June 2004 BlueBook Entries

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 23:11:15 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', China

How about Klaus Wunderlich ? Endless medleys on the organ for a surreal Sunday afternoon.
John Gary maybe ? Andy Williams, Al Martino, Englebert Humperdink, Roger Whittaker, Herb Alpert - tick. James Last (steady)...soundtracks to Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Paint Your Wagon.....heavy on the opera (big on Joan Suthlerland, small on Wagner) with comedy nods to Rolf Harris, Jack Carter...hmmm weird, now I want to listen to music with them.

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 22:05:03 ET
Posted by: bwaySteve, Matinee Day

I loved the Beatles.They were several years older than I, so I gave them their respect as upper classmen.I can still remember how excited I was in expectation of the release of the White Album, how my friends and I pre-ordered our copies , how we made a day out of waiting.I remember how impressed I was with the maturity of that record .
My dad was obsessed with the big bands so Beatles vs '30s music was fodder for all the arguments our family could take.Beatle music was easy to play on guitar and I who had already taken to Jazz Samba, just breezed through the records.I was popular at parties.To me Beatles music represented the first alternative culture experience of my life.It was the first Pop music to express the unique conditions of my age.Those songs were the backdrop to my daily life.

( is this an off topic post ?)

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 17:45:57 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Must be serendipity. Couldn't be synchronicity---at least, I didn't see anything in that article about the Police or a Police tribute band.... :-)

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 15:45:39 ET
Posted by: Rajah, the right dynamic

DG - Serendipity...or synchronicity???

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 15:33:10 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

In today's Chicago Herald:

"Music and more this weekend"
http://www.dailyherald.com/cook/main_story.asp?intID=381686

At the Arlington Heights Frontier Days festival...

"When they discovered their usual Beatles cover band was booked, they landed another, knowing that the Fab Four, a group hailing from the very country we're celebrating our independence from, is a can't-miss on Independence Day.

"Arlington Heights has packed in audiences to see a Beatles tribute band on its main July Fourth stage for more than five years and has no plans to stop now.

"Bands in Palatine and Hoffman Estates also will salute the British foursome in shows during festivals this weekend.

" 'It seems popular,' said Jim Glueckert, entertainment coordinator for Frontier Days. He noted that this year is the 40th anniversary of The Beatles' first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, which makes a cover band a must-have."

Later....

"A group billed as 'three guys, 30 instruments' can do everything from Elvis to Tina Turner when it takes the stage Thursday in Mount Prospect, two days before the Chicago band Off Broadway performs its hits. In Arlington Heights, acts will salute the Bee Gees, Steely Dan, AC-DC, Jackson 5 and more."

Hmmmm.... Chicago area, Beatles tributes, Steely Dan tribute band, other tribute bands.... And speaking of 70s/80s music it says Eddie Money will be at Arlington Heights too.

The piece just seems to have a little of everything. And to top it off it's the Frontier Days festival and when I was in my local supermarket earlier this afternoon they were playing "New Frontier." Whoa.

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 14:40:34 ET
Posted by: Rajah, ambushed and French twisted

Dear Mr. Sinatra - I did kinda dump you when the Beatles hit but you have to understand I was only 10 years old, how could I know the best was yet to come? And I didn't have the lunch box, only the girls had them and the Sisters of the Trinity did not appreciate them. By the time I was in my mid 20s, I was back on your bandwagon, Frank, please don't hate me for the "lost years." You were there for me when first the Beatles and then Steely Dan abandoned me, I'll always be grateful.

Ms. Tuesday - Arthur Lyman was a FREAK of major proportions and I'd be shocked if Donald didn't have a copy somewhere. These records were played at parties along with that bongo music when America "went native" after Hawaii gained its statehood. (BTW I still have your apron, what should I do with it?)

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 14:12:40 ET
Posted by: Tuesday, the dugout your dad built

Actually, it was Arthur Lyman's 1958 issured Taboo 2, the "vibe drenched cocktail music for hipsters." I wonder if Donald has a copy?

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 11:52:36 ET
Posted by: Frank Sinatra, my endless afternoon

You know, Gretchen, may I call you sweetheart? Look, Gretchy-baby, that knucklehead Rajah's turban is stuck so far up his...as you know, I hated the Beatles. They spoilt everything, those ringy guitars and those ridiculous haircuts. They stole my thunder, I became a joke to that whole screwed-up generation. Guys like this Rajah scungili, they jumped on my bandwagon only after all their crappy guitar music petered out. I'm ovah heer singin my Moonlight Serenade and those insects Wanna Hold Your Hand. Gimme a friggin break, junior. I bet Rajah had a damn Beatles lunchbox with those sissy-boys plastered all over it. Madonna-mi, what a weenie. Why doesa smooth package like you put up with this mezzo-finocch? I loved The Ink Spots. And that "Taboo" record was probably Arthur Lyman, do any of these titles ring-a-ding any bells for ya babe?

Love Song of Kalua
Ringo Oiwake
Miserlou
Sim Sim
Katsumi Love Theme
Dahil Sayo
Colonel Bogey March

I couldn't make those up. If I wasn't so dead, I'd break Raji's legs for ya. He says you need "treatment?" I'd like to take a Close n'Play record player to his face. You deserve better *treatment* than that. Hey listen I know you're just a young girl but I like you, kid, can I send Jilly down with a car so I can fly you to the moon?

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 10:38:54 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, the No Option Zone

Music around our house in the 60's/70's was pretty much a mixed bag. I remember hearing Santo & Johnny, The Ink Spots, Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66, Maria Muldaur, Carole King, Herb Alpert, and some very weird album called "Taboo" by an artist I can't remember. It had a shrunken head on the album cover that used to freak me out. Also the Andrews Sisters anthology. Bie Meir Bist Du Shoen (think I spelled it right) haunts me to this day!

G

Date: Wed, June 30, 2004, 01:04:18 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Pammy - Burl Ives, voice like an accordian is what Pop used to say. Pop also liked, and still does, Eddie Arnold, a smooth Country/Western voice if ever there was one. Of Elvis, my Mama had Kissin Cousins and Spinout for some reason, both kinda sucked, also a Patsy album that was just great. There was a Ventures record in there too, yeah, them I liked but pickens were slim in general. Soundtracks and Opera records.

Until the Beatles.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 22:46:46 ET
Posted by: Pam, Graceland

My dad was big into Hank Williams Jr, the guy who played the snowman in Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer (what the heck was his name), Glenn Miller (who I still love), and Harry Belafonte. I never realized how much Elvis music was in my house until years later when I discovered that I knew the lyrics to every Elvis song I heard, and knew the plot lines to quite a few of the movies. Sheesh!

Pam

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 21:23:05 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

J- Every household had those records around for years, it was that stack of jreck your folks kept around, mostly tucked into verticle storage pockets in those Buicks that passed for home entertainment centers. How hideous were they and sometimes those records weren't lifted outta there for years. Now, my people had their favorites as well so here's my own personal childhood nightmare, I couldn't forget these titles if I wanted to:

Jerry Vale - Love Me the Way I Love You (man had control issues)
Louis Prima & Keely Smith - Wild, Cool & Swingin (not a game for 3)
Al Martino - Come Share the Wine (at least he didn't drink alone)
Claudio Villa - O Sole Mio, Volume 1 (what there's 2 versions?)

No wonder I learned to love Frank, I was really just trying to save myself. Thanks Mr. Sinatra.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 20:33:09 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Rajah - damned if you're not on with 3 of the 7 or 8 you listed as to what my parents would've had on the stereo! Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass' whipped cream, Ray Conniff singers, and Johnny Mathis. That's hysterical! My Dad at that time would've been around 36 and my Mom about 25. I'll tell you who else my Father used to just wear out on 8 track: Gilbert O'Sullivan! It get's worse: there were actually a few tunes of his I found myself being able to tap my toe to at the ripe age of 10 - and there you have my darkest secret. Forgive me.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 18:43:24 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, Still @ work

It was early '70 when they split up right? I was probably not even 2 yet. As with the majority of the music I really enjoy today, I was too young to really get a feel for it when it was still 'fresh'.

Not to take away anything from D&W, but I would put them pretty distant, along with everyone else in the world, when it comes to song writing and John & Paul. With maybe the exception of I am the Walrus, each of their songs touches a part of you, no, not down there, inside, in the heart, mind and soul. I got my dad started on a Beatles kick not to long ago and I ended up going just as nuts as him. One song in particular, In My Life, was really what he was after but ended up going way overboard. I had never really 'listened' to that one and it is now in weekly rotation along with Silly Love Songs. In My Life is just so simple and honest and raw and causes one to conger up images that were long lost. Again, I love D & W's writing and songs, but there was serious magic in what J & P wrote.

KC

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 18:12:45 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Short piece by a Jane Cowan summarizing a section of Australian Briony Petch's interview of SD backing vocalist Venetta Fields, much of it specifically re "Deacon Blues."

Two RealPlayer audio files (3 & 3.5 minutes) of the interview are available....

>>> Steely Dan changes lives <<<
http://www.abc.net.au/goldcoast/stories/s1142186.htm

You can also click on the link for "Venetta's Studio Sessions" to go to a page with links to very similar pieces where she discusses working with other artists including the Doobies, Pink Floyd, Thelma Houston, Boz Scaggs, the Stones....

I only listened to the 2 SD-related audio files so far, don't have time for the others right now. Maybe later.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 17:13:28 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Gretchy - Ok, you were 6, dear lord do these women guard their chronologies, heaven forbid I mistook you were a grand old lady of 8! Old enough to realize paradigm-shifting new sounds. Josey was only 3, so that's no excuse. Oh wait, I'm guessing here but your folks weren't listening to pop music in the sixties? They were what, 25 years old? OK, they probably had the following albums in the old home entertainment unit:

Johnny Mathis Xmas Album
Ray Coniff Singers, "Dr. Zhivago"
Tijuana Brass - "Whipped Cream" (no, that cover might be too randy)
Jay & the Americans, "This Magic Moment"
Peter, Paul & Mary???
Vaughn Meader, "The First Family"
Andy Williams, "Moon River"
Steve Lawrence & Edie Gormet, "Blame it on the Bossa Nova"

Tell me I'm wrong. (Why do I just know that's what she'll say, I must be psychic.) No wonder you became a Steely Dan fan after that kind of abuse. Probably humming "Dirty Work" at age 9 while trading Wacky Packs...I can see it.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 16:43:48 ET
Posted by: Josey, Transition period!

Raj and SteveeDan - I'm with ya here re: The Beatles. I just turned 40 in March, but I can vividly remember my Mother buying me Beatle albums from the time I was 3! I remember not liking "Help" back then, but love it now. Anywho, I've always held Lennon and McCartney on the same plateau that I hold Becker and Fagen in the songwriting department. For some quirky reason, "Martha My Dear" has always been one of my faves. Heading to St. Simons island (home) tomorrow for the fourth of July weekend. Hope everyone has a great holiday.
SteveeDan - ring me on my cell later if you have a chance.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 16:37:53 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, going home

To each his own, Rajah. I never said I didn't like the Beatles, I just find myself throwing Wings Over America or Venus and Mars on a lot more than Rubber Soul or the White Album. And I always felt that Clapton was God, not Lennon. Just a matter of personal preference. And to correct you, I was 6 when the Beatles broke up.

G

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 15:52:10 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Grette- I realize your temperature is way above normal in Purgatory but darling you need serious treatment if you think Paul's work with Wings and solo even approach what he did with John. I think it's your youth, you were about 8 when the Beatles broke up. If you had experienced childhood through the 60s as I did, you could not say such a blasphemous thing. I respect your preferences, dear girl, but listen to those Beatle albums, each and every tune is packed with sheer joy and youthful ideals. Melodic gems and perfectly apt lyrics. Yeah, the ideals would be shattered later but that's what youth is for. The Beatles are a holy shrine which I cannot allow you to place second to anyone. Nobody did it better.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 15:43:07 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, In catch-up mode

Many people think of Hall & Oats as the guys who wrote Maneater and Your Kiss Is On My List. Even though, from a songwriting standpoint, these records were very successful on the pop charts, I don't like these tunes very much. Not all of their material was pop pap. There are some great H&O tunes that have stood the test of time ... so far.

As for D. Hall, I too believe that he could continue to make new ground. He has a great voice and is extremely versatile. Robert Fripp's Exposure (which as was mentioned before in Hoops' reprinted post) has a track with Hall singing, which is really great. Exposure is a strange CD, but, an extremely memorable one. Hall's track on that CD shows that he has great potential to branch off into other areas should he ever choose to do so.

Their production was clean, crisp, and slick. They knew how to write catchy songs with great hooks time after time. I remember at one point that they had more songs in the top 10 lists than the Beatles ever did, which really shocked and surprised me. But certainly, no one turned the world on it's ear (literally) like the Beatles did.

Do I sence a segue ? OK ...

If you haven't heard McCartney's Flaming Pie CD, check it out. It's one of the few records he's released in the past 15 years that has a majority of great tunes on it.

The magical thing about Paul McC is that he is one of a very select few artists who can make you feel happy when you hear his music. I'm not crazy about Silly Love Songs, or The Girl Is Mine either, but, his spirit comes through all of his recordings and his uplifting effect is undeniable.

I would like to go on record at this point to admit that I am a huge Beatle fan. Just like Steely Dan, the Beatles are at this point embedded in my musical DNA.


SteveeDan

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 14:48:46 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, purgatory

Talk about killing a mood, who the hell really can stand listening to such gems by Paul as "Don't say Goodnight," "Ebony and Ivory" and "Coming Up?"!! Don't know how he went from such classics found on Venus and Mars and Band on the Run to the treacle mentioned above. Also, don't forget the 80's classic, "The Girl is Mine." Yuck!!! I actually prefer the music of Wings to the Beatles, but when Paul set off on his own, what a downer.

G

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 14:30:44 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Well, Kid, when McCartney writes a silly love song, it ain't just a silly love song. This guy and Cole Porter head the roll of the best love song writers of the 20th century. Paul's recording a new disc and I really hope he manages one or two gems in there. It seems to be the norm among even the greats to have your window of genius close up a bit as you get older, this has been happening to Sir Paul since, well, maybe for 20 year now but I'd like to see him crack the Top 40 once more. That's probably not even possible with the climate out there. What we really need is for someone to come along like the Beatles and blow the doors off the industry again. We're due.

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 13:14:11 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

Interesting little discussion on H&O. Too bad they didn't hook up with 2pac Shakur, it could have been H2O. Anywho, I agree with them getting alittle schmatlzy in the 80's, however, those are all mostly great pop songs. Sara Smile has been a favorite for years.

Speaking of great pop songs, the one song that epitimizes 70's pop for me is .... get ready ... Silly Love Songs by McCartney. I'm sure that others will disagree or have their own song in mind but I rediscovered this little gem a few years back and now I have to listen to it at least once a week, right after I hunt down another copy of Catcher in the Rye. Hmmm....

Also, Saw Prince last week here at Summerfest. Great show, 2+ hours, lots of old hits, i.e. Controversy, Let's Work, DMSR, great guitar playing, especially a solo at the end of Whole Lotta Love, yes a Led Zep cover played during the fireworks, great band, lots of horns and to ammend my previous post about Prince, there was LOTS of ego present on stage, but the guy is a great musician/artist/performer so he still gets my vote.

Peace, Love and Dan

KC

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 12:18:48 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, wishing I were elsewhere.....

I have to describe Farenheit 911 as the Rocky Horror Show of political documentaries. I saw it with my mom, she had to keep "shush-ing" me, as I couldn't help letting the comments fly. Go see it, you must!! Out of respect for Hoops and this board, I don't want to start a discussion about the film, but if you want to discuss privately, please email me.

G

Date: Tues, June 29, 2004, 11:00:11 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

SOH & LWO - H&O certainly hold a place in the pop songbook. Darryl Hall was as effective as a blue-eyed soul singer can be, put him in there with Felix Cavaliere for me. I agree the eighties (late 70s as well) songs were catchy and fun but I don't believe they will endure the same way certain rock and pop has or will and you can really count those enduring artists on a couple hands. OK, throw in a couple feet as well. But they were part of that landscape and no one can take that away, hey, they're still working and that says an awful lot. Chalk it up to the fact that I compare everything to Steely Dan and that's not really fair.

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 23:26:03 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, O H...

Sounds like the Mike McD/H&O concert features some interchanging vocals similar to what was heard at the EWF/Chicago show that I mentioned here a few weeks back. An abbreviated setlist posted on the McD website from some of the shows in Florida last week reveal many favs from the Doobie days and a sampling (although not near as complete as the repetoire from shows earlier this year) off the Motown cd.

Not as much detail on what H&O offered, although I did see Sara Smile and a few other hits, that I recall from those hazy daze. Both bands appear to have very interactive dialogue with their fans through their websites...fbow.

I don't think I have ever owned a Hall & Oates recording, but I did have the pleasure of being introduced to several tunes off Hall's "Sacred Songs" solo effort and was pleasantly surprised. Some of the '80's stuff is pretty cheesy, but undeniably catchy and kinda fun....(that's the way I remember the '80's too, coincedently).

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 22:16:54 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Googling

Abandoned Luncheonette
Hall and Oates
Atlantic SC 7269
Released: October 1973
Chart Peak: #33
Weeks Charted: 38
Certified Gold: 10/5/76
Daryl Hall and John Oates, two young white Philadelphians, have recycled the essence of that city's good R&B music while retaining their white sound.

Their arrangement of "When the Morning Comes" has turned this basically three-chord song into AM chart material. The rhythm guitar pervades the chords of all the verses, playing in a constant open-G tuning (instead of letting the acoustic guitar dominate the track, as so many soft-rock groups do). The bass and drum syncopation lies at the center of the track, an arranging technique common to many soul records. And the melody is more adventurous that the typical handiwork of contemporary singer-songwriters.

Two other songs are potential hits: "She's Gone" (a song with a super-hook), and "Las Vegas Turnaround" (about a man who doesn't want everyone to "come on and fly" his stewardess girlfriend). On the former, Hall and Oates show off the wide range of their vocal technique, and their arranging skill, which creates an intriguing cresscendo that (surprisingly) leads back to the verse instead of the hook.

Through overdubbing, the vocal sound has been rendered prudently lush. Daryl Hall's voice, in particular, is a winner. And not since the Rascals' Atlantic days has a white group made such good soul-influenced radio music. In fact, the group has been aided immeasurably by the presence of the Rascals' producer, Arif Mardin, who also contributes string and horn arrangements. Along with fine sessionmen, including drummer Bernard Purdie, they've made a genuine sleeper (it's been out a few months now). Everyone I know who hears it, falls for it instantly.

- Robert Agualio, Rolling Stone, 4/9/74.

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 21:51:35 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, It's A Laugh

Hoops...

I can see you right now, digging through boxes in the basement, looking for that "Abandoned Luncheonette"...

You can HEAR the Purdie shuffle in your head now on "She's Gone", can't you?!

Keep digging!

SOH

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 21:46:27 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, West of Philadelphia Blue-Eyed Soul

I'm going to be the squeaky wheel here regarding Hall and Oates...

"Abandoned Luncheonette" featured one of their best tunes ever in
"She's Gone"...Betcha don't know that Bernard Purdie played drums on that tune as well as on 5 other cuts from that album, including "Las Vegas Turnaround", an unknown (to most) gem...Also playing on that album were Rick Marotta and Hugh McCracken...Not a bad bunch of studio studs for a little-known duo's second release...

Sure, they morphed into caricatures of themselves as the 80's rolled in...Hell, didn't most of us in the 80's?

SOH

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 15:27:47 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Hoops - thanks, yeah, those are fair comments by and large. H&O sound like they just threw themselves out there, started to write, what else, silly love songs which got sillier and sillier until one day they're singing, "Private Eyes." Again, a perfectly good pop tune, fun even, but rudderless.

What Don & Walt always had was a well defined vision of their world, a set of tenets they held to, a sense for what they wanted to say and how to say it. There's a unity there, a focus, an idea of what they wanted to accomplish in these songs. They've maintained this integrity through every song on every record. Their shit ain't weak.

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 14:41:06 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Rajah...

Can't comment much more than these people did, although the posts did remind me that about 20 years ago, my graduating college roommate left me (abandoned?) "Abandoned Luncheonette" along with Neil Young's "Harvest," "Crosby, Stills and Nash" and a few LPs. So I guess I DO own something by them. Will have to play it--I never have.

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 14:36:20 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Here you go...this discussion was from three years ago in the Dandom Digest. I've reprinted below but since I'm not sure the writers/fans/posters want to be contacted nor do I want their emails exposed to spam, I've taken those out. I
-----

Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 18:02:12 -0500
From: "Jeffrey L. B."
Subject: "...the true fathers of jazzy rock. Hall and Oates..."

While sitting in my car, stuck in Long Island traffic
this past weekend, I heard this banter on the radio:

"These two guys are a great reason to stay in school. They met in college,
started their band, and haven't looked back since. With a string of hits,
they are the true fathers of jazzy rock. Hall and Oates, here on <WJAZ>."

And then, the song 'Maneater' starts up.

Gack! I really could have used the air sickness bag right there.

j

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

Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 19:39:47 -0500
From: William
Subject: re: "the true fathers of jazzy rock: Hall and Oates"

Regarding Jeff's comments;

Rats! I was disappointed when I saw that his post was sort of a diss on
Hall and Oates -- when I saw it in the digest heading I was kind of hoping
someone had finally recognized (what I see as) their genius. And so while I
wouldn't call them "the true fathers of jazzy rock," I would say that they
made a significant contribution to that genre known as "blue eyed soul."

Fact is, I could listen to Daryl Hall sing almost anything. Some of my
favorites:
- Sara Smile
- Wait for Me (live)
- anything off the Live at the Apollo album, e.g. Possession Obsession or My
Girl (duet with David Ruffin / Eddie Kendricks from Temptations)

But thanks for the post just the same -- it reminded me of something I really
like!

Yours -- Bill in Berkeley.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 20:20:11 -0500
From: DGALLAGHER
Subject: re: "the true fathers of jazzy rock: Hall and Oates"

The "Abandoned Luncheonette" album, which is excellent, would be
more along those lines.

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


Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 04:17:18 -0500
From: Jim L.
Subject: Re: Daryl Hall

I have to agree to a certain extent with Bill in Berkeley. I think we can forget about Oates, but Daryl Hall...what a voice and what soul! Check out Daryl's solo album "Sacred Songs", as well as the work he did on Rober Fripp's "Exposure", such as "North Star"...gives me the chills. As for "jazzy", I'd call some of Hall & Oates' early work progressive. I don't know a lot about them, but I'm curious as to just what Oates' contribution was to their sound.

Jim L.
Austin, TX

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 22:10:41 -0500
From: poc
Subject: Re: Hall and Oates

in reponse to:

yes, i was disappointed to see it was an anti-hall and oates post, too.
until 2vn was released, i'd given hall and oates the esteemed title of
being the only group that could be played on classic rock, 80's, r&b,
smooth jazz, ac, and oldies stations.

from goodnight and goodmorning to marigold sky,
poc


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


From: "Jeffrey L. B.
Subject: No true disrespect intended (was Re: H&O)
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 11:35:57 -0400

> From: William
> Regarding Jeff's comments;
>
> Rats! I was disappointed when I saw that his post was sort of a diss on
> Hall and Oates
>

It wasn't a real rant *about* them, per se. It was more of the sweeping
generalizations that today's current "soft rock" stations use. Hey, this is
the same station that really hammed up the fact that Chevy Chase used to gig
with Steely Dan, even though you and I know it wasn't really SD back then in
college. Sheesh. I coulda really used the ability to reach thru the radio
and slap some sense into that DJ...

>
> when I saw it in the digest heading I was kind of hoping
> someone had finally recognized (what I see as) their genius.
>

Genius? Maybe Darryl Hall's songwriting ability, but I wouldn't go so far
as to call it more than that. Sort of like like the eldest Gibb brother
(Maurice?) is a prolific spinner of songs for other artists as well.

Not all of the Hall & Oates songs were winners, musically speaking. Some
really sunk low on the tact and taste scale (a la "Dance on your Knees").

>
> while I
> wouldn't call them "the true fathers of jazzy rock," I would say that they
> made a significant contribution to that genre known as "blue eyed soul."
>

You know, this is the **second time** I have heard this term used in 72
hours! The first was when Hoops and I spoke about this little quote, and he
used "blue eyed soul" to describe H&O's collective work. Never used this
phrase before, but apparantly, I have been living out here in the ghettos of
Long Island...

j
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 14:17:37 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Hoops - I think Darryl Hall has, or had, a great pop voice for the R&B stuff played on radio back then. The band had a nice groove. Wasn't that GE Smith from the old SNL house band on guitar for them? Their melodies were fun but if there was one group held back by their lack of thematic integrity, it was them. Sara's Smile has this great narrative, it's an adult love song, and I've always enjoyed it immensely. Man Eater had a tremendous bottom end, the lyric, however, was K-Mart quality, what a waste. Your Kiss Is On My List is also a good groove but the lyric dillutes it. One on One is better than good, like Sara, a love song sung with heart, but the dopey basketball theme almost spoils it.

I blame it on those Members Only jackets they wore. Clinical studies proved that the human IQ is lowered a full 15 points when you slipped one on. You still see them around Fairfax here in LA. Very Rico Suave.

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 13:38:10 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Raj;

I don't own anything by Hall and Oates, but two or three years ago in the Dandom Digest we had a discussion on Hall on Oates, pretty similar as you have brought up. Althought I can't recall all the details, after the discussion, I came away with a much heightened respect for them. Kinda like from the late 70s to the mid 80s, they say they let their record company call the shots too much and they learned their lesson was the gist of one of Hall's or Oates' comments.

I'll see if I can dig it up.

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 12:50:17 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

DG - Nice article on those two, it's always heartening to know other generations continue to discover these masters as time goes by. Eric Dolphy in particular for me was just such a unique musician, his later stuff is just wild and off the wall, sounds a lot like the intro to Two Against Nature. And the story on Mr. Krech was classic, I can picture him in that old store of his. Wonder how much Dolphy he has in there?

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 12:29:10 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Don't know if anyone would be interested in this article, but it's sort of a little companion piece to my last posting. I was just curious to see if "Integrity 'N Music" had a website, so I Googled to see---apparently not. However, I came across a mention of the shop in this piece from early this year in "The Hartford Advocate" (no Steely ref, though):

A Musical Reunion: Joel Frahm and Brad Mehldau, two jazz players who got their start here, pair up again (by John Adamian - January 15, 2004)
http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/gbase/Music/content.html?oid=oid:50295

Date: Mon, June 28, 2004, 12:24:37 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Gretchen, I realize I'm going to sound like a snob and a stick in the mud here but I just consulted my inner self to see whether I could actually bring myself to attend a musical performance by Hall & Oates and guess what? I don't think I could. Sara's Smile, OK, I could probably gut that one out along with a couple others but, honey, when I come to "Private Eyes," I think I might hate myself too much in the morning. I'm a spy but on your side you see? No, I'd have to be behind like, two roofies and a bottle of Thunderbird, no cancel that, 4 Oxycontins and roll me out strapped to a gurney, gag me too, or else I'll be screaming for my nurse. Wait, no, I'll need a blindfold cause don't those two jokers, like, they dance around and shit? No doll, don't make me.

Let's see, make that drive from Hell out to Jones Beach to watch those jokers or stay in town? We're much better off seeing Bill Charlap at Birdland on July 10th. Wear that green halter skimpy thing, Gretchen, your kiss is on my list.

Date: Sun, June 27, 2004, 22:11:03 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Farenheit

........Average White Band is on the ticket for Mike McD with Hall and Oates here in CT, but a surprise or two on stage would be nice...

Anyone going to see them in CT at the Oakdale, Zim, WuDuF, perhaps?

G

Date: Sun, June 27, 2004, 12:22:51 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

An interesting profile piece in today's Hartford Courant (free online registration required) of Ed Krech who opened a record store in Wethersfield in 1972 ("selling new releases by James Taylor, Steely Dan and Chick Corea to eager music fans") and is still struggling to keep it alive because he loves the music, especially the jazz, and his regular customers....

>>>> In A Well-Worn Groove <<<<
At Integrity 'N Music, Business May Be Fading, But Owner's Heart's Still In It
http://www.ctnow.com/business/hc-recordstore.artjun27,1,4065863.story?coll=hc-headlines-business

The article reads to me as if the guy could very easily be a Dan character. A significant excerpt:

"But there was always jazz.

It is Krech's true musical love, and even before the rock business faded, Integrity 'N Music had gained a reputation as the place to go for jazz recordings old and new, plentiful and obscure, from Dixieland to bebop to modern. That reputation is announced in a large, red neon sign over the entrance that simply reads: 'JAZZ.'

These days, Krech feeds a CD player with jazz tunes all day long, filling the sparse store with the sounds of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Dexter Gordon, Billie Holiday. Postcard racks feature vintage photographs of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong.

Back in the old days, Krech had two full-time employees. Now it's mostly just him. But still, the jazz faithful come.

'The jazz has kept me alive,' Krech said, and for a moment it was unclear whether he meant that professionally or spiritually. 'And anyone will tell you: If you have a specialty, you can survive.'

There is no doubt about Krech's specialty. He has an encyclopedic recall of the thousands of jazz records and CDs in the store. When a regular customer comes in looking for music by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, Krech leads him right to a newly acquired cut-out. And when customers bring a stack of recordings to the counter, Krech can instantly offer up a half-dozen others they're likely to enjoy, based on their choices."

Date: Sun, June 27, 2004, 02:20:35 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Wandering, wondering...

Hmmm...

Rock + Soul Revue with Mike McD and Hall + Oates = Guest stars...?

Q?

SOH

Date: Sun, June 27, 2004, 01:16:10 ET
Posted by: ,

Donald's stepdaughter is in a band:

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-2/1088147937105160.xml#continue

Date: Sun, June 27, 2004, 01:03:12 ET
Posted by: ,

Michael McD talks about the new Rock and Soul Revue he is doing with Hall and Oates

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/tgif/content/auto/epaper/editions/friday/tgif_049dabaa63a042b11080.html

Date: Sat, June 26, 2004, 23:50:36 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Mark: The Wacky Packs artists, if I read correctly, were in fact "Mad" magazine artists.

I was listening to Steely Dan live and realized that I've never seen comments from fans asking when "Alive in America" was being re-remastered or released in DVD-A. I wish AiA was a full show on two CDs with the opening overture and the second set walking music and all. There's no such thing as a bad Steely Dan album; at the same time AiA isn't quite satisfiying. It would be great if it came out in a revamp with two CDs or was just completely replaced; or better yet a two CD'er from a 2000 or 2003 show or two.

Also, listening to some past Dan fan compilation albums and CDs by fellow Dan fans, I think a) what a talented bunch and b) I'm surprised there's not more funk.

Candy Dulfer is touring with Prince again this year. Whoo hoo!

jim

Date: Sat, June 26, 2004, 14:50:18 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Rummaging through my Mad Magazines

All these posts about Wacky Packs totally brings me back to my bicycle and braces days. I was a devout Mad Magazine collector, and also later releases of those Wacky Packs. The one that I could never find (after breaking my jaw on that crappy gum) was Jail-O. It's great to see those on that website. Mrs. Clean was one of my favorites. I have no idea when my collection got thrown out. Perhaps Spring cleaning 1973.

South - great "reprint" of that article. I too remember last year, lining up at the Tower Records on Sunset in West Hollywood and wondering why the line was so long. It was because of the Radiohead release. It was a Monday night, striking Midnight to become Tuesday when Tower let us in 5 people at a time to ONLY buy the new releases at the front of the store.

I drove home way too fast that night listening to EMG on the car CD player, got pulled over by Beverly Hills Police about 3 blocks from my home, and, miraculously talked my way out of a speeding ticket.

Imagine that !?!

Finally ... Mad Magazine on 7 CD-roms !!! Where can I get mine !!!
(I believe that my collection of Marvel SuperHero comix will put my son through the fine university of his choice ... all mint and near-mint copies. ... I haven't looked at them in decades)

Have a great weekend everyone.


SteveeDan

Date: Sat, June 26, 2004, 10:22:01 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Ahh, the memory

As I'm running around here trying to get out of the house for the Essex Jazz Festival (CT River area), I'm listening to the classic jazz channel on my digital cable, and what comes on but a version of "Cubano Chant" by the Taylor Eigsti Trio, released in August of last year. Great version, brings back fond thoughts of 2003. Apparently Eigsti was a young piano protege, performing his first concert as the opener for David Benoit, at the age of 8! I think I'll buy this cd.......

G

Date: Sat, June 26, 2004, 10:04:02 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Joseph, that took me for a ride, reads like a Jobim song dear boy. Something summer-y about that narrative style. Thank you, let me check this out.

Date: Sat, June 26, 2004, 09:34:39 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, still sleepy

Thanks for the info, South. Any artist speaking that highly of Steely Dan is definitely worth checking out. Lerche's "Two Way Monologue" has a song entitled "Days That Are Over" that sounds remarkable similar to "Caves Of Altimira." It's that state of mind thing, once you have SD in your soul, it seems to influence everything you do........

G

Date: Sat, June 26, 2004, 02:08:17 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Nino's

Odd Google search results but worthy and humorous reading/writing at the end...Hoops, kill this entry if it plays too long...Sorry!

This entry is from the 2003 tour diary of Sondre Lerche...If you've never heard his music, try to soon...Quite good...He's just a bit off center and very Dan-esque in lyrical and sometimes musical ways...Here's a review of his first release...

"Ambitious, diverse and packed full of gorgeous melodies tempered with tougher edges, Faces Down was the perfect antidote to the manufactured synthetic pop choking the joy and imagination out of modern music. As impossible to categorise as you would imagine from a list of influences that included Burt Bacharach, Jeff Buckley, High Llamas, Elvis Costello, Steely Dan, Beck and Cole Porter, the album was an instant hit at home (Norway) and critically well-received in Europe, Britain and America, where it made Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of 2002."

"Two Way Monolgue" was his second release, out just a few months ago...

SOH


10th June 2003

Wilson Phillips vs. Steely Dan

Sometimes the weirdest coincidents occur. Some mean a lot, good or bad, for better or worse. Some just occur and vanish into the big nothing simply because they don't make a difference. This one is one like that. Only it didn't vanish, because I couldn't help holding onto it.

Here's the story: my current touring partner, great songwriter Ed Harcourt and his very nice tour manager Gideon, bought me some tapes in Vancouver before our show on Friday. They had heard that we didn't have a tape player in our van and that we were listening to anything fun we could come across at deserted gas stations across America. So Ed gives me some British psychedelic cartoon tape, an A-ha tape, and more importantly but for no peculiar reason, girl trio Wilson Phillips' hit album of 1990. I remember the big hit-single "Hold On" fondly. It's a nice song even today, as it was when I was eight and saw it on MTV.

So we're driving out of Seattle this Sunday morning, listening to this not-as-good-a-record. Just driver-Mike and I. We read the credits and Thank You's (longer than the lyrics for the entire record. Typical.). We notice that one Glen Ballard has produced and partly written the songs. I point out that he also produced Alanis Morisette's breakthrough record five years later. More importantly I remember that he had a finger or two in writing Michael Jackson's socially aware 1987 hit, "Man In The Mirror".
Mike is quick to reply that he hasn't heard that song in years. Neither have I. I don't even know why I carry this info in my brain. Ignorant to the fact that it'll provide me some good material for my web diary in just 24 hours.

That day we fly from Seattle to Denver, where we played last night. Monday, that is. In Denver our beloved sound engineer Atle was returning from Norway. Other coincidences, that could make an equally compelling diary entry, has our guitar-gear suitcase disappearing somewhere on the way to or from the airplane. So far, we haven't seen it's sorry bottom. (Ed, can I borrow some stuff from you tonight?)

Anyway, as Mike and me finish off dinner in his great Embassy Suite in Denver, Atle arrives from the air. The kitchen is closed. Atle is hungry and tired. So after watching a sorely needed episode of Seinfeld, we walk Atle over to a bar where they'll at least serve him a greasy appetizer. We walk across a dark, open field, like most field this far outside Denver city limits. I point out that I prefer not stepping on a rattle snake. This is America, after all.

From outside the bar I hear a vaguely familiar sound. Some slightly sensible, if slightly worn out, words. "If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change". It's Michael Jackson, and he's starting with the man in the mirror. But he wouldn't be without songwriter and producer Glen Ballard, of both Wilson Phillips and Morisette fame.

And I wouldn't once again be thinking of doing the same, without the touring company of Ed Harcourt and Gideon. (Thanks for the tape, guys.)

All worthless coincidents such as this one, slip away all over the place. But I guess they're not as worthless if you hold on to them once in a while. I assume that's what the Wilson Phillips sisters would do, if I understand their hit-single correctly. I mean, what are the chances? Of all the circa six-seven songs I heard by chance that day, the last one was to be "Man In The Mirror"!

Of all hit songs. Of all cheap tapes. Of all British melancholic singer-songwriters. Of all the Norwegian lounge-folk artists in our universe. Of all the bars in the USA serving unhealthy appetizers at all kinds of times, I, Sondre Lerche, stepped into this one.

So what with Steely Dan? What have they got to stand up with? Radiohead is one thing. They are a great, magical and mythical band. What I've heard of their new record sounds nothing short of fantastic. Nevertheless, if you ask me, and I know didn't, they could have chosen a better release date than June 10 for their new record. In my head, that day belongs to someone else. I'll be picking up my copy in Minneapolis. It's called "Everything Must Go". It is the coolest and funniest and most serious men in music's new album. Steely Dan. Creators of a lot of my all time favorite music. All of their records are spectacular. I just listened through this new one on their web page. It already sounds glorious. Just imagine how it'll sound in four months. Tours. Years.

Oh lordy.

So excuse me while I kiss these guys, Wilson Phillips. Steely Dan always win.

Drink your big black cow and get out of here,
Sondre Lerche

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 22:39:02 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, 11 Packs of Wack

Just had a few chuckles over on the Wacky Packages web site. I remember when they first hit the stores on the late 60s, I pegged them as Mad Magazine wannabes and never really got into them.

Mad Magazine was always a guilty pleasure for me. In fact, I got a real cool Xmas gift about 5 years ago - a 7 disc CD-ROM set with every Mad Magazine published from 1950-1998! Lots of yucks scrolling through some classic Mad movie parodies.

Mark in Boston

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 22:28:46 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Indeed, sweetheart, one of the few places left through which to opine without censorship, is.....The Blue. Who'da thunk it?

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 22:09:10 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, over the airwaves

When All In The Family made it's debut in 1970 (I was 7), it was the first time I was allowed to stay up until 9:30. It was "must see TV" before it's time. Like I Love Lucy and Seinfeld, it will never wear out it's welcome in reruns. If only the political/social climate NOW allowed such freedom of speech in a sitcom..........

G

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 16:32:25 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Well, as long as we're talking 1973 or 74, CBAT and 321XTC and Wacky Packs, the only thing left out of this bunch is ALL IN THE FAMILY. I mean, not too much a stretch from "Fire In The Hole" to All In The Family. I mean AITF wore its politics and social commentary on its sleeve where SD wears politics and social commentary UP its sleeve, but AITF—heck, any Norman Lear show—and SD are so smart and funny.

If anyone wants a copy of that "Reader" article, email me your snail mail addy and I will send to the first 10 who email me.

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 14:09:10 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

On her best day, Mrs. Klean could not match a flash of G-G's spectacular thigh. And as The Quaker Oats guys says(is he like a Pilgrim dude or wha, Grette, he looks like one of your white people: "Nothing is Better for Thee Than Thigh."

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 13:32:05 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, land of the lost

Snarky, honey, on a bad day I make Mrs. Klean look GOOD!! lol!

G

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 13:17:57 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

It may not resemble her physically but I can assure you she kicks ass like Mrs. Clean. Plus her recent contributions herein would belie any "Clean" appelation. Trust me, don't mess with Momma, she's bad.

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 12:50:26 ET
Posted by: Snarky,

I disagree, Gretchen. Mrs. Clean doesn't look like you AT ALL!

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 12:31:10 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Hey all - I think we've finally found the mid-generational divide between mid-boomer Dan and late-boomer Dan. I was voting in elections and had a Draft Card when the Wackies ruled. But now I know why you guys like the Steely Whatevah Dan lists. Here's a couple for ya:

Steely Wacky Pack Dan:

Turn That Band-Ache Strip Over Again
Daddy Don't Snarf That Skimpy Peanut Butter No More
Almost Commie Cleanser (But it's Redder Than That)
Plastered Peanuts (And a Pina Colata My Friend)
Hawaiian Punks Divorce
Janie Minute Lice
Blunder Bread (I'm Bakin in the Verticle Rays)
Ajerx Cleanser (When All Your Dire Scubbing is Thru)
Gadzookawhacker

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 11:55:32 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Laughing at the torrential rain

Oh you kids....

I'm with Raj and missed the whole "Wacky Pack" phenom due to puberty, ragin' hormones and such.

If anyone got a good group shot at the Danny's, e-mail me. I had a camera malfunction....or perhaps it was operator error.

Hi Scotty...book that flight, yet, mate?

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 11:53:49 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, land o'quakes

Check out this one:

http://www.wackypackages.org/bestof/mrsklean.html

G

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 11:33:36 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Holy fuck, SOH!

Walter Becker posed for one of the Wacky Packs:

http://www.wackypackages.org/bestof/hipton.html

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 09:44:44 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, real time

Oh God, I needed a laugh this morning. My faves were "Old Spit Cologne," "Bitter Gnomes In Gardens" magazine, and "Log Cave-In Syrup"-it'll bring down the house! Oh, for the good old days,
G

Date: Fri, June 25, 2004, 01:33:11 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Que Syrah Syrah...

This Wacky Pack thing is tripping me back...

Check this link to see 'em all...(Sorry if I might be a day late and always a dollar short...)

http://www.wackypackages.org/#basicinfo

BTW...For as little TV as I watch, has anyone else gotten into the "World Poker Tour" on The Travel Channel?...My old man turned me on to this thing while I was visiting last month and I'm hooked...
Some of these people are straight outta Dandom...

SOH

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 18:04:29 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" Crust Toothpaste
- Commie Cleanser
- Cap'n Crud
- Chock Full of Nuts & Bolts coffee
- Blunder bread
- Minute Lice
- Hawaiian Punks
- Ajerx Cleanser
- Skimpy Peanut Butter
- Gadzooka bubble gum
- Band-Ache Strips (off skin)
- Plastered Peanuts.
- Rice-a-Phoni "

" Clearly these helped me become the Steely Dan fan I am today. "

Thanks Hoopsie .................those bring back memories and you are correct -- they were formative for many of us , including young Joey , in becoming the Steely Dan fans we all are today .

Joey !

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 17:21:54 ET
Posted by: hoops,

A few weeks ago, we were discussing "Wacky Packs," those satirical trading card/sticker sets from Topps with the cardboard-flavored gum. I guess the topic came up because they seemed to be popular back in '73 around the time "Countdown to Ecstasy" and CBAT were new. Moreover, it was formative for some of us in later appreciating the satire of Steely Dan.

As it happens, "Wacky Packs" is the cover story of the new edition of the "Reader," sorta the Chicago-equivalent of "The Village Voice."

A few things I didn't know is that "Wacky Packs" first came out in 1967, they last came out in 1991 and a new set is due in stores any day now, with special sets at Target and Wal-Mart.

The "Reader" interviews the original artists/satirists and, you know, these guys are not all that different from Becker and Fagen, save for their art form.

Finally, the article comes with reproductions of some of the "Wacky Packs" I remember getting in 1973 (black and white printed in the paper--no stickers), including:

- Crust Toothpaste
- Commie Cleanser
- Chef Girl-ar-dee
- Peter Panhandle Extra Grungy Peanut Clutter Spread
- Dork Pepperment Potty candy toilet seat (didn't remember that one)
- Gormel Scary Kitchen Scorned Beef Hash
- Cap'n Crud
- Chock Full of Nuts & Bolts coffee
- Blunder bread
- Minute Lice
- Hawaiian Punks
- Ajerx Cleanser
- Skimpy Peanut Butter
- Gadzooka bubble gum
- Band-Ache Strips (off skin)
- Plastered Peanuts.
- Rice-a-Phoni

Clearly these helped me become the Steely Dan fan I am today.

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 16:24:37 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Just a further minor thought re Clint Black on drums doing "Josie"---can't help but wonder how he compares to Carlock on the solo???? :-)

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 16:23:17 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Bravo B-Doggie!

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 15:33:38 ET
Posted by: Big Dog,

Thanks for the link Daddy G

Sorry, but this had to be posted............

Song about that wonderful day when George W. Bush returns to Crawford, TX for good. To the tune of the Steely Dan song, "Josie." ...

http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_entertainment.asp

W. Goes Home
Lyrics by Jeanette Castillo
Music by Donald Fagen & Walter Becker
(with all due admiration and apologies)

We’re gonna smack down the corporate looters
When W goes home
We’re gonna whup ass on the polluters
When W goes home to stay
We’ll breathe a sigh of relief
How long can one man fake it?
Shoots off his mouth ‘til we have no friends
How long we gonna take it?
Til W goes home

When W goes home
So cool
Say goodbye to that sorry fool
He’s a damn shame
A big liar
He plays like a cowboy while the world’s on fire

Ask him to help the needy
He’ll always say no, no
Ask him to pay the greedy
He’ll have them all down to stay at Crawford
Sell them your dreams
Sit down, shut up, and take it
Or get out the vote and your rights defend
We might have a chance to make it
If W goes home.

When W goes home
So glad
The worst president we ever had
He’s a damn shame
A big liar
He plays like he’s Jesus while the world’s on fire

When W goes home
So cool
Put an end to his reign of fools
He’s a damn shame
A big liar
He plays like a hero but he’s bout to get fired!

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 14:43:56 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

John - I've had the 6.1 for about a year. Makes strit stereo sound positively dull by comparison. Can you ever have enough speakers? I do know you have to have a good size space to accomodate the speakers to get the surround effect. And remember the sweet spot is usually at the far foci of the ellipse created by the configuration of your speakers, away from the receiver. Gotta get two or three of those speakers behind you in the room somehow. Go 7.1 dude, damn the torpedoes.

Run Silent, Run Deep
We Gottem Surrounded,
Admiral Halsey Rajah 6.1

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 14:00:34 ET
Posted by: John, Erie PA

Hey gang!

Looking to buy a surround receiver so I can listen to DVD-A and Super Audio Steely Dan. Should I get DTS 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1? Any other suggestions?

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 13:01:24 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Daddy-bear, I saw that too, Clint Black covers Josey just to play drums on it? Sounds like he's hooked. What next, Sisqo takes the synth solo to "King of the World?"

Hoops - your knowledge of the patron saint of lost articles being St. Anthony of Padua takes me aback. And it shows there is hope. A prayer to St. Jude is the next step, he of lost causes. Let's also pray, bretheren, that intimations made here recently concerning the AJA master are based in fact.

Go in Peace
His Eminence Baba Cardinal Rajah

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 12:45:36 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Again, not expectin' folks here to run out and buy Clint Black tickets or CDs, but I was a little surprised by this article...

Clint Black was good as ever during Ste. Michelle show
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/179332_black24ww.html

...which mentions:

"Black and his band returned for a three-song encore, including 'Nothin' But the Taillights,' 'We Tell Ourselves' and a remarkable version of the Steely Dan hit 'Josie' featuring Black on drums and pianist Bryant on a surprisingly credible lead vocal.' "

I didn't know Black played drums either---I thought he was a gee-tar and harmonica man.

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 12:18:40 ET
Posted by: hoops,

To the anon who posted earlier, I looked through this guy's site and he's basically an SACD fan like we are SD fans. He took the listings of the SACDs of the ABC/MCA Dan CDs from the same source that subsequently said the SACD's are on hold indefinitely.

Bottom line is that this is a sorta circular-reference thing and there is no date right now on SACDs of these albums, if ever.

Have to say, although the new CD-audio mix that come with the SACD of "Gaucho" is a wonderful improvement over the 2000 CD-Audio of "Gaucho," DVD-A is far, far superior. Please bring the back the "Black Cow" masters! Please! Pray to St. Anthony!

Date: Thurs, June 24, 2004, 10:44:11 ET
Posted by: Inquiring Mind, wants to know..........

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bmoura/msacdpln.htm

????????????

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 21:52:46 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Slow night so I decided to do something a little different---I did a Google web search on the terms "Steely Dan" and "George W. Bush" just to see what might come up, what sort of "connections" I may find. Didn't expect much really. Most just appeared to be pages that have separate references and one was a 2003 Barney Hoskyn Backpages interview which I'd seen before. But then there was this entry:

... Song about that wonderful day when George W. Bush returns to Crawford, TX for good. To the tune of the Steely Dan song, "Josie." ...
http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_entertainment.asp

There's a 750K mp3 of the song available there, but I didn't try that. Instead I followed the link they provide to....

http://www.boobooday.com/lyrics.html

...where you can download a 3M mp3 AND view the lyrics.

Also featured is "Get Back Plutocrat" (4M) sung to the tune of Elton John's "Honky Cat." Both "Plutocrat" and "W." feature the lyrics of a Jeanette Castillo. I'm not sure if that means she wrote the words or she's the one singing or both (this is what I would guess). I just now listened to "Plutocrat" and it's good too, but of course I prefer "W. Goes Home."

The boobooday page lists "W." as:

"W. Goes Home"
Lyrics by Jeanette Castillo
Music by Donald Fagen & Walter Becker
(with all due admiration and apologies) <--- Nice touch there!

Regardless of your political views I think you gotta admire the effort---it ain't a bad performance.

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 21:23:55 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, snarky and jaded

Both "Moon River" and "Over the Rainbow" are 2 very sappy, irritating songs, IMHO. Particluarly since I'm not a fan of either movie. I was forced to watch "Wizard of Oz" as a child, when I'd rather have been watching a game, and Holly Golightly, I feel, needed some strong meds and should not have been let loose on the streets of Manhattan. In fact, all of the top 5 chosen movie themes rub me the wrong way, right down to "White Christmas!" I just bristle when I hear that.....humbug!

G

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 19:56:21 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Hoops- you lay traps! Since you're already irritated, melodrama, technically speakin, is a dramatic device by which the audience's emotions are manipulated by twisting plot turns, heavy on reversals, reveals, flashbacks and the like. Like soap operas. These are truly melodramatic as defined by literary criticism The tone of the two very poignant or very drippy, depending on your mindset, tunes you mention I would classify as ontological or metaphysical journeys, having to do with explorations and projections on the nature of being itself outside the self, then projecting yourself there.

Next up : Led Zep's BLACK DOG and TUSH by ZZ Top!!

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 19:08:58 ET
Posted by: hoops,

LOL, Mark!

I think you have pinned it down, Rajah. Both are kinda melodramatic. And ever since I made the connection, both songs…well…IRRITATE me! (lol again).

jim

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 19:04:04 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, Name That Tune!!

Hoops - Reminds me once when I was watching Name That Tune about 20 years ago. The guy says "Wink, I can name that tune in 3 notes!"
(Music plays). The guy says "That's "Moon River"! Wink says "No, I'm sorry, that was "Goldfinger". ba-doom-boom.

Mark in Boston

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 19:03:33 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

TJ - nice, nice, very nice!

Hoops - Nice comparison on this, I never thought of it. For me "Over the Rainbow" and "Moon River," besides having meldolic similarities, the legato time, lyrically share the same longing, the desire to be somewhere else where life is whole and happy and makes sense. They also share hints in the narrative that things on "this side," maybe haven't always gone so well. And they're both hopeful of getting to that, "over there," place some day. Crossing a threshold, e.g., a river, a classical allusion from Greek mythology going back to crossing the River Styx into the afterlife or the River Lethe to forget something terrible that's happened; or seeing what's on the other side of that rainbow, the Celtic notion of a pot of gold waiting at the other end. Or even a Grail quest, not for silver and gold but for understanding and peace. They're about finding yourself, figuring out where you might belong, cause you sure don't belong in this place you might be in now, and projecting yourself over to that place. Home at Last.

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 18:01:25 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The full article is at:

But here's a line that was pretty funny from Jennifer Warnes, who, besides being duetting on two of the top 100 ("Up Where We Blong" and "The Time of My Life," also covers Donald Fagen's "Big Noise New York."

"The reason why my songs made it there is that they're used. I still hear `Up Where we Belong' when I'm at the store buying frozen peas, and it makes me happier to be buying frozen peas."

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 17:56:07 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The American Film Institute has a list of the top 100 Movie Songs. The Chicago Tribune/Newsday/LA Times has a poll and so far shows people voting as follows in terms of the top five

-- 43.6% "Over the Rainbow," "The Wizard of Oz," 1939
-- 9.4% "As Time Goes by," "Casablanca," 1942
-- 8.5% "Singin' in the Rain," "Singin' in the Rain," 1952
-- 16.2% "Moon River," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," 1961
-- 22.2% "White Christmas," "Holiday Inn," 1942

Coincidently, about a week ago I was thinking: Don't "Moon River" and "Over The Rainbow" sound just a touch similar, musically? Not sure why I think this.

Thank you to those who gave input (so far) on the Radio Free Dandom stations (DSL or modem?) Actually, thanks to the advice, it looks like I can save about $200 a year. Didn't realize most everyone uses DSL/Cablemodem, or at least only the DSL/cable modem listeners respond :-)

jim

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 17:49:07 ET
Posted by: T.J., DK

The 10 songs, which I had chosen beforehand were to represent different musical stiles. The object was to play the piano and sing. Mine included Alicia Keys' "If I aint got you", Horace Silvers "Song for my father", Wood/Mellin's "My one and only love" Neptunes' "Frontin'", Lauren Wood's "Fallen'", some classical songs and then Steely Dan's Brooklyn - which they chose for me to perform -in that way making my day!!

T.J.

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 17:35:41 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

TJ- tell us more about your test, what were the 10 numbers and which one was chosen?

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 17:21:30 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Stevee-lad: You and your crew not only provide my entertainment of choice but also serve as my salvation from any number of the evils which might befall a lad of my tender years here in the Seventh Canto of Hell, adrift as I often find myself, a sponge on a veritable sea of vice. That you allow me to croak out my admittedly rich but craggy baritone at your rehearsals should qualify you for some kind of humanitarian award. Your shows are sheer joy and it's all about the Steely Dan. You can play those records till you're blue in the face but never get the goose, the jolt, the reminder, if you will, of how powerful each one truly is, the artistry with which they were crafted and arranged, until you witness mere humans render them live. Everytime you kick into Bodhisattva, I say to myself, "oh cripes, if I never hear that tune again it'll be too soon." A few seconds later I'm wondering how I can hear it over and over going on three decades and never tire of it.

And I hope you and Q have reached an understanding and that pointless urinating contest was forstalled. Permanently. In the words of LBJ, "Let us continue..."

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 15:16:49 ET
Posted by: T.J., DK

Highlight of the day:
Had my last examn in musical science today. A very difficult piano-test, which I expected to flunk!! the easiest part was to sing a song accompanying your self. Censor chose a song from a list of 10.
He said: "Hmmm It's been a while since I've heard Steely Dan. I think we would like to hear Brooklyn...." Me (on the inside): YES YES YES!!!
The rest of the test went well and I passed! (Yes yes yes)
I'm so excited. The perfect way to end the semester and start my summer-holiday!

T.J.

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 14:42:12 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, At the controls

Hi Hoops -

I don't listen to the internet radio hardly at all, but I wanted to chime in. I wonder how many of your posters do listen to it? I recognize the hard work that you put in on this and so many other areas and I hope that you get some people to answer your questions. After all, you are doing this for all of us (and yourself too of course, ... absolutely nothing wrong with that). I hope you get the feedback that you are looking for.

Rajah - thank you again for your nice write up for the band's Sunday night performance. I was hoping that you wouldn't let everyone know that I am a slouch, but, I guess the "squirrel is out of the vacuum cleaner" (that's for jjeff).

Raj - you and everyone else there that night made this night as great as it was ... every bit as much as what we all tried to do up there on stage.

Hi Q.


SteveeDan

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 12:01:31 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Hoops, I often listen to Radio Free Dandom at work, using DSL.
G

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 11:44:20 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Scott and others; There will be clips of the Dannys later on in the next month to go with the full Dannys page (See http://www.dandom.com/thedannys for a similar format from 2001.)

Also, there is footage of B'way Steve which is a lot of fun.

Any input / interest in the streaming Dandom Radio stations? I have to renew today or I have to pay about $50 more a year per station. Again, I just need to know if you would prefer to listen over modem or higher speed options. Thanks for helping me.

jim

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 06:55:40 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', China

Pam....have a great time with your 'new' tunes, whichever way you approach it.

By accident (I think) I've managed to leave a little Dan in the Can. That is, I have not exhausted everything I might have laid my hands on over the years. And I think it's worked. In fact, I'm just waiting now for a cd copy of 11 Tracks to arrive from a friend coming in from Japan. I've played it on cassette twice in the last couple of months..and now can't wait. I almost forgot about it after buying it years ago.

I only finished getting the re-issues yesterday...a huge sonic upgrade on Pretzel Logic....and only started a re-evaluation of Alive in America a couple of weeks back (Third World Man !!!).

Just think....you could bury an entire album and be guaranteed a revelation whenever you choose to dig it up.

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 05:16:46 ET
Posted by: Scotty, Needing some Time Out Of Mind

Been MIA for quite some time but have spent a very entertaining hour or so reading the fine musings of this wonderful group.

The Steely whatevah Dan song titles are priceless, keep them rolling in.

Pam - The feeling will NEVER end. Even after a thousand playings you will still collapse in ecstasy. It's a wonderful thing.

LWO - Thanks. You know what I'm talking about.

Gretchen - "East St. Louis Tinky-Winky" You're killing me !!

Raj - sharing "that whole mess" was a beautiful thing. Thank you.

Hoops - Will there be video clips from The Dannys?

Still Sparkin' - got you're email mate and will reply soon.

SOH - a certain newspaper and in particular, one "Entertainment Reporter" have a lot of explaining to do. Try the story titled "Dumbing down The Australian" on this web page to see anothers perspective on the "rag" and "reporter". Note the URL, don't you just love it !!

http://www.crikey.com.au/yoursay/2004/01/15-0006.html

The comment of "Timberlake tried to create his solo album.....the way Steely Dan would have made a record" is actually complementary to the boys. Alas, the bar is set way too high for JT and try as he might, those lofty heights will never be reached.

His unreachable goal is like me saying I'm trying to play the guitar like Jon Herington or Steve Edmonds. JT and I can dream on forever.

Booked a flight yet South?

A little birdie, well actually a bloody big one, has given me the abridged version of his 2k4 trip. I'm looking forward to what will be a long yarn over multiple beers to get the full John Dory.

One last thing. Reading the 11TOW posts got me thinking. I'd love to get that album on DVD-A. Can you imagine all the hidden stuff that would explode from the speakers?

I miss The Wreck-less Crew.

Scotty

Date: Wed, June 23, 2004, 02:37:46 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', China

Gretchen...I'm curious to know how you arrived at your order for best listening to SD albums the first time. Just simply working backward ?

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 23:45:47 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

I'm not recommending him or his latest CD to folks here or anything, just throwing it out for what it's worth....

Country star Clint Black (as I believe I came across and noted here once before) claims to be a Steely Dan fan:

http://www.sierrastar.com/062304clintblack.html

"Black’s music tastes are eclectic. When asked who are his favorite artists, outside of country music, Black answered, 'Some of my favorites are Kenny Loggins, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Hornsby, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, the Eagles, Joe Cocker, Leon Russell and Steely Dan.' "

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 22:55:09 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Heya--hope all is well..3 weeks already since we had the big kaboochy in NYC.

For those of you who listen or would listen to Radio Free Dandom, do you listen most often off a 1) modem OR off of 2) DSL/Cablemodem/T1 Which would you prefer or do you think both are worth having?

More details are at http://www.dandom.com/radiofreedandom

Thanks for your input. If your response is personal, please email me at hoops at dandom -- else post here for discussion.

thanky!

jim

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 19:57:49 ET
Posted by: bwaySteve, summer listening

I have had 11 Tracks Of Whack on the old turntable in the Rec Room the past few days and have really been getting in to its rawness. I think the boys tried to say , "This is NOT a friggin' Steely Dan record".I can see them huddled behind the computer going , "What do you think would happen if I pressed this now ? " I think it took such maturity take the approach to it that they did and I hope this spirit of minimalism makes its way into the next Dan project.The album deals with the concept of personal oblivion in a very courageous and unabashed way.I like Walter's singing too. He's no Donald but we're not talkin' Verdi here.
I have had several co workers come up to me in the hall asking me if I am really singing a song Junkie Girl.

Wonder where my summer listening is headed ?

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 19:42:44 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Yes please.

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 18:15:36 ET
Posted by: Pam,

Favorite song from Kama? No way I can answer that one, yet. I'd say that my favorite album so far is Nightfly, but that's almost impossible to answer, too!

Cat fight? How about we just both sit and purr?

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 16:35:40 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Oh this is great, now we can finally schedule that "Cat Fight Smackdown for Dibs to Donald" that I'd been cogitating. But you'd both have to wear the DAR Wrestle-Mania costume I'm designing. It involves a bonnet and a belt buckle and not much else. Revolutionary.

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 14:56:12 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, gaucho heaven

Pam, it's easy to be completely in love with Donald, I understand fully. You must next listen to, in this order, Gaucho, Katy Lied, Countdown to Ecstasy, 11 Tracks of Whack, Pretzel Logic, then, finally, Can't Buy a Thrill. Don't rush, savor every moment, I am not exaggerating, your life has changed now! Once you become transfixed on SD, that's it, you've got it for life. It's a state of mind, you'll nevah be the same. What's your favorite so far?
G

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 14:31:24 ET
Posted by: Pam, DAR-land, NJ

Gretchen:
I have listened to (in chronological order, more or less):
2VN, Aja, Royal Scam, Decade, Nightfly, EMG, AIA & Steely Dan Story (gifts from a friend), Kamakiriad. I am just savoring this album, and madly in love with Donald now.

I think I once posted a reference to Pete Townshend's universal note theory. Whenever I hear new SD, it seems like I've heard it before. Not that it sounds like something else, more like it's been lurking unheard in my ganglia and has just been activated. Like it's in my DNA. Too weak from lack of food to elaborate more clearly :)

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 14:09:53 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, I forgot.......

Pam, which albums have you listened to completely? Have you gotten to 11 Tracks of Whack yet? I can't stop listening to that lately, it'll be a nice surprise for you when you hear it, very addictive.
G

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 14:07:34 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, the Beacon

David, honey, I think you're confusing the DAR girls wardrobes with those of the pilgrims. I don't attend DAR meetings, they tend to be dull, and I'm too randy for them anyway, and they disapprove of my stilettos. The little anchor pin is cute, though.
G

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 11:43:34 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Pam - Bother with the house and kids, you have much more important work at hand. I'm of the opinion that Donald's solo stuff reveals a much more romantic tone than SD, ya think? He's a bit of a cream-puff but most men are in the face of the object of their desire. It's our fatal flaw if we don't watch it.

OK, Grette, what a potty-brain you have, I have a mind to forward that very incorrect list to Betsy, Bob, Biff and all the uptight white folks at the tailgate party outside DAR Hall. See what they think of their shy retiring little flower after that. You'll be in the stocks for the weekend. Call Reverend Trask for an Exorcism. Strap-on sisters indeed. Terrible. And you a lady.

PS: Do they wear like those big funny hats, doily lapels, floppy bonnets and shoes with big buckles on them to the meetings? Always wondered.

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 09:47:33 ET
Posted by: Pam, , gasp

Just coming up for air. My kids are wearing dirty clothes, the dogs are whining, my pots are empty and the house is dark. But my husband and I are groo-hoo-hooving. I can't seem to get through Florida Room without collapsing in ecstacy.

Ok, I'm grabbing some snacks and heading back in - see you later!

:) Pam

Date: Tues, June 22, 2004, 00:08:40 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Gretchen and I have been laboring at the next logical step:

STEELY GAY DAN

(The usual disclaimer applies, not intended as an ofense but as a celebration. Some of these are quite graphic, please understand gay folks are a very vital part of who we are, we love them, what would my window treatments look like without them? Gretchen's bear the asterisks.)

Do Him Again****
Fire Island in Your Soul*****
Turn That Gay Boy Over Again
You Gold Teeth Too -- OUCH!!*****
My Old Stool
East St. Louis Tinky-Winky****
(I Fear The) Gerble Up Your Butt
Through With Butch****
Daddy Don't Do NYC No More
Doctor Blew
Don't Take Me Again
Sign in Sissy
The Royal Slam
Strap-One-On Sisters (Take It)*****
Who Is That Homo Amigo
Lesbo Gothic
Bugger of Ages

I thought of one for "Godwhacker" that I just can't type in. It's too rude even for me but it scans so damned perfectly, you just have to forgive me:

"C***sucker" Sorry.

Pinkbook
Munchin Gina
Everyone Must Blow****

Gretchen, I'm shocked, go to bed.

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 23:52:10 ET
Posted by: Paul,

Yo! South of Hollywood.

if you scroll down to five days ago on this very Bluebook, June 16, the San Jose papers said B + F officially dissolved Steely Dan on June 16, 1981. Go figure. Maybe it was something that caught on on the West coast before the break up became trendy enough to make the East. Whatevah. All that matters is they reunited in the 1990's! YEAH!

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 22:42:58 ET
Posted by: TG, lost

Can't log into the Green. Anyone else having the same problem?

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 20:58:17 ET
Posted by: oleander, dollying back

Q--Oh, I got it! I got it! They are going to join the likes of Snoop and Ludacris and capitalize on the burgeoning porn industry by creating soundtracks to a new porn series! "Coochie of the Quarter" is just the start! There was a reason for "Steely Dan" all along!

Mike--hey man! long time....

Mike BTW got SCREWED on the tour trail last year....

John--I don't know if they're Beasties fans, but I am. The new one is beastylicious, chockablock with their characteristic goofy rhymes ("The truth is brutal/Your grandma's kugel") and great beats. Such nice Jewish boys. Well worth it. Steely tie-in: they do namecheck Fordham Road.

Pam--I love the Deptford Trilogy, but not the second one. "The Manticore" rocks.

Hank--my bro'.

*heart* hoops! *heart*

ole

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 20:43:49 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, About to be ill...

DATELINE...

And then there's THIS...
From some down-under "rag" known as "The Australian"

Alan, Scott and Jenny...You got some explaining to do...


The Many Hats of Justin Timberlake
By Sophie Tedmanson, Australian Entertainment reporter
June 21, 2004

There are MANY sides to Justin Timberlake.

There's Justin the charming pin-up-boy pop star, Justin the musician who wants to make records like Steely Dan, Justin the burgeoning actor, Justin the McDonald's rep, and Justin the celebrity who loves to hate the media when not wanting to promote his albums or concerts.

Contrary to his international pop persona (he was originally a member of boy band *NSYNC), Timberlake tried to create his solo album Justified - which has earned him two Grammy awards, two Brit awards, three MTV awards and sold over 7.2million copies worldwide - "the way Steely Dan would have made a record".

SOH

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 20:19:36 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Which Witch?

As reported today in the Miami Herald...
The good, the bad, the ugly, the weird...


Today in Entertainment History

Associated Press


On June 21, 1955, Johnny Cash released his first single, "Hey, Porter."

In 1958, Bobby Darin recorded his first hit, "Splish Splash."

In 1966, the Rolling Stones sued 14 New York hotels that had banned them. They claimed the move hurt their careers.

In 1970, Pete Townshend was detained at the Memphis Airport because he used the British slang term "bomb" to describe the success of The Who rock opera "Tommy." The FBI thought it was a bomb threat.

In 1973, Bread performed for the last time, in Salt Lake City.

In 1979, guitarist Mick Taylor released his first solo album, four years after leaving the Rolling Stones.

In 1981, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker formally dissolved Steely Dan. They reunited in 1999.

In 1994, singer George Michael lost his lawsuit against Sony. He claimed that his 15-year contract with Sony was unfair because the company could refuse to release albums it thought wouldn't be commercially successful.

In 1998, actor Macauley Culkin married actress Rachel Miner. They have since separated.

In 2001, bluesman John Lee Hooker died of natural causes at his home outside San Francisco. He was 83. That same day, actor Carroll O'Connor died of a heart attack at a hospital near Los Angeles. He was 76.

SOH

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 17:19:59 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Gee-Gee: I'm surprised at you, sweet thing, I thought you'd be more sensitive to a narrative tale of the coming of age of a young lad with and older woman. Every young man should have an experience like that, it's a rite of passage. Works even better if you don't speak the same language. However the doggerel poetry could be dispensed with. These experiences are best left to the imagination. Even better than that was a Bobby Goldsboro song entitled, "Honey, I Miss You." It's a love letter to his deceased spouse. I'm certain she was spinning in her grave and thanking whatever deity is out there for her release from his verse. There are worse things than death.

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 15:12:45 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, laughing myself senseless......

The absolute silliest, corniest, most badly rhymed song in 100 years:
I had the (dis)pleasure of being forced to endure this very bad, bad song while on hold with a business associate today:

http://www.lyricgate.com/lyrics/58804/Goldsboro_Bobby/Summer_(the_First_Time)

Sorry, I just had to share, lol!!

G

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 09:39:56 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', China

If you're still doing an SACD vs DVD-A comparison here's a little more to chew on.

This was translated into English from Swedish and involves some technical language...but not so much that you don't get the point.

http://sound.westhost.com/cd-sacd-dvda.htm

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 04:48:35 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

My belated Father's Day greetings to bwaySteve, father of two, stalwart lad Steve.

Our other Steve and Pretzel Logic played tonight. They played Steely Dan songs, 25 of them, brilliantly. You couldn't hear in there after each and every song for the carrying on, the yelling, the screaming. And the audii were vociferous as well. [rim shot] The band is precise but not too white, powerful but controlled, just smokin, it's hittin, they're big hitters. Best show yet for them by my reckoning. And they own that room. Of course, I'm biased. Nuff said.

Date: Mon, June 21, 2004, 01:55:45 ET
Posted by: suedave, its still the weekend!

going back a few days - T.J. no problemo

Kosher dan, mafia dan, WASP dan, redneck dan, etc....you guys crack me up.

The Q news - quite intriguing, and I'm looking forward to going back to read those "songs" so I can find out how they spill the beans. That is, if I remember. From my vantage point, they seem a bit subtle. But hey, maybe I just don't have the right frame of reference. Let me know what I can do to get there! I do feel optimistic about future news for more than one reason.

I started guitar lessons about 5 months ago - my teacher has a great ear and asked us for our favorite songs - the best way for someone to learn...anyway we've so far played around with several SD songs. A while ago we were learnng Black Friday - one of the folks in the class mentioned they'd heard it in a store (and had only previously heard it in class). Today a gal in my class decided she needs her first SD CD. Doing my part to spread the word.

Date: Sun, June 20, 2004, 22:52:58 ET
Posted by: Gretchen & Mme. Erzulie, We got the news

Happy Father's day to all my favorite Steely Dads, especially Rajah, Scotty, Alan, and Steve, and of course Mr. Sam (kittens count, too)! Let me not forget our heros, Donald and Walter.
Also, summer has officially arrived here on the East Coast! Happy Summer Solstice, all.
xo
G

Date: Sun, June 20, 2004, 21:54:45 ET
Posted by: Daddy Raj, L.A.

Thanks for the Father's Day wishes all, I send mine back out to you men of the house, as long as they don't ask us to be perfect, we'll be OK. Just do what you're told and keep peeling off those Franklins, Pimp-Daddy, don't look back. Buy their love is my advice, it's really the only way. For those of you out there with young ones, I remember those days as the best, before they figured out what an moron you are. And before their mother could tell them as much. After that, it's best to just get a dog really. Don't listen to me, I have issues.

Happy Father's Day!
Oh My Papa Rajah

Date: Sun, June 20, 2004, 18:39:39 ET
Posted by: Paul P.,

Echoing the earlier poster, Happy Father's Day to all the Dads and the paternal figures of Dandom.

I know Donald is step Dad to Libby's daughter and son but has no children that he gentically fathered. Walter has a daughter by adoption and Kawai, who hates IHOP apparently. But somehow I thought I read maybe ten years ago that Walter also had an adult son who was in a band. I seem to recall some interview where Becker talked about how his son played different music but was headed to Woodstock 25 in 1994. I can't find or remember where I saw the interview. Anyone else see this? Or just my imagination. Really just trivia I guess.

See ya!

Paul

Date: Sun, June 20, 2004, 17:19:28 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

For the past three weeks, columnist Mike Dewey of the New Bern, NC, Sun Journal has ranked what he considers to be the top 40 R&R guitar riffs of his era (after Feb 9, 1964, he says, but with one exception). For what it's worth here are links to his last 3 columns as he counts'em down.

40-21 -- http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=15734&Section=Local
20-11 -- http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=15856&Section=Local
10-1 -- http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=15978&Section=Local

The first link shows his only Steely ranking on the list, about which he says:

23. "Reelin' in the Years," Steely Dan (1972): One definition of a riff is, upon hearing the first few seconds of it, you know exactly who's playing it. Unfortunately, this doesn't fall into that category. I mean, how many Elliot Randall T-shirts have you ever seen? Still, this is enlightening-in-a-bottle fine, a tune whose wise lyrics are molded perfectly to the spirit of the sound. It's all about going back, looking around and learning something from the trip.

Date: Sun, June 20, 2004, 12:29:55 ET
Posted by: T.J., DK

To Pam (and everyone else):
Just a little experience I had today. Riding my bike, a car slowly drove past me with the windows down. Out came a funky beat with a horn-section and it was so 2000-Steely Dan'ish I couldn't believe it!! Suddenly I remembered how it is to listen to a new Steely Dan album for the first time. You immediately love it, but it is so complex you need to hear it again and again right away. It's so intense and difficult to describe, but you all know what I mean.
I envy you Pam!!

I really really hope DF or SD is coming out with something new.

Wonder what that music was....

T.J.

Date: Sun, June 20, 2004, 11:07:44 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, On the Couch

Happy Father's Day to all the Bluebook dads and also to those who play the part in some form or fashion, even though they may not be the parental unit, so to speak.

One of my favorite photos of Donald is the one of him giving his niece, Emily, piano instuction, while his mom looks on. Likewise, earlier this year, my friend, Jim, explained how he sent Valentines to his nieces, so that they would feel loved.

Thanks for being there, guys. You have no idea how important it is to have a male role model in a young life....

Date: Sat, June 19, 2004, 11:03:59 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Pammy honey, a whole world awaits you. I envy you. Come to us for any questions, no matter how rudimentary. I will deny you nothing.

Date: Sat, June 19, 2004, 10:33:54 ET
Posted by: Pam, Brewin' up some decaf

One of the advantages of being a new-ish SD fan at this point in time is NOT having all their albums yet! When I first saw the PBS special, I thought, "I have to go get every single one of their albums", but now I'm glad I didn't.

All this to say that today I heard Kamakiriad for the first time. Gretchen - I get it now. Holy Hannah. There go my plans for the day, unless I can do them with a Walkman on!

Date: Sat, June 19, 2004, 10:04:54 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Where does Steely Dan stand in the landscape of late 20th Century pop music? Only time will tell. But we do know that professional musicians love the Dan and assemble nationwide to play the repertoire for free. What does that tell you?

More from the VF tribute: at one point, our MC, Mal Sands, gives a plug to Pretzel Logic for their gig tomorrow night. I will not repeat that plug here because, frankly, you couldn't get in there tomorrow if you wanted to. Baked Potato will be packed to the rafters with pro players on a Sunday night. Fortunately for me, I'm Steven's roadie and singer Mark Wilson's voice tech but Mal mentioned that Victor, besides having a marvelous solo career in jazz and working with the Rajah's ultimate jazz-god, Miles Davis, (the story there is that Miles said of Victor, "yeah, he's whiter than white, but he's so damn good and so damn nice, you can't hate him.")also did all the Steely Dan albums. Remember this is a room full of retired LA jazz studio musicians, people who worked with everyone from Sinatra to Zappa, cooler than shit now. I looked back behind me to witness their reaction... they were nudging each other, laughing for some unfathomable reason, nodding their heads: the acme of approval in this assemblage. Our MC: "I know I have a lot of Steely Dan albums, I don't know where they are, but I have them somewhere." [rim shot] Huge laughter from the geriatrics. My cold cold heart melted.

The crowd snickers their approval. When AJA came out, they were around 40 years old. Too old to listen to 2nd rate pop music but young enough to sit up and take notice when someone stepped to the bar and delivered a timeless classic.

Scroll on.

Date: Sat, June 19, 2004, 05:05:15 ET
Posted by: T.J., DK

Thanks Gretchen
I think you just answered my authenticity-question!
T.J.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 21:40:32 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Friends sing farewell to Ray Charles (Los Angeles---AP)
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-06-18-charles-funeral-private_x.htm?csp=27

B.B. King, Glen Campbell, Stevie Wonder and Wynton Marsalis performed musical tributes. Willie Nelson performed "Georgia On My Mind." Among the speakers: Clint Eastwood, Jesse Jackson.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 20:37:11 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, surprised

Whoa! What's going on in here today? Hopefully the result is favorable, Q, thanks for the info.
If Margaret is reading this, she's a girl after my own heart. Back in the mid to late 80's when there was NO news of Steely Dan and just listening to Nightfly made me cry, who would have dreamed of the resurrection that would take place? The one thing that's been constant about me since childhood (besides my hair color, lol) is my love of Steely Dan and the way their music has been able to affect me emotionally. In order for their music to reach you, you have to be a special kind of individual with the sensitivities we all share. I don't mean to sound sappy or sentimental, but it is my life's soundtrack, and I'm truly glad I met all of the individuals I've met through the blue. It has enriched my life very much in the past year.
peace to all,
G

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 20:27:55 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Okay!
I will come out with it!

NO! I don't know whether they will come forth with a new one next year!
Nor do DF and WB!
But, seriously, I will say that I personally believe that the odds that they will come out with either a tour or a new album(within the next 3 yrs - that's all you can ask of The Dan...) have increased exponentially!

Now, the real reason that I even entered the book at this time....
Margaret ROCKS - God, I love you Margaret!
Great Dan Digest, Hoops - I love Margaret!
Reminded me of myself at one(or many) time(s)- what a warm and fuzzy - thanks, Hoops!

The Dan LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 20:07:26 ET
Posted by: The New Cashier, working overtime

Oh, for Christ sake, Q, I know I shouldn't give into this........
But just come out with it allready! Do you know (or feel strongly) that something new will be put forth from the boys in the next year? Just a "yes" or "no" will suffice, then we'll drop the subject. Thank you. Next!

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 18:49:12 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The latest Dandom Digest covering June 12-18 has just been sent. If you are a subscriber, you should see it in your email box within the next 12 hours. If you don't receive it, please email me. The main reason I am in the habit of announcing this here is because some people have been having problems with delivery the Dandom Digest, usually because of spam filters, firewalls, etc.

The following are the subjects of this Digest:

— RE: EMG One Year Later
— Re: RE: EMG One Year Later
— Re: making of Aja
— Re: Re: making of Aja
—"Gaucho" DVD-A/SACD comparison
—"BlueN2Green:" Dandom Digest/Bluebook/Greenroom Compilation
— REDUX: The BlueBook is back

If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to receive the the free Dandom Digest email newsletter (not to be confused with the glorious Official Steely Dan newsletter), please email me or see http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest

SPECIAL NOTE—COMING NEXT WEEK ONLY IN THE DANDOM DIGEST:
Announcing the Dannys for the 2003 Concerts
Finally find out what the Greater Dandom voted as best moment, best song, best show, MVP, etc.

jim

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 18:11:13 ET
Posted by: T.J, DK

My scroll wheel is kinda tired to..
I've been a frequent reader of the bluebook for the last few months. Earlier I only dropped bye once in a while. (Yahooo for internet at home...)
Anyways I wonder: As there clearly is NOTHING dan'ish going on at the moment or mayby will in the future (though I hope so!!), the question is if you guys already have exhausted every little Steely Dan subject??

What about:
Best solo on a Steely Dan album? Best guitar solo? Best Becker? Why?
Most underrated song? SD-development during the 70', production, lyrics, complexity of harmony, arrangements, choice of instruments?
place in the musichistory - are they as "big" as we think? Will any SD-album be canonized? And why not?
Is Steely Dan authentic in a rock-sense? Do they write music based on feelings or is it just theoretical constructions?

To quote WB in the Aja-video: That's what I like!

T.J.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 17:20:16 ET
Posted by: hoops,

My scroll wheel is sure getting a workout in the past day or so. Good points. especially Pam and "Not Saying."

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 17:11:06 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Z - It's called coming to terms with each other and a very healthy thing. You might try it sometime.

Here's my ass.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 16:56:47 ET
Posted by: The Zebra, Blushing @ the Washington Zoo

Holy Christ...I love this butt patting.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 16:35:46 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Rajah - your too quick on the draw...

Okay - 1-2-3 - and heeerre'sssssss PAM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 16:34:38 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Rajah - you kill me! I posted before your last

Master manipulator you are!

Mssr. Provocateur

You are a great "improvisationalist"...

Yes, we are all groovy - doesn't everyone feel better?

You should - we are all going to be very happy within the next few years...................(and it might have been that we wouldn't be- we'd be stuck in here with increasingly little about Steely Dan to talk of except our own musings - kinda like now............- but we are all feeling much better now.....trust me.....................

And Stevee, I now know why you were so upset, and had your hunch been right, I would have been upset with me too....................

And back to your regularly scheduled programming.....................
again - no aliens!

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 16:32:07 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Q - you right. Take it away....Pammy!

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 16:25:35 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Rajah - I afer, I mean defer to you on the "release" of the "information"...

I think the key is that it is true that the government can never tell the public that aliens do exist...

The feeling wasn't that bad at home! You've apparently not spent much time on the Yellowbook.

Now, let Pam have her Bluebook back!

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 16:20:04 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Zebra - what are you saying, I'm not quiet? Well, I resemble that remark! You want quiet? I'll give you quiet...license and registration please. ;-)

Seriously now, Quentin and I have been emailing and we've made nice. Yeah, we're dating now. Go kiss and make up Steve, we have like 14 mutual friends, don't start a war. See how things work out? Ahh Dandom, what a beautifully tangled web you weave. But I tried, trust me you guys, I tried and I couldn't drag anything else out of him. His info pipeline is direct and solid however. Just that good things are coming, so, I guess we'll have to content ourselves with that. Hey good things coming are better than nothing...coming, well I'm glad somebody's coming anyway cause, me, I got a case of Bluebook Blueballs from all this manipulation!

Can y'all give a brotha a hand out there, or whatevah?

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 14:45:14 ET
Posted by: The Zebra, Washington Zoo

My dear revelers in Dandom,

Let cooler heads prevail. Look at it this way...

Any news was good news
And the feeling was bad at home. (undeniably true)

I'm enjoying the buzz here the last few days and it's good to hear from some of the quieter Citizens d'Dan.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 14:13:18 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Aspersions. I'll send us both a set of Hooked on Spelling, Vol 2.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 14:11:12 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Q - Read my book, Gumba-Logic. I take very little seriously, especially myself. Thanks for the email, we're cool here. OK, when do you think this information can and will be disseminated to the throbbing masses. Apsersions, Q, not dispersions.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 14:06:28 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Rajah - now you have the audacity to threaten me publicly? Also, to cast dipersions or implicit dispersions upon me publicly?
And what did I do to you?

Taking this a little to seriously, aren't you?

Worst of all, you got it really wrong!
I never said I manipulated you! You didn't read my post correctly.

Yes, lets, all go on about our business without further distraction
(It's like why the goverment says they can't admit the existence of aliens - the populace would freak out and start jumping off of buildings...)

Stevee - forget the theory you are working under - totally wrong.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 13:50:55 ET
Posted by: The New Cashier, The coffee shop on Lexington and 37th

I am in full agreement with Not Saying. Q knows we are all hungering for more dan news, particularly when many of us are melancholy and waxing poetic about last year at this time. So apparently there is something going on that will affect the listening/touring circuit. I appreciate the news, Q, and I am giving you the benefit of the doubt, assuming your intentions were to lift our spirits rather than string us along. It shouldn't lead to bickering and negative Dan karma. That really should be done privately,as this is supposed to be a happy place to celebrate how SD has enriched our lives with the music and the means of meeting each other. I'm taking this "news" as a sign that there is more music to come, perhaps a tour to celebrate, I don't care who the "The Witch" is. We'll all find out in good time, if it's meant to be our business. Got to get back to my customers, especially one, tall dark and handsome, in particular.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 13:47:55 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, rollin' on the floor

"Coochie of the Quarter"

I can't stop laughing....

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 13:34:27 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

That's totally cool with me. On with the show.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 13:26:47 ET
Posted by: Not Saying, since it doesn't really matter

I hear ya, Pam. I'll give Q's excitement the benefit of the doubt. Still, I've been scrolling. Lemme 'splain why.

It's like Tom Ridge and Homeland security. Q says he has privvy inside info to raise the Dan fan alert level from green all the way on up to orange. But Q apparently isn't at liberty to say why.

So we have no idea of what is so great and why we should wag our tails and pant, or at least be alert. Should I report suspicious unmarked tapes in used record stores? Or maybe watch out on TV, radio and press for an unannounced solo performance in some nightclub? Did someone die? Or perhaps there is a secret alliance that won't bear out until 2009, if ever. I have no idea what to look for so I just have to go about my usual business. The kids need to go to soccer, I have work to do and the dishes need cleaning. My father's out mowin' the lawn. And I hope to post some usual stuff during breaks at work.

But to obsess about something that is happening under the radar is unproductiive. Moreover, the backbiting and namecalling over whatever is it is is not my idea of good time.

So I scroll by. Nothing personal Q, SteevyDan or Rajah or whatever--thank you in fact. Pam especially. Let's not let it get the best of us.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 13:20:18 ET
Posted by: The New Cashier, Around the Way

Ho hummmmmmmmmm. Yawn.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 12:52:38 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Q - While I do enjoy being manipulated in a certain sense, if I don't eventually find release, well, then I tend to get cranky. And announcing that you have, by your own admission, masterfully foisted something upon us is decidedly NOT the way to endear yourself to this fine group of people these days Quentin. Unless you consider us your bitch and then you really have another thing coming. Don't do that, please don't fuck with us, there will be consequences and everything's going so nicely in here lately. Everybody has shit out there on themselves, Q, you're no different. I hope you're listening, my friend.

I did hear some wild stuff in the air last Sunday at the Feldman tribute in Hollywood, including what Boston Rag is referring to, but did not deem it worthy of repitition here. At least not until corroborated. The "witch" is dead. That could only mean one of three women who spring to mind. And dead in the metaphorical sense of some sort of closure or dissolution or release from an obligation in the contractual sense.

Steve punkin, do your girlfriend over here a favor and just email Quentin and have it out in private, I don't want this newly reclaimed haven polluted by, ya know, a pointless pissing contest.

DEEP CLEANISING BREATH

OK, beeaathes, let's get to Steely Gansta Dan: seems appropos at the moment:

Three-Deep Cruiser
Only a Fool Would Axe Dat
Boo-Yaa Sattva
Jiggy in the Years
My Old Crib
Coochie of the Quarter
Rikki-Dog, Yo Don't Lose The Funkin Chronic
Any Major Dog
With A Gun (Tec 9)
Charlie Flow
Set-Trippin Sneakers
Ma Baby Daddy Don't Live in Dat NYC
Pimp-Daddy Logic
Everyone's Gone to Death Row
Pop a Cap in the Little Ones
Here at the LBC
Homeys at Last (Red Beans & Rice You Know It)
Josey, Break Me Off a Piece O'Dat
Slammin Sistas
Glamour Pro (He's All That)
Boning Abbey
What a Shame About G (no, not you honey)
Deuce v Nature
Nappy-Dugout Girl
Biscuit Beach (Buttered and Jammed)
Wanksta-Whacker (I Got My Swerve On)
Phat-Book
Every Motherfuckin Thang Muss Go..

Peace, Out

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 12:36:11 ET
Posted by: Pam,

Hey - maybe you two can have this whole discussion via email, whaddya think?

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 12:16:09 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

One more thing - No disrespect to my Steely bros and sisters when I say "you've all been manipulated". I too was manipulated - every engaged Dan fan was either manipulated or "abused".

Nor am I disrespecting you by talking of mass delusion - again - all of us were subjected to a process by which this would most probably occur.

And, Stevee -I just talked to your friend - without my putting any thought in his mind he regurgitated EXACTLY what I said about EMG relative to Aja and when I told him of your take on it - he laughed and said you have it ALL wrong.....no surprise.

Email me so I can set you straight.

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 11:22:01 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Stevee, you are a complete idiot - you know nothing. You have figured out "nothing".
You're babbling, as usual.

Feel free to email me to tell me what you have synthesized.

Even if you have guessed it(I'm surprised everyone hasn't - but then you've all been manipulated so masterfully...)you, Stevee, wouldn't know enough to know WHY it is SO important and WHY it would not be off base to discuss. In NO WAY is it off base to discuss. Many people around here (excepting you) have a lot of reason to know it and discuss it.

Your EMG=Aja story is awfully WRONG too! You have got half the story and it adds up to the wrong answer as is your style Stevee.
Oh, and I put a lot of "heat" on the intermediaries? I think they would be insulted by that characterization! I'll let them(?) (him) know...(I don't think he cares...)

Stop flapping your trap and use your fine mind Stevee - it's what everyone you know has been begging of you for years!

Obviously, you have harbored ill feelings since I declined to engage you. Clearly, I read that right! As LWO says - Tust is a terrible thing to waste...you have violated your friend's trust on multiple occasions including your post. Good job.

Really, email me so we can banter about this!(correct email above)

Oh yes, I meant to clue everyone in right off the bat -no games- but I find that people are so deluded and in denial that they are incapable of "getting it", so I left it to chance. Stringing it out and forcing people to think might cast off the deludin.
It's in the songs....(except for you Stevee)



Q

Date: Fri, June 18, 2004, 01:54:20 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', China

Raj and Stevee....

I am in tears (pissing myself) over your new renamed set list...very visual. Cheers

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 22:06:30 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

And so all things are revealed in the fullness of time.

Is that revelation or red herring?

Curiouser and curiouser, strange days indeed.

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 21:12:21 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, 1 Year, 1 Week later.....

Back on the Blue! - It's been a while! I've been busy as hell and MIA with a new job and various side projects.

Sorry I missed the action in NYC! Hoops, thanks for the Dannys!
I've been so flat out that I didn't even have time to vote! What kind of an a-hole am I??? (Don't answer that)

Hoops - saw your post about Six Feet Under. My fav show too!! I've been in love with Rachel Griffiths since her debut in the airport janitor's closet in Episode 1 a few years ago. Brenda is a Steely Dan chick for sure! It's yet another piece of proof to a theory I've had for years that all great Pop Culture entertainment begins with the letter "S": Steely Dan, Seinfeld, Simpsons, Steven Spielberg, Sopranos, Shrek, Saturday Night Live, Six Feet Under, Sex and The City, etc. I rest my case.

Q - Are you talking about the 3 new tracks that were found "in the can" when the "Aja" master tapes were being cleaned for the DVD-A/SACD release a few months ago? Those are going to make great bonus tracks!


Mark in Boston


oh...that last paragraph was just bullshit.

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 20:13:05 ET
Posted by: Rajah Y'all,

Deep Ellum - SD tribute bands are like sex and pizza to me, it's all good pardner. Impressive venue over there in Dallas from the pics. Most American cities have now reclaimed those parts of town that twenty years ago required portage of a cold piece to enjoy fully after dark. Also strikes me how the SD sound varies based on its indigenous area. The Collective up in Northern England certainly reflect the musical style of the region as do the bands down here in LA. Naked Lunch's guitarist on first listen is astounding. He's incredibly faithful to the record, the man, is it Tim, has quite an ear, a casual audit of the opening of Reelin will tell you that he hears all those notes. And I hear that Texas influence in the brass and vocals. The rhythm section doesn't come across well on my system here, nobody's does. I think I need the CD. My thanks and well done, Naked Lunch!

Unfortunately, there is an outstanding bench warrant for my arrest in Houston which precludes any imminent visits. Perhaps a change in political climate might lift that soon, we can only hope. Y'all are very strict as it turns out. But I sure do love you Texans, next to Aussies, best people in the world with which to hang. Thanks E.

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 19:37:40 ET
Posted by: W.,

Deacon Booze

Throw Back the Lil' Uns

Everything You Didn't Do

Black Cow

I Got the Hives

Green Nosebone

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 19:03:11 ET
Posted by: Deep Ellum , Club Dada

www.nakedlunch.net

You wanna do Dallas, Raj?

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 18:50:03 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Have I told you people lately that I love you? Save my wicked soul but that's funny. Your No Teeth? Positively existential, TG. Hey 13? The irreverent soul of comedy, Kid. Cousin Biff? Grette if you hadn't told me you have an Uncle Biff, I couldn't have laughed more. How on earth can someone be named Biff??? Whiter than Hellman's, doll.

Steven - A bit stern my bubula but, of course, you are right. It's none of our business, even though it is public record mind you, but I, hey, Q feels how he feels, we can't deny him that. And we did prod him. I admit to getting caught up in what it could mean. That was selfish of me. So lets let it rest. A spasm is all, and unworthy of us, hope no one took offense.

How the hell am I suppose to know how to spell Klesmer, I mean, I had to go to "YiddishfortheGoy.com!!!" Here at the Wailing Wall was just inspired, the lyrics to it are forming in my sick mind.

Now where can a guy get to hear what the "Naked Lunch" band sound like?

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 18:06:37 ET
Posted by: TG, Down South

More Redneck Dan:
Twang of Ages
With a Shotgun
Your No Teeth
Sign In Y'all
Thru with Cuz
Bad Brogans

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 16:17:33 ET
Posted by: John Dawson,

Picture Ray Charles singing On The Dunes. Especially the bridge.

Best wishes.

John Dawson

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 13:53:31 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

Redneck Dan -

My None-too-Mobile Home (still has a flat)

Everyone's gone to the WalMart

Hey Thirteen (go ahead, I deserve it for that one)

Jack of the Speedway

Junker Girl

Grease Monkey in your Soul

South of Dollywood

Your Gold Tooth

Your Gold Tooth II (it's at the pawn shop)

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 13:23:56 ET
Posted by: lowercase q, meandering in aja Major

Big Q: Could it be that there is a New 'Old' release coming in the near future?


little q

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 13:21:17 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, West Of Hollywood

Hello one and all -

Hoops - I was very plesantly surprised to receive in the mail from you a certificate of a runner-up Danny Award. I will show it to the band in rehearsal tonight. Rajah will be there. He screwed up some of my "Klesmer Dan" song titles. I've got a cream pie for heaving with his name on it.Again, than, you Jim.

Q - I figured out what you are hinting at. Shame on you. Don't air that stuff here or anywhere else. You once got mad at me for leaking on the Yellow that I had heard (through two intermediaries from you) that the "new one" at the time (EMG) sounded a lot like AJA. I caught hell from the two intermediaries about my posting that. And the funny thing about it is that you couldn't be more wrong. EMG sounds nothing like AJA. You put a lot of heat under my two friends about this trivial and incorrect item of yours.

Your new "scoop" belongs at the National Inquirer. You're totally out of line and you should be totally ashamed of yourself. And please note that I am not using intermediaries to get my message to you. What you've done positively stinks.

I've got a song title that sums your little move up quite nicely:

"Only A Jerk Would Post That".

How dare you. Now go cradle your Fagen Coke can and find some solace.
I can't believe that you would do something so low.

The nerve of some people


SteveeDan

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 12:54:42 ET
Posted by: John,

Well, "Cousin Dupree" would be "Cuzin Dupree"

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 12:53:17 ET
Posted by: John,

I like "Shop and/or Die."

Reminds me of this radio show where this English professor was saying "and/or" is used too much. Should be "Shop, Die or Both."

I say she should shop for more sensible shoes.

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 12:50:23 ET
Posted by: Pam, Enjoying herself immensely

Ok, who'd like to take a whack at Redneck Dan?

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 12:39:50 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, the dunes

Well, I have to throw in my 2 cents, for what it's worth. Here are some WASP-inspired versions:

DAR Blues
Fairfield Sisters
Cousin Biff
Everyone's Gone to the Tailgate
Times I drink the most
I Got the Gin and Tonics
Tretorn Sneakers
On The Dunes (of Watch Hill)
Don't Take Me To Walmart
Shop and/or Die
Your Gold Tea Service
Madras in your Soul
Ricki just use the Hellman's

Mind you, I don't have this life, but observe those like 'em here in CT! Way too many Volvos.

G

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 11:21:34 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Catching up on posts. Saw this great headline earlier this week: "Ray Charles was Simutaneously Spiritual and Profane." Yeah that's it. That's how I feel about Van Morrison too—and, or course, Van has always cited Ray in his songs and as one of his hugest influences. It shows.

j

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 11:16:52 ET
Posted by: Rajah, minding his own business

Steely Orthodox Jewish Dan aka Steely OrthoDan

(from a concept and ideas by SteveeDan, Steve's are simply priceless, they bear the asterisks, and all are offered here with love and respect, please accept them in that spirit)



Set One

Goyim's Work
Midnight Nosher
Brooklyn Owes The Schmendrick Under Me
Bodhi-shabbatts
Razor Boychik*
The Boston Schemata*
Only A Fool Would Pay That*
Borscht-Belt Kids
My Old Shul*
Rikki, Don't Lose Those Diamonds
Any Major Jew Will Tell You
Yiddisha-town
Parker's Klesmer Band*
Through With (Her) Chutzpa
Cockamamie Logic
With A Ganif
Charlie Putz
Monkey In My Matsa Ball Soup (Fe'h, Not Kosher At All)*

Facacta Friday
Bad Schlimazel
Daddy Don't Live in NYC No More (Moved to Boca)
Everyone's Gone Fverlempt
Don't Hock Me A Chinik (aka The Uncircumcised Son of Another Moile)*


(Kosher Break)


Set Two

Sign in Schmegeggy*
Everything You Bought Retail
The Royal Schmuck
Here At The Wailing Wall*****!
I Got The Meeshkite (Again)
Babylon Shikses*
Schlomo Amigo
Time Out of Goyisha Kup
Third World Moile
Gaslighting Irving
Two Against Schlepping
Almost Goyim (In a Yiddisha Way)
Mashugana Girl
The Things I Sell The Most
Nudgwhacker
Lunch With Moishe
Ay Gevalt, Everything Should Go (Half Off With Coupon)

[Next up: Steely Gangsta Dan]

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 11:12:59 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu, Tejas

Q: They finally shot the cute wittle bunny?? "Bout F**ing time.

Date: Thurs, June 17, 2004, 10:54:33 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Posting is working again. For some reason it went down yesterday evening about 7 PM NYC time.

Thanks for your patience.

j

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 18:29:05 ET
Posted by: Rajah, of Equal Distribution and Amicable Dissolution

OK, look, in earnest, it's nothing to celebrate, trust me. The euphoria is quickly subsumed by deep sadness. See, only took me one post to remember that. Now comes the denial, the negotiation, the anger, finally the acceptance. As the ladies often say, "I'm moving on." Well yeah, honey, you're movin on but you ain't gettin very far very fast with that big ole Yellow Taxi Cab of hurt and dissapointment strapped to your back. Especially if you are married to great man. Men, we take it very hard after the euphoria descamps, giving way to dark nights where you can hurt yourself if you don't watch it. No shortcuts through this though, you take the long way home. I am of the opinion that men are the true romantics, giving way to grief at first; women are merely sentimental at first but carry the hurt for a longer duration. No, please don't misunderstand my levity, it's no fun at all. 

Well, except for filling out the INS forms and recording the Interspousal Transfer Trust Deeds. That is a goose. Oh yeah, and keep the business card of a trusted locksmith handy for those highstrung individuals you may have been allied to by the Holy Bonds of Matrimony. Check who may be parked across the street at 3:30 AM. Reformat your hard drive, change all phone numbers and get the Cadillacs in a circle. Take no chances, sleep with top eye open.

You thought I knew a lot about Steely Dan? Oy veh.

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 17:23:40 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Gates of Altimira

Let us join then with the Old Testament Prophets in our neverending song of joy: free at last, free at last, Great God Almighty, we are free at last!

Josey, baby, shove over, we need to get another chair in here for the Support Group Meetings. Let's send out for some take-out from Dean & DeLuca while we're at it. Lots of Pinot Noir and get the Parmegiano Reggiano, some Capacola with a bottle of White Truffle Oil. 

I haven't felt this free since I deported my second wife back to Herefordshire in 1988 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Break out the crack and hookers lads, it's party time.

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 16:29:58 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, learning how to meditate

OMMMMMMMMM

Q, Gotcha....

And, yes, Trust is a horrible thing to waste.

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 16:26:04 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Someday, you will know and you will look back at my "songs" post and bust a gut...

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 16:24:27 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

Look, do you think I just lost my mind and decided to post more in one day than I've posted cummulatively in the last 45 years???

You guys need to use your heads.
It's not my fever dream....it's not anyone's fever dream (well, actually, it IS everyone's fever dream...)

There are titanic things happening. I've armed you with the information you need without just spilling it all over the place (well, I've kind of spilled it all over the place)

Luckily for you, even if you don't figure it out, you will benefit from it - trust me (remember "In Q We Trust" - I didn't say that..)


LOL!

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 16:11:22 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Close to Alvin

Ok, Q. I hope your fever dreams come true!

I thought you were trying to tell us that Don and Walt signed with the record company that used to market David Seville and the Chipmunks.....

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 16:03:31 ET
Posted by: Stick this in your claw,

RICK DERRINGER TO OPEN MAINE LOBSTER FEST

http://www.wrestling-news.com/artman/publish/article_2746.shtml

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 15:47:03 ET
Posted by: I Didn't Know,

Sna Jose Mercury Entertainment almanac for today, June 16.

1975: Sonny and Cher Bono's divorce was finalized. They had married in 1964.

1977: Elvis Presley performed what would be his last live concert, in Indianapolis. He died in August at his home in Memphis, Tenn.

1981: Donald Fagen and Walter Becker formally dissolved Steely Dan.

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 15:43:58 ET
Posted by: Q, Tampa

Oh, boy

If/when they do a new album the new music will have an awesome verve and classic lines to it - much like I just cited...

doo, doo, daaa, daaa, rat a tap tap!

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 15:40:35 ET
Posted by: Q, Tampa

It's all in the songs...

not that close an examination required...think out of the box,but very in the box

Big, VERY big...

smile

join the birds and the chipmunks...

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 15:29:00 ET
Posted by: ,

Q - What the fuck happened?!

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 15:20:02 ET
Posted by: Pam, looking for my @$$ that I just laughed off

Raj, you're the best. I really needed a good laugh today :).

I've been reading "The Papers of Samuel Marchbanks" by Robertson Davies. If I could buy you all a copy, I would. Very Dan, is this man.

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 14:43:38 ET
Posted by: Q, Tampa

LWO - I'm tossing the bait!

You call me a fool
You say it's a crazy scheme
This one's for real
I already bought the dream
So useless to ask me why
Throw a kiss and say goodbye
I'll make it this time
I'm ready to cross that fine line...

My back to the wall
A victim of laughing chance
This is it for me
The essence of true romance
Sharing the things we know and love
With those of my kind
Libations
Sensations
That stagger the mind

She crawls like a viper...

This is the night
Of the expanding man
I take one last drag
As I approach the stand
I cried when I wrote this post
Sue me if I play too long
This brother is free
I'll be what I want to be

It's all in the song folks..

Or how about this one

I Got The News

You
In your Lark
You're a mark
You're a screamer
You know how to hustle
Daddy
Is a rare
Millionare
I don't care
Yeah you
Got the muscle
I got the news...

Take it
In your hand
All the sirens and the band...

How
Was I to know
About the warm
Soulful secret
You been keepin' for years
I got the news

Broadway Duchess
Darling if people only knew...

What I hear
May be true
I would still be proud
To know you...

You came ragin'...

tap, tap, doo, doo,daa,daa....

or this song

I've seen your picture
Your name in lights above it
This is your big debut
It's like a dream come true
And when you smile(!) for the camera
I know they're gonna love it...

It will come back to you...

It will come back to you
Then the shutter falls
You see it all in 3-D
It's your favorite foreign movie

or this song

Home At Last

She serves the smooth retsina
She keeps me safe and warm
It's just the calm before the storm
Call in my reservation
So long hey thanks my friend
I guess I'll try my luck again

or this song

In the corner
Of my eye
I saw you in Rudy's
You were very high
You were high
It was a cryin' disgrace
They saw your face

well I'm tired folks, but let's just say...

That's it
Over now
Drink your big black cow and get the fuck outta here!!!!!!!!!

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 14:38:50 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

LWO, email me at home later, I think I got your answer.


Setlist for Steely Gumba Dan: (I like Steely Dago Dan better but I don't want to offend my people)

Shoot Him Again
Only Stugatz Would Say That
Turn That Dead Thing Over Again
Don Of The World
Rikki Don't Forget The Connoli
Burytown
Through With Big Pussy
With A Fucking Gun
Rosalina Darling
Daddy Don't Live In That NYC No More, Or Anywhere Else For That Matter
Doctor Who? (Fouggettaboutt Him)
Everyone's Gone To The Witness Protection Program
Chain Gang Lightning
Throw Back The Stiff Ones
Sign in Strunzo
Haitian Divorce Italian Style*****
Everyone You Did
The Royal Scungill
Dead At Last
Hey I Got 19 to 20
Who Is That Guido Amico?
My Late Rival
What A Shame About Buscemi
Janie Got Away
I Dunno, Somewhere West Of The Meadowlands
Shit I Jack-Up The Most
Donwhacker
Lunch With Adrianna
Every-Fucking-One Must Go

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 13:48:39 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, out on a limb

Oh, hell Q. What kinda bait are you looking for?

I've been throwing the little ones back for days now...

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 13:09:56 ET
Posted by: Q, Tampa

yah, baby!

This Fish is much bigger than Trout!

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 12:54:59 ET
Posted by: hoops,

A Fan, A Fan and Inquiring Minds: My fondest hope/geuss: Trout is the "witch" and she's been caught—or is "Inquiring's" use of the word "beans" another clue? At least that's all that popped into my head. LOL.

Hope to be able to resume adding logins in the next 24 hours. Thanks for your patience.

Alan: it was a great pleasure meeting and hanging with you, to say the least, and I very much look forward to next time. which I hope is for a Steely Dan tour down under; I'm sure more than a few of us will be there with bells on our toes.I've counted seeing that HoJo's on TV 9 times since and I don't even watch TV much. Ironically, I received my American Express bill for HoJo's yesterday. BTW: send me your postal addy.

Ronnie Scott's was the site of one of my favorite Van Morrison albums, "How Long Has This Been Going On." Great album. Was Maggi McCoy's favorite Van album too. Thanks for the heads up, Raj. Too bad Ronnie Scott passed away in the last year or so.

When SueDave spoke about DF on "Shame" I was thinking of his sorta falsetto on the bridge.

Be well all,

jim

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 12:43:57 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Back to VC

One of the soloists at the Feldman Tribute was a guy named Dirk Richter, he released an album in 1997 called Vibes Alive which reached #4 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. He's a huge bear of a man with a gigantic personality, reminds me of how some of you have described your beloved Alan herein. The MC, a guy named Mel Sands who organizes this affair every year introduced his "Take The A-Train" with the preface that this is one tune if he never ever heard again, he wouldn't be upset but that this man's version was a revelation. And it was, he played like a man possessed, laying down the old melody a bit then just flying off into a blur with the mallets. Yeah, he's a hitter. We spoke to him afterward, yes he's an SD fan and then some. He told us he had just recorded another solo record with Jimmy Johnson playing on it along with a string of other names perhaps Steven might recall and that the drummer on the entire album was Vinnie Colaiuta, be still my Gumba heart. I said, "that must have cost you a mint." His response, "nah, those are my boyyzz, we help each other out." OK, as I was repositioning my skull back onto my vertebrae at the thought that kind of collegiality still exists, asked him when we could see it for sale. He said that was the problem, no label wanted it, he's realeasing it himself. This man had the #4 jazz record in the US for 7 weeks and can't get arrested. We spoke of the state of the Jazz radio stations in LA and how they've taken to playing R&B and that repulsive Smooth Jazz stuff, Kenny G, all those other numb-nuts. He was told that people didn't want to hear the vibes, OK? "Hell, Steely Dan couldn't get played on the radio, what chance does a vibe player have?" This is very sad and we've gone over this time and again but it bears repeating, one of the contributing factors to the hiatus we are entering was this militant resistance by the media to spotlight quality product. And in the face of that, could Warner's really have done anything to promote it efficaciously. Go to the Official site and click on all the ablums in the Discography from the old days. It shows what position on the charts the record reached.

Except for EMG. Conspicuous in its absence is that reference. Speaks volumes. That has to change or be ameliorated in some significant way somehow before we see these boys back. Mother, set the wood chipper to frappe, I'm goin in Turban first. Hold your applause. :-)

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 12:29:51 ET
Posted by: inquiring minds, any world

as in Warner Bros.? It's desparate and dark more places than Tampa

spill it

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 12:14:49 ET
Posted by: A Fan, Tampa Bay

The Witch is Dead.

The birds are chirping, the grass is growing green and the chipmunks are singing.

You heard it here first.

Date: Wed, June 16, 2004, 09:56:27 ET
Posted by: A Fan, NYC

The Witch is Dead.

The birds are chirping, the grass is growing green and the chipmunks are singing.
You heard it here first.

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 20:20:58 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, grazin' in the grass

Has anyone given any thought to going to this year's 50th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival? Great lineup, including Brubeck, McCoy Tyner, Diane Reeves, tons more. Here's a link:

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/newport.html

G

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 18:31:03 ET
Posted by: Rajah, last one promise

Who do you need
Who do you love
When you're Daddy can't _ _ _ _

[That even made me blush, am I developing a conscience, geez I hope not]

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 18:30:19 ET
Posted by: Raj,

Her name is Rio
And she dances on the sand,
Prays like a Roman
In that tune by Steely Dan.

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 18:24:53 ET
Posted by: Rio Rajah,

No, don't say a prayer for me now,
Save it for the Jolly Rajah


Me Sit Now
Rio Rajah

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 17:48:58 ET
Posted by: John, Erie. PA

Hey everyone.

Any Beastie Boys fans out there? New album today. Anything a Dan fan might dig? I kinda like some of their vids.

Joey is a Beastie fan. Fact or fiction?

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 15:59:36 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

What's next?---Duran Dan, featuring they're hit single "Hungry Like the Dan." B-side (remember B-sides?) might be "Du-Du-ran-ran-ran, Du-Du-ran-Dan." :-)

Short review of Larry Carlton performance in Annapolis (scroll down page to second item):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42010-2004Jun14.html
(He did an instrumental "Kid Charlemagne")

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 15:49:11 ET
Posted by: Who's Next,

What next? Steely Duran?

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 15:25:59 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Article about Duran Duran reforming for a new album....

*** Duran Duran regrouping for a new album ***
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-06-15-duran-duran_x.htm?csp=27

I know it's not Dan but it is sort of Dan-alogous (if I may coin a word). I found it interesting for some similarities in that the band drifted apart and did some other stuff on their own. Now they're re-forming almost 20 years later and coming at their music with a new perspective, not trying to repeat the old days, but trying to retain enough of it to appeal to old fans and also bring new ones to the fold. And this comes on the heels of their big reunion tour last year (a la anyone else we know?).

** "It will mark the first time the original band members — LeBon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor — have recorded an album together since 1983's Seven & the Ragged Tiger."

** "Working together again has been seamless, LeBon said. 'It's very similar to how it worked 20 years ago. Everybody's a little bit more open to how they feel about stuff.'"

** "LeBon says the group is closer than ever — even though they still have their disagreements. 'We're like any people who get very close. Sometimes you argue with each other. But the fact is we inspire each other musically,' he said. 'Nobody else does it for me. It's just very special.'"

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 15:19:45 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" Mindblowing:

http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/ronnie_scotts/ronniescotts/099/may12.htm

Bless You my Rajah ....................

Jacky !

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 13:55:03 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Josey - thank you for correcting my dyslexia. Speaking of time, the way the vibrists rehearsed with the house band prior to each number on Sunday was astounding to me. The soloist would speak to the piano player for like 10 seconds, the piano player, Dave McKaye I believe his name was, well, at first we thought he was just kinda out there, spaced out if you will. No, he was blind, OK, man was blind. Then they'd speak to the bass player for 5 seconds and with the drummer he'd just call out a signature and any changes to it within the piece, what happens at the bridge. Off they went on the number in less that a half a minute. These old boys made it look easy, the true sign of an accomplished anybody in anything. When a time change occurred, If there was a change, the vibrist just called it out quietly and cued back to the drummer and bassist a couple bars prior. So smooth, so collected. Maybe getting old has its advantages. Let's hope so.

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 13:33:11 ET
Posted by: alan, Southern California about to head west

To the Wreck-less Crew and friends

Well it's the day I have been dreading since I arrived, Cancellation Day so to speak when Alan Must Go.

Firstly I just want to thank hoops, pete & shari for going to all the effort with dannys ( yeah I know it was a blur to me but shit happens )which provided me with the excuse to make the long trek to your fine country.

Fortunetly thanks to Toya who thought to take along my video camera I have a complete video of the whole show including the solo performance of Bwaysteve with his unique style and interpretations of our beloved Steely Dan.

Pete & Shari, thank you for your hospitality and kindness while I was in NYC and for sharing so many of your wonderful memories with me. I will cherish these forever.

Hoops mate, it was great to actually spend some time with you even if it was at a Howard Johnsons and next time I am here I will definitely be putting Chicago on my agenda.

To everyone else who made it along, Ed, fife, YGK, Gretchen, Hat2Flat and anyone else who I may have forgotten to mention it was great to see you all.

Finally to my very very dear friends Mr.Sam, LittleWildOne and SouthOfHollywood thank you all so very much for taking me into your homes and sharing your lives with me. You guys are the greatest and I LOVE you all very dearly.

Adios Amigo's and remember to keep saving those frequent flyer points so one day I may return the favour.

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 12:45:44 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Rajah, I think you might've meant to switch that around to 6/8 time - which is basically what most latin type patterns are based on. The bass drum/ hi-hat pattern in TvN is a samba pattern.

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 11:53:11 ET
Posted by: T.J., DK

To suedave: Now I see your point. Sorry if i sounded hostile - didn't mean to. DF voice does sound different in the chorus compared to main, wich probably has to do with the rather large ambitus in the chorus, where he uses falsetto to hit the high notes.
Thanks for the Jonny A tip!

PeterQ, I better tjeck out Mike Stern then. Thanks

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 11:44:09 ET
Posted by: Hank,

suedave: about the different voices on WASAM, I interpreted them as the way SD was showing the difference between what the narrator says (when describing the action) and what he thinks (when asked those questions about his past, present and future).

The key to me: was Franny there by accident or was it intentional? I imagined a story based on the latter assumption, and it's at www.feverdreams.net/hankwasam.htm

T.J.: I can recommend Nellie McKay's "Get Away From Me." She got a lot of hype a few months back, but a good deal of it was deserved. It's a good debut, with hopefully more to come as she grows and matures musically. Put it this way -- here's a 19-year-old who says that her favorite album is by Billie Holliday. (Puts me in mind of a couple of guys we know who wanted to be like Duke Ellington.) Anyway, I hope that her record label nurtures her...young people need to be encouraged to stretch out -- Ray Charles' death is a reminder that we need people in the coming generations to keep the faith, lest we be buried in radio-friendly crap.

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004, 11:43:15 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Mindblowing:

http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/ronnie_scotts/ronniescotts/099/may12.htm

Date: Tues, June 15, 2004,  05:14:10 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Grette - "Is this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Illium?" Faust poses this question, my answer in your case: I wouldn't put anything past a chick like you. Are you implying that I am an agent of Satan? OK, perhaps, but my duties are largely ceremonial at this point. I could accuse you of being the daughter of the Devil himself, (God, I quoted Don Henley, the shame).  Let's not revisit your little hijinx perpetrated on my person from autumn last, Demoness, its heinous nature compounded by the way you sprung it on me at dinner causing me to topple my vino? And you cackling the while under that wild shock of yellow hair?  Me, the original Rico Freakin Suave! Oh, your day of reckoning will come young woman. OK, I chalk it up to Connecticut cabin fever.

OK, well now here's something really spooky. Someone I met Sunday has this feeling, and that's all it is, a feeling, and I don't know why or if there is any good reason at all, any basis in fact for this whatsoever in any way, shape or form, do you all hear that disclaimer? It's that The 2nd Arrangement WAS erased or destroyed, but perhaps not inadvertently, rather, that it somehow ran afoul...... OK, you better step back son.  Sounds like a conspiracy theory for the Discovery Network. And since I am the Devil's advocate, we did establish that, I offer it here for you to ponder as you may. And there's no way anybody but D&W could know this for certain but I feel compelled to remind myself that Donald did say about the band speaking to the press and in general about lyrics but it would apply in my mind to a grander scope than merely that, "I don't care what you tell them just don't tell them the truth." What is a reasonable person suppose to think when, and indeed if because that quote would have to be substantiated in my mind, someone says something like that?  A man of this mind could do anything. But again WE will never know. It is a matter of pure conjecture. And by extension, what of the master of the side of Aja that bars it's DVD-A reincarnation. Lost? Stolen? Or is this just one big "dog ate my homework" story? Tune in for Strange Tales of Gaucho Outtake Days at 6:05 all this week on the Musicology Channel.  And so the body of apocrypha mounts. Takes all that to build a legend.

OK, there you go, Nancy Drew. Ya happy now? Now off to bed with ya, you scamp. I'll be by to tuck you in later ;-)

Kids

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 23:48:13 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

OK, I'm gonna put you out of your misery now. I get introduced to Johnny Rae's son, Steven. He lives in Nebraska with his charming wife whom our Stevee was chatting up unmercifully, BTW.  She was a stunner and probably knocked a few pacemakers out of sync. with her midriff girl ensemble,  but I digress.  He's a drummer, lived in SF for many years, he's gone back to school for an advanced degree. He says he's a fan of SD, out of the blue he says, "yeah I've known Keith Carlock for a couple of years, real nice guy, very genuine." Have to second that just based on his post here last year. Asked me if I knew how well was he received, generally, on last years' tour by us all. I told him he slayed us all (yeah, the hitter killed, oh he's a big hitter) every single night by all accounts here, two standing Os right outta the box that first night at that, well, somewhat uneven opening night in Costa Mesa.  That we loved his whipping style with that traditional left handed grip, never giving in to the mallet. "yeah, you don't see that much for guys playing rock, I think he'll end up playing for anyone he wants to here in a short while." I think he might be there already. Go big hitter Keith, aw you're a HITTER, just don't go away forever, remember your old friends on the way up. I cling to the hope of  seeing you perform the incredible syncopation of Two Against Nature in that outlandish time signature (8/6, can you help me Josey?) with the Steely Dan quartet.

Afterward, we stopped to speak to someone  who must remain nameless, no one any of any of us would possibly know, but who was also at the first show last summer and he was of the opinion that Keith was the one thing holding them all together that night and that he played so far above the general level of energy and execution and stuck out so darn much as a star that he probably lost his job! He was kidding around, now. I don't really think they bow to that kind of pettiness, although that kind of thing does go on I've been told in the biz, huh, ya think?  Or maybe people have this character sketch of them in their heads as  stone cold takers, I don't see that.  This guy knows people who know people, etc., and this is all third and fourth hand opinion and heresay, and I'm couching this in my own idioms here, but he thought that Donald and Walter's lives by now are so deeply connected by the years and by the whirlwind of events they have weathered, the sheer insanity and peril of the 70s, the isolation and blockage of the 80s, the reanimation of the 90s just up until last summer, the many rivers they've crossed in that span, and the bond of brotherhood going back to their schoolboy days, that no matter what bumps there may have been or they currently are facing, no matter how fed up with each other's crap they might get, their destinies are inextricably bound, like it or not at this point, and they cannot help but perforce eventually turn toward each other again some sunny day. Two against nature, if you take that to mean it was unnatural for them to come back together once they blew apart, was perhaps a misnomer, I think it might be more unnatural still to try to sever those bonds entirely at this point. It's much too late for that, they had their chance but blew it with their return. The pattern is there. Q.E.D. 

I'm about half a buttway there about now.  How's yours feelin?     

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 22:57:54 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, the original classic thing

Sorry to ruin your evening, Raj, but that was not from me. Mess with your head? Why, that would be engaging myself in a Faustian bargain!
Now, more about those Gaucho outtakes?

G

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 20:18:52 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

OK, Gretchen, keep it up, juuuuss keep it up, daddy gotta can a whuup-asz AND I have the wood-chipper on "idle." The woman lives to mess with my head, I swear, she'd give me a hotfoot over the cyber waves if she could. Poo-poo kisses to you too.

The players: I didn't know jack about the vibes(a percussion instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal bars and motor-driven resonators for sustaining the tone and producing a vibrato) beyond Lionel Hampton and Victor until yesterday so obviously I don't know the players but, and help me out on these spellings here PQ if any of these guys ring a bell:

Firstly it's Johnny Rae, who was co-feted yesterday. Johnny Ray was somebody else entirely. 

The players yesterday whose names I can remember:

Dirk Richter - a blistering rendition of Take the "A" Train
Dontell Harris - this is Stevie Wonder's man
Tommy Vig - Latin player extraorinaire
Nick Banas- youngest guy at around 30
Vegas Joe Locatelli - it's starting to sound like my family reunion now
Charlie Shumake - this was George Shearing's vibrist for years (Stevee gets all a-quiver at the mention of GS)
a guy named Katz who came in from Chy town

And the king, as they called him, of the living vibrists, Terry Gibbs, he's 79, just wrote a book called, "My Life in Jazz." What a character, more on him later.

Charlie Shumake told this simply hittin(a term I picked up yesterday, these guys have a language all their own, it's like, oh he's a hitter, it's hittin, big hitter Charlie, etc.) story about Victor. This guy's like pushing 70, hey I'd say the median age in that hall yesterday was 70. He said he didn't play anything but piano until the 60s. He said there was a revolution back then and he was on the losing side. Remember what the appearance of the Beatles did to the music world now children. Tony Bennett was only 32 and struggled mightily after "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." So Shumake kinda dropped out of the scene there for a while, moved to LA from the City and it was Victor, up until then the most casual of acquaintences, who earnestly befriended him, took him up to the house in Woodland Hills and started him off on vibes. A few years later, he nails a long term gig with George Shearing. Let me try to quote him, this isn't perfect but it's damn close:

"Victor Feldman was responsible for my career, he befriended me when I was low, he worked with me and introduced me to the LA scene and all the players. Victor wasn't just a great vibrist, piano player, percussionist, he was the single most gifted musician I ever knew. He was a pure musician, he could do anything with anything. It wouldn't have mattered what instrument he played. I swear if you handed him the 4th trombone chart --he'd nail it.(huge laugh from the geriatric set) Sometimes he'd be better than either the pianist, vibrist or drummer in the room, and he's back there behind a conga drum having the time of his life." 

All day long it was, "brilliant," "genius," "gifted," "kind and generous,"(like his son, BTW), "fun to be around," "great dry wit."

My butt's not even partly tapped on this one but let's give it a rest. You too Miss Smarty Butt in CT., grab your book of numbers and your remedies.

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 19:09:39 ET
Posted by: angel,

Rajah: Don't collect too many thoughts.... Great report on the Victor Feldman Tribute. More, More!!!!

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 17:29:46 ET
Posted by: suedave, I deserve a break today

To T.J....about your question....it isn't that Donald doesn't sound great on WASAM. I tried to say that his tone is different during the different parts of the song, those parts being the main vs the chorus. Each main part uses the same tone, the chorus uses a different tone. Both sound like Donald but are subtly different from each other. Listen!!! I'm only a wishful musician so please excuse me if I am not using the right terminology.

I'm not sure that it meets your pop criteria, but I'll still recommend you check out an artist named Jonny A - Get Inside - a guitar based instrumental CD jam packed with listenable music using a blend of blues & jazz & more.

Rajah....you've left me drooling for more. Looking forward to the cliff notes version of the whole affair.

suedave

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 16:57:11 ET
Posted by: What???,

Are you speaking from experience, Pigeon Kisses?????

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 16:35:58 ET
Posted by: Pigeon Kisses, these suburban streets

A buttload of news...shit, now there's a visual!

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 14:40:10 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

I have a buttload of news, pigeons, the Victor Feldman (and Johnny Ray) tribute concert at Local 47 in Hollywood just ended. Five hours of mind-blowing sophisticated vibraphone artists who have played with everyone from the likes of Shearer to Stevie Wonder, Vinny Caliauta, Jimmy Johnson all played 13 numbers (long jazz renderings now, not 4 or 5 minute pieces) including Monk Blue, Take The A-Train, a Charlie Parker song I can't recall the title of just now, Azure Serape (sp?) penned by Feldman himself, Besame Mucho and so many more. And everybody told their stories, personal stories at times. Then a party broke out and I got great upper stories on Carlock, what happened with the Second Arrangement, the nature of the brilliance and madness of Don and Walt and more more more. But I have to collect and organize my thoughts on it all or I'll end up posting 5 pages, OK? Give me a little time. 

Oh, and the fried chicken and veggie chili were scrumpdiliumptious! Darn I didn't get the recipe though, my bad. Well maybe Steve and I can reconstruct it for you gourmets out there, huh? Stop it Blue, we're back on track here, don't mess with this or I swear you're going into the wood chipper like Buscemi.

Hoops - no one hates you, you and I have had spats and words but buddy that crap doesn't matter to me. What matters is we're back and we're in this together. LWO, honey, don't let anyone make you feel bad, you're so right on what you said. 

OK, I'll give you my first tidbit here from Jake Feldman who, BTW, was missing his two brothers at this simply magical afternoon that I (and You, I hope) will live on all summer, brought Steven and I up to sit with him in the front row with the widow and son of Johnny Ray. This was something special to us both, can you possibly imagine? Place yourself under my Turban.  I can't tell you. And Steely Dan chatter was FLYING around that room, a room full of at least three generations of LA session men who were willing to talk and we dragged it all out of them you best believe. OK, I'm a selfish prick but I also did it for you Blue, for you. A couple really personal things which I will not and should not share as well. I'm not going there.

Jake was in Junior High when his dad had to fly out to NYC for some sessions, now Jake is 39 so I put this at 1979. These were Gaucho sessions. The boys had returned to NYC by then and they wanted Victor for a new tune that was "ready" to be taken down.  He remembers the limo arriving for his dad, he and his friends were on their bikes watching for the big machine roll in, BTW, apparently Don and Walt treat their people great and spare no expense, they were and are major dudes and nothing if not classy. Jake remembers his dad coming home a week later or so. Then a few days later his old man who according to all his old buddies was a kind and gentle and funny and positive spirit, well, can't you hear it in his playing on the opening to Everyone's Gone to the Movies? That sounds like the gates of paradise opening up for business. Victor blew his top after a phone call he received telling him that certain takes had been inadvertently erased.

The song? The Second Arrangement.

I got a ton of shit more. A ton. More recipes, health and beauty tips later though huh. Hi to all my girlfriends fer shur! Stop being so damn touchie out there and enjoy this for what it is will you please do me that favor? 

DAMN!!!

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 13:51:36 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, East of everyone

Alan, tell us, does he really have 80 pairs of shoes?
G

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 12:03:47 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Thanks SueDave and Mike, again, and everyone else. You gotta be drunk if you think Mike isn't a partying Dan fan of the best kind. Simply check out the Danny title he holds with LWO. He got his Danny the old fashioned way HE EARRRRRRHHHNEDT IT. Thanks for your support. Appreciated.

jim

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 11:33:14 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, dodging spitballs

Hey suedave! Seeing as how you were the inspiration for the "Most Orgasmic Moment at a Danfest" award, a/k/a the "Bad Sneakers" Singalong, we ALL owe you, kiddo.

And I can definitely see how missing the '03 tour might make one a little cranky and less tole-RANT. No rancor (get out your Websters, alan) intended, Mike. My personal mission in this fffed up life is to foster peace, love and Dan. Ask anyone.

Nice to know that the last leg of the Aussie R US tour is, ummm, spirited, and your posts serve as a fond reminder of why we all come here in the first place, "TO SHARE THE THINGS WE KNOW AND LOVE...."

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 10:58:02 ET
Posted by: PeterQ, Brooklyn

TJ - the last two albums by Mike Stern, Voices and These Times, show how far someone can talk the kind of pop/jazz/harmony you're talking about. No wonder Mike Stern is probably the greatest electric guitarist ever.

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 04:42:18 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', China

Wow Gretchen...you're killing me with those concert choices. If only I had a Michael McDonald or CSN to to feel indifferent about. The only thing coming to HK is Linkin Park, which is incongruous with this city.

The Eagles are doing an Asian tour in the fall (Rajah -- need tickets ?) but I don't know if I can bring myself to go. I'm leaning toward Ben Folds in Japan in December (dates pending).

I think the Nightfly DVD-A is the best recording I own. I would love to hear everyone's pick for best recording (sound quality) so that I can track them down and enjoy.

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 04:34:24 ET
Posted by: T.J., DK

To Suedave:

What exactly do you mean by: "have you ever noticed that Donald uses a different voice when he sings as the singer (or for each chorus) in What a Shame About Me?"

I have always thought he sings great on "Shame". Love it when you can really hear the purity og Donalds voice - and they are not using a lot ef effects, especially the pan as in the 70'.

To everyone:

And now for something completely different:
Being a dan-fanatic i realized how difficult it is to buy music by other artists. One of the main reasons for my passion is dan's excessive use of advanced harmony - which they make sound so natural!
But of course it's the blend of the jazzy and the pop, that makes them unique.

So, any suggestions to what my next cd-purchase should be, considering i want pop with harmony??

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 02:38:34 ET
Posted by: EastOfShellHarbour, Drunk

co·nun·drum ( P ) Pronunciation Key (k-nndrm)
n.
A riddle in which a fanciful question is answered by a pun.
A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma: “the conundrum, thus far unanswered, of achieving full employment without inflation” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).


SUH?

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 02:38:25 ET
Posted by: EastOfShellHarbour, Drunk

co·nun·drum ( P ) Pronunciation Key (k-nndrm)
n.
A riddle in which a fanciful question is answered by a pun.
A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma: “the conundrum, thus far unanswered, of achieving full employment without inflation” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).


SUH?

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 01:56:37 ET
Posted by: suedave, Catching up, though I still have a long ways to go

Go easy on Mike - I don't think he got to see the boys last summer :( But I'm happy to read just about anything you all type - and thankfully there are no Trout posts to scroll by after stirring everything up. Hi Mike, nice to see you are alive and kicking. Don't give up on us - not at least until you meet us!

Conundrum used in a sentence - now that's a thing of beauty that we don't see everyday - thanks LWO!

I don't post as often as I'd like but I wanted to be sure to let you know that I am very pleasantly embarrassed at winning a Danny - wish I could have been there with you all for the big event but then you might have seen me turn blood orange right then and there. Just reading about the event and the awards brought back a flood of good memories from 2003.

Had the (mis)fortune of renting a big fancy SUV last week - it had a Bose stereo system that only worked well when all the windows were up - so naturally I used the heating and cooling controls for my own personal comfort. Anyhoo I was listening to 2VN - have you ever noticed that Donald uses a different voice when he sings as the singer (or for each chorus) in What a Shame About Me?

As long as I'm still awake (!) and typing, it's time for a big thanks to Hoops who takes a lot of heat for keeping this place going - and still keeps it going. Looking forward to the next time we have a reason to get together. Will find out about it here, no doubt.

suedave

Date: Mon, June 14, 2004, 01:03:29 ET
Posted by: EastOfShellHarbour, SouthOfHollywood

Hey Mike...Scroll on by...This is pure boredom to types like you...

TIMELINE: 9:54 PM PST 6/13/4 S.D.

Well, one guy worked and one guy lounged...Guess who did what?

The day ended fairly early for the "work" guy...And started way too early for the other guy...

My cat has still not come out of hiding since the arrival of the Kahuna...Too much for ol' Jackie boy to handle...Hope he's not dumping in my Cole-Haans...Squish...

Beers here at various joints...The Harbor Fish House...The Beach House...The Solana Brew Pub...And then...

ALAN insisted on a martini rather than a margarita, so dirty it was...

Surf videos and Dan-ish DVD's (DO THEY EXIST?) followed and then truly rancid "pizza" from a corporate hack house...

Puke soon too follow...

Keep scrolling, Mike...

Kahunawood

Date: Sun, June 13, 2004, 20:03:22 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, rollin' w/ the homeys

Jeez, Jim. I have no idea if I was being sarcastic or not... but I do feel YOUR pain. I guess some folks might interpret a post about a concert as a plug for someone's social life. I dunno.

As I have said here and elsewhere, the only time I find the Blue less than engaging is when NO one posts about anything. And although, right now, there is no real Steely Dan news, I like the paraodies and the poll type questions, I dig the musical knowledge, the flashbacks to greatness and such.

And I guess to the extent some feel that a small subset has alienated the Greater Dandom, then maybe those who feel alienated should post more themselves and give us all some discussion fodder. Just my opinion though.

In short, I see your conundrum and I appreciate your indulgence.

Date: Sun, June 13, 2004, 18:59:44 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Mike: I hear what you are saying to an extent but I can't see splitting the boards. Too much work, and, two, kinda hard to draw the lines—people hate me enough as it is. But most of all, it is as it is, you know? I hear what you are saying about density of primary topic info and gotta admit, sometimes I think there are posts that seem like good threads but am disappointed that others don't seem to pick up on —go figure. But people already seem too unneccessarily self-consious to post at times and imagine I am a double asshole already merely for the suggestions listed on the posting page. The nastiness some people imagine about me is the one thing I dislike about the Blue. (BTW: Contrary to popular belief, and forgetting the Trout posts, I remove far fewer posts than some other forums). Anyhow, I think the Digest already is a great sister venue that is more focussed on that sorta Dense discusions, etc. So be part of that. Sure, I agree it might be better if some personal posts where sent as e-mails but the bottom line is dividing the Blue would be kinda like herding cats.

LWO: I hope you meant your apology with sarcasm as I would be offended if someone saw a great music show and didn't post about it, even if it were the day of release of a new Steely Dan album and kickoff day of a Steely Dan tour. If someone is offended by an EWF show then fuck'em. I get tired when people think they only music they can talk about is Steely Dan so I am glad you posted. I have no idea why people pertuate that idea.

I'm glad to tell people and in fact it's purpose of this place to say that I went to the Chicago Blues Fest last night (will review since tomorrow since I got in late last night) and am headed in a few minutes to see Marian McPartland and Dave Brubeck perform together with Ramsey Lewis tonight. Wish you could be here, everyone.

jim

Date: Sun, June 13, 2004, 12:18:35 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, on the counter by my keys

Perhaps, then, the Chicago/EWF is worth my checking out when they come to CT. I've always been a casual fan of EWF but a huge fan of Chicago up until their 1978 release, no one could match that horn section. Without Terry Kath, however, my interest faltered.
I saw Fleetwood Mac the other night in Hartford, but although the huge crowd found the show outstanding, I was less than moved. No matter who I've seen lately, everything pales in comparasin to SD. The magic is just not there with anyone else. I'm going to try to see Rickie Lee Jones and Little Feat in the coming weeks, and I have Michael McDonald and CSN tickets, too, but a summer without SD is well, a summer without meaning.
G

Date: Sun, June 13, 2004, 02:24:27 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Up on the Hill

Let me begin by apologizing if this post is offensive to anyone, but last night, right here in hot Houston, Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire kicked off their summer tour... and it was quite a night!

The two bands started on stage together joining for a few introductory songs to get the audience fired up. EWF then did EVERY hit I could remember, followed by Chicago doing a setlist of mostly '70's and 80's hits. The two bands also interchanged singers with Bill Champlin singing, "After the Love is Gone," which he co-wrote with Jay Graydon and David Foster,and Phillip Bailey (WOW) singing, "If You Leave Me Now." Very nice...

Admittedly, I'm a casual fan of both bands and it was heavy on the nostalgia. Still though, to see them jamming together for the four song encore was pretty cool...and, with the dearth of Steely Dan news, I give it a 9, Dick.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming....

Date: Sun, June 13, 2004, 00:56:02 ET
Posted by: WuDuF, overworked in Bethel

Oh my-it's been so long since I've posted here. No, I haven't forgotten about my Dan friends. This is indeed the "Bummer Summer" as far as music goes. Nothing from Donald and Walt, Phish is breaking up, Ray Charles passes away...phew. Let us all rejoice while we are still here. Gretchen-I'm actually glad you changed the date of your Danfest because I would have still been in Florida until the 3rd. Looking forward to it! Hopefully, now that my school year is winding down, I'll see you in the greenroom soon. Off to "brew up some decaf"!

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 23:58:24 ET
Posted by: Mike, Somewhere in Idaho

Hoops,

Long time no talk. Great overview post on the State of the Dan. Working on a followup as I tend to agree. Can't imagine why it hasn't generated more discussion. Wish I could have been there to get a Danny. Dig that Digest. You are to be commended for keeping the fire burning.

Have stopped by from time to time but kinda hesitant to post. Have this observation. Back when you got this place going, the idea was to get more in tune with the Dan and less cliques of people talking about themselves and their lawns, pets, bunions, etc. Such a place is much needed. No debating that. But what's also clear is that the blue board has in some ways also become a thinly veiled excuse for a small subset of people to blog about their vacations and their toenails and whatnot. Nothing wrong with that to a point. Yet so many forums have become an exercise in separating the grain from the shaft and you have always stood for quality, Master Hoops.

Now I get that there is a certain good thing about hangin' with Klas, Rooster and all of his friends, not to mention, the Jack of Speed.

So may I suggest, Hoops, you master of diplomacy and all my friends here, the POSSIBILITY of splitting this forum into two threads. One for those who only want all-business, no fluff Dan and then a second for those Dan fan brethren and sistahs who use Steely Dan as an thinly veiled context for dating, trading recipes and enhancing their sex lives. Nuttin' wrong with the latter.

Just thought I'd run that up the Steely pole.

See you around.

Mike

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 22:38:11 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Longboardin'

Well just so everyone can rest easy, "WAY West of Hollywood" (Alan) has safely arrived in San Diego and we are in the process of knocking back as many beers (Kona's, natch) as possible...Other than a few exploded VB's in his suitcase, all is well...Perhaps a surf or a nap manana...ONE of us has to work...See you all at the Betty Clinic next week..

SOH

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 18:57:48 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Against nature

Rajah,you're barking up the wrong tree. I work, for God's sake. I myself am looking for a butler/gardner/dog walker. The domestic diva thing is something I do only for very special entertaining. Thank you for your well wishes, I'm fine now that I have a doctor-ordered week away from the fraternity house.
G

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 16:04:38 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Well, if Alan passes through O'Hare or if you are just out there, be sure to stop by for the Chicago Bluesfest. Delta Blues, Chicago Blues, yeah, that's where it's at. The Bluesfest is to Chicago was Jazzfest is to New Orleans. Give a holler if you are headed over.

All this Reagan business got me thinking back to the 80s—reminding me of how "Gaucho" was all new when Regan took office, the second British invasion when "The Nightfly" came out. Flock of Seagulls, that "Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love" one-hit wonder, Asia and, one keeper in my books—Eurhythmics. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is a masterpiece, if SD was led by a dominitrix and went punk, you know? And then 1985 when I finally became aware of the existence of "True Companion" because it was played on this horrible Muzak station played in the office I worked in. And the CD revolution ('If I invest all that money in a CD player, will it be like Quad in 3-4 years? But it could be worth hearing 'Gaucho' and 'Aja' on those shiny, indestructible discs you'd never, ever have to repurchase.") Missed "The Finer Things," Fagen's Monk tribute, Rosie Vela and "Bright Lights, Big City" and "Century's End"—even "Metal Leg"—until the H. W. Bush admin.

I can't believe I forgot to include something Ray Charles in last night's Digest.

Be well.

jim

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 15:52:26 ET
Posted by: Rajah, a man needs a maid        

The address for the Feldman Tribute:


817 N. Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028

(2 Blks. N. of Santa Monica Blvd. at Waring Ave.)

Street parking or in parking lots in the area.

$10.00 donation gratefully accepted.

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 15:52:06 ET
Posted by: Rajah, a man needs a maid        

Gretchen - Frankly, Pixie, I could use someone to perform a few chores around La Casa Raj. How are your domestic skills, woman? My sock drawer needs some sorting out. Puttering around the house. Dust bunnies under the bed can you grab those? And how are you in the kitchen, Pookie, I know you can cook and I've got this big white apron Tuesday left behind hangin on a hook. Bet you'd look cute as a button in it accessorized with yellow rubber gloves a-course, over by the double sink. Ouch, move over Martha! And I sincerely hope you're feeling better sweetheart ;-)

L.A. Musicians' Local 46 is having a Tribute to Victor Feldman tomorrow afternoon here in Hollywood at the Union Hall at 1:00PM, Vine between Melrose and Santa Monica, don't have the address but you can't miss it, you'll see a group of shady types with funny hats and facial hair lurking about smokin on the sidewalk, these guys are a trip, admission is free, come on out you LA closet squirrels. Open to the public. This promises to be a really nice affair and it just goes to show how well he was and continues to be loved and respected by his peers. Don and Walt apparently just flat-out trusted him in the studio is what I have been told by someone who certainly knows, son Jake. He played with a trickster's sense. Died waay too young. Shit, more melancholy doggone it. I'll tell you what goes down.

And Stevee, girlfriend, could you shave that hirsute 5 o'clock shadow before you come pick me up? No nuzzling with that scratchy beard of yours until you do. And don't just roll up and honk, OK you animal, I wanna be treated like a lady, with some friggin respect, try opening the car door once in a while, or would that kill you punk-ass? And Don't Come Home A-Drinkin With Lovin On Your Mind. I give up with the tao of Steve, that's it, I'm done, I'm shoppin for a new girlfriend. She'll never change, she just wants that one thing. And I deserve better, you know, I have feeelings! *Sob* Well, this gravy train is A-PULLIN-OUT !!!

Now Joe baby, you mean like, "yadda-yadda?" Our boy speaks in riddles, makes me work for it. 

Enjoy your weekend Blue.

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 10:00:56 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, attempting zen

Alan,
Welll, just stay, then! Need employment? I have several rooms and a deck that need repainting. SD will play 24/7, I'll keep the liquid nourishment flowing. Swing east after visiting SOH, mate!
G

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 01:39:14 ET
Posted by: alan, South of Danny Central

Gretchen

What do you mean come back ?

I haven't even left yet.

I am currently south west of danny central and about to head west to south of hollywood.

And as for what I was doing this time last year when EMG was released ? Well, I just had to sit tight and wait for another week to pass for the release downunder.

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 00:41:21 ET
Posted by: fife, man i miss canada

ray charles you were the bomb
rip

Date: Sat, June 12, 2004, 00:03:37 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Tafil--ed up

The talk
the sex
nobody to trust
the "yadda-ti-ti"
the house on the vineyard
The house on the "GOLD" coast

I kinda like mic'n up
my lean cuisine
Gettin' in bed and curlin' up
with a vivid girly dream

Sometimes in the blink of an eye
I see those undeniable ghosts
and then Ba-Boom I remember...

Bridge

The "Coffee Beans" Chair...
The "good cobber fans"...
The '54 Strat...

I had a little "birdy" friend
And now she seems long gone
Danfied goodbye?
Birdy bye bye?

I've remebered how to meditate
So far, so sad
I'm buiding the Skipper's Minnow now
Outta reruns-bad

Days really DO last forever
And it's way past close...

And that's when I remember...

SOH

Date: Fri, June 11, 2004, 20:02:48 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Long, Sad Summer of the Early Resigned

The other night in chat my friend Zim and I officially declared this the "Bummer Summer." Sure, we'd all love some new Steely Dan, even the SACD releases, but do we want only new music or the opportunities to get together as a group? We can always do that, even as a seasonal thing. I decided to postpone my danfest due to a couple of reasons, but plan to reschedule for late summer/early fall. Hopefully Scotty will be able to make it then, perhaps even Alan can come back. Any ideas, plans, suggestions, email me. I say we all go to Bermuda (or somewhere interesting, Mohegan Sun, anyone?).
xoxoxo
G

Date: Fri, June 11, 2004, 19:37:48 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Rajah...try 2006 or 2007 ;-) :-/

jim


P.S. Remember that DF started work on Kama right after "The Nightfly" and it's release date kept getting rolled back for months and months...years? But like I say, keep the faith, "The Next Thing is Next and it will be different."

Date: Fri, June 11, 2004, 19:33:44 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

I'm trying to cozy up to the really crappy low rez version of EMG last year when the boys put the tracks on the website. I couldn't figure out all the lyrics to Godwhacker and it was making me nuts. What the hell was that line after, "cause there's no escape.." The permutations seemed endless doctor, "menage trois is on my face," no, I mean, sounds like those sick puppies and brought back, well, a few tender memories, but no, "the garage has been defaced," didn't seem to make much sense either somehow, "my fromage has lost its taste," just so so wrong. On and on it went, yes, I had a list, I've got the OCS over this stuff maybe you've noticed. Couldn't parse it out to save my soulful hole. Damn(!), as that funny man used to say. Finally the album arrives (hey, it's still an album, OK, what is that "CD" stuff, sounds like a virus) And so there it was, no escape, "from the Rajahs of Erase." I screamed out, hit the pavement, keerrrsplattt! I'd used Rajah for decades since I used to pretend to be a Swami Baba in undergrad, telling silly fortunes and divining the future to the delight, shock, awe and horror of my stoner friends. I looked great under the black light in that get-up, 29 inch waist, big floopy blonde curls tucked under my Turban, squattin on a prayer rug. Baby, I was smokin hot, stone cold killer. *Sigh* as our Gee says. Hey, I had an active imaginary life as a young Rajini, I'm tame by comparison now. Yes, it WAS really that bad. 

And thus it was that your faithful and sage Rajah came into being, fully formed and sprouting(!!!) from the head of Aphrodite on the half shell or some junk like that. Reborn for your edification. And unfortunately for y'all, and me for that matter, there apparently truly is no escape, or so it would seem. Hey, every family has one.

Hold it, now wait, Hoops, is it, yes, Hoops I feel something coming in from the Cosmos, let me turn my jungle music down here, it's saying, "s-o-l-o b-y F-a-g-e-n i-n 2-0-0-5." Yes!! I still got it baby, I...st....

Or was that, "hormones are ragin, don't take me alive?" Oh, I better sit down now. I'm not what I used to be.

And love's not a game for three. But we still have our memories. Ahhh, Paris.

Happy Anniversary EMG
Man-o-Pausal Hot Flash Rajah

Date: Fri, June 11, 2004, 18:37:16 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The latest Dandom Digest covering June 5—11 has just been sent. If you are a subscriber, you should see it in your email box within the next 12 hours. If you don't receive it, please email me. The main reason I am in the habit of announcing this here is because some people have been having problems with delivery the Dandom Digest, usually because of spam filters, firewalls, etc.

The following are the subjects of this Digest:

— Danny Comments & Congrats
— re:Digital guitar details
— Re: Digital guitar details
— EMG, 1 Year On: "The Next Thing is Next & It Will Be Different
— REVIEW: "Yellow Peril:" SIS GB Compilation CD
—"BlueN2Green:" Dandom Digest/Bluebook/Greenroom Compilation
— Free Tickets To Dan Fans for String Cheese Incident in Las Vegas
— REDUX: The BlueBook is back

If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to receive the the free Dandom Digest email newsletter (not to be confused with the glorious Official Steely Dan newsletter), please email me or see http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest

jim

Date: Fri, June 11, 2004, 17:26:51 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Someone, asked, "What was I doing the morning that EMG came out?"

Well, I woke up yesterday morning thinking about June 10, 2003, the day EMG was officially released in the USA. But in addition to EMG's release, I also thought about everything that came before, since NY Rock and Soul Revue's "Live at the Beacon" and Kama, followed by 11TOW and AIA and then into 2vN.

Now, first off, I was amongst those who caught the tip that a low-res version of EMG was being previewed a few weeks earlier. So I had heard the mono-version that Microsoft previewed for something like 10 hours before removing it. So in some ways, I have to go back to that, plus the snippets we heard from the "Steely Dan Confessions" clips put up by Reprise, SD.com, etc. And oddly enough, to this day, although "The Last Mall" and "Blues Beach" are part of EMG, they always seem like a separate release. They are such different songs from the rest.

When I first heard that EMG preview, through the speakers of my PowerBook, played through a 56K AOL modem connection, it all seemed so familiar yet new. It was like buying a new pair of those Chuck Taylors or New Balances I always get--new, yet comfy and familiar. This was a contrast to 2vN which I really didn't "get" the first time I listened, but like a slow roast, came to know and appreciate. In fact, I'm still connecting with 2vN, visiting with it more than EMG these days, but I'm sure I will come to know EMG on a deeper level again in some other cycle.

So the question asked was something like, "What was I doing the morning that EMG came out?" Well , I was very tired and had a throat infection. I was able to get the CD *and* the DVD-A versions at an indie store which sold them to me by request the night before at 10 minutes to midnight, the time they closed. (The same store is generally a shop specializing in heavy metal but for both 2vN and EMG they had huge, home made signs up in anticipation of both albums' release.) As a result, I stayed up, sore throat and fever, until 3 am listening to the album, now that I had it in full, glorious stereo. I woke that morning anticipating listening some more. (The following morning, a year ago today, I awoke to NPR playing "Green Book" between segments. Later that week there were interviews with Becker and Fagen as I recall.)

But for me this suggested, what did I do YESTERDAY? I awoke thinking about EMG's release a year earlier and also how each album starting with "Live With The Beacon" started a new chapter in "Steel Dan, Vol. II." "Live at the Beacon" was an indication that, maybe, just maybe, SD could reincarnate itself—a smoulder, if you will. "Kamakiriad," finally released after 11 years of anticipation, started out with the perfect announcement that Donald was back, with Becker in front passenger seat—"Trans-Island Skyway." I mean, the mood of that song, and the rest of that album as well, was a re-ignition of the Dan flame, filled with possibility and all-newness. And then after the tours, we had the follow-up, here comes Walter too, with his solo album. THIS is what Walter so uniquely brings to Steely Dan. '92-'94 was Steely Dan but all new and different. "Alive In America" encapsulated all that had happened in the past three years and was topped off with the amazing "Roseland '95" which was a new plateau for me in terms of being a Steely Dan fan. That was followed by '96 which was Roseland brought to the masses, really. And that tour held the promise of new Dan studio work to come, although one song — "Jack of Speed"— would actually make it to the new album. Of all of '96, "Jack of Speed" was the high-point each night because the show was great with the reincarnated 70s Dan songs, but when Walter tore into his vocals and the sped up blues groove of JOS'96, you new even more greatness was to come. It read like a movie trailer for the next thing.

And then in late 1999, started what I would say was the peak of the second coming of The Dan: 2vN, the PBS and VH1 specials, "Making of 'Aja'," "Plush," the interviews, the tour, and, then to put whip cream and a cherry on it all when you didn't necessarily expect it, early 2001 with the Grammys, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Hall of Fame week Danfest. And you just felt they had to follow it up with another tour and album.

I guess the first twist was no 2001 tour which I was psyched for, even if my pocketbook wasn't. And to a lesser degree the Joni Mitchell tribute that never surfaced (more to do with JM than SD, if you ask me). But never fear, assurances of "The Next One" that was to follow "The New One" were there.

And then finally, in early 2003, the title was announced—"Everything Must Go." Soon after there was that melancholy thought shared: could the title mean a clearance and closing of Steely Dan? Eventually, Becker said in a radio interview that also included Fagen, that EMG was in fact not the end.

Nevertheless, the album has since felt like it was the "Gaucho" of The Second Coming of The Dan. The subsequent tour was great in a lot of ways, yet it also felt like "here are some songs we have been wanting to do since 1992 or 1993 and we're finally getting to them" with an underlying feeling that whatever is next isn't sure but won't be the same as it has been. Roseland 2003 is cited as being even better than Roseland 1995. I have to agree on all but one count: it was missing the feeling that this was a new height and the next step would be an even greater step along the same tangent. When they performed the title track off of EMG on September 13, 2003, they had a visual of a Steely Dan trunk all packed up. That images summed up the thread of melancholy I felt at that show, that I didn't in '95. It felt like whatever was next was uncertain, but it wouldn't quite be Steely Dan as we have known it.


Based on the rumors we heard a year ago or more, Donald wants to do a solo album with songs co-written with other song writing contemporaries. Somehow, it sounds like Donald wants to take a seat along side Burt Bacharach and Duke Ellington. I can see it and a new twist can only be great.

But you know, the crystal ball for us Becker and Fagen fans hasn't been this cloudy since the late 80s.

A couple of weeks ago, we got together for the Danny Awards, a reunion of sorts. kinda like getting back together with your high school pals the summer after your first year at College.

In the "Alive In America" notes, there is that one liner notes bit about the "best musicians of my generation" or something along those lines, and how for a while they all went their separate ways, to Hawaii or yuppie New York or the computer biz. Somehow that's where were all at again, methinks.

Of course, eventually "Chapter 3?" Well, as sd.com said somewhere, something to the effect, "Whatever it will be, it will be different." In the late 80s there was no certainty SD would ever do anything again. A fan mag called "Metal Leg" kept the faith.

So all I can say is keep the faith, whatever form it might eventually take. "Everything Must Go." Everything went. Now let this be our mantra: "'The Next Thing is Next' and it will be different."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


And that's what I thought a year ago yesterday, and then YESTERDAY morning.

Date: Fri, June 11, 2004, 12:11:32 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, blue

That's why I haven't been playing EMG much lately. I miss 2003.
G

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 23:19:29 ET
Posted by: Josey, Birmingham, Aladamnbama

Rajah - thanks so much for that! Gretchen - yeah I'm in! Work at my office has been so slow that I'm up for just about anything. Might as well be Hawaii.

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 21:59:38 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Flashin' BACK to a yummy playback...

TIMELINE:
June 10, 2003 S.D.

I just flashed back to check out all of the entries on The Blue for this date (and there were MANY) and oh, what a chill went up the ol' spine...

I recall walking into my local record store that day (Lou's-the best anywhere!) and buying the CD, the bonus pack AND the DVD-A and the clerk looked at me and said something like "You know they're all the SAME release, dude...right?"

The chat in the Green that night was nothing short of magical and it is the only time I can recall that the amount of folks logged in exceeded the amount of room allotted in the log-in window!

Am I jonesing for that same "magic"? You bet...Everytime I cue up EMG, I'm flooded with memories of that day, that week, that summer, that tour...

Can it really be a year later?

I DO mind the quiet
And the lonely nights
I DO miss the funky attitudes
And I DO miss the fights
I lie on the couch past suppertime
And think about just what to post
And that's when I remember
The things I miss the most...

SOH

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 21:51:40 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, zooming on my couch

I'll make those Cuban Breezes a double. I want to sell everything I own, go to massage/accupuncture school and set up shop in a hut in Hawaii. Anyone want to join me? This way I can give therapeutic massage at the retirement community, years down the road. Sun, music, and friends. Life is too short to be miserable, folks. Who's in?
G

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 20:50:15 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Hoops nails this. Six Feet Under is decidedly Danesque. The device used to open each episode is stark satire. We all know some poor unsuspecting and undeserving soul is going to buy the ranch in the first two minutes, you sit there wondering whom and how. Now, can that be right?  Makes you feel guilty. The plotlines really push the envelope with those parallel realities, you don't know what's real and what's a fever dream, the relationships are all over the map, they're all flawed, yeah, remind you of anything? And of course, the setting is our beloved Los Angeles, the most surreal place on earth, I swear. If you can live here and retain any vestige of sanity whatsoever, you probably could make a go of it on the reefs of Kizmar.  On the surface, a desert paradise where all seasonal seams are obliterated; underneath, shallowness and corruption. I love that.  Hey there's a cerebral price to pay for all this good weather. No free lunch. Now my girlfriend SteveeDan (his missus calls us girlfriends, she thinks she's so friggin funny) is a native and you know how insane he is.  Me, hey, I'm OK, right??? No wonder Donald and Walter beat it outta here, oh mamalusha, they'd be throwing bad pottery over at Brian Wilson's house by now, sitting in control-top rubber skivvies with sippy-cups of Hi-C in his Zen Garden and remaking Green Earrings and Peg to sound like this guy, check this shit out and prepare to simply pee yourselves Blue, I mean it:

http://dokaka.com/works.html

Thaaat's L.A., OK?? Purrrfect.

Watching the white tuxedoes diggin that ditch out in the Valley just for me,
And let me pour you a Cuban Breeze, dear Gretchen!


Baba So-Squirrley-By-Now  Rajah.

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 19:44:28 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, again...

DJ, I wouldn't be surprised, with the dry ascerbic humor Donald is capable of, don't you think he could turn out a really horrible parody of country music? The rest of the titles on that list is hysterical, nearly split my stitches reading it.

LWO, I think my choice for that would always be "Home at Last."

G

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 19:23:26 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, recovering

Can I join in the gloom? Feeling it very much myself these days.
SD to most is just a band, however to us it's almost a conduit for our emotional state, seeing them live is a way to celebrate being us, and keeping in touch like this is knowing you're not the only one walking around with melancholy and heartache more often than not.
Rajah, my Steely brother, well said!
SOH, I've ordered Bebel's new cd. If it's anything like the first, it's got to be captivating. Oh, to be on that beach.
Will anyone be around in chat tonight? I should be in for a while, the anesthesia has just about worn off. Yikes, what a way to start the month of June. We need a tour, or some good news.......
G

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 18:10:51 ET
Posted by: hoops,

One of my favorite 2000 tour memories is this big biker dude at the concession stand not getting why he couldn't buy a "Wonderwaif" baby doll shirt for himself in XL! He didn't understand why one size fits small. LOL!

I was checking out the "Six Feet Under" web site (my favorite TV show ) and THEY have a baby doll t-shirt as well that is about as funny as the Wonderwaif baby doll shirt.

The shirt is for "Living Splendor," a fictional product on the show used for filling body cavities, etc when a cadaver is prepped before display at a wake. Its slogan (included on the shirt:

"For a body that's firm yet flexible.
For skin that begs to be touched.
Living Splendor; Only real life is better!"

So of course the joke is to picture some babe struttin' around with that written on her chest. Very Danesque!

http://store.hbo.com/product/BYSF20001-L/b.HBOSIXFEET/s.dxOzcFmo

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 17:15:27 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Angel, South, Oleander, Joey, Hoops, LWO and dear Moll and all: my thoughts fly up, my words remain below. Words with heartfelt  thoughts, always to heaven flow.

You humble me.

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 17:15:05 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Josey - keep your eyes on the sky, put a dollar in some kitty's G-string, just don't go chasin no dragons. That peaceful shore awaits, trust me on this one, when the demon is at your door it's hard to see that. Be that major dude.

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 17:05:11 ET
Posted by: KMD, and Grimmer

Kind of gives the phrase, "It's cancellation day," a whole new meaning.

I think I need another damned vacation.... or stonger meds.

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 16:38:39 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Grim...SHIT!

He just recently finished album, "Duets," with a diverse bunch of people, from Elton John to Van Morrison. Of course, Fagen thanked RC at the HoF inductions. A lot of rock piano players do. It's too bad he didn't get to see his album released. I can't listen to Sanborn's performance of the Fagen-penned "The Finer Things" without expecting it to be preceded by Ray's "Come Rain or Come Shine."

CB, and now this.

jim

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 16:26:08 ET
Posted by: Grim ..., El Lay

Ray Charles joins the eternity band.

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 12:31:44 ET
Posted by: LYTT, Attention All Shoppers...

Now we dolly back...one year ago today.

What were YOU doing about now?

Made you smile...

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 09:37:37 ET
Posted by: DJ, Shy-town

Could this be check out number 27.

http://www.downstream.sk.ca/country.htm

Date: Thurs, June 10, 2004, 00:16:03 ET
Posted by: angel,

Rajah: I seriously didn't know you had it in you. What masterful work!

While I was looking at the verses of the song, for the part you wanted us to find, I saw this line in the first verse. The one about "wrap your mind around this sound". I see that as an acknowledgement of the relationship, we fans have with Steely Dan's music. Most people hear music on a very superficial level, but to use your mind on these songs, well that separates us out.

I appreciated reading your post. It made my day.

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 22:45:40 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Gloomier yet

LWO...

WOH...

SOH...

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 22:44:20 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, June Gloom

Rajah...

WORD

SOH

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 21:34:24 ET
Posted by: oleander`, down in the bottom

Dear Hoops!, words for the wise if not the wiseass. The transit of Venus seems to be knocking us all for a mood loop.

My deep thanks and appreciation for the nod at the Dannys (I freudianly typed Grannys) for the "Fagengruven" t-shirt. I was most sad to miss this chance to groove with the Twin Titans (Hoops! and Pete) and the rest of the dannerific crew.

Rajah baby, let it all hang out. A tip of the petal for your impassioned fever dream.

If you're in a real transit of Venus funk, check out Walker Percy if you haven't in a long time, especially "The Moviegoer."

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 18:38:37 ET
Posted by: Keith,

Larry Carlton is playing in Annapolis. Maybe we can get together next Sunday.

June 13, Larry Carlton at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis. The once ubiquitous session player -- think Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell -- will likely tap a repertoire that reflects a wide variety of early guitar influences (Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery), pivotal associations (the Crusaders) and more recent solo projects.

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 18:22:28 ET
Posted by: hoops,

While in NYC, I had the opportunity to at last hear and compare the true DVD-Audio and SACD versions of "Gaucho" on a top-knotch surround set-up (Thanks Pete & Shari!).

It was quite obvious that the DVD-Audio was a far superior listening experience to SACD. (Regrettably, I didn't get a chance to compare the DVD-A and SACD "Gaucho" with the 1998/99 DTS surround version of "Gaucho."

But one thing really caught my attention: Ever since I first heard "My Rival" there was that cool conga roll (or whatever percussion) at about 15-20 second in to the song right after the opening organ and right before the guitar cuts in. Well, in the DVD-A, it appears to be GONE! It's odd! Is this just an anomaly on this one system or have others experienced this?

The similar conga roll towards the end is still in tact.

BTW: If you simply own a stereo system with a standard CD Audio system, still get the SACD of "Gaucho" from 2003. It includes a version that will play on any stereo and sounds noticeably superior to the 2000 version.

Finally, Tower Records has a sale on the SACD of "Gaucho," maybe even the DVD-A too. $14.99. Yes, Tower, is the same store that had an impasse with MCA in late 1980 and didn't stock "Gaucho" at the time of its release as a result.

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 18:09:23 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Whoaa...not sure as to what these rites of passage are nor what's precipitationg Raj's last one, but...

To be even more consise, I think "Bad Sneakers" sums up what Steely Dan means to me. All that great stuff happening on the Avenue but of course managing to laugh at the frozen rain.

It's cool that Dan pals are so supportive; At the same time, over the years, I've also seen where some people use the internet as a way of avoiding reality and avoiding those necessary rites of passage (self included). Dan fans can be a fun outlet but hanging on the blue or green or yellow or whatevah is no subsitute for real-life support groups that exist for real life problems. Moreover, as sympathetic and empathetic Dan fans can be, it's also important to get in touch with those who are facing head on the same experiences you are.

jim

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 17:52:20 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" I needed to share that whole mess, thanks for putting up with it.
The Rajah turns his human face to yours and nuzzles you warmly. "

I would like to nuzzle you AND nibble your elbows .

J. Fly !

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 17:50:27 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Rajah, when I saw the Dan in Vegas this past year, that song and Cubano Chant were the two I was eager for the most - probably because I knew the tour was the only place I was going to hear them. When they played Atlanta, I wasn't familiar with either tune, but I had been reading about them both here. They played Vegas one week later and I couldn't wait to hear them again.

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 17:44:12 ET
Posted by: Josey, Atlanta

Having just signed divorce papers five days ago, this was a timely read. Always brings a smile thinking about the other people here who dig this band so much!

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 16:39:35 ET
Posted by: rajah,

Dear Blue-bookers, my old friends. For those of you whose personal tastes do not gravitate toward flowery prose, please scroll on. For those of you with some soul in your hole, I'd really like to share something if I may, please let your memory run with mine.

I was leafing through this big dog-eared print out of all the Steely Dan lyrics that I keep on the shelf, I'm always revisiting this damn thing, it's like my Gideon bible or a woman from your long forgotten past that your thoughts occasionally stray back to.  I really ought to just punch a hole in it, put it on a chain and strap it to the john but this time I stopped to look at the words to "The Steely Dan Show." You know, that tune they cobbled together late in the Y2K Tour to open the second set? It's a throw-away right, just a little ditty to bring the collective tush back to the cush so we could all push? That would be wrong, Bodhisattva breath. This am the Rosetta Stone ovah heer.  Viewing it as I did, there's a little pearl in there that really encapsulates so much about them and, by extension, so very much about us as well. Ya know, us Steely Dan nerds? Probably the biggest collection of neurotic souls on this or any planet?  One nuttier and more tortured than the next? Allow me to post those lyrics if I may:

Boys and Girls
They come from all around
From dear old Stockholm
To Copenhagen town
Forget their troubles
In tasty riddum n' rime
So here you are
And now it's party time
Wrap your mind
Around this sound
And let the goodness ripple down
Goodbye to Lonely Street
You're in the Catbird Seat
At THE STEELY DAN SHOW

If you got backpacks
And pointy little shoes
Late-model roadsters
Or just those walkin' blues
A case of heartache
That you're too numb to fight
A secret sorrow
That keeps you up all night
Well don't you fret
It's not your fault
Just lay it all on Don and Walt
Just trip out on these hits
The groove that never quits
At THE STEELY DAN SHOW

So buy a program
And/or a hat
You don't pass up a deal like that
It's only promo stuff
But hey it's good enough
For THE STEELY DAN SHOW

©2000 Steely Dan and their agents

Do you see the second quatrain of verse two commencing with "a case of heartache?" Yeah, that's it, children we have it right there. This is them, they spill it here. Right in the damn middle of this throw-away song. You know how some of us, well, the hard core cases, bust our brain trying to crack the meaning of stuff like, I dunno, like that crazy Kulee Baba? Or how we've mused in the past about how impersonal or how detached these poetic diamonds of theirs are? How little they betray of their own human faces? I wouldn't speak for anyone else on this but for me this is the very heart of Steely Dan. There's a buttload of hurt and longing inside their songbook. You've noticed how everything is always going wrong in Steely Dan songs? You do it again, she brings you only sorrow, I foresee terrible trouble, his starving children cried, let your madness run with mine, drag yourself home half alive, gathering up the tears, there's nowhere left to turn, his lady's aching, cry a jag on me, the feeling was bad at home, dumb luck my friend, don't give a fuck about anybody else, I can't stand her doin what she did, share my poison wine. And those are just the first two albums, it gets darker, well, you all know. It's every song, I swear, or pretty damn close to it. Chaos, pain, destruction, madness, sexual dysfunction, self-loathing, violence, addiction, betrayal, dark spots on your past. Sounds like my mental health report. [rim shot] Thank you. And probably a little like yours as well, dear Blue of my heart, no? Well, what family doesn't have their little...foibles. Yes, laughing out loud, isn't that what we often say? Ridi pagliacco.

And so, a case of heartache that you're too numb to fight, a secret sorrow that keeps you up all night. This is the tortured soul of Steely Dan. It reminds me so very very much of Hamlet. Have you read that lately? Do it, it's not that painful, really. It's the pinnacle of Western literature, I swear, never ever gets old, hell, it's been over four hundred years now, just a taste:

"The heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to." III,2

At the core of Don and Walt's work is this pain. Now before you reach for the cutlery, don't despair. I guess it's just part of being alive. Nobody can avoid it. Awful things, terrible trouble, hurt and loss is all part of this ride. The shit happens to everyone sometime in a lifetime. But speaking it out loud, recognizing, grieving over it and finally accepting it is, I think, really important to well being. No, I'm not a Doctor but I did play one on TV once. Ever notice how Donald's voice is grieving with that whine of his, he suffers great, he has the great gift of communicating human sadness. And in some crazy fashion that seems incongruous but somehow compelling to me, maybe sadness is the road to goodness and happiness. Or maybe goodness is at the end of the road of sadness.  Now some of us can just get naked and express that loss, that hurt, that sadness in front of everyone. I hear there are such people. Like Donald and Walter. For those of us whose personalities really don't run in that direction, there's these beautiful songs which are such a gift from their hearts to ours. This is what draws us to Steely Dan and it is my opinion that this is what draws us to each other. And yes, I feel the melancholy out there over the fact that we might not ever see another appearance of that thing we call Steely Dan. I sense this is part of the dysfunction that we've witnessed over here a bit in months past. But we can't let that sense of loss overtake us, we mustn't let it win out. Maybe I'm just speaking to myself here but we've got to encourage each other, and search for that goodness and happiness and outright giddy joy in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the bad things, the unfortunate things, things that maybe didn't work out so well for you, the terrible things, the tragic things that inevitably happen to every single one of us. And not add to the misery by wallowing in it for too long, cradling that hurt of yours. I realize that isn't always possible and it's never easy.  And these Steely Dan songs aren't going anywhere, we have them, all 82 of them, they are present and alive and will remain relevant probably long after you and I are gone, up there on somebody's shelf with Hamlet on Mizar 5, each one with a precious pearl inside it. They shine, as do you, my dear old Blue.

And we're not going anywhere either, we're here for each other. Maybe we're oddballs, maybe we're outcasts, maybe nobody understands us, maybe we are the Gaucho amigos, but we fuckin rock like no one else, beeaatches.

I needed to share that whole mess,  thanks for putting up with it.
The Rajah turns his human face to yours and nuzzles you warmly.

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 11:39:18 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Blues Beach

Just checking in after the wonderful NYC adventure! Thanks for everything, hoops, Pete, Shari, Bway, YGK, et al. Awards aside, the pleasure of your company (and that "your" is directed to all the folks of the Greater Dandom) makes the day for me.

My good mate alan advises me that several of the Bluebook regulars are in the midst of some rather serious passages of life, for lack of a better phrase, and I just want to say that you are in our thoughts. No Names and Faces...you know who you are.

And since we all seem to be located at a beach/summer locale (at least in our minds), what Steely Dan song would you pick for that infamous blanket on the beach/Gruyere/Ritz crackers scenario that Donald often talks about?

Date: Wed, June 09, 2004, 00:00:09 ET
Posted by: WestOfWilkesBarre, Home?

For any and the few that care...

Bebel Gilberto has just released her 2nd and it is sooooooo sublime...

Like a warm day at chill beach...Alone

Or not...

SOH

Date: Tues, June 08, 2004, 13:26:42 ET
Posted by: angel,

A followup to the Crossroads Guitar Festival thread. Found this on WNET's Website. No idea of airdate or specifics at all.
____________

GUITAR GODS

This June, a spectacular gathering of blues, rock, and jazz guitar greats will perform together on one concert stage, as the culminating event of Eric Clapton's three-day Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas. GREAT PERFORMANCES presents highlights from the all-day concert at the Cotton Bowl featuring a once-in-a-lifetime showcase of guitar luminaries performing rock 'n' roll and blues classics. Joining Clapton will be fellow axe legends Robert Cray, Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Jimmy Vaughan, Joe Walsh, Buddy Guy, B. B. King, Brian May, Eric Johnson, J. J. Cale, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, Pat Metheny, Hubert Sumlin, Dan Tyminski, Larry Carlton, Otis Rush, and Doyle Bramhall II, all backed by house bands led by Clapton, Vaughan, and Booker T & The MG's.

_____________

Date: Mon, June 07, 2004, 23:32:05 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, needing beach time

Daddy, I love the "Fly or Die" album, ya gotta love Pharrell's voice. They're 70's soul/funky/quirky, you can tell they have more of a depth of musical knowledge and appreciation of other styles, particularly "old school." The only thing I cannot understand is why they're touring with Dave Matthews, it seems like an odd combo.
G

Date: Mon, June 07, 2004, 21:42:47 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Interesting article about Pharrell Williams---producer/artist/Steely Dan fan...

"The Nerd Who Inherited the Earth" by Craig McLean
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2004/06/07/bmpharr07.xml&sSheet=/arts/2004/06/07/ixtop.html

A few Steely references:

"The most influential producer in pop today is not some tough boy from the streets but a middle-class overachiever who loves Steely Dan - and is turning his attention to country music."
--------------------------------
"In a further display of his eclecticism, [N*E*R*D's] 'Fly or Die' draws heavily on the sound of one of this über-cool young hip hopper's favourite bands: Steely Dan."
--------------------------------
"Drums are still his first love, as evidenced by the bizarre sight of him bashing the skins behind Sting, country singer Vince Gill and blues jammer Dave Matthews when they performed the Beatles' 'I Saw Her Standing There' at this year's Grammy awards (Williams was there to collect the award for Best Producer).

It was a very Williams moment: a fan first, and to hell with how cool or otherwise it looks. Hence also his enthusiastic and vocal support for young jazz pianist Jamie Cullum, and his rather surreal habit of singing entire verses of Steely Dan's 'Any Major Dude Will Tell You.'"

Date: Mon, June 07, 2004, 17:19:10 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan, Hardly at work

Hi Everybody -

It sounds like this year's Danny's Awards shindig was a huge success. I know it would have been fun to be there and I am truly sorry that I missed it.

Hoops (regarding your May 30th post), I wanted to thank you and "the academy" for the honorable mention my beloved Pretzel Logic band received at the affair. I will pass your kind words on to the rest of the Logicians which I am sure they will all greatly appreciate.

OK. Time to take the "ly" out of the title of my post.

I hope one and all is well.


Stevee (Congratulations to Naked Lunch) Dan

Date: Mon, June 07, 2004, 16:55:53 ET
Posted by: hoops,

More followup on Jeff Skunk Baxter at the Clapton organized benefit in Dallas. Apparently, Jeff Baxter celebrated the 30th anniversary of being let go from Steely Dan by joining Styx for a performance. Others in attendance included Eric Clapton (of course), Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Carlos Santana among many others some of whom don't even play guitar. Like Billy Joel has been know to wear one on stage now and then.

Full story at:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/entertainment/overnight/stories/060704dnovecollab.54e87.html and other links.

Date: Sun, June 06, 2004, 18:47:02 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

An article about the Crossroads Guitar Festival which Kid Clean posted about on friday....

Still Searching for the Next Guitar Hero
by Lynne Margolis of The Christian Science Monitor

"Last weekend's Crossroads Festival celebrated the guitar greats - but where are the young players?"
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0607/p11s01-almp.html

Date: Sat, June 05, 2004, 20:07:47 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The latest Dandom Digest covering May 22—June 4, including Dannys Weekend, has just been sent. If you are a subscriber, you should see it in your email box within the next 12 hours. (The main reason I am in the habit of announcing this here is because some people have been having problems with delivery the Dandom Digest, usually because of spam filters, firewalls, etc.)

The following are the subjects of this Digest:

— Dannys Weekend Highlights
— Dannys: The Danfest Winners
—"BlueN2Green:" Dandom Digest/Bluebook/Greenroom Compilation CD
—"Yellow Peril:" Yellowbook Compilation CD
— Kama on Vinyl
— EMG on vinyl
— SACD and DVD-A Cases, LPs
— Digital guitar
— REDUX: The BlueBook is back

If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to receive the the free Dandom Digest email newsletter (not to be confused with the glorious Official Steely Dan newsletter), please email me or see http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest

jim

Date: Sat, June 05, 2004, 17:23:11 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

While you 70s kids were into your Whacky Packs, us 60s kids were droppin blotter acid with Mickey Mouse emblazoned on the tabs.  Question then: were Whacky Packs a "gateway drug"? Judging from my dear Joey and Gretchen, the answer would be obvious, lol!  

Date: Fri, June 04, 2004, 16:35:33 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, whack'd

It's amazing any of us 70's kids have any teeth after that awful pink cardboard gum that came with those things! They've ressurrected them, apparently, featuring such brands as "Mean Cuisine" and "Macaroni and Geese", lol! That had to have influenced our darkly humorous side. I'll bet Donald has a trunk full of them.

Attn Ed Beatty: The song "Think" by Lynn Collins is a prime example of that musical style we were discussing.

G

Date: Fri, June 04, 2004, 16:17:35 ET
Posted by: Joey,

" I forgot to add this:
http://wackypackages.org/press/newyorkmag_cover.html "

Thanks G .....................that DOES bring back memories for me as many of my elementary school classmates used to gobble up Wacky Packages whenever they were released -- In fact , if I remember correctly , they came in sets ( series ) and I used to collect and paste them together in a notebook ( long since tossed in the garbage ) .

I wonder how many fans of " Steely Dan " used to collect those damn things ?!?!?!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm !

J.

Date: Fri, June 04, 2004, 13:07:56 ET
Posted by: Kid Clean, @work

Our old buddy Skunk is holding a class this weekend.

http://www.crossroadsguitarfestival.org/

kc

Date: Fri, June 04, 2004, 12:28:34 ET
Posted by: Andy, On the chopping block

Came across this story last night. Not sure what it portends for SD, but it can't be good.

Warner to Ax Eighty Artists
Third Eye Blind, Breeders may be among first cuts


More than a thousand employees got pink slips from the new Warner Music Group in March; now the company plans to drop almost half of its 170 artists....

The whole story is up at http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story?id=6085957&pageid=rs.Home&pageregion=single1

Date: Fri, June 04, 2004, 11:11:41 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Found in a list of summer musical events in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA, area:

"Critically acclaimed folk, blues and jazz guitarist Artie Traum will offer a free acoustic guitar workshop on June 19 at Gallucci Music Studio, 503 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton. Traum, whom Donald Fagen of Steely Dan describes as having "a natural, soulful touch that other guitarists only dream about" and whom Rolling Stone magazine called a "musician's musician," will offer the seminar at 5 p.m. Call 347-1753 for more information."

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/entertainment/8819561.htm


Also found a piece on Chris Potter mentioning how he was "discovered" by Walter Becker and thus brought into the first SD tour in '93. It also brings up his battle with Meniere's disease which "...cost him 90 to 95 percent of the hearing in his left ear."

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2004/06/04/saxophonist_simply_swings_with_new_band/

Date: Thurs, June 03, 2004, 23:28:01 ET
Posted by: bwaySteve, here and now

So these hooks have been rolling around my head for 30 years ?

They are loud as ever.

A mind is a terrible thing to HAVE .

Date: Thurs, June 03, 2004, 22:26:31 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Hoops, I had the first few sets, unfortunately I had plastered them all over the walls of my bedroom causing my father to impose a ban on those " ^&* *&% stickers!" Eventually my elementary school banned them as well, they were causing too much commotion during school hours. My favorites were "Rabid Shave" and "Ditch Masters" cigars, lol.
G

Date: Thurs, June 03, 2004, 17:55:25 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Gretchen: I sure do remember those. I think I had the first three complete sets incluing "Crust" toothpaste, "Cover Ghoul" makeup, and "Minute Lice." I like how the "New York Magazine" cover decscribes the 70s—perhaps "Wacky Packs" could be considered a childhood gateway to Steely Dan ;-) Did Wacky Packs ever parody themselves with a sticker? That pink gum was terrible. I know "Do It Again" and "Reelin'" were released in 1972 but given how I only listened to Top 40 (WLS AM 890 and WCFL 1000 AM in Chicago) back then, I always associate those two dittys with the summer of 1973 and the Watergate hearings and family events of that period. You know, I don't even recall anything from "Countdown to Ecstasy" being played on the radio then, but of course our family didn't even have an FM radio circa 1973. I gather 1973 did better on FM.

Good to see people beinging to recover. Have a great trip Alan and if you pass through Chicago, look me up! Bluesfest is coming up in a week.

jim

Date: Thurs, June 03, 2004, 15:45:35 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

I forgot to add this:
http://wackypackages.org/press/newyorkmag_cover.html
g

Date: Thurs, June 03, 2004, 15:42:26 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, working, town of Stepford

For some reason, John, your post reminded me of one trendy (and sickly funny) item in the 70's - does anyone remember Wacky Packages? I've lost it now.
G

Date: Thurs, June 03, 2004, 14:30:53 ET
Posted by: John,

Sounds like everyone had a great time last weekend.

I was runing through some Billboard charts and realized that it's been THIRTY years since Rikki and Pretzel Logic came out. Amazing how these things hold up.

Date: Thurs, June 03, 2004, 12:37:21 ET
Posted by: alan, In the Mohegan Sun

G'day guys. Checking in from North of Danny's Central. We may have recovered enough to type. It was great to see everyone and catch up. Thanks to the usual suspects, Pete, Shari, hoops for a wonderful time and for the chance to ride once again with the Wreck-less Crew.

Next on the agenda is Baltimore and Mr. Sam's. Toya, girl, I will post your cd's from there. South, remember to keep your head down and your left arm straight this week.

Off to the pool and sundeck. Scotty, wish you were here, mate, but I'll tip a few in your honor anyway. We'll check in laters....thanks again for a memorable week in NYC!

Date: Wed, June 02, 2004, 23:33:13 ET
Posted by: TG, Out there

I...I.. Should known better!!!

Date: Wed, June 02, 2004, 15:44:13 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Muddy Waters 's son is a Steely Dan fan:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/music/sfl-libluesjun02,0,5393946.story?coll=sfla-home-dots-utility

Date: Tues, June 01, 2004, 11:12:41 ET
Posted by: fife, cicada central

Just a quick note to say Thanks to Hoops for a great time on Saturday, to Pete and Shari for their Hospitality, and to all those attended, it was great to finally put faces to those I've chatted with over time.
Thanks once again
Fife
P.S. Gretchen could you please e-mail me. In my mad dash from Ottawa i left my address book behind.
Fife

Date: Tues, June 01, 2004, 10:27:47 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, walking between raindrops

Steve, your renditions were inspiring, thanks for sharing your music. I am serious about that guitar, I'm going to check out Sam Ash this week, see you in chat.
G

MAY 2004 BlueBook Entries.