact a Danf st. What's the occassion? As for a Stingfest, I'll pass. I love Carlock's playing but not sure I am that desperate for a 3-degrees of Steely Dan experience.

Date: Wed, March 10, 2004, 10:37:21 ET
Posted by: This just in..., Clear Channel Central

Sting booked for Jones Beach on July 1....presale starts tomorrow.

Doesn't that coincide with a particular weekend previously mentioned for a Danfest?

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 23:50:02 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Various Points On The Globe

Dave - Regarding that Schlitz beer commercial ... I have heard it and I have been trying to reach the guy who played it for me on his car stereo for over 10 years !!!

My story regarding this experience was that the 1993 Steely Dan tour had been announced, and I was walking around in a stupor (literally). I went to the Greek Theater (a great outdoor venue in Hollywood near Griffith Park) to stand in line and wait to buy tickets to the first Steely Dan concert since 1974 ... and while I was waiting there, I was talking to this guy, who is a recording engineer. He told me that he had this commercial spot that was done by the early Steely Dan Band (circa CBAT just like Dave said). He had it on cassette tape, and we went into his SUV and listened to it and it was a real hoot to hear. But, I lost touch with this guy and I just can't find him.

But it IS TRUE. This spot, whether it was ever aired or not, does exist.

Dr. Mu ... I like McSwain a lot better than Mexuine too. Please let me know what your discerning ears tell you it is.

Off to the Green Room ...


SteveeDan

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 23:15:42 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu ,

Rajah:

"Don’t chew on that power cable, son
I guess I owe you one

A word (doesn't sound like bored to me) with my chief engineer"


I like McSwain a lot better than Mexuine...will have to listen to the full band version tomorrow

I've heard a 15 snippet from the Jeff Porcaro "wet:" version that was erased...just dandy...he does a shuffle similar to "Miss Sun" by Boz Scaggs.

Kulee, I Can't Write Home About You, 2nd Arrangement, and to a lesser extent I Got the Bear represent a peak in their songwrtiting ability that peaked through Fagen's Nightfly album...IMHO the last 4 songs of EMG rise to that level...

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 22:24:44 ET
Posted by: Bill, Pittsburgh

Weighing in on the controversy du jour, I have only heard the Kulee Baba demo a couple times, from Andy's site, I think, and it didn't stick with me one way or the other. Time to revisit it, I think.

I have heard the incomplete full band re-recording of Second Arrangement and it left me cold, probably because of the mechanized-sounding disco rhythm track that I thought was more monotonous than even the studio version of Glamour Profession, (to me SD's low point until I heard it live in 96). I know there's a piano demo version of it around but I have not heard it, and of course the definitive version was erased by a hapless assistant engineer.

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 21:36:53 ET
Posted by: Dave,

I remember hearing that some members of Steely Dan circa Can't Buy A Thrill did a Schlitz beer commericial. Did that commericial ever air?

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 14:11:46 ET
Posted by: Mike McDonald Fan, Blast from the past

LWO's glowing review of Mike McDonald's show brings up an impromptu appearance MMcD gave at Pete Fogel's old venue, Le Bar Bat. BTW: All the best to Pete on his new haunts, The Lizard Lounge at Iguana's, 54th bewteen 8th and Broadway! I'm sure it's the new best place in NYC to hear great music, where Pete will work his magic, as exemplified below.

Reposting from 1998 in the Dandom Digest.

-----------------------

The SD faction on Wednesday night was, well, small. Besides myself, there were Pete and Shari, Hoops and one of his students from school, Andy. They came early for dinner; I got stuck late at work and had a drink at the bar.

For those who have never been to LBB, it's an experience. This was an old church, converted into a recording studio. There are gold albums on the walls on both the main floor and the balcony. In its recent life, the recording studio now has large bluish illuminated bats hanging from the ceiling. How the staff gets up there to change the bulbs was a part of our after-dinner conversation. Shari assured us that they use a really big ladder :-)

On the main floor, one huge table was set up amongst the rest. MMcD and his road crew were in attendance. They were performing on Thursday at the Westbury Music Fair, and stopped by for dinner. It looked like they were having a good time, and I can only hope that they ate in peace without being disturbed.

At 10 PM, the festivities started. A R&B band called Grand Street performed. Composed of Keyboard, guitar, bass, drum and percussion, they did a great job. Then their vocalist came on. Enough said.

11PM and time for intermission. There were small prayers offered to the deities that, perchance, MMcD would get up and sing. After all, he was not there on contract, and had just had a small feast.

Pete worked some of that magic, and announced that there would be a small set from our visiting guest.

As someone who has never seen MMcD in person (only on album covers), let me tell you that he looks pretty close. It looks like he knocked off about 20 pounds, and his hair is pure white instead of that salt-n-pepper style. Had a smile on his face, and that must mean something.

For the first song, he performed "What's Going On?" with Grand Street backing him up. I hate to say this, but I'd wager that they had little or no idea who MMcD was, or what his musical history was. Well, let me tell you firsthand that his speaking voice is *nothing* like his singing voice. After hearing him do an intro to the song, I wondered if the voice we all have come to know was some sort of studio technique. Then the song started and I was proven wrong. Thankfully. :-)

After this song, the band disembarked, and his crew came up. Grand Street was kind enough to let the MMcD band borrow bass, guitar and drums. MMcD sat behind keyboard. The next song on the list was "High Heeled Sneakers." Not much in lyrics, but it gave everyone a chance to get into the beat. On the main floor, people started moving around to the song. Good sign. It was about this time that we (Hoops, Andy and I) kind of realized that maybe the crowd had never heard of him either! Oh well, their loss. Of the 75 or so people present, all seemed to be having a great time, with or without name recognition.

Next on tap was his hit "I Keep Forgettin'." If anyone had not realized exactly who was performing, well, they quickly recalled. Everyone was on their feet at this point. In the back, a couple sort of slow-danced to this amidst the tables. It's always exciting to see a live performance. But it's another thing to see one in a small club from 20 feet away. MMcD's voice carried well, even without the sound system. The speakers made sure that everyone heard, and the acoustics were wonderful.

By now, even the band was grinning, seeing the effect on the crowd. Perhaps this is what keeps musicians on the road. Yeah, the cash from the big shows certainly helps, but you're isolated from the fans. The band was in top form; you could not tell that these were borrowed instruments.

Finally, he played a song unknown to us. It was suggested that this came off of the "pre-release" album that is supposed to be finished soon. I have not been able to find this semi-collectors item, so I can neither confirm nor deny. Had a good beat, lyrics were interesting as well.

At the end, a round of applause that lasted almost 5 minutes. I'm sure that Grand Street was wondering about going back up to finish the set. How do you follow that sort of show? :-) They did play a few numbers after that, most with a good groove.

Pete got us on the "exit line" as the band left for the night.
Handshakes and congrats for all the performers. Shari and JJMcK got photos with the "star of the evening" as well.

After a round of goodnights and "see you online"'s, Andy, JJMcK and I headed down to Penn Station for the train rides back to real life (and home). The buzz was still there. And, in my case, lasted till sometime the next morning.

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 14:08:15 ET
Posted by: Rajah, it's all clear to me now

So it's off to Cameroon for another orgiastic dance around the sacrificial altar, huh? OK let me pack my loin cloth, peyote medallions, body paint and ceremonial carving knife. Holy Jesus these boys were worse than bad back then, they were scary good. St. Augustine before the conversion woulda been a great running buddy for Don & Walty, and I don't mean jogging, more like runnin three-deep in the Shark-de Ville, slippin in this very dangerous hood and flying very close to the sun. I'd have given anything to see the ABC execs' reaction to Kulee, a tad apprehensive might be an understatement. Or maybe they spared them a coronary and never played it for them. Our boys, let's face it, are a nightmare for record companies and vice versa. It's like, yeah, Steely Dan but oh no, here comes Steely Dan. Named after a steam-driven dildo, yeah, but also packin a big set of stones. Rave on boys, please.

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 10:11:55 ET
Posted by: Java,

All this talk of Kulee is making me itch to hear it. Off to the local record store tomorrow but somehow don't think I'll find it there...

btw thanks SOH for the SACD/DVD explanation a while back

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 05:36:44 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, Africa

Raj - In the later version of Kulee, "I hear there's a bash in New Orleans" was changed to "I hear there's a bash in Camaroon". Makes it a little more exotic, I think.

I once had a list of every locale mentioned in every SD song. Can't find it now. Anyone want to take a stab at it?

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 01:26:53 ET
Posted by: missing kulee lyric,

"Don't chew on that power cable, son.
I guess I owe you one"

It's a good part

Date: Tues, March 09, 2004, 00:31:08 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Gretchen - I have 2 CDs of the pre-Steely Dan stuff, but "Horse In Town" isn't on either of them ... but then I looked at my old second generation cassette of something called Steely Dan "Sun Mountain". This was the cassette we found in a liquor store up in Medford, Oregon back in the mid 1980's. It does have "Horse In Town" on it, but I have totally forgotten how it goes ... I will have to put it on and take a new listen to it and see if I remember hearing this ... from like 15 years ago.

I have to go and find a complete list of the pre-Steely Dan demo tunes and see if I am missing a few. I've gotten to the point that it's time to make sure that I have gotten a hold of everything for antiquity sake. And just for ...


SteveeDan-sake

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 23:25:53 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, so long for now, I'm moving on, too

Quite thought provoking. Kulee Baba.
G

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 23:16:55 ET
Posted by: Rajah of all Arcane Knowledge,

Gretchen dear to you and the rest of our Baba fans, in fairness, let me post the lyrics to this, forgive me, cause they're so rife with imagery that synthisizes so much of what has come down to us from our the western canon: remember I feel this is a westerner in a world he maybe hoped to find but, once found, scared the whozitz out of him:

Kulee Baba
By Donald Fagen & Walter Becker


My nom d'voyage is McSwain
I carry the proper papers
I've seen the primal rhythms of the bush
I preserve great moments as they come
I'm sure this must be one

Brightly colored dancers on-screen
Are no more than a prelude to the ritual unfolding
No white man's eyes have ever seen
The cruel primeval rite that you're beholding

Chorus
Kulee Baba
Coming your way, every Sunday
Live from Nowhere
Satellite relay, hello Broadway

My suit is a bright Irish green
The color and cut are striking
I'm something of a standout in the crowd

Bored with my chief engineer
I'll mix with the mob for all the folks at home
I'm tasting the local beer
And half the crew is dancing in the foam

Chorus

Sweet holy Jesus, what a night
St. Augustine was right

The cameraman began the Kulee Baba
The broadcast was over, our featured friends were gone
I hear there's a bash In New Orleans
So long for now, we must be moving on...

Chorus


[something's missing in there between "standout in the crowd" and "bored with my engineer"]

Anyway thank you all for promting me to really look at this. If your adventerous spirits can travel that far afield to cradle this anti-classic, Don & Walt need not fear to travel anywhere new. We will listen and, after careful consideration, inevitably follow.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 22:29:55 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, foggy night on the hill

Raj, isn't it full of imagry? Like those "Where the wild things Are?" books from childhood? I knew you could be converted, you old softee. Perhaps the kulee baba is a reference to a substance? Could be many, many things, depending on your state of mind at the moment.
G

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 22:08:57 ET
Posted by: Rajah, freakin on the 405

Kulee Baba is not at all inaccessible, it's Kurt Weil all the way. It sucks you in, begins to haunt you immediately. It's that push you away just to suck you back in even stronger thing Bertolt Brecht preached, anybody remember the alienation effect?

Chain Lightning and Josie setting, think of the torch rally and our best friend prayin like a Roman, anthropologists with handicam in tow here to witness the primevil blood and sex ritual, anachronisms abound. St. Augustine he pronounces wrong, shades of merengo but that's a small point. Augustine is the giveaway here as the "save me Lord but not until after the ritual" thing which he was so big on. The melody, yes, Phillipe hold onto your retractor, is an absolute pick your opiate addiction mon ami. The French do love the atonal and dissonant do they not, no pun intended. That's why they loved our Bee-Bop, no?

The thing is the square root of freak and it shouldn't surprise me how overwhelmingly you love it. I feel manipulated by it frankly, it made me do it's evil bidding and I played it maybe 6 times on the freeway just now. I'm fried.

And Leo, you are not alone, I have the emails to prove it and I'm with you on this. It's a curiosity and appparently a lot of Bluebook's finest's best-kept secret and I salute you. If Miles Davis produced that tune as an 11 minute jazz number we might not think Kind of Blue was so hot. I still like Peg, please don't judge me.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 22:04:53 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

Dr. Woo: That's the cheapest Universal player I've seen by far...ain't technology great?

Jaydee: EMG and TvN are DVD-A and CD only. I picked them up each for about $13 over the internet.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 21:05:48 ET
Posted by: Brenda, Sears@TLM

Thank you Andy and SOH. Adding to my May birthday wish list....

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 20:43:59 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHolllywood, Crazy Eddie's

Here you go, Andy...Too bad you'll have to wait until May...SOH
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/dvda/messages/9822.html
The Toshiba SD-6915 (SD...How fitting)...Google it for more info...

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 20:25:01 ET
Posted by: Andy, SACD madness

I've been poking around various online stores looking for a suitable DVD-A and SACD player but haven't found one. I've been on the lookout for a multi-disc changer (ideally 5 discs, but the number isn't so important) that plays *BOTH* SACD and DVD-A. It also has to have 5 analog outputs to play DVD-A at its full quality (a lot of the cheaper DVD/DVD-A players do not).

Does such a creature exist? If it does, I haven't come across it. I saw the post about the Pioneer player but that's a single disc player. I'll keep you posted on my hunt....and if anyone here knows of such an item, please tell!

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 19:04:48 ET
Posted by: Dr. Woo,

If you don't have a dvd-audio or sacd player yet, I cannot understand why anyone would choose one over the other. With combo players like the Pioneer DV-563A, you can play both formats (as well as cd, dvd-video, mp3, etc). I don't know about the quality of this Pioneer, but it can be had for less than $150(!). And believe me, when you are perusing the hi-res bins, you will be so glad you don't have to limit yourself to one format.

http://overture1-cnet.com.com/Pioneer_DV_563A/4014-6473_9-30470421.html?&q=pioneer%20dv-563a&part=overture1-cnet&subj=pioneer_dv-563a&tag=ref

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 17:30:29 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, London, catching up

Josey - thanks for the Weckl info. Saw him with Corea's Elektric Band, but I'll definitely be making a date for Ronnie Scott's in June.

Doc Mu - Looks like I'll be going for SACD, as wallet won't stretch to current DVD-A prices, so I hope I don't end up in the 'betamax' situation. Am I right that EMG is not available on SACD?

SteveeDan - don't think I can come up with a 'die-hard' set list, as I have to admit that, with live gigs being so infrequent (esp over here), I'm really quite happy to hear those old favourites, plus the new tunes, though a few surprises (such as 'Night by Night' in 2000), and reworked versions (such as the AIA 'Reelin') are always a delight.

Also, I've never really connected with those half-realised tunes like 'Kulee Baba' and the early demo stuff, though I'd love to hear them polished off sometime, especially 'Second Arrangement'.

Mention of Stanford brought back some early 80's memories - I think I was the one who added 'The Nightfly' to the Tressider coffee bar CD collection!

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 15:41:42 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, atmospheric

Steve, it was a pre-Steely Dan demo, like "Busdriver is a Fruitcake."
Now that's one I'd like to hear...............
G

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 15:34:40 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

KD --

Where is the song "Horse In Town" from? I don't know if I am familiar with that one ... please advise !


SteveeDan

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 15:30:56 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Succeeding at not wanting to work today ...

Rajah - I was never in the marching band. Instead I joined a small jazz band on campus (attempting and failing miserably to play Weather Report), and one of the campus big bands for a short stint, and, a couple of "druggie" jam bands off campus, which were the best because the sky's the limit in those bands ... literally ... and we all had wings (this was before the Red Bull drink). Remember, this was (and I assume still is) Bezerkeley.

Bill - Yes, The creeping and crawling Stanford (marching?) band did have some Steely Dan in it's repertoire. Taking my life in my hands, I stood up and cheered.

Regarding the SD Set lists from '93, '96, '00 '03
I know that I was in complete shock watching the two shows I saw in 1993. I also heard the majority of the audience during the exiting of these 2 concerts saying how bowled over they were, and that they had long ago given up wishing for a Steely Dan tour ... and here it was.

1996 had the very youthful Ari Ambrose (age 23 ?) on sax, and guitarist Wayne Krantz who was in a more anglular fusiony style. I enjoyed this concert very much (it was the Hollywood Bowl, with the best seats EVER ...) because they changed the arrangements noticibly on Rikki Don't Lose That Number and on Midnight Cruiser ... plus we got a version of Jack Of Speed (with Walter singing) that was very different from what ultimately ended up on TVN. The thing about this show though was that Wayne Krantz' playing, which I did like, was nevertheless a little too heavy handed for the slick delivery that we usually expect from the Steely Dan crew. It's also worth mentioning that both of the Leonhart siblings (Michael on trumpet and Carolyn on backing vocals) were in the band that tour joining the ranks of other "repeaters" Cornelius Bumpus and Tom Barney on bass. I was amazed that the performed "Glamour Profession" and John Beasley's piano solo was great !

OK. So who would I pick (dead or alive) for the Steely Dan band "Dream Team"? Well, ... how could you NOT pick Cornelius Bumpus? That's kind of obvious, but yes, I would love to see Michael Brecker in there too. But there are a lot of sax players who I think would be great in the horn section such as ... Chris Potter, Bob Shephard, Pete Christlieb, maybe even (dare I say it) Tom Scott, and I am sure that there are tons of young New York city saxmen who could come in and "do it to it" quite well.

Continuing on ... yes, ... give me Vinnie Coliuta !!! Hey, why not bring back Bill Ware on Vibes ... but if we are choosing anyone EVER, ... without going nuts (like choosing Sidney Bishet, or Bird, or Trane, etc. ...) how about Victor Feldman ? Keep Jim Pugh on trombone, Mike Leonhart on trumpet ... after all, he arranged many of the charts for the songs played from the 1996 tour on to the present tour ... Keep his sister Carolyn, and Cynthia Calhoun ... but could we bring back Vickie Cave? I thought she was great. Check out the Plush DVD (PBS). All three of those girls were unique and great to watch. And of course keep Tom Barney (though I too am a huge Jaco fan).

Now, lets roll forward to the 2000 Tour (and all it's hooplah with VH1, PBS, David Letterman, Goodmorning America, the PBS DVD/Video release, and ... oh yeah ... the release of Two Against Nature). I remember when I went to Tower Records on Sunset in West Hollywood to pick up my copy of TVN, I overheard one of the managers say to another employee that Steely Dan was outselling Smashing Pumpkins 2 to 1. I mentally chalked up another personal "Steely Dan" victory when I heard him say this.

Oh yeah, I was talking about the 2000 tour ... I think that this was the absolute best tour of all of them ... and I am regretful that I didn't see multiple shows that year. I thought that the band had finally gelled completely. Sort of like a chocolate suffle that has finally risen to perfection. I liked the arrangements of the songs played in this tour the best. They carried many of these arrangements over to the 2003 tour. A smart move in my book.

When the 2003 tour came, I was ready to run away and join the Steely Dan circus ... and attended 6 shows. For me, part of the enjoyment of seeing these shows in 2003 was also being able to meet in person many of the people I have met here and at St. Al's site. I think we all share a great micro community here. We all come from different backgrounds to share a unanimous love (an almost creepy stalker-twinged love) for Steely Dan. It was the most fun I have had away from my piano in years.

And finally ... to Leo ...
NO ! You are not a loser. You do not have to agree with the rest of us "Kulee Babblers". That's what makes this discussion so much more interesting. If everybody simply agreed on everything we discussed, we really wouldn't get anywhere ... You're all right in our "Book".


SteveeDan ... keeping the flag flying proudly ...

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 14:46:10 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, don't you feel it?

KD, the beauty of SD is that the lyrics leave so much to the imagination. In my opin, Kulee Baba is very visual and can be interpreted in many ways. I think it's about the narrator escaping into his own imagination, using current images with imagined ones to "preserve great moments." In a sense he's trying to ease the pain of his own current world by having these vivid images, oh I could go on but I'm at work and the damn phone is ringing, and I'm drowning in refinances.......perhaps I need Kulee Baba too.
G

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 14:26:16 ET
Posted by: KD,

I guess what I'm saying is that "Kulee Baba" is wildly inaccessible, and it makes more sense to dislike it than to like it. Never been good at sense-making.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 14:09:07 ET
Posted by: KD,

Rajah/Leo -- not saying yr any lesser of a fan or some crap like that if you don't like Kulee. Pardon my language, but that is one FUCKED UP song, both versions.

I recently came across the full band version for the first time since they were leaked for a day in May of 2002. That's nearly two years of not hearing that version, after listening to it for about an hour straight in a friend's bedroom on crappy speakers. And, yet, putting in on a few weeks back ... it was like I'd awoke to Kulee coming through my alarm clock ev'ry morning (or afternoon, depending) in the nearly 700 days since.

It is an odd thing that two of my favorite six or seven Dan songs are demos from their most strained and frustrating album. I don't think it's the mystique (otherwise I'd be extolling the virtues of "Mr. Sam" or "Horse In Town") -- "Second Arrangement" and "Kulee Baba" strike a nerve. The Two may have talked about retreating back towards orthodox songs structure in the years following "Aja," but they've yet to show more ambition and fearlessness since cutting "Aja"'s title track than in these two "Gaucho" castaways.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 14:08:32 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Boston Rag, I 'm with you on those annoying security device tags in the CD and DVD cases.

Regarding set lists, I have to say that 2003 was the best Steely Dan orchestra ever, in my book. BUT, 2003 was probably my least favorite set list. I'm talking 4.8 out of 5 stars instead of 4.9 or 5.0 or 5.1. I really missed the masterpiece, "Deacon Blues" as well as "Bodhisattva," not so sure about the transition from "Cubana Chant" to "Aja" (I would have loved "Green Earrings" at that point instead).and wished they would have reworked the lyrics for "The Steely Dan Show" for 2003 from the 2000 Eurotour (I thought in 2000, they actually named the city they were in when singing it). I'm splitting hairs here, kiddies. "Dirty Work" had a slight edge over "Parker's Band" for the choir, IMHO.

In 1993/1994, I dug the "Overture," loved the solo stuff (I never thought the studio version of "I.G.Y." could be topped, but in concert, that swinging sax made it a 5.5 out of 5.0), and in general I loved the surprises.

I can't say which is my favorite set list, but I would say 2003 was an A/A- while the others were A/A+. All IMHO.

jim

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 13:57:19 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Bill- I do remember in 1993 DF saying he didn't want a greatest hits tour and wanted to promote the solo stuff. Do you also remember DF saying that he wanted to retire the Steely Dan name for the tour and call the band "Becker and Fagen"? Thank God somebody talked him out of that one!

Little Wild One- Don't get me wrong. I loved the '93 shows! I was very grateful that they decided to tour again. Nothing wrong for Walter to try and promote his new record. The big problem I believe was that the album was even on the record store shelves when the '93 tour started. I just think that eleven years and four tours later, they've learned from some mistakes that they might have made from the set list to band personal. The tours now are almost perfection.

Ok...I lose. I'm the only one in the world that doesn't like Kulee Baba.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 13:53:56 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

In re: '93 set list. Having only become a rabid fan 3-4 years prior, I was in jaw-dropping awe that I was even going to be able to see Steely Dan. Quite frankly, they could have come out and played nursery rhymes and I would have been happy. New material, if only solo efforts, was a harbinger of good news. Anything to try and fill my still growing insatiable need for more Dan was welcomed. I think, overall the '90's sets were decent, with '96 being above average due to the 'new Steely Dan' songs being played. However, I was superbly impressed and giddy as a school girl when in 2K, after The New One, we got 2 hours of pure Dan. This was no nostalgia act, no promoting individual efforts (no matter how great they are), no greatist hits package, this was the 2nd coming, the grand re-entry, cleared and defibbed through the '90's and back to life 20 years later......it's alive....Alive!!!!

Take what you can get....tomorrow holds no promises.....

KC

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 13:52:14 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Heya BigFan—Long time no see! Hope you are doing well.

The SACD thing has been mentioned a couple times already in the past week, but it is a hot topic for we Dan-e-ans—glad you brought it up since you raise a couple of issues. One, these should be SACD/CD Audio hybrids which means they will play on any CD player—just no surround or SACD features on the CD player, of course. I just own a plain CD-Audio playe‹no SACD player. But the CD audio portion of the "Gaucho" SACD/CD hybrid that came out in 2003 was so superior to the plain CD-Audio of "Gaucho" from 2000 that I am thrilled the others are coming in June. As I posed last week, I'm not sure why CBAT isn't getting the SACD treatment.

As for the "Gaucho" DVD-A, it's coming on March 23. You can pre-order at circuitcity.com, among other places. Since we will have three surround versions of "Gaucho," and Steely Dan actually cares about sound a lot, this will be an opportunity to compare the surround formats on a level field.

And again, can't say it enough, don't buy the DTS 5.1 of "Gaucho" that came out in 1998/2001 thinking it is the DVD-A. It isn't.

jim

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 13:41:14 ET
Posted by: Big Fan, At work

Sorry if already posted - SACD releases of 5 albums - wow. I have no intention of buying an SACD player after just buying a DVD-A last year - one is enough I suppose. However Aja is hi fifelity does sound tempting. This would leave just Can't Buy a Thrill as the only older Sd album not to be availible on SACD. BTW, Has anyone actually seen a DVD-A of Gaucho in real life?

June 22, 2004 SACD Releases

Steely Dan - Aja (MCA)

Steely Dan - Countdown to Ecstasy (MCA)

Steely Dan - Katy Lied (MCA)

Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic (MCA)

Steely Dan - The Royal Scam (MCA)

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=16829571

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 13:33:57 ET
Posted by: Philippe, France

Talking about Kulee baba, I had the demo version for six month and during those six months I wondered what they could have done with it, imagining where the solos (or soli) would be, who would play on it...
Then someone sent me the full band version and then I realized why I was a dentist and not the third part of Steely Dan! Very few songs knocked me down like that one, for me it's in the top three on Gaucho with Hey nineteen and Time out of mind, I have a cd with only Kulee baba on it, 20 times!
Then, for something completly different, Jeff Lyne, from ELO ,is starting his own label, I guess you don't care that much, so do I, except that we could maybe in a near future finally hear that famous second album by his wife; Rosie Vela. It was never released, Donald played on it, Gary Katz produced and I remeber that Rick Derringer once said that it was better than the first!!!
A la prochaine.
Le copain Français

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 13:14:26 ET
Posted by: LittleWildOne, Medicine Park

Ok, Leo, I'll bite.

In my humble Monday am nickelback opinion, perhaps to the casual fan, the ones who live to hear the hits, the individual offerings were a misguided shot in the dark. I'm reeling in the years trying to remember some of my compadres' comments and for the life of me, all I can recall, is something like, "Damn...after 20 years of nada...that was freaking great!"

Hard to recreate the buzz of that particular time, but again, you have to appreciate the fact that they were previewing WB's upcoming solo effort... we already established that one of the best reasons for bands to tour is to promote new stuff, right?

Jazzfest...second weekend. It could happen. Pittsburgh Bill...I'm from Wheeling, WV. Old home week?

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 13:02:23 ET
Posted by: Bill, not in N.O. yet

I'll be at JazzFest 2nd weekend too. They announced the one "TBA" slot last week that had been rumored to be our boys, but instead it was Steve Winwood. There's still one open headlining slot but don't hold your breath.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 12:56:30 ET
Posted by: Bill, Pittsburgh

Entwistle and Moon were among the most amazing bass/drum combinations in history, but I would argue that they were the lead instruments leaving Pete and his power chords to hold down the more traditional rhythm role. That's why there has never been anything like them.

I heard Ben Folds Five version of Barrytown several times on the radio when that soundtrack was out and thought that his bassist and drummer were channelling the Ox and Moon.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 12:51:07 ET
Posted by: Lady Bayside, NY

Okay, I have been ghostlike around here...bogged down in life/stuff. Been listening to a lot of Dan/Fagan...but pretty antisocial.

However, that will all change. Just decided to go to Jazzfest for the second weekend...N'awlins here I come! I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else will be around that weekend...we arrive Friday afternoon, and leave Sunday early afternoon. Not a lot of time, but all I can manage now.

Back to work...the reason I need a vacation so badly. Hey, it's tough being HALF a company. Especially when the other half is out of the office a lot.

Seems the only news I hear lately is not good. First Cornelius, then a very good friend of mine passed last week.

How I long for the summer days of Dan and Danfests!

Lady Bayside

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 12:34:47 ET
Posted by: dif, champaign, il.

"im reading leftist papers..."

steveedude, i bow to you. the lyric is "last years papers", indeed.

also, "my little red book" much to my surprise, was composed by burt bacharach. the song was covered by manfred mann and golden earring. the song stemming from the john cusack film, "high fidelity". thanks to bway and or soh.

and for what its worth, randy california's birthname was randy wolfe. jimmy hendrix it seems bestowed him as "california"

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 12:34:00 ET
Posted by: Bill, Pittsburgh

It was my understanding that the 93 tour, which was clearly billed as Steely Dan, only happened because of the two solo albums. Donald was quoted a lot as saying that he only wanted to tour because they had some new material to play, and that he didn't have much use for playing the greatest hits. I stand by the opinion that the early 93 set list was as close to "for aficionados only" as we're ever going to get. Yes, the average shed-going patron didn't recognize much of the material and may have been underwhelmed, but who cares. We fanatics thoroughly enjoyed it, except perhaps for the die-hard Walter-bashers. Kama and the yet to be released 11TOW were the first full album collaborations (of sorts) by our boys in many years and as such were cause for much celebration.

On another note, in the deep dark 70s I witnessed an invasion of my somewhat traditional football school (Penn State) by the infamous Stanford Marching Band and found them to be a hoot. The evening before the game they wandered around campus spontaneously playing some of their repertoire, which included to my shock and awe, MY OLD SCHOOL! The marching band experience was never the same.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 12:20:52 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Gretchen, I'd have to put Vinnie C. in the drum chair and Metheny on lead guitar. Brecker on sax. Will have to give this more thought - but those are my first obvious choices.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 12:18:30 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" The last two tours were fantastic! But to say the '93 set list was was "killer"..... I don't agree. "

Agreed Leo , the last two tours WERE fantastic and 2003 featured the BEST STEELY DAN YET !!!!

G , I know you love Jaco , but please remember that Entwistle and Moonie were at the top of their instruments and deserve the reputation as the " Greatest Rhythm Section Ever " .

Word ................To Your Great Great Grand Pappy !


J . Fly !

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 11:26:09 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, It ain't no trip

Since so many are in favor of Kulee Baba, I'm curious as to what musicians (dead or alive) everyone thinks would be the "dream team" to make it into something D & W would release. I'm starting mine with Jaco.....
G

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 11:00:36 ET
Posted by: Leo,

"The '93 set list is killer"
Ok...You mean the set list in '93 killed the tour?
The '93 set list was horrible! Think back...It's the first time the band played live in twenty years and half of the songs on the set list were from Becker and Fagen's solo records. Actually 12 out of 24 songs on the set list weren't SD songs. How is that a killer "Steely Dan" set list? Let's face it, as much as we all love WB, don't you think by performing the majority of songs from his then "yet to be released solo record" was a HUGE mistake? Look at the bad rap that tour got amongst not only the media, but the fans as well. 11TOW wasn't even out yet. Nobody was familiar with the stuff. Not only that, but 99% of the crowd wanted to hear Donald sing every song! Walter didn't stand a chance. Because of this mistake in judgement, the 1993 tour will be forever remembered as one big bathroom break. If you noticed, the set lists were much better and all of the solo stuff was taken off of the list as the years went on. When WB started singing SD songs, it was much more enjoyable and very few people left there seats. The last two tours were fantastic! But to say the '93 set list was was "killer"..... I don't agree.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 10:58:21 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, RetractionsRUs

Whew...I was wondering where we were going with that "Justin" thread...Shades of Celine all over again...SoH

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 10:51:04 ET
Posted by: KissMeDeadly, Trump Tower

Oooops! I retract.

It was Jason, not Justin. I always did get those two cousins of mine mixed up.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 09:58:41 ET
Posted by: Rajah, time to saddle up

You people make me crazy. I keep plumbing the depths of your collective countercultural depravity and I haven't touched bottom yet. OK, I burned Kulee onto a CD-R and am taking it with me down to the OC this morning. I suspect that by the time I return to LA this afternoon, I'll be a full-on Baba-freakazoid since I hate being left out in the cold and am easily persuaded by this kind of outpouring of affirmation for this...song. Now if I come back with a shaved head, wearing a dai-sheeky(SP?) and Kufi hat with love beads, I'm gonna blame all of you.

And Steve, what can I say punkin, the thought of you in a band uniform with the feather in your cap or whatever at Berkeley stoned off your teenage ass at the football game is too rich. Mamaloosha, that's comedy. Did you play glokkenspeil or wha? I can hear it now, Sunshine of Your Love, Na-Na-Na Hey Hey Hey, the Way We Were and Yellow Submarine.

Kuuuuuuleee Baba y'all.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 09:39:36 ET
Posted by: Sandy, NYC

Kiss Me Deadly, girlfriend, there's nothing wrong with upper crust DAR. You sound pretty crusty yourself.

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 05:27:58 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, In the "Either - Or" Room

You see? You see? A lot of people have shared their opinions about Kulee Baba, Wetside Story, etc. Some people really like these not-completely completed songs ... some people really do not like them. It doesn't matter.

What I appreciate about this is that we get a chance to hear different viewpoints. By engaging in this, we can re-address our positions on a particular song ... why we think it's a hit ... or a miss. We look more closely and carefully at various aspects of the song. And in the end, the result is a more informed understanding of the meaning.

Since this kind of thing is not fact-based and instead is an exercise in voicing various viewpoints (you're all waiting for another "V" word ... but no Vay ...) there are no right or wrong answers.

We all benefit from the exercise. So get down everyone and do your crunches.


Stevee (Body By Jake ... not Feldman) Dan

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 04:46:35 ET
Posted by: KissMeDeadly, the Bored Room

Kulee Baba rocks! School of Rock rocks! The Who. I'm with Ole.

And what does "rather like" rieelly mean? (use upper crust DAR accent when you say that).

The '93 setlist is a killer. Thanks for the memories. Still contemplating the ultimate die-hard fan setlist. To quote another Justin, "When I fall in love, I take my time. I don't have to hurry when I'm making up my mind..."

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 02:16:03 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, By the way...

KD...You are DEAD ON about Kulee Baba...SOH

Date: Mon, March 08, 2004, 01:58:02 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Chairman of the Bored

Does anyone else think the version of "Dirty Work" done live by Cynthia Calhoun on the 2vN Tour, if done up right (read Scheiner-ized) with an accompanied video (shudder), might have a chance of charting as single these days?...SOH

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 23:29:58 ET
Posted by: oleander, NOT a Who fan (Who who?)

KD--I second that emotion. Coulis Baba [Blaisean spelling, from the dessert] is musically insidious, especially in the "more complete" demo. I can picture this as one of the more polished pieced-quilt studies they have tucked away in their little sewing basket. They have dusted off many a tune, and many a snippet of a tune, after years of apparent discard, so not completing this or Wet Side Story doesn't mean they've tossed it in the scrap heap. I hope not, anyway. I love both these tunes. The lyrics of Coulis Baba are customarily brilliant about cultural imperialism, and Wet Side Story has a lot of promise as a screengeek-boy-meets-fast-food-counter-girl vignette.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 23:15:57 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Hangin' with Stupid on the Bark!-OH!-Lounger ...

Rajah - That was splendifourous and totally NEEnerific !!! ZOWIE !!!
... and speaking of marching bands ... when I was in college ... you know, when tarradactiles made great household pets ... our marching band (UC Berkeley) was a traditional, stay exactly in formation marching band with a high-stepping, head cocked way back leader. The repertoire was ... OK. Not bad, not great ...

But when we'd go over to Stanford for the big game, at the Stanford Bowl, when the Stanford band came out, they simply meandered anywhere they wanted to go. It was like watching insects randomly scurrying about ... but their repertoire !!! ... fantastic.

The thing about it that really got me (besides the members of the Stanford La Crosse team trying to field the oranges and other projectiles that we'd fling at them using slingshots made of surgical tubing ... you know kids, it's just amazing that I remember any of this, ... can you just imagine what Stevee was using as sedation back then? <no comment ...> anyway, ...

There was this one guy who was playing an instrument ... and I have no idea what it was ... it looked like a 5 foot long bamboo BONG !!! And being from Berkeley, you might say that my educational "curriculum" had a generous amount of (counter-) culture in it (that would be WAY under the counter !). I'll never forget that guy playing the giant bamboo bong. It seemed so damned appropriate at the time.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

I am not all that fond of the Garden Party CD, and I haven't heard the Justin Morrell CD yet, but a couple friends of mine have said how great they think it is. Leo, I do understand where a "purist" would have a little trouble tolerating material alterations to the classic, rockier, Steely Dan tunes. Ain't nothin' like the real thing baby, and all that ... but ...

Sometimes it really is interesting (and dare I say it ... great) to hear what some of these songs have morphed into. The world has changed, it's not the same, etc.

There is another Gaucho (volume 2) out take song that I think is great ... "If You Got The Bear, Or The Bear Got You". The reason this song stands out for me is the way that Fagen (if it was Fagen ... yeah, I think it was Fagen ...) plays the clavinet on that tune. I have never heard a clavinet (sound) used that way before. I am speaking about a small element of style, but, good, bad, or indifferent, style is what you always get from these guys.

Could we please see some more unusual "diehard" Dan Fan set lists?
Could be fun, huh?


SteveeNEENERDan

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 21:20:00 ET
Posted by: Rajah, zooming on the couch

KD, you are a diehard, what can I say, more power to ya. What do I know, I like Peg myself.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 20:18:55 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Gretchen; (and Leo): I have to agree that Garden Party is pretty weak but Justin Morell's album, ">Plays the music of Steely_Dan" is OUTSTANDING. If I had to get one SD cover album that would be the one.

Leo, could you turn down the attitude a notch?

jim

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 19:55:15 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Purple haze, it's a good thing

Leo, excuse me, but WTF???!!!! I don't think we've ever spoken, however, I don't recall saying I liked Garden Party, and in fact, I agree, it "blows." Now, let's get one thing straight, brother. You don't know me well enough, so I don't know if you're kidding with your hostility or not. I'll assume you're kidding. Don't f*** with me on a Sunday night, please!
G

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 19:42:29 ET
Posted by: KD,

No, I'm not kidding. "Kulee Baba" is an amazing song.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 16:50:53 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" If Carlock drummed for Who4, our Joey would have to outfit himself
with a pair of serious control top underpants to guiard against any possible incontinence of an inadvertent nature. A heavy rubber diaper would do the job. "

Rajah , you make young Joey Giggle .

I would like to nuzzle you AND nibble your elbows .

J.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 16:19:00 ET
Posted by: Rajah, stupid on the Barcolounger

KD, say it ain't so. You...you ARE kidding, right? OK just checking.

Steve, m'kay your Musicology Professor called, seems like yeah they found the lost chord, mm-hmm, it was in KULEE BABA alright and for good reason. I told em you were busy parsing out the chord regressions therein and couldn't come to the squawkbox.

And Carlock could so too do a Moonie. And all that other stuff you said is hooey and I resemble those remarks so neener neener.

Piano players are all the same, they think invented music. I can see you in that HS Marching Band Steven, oh yeah, justa schlepping anda rollin' that mohogany Yamaha console accross the fifty yard line, piano bench in hand, in an effort to dot the "I" in egotist, I mean, I-gotist, doesn't work well.

And you do know what an egotist is, dontcha Steve? It's a person of low taste more interested in himself than in me. You have been neenered go in peace.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 14:52:41 ET
Posted by: KD,

Both versions of "Kulee Baba" scare the shit out of me. That's why I love the song. There've been days/afternoons/nights where I've put the song on my Winamp and looped it for hours. That song will destroy you, in time.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 14:36:06 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Boston Rag- I've heard every version of "Kulee Baba". I guess me and you have a different interpretion of the meaning of "swing". It's the ONLY Steely Dan song that has ever bored me. It's the ONLY groove-less Steely Dan those guys EVER wrote. If I'm going to go with a bootleg, I'd rather hear "Kind Spirit" or "The Second Arrangement". Much, much better songs. I have a lot of friends that like "Kulee Baba". I just don't get it.

Gretchen- No offence, but don't you also "rather like" all of those light jazz artists that put together those instrumental elevator music Steely Dan compilations? You know, like "Justin Morell" and that "Garden Jazz party". I mean that stuff really blows!

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 14:22:04 ET
Posted by: Rajah, de gustibus

Gretchy - I can't figure out what Kulee Baba is. You'll have to admit it's a quirk; me, I need a time signature, I'm very linear that way. You and Steve are probably more, shall we say, abstract thinkers, yikes and lol, cause I certainly can't wrap my head around it. It makes me work too hard, well, impatient is what it makes me. Sure doesn't sound, you know, finished in any sense as we have it. But hey, enjoy it for what it is Kulee Baba-philes if it moves you...hare hare, jai guru deva and kuuuuuuulee baba.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 14:16:23 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Basking in the beautiful sunshine

Good morning Campers !

To "C @ White Americans" ... is that you Clas? I mailed the Yellow Peril track I recorded for your compilation CD for St. Al's (Technicolor Motorhome series) last week. It should arrive there any day. Please keep me posted. Thanks.

Hello Leo -

I'm glad that we're back on topic and have left the barbs out of the content. Now I am happy to really get into the topic with you ...

I am fascinated with Kulee Baba. It's true. To my ear, it sounds like (or in a strange way) reminds me of George Gershwin piano music, of which I am a big fan. I agree that the story, or lyrics to this song are not all that impressive, but, I don't focus much on the lyrical content of music. On the whole, I am much more focused on the music, production value and execution.

My swing comment was really only related to the Manhattan Transfer's verions of Confide In Me. I agree that the song's production values are a bit "happy time" (Ok, Leo ... "Gay") but that has something to do with the Musical Theater aspect of MH. I'm not crazy about that, but I do like the piano track in their song and in looking for 'vocal section' tunes to include in my "over-the-top-obscure" set lists ... which is exactly what I set out to construct ... MH's version popped up in my head.

Can you imagine the comments I might have 'earned' if I mentioned either of those Mel Torme covers from The Nightfly? That's truly a novelty, but, if I were at some fundraiser event and The Velvet Fog broke into either one of these songs, I would have been up on my feet cheering. The context is of vital importance in this. I realize that Mr. Torme has passed on, so, I am referring to going back in time when he was still living ... otherwise we could have had Jimi Hendrix, Sarah Bernhardt, or perhaps the great Caruso up on the dais or something ...

As you know, the Steely Dan touring bands have been re-arranging the tunes they've played since they began touring again in 1993. So, you can be sure that both Kulee Baba and Wetside Story would have received a face lift of sorts. You see, when I first thought up my set lists, I had already been in the habit of thinking about 'face-lifting' certain songs because (1) Steely Dan has been doing it so it's in my mind-set, and, (2) I have been choosing among various versions of particular songs (original studio recordings versus any live version and/or combining them) for my Pretzel Logic band. This is a 'game' I've been playing with the rest of my band since it's inception. So, this whole set list thread was for me pure fun and folly.

I could have explained exactly what I would have modified on the songs that I would have changed, but, it would have made a painfully boring read (sort of like this long, drawn out explanation, huh?) and, I really just wanted to get people's reactions.

Now Leo, I may be out of my freaking mind, ... in fact, ... I'm sure of it, ... but there are funnier ways to point this out to an already knowing and Stevee-Dan-aware crowd of folks like we have here.

Remember, my entire list was intended to be a huge stretch. That was the point, and the fun, of putting it together. Steely Dan would NEVER use 'With A Gun' for an encore. But hot dang wouldn't it be fun to see them do a country-esque romp with this song? That's the reason I used it. Suspension of reality is a must here. Otherwize more level-heading thinking might prevail. And we wouldn't want that ... oh no.

At this point, as I look back over my posts, and yours Leo, I am now enjoying this discussion.

As for "stupid on the couch" (Rajah) - You better watch out on that F#G chord. There is a reason why the lost chord is still lost. And I see the meaning is not lost on you my Steely Brother.

I thing that the band was indeed billed as "Steely Dan" in 1993 ... it was those earlier shows like the New York Rock 'N' Soul revue and the shows prior to that ... at the Lone Star and that pre-RockNSoul concert ... the name escapes me right now (was it Donald Fagen and Friends ?) ... these earlier shows were not Steely Dan, but a few Dan tunes were played there. Pat Metheny's soloing in Sign In Stranger from the Lone Star show was great.

I love Keith Carlock, but I don't know if he can do "Moon-crazy" drumming. Keith clearly has had extensive training and his marching band experience is very prevalent in his playing style. If Keith Moon were in a marching band, they would have veered off into a ditch somewhere long ago drinking Stout, cussing, and kicking the shit out of each other ... can't ya just see it? You know it's true. Blimey !

And if you want us to strap you to a gurney ... I'd be happy to oblige pappy !

And thank you for your kind words: "You all have a big filthy mind and should be ashamed of yourselves. ... Some people never grow up... "

The nail has been hit squarely on it's noggin here.

Take it easy my friends ...


SteveeDan

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 13:39:25 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, miles from nowhere

Leo - Kulee Baba doesn't swing?? Have you heard the full band version(or are you referring to the piano demo)?

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 13:32:37 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, the clinic on the hill

I'm afraid I have to agree with Steve regarding "Kulee Baba," I rather like it.
G

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 12:22:47 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Steven if you don't play nice with Leo I'm gonna come over there young man, don't make me get up off this vibrating Barcolounger mister, it's my one day off and I'm not gonna spend it policing your almighty ass. Pick up that bass why don't you and play me F#G. And no improvising, you can do that while you're listening to that woefully substandard "Kulee Baba." There's a reason it didn't make it to the vinyl. Backtalk, backtalk is all I get from that kid.


SOH - That setlist from 93 is quite an eye-opener. They didn't bill themselves as 'SteelyDan' though, isn't that right? I suppose I understand why they don't do the solo stuff when they tour as Steely Dan but on the other hand it's kinda silly really I mean who cares. Hey I'd like to see Walty come out and do an opener for Donald, like six songs, he splits and Don does maybe 80-90 minutes of exclusively Fagen material, Walter returns for the standard encore of MOS & FM. Or does that sound dumb? Probably but I don't think we need to worry cause they've NEVER taken me up any any of umpteen quasi-brilliant suggestions. So far.

If Carlock drummed for Who4, our Joey would have to outfit himself
with a pair of serious control top underpants to guiard against any possible incontinence of an inadvertent nature. A heavy rubber diaper would do the job.

I on the other hand would need a full body retraint system of some type, strapped to a gurney perhaps and tilted up so I could see might be best. One hand free for the Bic lighter. For the Bic lighter is what I said.

You all have a big filthy mind and should be ashamed of yourselves.

Some people never grow up...

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 12:10:35 ET
Posted by: Leo,

"So Leo What do you think of the other 25 songs on my list"?

Stevee...I don't think you need two instrumental songs to start off the second set.
I don't get your fascination with "Kulee Baba". You talk about SD songs that swing? "Kulee" not only doesn't swing, it doesn't do anything. Flat, flat, flat. It's just to damn boring. Same with Wetside Story. It's just not a very good song by Steely Dan standards. "Cash Only Island" to my ears is a much better song then "Wetside Story". I would NEVER have these two songs on any list. No less a "fantasy list". Before you lash out at me again, remember one thing. If these two tunes are so great why didn't the boys ever put them out on record? D&W obviously didn't care for them too much either.

"The Fez" is cool... but on a a fantasy list? Nah. "With A Gun" for an encore? I think you're stretching it a bit there Steevee.
Otherwise, I like your list. One more thing, please stop talking to me like I'm Trout Farm.

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 11:57:29 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Jaydee - just saw where Dave Weckl's band is going to be in the UK between May 30th and June 7th. If you've never seen them before, please go check them out. You will not be disappointed!

Date: Sun, March 07, 2004, 03:46:28 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Flashing back to Starlake 1993

Bill...You've taken me time-tripping!...I was also at that show in 1993 at Starlake (my very first SD show)...I dug up this setlist on Broberg's site...Quite the memories...SOH

Royal Scam /Peg / Aja (Instrumental overture)
Green Earrings
Bodhisattva
I.G.Y.
Josie
Hey Nineteen
Book Of Liars
Cringemaker
Chain Lightning
Band Intro
Our Lawn
Green Flower Street
True Companion
Black Friday
Intermission
Tuzz's Shadow
Deacon Blues
Tomorrow's Girls
Babylon Sisters
Reelin' In The Years
Fall Of '92
Third World Man
Trans-Island Skyway
Countermoon
Teahouse On The Tracks
My Old School
FM(No Static At All)

Thanks Tomas!

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 23:08:41 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Johnny's playroom

Hi kids...

And now for something completely different. I was lucky enough to get 4th row to Michael McDonald last night here in H-ton and, I gotta tell ya....the man puts on a show. If he and his small, but effective band is playing ANYwhere near you, run, don't walk to get tickets. The venues on this particular leg appear to be small, intimate and SOLD out. Summer venues (with Hall & Oates) may be larger, and I have a sneaking suspicion not near as complete as being representative of McDonald's cataglog of work.

Seeing is believing, so here is the setlist:

Peace (a song written with Beth Nielson Chapman)
It Keeps You Running
Sweet Freedom
I Keep Forgetting
You Are Everything*
No Love
I Heard It Through the Grapevine*
All in Love is Fair*
I Believe When I Fall in Love*
You Belong to Me
Minute By Minute
What a Fool Believes
Ain't No Mountain High Enough*
Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing*
Yah Mo Be There
Taking It to the Streets

Encore (The Man did NOT want to leave....)

On My Own
Hey Girl
Do Right
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours*
What's Goin' On

* denotes from the Motown cd

The only thing he didn't do that I would have wanted to hear was One Step Closer and (of course) "I stepped up on the platform, the man gave me the news...he said, 'You must be joking', son. Where did you get those shoes?'

A wonderful night with a man with a truly magnificent voice and a very ambitious 7 piece (counting Mike on keyboards) band!

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 20:16:06 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Get over it Leo. Stop, Look, and Listen ... and maybe ... Let something New In ...

Leo - What you say ... or should I say ... how you say it ... is rather condescending and totally uncalled for.

I responded to your sharp criticism without laying into you. I simply and kindly stated my case. You had an opportunity to read my entire set list suggestions which are simply my choice ... there's no right or wrong in it ... they are mine. Possibly you were not aware of what this particular thread (that I started) was, that being: Create a set list for the "diehard" Steely Dan Fan. It wasn't "make Leo happy". Just so long as we are straight on this point.

After I read your snide post I requested that you go back and re-read my entire set list because maybe you might form a different viewpoint when you've viewed the entire picture ... plus I advised you not to take it completely at face value. My concept was to take from both versions of Confide In Me ... mainly the swingier feel with the horns and the lush vocal arrangements from the Manhattan Transfer version and plug that into an arrangement closer to Fagen's version.

But instead of using your imagination, and taking a moment to consider how this might work, you decided that you had to loft a barb in my direction. Maybe you don't have an imagination. Maybe seeking out arguments that are not very well thought out is your pursuit.

I have no use for your attitude as it is an unnecessary annoyance. Evidently, if someone voices an opinion that is different than yours you get quite rude. In the end, nobody cares about your opinion or mine. So, you might find your ride through life a little less bumpy if you keep this in mind.

Of course if you disagree with this, keep it to yourself, as I am not interested. I've seen you pull this crap around here before, so I am not a bit surprised.

So, before you push the button down, I humbly suggest that you take a moment to really let this soak in. Should you decide to respond with more negativity ... shame on you ... it has absolutely nothing to do with me at this point.

But Leo, please don't feel bad. I'm sure that you have no problem finding people who enjoy this sort or banter. I like thoughtful and courteous discussion. What's going on between us is not that.

Have a nice weekend Leo.


SteveeDan

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 19:17:44 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, ebay...............

.............who is outbidding me? (LOL)

G

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 17:48:14 ET
Posted by: Bill, Pittsburgh

True Companion was played early in the 1993 tour, as was Our Lawn. I saw the second show in Pittsburgh and they did some real rarities that disappeared from the set as the tour went on. I had no idea what True Companion was when they did it. Drew Zingg really shined on it and Donald and the girls did some great harmonies.

You know, I'm surprised Pete & Roger aren't just calling their new project "Townsend and Daltrey" or vice versa instead of the Who. I think when they first went back out on the road in the 90s with Zak and other ringers doing Tommy, then later doing Quadrophenia (I saw that tour) they tried to bill it as Townsend, Daltrey and Entwhistle but the promoters insisted on calling it the Who anyway. There's a precedent in Page & Plant not going out as Zep.

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 16:30:47 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Hoops- No problem. Any time. You're the man!


Steevedan- To be honest, once I read your comment about liking Manhattan Transfers version better then Fagen's, I stopped reading the rest of your list. All I have to say is that it's all about the attitude. Nobody can sing and convey the proper attitude of a Donald Fagen/Steely Dan penned tune better then Fagen himself! How much would you like to bet that Fagen was so turned off by the way MT performed "Confide In Me" he had to go into the studio and do it himself. He did the same thing with "Big Noise New York". Personally, I think MT version sounds just a little bit to "gay" for my taste. Very lollipop. Nobody does it better than Fagen! If you don't believe me you could have asked David Palmer or Jim Hodder.

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 14:48:29 ET
Posted by: hoops,

This thread reminds me of "Big Noise New York." For a while several years ago, I was on the fence about which version I preferred.

I love Donald's version that was released at as a "B-side" back in 1993. It's pretty stripped down. Then I heard Jennifer Warne's version. I really dug her version, but eventually I realized that I love the horns on her version and I love Jennifer's singing in general and I love the backing vocals—but actually the sum of all these great parts didn't make her version as much of a favorite of mine as Donald's, which is now my fav. Now I see Warne's version as overly flashy as a whole, despite each part being great. DF's is so forlorn. Manhattan Transfer's version of "Confide in Me" is good, but when you hear Donald's version, which I assume was recorded first, I can't help but feel the MT version is a kinda kareoke.

Regarding that thread about whether one prefers the "Gaucho" DTS 5.1 to the EMG DVD-A, I can't get into that discussion. I don't think it's a direct comparison. I mean, you can compare albums or you can compare sound formats but as presented, I didn't think it made much sense. That's what's so cool about there being three different surround versions of "Gaucho" being available soon (DTS 5.1, DVD-A and SACD): Steely Dan is a band where sound quality really matters, of course, and here you have a level playing ground to have a "shoot-out" between the three formats.

I caught the Who in 1989. It was a great show, but listening to the CD of it, "Join Together," it now reminds me of "The New Who Revue," a little too show-bizy. Still, Simon Phillips was great. What if Keith C. filled in for Keith M. on the next Who Revue tour? I think Joey would pee his pants and nuzzle all 20,000 in the audience. I dig Townsend's solo stuff, but "Dig," an "Ironman" tune recorded by The Who, was kinda sappy.

Leo, thanks on two counts 1) reprinting the SACD URL from earlier this week--bears repeating; and 2) for making me aware of Carlock and Stung on Letterman. I didn't catch the "Gaslighting" similarities but I was watching on a crappy TV. Keith was kinda tiny and you could catch his bass drum but the bongo dude seemed to be getting a bit more camera attention and seemed more up front in the mix. Thanks again for the heads up.

jim

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 14:21:33 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Hopefully NOT with a gun ...

Calm down Leo ... back away from the keyboard slowly ...
No one is going to hurt you.

Actually Leo - I have given it many listens. I absolutely do think that the Manhattan Transfer arrangement of Confide In Me has a better groove. Now, you may not like the "happy time" organ solo in the MH version of this song.

Leo, perhaps you are taking this too much at face value. I didn't think that it was necessary to spell out the specifics of the arrangements that I would use in great detail. But to clarify the issue and enlighten you a little, I will do that now with Confide In Me.

First off, if you paruse my set lists again, you will see that I have chosen a number of songs that incorporate lush and dense vocal harmonies ... True Companion,Green Flower Street, Maxine, The Boston Rag, The Finer Things, and MH's Confide In Me. I did this on purpose.

I would expect Steely Dan to play more intense solos than those that were on the MH version of the song. I like Fagen's original tune, although I don't think it went far enough. MH's version really swings. This is appealing to a lot of people (but possibly not to you Leo). Besides, you'd have to be practically tone deaf not to appreciate how great the Manhattan Transfer vocal arrangements are.

As for the other comment you made regarding Black Cow vs. Uptown Baby ... you've been asked to back away from the keyboard ... someone might get hurt. I wouldn't want it to be you !

So Leo, what do you think about the other 25 songs I listed ?
(This could be interesting ...)

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

My "What do you think America" line is sort of like the one that Dennis Miller used to use after his opening monologue.

Of course I didn't mean to exclude any faction of the "Mighty Kingdom" far-flung as it is.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>

Pre- SHAMELESS PLUG ...

Catch PRETZEL LOGIC - A Steely Dan Revue in their first public appearance in 6 months at Hollywood's (well, actually, Studio City's) famous Baked Potato nightclub located on Cahuenga Blvd. just south of Lankershim (across the freeway from Universal Studios).

Sunday night, March 28th 8 PM. It's going to be standing room only, prepare to get there early ... or the Spud's gonna hit the fan ...

3 Hours of Steely Dan music live ...
New songs, new arrangements, and other surprises ...
No soul will be spared ...


SteveeDan (BL and KM for PL)

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 13:30:59 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, The Chicken or The Egg?

Java...

SACD's will ONLY play on an SACD player...
SACD "HYBRIDS" will play on a CD/DVD-V or A player AND in your car, but will not play the advanced resolution sound (96kHz/24-bit)...
DVD-Audio's will NOT play on a CD player...
DVD-Audio's WILL play on a DVD-Video player, but will not play the advanced resolution sound (96kHz/24-bit)...

And get this...There is rumor of a two-sided format coming out soon with DVD-A on one side and CD on the other...Yikes

Still have that Beta-Max machine around somewhere?...There may be hope for it yet...SOH

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 09:26:04 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Steveedan- Asks.... "What do you think America"?

I think, that if you think, that Manhattan Transfer's version of "Confide In Me" is better then Donald Fagen's version, you're out of your freaking mind! Do you also think "Uptown Baby" is better then "Black Cow"?

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 09:22:08 ET
Posted by: Java,

OK, I’m seriously confused/sadly technologically challenged. Can you play SACDs on an ordinary CD player? And can you play them on a DVD player? And can you play DVD-As on a regular DVD player? Help please! Not that I’d know a DVD-A if I held it in my hand…

And for what it’s worth, Ruby Baby would make a rockin’ good encore…

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 08:47:25 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Jaydee - If you taped Letterman last night, listen again. Even my wife turned to me while it was on and said ""it sounds like that song from 2VN" It had the same exact groove as Gaslighting Abbey. So much so to my ears it sounded like a rip off! It even had the WB guitar picking/noodling thing going on.

Can't wait to hear Aja, Katy Lied and the Royal Scam in 5.1 !

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 08:26:23 ET
Posted by: Jaydee, sleepless in London

Well, I agree with everyone's set list, as long as Dr Wu and Maxine are in there. How about Dan playing a set consisting of a whole album start to finish, rather like (err) Deep Purple currently playing whole of 'Machine Head'.

Stevee: "What do you think America?" Hey, don't the rest of us get a say? (insert winking smiley thing).

Leo: We got Letterman here last night - just watched video and can't see the Gaslighting Abbie similarity, but Carlock has big cymbals doesn't he. And Letterman was amusing I thought.

halewood - hi, where is tonyland?

Off now to check out DVA-As, radiograms and magic lanterns.

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 03:58:02 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Here's my Set Lists

1. True Companion
2. Green Flower Street
3. Wetside Story
4. Green Book
5. Girlfriend
6. King Of The World
7. Confide In Me -
(borrowing from the Manhattan Transfer version
because it swings much more)
8. Here At The Western World
9. Your Gold Teeth into
10. Your Gold Teeth II (aka "The Dental Suite")
11. The Fez

Intermission

12. Cubano Chant (Even though it's not their song, it was great live)
13. The Finer Things (King Of Comedy Soundtrack)
14. Any World (That I'm Welcome To)
15. The Boston Rag (2000 version)
16. Pixeleen
17. Maxine
18. Everyone's Gone To The Movies
19. Snowbound
20. Kulee Baba
21. Gaucho
22. Two Against Nature

Encores:
23. With A Gun
24. Almost Gothic
25. Doctor Wu
26. Aja (The 32 Minute Version ... Everybody solos.)

I added a fourth encore song (which is already 2 too many based on historical evidence ...) because I didn't have anything off of Pretzel Logic ... so I thought I'd pull a lighthearted one off of that album (With A Gun).

I did not include many songs from either The Royal Scam and Aja because this is where most of their setlist is traditionally is culled from.

I made this as eclectic as I could while at the same time pacing each set to be a mixture of upbeat and slow tunes and ending each set with a maximum groove song.

And finally, ... who wouldn't dig a 30+ minute version of Aja with astounding solos.

I didn't include a lot of my favorite Steely Dan songs just because I wanted to give priority to a more unusual song selection instead. Despite the lesser known songs I've chosen, I think I've come up with a fairly well-paced show.

What do you think America ?


SteveeDan

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 02:03:40 ET
Posted by: halewood, tonyland

Hi Stelly Fans new to this site.

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 01:58:52 ET
Posted by: halewood, tonyland

hi all

Date: Sat, March 06, 2004, 01:13:35 ET
Posted by: Leo,

Saw Carlock with Sting on Letterman last night. Did anyone notice the song Sting performed sounded just like Gasligting Abbey? After Sting and Keith on Letterman I switched over to Leno and John Beasley was playing with Mya. It was a Steely Dan sideman evening on late night tv.

Ok....It's what we've all been waiting for!!! Drum roll please..............

AJA & KATY LIED IN 5.1 !!!!!!!!!

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=16829571

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 23:34:26 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu, stareintomyCoke

Rajah: Brilliant - that's the sound of Donald BECOMING the woman...it's kinda scary to DIG YOURSELF!...damn, these guys are good!

Core Dan:

Fire in the Hole
Turn That Heartbeat Over Again
Midnight Cruiser
Razor Boy
Boston Rag (I used to dismiss this one - now I LOVE it...awesome live...)
Your Gold Teeth II
King of the World
Rikki
Night By Night
Any Major Dude
Pretzel Logic
Monkey in Your Soul

Intermission I


Bad Sneakers
Rose Darling
Dr. Wu
Your Gold Teeth II
Any World
Throw Back the Little One
Caves of Altamira
DTMA
Sign in Strange
The Fez
Black Cow
Aja
Home at Last
I Got the News

Intermission II

Gaucho
Second Arrangement (the original Porcaro version, wherever it is)
Kulee Baba
I Can't Write Home About You
Glamour Profession
Almost Gothic
Negative Girl
West of Hollywood
Godwhacker
Greenbook
Pixeleen
Lunch with Gina
Everything Must Go


Encores:

Century's End
Girlfriend
Green Flower Street (guest appearance by Chuck Rainey)

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 22:23:48 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Home, Who's Around?

In the green.
g

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 21:03:43 ET
Posted by: Pam, don't laugh, but

I was just looking through the cd cover for "ShowBiz Kids". The last picture in the booklet depicts our boys looking like a stoner Starsky & Hutch!

Joey - don't have the primo creamo you describe; you think Vicks Vaporub would work?

=)

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 17:15:41 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Joey is a full throttle Who freeeeek!

Mike - it's amazing but most of the misspellings and misstatements on here are totally missed so, no, you do not drive us crazy (we're pretty much already there).

Greenbook is such an inventive song, it's like they sat down and said, "and now for something completely different." So freakin original in this sea of banality we call pop/rock/jazz whatever this Steely stuff is. I see 3 courtesans doing the Dance of the Seven Veils. Nothing to do with the song, you understand, this is what I see.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 17:04:02 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Who What ?

Maybe that Who show at the Los Angeles Forum was in 1980 ... I can't remember. I am pretty sure about the 1983 Colisium show ... Please correct my dates.


SteveeDan

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 16:55:17 ET
Posted by: Mike F., NYC

Sorry, I mean The Green Book. That must drive some of you crazy.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 16:53:50 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" I first saw The Who (way too late) in 1981 at the Los Angeles Forum (former home of the Lakers). Kenny Jones was the drummer. It was a great show. In 1983 I saw The Who again at the Los Angeles Colisium, (former home of both the Rams and the Raiders). "

Steeve Dan .................................................

You need to get your dates right :

www.thewholive.de

Oh , why WASN'T " Here at the Western World " included on the " Royal Scam " album anyway .....................?!?!?!

Developing ....................................

Joeskee !

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 16:49:45 ET
Posted by: Mike F., NYC

Thanks for the thoughts so far on the guitars on Green Room. There are three distinct ones and I am getting closer to understanding who plays what. Killer stuff.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 16:33:12 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Horton Hears a Who OOOOO ...

To Mike F. --

Supposedly, all of the guitar work on "Everything Must Go" was done by two people, Walter Becker and Hugh McCracken. That's how I thought the story went ...

Very interesting set lists !!! I love it ... This is the kind of fan insight that I am really interested in. Keep it going !!!

I first saw The Who (way too late) in 1981 at the Los Angeles Forum (former home of the Lakers). Kenny Jones was the drummer. It was a great show. In 1983 I saw The Who again at the Los Angeles Colisium, (former home of both the Rams and the Raiders). The place was absolutely packed. The Clash was the opening band. It was absolutely fantastic. Kind of a tough crowd to contend with, but, in a way, that's what helped to make this show great. It was like a perfect match between the right combination of bands and the audience.


SteveeDan

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 16:26:55 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Mike - as I sit here I really don't know for sure but I'd be willing to bet that it's Hugh McCracken doin that scratchy part in response to those three repetitive piano chords. The guitarist doing that Arabian scale work (I learned that from Stevee) is brilliant whomever he is, Herington probably.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 15:58:09 ET
Posted by: HeyNow (not to be confused with HeyMike), Don't Rain on My....

No one said that the die-hard fan-tasy setlist had to be reality based....

Hi HeyMike! Best to GF Nancy!

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 15:42:14 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

No Problem Pam ...........................

Say , do you have any Jurlique Lavender Body Lotion ?!?!?! It's a little " High End " but I hear it is worth every penny and actually heightens one's aural pleasure whilst listening to Steely Dan -- Under the skin it gets , like a pleasurable rash.

J.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 15:36:01 ET
Posted by: Mike F., NYC

I realize this is tangental at best but anyone looking for a nice ticket to see Van Morrison at Madison Square Garden? I have an extra ticket.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 15:27:31 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Pam - that was also my first Who concert. Saw that show in Orlando Fl. The B52's were the opener and they got booed off the stage. I remember at one point the guy for the B52's, Fred I think, said "we're gonna play this next song whether you like it or not" and the crowd just went into a collective shitfit!

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 15:08:25 ET
Posted by: Pam, shamed

Joey!

Shame on me - I could have sworn I heard/read/dreamed something about Pete's son being born late 80's or early 90's and his name was Tommy. I remember me & my hubby howling about it. Please forgive me for posting bogus info, but part of me is pretty happy that it ain't true.

Raj - Eminence Front is a great, great song. My first concert ever was Who '82 at Shea Stadium and Pete ROCKED that song.

Humble Pie Pam

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 15:05:54 ET
Posted by: Randy, Northern NJ / USA

Steely-folk,

Here's the link for (yet another) Music History site update, for those who may be interested:

http://hometown.aol.com/nightfly62/CN.html

Randy / Music History Site

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:56:36 ET
Posted by: Mike F., New York

Can anyone tell me who plays which guitar parts on "the Green Room"? Thanks.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:42:17 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

That's the record you guys have been talking about lately. It's an instrumental I take it? So what's it like?

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:32:32 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Rajah, "Rapunzel" is the song Becker and Fagen wrote for Peter Christlieb and the Wayne Marsh Trio, which appeared on the 1978 album "Apogee." Becker and Fagen produced this album, right after Aja. It's just been re-released, pick it up, it's fantastic.
G

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:28:57 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Meant to refer to that as 94 tour - apologies.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:25:44 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Stevee, I saw that 93 tour you referred to here in Atlanta. That was actually the second time they came through Atlanta that year. Erskine on drums the first time and Chambers the second. What memories!

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:24:22 ET
Posted by: Rajah, groping in the dark

Gretchen - honey what the heck is "Rapunzel"!!!??? A gap in my Steelie knowledge? Oh the shame. Please spill...

I love that Mood Indigo with Marian. And Hesitation Blues.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:16:20 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, shakin' all over

Kid C, I'd love it, but you know they'll never do it.
g

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:16:19 ET
Posted by: Rajah, out of my mind and you were on the phone

Kenny Jones, yes, his paradiddles were so even it was automotonic, not much inverted stick work and woefully few grace notes. Waay too much fill, well, amend that to conscious fill. With Keith Moon, you couldn't tell when he was filling, it pretty much all sounded like wave after wave of crash and pound. Music school surely would have ruined him.

Date: Fri, March 05, 2004, 14:14:29 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

Gretch - No Dr. Wu? I'm concerned, are you feeling well?