|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
All Times are Eastern (New York City) Time Zone.
|
| | Convergences usually around 10:00
PM NYC Time each night. Stop by during your lunch break too. Starting point for chat is obviously EMG and more. Wait around a few if no one is there when you get in. |
Click for August 2003 BlueBook Entries
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 23:32:25 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 23:08:15 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 22:20:17 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 21:00:38 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 18:28:29 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 17:51:28 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 17:51:16 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 17:08:59 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 17:05:38 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 16:48:34 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 16:46:51 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 16:38:18 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 16:29:54 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 16:22:10 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 16:11:28 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 16:09:08 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 15:49:38 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 15:48:28 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 15:47:49 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 15:16:43 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 15:16:19 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:59:54 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:34:14 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:33:30 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:30:10 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:27:49 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:24:14 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:15:01 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:13:29 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:09:15 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:04:41 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 14:01:34 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 13:47:04 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 13:35:42 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 13:34:18 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 13:27:09 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 13:09:27 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 13:01:04 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 12:57:26 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 12:32:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 12:25:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 11:44:12 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 11:39:27 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 10:59:34 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 10:58:24 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 08:17:39 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 06:09:49 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 05:15:33 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 05:12:52 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 04:45:33 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 04:35:54 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 03:30:02 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 02:07:51 ET
Date: Thurs, July 31, 2003, 00:31:42 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 23:52:32 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 22:42:21 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 21:49:00 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 20:54:33 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 20:37:13 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 19:50:57 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 19:24:06 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 18:45:47 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 18:45:40 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 18:42:39 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 18:30:52 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 18:21:43 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 18:09:57 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 18:01:56 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 17:01:54 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:44:55 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:43:00 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:39:05 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:38:12 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:22:33 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:22:14 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:01:00 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 13:10:03 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:59:42 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:50:13 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:28:11 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:27:55 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:22:38 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:18:36 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:15:58 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:10:50 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 12:06:37 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 11:26:31 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 11:18:27 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 11:02:17 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 10:46:45 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 10:41:28 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 10:33:22 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 09:41:38 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 09:33:41 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 09:10:03 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 09:08:10 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 08:21:02 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 07:38:07 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 02:49:22 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 02:02:11 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 00:43:44 ET
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 00:37:26 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 23:38:59 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 23:25:40 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 23:07:51 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 22:41:01 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 22:15:23 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 22:12:35 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 21:52:10 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 20:45:34 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 20:45:06 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 19:43:39 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 19:34:53 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 19:13:59 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 19:04:49 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 17:44:52 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 17:39:41 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 16:46:02 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 16:39:04 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 16:34:05 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 16:19:05 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 16:16:14 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 16:14:39 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 15:51:12 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 15:50:24 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 15:33:27 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 15:20:55 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 15:19:13 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:56:26 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:50:52 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:44:47 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:33:50 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:29:37 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:19:58 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:18:08 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:12:59 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 14:01:48 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 13:26:40 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 13:24:34 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 13:05:05 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 13:04:27 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 13:01:39 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 12:39:32 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 12:38:16 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 12:31:00 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 12:01:00 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 11:53:46 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 11:49:32 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 11:45:00 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 11:27:56 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 09:59:29 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 09:44:59 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 07:16:15 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 06:07:16 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 00:59:16 ET
Date: Tues, July 29, 2003, 00:22:40 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 23:00:13 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 22:43:39 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 22:27:09 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 22:11:06 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 22:01:06 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 21:49:01 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 21:37:40 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 21:24:17 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 21:24:11 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 21:18:23 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 20:47:31 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 20:47:02 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 20:26:08 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 20:26:00 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 20:16:10 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 19:46:26 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 17:52:33 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 16:07:06 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 15:06:23 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 15:05:02 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 14:59:50 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 14:39:47 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 14:15:09 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 14:00:32 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 13:40:22 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 13:31:53 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 13:25:02 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 13:18:21 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 13:09:04 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 12:57:18 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 12:46:26 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 12:14:52 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 11:35:33 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 10:53:21 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 10:51:53 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 10:37:38 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 10:30:40 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 10:15:34 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 10:09:41 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 09:54:08 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 09:36:23 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 09:15:19 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 09:01:46 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 08:16:45 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 01:08:19 ET
Date: Mon, July 28, 2003, 00:52:42 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 23:45:24 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 22:16:01 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 21:34:33 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 20:57:58 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 20:34:29 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 17:44:20 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 15:15:48 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 15:08:38 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 13:21:49 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 12:54:02 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 11:43:41 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 10:27:39 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 10:16:30 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 08:14:58 ET
Date: Sun, July 27, 2003, 04:06:47 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 21:03:15 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 20:25:54 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 20:14:11 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 17:52:16 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 17:40:24 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 17:38:16 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 17:15:19 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 16:44:27 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 16:19:48 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 16:17:31 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 16:12:30 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 16:04:57 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 15:49:56 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 15:33:02 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 14:52:46 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 13:49:52 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 13:19:18 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 12:44:53 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 12:35:39 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 12:33:20 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 12:06:35 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 11:24:18 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 10:44:13 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 09:55:09 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 08:35:36 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 03:00:39 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 01:05:54 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 00:54:07 ET
Date: Sat, July 26, 2003, 00:38:14 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 23:46:38 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 23:31:23 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 23:23:08 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 23:21:35 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 23:21:23 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 23:02:05 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 22:21:28 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 22:09:56 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 21:00:14 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 20:40:40 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 20:24:23 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 19:53:30 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 19:38:38 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 19:31:01 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 18:37:01 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 18:11:58 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 18:06:40 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 16:43:29 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 15:29:39 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 14:50:13 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 14:22:45 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 14:22:42 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 14:03:19 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 13:32:56 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 13:31:56 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 13:17:29 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 12:42:23 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 12:10:30 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 12:03:45 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 11:59:53 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 11:40:26 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 11:30:59 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 11:24:30 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 11:24:25 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 11:19:04 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 10:59:38 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 10:49:53 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 10:27:12 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 10:20:11 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 10:00:06 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 09:50:11 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 09:15:07 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 09:10:42 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 09:07:13 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 08:21:51 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 06:38:38 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 03:47:14 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 03:26:16 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 03:22:26 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 02:39:30 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 02:39:29 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 01:32:12 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 00:20:53 ET
Date: Fri, July 25, 2003, 00:20:08 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 23:08:09 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 22:38:13 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 22:35:43 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 21:48:59 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 21:41:09 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 21:19:59 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 21:13:42 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 21:11:01 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 20:51:23 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 19:28:00 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 19:21:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 19:18:38 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 18:31:56 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 18:31:36 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 17:36:13 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 17:31:23 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 16:40:16 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 16:02:53 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 15:39:48 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 15:31:57 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 15:22:46 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 15:16:14 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 14:25:54 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 13:10:27 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 12:43:59 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 12:40:26 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 12:26:51 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 12:02:36 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 11:17:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 10:48:20 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 09:41:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 08:59:20 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 08:47:49 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 08:14:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 04:51:01 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 03:19:52 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 02:40:36 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 02:21:00 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 01:48:16 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 01:08:55 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 00:44:38 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 00:38:51 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 00:34:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 24, 2003, 00:20:54 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 23:57:42 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 23:41:23 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 23:34:00 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 23:28:58 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 23:10:17 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 23:06:16 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 22:17:32 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 21:13:03 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 19:01:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 18:15:56 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 16:04:27 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 15:15:32 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 15:01:06 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 14:57:31 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 13:16:07 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 13:11:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 12:58:37 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 12:20:17 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 11:33:15 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 11:20:24 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 10:52:53 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 10:03:06 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 08:52:42 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 08:11:05 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 07:13:02 ET
Date: Wed, July 23, 2003, 05:57:47 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 23:30:57 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 23:30:39 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 23:30:08 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 22:42:04 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 22:00:52 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 21:59:18 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 20:40:03 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:58:09 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:52:19 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:50:10 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:38:12 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:34:12 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:28:33 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:19:46 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:13:25 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 17:04:43 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 16:51:19 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 16:40:55 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 16:26:43 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 15:02:28 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 14:20:50 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 14:16:28 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 13:31:31 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 13:14:08 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 13:01:35 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 12:04:43 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 11:36:21 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 11:36:14 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 11:20:31 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 11:15:52 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 10:43:35 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 10:29:59 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 04:58:47 ET
Date: Tues, July 22, 2003, 01:16:14 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 22:03:53 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 21:20:32 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 20:23:45 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 17:34:19 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 16:58:45 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 13:34:26 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 12:34:47 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 12:13:38 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 09:43:16 ET
Date: Mon, July 21, 2003, 06:18:12 ET
Date: Sun, July 20, 2003, 23:09:02 ET
Date: Sun, July 20, 2003, 21:31:39 ET
Date: Sun, July 20, 2003, 21:11:18 ET
Date: Sun, July 20, 2003, 21:06:11 ET
Date: Sun, July 20, 2003, 10:20:23 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 22:43:43 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 22:37:43 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 20:14:43 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 15:01:28 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 14:14:03 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 12:52:07 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 10:35:40 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 09:36:33 ET
Date: Sat, July 19, 2003, 00:19:52 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 20:20:23 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 19:43:16 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 19:37:39 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 19:27:01 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 18:59:46 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 18:54:50 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 18:27:13 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 17:10:10 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 16:54:03 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 16:44:11 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 14:43:08 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 14:05:39 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 13:42:26 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 13:20:41 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 09:46:25 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 09:34:48 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 09:28:21 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 08:39:51 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 07:57:48 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 07:44:33 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 07:33:51 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 07:24:37 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 07:13:47 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 05:56:52 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 05:18:43 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 04:48:19 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 03:34:28 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 03:29:44 ET
Date: Fri, July 18, 2003, 02:45:03 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 22:10:06 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 21:35:19 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 20:34:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 20:28:00 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 19:26:08 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 19:20:33 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 18:57:56 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 18:43:03 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 18:39:33 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 18:25:34 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 18:18:02 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 17:43:24 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 17:17:13 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 17:11:36 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 17:04:38 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 17:00:23 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 16:56:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 16:36:52 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 14:47:13 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 14:37:01 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 13:45:47 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 13:30:51 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 13:20:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 13:10:13 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 12:58:00 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 12:48:39 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 12:41:05 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 12:31:15 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 12:24:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 12:15:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 12:05:20 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 11:56:25 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 10:39:41 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 09:38:02 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 09:28:47 ET
Date: Thurs, July 17, 2003, 07:29:59 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 22:05:19 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 21:38:28 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 21:37:17 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 17:20:35 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 17:12:52 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 16:32:54 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 15:20:04 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 14:37:44 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 14:17:00 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 13:42:43 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 13:21:36 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 13:06:07 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 12:48:31 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 12:46:24 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 11:55:53 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 11:52:18 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 11:47:16 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 11:43:09 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 11:29:30 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 11:17:50 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 10:58:14 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 10:51:05 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 10:50:46 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 10:49:57 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 10:46:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 10:28:32 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 09:51:22 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 09:43:20 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 09:14:12 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 09:06:59 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 08:41:02 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 08:34:36 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 08:22:53 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 08:18:59 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 08:15:15 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 07:04:25 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 06:59:00 ET
Date: Wed, July 16, 2003, 00:03:06 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 23:21:48 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 19:52:11 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 19:44:06 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 19:03:16 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 18:36:43 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 18:32:56 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 17:19:10 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 16:53:24 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 16:52:01 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 14:54:44 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 14:45:53 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 12:40:48 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 09:55:12 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 05:10:24 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 01:50:35 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 01:47:47 ET
Date: Tues, July 15, 2003, 01:11:46 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 23:56:40 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 21:55:18 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 20:59:33 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 20:24:52 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 19:55:40 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 18:13:56 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 17:35:28 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 16:09:46 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 15:27:49 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 13:26:45 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 13:14:22 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 12:16:58 ET
Date: Mon, July 14, 2003, 11:24:48 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 22:32:55 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 20:54:37 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 20:11:42 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 20:06:49 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 19:51:02 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 18:16:44 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 17:58:53 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 17:17:12 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 16:27:10 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 15:05:26 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 14:04:41 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 12:21:10 ET
Date: Sun, July 13, 2003, 11:49:55 ET
Date: Sat, July 12, 2003, 23:10:21 ET
Date: Sat, July 12, 2003, 17:52:14 ET
Date: Sat, July 12, 2003, 08:42:54 ET
Date: Sat, July 12, 2003, 07:02:07 ET
Date: Sat, July 12, 2003, 06:45:15 ET
Date: Sat, July 12, 2003, 00:35:18 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 23:47:09 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 23:38:30 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 21:34:01 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 17:57:51 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 17:01:44 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 17:00:06 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 16:57:16 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 16:34:03 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 16:30:02 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 15:32:58 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 15:32:53 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 15:05:54 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 14:31:04 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 12:31:30 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 11:53:37 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 11:32:26 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 10:51:39 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 10:45:25 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 10:02:27 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 09:52:27 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 09:02:10 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 08:51:36 ET
Date: Fri, July 11, 2003, 00:45:17 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 22:22:41 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 22:08:23 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 21:54:16 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 20:39:45 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 19:13:22 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 19:03:24 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 18:58:49 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 18:53:24 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 17:57:13 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 17:32:10 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 17:08:50 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 16:38:30 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 15:57:43 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 15:09:05 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 14:35:41 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 14:12:11 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 14:11:45 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 13:34:36 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 13:30:59 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 12:18:48 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 11:55:47 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 11:16:49 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 11:05:19 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 10:54:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 10:50:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 09:51:23 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 09:42:26 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 09:39:09 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 09:14:04 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 09:10:35 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 08:57:26 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 07:51:34 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 07:49:20 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 06:11:04 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 05:57:36 ET
Date: Thurs, July 10, 2003, 02:19:51 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 23:47:33 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 23:04:51 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 22:27:05 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 22:16:09 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 22:14:14 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 22:02:06 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 20:36:12 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 20:03:25 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 19:08:49 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 18:38:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 18:24:55 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 18:06:29 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 18:04:35 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 18:01:08 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:49:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:40:56 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:40:44 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:36:20 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:29:08 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:28:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:27:37 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:25:40 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:20:08 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:10:29 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 17:08:11 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 16:50:20 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 16:43:55 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 16:22:15 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 16:17:14 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 13:00:54 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 12:43:39 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 11:37:02 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 11:26:42 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 11:09:53 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 10:45:04 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 09:33:59 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 09:14:47 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 08:29:29 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 08:17:20 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 08:03:39 ET
Date: Wed, July 09, 2003, 02:35:59 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 22:12:37 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 21:50:21 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 21:40:57 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 21:34:19 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 19:49:54 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 19:42:21 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 19:25:14 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 18:33:45 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 18:25:47 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 17:42:07 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:56:10 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:50:11 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:35:53 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:29:03 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:28:10 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:27:17 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:25:17 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:21:32 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:15:20 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 16:10:27 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 11:47:01 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 10:19:57 ET
Date: Tues, July 08, 2003, 08:25:14 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 19:32:49 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 18:16:19 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 17:43:17 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 17:21:04 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 16:47:39 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 16:47:07 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 16:16:22 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 15:59:37 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 15:13:21 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 14:58:22 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 14:32:58 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 14:24:12 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 14:11:12 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 14:09:02 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 13:47:38 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 13:30:15 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 13:23:23 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 13:19:32 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 13:09:02 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 13:03:12 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 12:43:33 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 12:27:30 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 11:52:58 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 11:37:14 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 07:33:57 ET
Date: Mon, July 07, 2003, 05:17:23 ET
Date: Sun, July 06, 2003, 23:38:31 ET
Date: Sun, July 06, 2003, 20:55:08 ET
Date: Sun, July 06, 2003, 19:59:21 ET
Date: Sun, July 06, 2003, 19:49:06 ET
Date: Sun, July 06, 2003, 19:45:41 ET
Date: Sun, July 06, 2003, 15:50:38 ET
Date: Sun, July 06, 2003, 11:45:54 ET
Date: Sat, July 05, 2003, 14:01:53 ET
Date: Sat, July 05, 2003, 11:55:55 ET
Date: Sat, July 05, 2003, 09:27:03 ET
Date: Sat, July 05, 2003, 05:28:17 ET
Date: Sat, July 05, 2003, 02:45:31 ET
Date: Sat, July 05, 2003, 00:21:07 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 23:48:50 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 20:01:39 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 12:11:16 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 10:47:25 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 10:25:21 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 04:14:33 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 04:06:27 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 02:06:29 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 01:17:36 ET
Date: Fri, July 04, 2003, 00:36:16 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 23:45:30 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 23:19:47 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 22:52:35 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 22:11:35 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 21:07:30 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 20:45:01 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 20:29:19 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 20:18:05 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 20:15:51 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 19:35:09 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 19:18:37 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 19:03:39 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 18:27:57 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 17:29:44 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 16:28:40 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 16:28:18 ET Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 16:26:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 16:20:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 15:56:30 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 15:06:49 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 15:05:39 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 15:02:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 14:59:39 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 14:55:23 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 13:12:57 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 12:50:28 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 12:48:07 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 12:47:11 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 12:37:47 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 12:34:37 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 12:04:15 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 12:03:42 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 11:36:42 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 11:29:08 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 10:51:21 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 10:33:32 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 10:23:58 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 09:58:30 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 09:12:39 ET
Date: Thurs, July 03, 2003, 00:38:14 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 23:52:23 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 21:14:35 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 15:46:07 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 15:45:29 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 15:32:27 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 15:15:28 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 15:09:21 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 15:07:16 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 14:57:41 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 14:48:57 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 14:34:18 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 14:23:31 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:59:05 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:53:34 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:48:37 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:48:09 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:43:51 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:39:14 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:36:30 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:34:09 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:31:01 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:21:44 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:18:29 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 13:02:01 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:56:16 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:55:07 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:53:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:52:43 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:34:46 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:34:44 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:10:28 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:09:16 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 12:05:57 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 11:19:59 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 11:14:11 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 11:07:46 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 10:04:53 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 09:23:36 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 09:22:06 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 09:16:54 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 07:14:37 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 01:50:32 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 01:08:48 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 01:02:24 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 00:19:27 ET
Date: Wed, July 02, 2003, 00:10:21 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 23:44:07 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 23:19:13 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 22:07:18 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 19:59:41 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 19:55:39 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 19:37:15 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 19:29:15 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 19:01:39 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 18:40:36 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 18:17:09 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 18:09:22 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 18:07:58 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 17:08:41 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:51:08 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:45:56 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:31:23 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:30:30 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:26:53 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:21:14 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:07:37 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 16:00:53 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 15:35:40 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 14:53:54 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 14:44:19 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 14:30:54 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 14:24:36 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 14:21:26 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 14:06:38 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 14:01:48 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 13:44:02 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 13:35:49 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 12:52:23 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 12:20:37 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 11:40:56 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 11:34:25 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 11:07:16 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 10:51:41 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 09:49:48 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 08:49:19 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 07:55:03 ET
Date: Tues, July 01, 2003, 01:29:56 ET
July 2003 BlueBook Entries
Posted by: wormy, new orleansGretchen
the protagonist in things I miss the most didn't leave hastily and hence leave the strat, he married money and the strat came with it and went with it as well. He's sad that greater way of life left him.
She didn't take it from his, as it wasn't his to take.
wormtom
Posted by: gretchen, my danis modern chairThe guy in TIMTM obviously left, in a hurry, and has no desire to go back, even for his Strat. This would lead me to believe he left her, with good reason, and good riddance. The fact that he seems to be enjoying his solitude is he is relieved! She must have done something awful to drive him away, but he wanted out, anyway so it worked to his benefit. So he said, who cares, she can have it all, just get me the hell out of here! This couple could also be the same as the one in Hatian Divorce.
Posted by: Lutz, I believe the Pixeleen sound is intentional, and goes with the theme of the song, kind of digital. Shouldn't we have a little more faith in F&B and their legendary sound engineers? If this was a flaw, how come everything else sounds so perfect?
A note on Fagen's vocals: The shows out west sounded great and the men were energized. He doesn't have Roy Orbison's 4 octave voice, and never made any secret out of it. I don't want him singing outside of his range either, everything just sounds wonderful the way it is. Plus-it gave us the beautiful background babes!
A note on Gina: Imagine this being only a drum and bass track, it would still be incredible and would leave a lot of these drum and bass cd's from a while back in the dust! The whole package is incredible though, it's one of SD's all-time top 3 .
Mike, it's not my claim that the boys are leaning toward calling it quits on the road after this tour, I hope it isn't so either.
As far as this being their last album, maybe the Armageddon kind of lyrics dragged me down a bit, that was one of my fears.
If it was the sad case, it would make sense though. Comparisons with the Stones are a stretch anyway, and I believe the boys will leave with more style and class, walking off the stage into the Hawaiian sunset with the band playing on . . . (home at last?)
Posted by: hoops, Cousin isn't going either. Have a single Gorge ticket--4th Row...make a case. It's an e-ticket.
Sorry to miss you guys.
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastKen K - like your description of the set lists. I could have sworn we'd had Wu up here in N. Cal in one of those tours, but alas I could be wrong. Anyone?
I've got my tickets for Bruce here at Pac Bell, and am psyched. Have only seen him once - '81 during the Vietnam Vets string of shows at teh LA Sports Arena. I'm an 'Early Bruce' fan, love it all up through the River. Pretty much lukewarm for whatever reasons thereafter. That being said though, I am very much looking forward to the show. When I glanced at the set list for that last Giants stadium show, I was floored to see Kitty's Back, Candy's Room and Saint in the City in 1 show. I'd pass out if so lucky. It's going to be hard to manage my expectations after seeing that list.
Oh well...it's been a good year for concerts for this 30-something getting old Dan fan with 2 kids and very little social life...Peter Gabriel twice, Joe Jackson, Steely, Bruce in 2 weeks, Steely again in a few months...and eventually the Chili Peppers when they decide to play their home state! WooHoo!
Looking forward to hearing of the Gorge show...I would love to see the boys there - have fun!
Posted by: duncan, hall men think they can cook.
my twin brother is one of the best chef's in the uk.
he loves it when ''ANYBODY'' cooks for him...sad or not.
my speciality is chilli & rosemary soaked bbq ribs
to a veggie this might sound like sad cuisine, but then again why would i care what a veggie thought !!!!!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Peter - I disagree with the couple being the same as "Everything You Did". I think the lady in that song was the one who screwed up, just like the Black Cow gal. In TIMTM, it's our narrator who has f**ked up. He lost everything.
Posted by: Ken K., Portland ORRe song selection
I like the band's set breakdown - 1/3 most popular songs, played each tour, 1/3 songs played before, but not each tour, and 1/3 songs never played before. (I just wish they'd include all the ones I want - how can you go 4 tours without Dr. Wu?).
Re Peter G's comments - I'm a big Bruce fan too. But the setlists for his recent 10 shows at Giants Stadium weren't all that different. For the entire Rising tour (now in its 2d year), about 65%-70% of Bruce's set has been constant, with 4-6 songs differing night to night. And while he occasionally pulls out a true rarity (Kitty's Back, Saint in the City), most of the 4-6 audibles come from a fairly limited group as well.
Looking forward to tomorrow night's show!
Posted by: angel, Nah, the guy fell out of his easy chair, not his comfy Eames one.... :-)
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI'm sure the couple in TIMTM is the same from Everything You Did and others, more investigation is needed.
Posted by: Rindy, Question for the danophiles...What's the significance of the phrases "gospel time" in "Almost Gothic" and "gospel morning" in "Last Mall"?
-Rindy
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastDavis - They absolutely rocked Godwhacker in N Cal. And have switched out Blues Beach for Last Mall ... I would trade either + Things for Everything Must Go and Gina! Perhaps Concord?!?!?
Dan...Scroll down, down, down for set lists...or do a ctrl+F and search for 'set'...
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Nice discussions folks. OK an Audi TT is a kick-ass motor, like a freakin spy-car for goodnessake. Yes the ameliorated canned chili, how well I know it. And no, no way it's different narrators. But I have to back off my theory that the guy has a crappy value system. It's just plain human to miss THINGS along with people. All that stuff goes through your head when the bad thing happens. The 54 Strat she just took. Indoor-outdoor, nah, it's more like from most significant loss right down to the least and it's the most insignificant, but it's the one that pisses you off the most. It is a very well drawn portrait of what goes through a man's head after the big D.
Posted by: Firemop, 4th row at Smirnoff!Hey Jaydee -
I think you will enjoy the Smirnoff Music Center venue in Dallas. It is not the Morton Myerson Symphony Center, but it's not too bad for a "shed" type venue. I will be in the 4th row, center section, and if the Danfest/Show there in 2000 is any indication of what we will get this year, it will be well worth the trip. Late September in Dallas should provide some humane temperatures, too!
-fm
Posted by: dan, Hey,
I've been out of the loop here...what are the set lists looking like for this tour? Where would I look to find them, if you fine people are not privy to this information.
Thank You.
Posted by: dan , bostonhello
Posted by: Gretchen, an added thought....He kinda likes fryin up his sad cuisine because he eats what he wants, when he wants it, in peace and quiet without having to discuss his day with her. He occasionally sees that adorable ghost, but that's just an afterthought. The guy likes his freedom, apparently.
Posted by: angel, "I kind of like frying up, my sad cuisine"....
When you live alone you usually just make something for yourself. Maybe cook ramen noodles, add other stuff to it and you have dinner. Or add some things to canned chili.
Good food, but not exactly gourmet fare. I think that is the kind of thing he is doing. Something that tastes good to him (because he makes it his way), but not something that you would ever go out and buy at a restaurant.
Posted by: Gretchen, I think the protagonist in TIMTM was taken to the cleaners by his ex, thus his losing all of the goodies. Why, though, wouldn't HE keep the 54 strat? I just wonder why they repeated the Audi TT, house on Vineyard & Gulf coast when they could have done 3 other high end items. Ideas as to what these may be?
Posted by: Joey, " I still think "Pixeleen" might end up at one venue and that will be it. Similar to "Almost Gothic", unfortunately. Those high notes. "
Denver , Monday Evening ????????
Developing ......................
J.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynThe point is, which of the things was his, which was hers, and which did they acquire jointly? And another thing, why would he "kinda Like" fryin up sad cuisine? Is he a better cook than she was? it's a very odd line.
Posted by: RCray, NYCWow...Peter what do you drive a Rolls Royce?
Well put, ANGEL.
Posted by: angel, My take is that the top 3 are the things he REALLY misses the most. The talk, the sex and somebody to trust. In other words, "a person". Not necessarally the person who is gone, just plain human contact.
Then he moves on to the high end creature comforts, that he used to have. The Audi and the houses.
Finally the lower/high end creature comforts. The Eames chair, good copper pan and '54 Strat.
To all those who wish they wouldn't do the oldies (and I am one of those who said it, pre-tour). I was indeed GLAD to hear them play anything. I was moving and grooving during the encores and so was the rest of the house. You want the audience to be on their feet and loving what you are doing and that is what the oldies do.
Yes, there are many I would like, but I appreciated all the songs they played.
I still think "Pixeleen" might end up at one venue and that will be it. Similar to "Almost Gothic", unfortunately. Those high notes.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynThe Audi TT is a joke, B&F are winking at us saying look, this bozo thinks a TT is a Z3 or a CLK420. But there's more going on here. There are lots of SD songs where youn have to guess which partner brought what to the relalionship.
Posted by: RCray, NYCWell, I can certainly relate to TIMTM because I am recently divorced. That being said, I got the JAG, the HOUSE, and some furniture.
I would agree with a later poster that the inanimate objects are more important than the talk, sex etc..
My friend just bought an Audi TT and it is splendid to drive.
Regards,
RCray
Posted by: Man with no face, Peter - The list of items is being voiced by different people.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynWhich of those six things were more likely to be "his" stuff than hers? Doesn't 2 houses mean each brought one to the relationship?
Posted by: Laina, SLOAnd Davis, at PR they played Godwhacker (along with Blues Beach, TIMTM, and Slang).
Posted by: Laina, SLOPeter, as silly as this might sound, I don't think that there was any significance to the mention of outdoor goods versus that of indoor goods. I DO agree with Gretchen who said that the protagonist in TIMTM seems to miss the material goods just a little bit more than the comforts of marriage.
Lainalove
Posted by: Davis, BostonNot too crazy about the lack of songs on EMG they are playing live. So far it's only been reported that "Slang" and "TIMTM" and "Blues BEach" Anyone heard differently? I mean they need to give Pixeleen a shot even though its probably a nightmare to play live.
Anyone disagree?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynWhy are outdoor things, the car and the houses, grouped together in the lyric and indoor stuff, the Eames chair, the pan, the guitar, likewise? What does it mean?
Posted by: Gretchen, workPeter Q-
I think the narrator of TIMTM is supposed to be saying, covertly, that the Audi, Eames Chair, Good Copper Pan, etc. actually are missed more than the talk and sex. He misses the creature comforts more than the creature that enabled him to have those things, probably.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynWhy do 2 of the chorus couplets in TIMTM deal with exterior things and only one with interior? This isi driving me insane.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynOK that's fair enough.
Posted by: Gretchen, Peter Q- Everyone's entitled to an opinion, I gave mine.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynGretch, I also take issue with the the boys are the equivalent of Charlie Parker, etc. What a slap to real jazz players! Come on now.
Posted by: Peter Q, Brooklyn I have to opine on the sets - Bruce just played ten nights in the Meadowlands and every night was different, very few repeated songs - even for 10 shows in the same city! That's working for your fans, not cruise control.
Posted by: Man with no face, Raj - hey, yeah it is. "When an agent dies in a suspicious fire, Steed and Cathy discover connections between a lobster business, an importer of ornate chess sets, heroin smuggling, and a man who supposedly died in France". That sounds like the basis of a SD song right there. I'll have to crank up some illegal file sharing software and see if I can get it. Sigh... all that wasted time as a child watching Laugh-In. Anyway, I do so like that curious song about the whiting! Its my daughter's favorite Dan song. I should have named her Alice.
Posted by: Jaydee, London EnglandWell, I've done the decent thing and got two seats at the Smirnoff Center Dallas. Now I just have to get the time off work, and wonder how I'm going to pay for flights, hotel etc.
What's the venue like? Don't tell me it's the most echo-ridden hell-hole in all of USA or I'll be very sad. Hope there's some kind of pre-gig 'do'. Maybe free smirnoff?
What else is there to do for three days in Dallas ? Apart from JFK weirdo-stuff of course. Yes, that's partly why I chose this gig - I can still remember the news-flash back in 1963 (halfway through the Harry Worth show), and wondering why my parents were so shocked and upset.
Also - yes, Lobster Quadrille was an Avengers episode as well as, of course, an Alice in Wonderland episode.
And, as far as I'm concerned, they can play what the hell they like. I'll probably cry.
Posted by: Joey, " As for that slurring sound on Pix, gary, it sounds like you have the misfortune of having come crossover distortion around those freqs that maybe a slight upper-mid EQing could clear up. The analog vocal layering, the slight vocal effects, the tight harmonic cluster, and the air around the mikes - the ambience - can make vocal the separation when they sing the word "Pixeleen" a challenge to decipher all at once, but the separation is there on the disc. "
Huh ??????????????????
WTF ?!?!?!?!
When you write like this you twist my bowels .
Why ?!?!?!?! WHY ?!?!?!?! Why do you mess up young Joey's entrails so ..............?!?!?! WHY ?!?!?!?!
Developing ...............literally ( if you know what I's mean )
Joey !
Posted by: Gretchen, any world is better than here (office)HONEYBUN-
"So it's not just me then"
No, it's me, too!! We may have a whole new fan club thing going! I think he's delish!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hey man - isn't Lobster Quadrille an old Avengers episode from the Cathy Gale era?
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, the foot of Mt. BelzoniGood morning, all! I notice a lot of people complaining about what they don't want to hear live for the millionth time. Isn't hearing "Hey 19" live better than the alternative, silence? I personally would sit through "Do it Again", "Reelin'" "Peg" and "Hey 19" a thousand times rather than have no tour and no new music from D & W. Remember, these guys aren't touring every year or selling out to commercial radio. This is quality, not some mediocre side show. I remember seeing Count Basie in one of his last performances when I was a kid. SD to me is the modern day equivilant of Basie, Ellington, Parker. So let's enjoy what we've got. Nuff said.
Posted by: Man with no face, I suppose that to get the casual fan (the people that would never post here, but would hum along to "Hey 19" when played on the local classic rock station) to return for the next tour, the boys must play the radio hits. Boomers looking for nostalgia pays the freight at the 5,000 seat shows. Ask ten random people at the concert what their favorite song on EMG is. I bet you'll get a lot of blank looks. Personally, I would be happy with hearing everything from EMG and most of 2VN. Throw in a few deep cuts that deserve a "jazz" band reworking. Have Walter sing the Lobster Quadrille. Do anything but play Hey 19 and Do It Again for the upteenth time.
Posted by: Honeybun, Re:"They look a hell of a lot better now than they did on the inside of the "Countdown to Ecstasy" album! I especially think Don looks sexy in his shirtsleeves, unbuttoned a little with sleeves rolled up!"
So it's not just me then!
Honeybun
Posted by: Alfred, Utah
....---------- OK
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYActually a good way to open a show this tour would be a long instrumental introduction to Green Book, then go into the song itself.
Posted by: dbeefy, clean when our work is doneHey Bway Steve - some of us not only have listened to a walkman for 20 years, but AM radio, cassette tapes and the like. I'm also currently enjoying EMG blasting out of my PC speakers in wonderful Mp3 !
What a beautiful world it will be ...
Posted by: Beerberian waiting for Calif to tumble into the sea ?, @work"the Stones are what, a million years old" ... Jagger was 60 last week ! And at least They bother to tour the UK.
Irony here is All you guys bitching about the set list - And it looks about perfect for Me !!! ArghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhJarrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I say
Are they never coming back to THIS old School ?
Posted by: afoolnluv, moray ell - thanks for remiding me of those bits from Konocti, and clearing up what the hell was going on up in the bleachers. I sure wasn't going to let it distract me during Caves.
Somehow they never seem to fight during Peg or Hey 19.
Posted by: afoolnluv, Jo-eeeeeeeee... the fact that you can hear the room ambience on EMG is actually a good thing. Getting the "sound od the room" use to be big in the 70's somewhat, before going direct to the board and digital recording made it "passé". And I think with EMG being recorded analog, in an older studio, and all the basics being tracked live that it was the sound they were going for. You might not be accustomed to the sound as opposed to latter day recordings, but it feels sonically more like the CBAT - Katy period, before overdubs and such were the rule and not the exception.
On the bright side, if you don't like the sound, at least you know your speakers are in phase.
As for that slurring sound on Pix, gary, it sounds like you have the misfortune of having come crossover distortion around those freqs that maybe a slight upper-mid EQing could clear up. The analog vocal layering, the slight vocal effects, the tight harmonic cluster, and the air around the mikes - the ambience - can make vocal the separation when they sing the word "Pixeleen" a challenge to decipher all at once, but the separation is there on the disc.
Anybody know what the hell I'm talking about?
Posted by: Mike A, Lutz: I just can't believe your claim that this is the last tour and no more CD's either. It's not like these guys are 75 years old. Hell, the Stones are what, a million years old, and they are still out there every few years. SD is still vital and viable. With the economy in such disrepair, it's indeed surprising that anyone over 20 years old attends any concerts. Let's face it, today, most acts make a larger share off of concert sales than they do on the CD's (generally speaking).
Who else can coroborate this "bombshell" leaked by the person called Lutz? Maybe it's a ploy to pump up ticket sales? Maybe just a cruel hoax?
If indeed the guys do call it quits, I refuse to accept it and won't stand for it.......
Mike A.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.My dear Almighty Ass - The Rajah looks maaarvelous, trust me. Go to rikkimartin.com, click on "what he'll look like in 25 years and hit "go".
Posted by: mikem, lbi, njhi all, i personally scored a pair of 13th row section 102 front
32 min after the bell rang- ticketmaster.com locked up, and then
a ticketmaster csr hung up on me!
my understanding is that choice seats are being held for
high rollers- there may be opportunities to move up, once inside
and if the *moment* develops, i.e., if casino hosts and vip coordinators dont put whales in these seats
hmmmmmmmm...
mikem-->>lbi, nj
re:
Date: Wed, July 30, 2003, 16:39:05 ET
Posted by: Rindy, Big Apple
If it makes you feel better, SD show @Borgata in Atlantic City is nearly sold out on T-master site
Only showing single seet availability currently
-Rindy
Posted by: DACW , RCray: The re- re- re-master of Aja from 1999 blows gold out of the box (I have both)...Don and Wlat complained about the mastering mobile fidelity did...
Joey! Huh? I don't know about you, but my DVD-A, Yamaha, Boston Acoustics system can't be saturated by EMG - the louder the better!!!! The album just kicks major ass!!...only thing - I would have used Barney on bass on Things i miss the most...Walter shines on Slang - vocals and bass...
I don't know about you all, but I keep getting spammed by e-mail from Niger trying to get me to transfer "yellow cakes" ...will make Joey Glow in the Dark!!!!!
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, Mr. Chow'sYes, Rajah, Walt is "hunky" in his own Piscean way! I guess you have to be female to appreciate them on this level.
Posted by: Almighty Ass, If you only knew.......Rajah- Could you please post a picture of yourself here?
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastWeighing in with you Leoshish....
I have to admit I share your sentiments regarding:
* Slipping in some more obscure oldies & goodies...when I first saw it mentioned before I went to the show that the hit parade was getting a little old I thought that was being a bit stodgy. However I have to admit I would have definately traded Hey 19 and Peg for something more personally meaningful.
* Not griping...understood...just trying to refine what's nearly perfect already.
*Jeez louise...could we hear at least one title track from the last 2 releases? Those songs are important enough to name the whole collection after, but not to share with the supporting base?!?!?
A few other thoughts....
* You will not regret hearing Josie this time around...Carlock will knock you off your ass!
* I will spontaneously combust if I were to hear Charlie Freak! (Hopefully after taking in the whole song)
* moray eel already pointed this out, but the whole interplay with the audience was incredible after 'Things I Miss the Most'. Donald taking a deep breath & sigh..."That's kind of a depressing song."...pregnant pause...then in upbeat follow up "Well, not LIBERIA depressing, but still kinda depressing"...semi-pregnant pause..."or like that whole thing you have going with the Governor here, or anything"...mix of audience reaction ('yeah', 'boo', 'whatever', etc.)...Walt & Don pause, ponder and listen...Walter laughingly shares "I heard someone say 'Everything Must Go'!"...greeted with audience laughter. Just had the intimate feel of a bar show...The Konocti Rock&Roll&Comedy review! Again, couldn't believe it when they announced they were playing this place - but that moment just summed that's how good this show at this venue was. THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!
Posted by: Tom Travers, TOP 10 SINGLES FROM THE WEEK OF AUGUST 4, 1974
1. Annie's Song - John Denver
2. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John
3. Feel Like Makin' Love -Roberta Flack
4. RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER-STEELY DAN
5. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
6. The Air That I Breathe - The Hollies
7. Rock And Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers
8. Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins
9. Call On Me - Chicago
10. Sideshow - Blue Magic
HIGHEST DEBUT: # 51 / Can't Get Enough Of Your Love - Barry White
TOP 10 ALBUMS FROM THE WEEK OF AUGUST 4, 1974
1. Caribou - Elton John
2. Back Home Again - John Denver
3. Before The Flood - Bob Dylan & The Band
4. Journey To The Centre Of The Earth - Rick Wakeman
5. 461 Ocean Boulevard - Eric Clapton
6. Bachman-Turner Overdrive II - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
7. On Stage - Loggins & Messina
8. Band On The Run - Paul McCartney & Wings
9. Tres Hombres - ZZ Top
10. PRETZEL LOGIC-STEELY DAN
Posted by: angel, Rajah: Glad you don't find either Donald or Walter attractive, I am sure they appreciate it.... ;-)
I like how they look. It's a pleasure to watch in action.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Gretchen you naughty little wenchen - the ONLY time Donald appears remotely sexy is when he's behind his Rhodes. I really like the look of that thing and was informed it was built in 1973. But it does give one hope in that, given the right circumstances, even a schlubb like Donald, croaking his way ever nearer to antiquity, can still pull the chicks. I love America.
Next you'll be telling us Walty is "hunky".
Stick to this dimension, Gretch, is what I'm telling you.
Posted by: leoshish, the pacific northwet...presently hot and dry!Ok, positively THRILLED to be sitting 10th row at the Gorge this Saturday...but,
I have to admit to being a little disappointed at the set lists people have recounted. Some great gems I have longed to hear live are a'comin' (Aja, Caves of Altamira, Parker's Band, Haitian Divorce, Time Out of Mind) just like last tour (i.e. The Boston Rag, The Royal Scam, Night By Night)--awesome!! But I have seen D + W 6 times since the early 90s and we keep hearing many of the same tunes. I've heard Peg, Josie, Kid Charlemange, Hey Nineteen, My Old School, FM, and Don't Take Me Alive more than once (some on every tour) and LOVE them. Why not, instead, polish up some additional beauties that have been ignored in tours past? Wouldn't you just love to hear Your Gold Teeth I, King of the World (heck, even Joe Jackson covered this one live), Razor Boy, Doctor Wu, Here at the Western World, I Got the News (Ted could pull it off, no problem), Two Against Nature, more stuff from Nightfly or Kamikiriad, or Century's End, to name a few? And where's Pixeleen? Lunch with Gina? Green Book?
Not trying to gripe, 'cuz I'll love the show, I'm sure...especially for the long lest gems and the new ones. It just sounds like the list could use a little more seasoning. Your thoughts?
Posted by: Gretchen, Bway Steve-Even Black Oak Arkansas is touring. So are Jay and the Americans! I say we need a triple bill out here on the East coast!
Posted by: Gretchen , Hey, Rajah, I dig the rumpled look. I think Don and Walt are very cute. They look a hell of a lot better now than they did on the inside of the "Countdown to Ecstasy" album! I especially think Don looks sexy in his shirtsleeves, unbuttoned a little with sleeves rolled up! I have a thing for musicians.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Don & Walt look like two middle age guys, in other words, rumpled and lumpy. Walter needs to go on that show where the gay guys dress the strait guy. Sheesh, at least he lost the sneakers. Donald just hunches over all the time - and his eyewear is seriously out of date, he's a mess. But they are the one, they're a star.
Posted by: Gretchen, home, at last!Peter Q-
I can dance way better to the Dan, and they're both better lookin' than Sammy!
Posted by: bwaySteve, 43rd and BroadwayWhat's all this about the sound quality of EMG ? As if anybody who's listened to a walkman for the past 20 years has any hearing left to make that judgement.
It is really a banner year for concertgoers. Almost any old fart who has done anything in music is playing somewhere this summer so catch 'em before they drop.
Long live Walter and Donald. They still look pretty friggin' good, don't they ?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynGretchen - you have Steely Dan way too much on the brain. Go to a Sammy Hagar concert and see a wild ass rockin show where virtually every person in the crowd, like Sammy or not, is up dancing. Have a Cabo Wabo! Just a suggestion!
Posted by: Gretchen, LATE BREAKING NEWS ON LORD AND TAYLOR!! EVERYTHING MUST GO!! I cannot believe 1/3 of this retail giant's stores are GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!!
Can all but the flagship store be far behind? I am very, very sad! Thank God we still have Nordstrom.
Posted by: Gretchen, the floor of a noodle shopAll of these posts about shows are making me jealous! Can't wait till Aug. 25. Anyway, why all the negativity about the sound on EMG? Let's enjoy the newness while we have it, people!! Who knows when there will be another Steely Dan summer!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Mealie - you kick ass. It's my firm conviction that Da Sick Fruities could render a punched version of Royal Scam using the congas in lieu of the brass. A jungle groove.
Followed by Cuban Pete:
Chic-chicky-boom
Chic-chicky-boom
Chic-chicky-boom.
Posted by: Rindy, Big AppleIf it makes you feel better, SD show @Borgata in Atlantic City is nearly sold out on T-master site
Only showing single seet availability currently
-Rindy
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliDespues de policia kill him for smuugle bootleg STEELY cassettes inot country, "Maricon Joe" make the sine for gig for "Sick Fruity Bitches" he was artista too! Dice:
Don Carlos de Coriza Fernandez, harmonica y vocales Rick The Bagel, flute, coke tin and sleigh bells Meal Reviewer, conga Barna de Meal Reviewer Y Sanchez-Colon, vocales backup y cha cha moves. WE quiremos open gig with ROYAL SCAM but Don Carlos say we have no horns so we try VIERNES NEGRITA. Malo! The peepil say we suck the big pipe. Entonces how you say, Get the fuck off the stage, except for mee weif Barna, they want her to dance. Next nite, in the ocean waves we swim to Ameri.
Posted by: Joey, Agreed ...........I have been so busy at work that I just do not have time to post much let alone find the time in the evenings to write a very thorough and comprehensive review of the new album . Let's just say that I am sticking with my " Solid A- " rating for EMG and leave it at that . Pixeleen SAVES this one !!!!!!!
But you can bet your Sweet A## that I WILL make an effort to compose a compelling and illuminating , not to mention a vital and coherent , review of Monday Evening's concert ( Denver , August 4th ) .
Developing ......................
Joey !
Posted by: DOE, DelawareNot that I am Mister Optimism or anything, but this negativity surrounding the quality of the sound on EMG is driving me nuts. It's common knowledge that they went to analog to get away from the squeaky-clean sound of digital. My posts have been fewer lately because it seems like 98% of the posts are about the live shows. That's great, except for those of us who can't spare the vacation to get out to the Left Coast to see the boys. It is nice to see a good dose of the gems in there along with the new songs.
It's sorta like the "vewy vewy quiet" thread...I really don't hear the over-modulation that people are speaking of in Pixeleen, much like I don't hear the speech impediment in Godwhacker.
Still waiting for Aug. 20...
DOE
Posted by: cathy berberian, Doesn't anyone have anything to say this afternoon? I've never seen this board so dead! Has anyone heard about the surprise guest appearance for east coast shows?
Posted by: gretchen, altimiraRaja, I hope not. It would be a depressing world without knowing something new is brewing with SD. In fact, how do we know there is not something in production as we speak...
Posted by: Gary, NJI think there are still seats availible for the August 17 concert at the PNC arts center....but you better hurry!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.I do think SD will go on in some form but I believe they will change their whole gig in a radical way. Last tour of this kind? Yeah, it makes sense. They've taken this presentation about as far as it can go, I mean 13 people on stage, that can't go on much longer. My sense as I talk to various people is that this indeed might be it for the road.
Posted by: Man with no face, Maybe they can shrink the fan base to the point that I can see Don, Walt, Keith, John, and Walt W. at the local 100 seat jazz club. Yeah, the Dan Steele quintet. Too bad that will never happen.
Posted by: dbeefy, rip and chop and spamHi all. Busy at work so can't post too much for now, am enjoying the gig reports though. This weekend is going to see a mini-danfest in SE London involving myself, a few like minded souls, and a PC with the mp3 playlist set to the fist night at Costa Mesa! I've found a version of Cubano Chant by Cal Tjader,nice vibes in more ways than one. Anyway, the other reason for the post :
re: junk 'spam' messages -
A few people have posted that they're getting more junk after posting to the BB. This is probably because automated programs search the web for email addresses, and proceed to spam the hell out of them, usually with fraud schemes from Africa, cut price Viagra from god-knows-where, and the like. (you might find that if you use e-bay this is also a sure fire way to attract spam :(
You might find it helps to enter your email address like this -
dbeefyNOSPAMPLEASE@beefymail.com
(where it's obvious to a person, but not to a machine that a portion of the address needs to be removed)
Or, to put it all in words, like this :
dbeefy at beefymail dot com
(of course neither of these are guaranteed to work but they might help...)
Hope this is of use, if anyone has any more tips please share them!
Failing that, if anyone wants cheap v1agra, hot pr0n action or instant ways to make $$$ £££ I can pass a few on :)
dbe
aka
beynond at clara dot co dot uk
Posted by: RCray, ManhattanI have Polk Audio loudspeakers with a Denon amp with a Sony CD player and I hear no anomolies. EMG sounds incredible and I have purchased the new Steve Winwood and the new Jack Johnson..it blows both of those away. The only CD that sounds as good is Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by WILCO, that is flawless.
Katy Lied on the other hand is chock full of madness. Listen to Dr. Wu and 1 second into it you will hear that song actually being played backward. I have the box set/old katy/remastered katy and it can be heard on all three. However, for a '75 recording it still sounds delightful.
Maybe, I will listen to EMG on headphones tonight and get back to y'all.
The best sounding CD I have ever owned is the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Gold version of AJA...that is fucking amazing. Especially, "Black Cow", and "Josie".
Too bad they went bankrupt...not enough audiophiles.
Posted by: Jeery Fan, Den.JayDee
I was thinking the same thing about the E-Mails don't they think we can see the Royal Scam coming.
Posted by: Joey, " The bad recording of EMG is really evident on the track Pixeleen. When the word Pixeleeen is sung on the recording it sounds like Pisheleen, where the 'x'in Pixeleen sounds very distorted and sounds like an "SH". I have heard this before in other bad mastered recordings over the years from other artists where the artists singing sounds distorted due to mad mastering or bad mistracking of a tonearm on a turntable. But since the compact disc revolution mistracking is a thing of the past, so the only thing left is a bad master recording or bad mass production of the CD. "
Gary .................Thank You .
The bad master recording of EMG has completely ruined " Pixeleen's " chances of EVER becoming the hit single that " Cousin Dupree " was on Radio .
It is enough to make a grown man weep profusely and sh## liquid . Hug Me .
Joey !
Posted by: Jaydee, LondonJust a few randoms (day off work, rain outside):
Nope, can't hear the 'sh' in 'Pixeleen' - not with my run-of-the-mill Sony/Wharfedale set-up anyway. Maybe I need a system upgrade to really appreciate those intrusive sibilants. I can detect a 'sh' in "sweet treats and SHurprises", but isn't that just mr carlock opening his hi-hat?
I've also had a couple of unusual emails since posting here - of the rather amusing 'Nigerian 4-1-9 scam' variety. But why should these guys target Dan sites as gullible spam-fodder? Don't they know we've all been geniuses since we were seventeen?
Just decided I'll try to get over to US for an east coast gig as long as I can get time off, and tickets still available. Thinking of Roseland (not sold out yet?), the NY state fair, or maybe even Dallas - so I can see the grassy knoll as well (sorry, just a sad ambition of mine). Might even bring a non-Danfan with me, just to boost D and W's income !
Thanks to all for inspiring gig reports.
Posted by: Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Monitor, Cathay IslandsAgent, you seem to have avenues of knowledge that the rest of us don't, chap. What are your sources? Are they bloody reliable?
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NY Agent...Kinda just preaching to the choir ey? Isn't that kinda like giving up?
Posted by: RCray, NYCAny chance that Storytellers will be released and/or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame footage? I moved last year and cannot find the videotapes that contain those performances.
I found Kid Charlemagne from VH1.com on a mix of artists doing storytellers.
Posted by: Agent of the Law, Chief-
Steely Dan has approximately 250,000 loyal fans across the country in 2003. That is their base. They can make a decent amount of money if 250,000 fans attend their concerts. They'll make even more if those fans bring a non-fan to one of their shows. And D&W aren't taking the risk on slack ticket sales, Clear Channel is. And the higher ticket prices pay for the empty seats.
D&W made a conscious decision not to try to expand their base by refusing to promo the album effectively. It's coasting time for these guys. And who should blame them?
AOLWarners decided that if D&W weren't going to try to expand their fan base, the album wouldn't sell beyond the fan base and there was no real money-making potential. So they decided not to put any real money into promoing the album beyond the amount needed to write off all the revenue EMG generated ($2 million so far).
The empty seats are because there are only 250,000 loyal fans. To fill the empty seats, D&W has to try to attract the non-fan and they've decided it's not worth the trouble at this stage in their lives.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYBottom line...in almost every venue except Roseland, good seats, not nosebleeders, are still available. Why?
Posted by: Agent of the Law, The EMG ad that ran in Time was an AOL intracompany advertising deal where no real money changed hands. Not quite an Enron, since EMG has at least generated some revenue for the record company.
Warners expensed the ad against EMG income for tax loss purposes, and Time Magazine was able to recognize revenue for unsold advertising space. AOL Warners will only do enough intracompany promos to ensure all income from EMG is written off, but not much more. They want a break-even or small loss.
Posted by: Gary, Howard,
The bad recording of EMG is really evident on the track Pixeleen. When the word Pixeleeen is sung on the recording it sounds like Pisheleen, where the 'x'in Pixeleen sounds very distorted and sounds like an "SH". I have heard this before in other bad mastered recordings over the years from other artists where the artists singing sounds distorted due to mad mastering or bad mistracking of a tonearm on a turntable. But since the compact disc revolution mistracking is a thing of the past, so the only thing left is a bad master recording or bad mass production of the CD. My sound equipment is first rate so Im ruling out my equipment. When I play the excellent recording of the Nightfly CD it still sounds great as the first day I purchased it, probably due to a "digital master recording" and not an "analog master recording" as they did on ETMG.
So maybe I just got a bad cd (I hope), and I'll buy a new one. If the second one I purchase still sounds bad then I'm gonna have to suggest to Don and Walt not to do any more "Analog" master recordings in the future.
Gary
Posted by: Honeybun, Some folk mentioned recieving bizarre junk emails after posting on the board and funnily enough, I got two odd emails today, from someone from the third world or something and some other guy from a bank. I feel better for knowing that they are indeed junk and that i'm not the only one to get them. So whoever it is...give it up!
Reading that apparently this is the last album, tour etc bummed me out a bit but I'm not willing to believe it. I heard a recording of Don and Walt talking about the new stuff and the dj asked if the lyrics to EMG really meant they were calling it a day and they said no. They are still enjoying what they are doing and will keep at it as long as they feel this way. As someone else said, they are still young and I can't imagine them stopping playing, what the hell else would they do?!! I still hope they find it in their hearts to tour the UK, I will be heartbroken if they don't.
Honeybun
Posted by: angel, Big Fan: The picture of Aja on the front of the black tee-shirt and the tour dates on the back.
Posted by: Big Fan, at workArticle on change in venue in Oregon.
http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1059566968164150.xml
Thanks to all on the t-shirt sales and setlists; please keep them coming.
I'm stillinterested if the Aja shirts are similar to the ones sold in 1993.
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Studying Dostoevsky w. A HighlighterWhat is "time signature"? My son has an assignment to find a Steely Dan song in "8/7 time, like Blue Rondo A La Turk (Dave Brubeck)." What is Dave Brubeck? Does he chase the Lolitas too? I am worried for the orality of my boy. Please. What does it all mean?
Posted by: Howard, @lunchGary - what equipment are you using to play the EMG CD?
I have heard people complain (elsewhere) about sound quality of CDs and in the same breath they say they are using "fairly decent PC speakers". Not saying this is true for you (I hope it isn't) - but are we talking headphones, boom box, hi-fi... cheap/average/high end ...?
Personally, I have found no sound problems with EMG (on my "average-to-good" hifi and headphones). No funny "S" sounds - everything sounds crisp and clear and strong. The *mix* is a little different to what they've done before (bass is quite cheeky and upfront), but the recording quality and ambience I find to be very similar to 2VN.
Joey - don't know what you have in mind when you say it sounds like it was recorded in a basement. You mean the echo/reverb? The sound of traffic rolling by...?
Howard
Posted by: Beerberian, @itCalling All UK based, Dan deprived Musos … Seeking Solace & Karma? No need to feel like a Third World Man …
Come join the faithful in Tribute to Don & Walt
The Dan collective – The UK’s finest homage (with rip snorting axe solos aplenty)
Night by Night they will have you Reeling in The Years , bringing back The Boston Rag, till you come Home @ Last with Josie defying all Pretzel Logic …
Friday August 8th The Jailhouse Coventry
www.thedancollective.co.uk for details
Posted by: Jaydee, London Hoops - you asked where D and W said they wouldn't do Letterman etc.
This is from UK's 'Guardian' newspaper interview in May:
Though Becker and Fagen happily endure the promotional rounds of radio and press, TV chat shows are off the agenda. "We've been invited to do a couple of them and have respectfully declined," says Becker. "Television has been coopted as an organ of the state here in America, and we don't want to get involved."
Cheers - Jaydee
Posted by: Dan Belcher, Louisville, KYJoey,
Exactly what I mean. I love the organic sound of EMG. It doesn't sound cold and mechanical like 2VN or Kamakiriad did. It's got that down-to-earth powerful sound nailed. Very awesome to just crank in my Focus when I'm driving home or something. :)
Ordered my ticket for the Columbus, OH show on August 9th earlier tonight. I got the nosebleed seats (the $25 ones) because I'm a broke college student. And I'm going to the CART race at Mid-Ohio the next day, so considering the tickets for that and a motel room, I'm going to be out some serious cash. I think I'll still get an awesome experience out of the show, despite the crappy seats.
Posted by: Shaun, BJust found out the mezz section for Friday night at Roseland is sold out! According to Ticket Master the Mezz is also standing room. Funny...I saw a show there last year in Mezz and I had a seat.
Posted by: Shaun, BostonYo!
Got four tickets for both shows at Roseland! Someone was asking about the mezz level at Roseland. The mezz will not only be less crowded then the floor....you can have a seat there as well. I guess for some it might be worth the extra $ to be able to sit down.
Posted by: Gretchen , at homeI find it hard to believe EMG would be a last album. They have such a varied background I wouldn't be at all surprised if they put out a true jazz album at some point. I don't think they would be touring and all if they didn't feel at some creative high point. Look at some of the all time greats who ventured into new territories for decades, like Miles, etc. These guys are young. I hope we have a few more decades of whatever the hell they decide to produce. I know I haven't been disappointed yet, and I've been a hard core fan since I was 10 years old, spending my allowance on CBAT. And I still hold out hope that somehow, somewhere, "Second Arrangement" will appear....
Posted by: Lutz, SFRajah , I hope they make a lot of money on tour too. Times 41 is a bit high though , actually they travel with 2 giant trucks and 4 huge buses . Most tix. don't sell for $ 100 , and maybe 60 % of that goes to the band , tops .
I went to both the Clear Lake and Tahoe shows and I am still in disbelieve . Carlock and Weiskopf are a riot , Aja 2003 really stood out , but it's hard to pick any favorite .
Talked to people who always travel with the masters .
THIS WILL BE THE LAST TOUR . No European concerts are planned . It's shocking and makes sense at the same time , they go out on top and in style ! I am afraid it's the last album as well .
How can they top EMG ?
To the folks who are second guessing the piano sound on EMG , I wouldn't have the audacity to do that , we're all just keyboard hackers after all . This cd is by far the best sounding cd ever , not to mention the music . And Charlap has his own cd's out .
Vegas Baby !
Posted by: Gretchen, the smoky lobbyHey Gary in NJ:
I listened again for the "flaw" you seemed to hear in EMG but the only place it sounded kind of funny was Don saying "sweet treats and surprises" (for all the little buckaroos.) I think it was meant that way, though, to be snarky for all the yuppies out there. At the end of Things I Miss, you hear a slight piano twinkle, kind of like when Mr. Rogers' trolley would pull in. Is that just me being bizarre?
Posted by: Jive Miguel (in from Bogata), DC - A few tunes I'd love to hearAnyone who'd seen the crew in concert know that their rearrangement of classic Dan tunes is a trademark that truly reveals their genius. The most amazing example was Do It Again, a 1972 song updated brilliantly for the 2000 tour.
Here's a few I'd love to hear:
Any World
Charlie Freak
Here at the Western World
King of the World
My Rival
The Nightfly
Only a Fool
Razor Boy
Throw Back the Little Ones
Your Gold Teeth
Heck, How about an 8 hour concert with every track. Too selfish?
Posted by: hoops, BTW: One of the people in the Koncoti pics is Boston Rag's big sister.
Chief:
It's about time Time ran an ad. I thought the whole idea of the AOL/Time/Warner merger was synergy. Well, it's about time they had some synergy on behalf of Steely Dan and EMG.
Agent of The Law:
Where specifically did D + W say they wouldn't be on Letterman, etc? I remember it was something like that discussed here a while back but lost the source. Thanks!
Interesting that "Bodhisattva" won't be played this time (or so it seems) and I am surprised the title track from EMG hasn't been played. I thought for sure it would be a set opener or closer or first encore. Kind of a bookend tune for me and would have been/would be great live. And I'm even more shocked that WB is doing vocals on "Haitian." Months ago, I said I thought it would be great for WB to cover. Cool! Another coincidence like the Marian McPartland Show.
And also, I'm glad "Josie" is still in the set. I wasn't sure if it would make it. after the naysayers, although I am surprised "Deacon Blues" hasn't made a appearance since I think it is SD's most perfect track.
Donald's basement? I think of the ping-pong table we had in our basement growning up and think Donald must have had one, assuming he had a basement. Speaking of which, does anyone know if the photo of the house on the back of "The Nightfly" is actually the house DF grew up in?
Enjoying the show commentary.
jim
Posted by: jac, west coastWe have a couple extra tickets to THE GORGE this Saturday night... drop me an email and they are yours... face value... jac
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYWhat do 40 people eat for a week, peanut butter sandwiches? And they don't party or anything like that, and of course they stay at Motel 6 and they don't have like lawyers or anything on retainer. Publicists always work for free too. I saw an ad for EMG in Time magazine, any idea what that costs? That one ad alone is the gate for a whole show!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Mike - go to andymetzger.com, hit Media, more than you'll want there.
Chiefy baby - how much does it cost to run the tour for 40 plus gigs, most of which are either East or West Coast? Eleven players, one bus, one truck two TOPS, gotta be less than 24 support staff, the video set up we got screwed out of at Costa Mesa -I still have unresolved issues- the venue fees, permits and the like, insurance, accommodation for everyone. I put at $300,000.00 per night receipts, an average of 3000 fannies at roughly $100 per. $100,000.00 in costs. D & F snarf the rest. Do the math. Times 41.
Does Agent of the Law wish to chime in and set me strait or would that be out-of-bounds?
Posted by: konocti, Konocti Danfest Photos at:
http://homepage.mac.com/jjmckay/konocti.html
Posted by: Mike from Massachusetts, Massachusetts, he said repeatedlyFriends: I'd love to read newspaper reviews of shows as the tour goes along (as well as further insightful remarks from those of you who attend them.) Please post links to newspaper or other reviews. As for me, I'm looking forward to the Mansfield, Tweeter Center. I'll be in section 2 with a goofy grin on my face.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYMake money on the tour????? Do you know how much it must cost to run Steely Dan on tour for a week? Here in NYC, probably the biggest market for their music in the world, the shows still have 2nd best seats available at Jones and PNC. I'm surprised.
Posted by: Reptile Brain, PDXPortland Venue Change: If you go to exchange your tix at point of purchase, be sure to tell the agent to call the Ticketmast Agent Hotline for comparable seats, otherwise you will be picking from singles in the nosebleeds. The agents do not all know this!
Posted by: almost gothic negative girl, South Lake Tahoe Library!Greetings from beautiful Lake Tahoe! I can see the lake from where I am typing this right now. Gotta love a public library like that. Also gotta type fast, as there are folks waiting and a time limit. Please excuse any typos etc.
First and foremost, I know it has been mentioned but bears repeating: Walter DID NOT sing Aja. Show was great, but I would have loved to hear a few different songs, as it was a repeat of the Paso Robles show. Another song or two off EMG would have been nice.
As I left the coast and headed towards the high sierra it was obvious that there were storms a' brewin and weather might be a factor for this gig. The closer I got, the darker and more foreboding the skies got. I came in from the southwest, and when I crested at 8000 feet on Hwy 88 and dropped down to Silver Lake, the first big drops started to fall. In 5 minutes, it was raining in earnest. In 10 minutes, thunder and lightning broke out in a big way. Within 15 minutes, it was limited visibility and hydraplaning. Fun ; ) Totally cool storm, reminding me that it was one of the things I miss the most about not living at Tahoe anymore. I was really diggin' it, but at the same time hoping it would shoot it's proverbial wad and be on it's way out of town well before showtime. Well, it did, and it was.
While checking in at my groovy little mountain resort/motel, the storm was extremely intense and directly overhead. Once settled in, I called Harvey's to see what was up. Band was just beginning the soundcheck. So I headed on over, and with a little poking around, ended up with the best spot to enjoy the soundcheck. Just perfect sound and sightlines. Got lucky again. The band played Home at Last, then were gettin' antsy waiting for the boys to show. They finally did, and Walter noodled a bit on the old blue and white, and then we got Time Out of Mind, Blues Beach, Godwhacker, and Haitian Divorce. By this time the weather was clearing up and turning to warm and gorgeous, and it stayed that way the entire wonderful night. Nothing like the smell of Tahoe after a summer thundershower.
Oh man, my posting time is coming to an end here. Must go. Everyone have a fantastic time in Portland and the Gorge. Light, love, music, magic ~
linda
Posted by: Joey, " Joey-
I'd love to see Donald's Basement! What do you think he has there? "
Jimmy Hoffa , an order of French Fries and Larry Hagman's used liver ( circa ' Jeannie ' days ) .
-- Thank You
The Joey
Posted by: Agent of the Law, D&W refused to promo the album on TV (Letterman, Leno, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, etc.) to make a political statement. So AOLWarners said we'll spend our promo money elsewhere, thank you very much. It's not all Warners fault that EMG isn't selling beyond the core Dan Fan base. And D&W will make much more money on tour than AOLWarners will ever see from EMG, even if they spent more money promoting it.
Posted by: Gretchen, I think as an encore they should incorporate their version of "Jim Dandy to the Rescue."
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Lots of Jazz records in vinyl, his touring jump suit from Jay & the Americans, a box full of old drug paraphernalia, shrunken cadavers of various inadequate session men (mostly drummers), a Keith Jarret voodoo doll with pins in its hands, a severely mangled whatever that keyboard thing was on King of the World, kirschwasser empties, Walter's Black Oak Arkansas hairpiece, and the mock-up of the 1980 Spangled Leather Poncho Tour jacket that never got to production. Memories are made of this.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynParts where the acoustic piano should be coming in strong to comp the guitar solos are too buried.
Posted by: Gretchen, grinding through my day gigJoey-
I'd love to see Donald's Basement! What do you think he has there?
Posted by: gretchen lu, ctI think EMG sounds great! Recordings by other artists should sound even 1/10th as good! What type of system are you playing it on? I prefer Bose, that's all I have at home. Listening in the car, however, is different. That system is just average and the quality can't compare.
Posted by: Joey, " Actually, I find EMG to be one of the best produced albums I have EVER heard. It just sounds absolutely amazing. No sound problems whatsoever here. "
WTF ?!?!?!?!
Dan , you make Joey very sad .
EMG sounds like it was recorded in Donald's Basement --- and that is NOT necessarily such a bad thing .
It's the Basementness of it that is so appealing my Steely Brothers and Sisters . Hug Me .
See ya in Denver Monday night . First shot of " JaggerMeister " is on me .
Joey !
Posted by: Dan Belcher, Louisville, KYActually, I find EMG to be one of the best produced albums I have EVER heard. It just sounds absolutely amazing. No sound problems whatsoever here.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynThe piano definitely is recorded poorly, buried under the guitars and bass and vocals, and it's a shame because both Baker and Charlap can play.
Posted by: jaydee, LondonDanFanDan - Thanks for great review, even with weird symbolic intrusions !
I was right there with you. Well, obviously, I couldn't be there as I'm all the way over here, but thanks to you I was just about there. And that will have to do. So thanks again.
Posted by: Gary, New Jersey Anyone found the CD recording on ETMG bad? On a few of the tracks on the CD when ever Don or Walt pronounce a lyric word starting with an "S" it sounds like sandpaper or a "shhhhhh" sound. It sounds like the old days when there was a mistracking of the tonearm on your turntable. Is this a bad mass production unit or is this the way the CD was actually recorded? I'll buy another one if I know this is just a fluke.
Thanks,
Gary
Posted by: Bill, PittsburghBelated comments on the drummer thread:
Major seconds on the suggestion of Richie Hayward of Little Feat, who is one amazing drummer. He can be wilder than Keith Moon, funkier than Zigaboo Modeleste (ex-Meters) and as precise and creative as Steve Gadd or any of those other session superstars, all within the same song. And sings cool high harmonies while he's doing it. Check out Little Feat's songs "Gringo" or "Representing the Mambo", both written by Feat's resident keyboard monster Bill Payne, and both with a heavy Steely influence. He could play the bejezuz out of "Aja."
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastSorry folks about the embedded characters...sometimes the ol' cut and paste isn't always your friend.
Jerry Fan...I got that damn zimbabwe thing too, and have noticed a peak in spam too - Shame!
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastMusings on the Konocti show¡K
As expected it was an awesome evening. It was only my 2nd time to this venue, my first time being last summer when I went to see a show that was one of my wife¡¦s selections. I remember specifically thinking ¡§this would be a great place to see one your favorite bands¡¨, and then filed that under the ¡¥Yeah, right, dream on¡¦ category of my mind.
Well, I¡¦m here to tell you kids that dreams can come true! On Saturday, my wife and I enjoyed a dream night out at the show. I couldn¡¦t believe when they had announced that they were playing here. Also couldn¡¦t quite believe they didn¡¦t sell out. I got my tickets online right out of the gates¡Kended up 12th row center!! Literally spitting distance to the boys. The first 10 rows are sold as ¡¥premium¡¦ seats with a pre-concert BBQ (for an extra 40 or 50 bones), so didn¡¦t quite go to that level of commitment.
I think the boys were rather impressed with the venue as well, as they made numerous comments about the joint all through the night. A couple have been noted already - Walter saying they had seen some porpoises earlier in the day. I think Donald was fixated on the remoteness of the place, stating ¡¥where exactly is this place?¡¦. Made me think they didn¡¦t exactly hand pick the venue based on personal experience. Also made me envision them driving in on winding roads on buses and big rigs. Walter noted later in the show ¡§what an incredible venue you guys have here¡¨. At the end of the first set, Donald asked ¡¥what time does it get dark around here, is this one of those midnight sun places?¡¨ Occurred to me at the beginning of the second set that perhaps he was referring to the fact that they weren¡¦t able to use the projection screens until it did indeed get dark. They had them running for the second set on. They had some pretty cool visual effects they incorporated into the video they projected. They guys definitely had the rapport going with the audience. Later in the second set between songs, Donald asked ¡¥exactly where is home for people that come here?¡¦. I had to yell loudly SAN CARLOS!, but alas, he acknowledged ¡¥Fort Bragg, huh? Well, let¡¦s hear it for Fort Bragg!¡¦
OK, now¡K¡¨let¡¦s get on with the show¡¨¡KI¡¦ll just add a few brief comments as I remember them.
Cubano Chant- Had never heard this song before, but agree that it was a great ¡¥warmer upper¡¦ for both the band and audience, and especially the sound guys. I mention that because everything was right on for the rest of the show. There seemed to be a touch of some screeching or feedback at the beginning of Aja with the vocals, but was quickly remedied.
Aja ¡V The boys came out and they nailed it. Right then you knew it was ¡¥On¡¦, and you were in for a special evening.
Time out of Mind- OK, now this is one of my personal faves. Someone asked previously on the board who did the Knopfler parts, well¡Kit was Walter, and he did them very tastefully. A very good match for his playing style, and one of my high points of the night for the WB guitar work.
Godwhacker- Very tight, the best of the new tunes that they played (IMO). I was pleasantly surprised at how many fans were up and grooving to this one.
The Caves of Altamira- All along I knew this would be a great song for the horns section and it did not disappoint! Every note on the tricky breaks was nailed. Backup singers were very tight.
Blues Beach-OK, so based on the first 2 gigs, it looked like either Last Mall or BB. Personally, I may like the mall a little better, but was thinking that on the shores of the lake it would be more apropos to roll out the Beach. I especially thought this as I had the tune hummin through my head as we spent the day on the lake. Alas, forecast was correct. My favorite part of this song is when the backups say ¡¥Chillin¡¦¡¦. Loved that.
Do It Again- My wife¡¦s all time fave tune, so a blissful moment for her and me as well. Oh, yeah and the rest of the place seemed to enjoy it, too.
Slang Of Ages-OK, I was one who had to know the set lists in advance¡Kso it was before this song that I had to beckon Walter ¡¥Slang Me!¡¦ He obliged. This is a tune that has grown on me. Definitely has a good groove and a nice little horn hook. It was a good job by Walter on the vocals of a Walter song¡Kmore later to fully understand what I mean. Band intros here¡Kof note as previously pointed out¡KWalter noted for Keith Carlock, ¡¥We¡¦ve changed the lyric in Kid Charlemagne from ¡¥Is there gas in the car¡¦ to ¡¥Is the car locked?¡¦¡¦ Very cool.
Peg-Another ¡V Another bit hit rolls out¡KDonald sounded great together with the backup singers.
Home At Last-Awesome. One of my biggies¡Kand the foundation of Carlock and Barney was so together and solid. I love the bass line on this tune, and Tom did not disappoint.
At the break I was in heaven, and was thoroughly enjoying the show.
The Second Set ¡K
The Steely Dan Show-Again, I had never heard this one either, but it was enjoyable to hear, and I got a chuckle out of Donald¡¦s comments. ¡§It¡¦s a tribute song¡KTo Us¡Kwritten by us¡Kkind of disgusting¡K¡¦, as mentioned before.
Janie Runaway- Enjoyed this live, Donald was on for this ¡§Who has a friend named Melanie?¡¨¡K
Hey 19- Another big hit song, crowd totally responded, signing the chorus louder than D¡KSomebody mentioned below that there appeared to be too many ¡¥bubblegum¡¦ songs, and clearly to that person this would fit as one. However, I think this is a ¡¥must play¡¦ song, and I also liked the reference here in the book to hearing this in Safeway in the frozen food section ¡V I have had the exact same experience my friend! Anyhow, I enjoyed this because Donald had fun with it, mixed in some dialog with the audience during the song¡Kreferencing ¡¥ that kind of tequila that has the worm in it,¡Kwhat is it girls?¡¨¡K¡¨The Cuervo Gold¡K¡¨. (Although to me folks, that¡¦s Mezcal, and I still shudder at the thought of downing the worm)¡K
Haitian Divorce-Awesome song¡Kand now I must deliver some ¡¥Balanced Feedback¡¦¡KHere is where I am glad I peeked at the set list, so I knew what to expect, thus avoiding a potential heart attack. Walter sings Slang to a T, because it is his song. I was OK with Walter on Midnight Cruiser¡Khowever¡Kwith all due respect ¡V this did not work for me. I just think what makes this song click is Donald¡¦s nasal tone playing off the fuzz/wah effect of the guitar¡Kwhich Herrington did a great job on. Walter¡¦s vocal just dragged it down for me. My wife had to politely cover the ears a bit. ¡¥nuf said¡KI did enjoy the last minute or so of the song.
Things I miss the most-Well done, but I would have preferred the title track or Gina.
Parker's Band- I knew this was going to be a good showcase for the horns, but I guess I had forgotten how much of a guitar jam it is as well. Jon Herrington ripped on this one¡K
Josie- Personally (and frankly), I was ready for this one at this point. Not that the show had gotten flat, but my personal opinion was that based on the above song selection it was a bit of a lull. That being said¡Kthey closed strong for my tastes. I guess I¡¦d title the first 6 songs of the second set my ¡¥Countdown to Ecstasy!¡¦And, oh yeah, Keith Carlock emerges BIGTIME. Even with the advance notice, this was truly a ¡¥Holy Sh*t¡¦ moment during his solo. I mean the whole band was just watching this guy in amazement¡Kit was that good. Walter was my favorite to watch during this time as he was just bopping and smiling/laughing in a sort of ¡¥you¡¦ve got to be kidding me¡¦ disbelief. There is no other way to describe it other than it has to be seen to be understood and fully appreciated. Someone asked if it was good, or made you say ¡¥Oh my GADD¡¦¡Kwe¡¦ll let me tell you¡Kit made me skip that part and just say ¡¥DAMN!¡¦
Kid Charlemagne- This again is one of my all time faves and one of the TOP guitar songs of all time in my book. Herrington did a great job¡KI would thoroughly enjoy hearing this classic solo note for note, but of course we¡¦re not going to get that, and I understand that would be wrong. But Jon still carries the essence in the right places and adds his own personality to it. The guy has a sort of understated speed to his playing that is very crafty and tasteful. ¡¥Those San Francisco nights¡¨ got a big ¡¥WOO¡¦ from me ƒº.
Don't Take me Alive- Another gem from Scam, loved it. Donald wailed, nailed the nuances and was strong. Any and all that talk of the voice fading is BS, folks. If anything he is mixing up phrasing, but not to cover any weakness at all.
Encore
My Old School- OK, another one of my top faves (it¡¦s OK to have many, right), and like Kid one of my TOP guitar songs of all time. So¡K.when I saw this made it into the list, I was in hog heaven. It was awesome live, truly a crowd sing-a-long. ¡§Oh, no ¡K. Gwaaa-Di-Luh-Haaaa-ra won¡¦t do!¡¨. Another big ¡¥WOOO¡¦ from me on ¡¥California¡¦¡K.the a BIG audience roar for ¡¥tumbles into the sea!¡¦. It was pretty dang cool¡K
FM- Great closer. I think the whole place was up and singing and dancing to this. Probably Walters second strongest guitar song of the night for me.
Truly a fantastic show heightened much more by the incredible venue. Thanks boys for the tremendous experience!
A few more notes of interest I must share¡K
As I state above, Donald¡¦s vocals were not lagging at all. Also enjoyed the melodica use. Would have loved to hear DF solo, especially the Godwhacker one, but alas¡Kthe horns arrangement was perfectly fine.
Now I don¡¦t want to sound harsh, but I would have liked another guitarist to add another element of leads to the show. I do agree that Walter makes some good runs the go around, but found them to be a bit repetitive after a while.
Before the show began I walked right up to the stage and checked out the setup. For Dangleangle (and others) here¡¦s what the guitar amp rigs were, I really couldn¡¦t ID any of the stuff sitting on the floor. Jon¡¦s stuff was all Guytron cabinets and heads. He had the heads marked with green tape for specific settings ¡V I¡¦m sure for the roadies, since he never went there to fiddle. I¡¦m sure it was also all controlled in the floor pedals/switches. Walter had the two cabinets as you mentioned, one of which was mic¡¦ed with 2 mic¡¦s. He appeared to have 3 heads ¡V 1 Bogner, 1 TopHat Emplexador, and 1 Mesa Dual Rectifier Maverick. He had a bunch of rack mount stuff, a tuner, some effects looking stuff, and something called a Headtrip ¡V some sort of switch / blender thingee. It was very cool for me to be there checking out all their stuff up close and personal.
Overall, WooHoo!!!! Thanks boys!
PS¡Koh yeah, it wasn¡¦t a fight from what I could tell, appeared it was a woman who had passed out in the bleachers¡KThose seats were the general admission, and it was 95 degrees + at 6pm, on aluminum structure with direct sunlight. A bad combination.
Posted by: Bayfly, Burlingame, CARef Konocti...
By the initial reaction of the security staff, the ruckus in the bleachers looked to be a fight. Even some of the brass section took a moment to check out the scene.
My wife watched this audience disturbance through most of Blues Beach and said that a 50-something woman had passed out. I later saw an ambulance idling in the parking lot at intermission.
Fist fight during "Caves"? I must have missed that one. The venue only holds 5,000 people. For anyone to make that horrendous drive to Konocti, you'd have to be a serious Danfan. The crowd was devoted and mellow.
Don and Walt made a few comments about the remoteness of the location (begging the question: did someone get bus-sick on the ride in?). They even asked the crowd where all the people came from. I think they were amazed, perplexed, and honored to have a full house of devotees in the middle of nowhere. Reminiscent of "Puppet Show and Spinal Tap"?--I think not.
I like the idea of recording the board mixes and releasing them for $downloading, ala Peter Gabriel.
Bayfly
Posted by: Gretchen (alter ego Aja), CTI am dressing as Aja for both CT shows. Although I am blonde, and I refuse to wear a wig 'cause they gross me out. I will be easy to spot, just check the album cover.
Posted by: Gretchen, CTPeter you are right!! Music is in such a sad state of affairs now in 10 years Stones and Beatles will be banished from the airwaves. Even now, all you hear is "Honky tonk woman" and "shattered" from stones and "While my guitar gently weeps" from the Beatles. The rest of their catalogues have vanished into obscurity. Our local stations play the following 24/7: Running with the devil, Crazy Train, Highway to Hell, Bad to the Bone, and anything from Boston's debut album. That, today is considered the history of rock. Sick, sad world. Whatever.
Posted by: Connieinca, Russian RiverKonocti -
It wasn't a fight. 4 people from different groups all suffered from heat stroke (maybe beer stroke) in the center bleachers. The EMT's were running everywhere until the sun went down. But Konoctic is still the best venue.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Mealie baby: you are awesome. You also scare me. How do Da Fruiti Bitches render Dr. Wu?
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliEn mi countri we make Steely Dan Tribute Band. Was me, Rick The Bagel, and Don Carlos. Don Carlos say to call the group "Steely Dan Tribute Band" but Rick say this boring so he make our name "Sick Fruity Bitches." I play maraca, Rick The Bagel have bongo drum, and Don Carlos, harmonica and vocals. We open our concert with "Barrytown" and everybody boo and throw food.
The nightclub manayer yank us after two songs, Barrytown and I Got The News. He say we suck el grande! Mi weef Barna was not in the town to sing like Brenda White King and that cause us to suck bad time! We make practice, how you talk, vow.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Donald said something that first night in Costa Mesa, at one point, after The Last Mall, I think, he said, "that was from our latest cd called Everything Must Go, on some label." I don't think the boys are too thrilled with Warners/Reprise to say the least. I think they've given up trying to deal with them on any level. They are dealing with the devil, they know it, and rather than get all roiled up, have just decided to go out and play for their faithful ones, make some cash that way and just move on. I wonder if they have a multi-album deal? I doubt it somehow.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynWayne Krantz refuses to sign with a label and only sells his CDs from his website or where his band plays.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Peter you are particularly morose today and I recommend a deep cleansing breath. Unfortunately, I think you are correct. More and more they (whoever they are) are marginalizing us, shoving us closer and closer to the oldies station, K-Fart, or whadevah. I feel like such an old f**k saying this but music today is crap. Just awful and let the big labels all go to hell. They all have to go and I think we should just trade music like maniacs. F them. Now I need a cleansing breath.
Posted by: Jerry Fan, Den.I orders some of the dead tour and it is not going good they are way behind I think they were not ready for all the orders.I would buy SD I think its a good idea but be ready for ton of orders.The Who,phish Perl jam,Peter Gabrel are some of the bands doing this now.
P.S. Who ever is sending the spam off this site are scum I have only used this log on name on one site.The day after I posted fist time I stated getting the Zimbabwe scam in my E-Mail useing Jerry Fan in the sub line This is the only place I use it.
To the rest of you enjoy the Dan I will.
Posted by: Michelle, San Francisco at the momentI don't think it was a fistfight during Caves!
I saw a couple people in the bleachers (where I was) drop from the heat...
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynYou only have about 10 years left to hear the Beatles and the Stones on the radio, never mind Steely Dan.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynH.L. Mencken. Said that.
Posted by: Firemop, Sliding down the ladderGretchen - I don't know who said it, but I love the quote:
"No one ever lost money by underestimating the taste of the American public".
-fm
Posted by: RCray, NYCFirst of all the lyric goes "A just machine to make big decisions"
I would think just means infallible.
-on a lighter note >
Any word on this tour being released live?
The Grateful Dead are pressing every show this year on CD and making them available within weeks of the show you attended. If you couldn't make it then you can purchase ANY show via their website. Certainly this technology exists for everyone and it is demand driven so the costs would be low.
I know the Dan often joke about how $$ motivates them to release new and different media....maybe this would get their attention.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynInflexibility; rigidity; adherence to self created formulas; pitch black CD covers with no eye catching appeal; etc. Come on.
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, CTThe reason EMG is not promoted by anyone is that the market caters to tasteless teenyboppers idolizing J Lo, Ja Rule, P Diddy, and any other junk that can be run over and over on MTV. Granted these people are all flashes in the pan, and will be joked about in 10 years, but this doesn't help the millions of us who grew up listening to quality, album oriented rock in the 70's. We're still listening, however you're lucky to hear anything by SD except "Do it again" or "Reelin," and "Peg" if a station is doing one of the so called "deep cuts" weekends. What has happened to FM radio is a travesty. It's a horrible shame you have to go on the internet to find any decent music. I remember the days when "Aja" was actually played on my fav local station on a regular basis. Why the hell doesn't someone have the motivation (and $$$) to create an album oriented classic rock station in the spirit of old? I have not heard anything at all from EMG on any station in this area. I know we're a "cult" group of fans, but come on, if some of these tunes were intruduced to the "kids" of today, don't you think it may catch on?
Posted by: Man with no face, Mo - "Just machines to make big decisions" is a staple of dystopian science fiction. "I.G.Y" is "Only a Fool Would Say That" redux.
Posted by: Man with no face, A fistfight every time Caves is played? All three times?!? How about during tribute gigs? I'll tell you what though, if somebody disturbed my enjoyment of a live rendition of my theme song, there would be a quick knockout.
Posted by: Mo Leisure, Here at HomeI've been thinking about DF's lyrics in IGY, and here (hear?) a possible Dichotomy- when he sings "Just Machines to make Big Decisions",is he referring to the Machines as being "Just, right minded",or is he saying,that,in the Idealized version of the future,with no Patina of doubt,that, "Just Machines, meaning ONLY Machines, will make our decisions in the future?
There's an interesting corollary one can draw if you compare this perspective to the one of the Protaganist in DTMA,where he sings: "I hear my insides,the Mechanized Hum of Another World." BOTH songs address an automated "Future",though from COMPLETELY Different Points of View, or whatever!
Oh,and to my knowledge,I've NEVER heard a Muzak Version of DTMA at my Favourite Retailers,though I'm SURE that IGY with its' "Upbeat Tone", tends to "Hit the 'Attentive Shoppers'right where they live!"
Posted by: Joey, " There was a fistfight in the stands during Caves Of Altamira. I'm not sure why, but this seems to happen at a lot of SD concerts. "
Whenever " Caves " is played live there is a fistfight --- Happens Everytime . ( Bad Karma or something )
Damn Straight !
Joey !
Posted by: Nazman, moray eel
i would heartily echo your sentiment about DF's vocals. they were the groundwork and foundation of the signature blend of harmonies that are Steely Dan. all i was thinking was perfection, song after song. you gotta remember i was right up in the front rows, eyes peeled on the master, absorbing every little nuance, in complete wonder of Mr Magnificent aging but every so gracefully, making the kind of music that is of the Ages. Steely Dan is supreme. This tour speaks volumes of everything that is good about living. with all the provocative tongue and cheek and everloving good vibrations. like everyone else i am just so delighted that they are touring again. it's unbelievable in some aspects. i can still remember the silent years. before the revelations of the information highway i would often wonder "where is Donald Fagen?" i mean i was not accepting that there wasn't something new to absorb and yes obsess over. it seemed like so long. but really i was oftentimes asking myself and others - where is that guy. my prayers were answered. my prayers were answered...
Posted by: Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Monitor, Cathay IslandsBlimey, is it all so bad as KD from Chi's post? Heavens!
Posted by: moray eel, homeA couple of comments on the Konocti show:
The concert didn't start on time because Bumpus showed up late. The other band members all laughed when he finally came.
There was a fistfight in the stands during Caves Of Altamira. I'm not sure why, but this seems to happen at a lot of SD concerts.
Donald and Walter liked the Clear Lake venue and said that they had seen porpoises earlier in the day.
After the song The Steely Dan Show, Donald said that the song was a "tribute to us, written by us... really kind of disgusting when you think about it, but it serves it's purpose..."
After the band played Things I Miss The Most, Donald said, "That's kind of a sad song... but not that sad. It's not like Liberia or something. Or it's not like that recall thing that's happening with the governor."
There were a few boos from the Republicans in the crowd.
Walter then said to the crowd, "So what you're saying is 'Everything Must Go'..."
In my opinion, this is the best band that they have ever had. The set list is good with lots of crowd pleasers.
And the people who think that Donald's voice is shot don't know what they are talking about, he still sings like a MF.
m.e.
Posted by: Mu Major, barefoot on my armadilloDear Dandrites - having only recently discovered the deadly Blue
Book, I belatedly greet my fellow obsessives...or whatever
-slang of ages, WB sings a phrase that in the third or fourth verse-
"Let me make it right baby -- never mind how
There's a crazy little place I know called "Be There Now"
-Ram Dass wrote a book titled "Be Here Now" way back when and
I'm guessing this could be a backward Slang to it. What I
remember most about that book was rearranging the words in the
title. And the drawings.
If,having previously resolved this stanky issue in past posts, please
inform me and Gina.....
Mu
Posted by: KD, ChiHey everyone.
I may or may not have destroyed my left hand early Sunday morning doing my best Joe Frazier impersonation (followed by an even best-er Jesse Owens mock), so I'm cutting and pasting some angry notes I've been jotting down (but not posting) since last spring.
I'll start with a bit of a gripe: the lack of promotion behind this album and tour is hideous. A criminal act, especially when you consider the fact that are boys are 53 and 55 and may not feel like boarding that private jet again after October passes.
The gimmick behind a band's first album in nearly 20 years could only be superseded by the fact that a band is releasing the follow-up album to "the album that was their first in nearly 20 years, and also took in four Grammies."
Grammies mean shit, we know that, we knew that before February of 2001, and we still think the same way.
But the Best Buy crowd doesn't. And my punky, Strokes-listenin' buddies think the same way. One sent me an email after hearing EMG for the first time last month, something along the lines of "great album, better than the last, it deserves another four grammies."
For better or worse, that horrible awards show means quite a bit to people who don't know shit about good music. Why the corporation(s) behind the new Dan LP couldn't figure this out, I haven't a clue.
Times are hard. Cats are afraid to pay the fee. 6.4% unemployment. But Don and Walt don't need a video. They don't need seven figures to promote this thing.
I dig the fact that whatever record company that prints its names on the side of EMG is going through financial hassles, but we're talking about some low-fi promos here. Booking Don and Walt in a swanky hotel in El Lay for a long weekend, to do interviews for magazines that nobody reads (and some of us, in major metropolitan areas, can't even find); this doesn't count as "promotion."
Are our boys bein' ob-sto-o-nate? Possibly. Probably. Some of us on this board were obsessed with the group back in their "Recluse Rock" days, when the album would hit the top-10, no interviews abounded, no tours surfaced, though the radio managed to played the hell out of the platter.
Did Donald and Walter throw off the scent, based on that shaky Letterman gig from 2000? No TV bits? Some of us (many of us? most of us?) have watched or listened to the PBS show more than we have half the Dan's albums or solo works since March of 2000, they couldn't have been THAT wary of their last time out.
No shitty radio spots?
No wire service quote sheets?
Rolling Stone does a cover-worthy, lengthy interview with the two back in March of 2000, this time around, nothing?
Puh.
My last gripe is the one I should get shit for. It's a bitch, more than a gripe.
I spent a solid spell of my life trying to make money off the internet, but I also spent just as much time giving content away for the sheer joy of creating content.
Whether it's disinterest on Don and Walt's part, lack of funds, lack of time, or (least likely) Webdrone issues; SD.com is fading fast. Though we gave Walt and the Drone plenty of crap for what we thought were middling updates from October-ish, 1999 and throughout the album's promotion, release, plus the tours -- they didn't deserve it.
The site was full of goodies, some of which had nothing to do with TvN or the Tour (remember "The Furry Years"?).
This time around, nothing.
Now, Webdrone has been around the 'net, shipping out emails and posting away any time the price of a lawn ticket in Bumfuck, Missourah goes up thirty-seven cents, so I'm convinced it has nothing to do with him/her/dem.
But where's the fun? Why the black, still? Ev'rything must go, they're telling me, and I believe them. But why not take in a quick make-out session while the plane's going down? Anything? Anyone?
Hell, I'd read something on the love entanglement between a certain ex-tenor Dan player and a redheaded ex-backup singer.
Frustrating. The redhead, and the other stuff. Frustrating.
I'm a freak. We're freaks. We're Dan freaks. Even though I can't get to the computer 1/10th as much as I could when TvN was buzzing, I'd still like to pretend like I'm saturated with Dan schwag.
The kind that had me stealing my 15-year old sister's Entertainment Weekly. The kind that had me heading to the 'adult novelty' section of the magazine rack, looking for TvN reviews, and not for the usual reason(s).
Irvin Azoff is is around 5'4", Pete Asher clocks in at about the same height, and Craig Fruin tips the scales at around 6'4". Guys, come on, find a way to put your heads together.
Posted by: Nazman, Calguy
i know i am on the tail end of volumes of endless comments about the incredible and "magnificent" Steely Dan. it's just that i am fresh off the experience. it feels like i'm in withdrawal. Hungry to get back to the music, the feeling, the experience. there something in the music, the showmanship and the unequivocal experience of what one might describe as "lucid dreaming." it's like your are alive in something that cannot be forced into words, something dreamlike, ethereal. the man has got it down. let's face it, Fagen, is a
consumate romantic, he has encapsulated something that is vital in all of us. something unusally good and uplifting. like the man once said, "if it's good to ya it's good for ya." Fagen just gets better and better like good vintage wine. the drink is smooth intoxicating and unforgettable. Definitely amongst one of the memorable nights. Hangin out w/ the incomparable Steely Dan ensemble.
Posted by: DACW , Hoochie: I'd have to go with Through With Buzz between Parker's Band and Pretzel Logic
Ben Fold's Cigarette from Whatever and Ever Amen might qualify...
Posted by: Laina, SLOWould anyone like to hear Only A Fool Would Say That? I'd be interested to see how they could weave in the choir, Herington and Weiskopf. I love that song, and it has truly stood the test of time, even though it is somewhat obscure within their body of work.
Thoughts?
__________________________
I would kinda like to hear that song live. It's been a fave of mine since I first heard it, and it would be quite interesting to see how they played it.
Posted by: Calguy, Central Coast of CaliforniaNazman I can attest to those comments. The show I attended was an incredible experience. I just did not want the show to end. Can’t wait to see them again.
Posted by: Nazman, OK Folks, so i am new to this site. Let me get everything out of my system and maybe you guys can get back to normal here. Anyhow, what i want to tell you (as if you don't already know this) is that you don't want anything to get in the way of seeing Steely Dan on this latest magnificent tour. I mean it's hard to let these guys go at the end of the night but to think of all the energy they put out and will have to put out given the length and duration of this tour and then the extra leg. Just have to let them go at the end of the night but it's so hard to do. Go for it if you are in any kind of position. They show is outrageous. And you could tell the guys are pleased. This is perfection, Gang. This music is as polished as polish can be. As for me the only way i can continue to go on is to hear from all of you about your experiences at the shows. Check in whenever possible to let us all know about the particulars.
Posted by: Calguy, Central California CoastWell I scored two tickets to the Roseland concert this morning (up a 6 am here in California) Since it is standing room only is it really crowded or is the big crowd close to the stage. I've been in Roseland once. I got tickets to see a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman. It was raining that day so instead of staging the audience on the sidewalk they staged us in Roseland. It seemed to be a really large hall and was wondering how many people the squeeze in there for a concert.
Thanks
Posted by: Jive Miguel (in from Bogata), DC - SD rollin' out the hardware!It seems virtually inconcievable that Walter could have possibly sung Aja. Walter has that thick, low-down, whisky voice that is well suited for SD's tunes that feature their smarmiest characters. Aja requires the reedy, elegant finesse that only Donald could deliver, like fine crystal.
The reviews so far are extremely encouraging. I get the sense that this band just swings in a perpetual groove.
I'd originally snared 2 center orchestra tix, row 22 for the Nissan venue in Virginia. To my chagrin, I was scheduled to travel to Texas that very same week! UGH!! As fate would have it, Ticketmaster stepped up and took the tickets back. But ah, tickets went on sale for the Event Center at the sparkling new Borgata Casino in AC, and alas, I am in posession of 2 tickets, 22 rows deep, center orchestra! Small venue - 2400 seats, built for sound. Amazing.
Would anyone like to hear Only A Fool Would Say That? I'd be interested to see how they could weave in the choir, Herington and Weiskopf. I love that song, and it has truly stood the test of time, even though it is somewhat obscure within their body of work.
Thoughts?
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Amen my brother.
Posted by: Nazman, Northern CaliforniaJoey
To answer your question i was shocked that the ultra precise Donald Fagen did not appear on time as i expected but then again for some unknown and unimagineable reason people were not seated and ready up front. They came on about 30 minutes late. I would not take any chances though. Forget everything else. Let nothing deter you. Steely Dan is the priority...
Nazman
Posted by: Nazman, Northern CaliforniaHey Gang
Just back from the Konocti Harbor extravaganza. What a night. Realized that i CANNOT get enough of the Dan. They are THE consumate band. Far as i could tell it was standing ovations for just about every number. And yes after a brief but tasty jazz composition to open the show God himself walked on stage to set up at his keyboard and kicked right into Aja which blew my mind. And at least for this show it was Donald that sang the lead to Aja. Everything was right on the money. Upbeat, tight w/ plenty of jammin despite what the few critics say. The song selection matches up pretty well w/ the playlist noted by folks from Tahoe. Man there was some incredible energy coming from the band and to the band and i realized that i have to see them again real soon. I was right up front where i could watch a band of artists at the top of their game. The music was lively and of course we were all drinkin up the night. Before he left ol' DF said what he always seems to say, "be back soon." I thought how could he not wanna return to this kinda reception. I just have that unfleeting image of DF right up front and center wailin these tunes to the perfect backdrop of his impeccable band and ultra beautiful girls. What a life. Could stand to see them every night. God may Steely Dan go on forever...
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Bob for goddssake, give us some detailed analysis. Check the notes, did walter sing AJA or is someone herein hallucinating?
Bruce & Cindy - Please eleborate, I'm dyin here. You started this.
Posted by: Rob K., San FranciscoI was at the Harvey's Lake Tahoe Show last night 7/27 and wanted to pass along the set list which I have not seen posted here yet (forgive me if I have missed it and am repeating information):
1. (Unknown Instrumental)
2. Aja
3. Time Out of Mind
4. Godwhacker (WB vocal)
5. Blues Beach
6. Do It Again
7. Slang of Ages (& personnel introductions by WB)
8. Peg
9. Home at Last
Intermission
10. The Steely Dan Show
11. Janie Runaway (first minute ruined by no amplification, band played anyway)
12. Hey 19
13. Hatian Divorce (WB vocal)
14. Things I Miss The Most
15. Parkers Band (no DF vocal, backup singers only)
16. Josie
17. Kid Charlemagne
18. Don't Take Me Alive
Encores:
19. My Old School
20. FM
Review: Top-notch performances, everybody in a great groove. Carlock stunning. Time out of Mind and Josie were my favorites, the latter featuring a killer Carlock drum solo that brought the house down. Encores were both with entire audience on their feet and many literally dancing in the aisles. Show ran from about 7:30 pm to 10pm (2.5 hours) with 20-minute intermission. I would have stayed all night if they kept playing. I'll be at the October 4th Show in Concord, CA and hope it's close to this good.
Posted by: Bob, NevadaTahoe rules.
Posted by: Bob, NevadaTahoe rules.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.My overly-tired Ms. Hoochie: Intermezzo, literally "in-between" in Italian; during the Early Middle Ages, Greek plays, like Oedipus, the Oresteia, the Bacchae, Medea, Lysestrata, the Birds to name the most famous, thought to be too riske for the huddled masses, were performed in their classic five act format for- get this- the Catholic priests in their private residence auditoriums. Between the five acts, on came musical performers who played the early vernacular music: these were the intermezzi, the in between bits that eventually became more popular than the stuffy old dramas and ba-boom, Opera had been invented. In more recent centuries, it has come to mean a piece of music played as segue, like between Janie Runaway and Hey 19, and, is leaning heavily here now in the Apocalyptical Era toward being interpreted as the bridge, although I'm against it, I, too, it seems, am worried about morality.
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Studying Dostoevsky w. A HighlighterPlease, you people with knowledge of music, my son has to give an example of "intermezzo." On the piano, what is "intermezzo"? How can he present his idea on a Steinway to the class and the teacher? Is there a good Steely Dan song with example of "intermezzo"? Can we keep this musical and not get into ovaries and prostitution? Please. It is so important for our youth to study music. Please.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.OK gang, someone at the Tahoe show says Walter sang.....get this- AJA. Who can tell us how he did? It must be we're nearer the end than anyone thought. Walt is taking over the band, question: can he be stopped?
Posted by: Rindy, Big AppleBelow is from earlier post regarding upcoming SD Hawaiian dates...
The song list from these concerts includes Becker singing "Slang of Ages" -- his first Steely Dan lead vocal in the group's 31-year recording career -- from the duo's new album. Other songs include another new track, "The Last Mall," "Things I Miss the Most," "Hey Nineteen," "Janie Runaway," "Do It Again," "Reeling in the Years," "Peg," "Kid Charlemagne," and "Aja."
Speaking of your Spoilers, I don't recall seeing too many published articles that preview a set list so blatantly as above...
-Rindy
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI always thought Adam Nussbaum would have been a great Steely Dan drummer. Chambers was too heavy with the double pedals on the bass drum, I thought.
Posted by: Peter Q, Brooklyn
Posted by: Joey, " 2. When did SD get on stage relative to the time listed on the ticket?
For example, Fiddler's Green ticket says concert is at 7 p.m. Are they likely to be on stage shortly thereafter? "
There is a 10:30 PM Curfew at Fiddler's Green so you can bet your Sweet A## that the concert will start pretty much on time .
I would blow off the family function and come to the Denver Danfest at C.B. Potts , but hey ................that is just your young Joey talking here ................................. I's justs hates to see's you miss outs on anything .
Developing ........................
Joey !
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYJust go to headsup.com and check out Live AT Berks Jazz Fest by the Heads Up Superband, which is Joe McBride,keyboards; Kenny Blake, saxes; Gerald Veasley, bass (best electric bassist in the world, period) and Carlock, drums. They offer an 'enhanced CD' with video of this group.
Posted by: hoops, Try these Carlock links
http://www.steelydan.com/2kband.html#carlock
http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull.asp?alt=100008037
http://www.waynekrantz.com/
http://www.lebarbat.com/oz1.wmv
http://www.lebarbat.com/oz2.wmv
http://www.lebarbat.com/oz3.wmv
Wow! Hawaii! What a place to end a tour! I'll have to win the lottery to go.
YGK is right. Definitely skip the mezzinine ticks at Roseland.
Posted by: Matt, London UKChief - sorry, didn't see it. What Carlock links do you have? The ones posted by Pete Fogel of Carlock playing in NYC?
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYI know you did, but I mentioned that link in my original post, thanks for the kind gesture. Carlock isn't on that page. I did, however, find him playing on a video.
Posted by: Vince Charming, Berkeley, California, USAAny news from Tahoe? Just wondering if the set list has changed any. I was in Knochti....best Steely show I have ever seen (five total...93, 96, two in 2000). Keith Carlock rules! Jon Herrington rocks! Caves of Altamira! Parker's Band! Beautiful setting...I'd go back...tix are expensive though. New stuff from EMG well done!
Posted by: Matt , London UKAh, C of T - in that case, no bother. I had a ton of quality spam to send your way.
I emailed you earlier, with a link.
-M
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYYes, why? No spams for penis enlargement please, I already get 50 a day for it.
Posted by: Matt, LondonChief Theory - is that your real email addy?
Posted by: Honolulu Hank, http://starbulletin.com/2003/07/27/news/story5.html
Steely Dan will complete its "Everything Must Go" tour with two Hawaii concerts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steely Dan concluding tour
with 2 isle shows in October
------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.com
Steely Dan, the seminal '70s band known for its ironic humor, cryptic lyrics, jazz, traditional pop, blues and R&B, will finish its "Everything Must Go" tour with two Hawaii concerts in October at Honolulu's Blaisdell Arena and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
The concerts will be Oct. 10 on Maui and Oct. 11 in Honolulu.
There has been no announcement when tickets go on sale. Some 5,000 seats will be available for the Maui show and about 6,000 for Honolulu. Mainland sources said ticket prices will range from about $45-$75.
Steely Dan leaders and founders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are bringing their eight-member touring band and three backup singers who are performing with them on their current tour that began July 23 in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan are bringing their eight-member touring band and three backup singers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The song list from these concerts includes Becker singing "Slang of Ages" -- his first Steely Dan lead vocal in the group's 31-year recording career -- from the duo's new album. Other songs include another new track, "The Last Mall," "Things I Miss the Most," "Hey Nineteen," "Janie Runaway," "Do It Again," "Reeling in the Years," "Peg," "Kid Charlemagne," and "Aja."
The performances mark only the second time Steely Dan has performed in Hawaii after their March 1974 show in Honolulu with opening act Jessie Collin Young.
The concert is another coup for the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, an especially popular venue for pop artists. The last pop-rock concert of this magnitude at the MAAC was Sting's sold-out performance in April 2000.
Steely Dan, known for its sophisticated, distinctive sound with accessible melodic hooks, complex harmonies and time signatures, released the album "Everything Must Go" in June.
The band's 2000 album "Two Against Nature" -- their first in 20 years -- earned them a Grammy award.
Becker and Fagen early in the band's evolution turned Steely Dan into a studio project, hiring professional musicians to record their compositions. Even after the group disbanded in the early '80s, their records retained a cult following.
Posted by: KF, Sorry, I'm posting this wherever I can...
The change of venue from Portland Memorial Collesium to the Keller Auditorium is great for sound but horrible for proximity to the stage! I not only want to hear my favorite band, but I want to SEE them as well. I've barely taken my eyes off the mesmemorizing DF for the last 3 shows through Portland/Gorge area.
This is ridiculous... I went from 5th row center to 26th row off center. I want to know who bought the front tickets, and why were they allowed to do so??? I'm curious what would have happened if I hadn't checked steelydan.com and seen the posting! Would ticketmiser have called? I doubt it. There are going to be some upset people at the Collesium on Friday night, I'm thankful that I'm not one of them, but I'm still really upset.
TicketMaster is reimbursing my credit card for the first tickets to Mem. Coll., and the Keller tickets were cheaper, but this isn't about money, this was about 5th Freaking Row! This was my wedding present, I just got married on July 19th!
Can we all get invited backstage or something to make up for this?
Or maybe be treated to photo ops with our heroes?
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Studying Dostoevsky w. A HighlighterMy morals have been highly insulted!
Posted by: Gretchen , CTI'm curious as to how the setlists will change between 1st and 2nd legs of the tour. I'm going to both CT shows, one the 1st leg and the other starts off the 2nd. Both are indoor. Anyone with past experience know how they usually change things?
Posted by: RCray, NYCSteely dan's Do it again is in the new movie "Laurel Canyon".
It also can be found on the soundtrack here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008J2LG/ref=pd_ts_m_7/104-3385098-9828756?v=glance&s=music&n=42
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NY MB - Only thing about Weckl, he's already too much of a jazz superstar to play with Dan but I agree, he'd be great. I used to have a set of Sonor Jazz drums with the clear skins, a la Jack deJohnette, but I sold them for deep contraband before I really learned how to play.
Posted by: Matt B, LondonI wouldn't disagree with that...
Saw Weckl giving a masterclass in Vancouver last year. I was totally blown away. He's somewhat reinvented his style. Now more "accessible", and so very musical. He's sound great with SD, too. A real all-rounder. He can play a stormin' blues too.
Are you a drummer yourself?
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYI know that record, Ersko is great on it. I also like his work with Abercrombie & Johnson in the trio for many years. He can basically play any style. He and Victor Bailey in WR were arguably the best fusion rhythm section ever, no?
Posted by: MB, LondonChief of Theory-
If you want to hear some sublime playing, check out Peter Erskine on Jon Herington's 'The Complete Rhyming Dictionary'
download the mp3s @ www.jonherington.com/crd.html -
Let me know if you have any difficulty downloading/ playing them.
-M
Posted by: Matt B, LondonChief of Theory
I couldn't agree more with Steve Ferrone - he's a fantastic drummer - one of the biggest talents out there. Harvey Mason would sound awesome, too.
I still think Richie Hayward would be a great choice. He projects so much feeling into his playing.
-M
Posted by: YGK, NYCAndy: Yes, it is all GA......I just scored for Friday and Saturday - even if the Mezz was available, I wouldn't get 'em......there's not that much diff......
ygk
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYI think Chambers has way too much thunder for SD, which is why he sounds better with "louder" players like Mike Stern, Tom Coster and the Brecker Brothers. I think Steve Ferrone would be a good drummer with SD.
Posted by: Andy, Way downJust bought tickets to the Roseland shows. Ticketmaster would only let me buy the $75 floor tickets--wouldn't even give me a shot at the $125 mezzanine section. Maybe some New Yorkers can help me out with a couple of questions:
1. I thought Roseland was entirely general admission--is it?
2. By what logic are mezzanine tickets more valuable than floor tickets?
See ya there.
BTW, Two new shows were added in Hawaii at the end of the tour. Check my page for details--I don't have time to post all the info. Gotta get back to work.
Posted by: Matt, UKI think Chambers was an excellent fit - he's a truly exceptional drummer, and his stuff on AiA is clear evidence to that. Erskine's no slouch, either!
I've not had the good fortune to see Carlock live yet, so I can't really comment...
However, as a drummer myself, IMHO, I felt Ricky Lawson was super-tight, but didn't really play outside the groove or do anything anything particularly innovative. Thats the kind of drummer he is, and believe me, it isn't as easy as it looks.
Any drummer who is given, or rather, earns, 'free-reign' - who stretches out and strives to be different, yet doesn't overplay - will automatically win acclaim. Thats what the crowd likes. And it sounds like Carlock is having a fine time doing exactly that. It's about being an opportunist.
I'd guess there are probably a hundred of more established drummers around the world who could pull of a SD gig well -- but probably only 20 or 30 "name" players with the guts and inspiration to take risks and still make it all fit.
Personally, I'd love to see Vinnie Colaiuta or Little Feat's Richie Hayward play with the Dan.
-M
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYSome of us bucks seem to be down on Mr. Lawson, ey? It's the usual hired gun problem. Neither Dennis Chambers nor Peter Erskine was quite a fit with SD either, but they had incredible resumes and were available. The entry for Lawson on drummerworld.com makes him sound like the all time god of the skins.
Posted by: wormy, new orleansJonathan -
thanks for the detailed review!
and I thought I was the only one who wasn't crazy about Ricky Lawson
(okay he does a nice build up shuffle on Pretzel Logic and seems to duplicate it on too many other songs)
can't wait for Keith's renderings
walt should play bass on a tune or two, give tom a breather
and us a nice treat
damn it, they ought to switch out two or three emg tunes every show
really spice it up
why reelin, why peg??? why Hey 19??
the rest of the setlist looks really nice
can't wait for Albuquerque in September
topsoilant tom
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoYes, and:
Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Black Cow
Glamour Profession
I.G.Y.
Green Book
Posted by: gretchen, My dream setlist: (indoor venue)
Royal Scam
Aja
Dr Wu
Green Earrings
Your Gold Teeth I
Caves of Altimira
Here at the Western World
Turn that Heartbeat over again
Any World
Home at Last
Kid Charlemagne
Bad Sneakers
Things I miss the most
Gina
West of Hollywood
What a shame about me
True Companion
and how about East St Louis Toodle O
Although, they could perform "Mary has a little lamb" and I'd love it...
Hey, does anyone know where to get the shirts, etc. prior to the local event? I'd love an Aja, and things I miss the most has to be a scream. I've been listening to nothing but Dan all summer, and I think one of each tshirt would keep me in the spirit until the boys arrive at Mohegan Sun!
Posted by: Mo Leisure, West of DollywoodAnother take on those clocks on the Liner Notes of EMG: Perhaps they're a "Countdown to Zero Hour" type thing. This would tie in nicely with D&W's photo on the back of the notes. Their facial expressions seem to reify the whole deal! It's TOTALLY as if they're saying,"Hey,look,we TOLD you so! All this time through the Dotcom Rise n Fall, then Enron imploded,much as did the Towers,now,"clock everything you see" the time is up,take out the Blindbox ad,get to your nearest Bigbox Retailer, this Society is "f****d,ergo,"Everything Must Go!"
Posted by: hoops, Complete info about the Chicago Danfest pre- and post-show activities are forthcoming but they were basically outlined on the Chicago Danfest list a little while ago.
As it stands
BEFORE-Racine Café (about 10-15 min walk from the United Center)
AFTER: Clark Street Ale House
Also info on hotel, transportions, etc forthcoming on the page and list.
http://www.dandom.com/danfests
Posted by: steely fan, Two personnel notes re: the album, which I, as a casual reader here, have not seen discussed. First, while WB's guitar work occasionally gets me going while usually just seems to fit, I think on the past 2 albums his bass parts totally rock. Even when Barney played on 2vN, I thought the parts were always melodic and rhythmically inventive. I never see Walter get his due as a bassist. (Note: I think his best solo guitar work is actually on Kamakiriad)
Second, I think Weiskopf is stellar throughout the album. Potter rocked on 2vN, but Weiskopf sure holds his own on EMG.
Posted by: SoulMonkey, Louisville, KyHey guys, anyone know where the Chicago wing ding is being held. I'm assuming there will be one, and wondered if my girlfriend and I are invited. Any info would be appreciated.
Tom
Posted by: angel, No opening act and pretty close to on time. Maybe 10 or 15 minutes late. I didn't keep track, but it didn't feel very late. Anyone catch the real start time for Paso Robles? I get the feeling the State Fairs need to have the noise ended at a decent hour.
Posted by: JJ, Boulder, COTwo questions to those who have been to one of the recent concerts.
1. Was there an opening act? Am assuming not.
2. When did SD get on stage relative to the time listed on the ticket?
For example, Fiddler's Green ticket says concert is at 7 p.m. Are they likely to be on stage shortly thereafter?
Trying to figure out whether I can put in an appearance at a family function and still get to the concert without missing anything.
Thanks.
Posted by: Jonathan, San FrancsicoKonacti Harbor Review etc....
Ok...1st time to the Venue. 7th Steely Dan Show.
1st off what a Spectacular venue. Behind the stage is Clear Lake in all its glory. The only thing I could compare it to would be the Gorge, but much much smaller. There is a flat floor seeting, with raised bleachers behind the soundboard. We had reserved seats, but opted to sit in the bleachers to not only take in the sweet spot of the sound, but also the view.
On to the show.
Set list
Cuabono Chant-Not familiar with the tune, but great solos by all involved. Nice way to start the show.
AJA-Would have never thought they would have opened the show like this but it worked. Band souned relaxed and was well delivered.
Time out of Mind-Wow, what a suprise, would have never thought they would do this live and it just brought a huge smile to my face.
GodWhacker-1st of the new tunes, and delivered quite well. I agree with the posts that the new material could surface in and out of rotation with relative ease throughout the tour.
The Caves of Altamira-YES YES YES...One of my all time fav's and did not dissapoint. Always wanted to hear the horns do this live
Blues Beach-Fun, breezy, and fit with the GIANT LAKE behind the band.
Do It Again-Got a great reaction from the crowd, esp being the 1st real HIT SONG of the nite. Great solo by Harrington.
Slang Of Ages-I really like this and Becker did a really nice job on it.
Peg-Sure a crowd pleaser, but a SD pleaser is better than the average one
Home At Last-Great way to close the set. Super solid.
Set Break-Well I was super geeked at this point. Keith Carlock blows Ricky lawson out of the water. Such a radical improvement. Plus the horn section has already jelled.
Second Set
Steely Dan Show-Had never heard it, was fine..Choir sounded good.
Janie Runaway-Nice to hear a 2VN song, and was really well done right into
Hey 19-Crowd erupted, and lots of folks got up and danced. Fagen did his going to the beach thing again...but as always a great tune. At the end Becker commented that in northern California, it wasn't the Fine Columbian, but the Humboldt Green!!!
Haitian Divorce-OH MY GOD....I wanted this so bad this tour, and Becker did a really interesting take on this tune. Glad I didn't peek at the setlists before the show.
Things I miss the most-A good delievery of a good song off EMG..Not a tune I would have chosen to do live.
Parker's Band-Holy Suprise rare tune. Would never think they would play this. Herrington ripped this and was probably the tightest the band sounded all nite. The girls also sounded so sweet on this.
Josie-OK at this point figured we were moving into HITS territory, but lets just say Keith Carlock OWNED this tune. Finally a real drum solo, which was mind blowing, thanks again to the powers and not having to hear Ricky Lawson bore me to death on this.
Kid Charelemagne-Sure its overplayed, but its still in my top 5 SD songs and the solos were sick.
Don't Take me Alive-Now I am thinking they are ending the show the same way as the last tour. Superb rendition.
Encore
My Old School-Before the encore I told my fiancee, her first show, that the encore would be MOS, and FM...and big shock it was. Well delivered.
FM-Great song, great version..esp as Becker and Fagen left the stage. Band played some great music.
Overall impressions.
Kieth and Tom Barney RULE!
The Rhoedes was not loud enough compared to the 2VN Tour. Its one of my favorite instruments!
Good Riddence to Ricky Lawson
Unreal Venue
Sad I only am seeing one show this tour
Mix up the encore already!!
LOVE THE DAN
Peace
Jonathan
Posted by: Michelle, Home in Beautiful OaklandWow, I can't believe I'm the first one to post on Konocti!
It was FANTASTIC!
Setlist was pretty much the same, although we didn't get Reelin' In The Years. I didn't write it down as I was struggling with the heat (as many people were), but I can tell you that we got an incredibly emotional and enthusiastic show! Donald had so much feeling, it was really something, Walter was fantastic. Oh hell, EVERYONE was - and every rave Keith Carlock (Donald: "We're changing is there gas in the car in Kid Charlemagne to is the car locked...") has received, he has deserved, his drumming is just stupendous. Best songs for me were My Old School and Time Out of Mind, but they were all great, of course!
On our way home we wound up behind the band's tour buses on a relatively empty road driving through the pitch black night with stars everywhere. Completely surreal! I kept poking my husband in the arm and saying "We're following my heroes!"
Shirts were pretty good...
Pink babydoll with Can't Buy a Thrill-era logo in rainbow glitter
Aja cover with tour dates on back
Blue/grey with a takeout coffee cup with lipstick stain "Steely Dan Tour 2003" and dates on back (got that one, it made me laugh)
Beige Things I Miss The Most with list of Things on the back
EMG Mousepad
Baseball cap
Keychain with old logo (HAD to have that!)
Grey sweatshirt, pricey but good-looking
Could only afford keychain and blue shirt last night, but will stock up at the Concord show in October!
P.S. It was my 9 year old's first show (only 2 other kids there and a baby) and she LOVED it, sang and danced and cheered. What a night!
Posted by: SD WebDrone, steelydan.comPORTLAND (AUG 1) VENUE CHANGE
TICKET EXCHANGE REQUIRED
See info at:
http://steelydan.com/emgportland.html
Posted by: Theolonious, Mondo, MontanaGreetings Dansters,
I'm a little disaapppointed to hear that they're not playing EMG or Wu but the early reports are very encouraging.
Looking forward to a great party at the Gorge!
Ah... you gotta love the Summer of Dan.
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliEven if my wief rip her breast upon the ocean waves when she com to America to be a STEELYYDANWOMAN, she is a most beautiful. Sometimes she toca, how you say toca, plays guitara, she knows all the chords to MAJOR DUDE, chickee chee chickee chi, chickee chee chickee chi la la la. Algunas veces she forget to play MAJOR DUDE and goes afield, tocando songs like "Lionel Richie":
Once, twice, three times my baby
but the peepil screamin' at her NO! MAJOR DUDE! and she be gettin' back on track, chickee chee chickee chi, la la la my funky one, the demon is at your door, chickee chee chickee chi.
Posted by: almost gothic negative girl, be there nowHeading up to Tahoe, where they are currently calling for isolated thundershowers from 7 am until midnight tonight. Could be interesting trying to walk between the raindrops and duck that lightning. I'm game.
Anybody have a setlist/review of last night's Konocti gig? Love to hear about it before I hit the road.
Paso Robles was pretty damn fun, to say the least ; ) See some of you folks up at the lake. Oh yeah,
H a p p y B i r t h d a y J o e ! ! !
Posted by: james digings, london englandJust want to say I've just discovered this site and spent a great couple of hours reading all of your July posts.
Here in the uk we're feeling rather neglected, and it's some compensation to get gig reports and learn some new stuff about the best band in the world (eg Phil Woods played the 'Just the way you are' solo - I'm going to hear that differently next time I'm in a lift!).
Question I've long wanted answered : I read somewhere that DF wrote the wonderful 'Maxine' around the drum track, which was originally recorded for a completely different song. Is this true and does the original still exist? As a drummer myself I love Ed Green's playing on that song - the epitome of doing nothing brilliantly!
Well, I guess I'll get another beer and move on (back) to the June posts. More gig reports, please!
Posted by: Laina, SLOHey Calguy, I'm trying to go to the SB show too, in September. I figure it's not often that they'll be in my area of the state TWICE in 3 months, so I better take advantage of it. Them tix are steeeeep, though. :'( Any plausible ticket vendors besides Ticketgouger *ahem* Ticketmaster?
Lainalove
Posted by: Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Monitor, Cathay IslandsPray tell, when will Steely play internationally? We like them out here.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYDidn't Carlock play in the Heads Up Super Band with Jerome Veasley, or one of those really funky bassists? I'm sure they had a concert video out in the late 90s. That should be easy to find.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynEric - it's not a video, but if you want to hear Carlock kick some major, get the CD Your Basic Live, Wayne Krantz on guitar, Tim Lefebreve on bass, Carlock, drums. It's not anally sanded and polished like SD but it takes way more chances and requires and deserves many careful listenings. Also, if you ever get the chance, you can see this legendary group at the 55 Bar in NYC and just hang out and talk after a set.
Posted by: Honeybun, Hi guys, it's Honeybun here. I'm bored and lonely just now so excuse me for not talking about anything imparticular!! So is there any cool stuff to buy on the tour? Has anyone met Don or Walt or have any cool stories to tell, it's just that I can't really talk about the tour but I want to chat with you guys!!
Honeybun
Posted by: Eric, San Diego, CAJust scored incredible orchestra pit (center) seats in the 13th row for San Diego, CA on Sept. 26th. Can't wait!
Keith Carlock is indeed an amazing drummer. I tried to view those clips that Pete Fogel posted but I still have dialup (hangs head in shame), and they did not stream well. Is anyone here aware if there are videos of Carlock available? Leading, or as a sideman? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Eric
Posted by: hoops, Got one of those emails today where the subject was "Here's How to Have Multiple Orgasms."
I immediately assumed it was info about obtaining EMG and SD Concert tickets. Can't think of a better way than Steely Dan!
h
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYAnd I just think that's a false statement; if you study other pop artists who are easily SD's peer, like say Prince, or whatever he formerly calls himself now, you see that. So yes, I don't agree.
Posted by: Jerry Fan, Den.Mike:
Thanks for the info.Thats kind of what I thought they did with the set list.After so many years of wanting to see the Dan I will get to see them this summer It can't come to soon and I'm sure it will be over to fast so I will enjoy what ever I get bring it on guys.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYHey Calguy, as anyone will tell you, there is no place like Roseland to see a show.
Posted by: Shaun, BostonRajah- Oh please! It was the first freaking show. Give it a break. You should really just sit back and enjoy the show. Stop trying to nitpick every sound comimg out of Fagen's mouth.
Loved that "Cubano Chant" to open the second set. I believe Oscar Peterson was one of many who recorded that tune.
One thing I would change for the set list. Put Time Out Of Mind into the second set. I'd switch it with Peg or Josie. After watching the first two gigs I really think it would make the show even better. Just my opinion.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Angel, perhaps I was unclear, yes Walter introduced the players after SOA kinda boiled down to a little vamp which was punctuated after each person's name was announced with a little two-bar snippet from Wilson Pickett's, "Midnight Hour". At one point Donald said, "we gotta work on that Midnight Hour thing."
Posted by: Shaun, BostonHey!
Made it to the first two shows! Just got back home to Boston. Who is saying that Donald's voice isn't up to par? What a crock of shit that is! He sounded great! No problems at all. It's kind of scary to me that the band sounded this good the very first show. It's hard to believe it's only going to get better. Next show for me is Columbus. Can't wait! Roseland goes on sale Monday? Speed dial baby!
Posted by: angel, Rajah: From what I have read on these boards, the band intros for the 2 nights were different. Paso Robles was done to "Slang of Ages". I don't believe that was the case in Costa Mesa.
Off to ride The Gold Line. Who says LA doesn't have Mass Transportation. ;-)
Posted by: CalGuy, California Central CoastHi All,
I attended the Mid State Fair concert in Paso Robles. Because I had such and incredibly great time I want to see SD on this tour a second time. I’m going to be in NYC the week of the 9/8-13 and was thinking about going to the concert at the Roseland Ballroom on 9/12. Wondering if anyone has ever attend a concert event at Roseland and what was that experience like. If Roseland does not happen for me a second arrangement would be the Santa Barbara Bowl on 9/28.
TIA
Posted by: Mike, Louisville, KYJerry Fan:
(I posted this a day or two ago on the Steely Dan newsgroup, but it answers your question)
While Steely Dan shows are pretty constant from tour date to tour date, they are by no means etched in stone. This mostly has to do with songs beingremoved. Here are some examples of this:
93 tour:
The biggest example of a show being changed. The first 3 or 4 shows were much longer than the rest of the tour. These early shows featured Trans-Island Skyway, Girlfriend, Cringemaker, the rare Becker tune Our Lawn True Comapnion (sung by Donald instead of the female choir in as in 94), band intros throughout the show by Fagen and an insturmental overture version of Prg. Starting with show 4 or 5 all of this was dropped and Peg was played in its entirety (being replaced by Bad Sneakers in the opening medley).
Later on in the tour, they did play a version of Springtime at Madison Square Garden. Everything else was pretty much the same.
94 tour:
The fewest changes. Every so often they would play the insturmental overture to start set two instead of the first set. Sometimes they would play a insturmental only version of Chain Lightning.
96 tour
Added a few in along the way here. Played Ruby Baby in the early shows and all three of the new tracks (Jack of Speed, Wetside Story and Cash Only Island). Around the middle of the tour they started only playing 2 new songs (Jack of Speed and one of the other two) but did add Don't Take Me Alive, which was a real treat since it was the first time it had been played live.
00 Tour.
Had some small variances near the end of the first set. Depending on where you saw the show, you got some combination of West of Hollywood, Black Friday, Home at Last, Hey Nineteen or Do It Again. To open the second set, the first leg of the U.S. tour got Hank's Pad without vocals. The second half got a version which concluded with the female choir throwing out some verses. The european tour
mostly heard The Steely Dan Show. They also attempted Almost Gothic once (6/11/00 in New Mexico) but it never reappeared.
There are some other variances that I'm just not remembering right now. You can check out if a particular song has ever been played live on my track guide chart hosted by Andy Metzger:
http://www.andymetzger.com/album/complete/
I have a feeling we'll get some variance (probably small) from show to show. Who knows, they might even try Pixeleen once or twice later in the tour.
El Sup
Posted by: TheDrone, steelydan.comPORTLAND (AUG 1) VENUE CHANGE
Info page:
http://steelydan.com/emgportland.html
Posted by: SD WebDrone, steelydan.comPORTLAND VENUE CHANGE - AUG 1
Venue for Steely Dan's Aug 1 show in Portland has been CHANGED from the Portland Coliseum to Keller Auditorium (formerly the Civic Auditorium at the PCPA). This is indeed OFFICIAL.
Ticketmaster informs us that an EXCHANGE will be necessary. We are hunting down full info and will post it later today. In the meantime, however, it may not be a bad idea for ticketholders to call their local Tickmaster Customer Service - look it up at
http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/customer_serve.html - and initiate the exchange process.
We would appreciate your help in passing on this word to any ticketholders you may know. Thanks
We also apologize for any inconvenience or temporary confusion this change may cause. But we expect that the new venue will be so superior for the serious DanFan that it will compensate for any heartburn
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hey Chief - tell us how you really feel. Angel, I was at Costa mesa up very close, what did Cindi do on her intro, a little Midnight Hour croon? Howd I miss dat?
Posted by: angel, An addendum to my last post. That was camera left or Stage Right. I was on Walter's side of the stage.
Cindy was great! She is obviously the newbee and had something to prove, so when she was introduced, she did a cool vocal and you could see Carolyn was egging her on. It was quite spectacular. Cynthia and Carolyn were more subdued on the intro in Paso Robles. They all did an incredible job on the vocal to Parker's Band, I was very impressed.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYYeah well I don't like that these guys have been playing jazz for years and years and years, they all have many of their own albums, and people think they're "new" because now they play with Steely Dan. Keith Carlock's been on the scene for at least ten years. Where have you guys *been*?
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.I like all your varying takes on the BIG question of Donald's voice. We are all of us very attuned to that voice, it gets a lot of scrutiny because it's so central to SD, it's THE signature instrument through all these years, isn't it? Gotta be, so when I criticized DF's performance on opening night, I was not trying to be smartalicky or ungrateful or nitpicky; I'm just telling you all my aural experience. He was not tight or uptight personally, but his vocal instrument WAS. IMHO the OC Register reviewer was fair. Donald flubbed "Godwhacker" at the most dynamic point in the lyric, he dropped opening syllables and generally did the things a normal performer goes through on the opening night of a very pressure-packed tour. I happen to think of him as a piece of musical history and together with McCartney, the greatest songwriter, autuer, composer and arranger still breathing and creating. So when he's slightly less than perfect, it's noticeable is all I'm saying.
RCray - Cindi Mizell was strong and smooth. She looked delighted and shocked and surprised when D&W came on to a wild reaction from the pit and beyond. The crowd came to their feet and just screamed out at them. So she was like, wow, who the f*** are these middle age crazy people? Then I caught a glimpse of her during PEG and you could see something kicked in like, wow, I'm in THIS band playing THIS song, she could not contain the grin on her face.
Posted by: RCray, NYCHow is Cindy Mizell doing?
Posted by: angel, Carlock, Carlock, Carlock!!!!!!!!! He just rules. God, what a drummer!
Donald's voice was just fine folks, no worries there. He sounded great at Paso Robles and I was looking for stiff and never got that, either. He did a fantastic job!
Things I missed (mostly due to my position on the far stage left). Tom Barney was sitting down, so I couldn't watch him play, especially on Don't Take Me Alive. Ted Baker I couldn't see either, except when he moved to Donald's position on the Fender Rhodes. Walter would move to the rear, when playing rhythm and I couldn't watch him then. The good thing about being close in and yet on the side was that I could see people on stage clearly (when they weren't obscured by the rigging poles or the music stands). At one point near the end of the concert, Walter was looking our way, checking the crowd out, I guess. First time I have had seats at a concert, where I can see faces clearly. This was my first concert with Steely Dan and they did not disappoint.
Posted by: Soul Monkey, Louisville, KyDavid, before you dog the setlist, you should know that Aja is spelled Aja, not as in the continent. What have we become? In all seriousness, as long as I get 4 or 5 "new" songs on every tour, then i'm good to go. Just be glad they're still touring.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareMike A:
Don't worry about it. It's amazing how far down the listening public and media has slid. I think if these guys actually had to hear the mainstream artists sing live (without the soundtrack playing behind them allowing them not to sing all the time), they would realize that most of the artists out today don't have the range they appear to have on albums.
Great to hear the shows are top-notch. Carlock sounds like the real deal. Can't wait for Hershey.
DOE
Posted by: Mike A, The review by BEN WENER in The Orange County Register is a piece of shit. This guy is really stuck on Don's vocal difficulties. I was not there but I can tell you everytime I have seen the Dan perform, Don sounds improved from the last time. His vocal stamina and range seemed to have gained a few notches from the olden days. This is probably due to experiance, exercises, and plain old good self maintainance. I bet he had a summer cold like so many up here in Seattle right now. Give the guy a break, you hack!
I'll judge for myself (in person) if I can ever locate a few reasonable tickets.
BTW: My summer soundtrack is definately EMG. I would not go driving without it.
Posted by: Jerry fan, DenHoops I had green book on last noght and was thinking man this reminds me of Jerry.Walter and Jimmy Hearing might be a good pair.I think there different approaches to music could work well.
I have the DVD-A of EMG I think I'll go put it on now.
Posted by: hoops, Jerry Fan:
Isn't Walter amazing on "Greenbook?" Reminds me of Jerry. If Fagen does that rumored solo album, we can only hope that Walter will do his thing by joing the Dead for a while. It would be great!
After reading "Modern Drummer" and all I've heard of and about Carlock on the album and here and so forth, I would love to hear SD do "Gold Teeth II"
I know some of you were all caught up in what "third hand rose" means and, of course, I'm convinced it means "a real slut." So today I found myself laughing again at the melodramtic irony of "My life, my love, my third hand rose." Add melodrama drama...
"You're my LOVE! You're my LIFE! Ewww Baby! MY SLUT!" LOL
jim
Posted by: Jerry fan, Den.I went to see the dead at red rocks for two of the 5 nights they never play the same song more than once in each town.I knew this going in.I have been a Dan fan for years and can't wait to see them in Den.The Q I have is did Steely Dan ever mix up there sets.I kind of thought that they had a set list with a few songs they change out from night to night.
p.s. I want to hear Showbiz Kids.
Posted by: SD WebDrone, steelydan.comPORTLAND VENUE CHANGE - AUG 1
Venue for Steely Dan's Aug 1 show in Portland has been CHANGED from the Portland Coliseum to Keller Auditorium (formerly the Civic Auditorium at the PCPA).
A webpage on the Keller Auditorium - directions, info, etc - is at
http://www.pcpa.com/events/keller.php
We would appreciate your help in passing on this word to any ticketholders you may know. Thanks
Posted by: David, PhilaChief totally agree on BRUCE!(although I am a fan).I also saw the DEAD 2 weeks ago and I dont think they decided what to play till it was time to play it!Everynite different set list .That is great for the audience and I would have to think for the band also,especially on a long tour.Seems to me that S.Dan is playing for the casual fan like someone mentioned earlier.I would be thrilled with a few oldies and the last 2 albums (Im 44)to tell you the truth.
David
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Wormy wormy worm I am at ONE with you; finally someone made sense!
Posted by: carlockerized, Paso Robles show:
Superb, even in the bizarre surroundings. Huge numbers of amazingly drunk yet appreciative fans.
Carlock! Carlock and Barney on My Old School sounds like a new song. Carlock plays a human sized drum set (esp. compared to Lawson and Chambers) but takes over the groove in a very good way.
Becker/Fagen seemed in great moods. Very loose. Enjoying themselves.
Fagen sounded great, played some melodica in addition to Lynx. Vocal blend and tonality with background singers the best ever.
Becker played a vintage blue Sadowsky strat throughout. He literally bounced up and down throughout Carlock's great Josie drum solo.
For those who don't like the setlists: enjoy the performances - Carlock makes the group sound like a band and not hired guns.
Posted by: carlockerized, Paso Robles show:
Superb, even in the bizarre surroundings. Huge numbers of amazingly drunk yet appreciative fans.
Carlock! Carlock and Barney on My Old School sounds like a new song. Carlock plays a human sized drum set (esp. compared to Lawson and Chambers) but takes over the groove in a very good way.
Becker/Fagen seemed in great moods. Very loose. Enjoying themselves.
Fagen sounded great, played some melodica in addition to Lynx. Vocal blend and tonality with background singers the best ever.
Becker played a vintage blue Sadowsky strat throughout. He literally bounced up and down throughout Carlock's great Josie drum solo.
For those who don't like the setlists: enjoy the performances - Carlock makes the group sound like a band and not hired guns.
Posted by: wormy, new orleansgretchen - every state has that suburban trophy wife contingent
thank God you can easily avoid it
what's next on the live end
DOn and Walt mc a tractor pull???
rid the set list of Do It Again, Hey 19, Reelin
pump it up with Gaucho, Lunch with Gina, and Greenbook
like seeing Home at Last and Haitian
stop playing for the overtly casual fan
and start playing for those of us who bought your last record
play anything off it and don't come up for air
shout it from the rooftops
let those casual fans take note
as you take no prisoners
rant mode over
Posted by: fez, Opening night reviewSteely Dan really can
The veteran act's jazz-pop proves as strong as ever at the Pacific, though Donald Fagen is losing his vocal potency.
DONALD FAGEN: Like Bob Dylan, he has begun to clip melodies when he sings. Is he merely rusty or actually fading?
Photo: Mike Schwartz, the Register
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE PHOTOS
By BEN WENER
The Orange County Register
A quarter-century ago, when the meticulously smooth "Aja" was an inescapable FM rage, if you had placed a bet that Steely Dan would today be a viable live act, the odds would have been at least a million to one. At that point, it had been four years since their last trek, a ramshackle one behind "Countdown to Ecstasy," and the influential, Hall of Fame-bound band was perfectly content to nestle into the studio, seemingly for good.
Hoping they'd return to the stage was foolish. But wagering that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (and whatever pros they chose to back them) would become not just a regular concert attraction but a premier performing unit - one capable of both revitalizing the complex Dan catalog and forging ahead into fresh fusions of jazz, funk and traditional pop - well, that would have pushed odds into astronomical figures.
And for a pittance back then you'd now own a small chunk of Vegas.
Steely Dan
WHERE: Pacific Amphitheatre, Costa Mesa
WHEN: July 23
TONIGHT AT PACIFIC: The Doors of the 21st Century, 8 p.m., $33.50-$55.50
FRIDAY: Alanis Morissette with Jason Mraz, 7 p.m., $34-$56.50
SATURDAY: Bob Dylan, 8 p.m., $58-$71.50
For the mighty Steely Dan continues to defy even the most convoluted pretzel logic - the sort that says this should not be happening so well - as evidenced Wednesday night at the group's Pacific Amphitheatre gig. Once again, the expansive, 13-member version of the Dan played superbly - tremendously, in the case of drummer Keith Carlock - just as it has since its reassembly nearly a decade ago.
Not that this was an ideal setting for such sophisticated tunes. Though the playing was convincingly punchy and the mix was the best I've heard during this Pacific series - finally, all instruments blended properly and with plenty of volume - an outdoor venue somehow robs Steely Dan's music of a certain intimacy even its weirdest tunes retain.
What's more, it was poorly timed. Any yahoo who can tell "Peg" from "Josie" knows these guys are apt to deliver two sets across at least three hours. So starting at 8 p.m., when the sound curfew is 10, was unwise. Given such restraints, the Dan ran over by 15 minutes and still had to drop "My Old School," slated between "Don't Take Me Alive" and "FM." There was no encore.
Also curious was the song selection, heavily favoring material from "Aja" and "The Royal Scam" - the works that marked a shift toward slick jazz terrain - while virtually ignoring the first four efforts, save for a lively take on "Parker's Band" sung by a trio of backing vocalists and not- quite-successful rearrangements of "Do It Again" (which lost its sleek creep) and "Reelin' in the Years" (barely recognizable).
All three pieces, however, suggest that Steely Dan has raised the stakes, challenging itself and its devoted audience to take a few detours, even if they lead nowhere - like letting Becker sing "Haitian Divorce," when his humorous drawling on the new "Slang of Ages" indicates that his style is an ill fit for much else.
Why such twists? More than merely keeping it interesting, I'd guess it's because, as Fagen ages, he's losing vocal potency. Often he clips melodies the way Dylan does, here huffing his way through "Kid Charlemagne" and never once actually singing the title of "Hey Nineteen." (New cuts, like "Things I Miss the Most" and "Godwhacker," are designed with his reedy register in mind, so they came across better.)
This being the tour opener, maybe he was just rusty. "What we lack in polish, we'll make up for in energy," he promised, and they made good on that. By the time the ensemble returns in October to wrap up this jaunt at Universal Amphitheatre, Fagen could be in top form.
Still, it was noticeable during the last outing that he's slipping. How ironic that the greater Steely Dan becomes as a live act, the more its unmistakable voice seems to fade into a hoarse void.
If they keep at it, and I sincerely hope they do, I predict less nostalgia, more soulful instrumental excursions - and a team of guest vocalists. Hey, they've hired aces for everything else. Who says they can't replace themselves, too?
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Crack Whore buddy, I agree with your list in toto. I would pay extra to choose their setlist ahead of time. OK, D&W, I'll pay 29.95 along with all my bros & sis' to BUY YOUR SETLIST. That's right, WE, the FANDOM, control your musical selections. We pay, you play, OK? C'mon you drearily constructed souls, give it up, knock out the well-worn and replace with the new; just a suggestion, ok. Can I get an AMEN?
Posted by: SD WebDrone, steelydan.comPORTLAND VENUE CHANGE - AUG 1
Venue for Steely Dan's Aug 1 show in Portland has been CHANGED from the Portland Coliseum to Keller Auditorium (formerly the Civic Auditorium at the PCPA).
A webpage on the Keller Auditorium - directions, info, etc - is at
http://www.pcpa.com/events/keller.php
We would appreciate your help in passing on this word to any ticketholders you may know. Thanks
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliEven nun in the church go "Woo hoo hoo!" when we let her hear CD of Wallace Becker singin, cantando, Shake My Cages. Nun, una vieja, dice a mi amigo Rick The Bagel, " Wee hee Rickie, take mama down to Groove Time!" We laugh and have fun with nun. Entonces, vamos a mall.
En mi pais when the policia y the soldados hear we listenin to STILLI DAN in the night, in the secret, it is not allowed by El Presidente, they kill my popps and "Maricon Joe," the bandito (black market person). Se escondio en el lodo; nosotros bailabamos en la luz de la luna. El juicio fue arreglado. We sneak on tuna boat and come to Estados Unidos for liberty for STILLI DAN MUSIC. My wive Barna rip her breast in the ocean.
In Santa Monica mall un hombre se me acerco con un "flyer" que dice: " Are you fed up with people telling you 'Have a nice day' when it is perfectly obviously they could really care less if you do or not?" y muchas mas palabras que yo no comprendo. Yo digo, "No speak English" and he give more papers. This man is hole of the ass! Rick The Bagel tell him, "Le gusta STILLI DAN?" He says si, claro, of course, and we smoke reefer in his car afuera and listen to STILLI DAN CD. He take it out and put in rap,a hip, a hop, a hippity bop, but Rick The Bagel make, how you say, threatening movements. His car es piece of shit.
Posted by: DACW, Alternative Steely Dan Set List:
Dr. Wu
Pixeleen
Black Cow
Your Gold Teeth II
Godwhacker
Razor Boy
The Fez
Green Book
West of Hollywood
Intermission
Aja
Lunch With Gina
Gaucho
Things I Miss the Most
Here at the Western World
Any World
Caves of Altamira
Slang of Ages
Everything Must Go
Encores:
Night by Night
FM
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYDavid, that's how it is these days, not only with Steely but almost anyone. Bands get fat and go on cruise control. Springsteen is the only exception. Here in this area he just played 10 nights in a football stadium (that in itself is something no other artist could do in one city) and the sets were constantly different every night. I'm not a big fan but that guy *works* like nobody else. In general, for me, the constant amniocentesis on the web has taken the pleasure out of concerts a little.
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Home At LastHoneybun (and Hoops, for that matter)...I am having similar problems with the Green Room...I can log in but can't enter any text (although I can get the audio emoticons to work)...Any ideas as to what this problem might be?...I'm jonsesin' without the Green!...SOH
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hunnybunny - it's heartening to know a 25 year old girl can find a balding, fat tired looking 55 year old rock god attractive. fairy tales do come true.
Yeah the set lists have been dissappointing. Not only Do It Again, FM, Kid Charlemange, Reelin in the Years deserve to be included OUT (Josie & Peg must stay IMHO)but we didn't get Lunch w/Gina or Pixeleen or EMG!
Joey babe, it's you and Ms. Hoochie all the way. When do you kids wanna pick out the furniture?
Posted by: Honeybun, Spare a thought for us guys over here in th UK, huh. We have no Don, no Walt and no Steely Dan t shirts to look forward to this year! The UK sucks bigtime. I need to move to NYC!
Whats the deal with the chatrooms (Green room et al,) are they not working or is it just my computer?!!
So does anyone find it strange that a 25 year old female should lust after a certain 55 year old singer called 'Don'?!! I don't know what's wrong with me!!!
Honeybun
Posted by: David, Phila areaI am very dissapointed at the set list from the 1st 2 shows.I think they played way to many bubblegum hits.Josie,Peg ,FM,Reelin,Asia would not even be in my top 40 Dan songs.I am going to the Borgata and Rosewood shows ,they will be great but I want them to be fabulous!
Also was the OC register article positive?Anyone agree with me?
Posted by: Joey, " Hoochie - have I got a guy for you! His name is Joey or sometimes Joooeeeyyy. He's quite an animated character and I think you and he share a certain, kinship, shall we say. You want I should hook you up? "
Rajah .................You make young Joey smile .
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hoochie - have I got a guy for you! His name is Joey or sometimes Joooeeeyyy. He's quite an animated character and I think you and he share a certain, kinship, shall we say. You want I should hook you up?
As for the relative moral turpitude of Mr. Metzger's site and all things Steely, I would advise that the lad first be exposed to some sex and drugs prior to delving into this world too deeply. It's a distubing place and he shouldn't go into right off the slab. Get him an old hooker and bong first. Just trying to be helpful.
Oh, I finally figured out what your fluffies are. Go Angelina.
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies W. Angelina (She made the cover)Please. Help, please. I am concerned for the education of my son, every time now when I come home he's on the computer, on a Steely Dan website. Who is Andy Metzger? Is this man of good character? I want my son to play good, clean, upstanding music on the piano. What is this Pixie Queen I hear him singing now all the time? Please. I am deeply concerned about morality.
Posted by: YGK, NYCGretchen: jeez, I wonder how you got there.....well, if you're looking for seedy, head on down to the Isle of Manhattan, and check into the Electric Banana on 50th and 9th Avenue, where you'll meet some of the real old-tyme NYers, losers, pimps, pushers and Old School Westies. Also, there's some real fantastic folks there as well. Time for a Reality Check.
Have a drink and a smoke, as this is one of the few places left in Manhattan to light up.
Young Fan: check out Smoke, on B'way and 105, or venture into Haarlem and go to Showmans on 125, or St. Nick's Pub on 145......or if you're in the mood for all night jam sessions, check out Smalls, right off Sheridan Square in the Village. BYOB, and head into this very popular
basement dwelling room where there's jazz all night long....breakfast at 6.....
ygk
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Any drummers out there who saw the Costa Mesa or Paso Robles show wanna let us know what you think of young master Carlock?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynWell that includes me! Thanks for including me in your sweeping generalizations, LOL. In other news, have any of you Danhead Jazzheads heard Walt Weiskopf's CD, Man of Many Colors? I need research on one of the players.
Posted by: Gretchen, CTPeter-
Sure, the STATE is nice, but it's the PEOPLE in CT that make it intolerable.(Particularly imports of the NY NJ variety).
Posted by: Sleep, NJFolks - any Doctor Wu being played?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHey what is with this Connecticut vitriol? I have a summer place in Old Saybrook. Lighten upthere, Gretch.
Posted by: Laina, SLOThe show @ Paso Robles last night was excellent! I wrote down the setlist and it was just as some of you have posted. I was ecstatic all through "Time Out Of Mind" and "Peg". Everyone was dancing during "Haitian Divorce" (even though the security kept clearing people out of the aisles) and it was nice to hear Walter sing! It was my first time seeing Steely live (been a fan since '97) and it was everything I could have hoped for (lol). The band played SO well--Jon Herrington and Cornelius Bumpus stood out to me--and Don just cracked me up w/ his banter between songs. Right before starting the encore, Walter said, "What a f***in' great audience!" *roaring applause*
What a friggin' great SHOW!!!
Lainalove
Posted by: Mr.sticks, We hope everyone had a chance to see Steely Dan this past Wednesday night at the Pacific Amp.What a great show,BUT...we did get a shorted show due to the time restrictions at the PAC amp..well FEAR NOT ! TONIGHT..you will get what you came for..
Not 1 hour..not 2 hours with a 20 minute break and two band intros..BUT 3 HOURS of LIVE ..STEELY DAN MUSIC performed by ..STEELY FAN BAND!
8:30PM...THE STUDIO CAFE....NEWPORT BEACH,CA.
Please join us as the Dan fest continues.
Mr.Sticks
Steely Fan Band
Posted by: Joey, What a great set list last evening ....................four songs off of " Royal Scam " .
I can not WAIT for Denver August 4th !
YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this REALLY the first time ever that " Time Out of Mind " has been performed live by the band ???????
UnfrigginBelievable
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJACKY !
Posted by: Gretchen , CTI know a number of men who are taking their wives to see SD 'cause they have to. The wives don't even know or care about the music. I am going by myself. And I don't want to sit anywhere near these people, and they know who they are.......
Posted by: Gretchen, CTBig Fan,
The old lady is going to "let" you go? Why do you need her permission? I don't understand why guys have to bow and scrape to women! It's like the "Everybody Loves Raymond" thing-she's always yelling and he's always trying to please her. Women suck. I'm just not enough of a bitch, I guess.
Posted by: Big Fan, at work in CTGretchen you must live in Fairfield county. I hope I haven't turned into a whipped submissive little husband. Luckly the old lady's going to let me go to 4 shows (maybe 5 but I've been afraid to tell her) and she's going to two of them. Besides I drive the SUV in our family. Let me know what you will be wearing at the shows - I see you are going to Oakdale, what about Mohegan Sun? We have no pool, no diamonds and I wish our house was 5000 sq ft so that I had more room for SD CD collection.
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastDangleangle...
Thanks for the detailed git info!!!
I'm in tight tomorrow at an intimate venue, so I'll pay close attention and swap some notes with you...
DFD
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastMeal Reviewer...
Your input, how should I say,
ticka tocka, ticka tocka ROCKS!!!
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastMeal Reviewer...
Your input, how should I say,
ticka tocka, ticka tocka ROCKS!!!
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastMornin'!
Here I sit...1 day away, ripe with anticipation!!! I am ecstatic about the second show adds. I agree with previous poster about sneaking in FM from encore, and probably bumping a song or two.
I am a guitar player, so I am huge about all the top notch guitar in Steely from the beginning. One of my all time guitar songs is My Old School...so I'm very high on that addition. Also, as I hail from Home at Last (noted above), another huge addition. Blues Beach was pretty much expected by me to be in the show.
It's a can't miss venture any way you slice it, so I am by no means going to complain.
My input if I were the coach in the huddle:
Priority order from EMG:
EMG (why are we naming releases after tunes we don't roll out live?)
Godwhacker
Lunch with Gina ("is foooReeevvvaaaaaaaaah)
Green Book - with the back and forth interplay
Pick 'em after that (although very much anticipated that WB would deliver us Slang. Hey Walter - SLANG ME!)
Regarding 2VN
No disrespect to the 4 grammys and all, but for this tour going in I was not wild in anticipation for hearing much from this release. That being said, my priority order would be...
2VN (same comment as above)
Jack of Speed (although if we are done with that, I'm OK, we did get to see it pre-release, so it's made its run.)
That's all folks...so overall I am not disappointed in the boy's treatment/representation of this release (1 song).
Everything else is gravy! However, I am ecstatic for Time , think Caves is a great pick to showcase the Horns, am very pleased my wife will get to hear Do It Again again (her fave).
Other input...as a guitarist, I have some slight disappointment over the lack of any signature guitar lead personality that jumps out and truly grabs your attention from 2VN and EMG. No slight to Walter, he is truly a great musician, but that is my opinion. That being said...keep the material coming guys!
So...seeing them live (for 5th or 6th time) I know that I will not be disappointed in that respect. Especially when you look at Kid, School, Don't Take, and Time - Woo Hoo!
Note to Young Fan...don't go gettin' all hoity toity on us now at such a young age regarding not mixing up the set lists too much. We all can't/don't live in the greater NYC metro area, so we can't all experience those jazz clubs regularly to catch different sets. So... from such a classic band, even from the most cerebral fan base in the world, there are certain things that are expected - at every show. These guys understand jazz roots, and all the classics of the past and pay homage to them in their own material, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't do it the way they do. I recommend you go, check it out, sit back, relax and ENJOY!
I'm out 'til after the show...I'll share my experiences early next week.
DFD
PS - I think I'll die on the spot if Donald were to roll out Charlie Freak for me!!
Posted by: G of the Cuban Breeze, CtThe worst part is..... it's not usually the natives of CT-it's the imports from NY and NJ!! The population of nasty yuppies from age 30 to 50 is staggering. Worst offenders from Fairfield county, Cheshire, and Madison!! (and the Cheshire wannabees who live in surrounding towns like Wallingford). Remember Annette Benning's character from "American Beauty?" Well, ya got it all here, brothers and sisters!! To all of you Dan fans living in any one of the other 49 states, consider yourselves lucky!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Gretchen - say it loud sister, the truth will set you free.
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, The capital of Yuppie Scum-CTNo, CT is an awful, shallow, bourgeois place to live! Full of SUV driving stay at home witchy soccer moms who demand 5,000 square foot cookie cutter houses from their whipped husbands! Not only that, they demand Olympic sized swimming pools, constant vacations, and cleaning ladys! And they're all decked out in platinum, diamonds, and let themselves get fat and ugly!!! And they're nasty to boot!! And they are jealous of every woman their submissive little husbands have to deal with, even if there is not one iota of attraction!! Whoever has the most toys wins. Yuppies definitely rule in this little state. I wish there were a Steely Dan song about this. I'm soooooo glad I got this off my chest!
Posted by: wormtom, new new orleans orleansnice setlist variety
you know with this core band doiing the album via almost live tracking seems like they could vary up any numbers from EMG spontaneously night to night (and Tom Barney's a quick understudy)
I like where Aja is in the setlist - very thoughtful
place it in the middle and the more mindless or casual dan 'fan' will opt for the beer and bathroom break
place it at the start and all eyes and ears are taunt, anticipation,
slow delivery, build up, overwelmed
wanting more
very smart
so how is Carlock's work on AJA
his own stamp or "Oh my GADD!"
wt
Posted by: But Gretchen, Come September 10th CT will be a great place to live and California will suck.
Now how about that Cuban Breeze?
Posted by: GRETCHEN LU, CTI wish I lived in California! Connecticut is a horrible, horrible place to be!! Help!
Posted by: The Bending End, RIDamn thing keeps resolving to something else. What's in quotes below should be an "ampersand" character followed by "sect". If I include a space maybe it won't translate: & sect [remove the space character]
Posted by: The Bending End, RILooks like the same thing happened to me. That funny looking character after "49383" should be replaced by "§" [no quotes].
Posted by: The Bending End, RIBig Fan,
I had some trouble using the URL below to get to the review in the Orange County Register. I'm pasting one here that seems to be working: http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=49383§ion=SHOW&subsection=MUSIC&year=2003&month=7&day=25
Bill
Posted by: Big Fan, at work barelyFirst review:
http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=49383§ion=SHOW&subsection=MUSIC&year=2003&month=7&day=25
Photos from the show too!!!!
Love the set list changes last night - I agree Pixalene please and Lunch with Gina
Album review LA Times - gearing up forthose Calif shows:
http://www.calendarlive.com/printedition/calendar/cl-et-randy25jul25.story
How much was the Aja shirt? Is it similar to the 1993 version?
Posted by: Young Fan, Philly areaHi, I'm only 18 and I'm a jazz nut, I go to New York every weekend to hang out in the jazz clubs. I see all the sets by the great players, they change every show. From the posts here it looks to me like Steely Dan doesn't change the set much. Is it like that the whole tour? That's disappointing to me, like seeing s Vegas nightclub show. I thought they would get onstage and wing it every night, like real jazz. I'm surprised!
Posted by: steelydoubt, southofpaseproblesjust got back from paseo robles, it was my first steely dan show. could the drum solo for josie be any longer (or better). i got an aja t-shirt.
looking foreward to next time,
-doubt
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Paso Robles*SPOILER*SPOILER*SPOILER*SPOILER*SPOILER*SPOILER*SPOILER*
Tonight’s show at Paso Robles was a huge step up from the opener on Wednesday night in Costa Mesa. The night was perfect, the neighbors were listening instead of bitching and the band was hot. The set list was varied slightly for Night II and is as follows:
Set I
Cubano Chant (with Herington, Baker and the horns…An excellent intro piece)
Aja
Time Out Of Mind
Godwhacker (Maybe the strongest sound of the night)
Caves of Altamira
Blues Beach (set list change from The Last Mall on Wednesday night)
Do It Again
Slang of Ages (and band intros)
Peg
Home At Last (set list addition)
Set II
The Steely Dan Show
Janie Runaway/Hey 19
Haitian Divorce (WB sings!)
Things I Miss The Most (surprisingly, this works very well live)
Parker’s Band (with the girls handling the vocals…Well done!)
Josie (with a Carlock solo that had him quite close to spontaneous combustion)
Kid Charlemagne (Herington just rips on this, as usual)
Don’t Take Me Alive
Encores (No Dr. Wu!)
My Old School
FM
DF was in strong voice and great spirits. At the end of Do It Again (?), he stood up, pointed to this very odd-looking ride off in the distance called The Ejector Seat (it is a state fair, after all) and yelled “What IS that thing?!” Towards the end of the show, when calling for applause for the various band members, DF also said “And let’s hear it for the Ferris Wheel!” and then “And please give it up for THAT thing!” (The Ejector Seat, once again.) The band was extremely tight and those of you going to a show in the future have much to look forward to, especially at some of the nicer venues. This one was better suited to tractor pulls, but the sound quality was acceptable. Still really hoping to hear Everything Must Go, perhaps down the road a show or two? Anyway, another great night to be a Dan Fan…SOH
Posted by: D. Mendenhall, Middle of CA.1.Cuabono Chant (without Becker & Fagen)
2.AJA
3.Time out of Mind
4.GodWhacker
5.The Caves of Altamira
6.Blues Beach
7.Do It Again
8.Slang Of Ages (sang by Becker)
9.Peg
10.Home At Last
Intermission
11.Steely Dan Show (without Becker & Fagen)
12.Janie Runaway
13.Hey 19
14.Haitian Divorce (sang by Becker)
15.Things I miss the most
16.Parker's Band (sang by backup singers)
17.Josie (featuring a drum solo mid-song)
18.Kid Charelemagne
19.Don't Take me Alive
Encore
20.My Old School
21.FM (No static at all)
Posted by: Lora Beatty, @Paso RoblesHi,
My dad asked me to post this setlist and I would like to ask Donald and Walter(HI)to please add Pixeleen to future shows(the Gorge)
PLEASE!
1.AJA
2.Time outta Mind
3.GodWhacker
4.The Caves of Altamira
5.Blues Beach
6.Do It Again
7.Slang Of Ages
8.Band Introductions
9.Peg
10.Home At Last.
Intermission
1.Steely dan Show song
2.Janie Runaway
3.Hey 19
4.Haitian Divorce
5.Thing I miss the most
6.Parker's Band
7.Josie
8.Kid Charelemagne
9.Don't Take me Alive
Encore
My Old School
FM
p.s my dad would also like you to please play Lunch with Gina and Everything Must go to.Ok?
Thanks to Walter and Donald and the great band-see you at the gorge and Jones Beach..
Lora Beatty
Posted by: Lora Beatty, @Paso RoblesHi,
My dad asked me to post this setlist and I would like to ask Donald and Walter(HI)to please add Pixeleen to future shows(the Gorge)
PLEASE!
1.AJA
2.Time outta Mind
3.GodWhacker
4.The Caves of Altamira
5.Blues Beach
6.Do It Again
7.Slang Of Ages
8.Band Introductions
9.Peg
10.Home At Last.
Intermission
1.Steely dan Sho
Posted by: Dangleangle, Ca*Herrington came out with a black-red-yellow sunburst flame maple Gibson ES-356, with two Guyson speaker cabinets, not sure what they were loaded with, and one Mesa Engineering cabinet. I would guess that they were all 2X 12" cabs. He had three Guyson heads, probably used two with one back up, not sure, and he also had a Mesa Engineering head. Through my binocs, I could see that the Mesa was a Boogie dual channel rectifier head. He also had a huge pedal board that he set on his amp rig were he could probably access signal processing devices bewteen songs, he also he a pedal board on the stage floor that looked like it was all custom switches mounted on one board, probably with an umbillical going back to control his favorite stomp boxes. Seperate from his board was a Cry Baby, which he used with the masters expertise, no wierd frequencies that you get from improperly used wah-wahs. Later he switched to a Creme color Fender Tele loaded like a Tex-mex tele with two Strat pickups and the one typical tele bridge pickup. He mostly had his switch in the middle position but the niciest thing about Start configurations is that out-of -phase position, in which he used quite freqeuntly. He would use one guitar for several songs and then switch to the other for a while. Everything he attempted came out spot on, can you spell CONFIDENCE, proving again he is one of today's "Grand Masters" of guitar.
*Becker came out with his typical Strat style axe, just about the same color as this website blue, couldn't read any name on the headstock, I could only guess, but it looked like an ESP shaped headstock. He had what looked to be two Mesa Engineering cabs, with probably two twelves, and I couldn't read the other cab. He had three different heads stacked on top of each other, bottom was a Top Hat head, next I believe was a Bryson or Bryston, with a Mesa on top. His Mesa looked the same as Herringtons. He also had a pedal board mounted on his amps and one on the floor, but I couldn't get a good look at it.
Becker never changed his tone all night. He has obviously risen so far above criticism, he is now his own master. Playing more confidantly than ever, Becker showed that his guitar playing is constantly rising to the next level. He proved that he has not been resting. To pull off the licks he's been doing, takes hundreds and hundreds of hours of practice. He is a master of what he does, his style, his tone, and even his stage presence, are now at a pinnicle.
He was on stage with two guitar legends, John Herrington and Dean Parks, and stood there on equal terms. It's not so much what Becker does during his solos as much as the runs he's using to enter and exit hs solos. Name one Jazz guitar player that plays a Strat all night, I can't think of any either. Becker puts his strat in the out-of-phase position and with the help of custom handwired tube amps built to sing long and hard with the sweetest edge, he makes his guitar sing all night. One guitar, one tone, what a concept. Last week at Crosby, Stills and Nash, Stills played seven different guitars, changing at every song. Nothing against Stills, but I can't help but feel,that Becker,has found his tone and he's sticking with it for better or worse. Fortunate for us it is the sweetest tone, possibly inspired by Master Knoffler, only slightly deeper.
*Overall the concert was a "B", with promising "A" type performances from the rythmn section and the horn section. Drummer came out with something to prove and proved it instantly, screaming vertuoso. Can you spell "backbone". Bass and horns were top notch performances, followed closely by guitars. Singing was a "B" with or without Fagens
fading pipes. Piano player was solid, but few solo situations, and I'm not sure why, maybe it's because Fagen was trying to be the keyboard soloist. BG vocals were probably better than they sounded although the soundman backed himself into a hole, by allowing too many of the instruments to dominate the sound, especially the drums. That left him little room left for distinct vocal articulation. Fagen and Becker looked dazed at first and Fagen blew some lyrics. They found their feet and their groove and all was well, AND STEELY DAN WAS AGAIN KICKING ASS IN A WAY NO OTHER BAND IN EXSISTANCE HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO DO, BLENDING ROCK, JAZZ, R&B, AND FUNK, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.
Posted by: Bill, againWell, the spacing didn't work worth a damn, but you know where the chords change.
Posted by: Bill, PittsburghTook my first crack at decyphering any of the chords from EMG tonight and I think I have got the verse of the title track but the intro/bridge still eludes me. Here's what I have so far:
F G F
It's high time for a walk on the real side
Eb C9
Let's admit the bastards beat us
F G F
I move to dissolve the corporation
Eb C9
In a pool of margaritas
G13 G9b13
So let's switch off all the lights
C9 C13
And light up all the Luckies
Fmaj7 E7 Am D7
Crankin' up the afterglow
D7 E7 F
'Cause we're goin' out of business
G11 C9
Everything must go
Not sure if this will line up properly when I post it, but we'll see.
The first four lines are real spare with just the bass note and a prominent 3rd. That's the part that reminded me of the old Coltrane tune Syeeda's Song Flute.
You guys with better ears than me - the bridge seems to start out Abma7 - Fm7 but that's as far as I got.
You non-players, thanks for the indulgence. I have learned what precious little jazz harmony I know from messing around with SD songs.
Posted by: CrellMoset, Oh wow - I just won tickets to see Steely Dan in CLEVELAND . . . listening to this 18 hour marathon . . . and I live in Hotlanta . . . Greyhound here I come!!!!
CrellMoset
Posted by: oleander, groovin' highYowie!! Great show! Thanks Todd et al. for making me feel not quite so bad about not being in front of the stage tonite.
Set list! Set list!
pq--I haven't heard anything about such a book, but obviously I'd be all over that baby.
Here's William Gibson in the Safeway:
"I have often raised an eyebrow at hearing [Steely Dan] sing, as I push a cart down some Safeway aisle, of the spiritual complexities induced by the admixture of Cuervo Gold, cocaine and nineteen-year-old girls (in the hands of a man of, shall we say, a certain age). At which point I look around Frozen Foods and wonder: "Is anyone else hearing this?" Do the people who program these supermarket background tapes have any idea what this song is actually about? On this basis alone I have always maintained that Steely Dan's music was, has been and remains among the most genuinely subversive oeuvres in late-20th-century pop."
(from www.addict.com, 3/6/00)
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Mealie baby - you done said it all.
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliIn Mi countri, nadie - nobody - ever see concerto like we saw in Pacific Ampi last night, STEE DAN - fucka wow! We has, have, how you conjugate the verb, music concerts but the policia monitor it all for political insurgencia. The best concert we have in mi pais was "Engelbert Humperdinck":
Oh my darlin' tell me when
Tell me cuando, cuando, cuando
He was OK but not, no como STEE DAN. I wish mi poppi not die in the old country doing bootlegs tapes of STEE DAN. Wish poppi coulda seen Keith Carhorn on drums, ticka tocka ticka tocka ticka tocka boom boom! How you say, blew my ass out the door! Ticka tocka ticka tocka, boom boom , when Josie cum home. Manana meself, Amador, Rodrigo, mi wife Barna, and Ricky The Bagel, we go to church and pray for poppi for the policia kill him in the old country,
then we walk in the mall in Santa Monica and tell the peepil, go see STEE DAN LIVIN" IN AMERICA! Go now! Ticka tocka! Boom boom!
Posted by: Actually, hey thefez98 in boston, see the Mike Moore's posts below, actually 197,648 copies of EMG sold so far and counting. Mike's very accurate and connected to the stats.
Posted by: thefez98, BostonSALES:
According to one of the definitive SD websites, www.andymetzger.com, only 186,000 copies of the new one have sold. To me that's a travesty, talk about poor marketing. I think SD did their part (making every tune available on their website for a rudimentary listen), but REPRISE really dropped the ball on this one. Other than my fellow hardcore SD fans I talk to, most folks aren't even aware SD has 'a new one'. Ranting...
Posted by: thefez98, BostonQuick comment on the opening night setlist. Surprised no 'Lunch with Gina' and 'Everything Must Go'. Maybe the later is part of the 'missing' encore from opening night.
Posted by: thefez98, Kapish, Todd. This WBWC thing rocks. Wife and I are listening in Boston via the Internet (while fudging some expense reports - Hey, Everything must go).
Looking forward to Mansfield and Mohegan.
Posted by: Todd Richards, Cleveland
T O D A Y !!!
Steely Dan Marathon - July 24th 2003 - 7am - 1am WBWC Radio
Cleveland & Web
TODAY IS "NO STATIC 2003" on WBWC 88.3FM The Sting in
Cleveland (and online at www.wbwc.com via real audio)
Hosted by Todd Richards, Tom Wang and Brit Taylor. 18 Hours of Steely
Dan featuring the new album "Everything Must Go" plus playing all the
hits, rare tracks and tons of material not heard on the radio
ever....(well, we're guessing it's never hit air....:) Plus - we'll be
giving away DVD copies of "Classic Albums: Steely Dan - The Making of
Aja" and "Steely Dan's Plush TV Jazz-Rock Party" (Both curtosey of
Image-Entertainment), and more giveaways are pending - stay tuned for
details. Requests can be made at 440-826-2187 and online
at request@wbwc.com
More information is available at the online flyer -
http://www.runninglate.org/marathons/steelydan.html
Come enjoy what's left of this great dayof Steely Dan Music!
Todd Richards - Co-host "No Static 2003"
Posted by: Channeling SOH, Bottom of the hill Paso RoblesSneak Peak from sound check......
Look for "Home at Last" and "Blues Beach" to make it into the mix tonight...
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastRajah...that thingee is a KEYTAR! Saw some funny stuff on that baby on one of those VH1 80s shows...classic...
Posted by: DanFanDan, Home at LastCountdown to Konocti is on! I am loving all the input folks, thanks for sharing...
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Bill, I plead ignorance as to the medodica, is that the thing DF blows into with like a two octave keyboard in lieu of valves? Yeah, he played that but NEVER took a solo, just little licks here and there. And while we're on the subject of DF's strange instrument fetish, whatz dat half piano thing called again that he never really does ANYTHING on but pick and noodle, you know, with the big strap like a guitar? He pulled that sucker out. It's ugly. Classic but useless. Neither guy can stand in front of an audience without a prop. If I was their shrink, I'd make them stand up there naked. Really. I would. Don't push me.
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Paso Robles, T-minus 3 hours, 57 minutesDamn, it's hot here!...I hope everyone in the Green Room last eve enjoyed the live play-by-play...Last night's show almost had the feeling of a "warm-up" and the idiotic local ordinances did nothing to make it feel any differently...Many people afterward were expressing their dissatisfaction ("No encore?...Are you f*#%ing KIDDING me?") was heard more than once...No blame on the band though...Damn local rules...I feel bad for those that are only catching that one show this tour...I would be pissed too...It was quite a surprise to hear TOOM and Caves right out of the gate, however!...I hope they play them later in the show tonight, along with Dr. Wu (encores, anyone?)...And they will certainly play longer tonight, as the show begins at 7:30 instead of 8:00...Check the Green Room tonight for more updates!...Send phone bill donations to...SOH
Posted by: Connieinca, RE KonoctiHey - Konocti concert Dan Fans - we are meeting on the deck off the bar in the main lodging building at 4:00PM. Let's have a DanFest!!!
Posted by: Bill, PittsburghBy nervy I meant Aja is probably the most complex song in their entire body of work, and a very well known one at that. Sure it starts kinda mellow but goes just about everywhere during the course of the song - deep grooves in the middle interlude section (which I think was grafted on from an early unreleased piece called Stand by the Seawall, but I never heard that one), avant sax & drum breaks, nice latino beat in the choruses, odd harmonies and thought-provoking elipital lyrics throuout. It was reportedly assembled from many incomplete ideas D & W had, which is probably why there is nothing like it in the SD songbook. Yep, for many of us its their pinnacle.
Raj, you and I are of the same opinion about Walter's voice, plus it is resonant, expressive, sly and bluesy to boot. No he doesn't have Donald's pipes nor does he try to sound like anything but himself. I have thoroughly enjoyed every time he has put his own vocal stamp on an SD song with the possible exception of bits of the '96 version of Everyone's Gone to the Movies which exceeded his range.
Somehow I suspected Donald would bag the EMG synth solos - he may not have the confidence for them on stage even though he did a few tasty ones in '93. (He could always dust off the melodica again like in the NYR&SR tours). I think the Keytar is mostly a prop so he doesn't have to feel awkward standing at the mic. And when you've got all those great horn players behind you, you have to let them cut loose.
I also appreciate Herington's versatile work and can't figure why many have been bashing him lately. I think he captures the style and closely imitates the tone of both Carlton and Skunk as well as their other session aces without copying anything note-for-note. For my money he's the best tour guitarist since 93. Drew Zingg had the killer sound and jazz chops, but tended to fall back on a few signature licks a little. Georg Wadenius and Wayne Krantz sufferred from tinny, fuzzed-out tone on the rock songs, although both were fine players. Jon has the chops, taste and tone.
If this was the "short" version of this year's tour, here's hoping the "long" version includes some more breakouts (DR WU!), EMG cuts and rareties. Historically, they have been more adventurous early in a tour and have dropped less familiar songs in lieu of radio hits as the tours have progressed. I got to see their second show since the 70s in 93 (Pittsburgh) and heard all sorts of obscure stuff that was dropped later on.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Well Bill, let's see if I can address some of your queries here. Indeed nervy to open with AJA, it's not exactly a boppin start. But it was ballsy like "here's our best tune right off." We got a glimpse of how hot Carlock was going to be as he snaked his way through the stop time horns at the end of the piece. Thrilling.
I'd love to hear him do 2vN without the damn click.
I also love the 93 arrangement of Reeling, this time though Donald did a fast recitation, almost scat, reading of the verses and the girls either did not hit that dissonant chorus of 93 or they were going for something slightly different. Either way, the number dragged and I thought the ladies were tentative. I know this can be better. Herington can do ANYTHING and sound like gold. He's his own man, he gives us his interpretation not a cover.
What Walter lacks in vocal range he makes up for in bravado. The guy is almost macho for goodness sake, he's at that Sinatra ponit in his career where it's just like, f*** it, this is me and this is what I sound like and here it is in your face, deal with it. Loved his presentation, loved it. Great enunciation, we hear every twisty turn of phrase. Instant classic.
Here's another bummer -no synth duel on Godwhacker, nope, the horns get a nice little arrangement from DF with trombone, Mr. Pugh, leading the way. It's great but, no, it's different arrangement than on EMG. Donald flubbed the rip-chop-slice passasge. He got caught with his pants down, no way around it.
Caves just made you smile, what an incredible horn arrangement. It was decidedly more raw than the album version which to me sounds like a drum amchine back there. With Carlock, it's like you can smell the swamp, it's shake and stir then -- ker-splatt, like somebody throwing a big mud pie on a brick wall. Can't say enough about dat boy.
Time Out of Mind went by so fast and was such a surprise that we were mostly too busy screaming and cheering for me to really focus, maybe there's a more level-headed Bluebooker who can dissect that one for us.
Posted by: Bill, PittsburghInitial reaction after reading the set list posted below:
Nervy opener, eh? Glad to hear Aja is back in rotation.
Only one repeat from last tour in the first set! Seven total breakouts (8 if you count Parker's Band which was part of the Overture in 93-94). Pretty decent ratio for these guys although us hardcore fans would certainly welcome an "all new" show.
Only one tune from the Grammy-winning 2VN, and it was a repeat, and not the more predictable Dupree, either (break out the title track and jam, guys! We know you rehearsed it last time, it's in the video)
Welcome back to the '93 arrangement of Reelin'. I know I'm in the minority, but I love that version, and with Herington on the last solo it could smoke like CBAT, too. It sure did with Zingg, but I think Wadenius's take on AIA was a bit weak.
Also, I can already hear Walter's take on Haitian Divorce in my "mind's ear" and I like what I hear (yeah, I know some purists will hate it as a matter of principle). With Dean Parks in attendance it's surprising they didn't bring him out for that one as he played the original. I also would have expected that to be one for Don to sing and for Walter to take the guitar lead on using his East St. Louis Toodle-Oo wah effect.
For thematic medleys, how about Last Mall >(hanging ending) >King of the World? Especially now that Donald has rediscovered synth leads.
How was the synth/guitar duel in Godwhacker? Did Donald get that synth sound out of his portable Keytar?
Caves must have been hot with that horn section.
Time out of Mind is the only semi-hit (at least in the U.S.) that they have not done live since they resumed touring. I thought I read somewhere that they were a bit embarassed that the "chase the dragon" lyric had become such a transparent drug reference over time that they didn't want to do it. Of course, they also swore they'd never do Rikki, Do It Again and Reelin', so go figure. Who did the Knopfler parts, Jon or Walt?
OK, attendees, some more detailed reviews? We're living vicariously through you out here.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI understand that a "major" book on SD lyrics called Mortal Inquiries is being published in the fall. Anyone heard this rumor?
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareNot sure if this has been postulated anywhere...but how about this double intendre:
"The seamless segue from fun to fever,
it's a sweet device"
How about the Segway being a sweet device in their opinions? For a couple of guys who dream about steam-powered cars w/ hydroponic farms in the back, I could see it.
DOE
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Duncan, yes, let's.
Posted by: duncan, dbI'de like to thank the guys&gals at last nights show for the ''live'' info & details.
the chatroom was alive, it was FUN !!
shall we do it again ?
''i'm gonna make this a night 2 remember''
poop i have to worpk !!!
db 2 3d xxxx
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYRoseland on sale Mon, buck and a quarter for tix in the mezz.
Posted by: princessofcairo, san franciscodanfest trifecta update!
for the sunday show at harvey's in tahoe:
the hard rock cafe patio is "reserved" for danfans (meaning we'd have to put down a deposit to really reserve it, but they know we're coming, and don't think we'll have any problem keeping it for ourselves). the hard rock patio is inside the casino, an up escalator-ride away from the hotel lobby. drop on by anytime from 3-6 to get your nametag!!
-princessocairo
Posted by: Dan Belcher, Louisville, KYAlright, my roommate and I are going to the CART Champ Car race at Mid-Ohio on August 10th. I just checked up on the Steely Dan tour dates. Lo and behold, August 9th, they'll be in Columbus. It's on the way! Woohoo! So, as soon as I find a place to stay (hoping we can stay at my roommate's relatives' house instead of paying $60 a night for a motel room...), I will be hitting up Ticketmaster for that show! Oh yeah!
Posted by: Mike Moore, Trivia Buffs;
"Everything Must Go" comes in at # 91 on the latest "Billboard" charts, selling 11,763 copies during the sixth week of the album's release. That means a total of 197,648 copies sold in the six weeks.
The rest of the random rundown. Bad Boys II debuts at # 1, Chingy is # 2, Ashanti drops to # 5 and Cher falls to # 14. The Beach Boys are down to # 27, and Led Zeppelin falls to # 67 . And, OhMyGosh,Lionel Richie is #200 with his Hits collection, selling only 5,332 copies in it's 24th week on the charts.
Like I said, "trivia" as in having trivial relavence to the true Danfan's world.
Posted by: Rindy, NYCfyi - steely dan roseland shows (9/12-13) go on sale mon. 7/28 @9 am via ticket"shyster"
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHere's a simple visualization exercise re Jason Singer's review - imagine you pick up a new SD CD, get it home or in the car, put it on, and the first song (brand new material, not old stuff) is just Becker playing a nylon string guitar, keeping time with his foot, and Fagen singing. What would you think of it? How would it sound, weird or natural? What does this say or not say? This is a good way for each individual to test their own intuitions.
Posted by: David Hankey, from OklahomaI'm sure it got garbled in Ed's transmission but the correct song order from last night was:
Set 1:
Aja
Time Out of Mind
Godwhacker
Caves of Altamira
The Last Mall
Do It Again
Slang
Peg
Reelin' in the Years
Set 2:
The Steely Dan Show
Janie Runaway-> "jailbait medley"
Hey 19
Haitian Divorce (WB vocals)
Things I Miss The Most
Parker's Band (girls)
Josie
Kid Charlemagne
Don't Take Me Alive
FM
Show shortened, as noted, due to local sound ordinances.
Dean Parks was also a special guest.
Posted by: Paul, FYI--Just letting you know that after way too long, Cynthia Calhoun's website has a new face and some updated info.
The link is http://www.cynthiacalhoun.com
Posted by: RCray, NYCThe new single is Things I miss the most....not what I would have chosen but what do I know?
Scroll down to the part of the webpage below that says going for adds:
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Charts/trpa_Home.htm
Posted by: ocmark, Had a wonderful time last night ... a couple of observations:
What better way to introduce a new drummer than to open the show with "Aja"? Carlock was just BRINGING IT on every tune. He bring an edge to this touring band that was not there with Lawson on the TvN tour.
The whole show felt a little loose and a tad ragged, which suprised me a little. D&W have that "ultimate perfectionists" rep - and what I heard last night was not perfect, but it was great.
Donald was not wearing sunglasses or a black leather jacket.
"Hey 19" is not one of my favorite SD songs, but last night the groove was just SO greasy good that it was really working for me.
I thought that Becker nailed "Haitian Divorce" and Fagen was great on "Don't Take me Alive".
I was disappointed that they didn't play "Pixeleen" or "EMG" - maybe these tunes got dropped in favor of their encore songs that they worked into the set?
It was good to see Dean Parks sit in - how often do we get to see him play live?
All in all a fantastic show .. now if my wife will just let me get tickets to the Universal shows in October??
Posted by: Big Fan, at work barelyThanks for the setlist. I was just telling my son that Aja was my favorite SD song and that I'd never seen them play it live. I missed the short 94 tour. Like Skynet I didn't go online and become self aware until 95. Since they didn't play locally I didn't even know about the 94 Greatwoods show until it was over. How the Internet has changed all of that.
A very diverse setlist, dissapointed that neither Pixelene and Lunch with Gina were not included, but perhaps later in the tour. No reviews in the LA Times or OC Register yet, but it's early on the west coast.
Now for the most important questions - how was the choir dressed?
Were the t-shirts cool? Were they extremely expensive?
Can't wait to hear this band.
Posted by: Peg, hiding in cube, per usualCAVES! GODWACKER! Yeah!!!! What a great setlist. Can't WAIT!!!
I wanna alert Dan fans of a notice on the "Charts" page (back page) of Rolling Stone's Aug. 7 issue. Ha! The editors' "Hot List" is topped by a photo of Don and Walt with caption: "Steely Dan: Horny." Listed as their number two favorite album is Steely Dan, specifically "Pixeleen." They write: "Two men in their fifties seek 'three-times perfect ultrateen'"...It's just a brief thing and oh so funny. A great thing specially when you consider that EMG is not on the list of Top 40 Albums. (boo!)
Happy DAY!!!
Posted by: dbeefy, making the morning fabulousBig hand to Rajah, Ed, This Justin and everyone else who posted/will post.
Sounds amazing, I'm sitting in work 'smiling loudly' at it all. What a setlist. Long may the guys continue...
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Here's my first impressions:
Rajah of Erase [Homepage] [Email] [] [M]
/\
3592
\/ A new star entered the firmament of drum-lore tonight at Pacific Amphitheare in Costa Mesa, California: Keith Carlock. Mark it in your calendars loyal Dan folk, he da shit and everybody smelt it. More on him later.
Here we go:
1) some jazz classic no doubt that only the real afficianados will know; sounded like Ellington to me. No D & W, just the band.
2) on our boys come and BANG --- AJA
3) Time Out of Mind (I was out of my head by now)
4) Godwhacker DF messed up some lyrics: rip & chop & slice became rip & slice & chop
5) Caves of Altamira
6) The Last Mall DF wails on "roll your cart..."
7) Do It Again - could have sworn there were hints of Rikki in the intro
8) Slang of Ages yes, Walt did it beautifully with the girls, then the band intros all behind slices and snatches of Wilson Pickett's "Midnight Hour"
9) PEG - the interplay between Barney and Carlock was spot-on, they really communicate with each other especially when Carlock goes to the bell on the ride cymbal and Barney does that "Sanford & Son" pluck and snap--yeow
10) Reeling in the Years Donald doing a "recitative" quick-time reading, the girls were a little flat --it's basically the 1993 Alive version
Interval
11) The Steely Dan Show that little snippet of a tribute to their own selves concocted on the European leg of Y2K
12) Janie Runaway by now DF was loosened up, great rendition and together with the next song comprised the "Jailbait Medley" as Donald chortled
13) Hey 19 - nice stripped down version where he never sings, "hey 19" - the audience did it for him
14) wait for it........HAITIAN DIVORCE BY WALTER! F**kin great, he pulled it off wow tremendous effects by Herrington and together with the next tune comprised the "Divorce Medley"
15) Things I Miss The Most Donald's all over this one, the lyric really is cunning and fun.
16) The girls render PARKER'S BAND great groove and they sway soo good.
17) A JOSIE that BELONGED to Carlock. His two solos brought the crowd to their FEET, he's hitting rim shots and double clanging the cymbols throughout a blistering solo wherein he changes time so seemlessly when he goes into overdrive.
18) Kid Charlemagne
19) Don't Take Me Alive
and
20) FM with special guest Dean Parks from L.A.
Then the damn house lights came on and get this and shame on the venue--NO ENCORES NONE NADA ZIP. This venue has been shut down for 8 years during which the good uptight fat cat and the too super sensitive to boogie-oogie-oogie Cost Mesa folks sued to clam up the noise. So now, as the Sheriff's guys told me, the place gets unplugged at 10:15! SD started bang on at 8PM and the interval was barely 20 minutes long.
So the band was great, Donald and the girls were a tad tight and tentative, still they gave great performances. Walter, Keith, Jon and the horns never missed, Barney is the bottom for this band no doubt, Baker was understated, and Donald seemed not quite ready for the race but did catch up.
More later my stalwarts, for now, to bed, but I doubt I can get to sleep yet. Oh, the Danfest was about 24 people strong. Pete Fogel was in attendance, thanks to my concert bud, SteeveDan.
Posted by: suedave, sleepy and excitedGodwhacker! TIMTM! I'm in heaven! 'nuff said
Posted by: db, workAndy M has the first set in another order ?
Posted by: Ed_Beatty via cell, Aja
Time Out of Mind
Godwhacker
Caves of Altimira
The Last Mall
Peg
Reelin' In the Years
Slang of Ages with Band intros by Walter
Internmission
Expanded Steely Dan Song from '00 in Europe
Janie Runaway
Hey 19
Haitian Divorce sung by Walter
Things I Miss the Most
Parker's Band (sung by the choir)
Josie
Kid Charlemagne
FM
Don't Take Me Alive
* Carlock outstanding
* Police made the show be shortened due to local nosie ordinances
* Tomorrow will hopefully have full set.
More from Ed later.
Posted by: , Parker's Band, Josie, Kid C,
Posted by: , Things I Miss the Most
Posted by: , Haitian Divorce with Walter singing
Posted by: , Steely Dan Song/Janie/Hey19...
Posted by: OK OK OK OK, Correcting the sketchy reports:
AJA/TimeOutofMind/Godwhacker/Caves/Last Mall/Peg/Reelin'
Now Intermission
Posted by: This Justin, misssed one or two but now playing Peg
Back to you
T Justin
Posted by: oleander, back on tenterhooksI'm baaaack.... Can't WAIT to hear about the show tonight. Since I saw the lineup in Onstage, it's real to me now, even though everybody looked like the soldiers in "Toy Story." Hey Hoops!--I found it at Borders in Flint, Michigan. Damn, I would've bought you one.
Well, of course they use indirection in their lyrics. It's their m.o. That is, they are not just emotionally indirect, but they employ indirection. Though there may be something of a downward indirection gradient nowadays.
IJ--come on in, the water's fiiiiine.
kd, Howard, JDubz! MWAH!
Icebergs.... I spend most of my time underwater....
Ambient wallpaper? Well, remember the suit Molly wore in "Neuromancer," which took on the appearance of its backdrop, but contained the most hardass woman in scifi? Maybe THAT kind of wallpaper.
Speaking of Gibson, he wrote a great piece on ambient Dan after the release of 2vN. I htink I have it somewhere....
Bend, Spandex, PQ.... Love it.
I know I keep saying this, but I will catch up with you guys if it kills me.
Posted by: T. Justin DJ, LWO WOH, etc, Caves!
Posted by: T. Justin SOH LWO GB, SPOILER:
Opens with Time Out of Mind into Godwhacker
T Justin
Posted by: maj©, Medford, NJ...and they wandered in from the city of saint johns...without a dime...
maj©
Posted by: Kid Clean, Arrrrrrgggghhhhh
Damn! They are probably walking on stage right now! Enjoy the Feast all you lucky ones!
I'm going underground until Aug 8th. I want to be blown away at the first note of every song they play. I only hope I can hold out. I said the same thing back in 2k and then I stayed up all night waiting for the first set list from Japan to be posted. Self control.....bahh.
KC......jonesin'
Posted by: This Justin, The O.C. Danfest is a blast and the venue is very cool, although it is a touch surreal to be surrounded by batter-fried chicken booths and funnel cakes.
Speaking of funnel cakes, Walter and perhaps Donald have been rumored to be walking through the fair just like ordinary people, seeking out funnel cakes.
Carlock is said to be an incredible drummer.
The excitement builds!
T. Justin
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYRajah and Cray, as well as Singer, perhaps miss the point - Steely Dan, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame notwithstanding, is not a rock and roll band. Rock and roll is more of a lifestyle than a type of music.
Miles is on a level by himself and really shouldn't be talked about in the same sentences as these little groups, if for no other reason than that he played 300 shows a year for centuries and all these other little groups would be lucky if they played 300 shows in their careers. In concert Miles only played his most current album and maybe, maybe, maybe the one before that, and that was it. Anything further back was considered ancient history. No one can touch Miles for that level of moving on. I have to go now because a man is trying to pull a sheared lamb across the lobby of the building with a rope ,the lamb is resisting,and the neighbors want help in diagnosing the situation.
Posted by: hoops, Whhaaaaaaaaa!
That's the sound of me crying here in Chicago, missing the tour opener.
Good news/bad news is my job is in tact, meaning I have money to travel to shows; bad news is that it crimps my schedule.
Can't wait to hear all about it.
jim
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.I'm outta here gang, got my binocks to scarf an eyeload on da goils and pad and pencil to memorialize the set list. I bet our boys are a little nervous...can they still cut it? You just know they will.
Posted by: Joey , My Steely Brothers and Sisters ....................
I just wanted to take the time to tell you all : I am now so excited about the opening night of the tour that I am typing this with my nipples .
Ouch !
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJ JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOE JO JOEY
JOEY !
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynNot what I had in mind Raj, but I know better than to open this can of worms on this board. Email me if you want to continue.
Posted by: Rcray, nycone more thing...i cannot believe that there are such good seats left for the show tonight in Cali.
What gives? Ticketmaster has 12th row seats.
Posted by: rcray, nycWell put Rajah of Erase.
..besides staying the same vs. changing is up to each respective band and/or artist. Look at Miles Davis. He changed and it was valuable. So it depends on the artist. Bands like Aerosmith IMO change so that they can stay in the limelight. Steve Tyler loves the spotlight which is fine but then you have to release cheesy love songs every now and then to kow tow to the 40 year old divorcee crowd.
IMO Steely Dan are the best example of staying true to their sound and especially "honing" it along the way.
I only wish I lived in California tonight.
Have fun all....Hope they play >> Pixeleen and other rarities....
Posted by: Bill , PittsburghWhat's this Singer guy talking about? Fire in the Hole is a great song but not out of character with the rest of their output all the way thorough EMG. Charlie Freak is from the early demo sessions and is musically far more conventional than most of their material, also its not one fans have been clamoring to hear live like Dr. Wu, etc. Peg "speed jazz?" - Bodhissatva, maybe, but not Peg. Pixeleen a "sad tale of a movie queen" - did he even listen to it? And I won't even dignify the cheap shots at Donald, Walkmen in Hell, etc. This is one of the most sneeringly negative "favorable" reviews I've seen - he does manage to say complimentary things about the CD despite himself.
P.S. I am certain that Clear Channel programs all the Walkmen in Hell.
>>There are no more offshoot songs like "Fire in the Hole" or "Charlie Freak" – the kind that become fan favorites. And there are enough mid-tempo cuts on "Everything Must Go" to feed a Third World country. The album leaves you yearning for speed jazz, like "Peg."
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Truth: Donald's annoying whine.
Deep truth: that voice is one of the signature voices in all pop music.
Truth: we do yearn for the speed jazz of Peg.
Deep truth: they're older, we're older and the songs reflect a different set of sensibilities and values.
Truth: they haven't changed much.
Deep truth: Their style has been honed to a diamond clarity.
Truth: They're contemporaries of bands like Aerosmith and Fleetwood Mac.
Deep truth: Those other bands couldn't and haven't ever been able to "repeat what worked". Like Walt said, in order to stay the same, you have to keep changing.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynThat piece by Jon Singer contains some deep truths.
Posted by: Joey, " Joey I'm sure they'll be people who live down in Orange County who will beat me to posting the set list but I can tell you that mine will be uo around midnight or 1 AM Thursday, Pacific Daylight Time as soon as I get back home. "
Rajah .......................You are much loved by the Joey !
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.iIt's true then, it's all very clear, SD is trying to take over the USA one mall at a time. Forget the Red peril and Al-Queada, it's Don & Walt who we really have to be afraid of. And, of course, the civil unrest sure to explode at ten this evening when the plug gets pulled on the show in Costa Mesa. My slogan for this evening: no encores, no peace. To the streets my brothers and sisters! Up against the wall you m****f***ers!
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, CTAbout being Steely Danned, I heard "The Goodbye Look" in Raymour and Flanigan (a furniture store) the other day. I'll be danned. Slang me.
Posted by: RCray, NYCPUBLISHED: Fahrenheit San Diego, July 23-29 (Vol.1 Issue 11), 2003
REVIEWER: Jon Singer
Rating: 140/212
If you're annoyed by annoying music, don't listen to Steely Dan.
Save it for the Walkman they'll give you for your first million years in hell. Then, if you're lucky, they'll give you an Aaron Neville tape.
But if music that drives others up the wall piques your curiosity, you probably already own "Aja" or "Pretzel Logic."
"Everything Must Go" is the second studio album from Steely Dan since its breakup in 1981. "Two Against Nature" lived up to its title in 2000, winning Grammy awards and earning positive reviews. This showed Dan fans live for new music by the band, and there are some worthwhile moments on "Everything Must Go."
First, nothing spurs guilty giggles like Donald Fagen's tight nasal voice as it juts into the opener "The Last Mall." Images of Fagen's sunglassed, keyboard-slinging and flat-jawed profile pop into your head, and you can't help but laugh at the irony of such a nerd using rock 'n' roll as his creative tool.
Then, just as the second track, "Things I Miss the Most" conjures thoughts of 1970s TV theme songs, you realize two important things: 1. These are good songs and 2. You don't want to hear about Fagen's sex life.
But Fagen and soulmate Walter Becker have always been excellent storytellers. On "Pixeleen," a more upbeat, classic odd-chord-change Steely song, Becker and Fagen rip through modern clichés ("keep it real," "whatever") to tell a sad tale of a movie queen. And on the title track, Becker and Fagen "dissolve the corporation," with enough rock allusions to bring Steely Dan fans to their knees, praying the message isn't prophetic.
The sad thing about Steely Dan, though, is that like many other veteran acts (Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac), they've settled on repeating what works. There are no more offshoot songs like "Fire in the Hole" or "Charlie Freak" – the kind that become fan favorites. And there are enough mid-tempo cuts on "Everything Must Go" to feed a Third World country. The album leaves you yearning for speed jazz, like "Peg."
With the concise Steely Dan length of nine songs over 42 minutes, "Everything Must Go" has avoided filler and offers enough the band's fans. For those needing an introduction to Steely Dan, though, "Everything Must Go" should be one of the final steps in the 12-step Steely Dan process
Posted by: Big Fan , At WorkTickets sales of concerts this year:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21129-2003Jul21.html
I can only beg of those of you going tonight, not only a set list but a brief description of this years t-shirts and goodies for sale.
Thanks in advance.
If the OC Register posts a review tomorrow (and they usually do) I will warn eveyone in advance that you have to register at their site. Unless someone beats me to it, I'll post the link as soon as it's up.
I have been out of touch with the board for awhile. What a summer, I've been doing a lot of BMX racing after little league ended, until my son broke his right arm badly last Sunday in a race. He'll be in cast well into school and certainly at the NH concert that he's coming with me to. Do you think Don and Walt will sign his cast?
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies W. AngelinaI hear the piano music of Steely Dan is very nice and pretty for my young boy but the words - disgusting perversion and homosex! Chasing the young Lolitas around the saloon, too - is this music for growing young men? I told him we will go to Dollywood instead but he said, only if Steely Dan is playing a show in the Louise Mandrell theater, which it is not, so now I have a dilemma. I lied and told him the show in MEMPHIS is sold out but he called the Ticketmaster and they told him good seats still available. So now I am a disgraced liar before my son, and we just financed a Steinway grand piano for him. Help me, please, help.
Posted by: dbeefy, oh jesus...ok, can I just mention it. Who or whatever Meal Reviewer is makes me laugh... "Ronald Fagen is the shit!"
back from a week's holiday playing EMG (backwards) to several friends.
Looking forward to seeing the set lists, and working out whether I can (a) afford to fly out to the US and (b) get time off work :))
otherwise, hunkering down and catching up with the posts
dbeefy
Posted by: Tyke, Yorkshireerrrhem, I don't suppose were gonna see SD this side of the pond are we?
Posted by: Nigel, UK (wish it was Orange County Fair)All those going to Orange County Fair today have a great time.
I think a great opening song by the boys would be ALMOST GOTHIC, this song has recently become one of my favorites.
Especially atmospheric for an open air show.
...The Summer, the summer- this could be the cool part of the summer..
enjoy!
Nigel
Posted by: The Titanic, Just ask me about icebergs!
Posted by: Kid Clean, Thinking of Going to California
'74 line up - (from Memphis Blues Again intros)
Denny - bebop guitar
Skunk - skunk guitar
Walt - electric bass
Jeff Porcarrrrro - drums
Jim Hodder - drums
Royce Jones - percussion, vocals
Michael McDonald - electric piano, vocals
Mary Tyler Moore - vocals, keys
KC
Posted by: DACW , Bill: Yes!!!!!!!! I can see the Spam campaign to AOL Time Warner without Ted Turner Whatever payed off
Posted by: The Bending End, RIIf Walt Weiskopf was playing with Buddy Rich in the winter of '80/'81, as suggested by his bio [http://www.steelydan.com/2kband.html#weiskopf], I would have seen him when Buddy came to Attleboro [MA] High School. I remember the band consisting of Buddy and a bunch of young kids, so that's a fit.
I remember enjoying the concert, though it was not as impressive as when I saw a previous, more veteran iteration of Buddy Rich's band, circa 1973, in Marietta, Ohio.
Posted by: The Bending End, RIMuch of the the piano work on Blues Beach imitates the skipping of stones across a surface of water.
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliDespues de Pacific Ampitheater party at the Freedom House! We have beer, cerveza, and hoochie babes (Barna, my heart is wich you baby, I don't, no me gusta otras)! Sandweech tambien! Em mi pais la policia le atacaron toda le gente que eschucha a STEEL DANN in the quiet place. "Maricon Joe", smuggler, les mataron in la ciudad de San Juan!
But we never give up. Cops kick my father in the tooth and we say We will go to America and establish Freedom! Dream of all times, concert music de STEEL DANN in Pacific Ampi! Bailando! Toma! Ronald Fagen is the shit! STEEL DANN! Must it all go! Vamos caballeros y damas! (PS Barna - that tramp with belly ring, she just wanna directions to Holliwood.)
Posted by: Bill Kempin, In the back of the Aug. 7 Rolling Stone (the one with Angelina Jolie on the cover), in the Charts section's Hot List, where editors list their five favorite albums, singles or videos, Steely Dan's "Pixeleen" is listed at No. 2.
It says: "Two men in their fifties seek 'three-times-perfect ultrateen' for discreet spy-girl video fun. Spectacular thighs a must. Call Walter or Donald."
At the top of the list is a photo of Donald and Walter with the caption: "Steely Dan: Horny."
I take it this means "Pixeleen" is the new single.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Joey I'm sure they'll be people who live down in Orange County who will beat me to posting the set list but I can tell you that mine will be uo around midnight or 1 AM Thursday, Pacific Daylight Time as soon as I get back home.
Posted by: Joey, Who's in charge of phoning in the set list tomorrow evening ?
I still say " Kid Charlemagne " is the opener .
Wanna see my openers ???????????????
Developing ....................
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Russ thanks for setting me straight; I must have had quite a fever dream. Yikes.
Posted by: Russ, Raja,
Actually, they never have played Haitian Divorce live so I don't know what song yuo were remembering from the early 90s. Maybe Sign in Stranger which they did change some lyrics to? Some of us are hioping to hear Haitian Divorce this year though!@
Posted by: angel, "Getting in bed, curling up with a Girlie Magazine", "We tracked your Almighty Ass", "with just a flash of spectacular thigh", "Roll your cart back up the aisle", "Godwacker's on the case","your pager starts to throb"
Doesn't have any idea what he is singing? Come on.....
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynWell you see the problem is you can't review work like that in a one page review, it requires twenty page essays.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hey Peter, nice analogy with the 'bergs, truly. I can tell you that this McCabe guy who wrote this very insightful review is a helluva writer; I don't think he's dissing the Go though. This is what I was kicking around with da beersy the other day. A reviewer should do exactly what McCabe does: provide his analysis based on 1) the work before him 2) the artists' previous work and 3) how and where it might fit in the panorama of jazz, blues, rock and pop. The personal crap of whether the reviewer likes the record is meaningless so nobody should get bent out of shape when they let our boys have it in the teeth, and, in some instances, chops.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYNot to mention the theme from Taxi is a great song by Bob James, Angela. Who is that reviewer? And I know what a fluffy is!
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynAngel - Steely Dan is like an iceberg, and how many students of icebergs do you know? Being an SD fan is like being an iceberg scientist. Most people can/t or won't make the effort.
Posted by: angel, I might have missed a link to this review, but I saw it yesterday and I found that is seems to miss the mark on EMG and Steely Dan. Ambient Wallpaper? Fagen merely delivers his lines, never accentuating anything? WTF?
The whole article is here (A clip follows).
http://www.poppolitics.com/articles/2003-07-13-radiohead.shtml
"Given the recent spate of corporate malfeasance, Go's song snapshots may be Fagen and Becker's typically wry examination of men's foibles, but that doesn't explain the unbridled glee with which they do it. Fagen has always sounded like the perpetual 40-year-old, hovering on middle age but still close enough to youth to taste it. On Go Fagen merely delivers his lines, never accentuating anything to reveal he's sardonically aware of their content. And if you take away the juxtaposition of Steely Dan's witty lyrics and how they're delivered, it all sounds the same -- like incidental music from television's Taxi.
Dismissive, you say? The next time you're in an elevator, a department store dressing room, on hold with the dentist's office, or languishing in some other quotidian limbo, see how long it takes before you hear a Steely Dan tune. Smoother-than-smooth jazz Muzak loves these guys -- despite the odd meters, the on-a-dime jazzy breaks, the overall structural precision, and the sophisticated, narrative lyrics. Steely Dan reduces down to ambient wallpaper like it was made for it."
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Duke - You know what gets my goat about "Haitian Divorce"? They changed the descriptive lyric, "in the grotto, in the easy chair, sits the charlie with the lotion and the kinky hair" when they toured in the early 90s. Politically incorrect? Nooo. Racist? Don't think it fits that criterion, really. Scared weenies desperately trying not to piss anyone off? Mebbe. Your thoughts.
Posted by: Joey, " SD are trying to make their presence known by subliminal suggestion. Yes, a national campaign to subvert the need of regular promo through the media. Do the stores know that their clientele is being subtly Steely Danned? "
Pure Genius .
Breathtaking ......................
God I love this board .
Joey !
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawarePeter: Two examples: "Gaslighting Abbey" is actually derived from "Gaslight" and has very descriptive verbiage. Another that comes to mind is "Haitian Divorce" - for instance "Now we dolly back, now we fade to black..." Both cinematic and also meaningful...she loses herself in the "zombie"s and her world fades to black (in more ways than one), not to mention the viewer's perspective.
DOE
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynAn intense preoccupation with the cinema, and cinematic techniques of visualization, are used both directly and indirectly in Steely Dan's work. Many of the visual scenarios the lyricists construct seem to be based on frames taken from film noir pics, particularly those of Robert Aldrich (they quote Kiss Me Deadly directly and indirectly any number of times in lyrics) or perhaps from books like "Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles", as if they looked at a photograph or a movie shot for inspiration to write the song lyric. This is especially true of the period from Katy Lied thru Gaucho, their darkest lyrical interval. It is as if the lyricists are trying to describe a scene to a blind person, who must work wholly by imagination. Cognitive dissonance is impossible because there is no objectivity, virtually everything is a subjective construct; the dictum of the postmodern novelist Paul Auster, that "the reader writes the book as much as the author does," applies to Steely Dan perfectly. IN many of these songs there is, of course, no "meaning" in any objective sense.
Posted by: LiveWire, Hootchie, if ya wanna see how Steely Dan rates as wholesome family music, please check out "Cousin Dupree" from the 2VNature album. Dolly couldn't have written a better "rural narrative" herself.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hoochie - I can tell you have a delightfully active imagination and a very pixeleenish, if you will, sense of humor. You da funny one, stick around, some of our Bluebookers are quite serious. Take the little shaver to the Memphis show on 9/20. Now, whatz a "fluffy"?
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies W. AngelinaWhat is Roseland? I live in Piegon Forge, Tennessee. Is that here?
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Listen Hootchie - take the kid to Roseland, it'll be OK. And yes, there is the tendancy among some to shake dat asz, but, sadly, not enough to really get the party started.
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies W. AngelinaPlease answer, please. Is Steely Dan wholesome family music for my family, or is it shake ass music for the butt tock? Is it better to take the child to Dollywood? Please help.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYA wag has advised that when the horns hold back softly, as in TIMTM, it's one of the guy's songs; when they get splashed over the song like spaghetti sauce, like in IGY, it's the other's.
Posted by: Man with no face, I heard "Jack of Speed" the other day in Macy's department store. It was the Steely Dan version, but with the vocals removed, karaoke style.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI know about that, one of my clients spends hundreds of thousands of dollars doing focus groups on music for Muzak. Steely Dan always scores high on the "joy scale" because people don't listen to the singing; or, more accurately, they listen to the sounds of the singers but not the words.Which is why you're hearing Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake alot now.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, When folks first started to mention hearing SD in malls, drug stores, supermarkets and the like, I thought it was just coincidence. After giving it some serious thought, I now am convinced that instead of lots of promos, TV appearances, etc., SD are trying to make their presence known by subliminal suggestion. Yes, a national campaign to subvert the need of regular promo through the media. Do the stores know that their clientele is being subtly Steely Danned? The Bush administration should be alerted.
Seriously, does anybody know how the Musak thing works? Do artists sell the use of their songs to Musak companies? Is it record companies, music publishers -- and what kind of money is realized by artists, if any.
Posted by: Mo Leisure, TennesseeRe: SD Muzak-I,too,have heard HATWW on Muzak in some Discount store(before EMG,but same concept I'm sure! Also,heard "The Nightfly" version of "Ruby,Baby" in my Credit Union about a year ago! I always prick up my ears when I'm graced with this situation,although I doubt it sends out any "Attention,Shoppers" messages out to the faceless Drones and "Luckless Pedestrians", save for whatever subliminal "buy" messages which are embedde into these Tracks. Who knows? It does "play" nicely into the compendium of things,with the release of the new album an all! ...or,whatever!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Randall - I like your interpretation, very very plausible. I also get the feeling that this is Walter's song.
KD - remind me, what was the touring lineup in 1974. I frankly can't fathom that they were anywhere near the musicians we're getting tomorrow night.
Posted by: KD, ChiHey cats,
back online, after a too-long spell.
Chi cats,
back in town. Danfiend, I had to split to my parents' place out of state last Friday, long story, not a whole lot of fun. I'll be shooting you a phone call tomorrow if yr around.
Missives will abound, for better or worse, look out. Hoops, I'll be in touch.
I'll take on (no knives, no shives, no wooden planks, please) anyone who doesn't think that this is the best touring band since 1974. A good time to be alive.
Posted by: Dextra, Bay Area, CA4 tickets to this Thursday's show (7/24) at Paso Robles!
4 tickets to this Thursday's show (7/24) at Paso Robles!
4 tickets to this Thursday's show (7/24) at Paso Robles!
Something's come up and unfortunately we can't make the show. You can have 'em for $20 a piece (down from $40). If you are in the Bay Area and want the tickets, I can meet you to give you the tickets. If too far away to meet, I can overnight them to you but Tuesday is probably the latest to do that.
Seats are good, right in the middle - Section 1.
If you don't want/need them, maybe you have friends that might?
Email me ASAP at dextraman@yahoo.com
Thanks!
D
Posted by: Randall, MarylandGreetings scurvy brothers (and sisters).
Just a quick follow up to wormy's post back on July 3rd relating to the meaning of a "Things I Miss the Most" line. I think the line:
"I had a little birdy friend
By morning she was gone
Birdy good-bye
Birdy bye-bye"
Has a different meaning than the one he suggests. To me, the "birdy" (i.e., a one-night stand) was the reason for the divorce/breakup/split. He was unfaithful, and now he has to live with the consequences (and they are huge consequences, since apparently she always had the money, or she took him to the cleaners big time). This whole mess was his fault, which is why he is taking things the way he is. He has no one else to blame but himself.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents,
-Randall (keeping it real...or, whatever)
Posted by: Mr.sticks, Greetings to all!
Please note that this is THE week for for all of you Steely Dan fans AND SFB fans!
THIS Wednesday night..STEELY DAN performs at the Orange County fair at 7pm in the Pacific Amp.We'll be at the show and prior to their performance..please feel free to join members of the Steely Fan Band along with many Steely fans from all over at the official Pre-Concert Dan-Fest. Festivities begin at 4pm in the BAJA BLUES CANTINA located inside the fair.Showe\time is at 7pm.
THEN...just 2 days after THE Steely Dan leaves town..you can hear even MORE..LIVE Steely music as THE STEELYFAN BAND hits the stage on this Friday night ,July 25th at 8:30pm!
We'll be right down the road from the fairgrounds at THESTUDIO CAFE in Newport Beach,Ca.
100 Main Street
Newport Beach,Ca.
Come on out for our biggest show this year as we lay down over 3 hours of the old,the new, and the unplugged Cuts that you will definitely want to hear! This show will be standing room only.so arrive early as we expect a large crowd. Admission is free...but the blue drinks will cost ya!(Heh heh)
We look forward to seeing you all out and about this week!
Thanks
Mr.Sticks(AKA Larry Michaels)
Steely Fan Band
1-877-679-7677
Posted by: W1P, Los AngelesMany of you may know Shaun Guerin through his solo work, his work with the Genesis tribute Cinema Show or his work with the Rocket Scientists. We were all very saddened to learned that he passed away last week. I did not know Shaun well -- we had a few "tribute band" contacts. But I did see Cinema Show a few times and Shaun was awesome as their lead vocalist, second drummer, flautist and anything else they needed. Last year, I attended his CD release party at Paladino's for In the Light of Dark (on Clearlight Records) and was very favorably impressed with his solo material (on which he played nearly every instrument). The record is really great and harkens back to the "real" Genesis -- when the music and the message were equally intense. I last saw Shaun in April at a benefit in Redondo Beach for the family of his bassist Tom Shannon. I gave Shaun a copy of A Fair Forgery (to which he contributed an incredible version of In the Flesh) and he was genuinely appreciative of getting a copy (when it was I who was the one who should have been (and was) appreciative of the opportunity to have an artist of his talent on the record). My three year-old and I watched Cinema Show that afternoon open with the signature Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and it was truly wonderful and will be my lasting memory of a truly gifted musician. W1P
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies w. AngelinaNow that my son knows Steely Dan can help him with the piano he wants to see the show. Where are the shows in our metropolitan area? Please, for the children. Is it "G" for general audience or do they have ho's in champagne glasses on the stage? Please.
Posted by: Joey, " Too many "Jaigerbombs." You're cut off. "
You make Joey cry and snort snot .
Posted by: RCray, Home
Everything You Did by Steely Dan
Album: The Royal Scam
Date: 1976
Songfacts: You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.
In response to The Eagles' wink to them in "Hotel California" ("They stabbed it with their Steely knives..."), the Dan included the line, "Turn up The Eagles; the neighbors are listening" in this song. (thanks, Seth - Brooklyn, NY)
Get Artistfacts for Steely Dan
More songs by Steely Dan
Comments:
The story I heard was reversed. Since "The Royal Scam" was released in May 1976 and "Hotel California" was released December 8, 1976, I think the version I've always heard is true. There was a Don Henley interview in a mid-80s issue of "Guitar for the Practicing Musician" magazine that corraborates this. Van, Tampa vwilson@qlinktech.com
- Van, Tampa, FL vwilson@qlinktech.com
You have to register to post comments, but you'll be a better person for it.
Posted by: bhoyo, Joey:
"Actually , a case can be made that EVERY guitar motif ever laid down on vinyl/disc/whatever bears some resemblance to Baxter's playing in " Hangman " ."
You mean that case could be made because ALL guitars bear some resemblance by virtue of being guitars? Hmm. Too many "Jaigerbombs." You're cut off.
Mine's a pint,
Bhoyo
Posted by: Joey, " My husband made me pregnant after I was forty and the old one holds it against me, which is why he won't teach ......................"
I absolutely HATE it when that happens . Who knew you had a few good eggs left , huh ?
Makes one appreciate Steely Dan so much more .
JOEY !
Posted by: Peg, hiding in cubeMuzak here at work just played something from The Nightfly (..."From the foot of Mount Belzoni...") which brought to mind: Hey, where the heck is EMG on Muzak? When 2VN came out, it seemed to have gone directly to Muzak -- I recall hearing "What A Shame About Me" in a pharmacy just a few weeks, maybe, after its release. But then again, maybe I am just missing it this time.
So: Has anybody out there heard anything from EMG on Muzak??
Posted by: Justin, This"Industry members say the year is heating up as the thermometers rise.
"This is really a pretty decent summer," says Dennis Arfa, president of Artists Group International, the agency for such acts as Metallica and Billy Joel. "There are some losers out there, but in general the live business is a lot better off than the record business."
Hodges agrees. "This summer is stronger than last summer for us. It's an uncanny thing that last winter to spring was strong, but the summer was light. And this year, the summer is very strong."
Hodges cites Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffett, John Mayer/Counting Crows and Phish as "especially hot" this summer. "We also see the Dead, Toby Keith, James Taylor, Foo Fighters, 50 Cent, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Warped as very hot. And the on-sales for Steely Dan are strong.""
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21129-2003Jul21.html
Posted by: Bill , PittsburghI stand corrected once again - diatonic is the standard do-re-me-fa-s-la-ti-do Western major scale, CDEFGABC in the key of C. What I was trying to think of was "pentatonic," hence the 5 notes, CDEGAC.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYI'm not nuts about either Jones Beach or the PNC Arts Center as a venue for Steely Dan, why don't they just do 5 nights at Roseland or something? In those other places I keep having mescalito flashbacks of things like Eddie sliding across the stage on his knees playing Eruption while Diamond Dave does some high kicks. I hate those 80s memories. Anybody else equate oh forget it
Posted by: Paul V Rom, I just bought the EMG CD after reading the lyrics interpretation in "Fever Dreams",and I have one word:intoxicating! I listened to it at least 10 times! Being new to the Dan,I don't have the expertise a lot of folks who post seem to, but,to me,it does have a "Gaucho" feel to it!
Posted by: suedave, Seattle Danfest hostessHi everyone!
Haven't meant to be in hiding, I've just been out of town and then felled with an illness - brain stuffed ear to ear with a summer cold - couldn't think, couldn't type, couldn't sleep, couldn't hear! It was serious, but I'm glad to get it out of the way and be in better shape in *less than two weeks* when Steely Dan comes out to visit out in the great northwest!
The 2000 Seattle Danfest was a great success because everything was easy - the music, the food & drinks, the people, and the attire. It was all Steely Dan inspired. Last year I was able to put in Citizen plus 2VN for the Danfest in the 5 CD changer but this year will be different - now that there are NINE studio CD's I'll have to get more creative. No problem! I've always thought I didn't have enough Steely Dan (I don't), but I've been pleasantly surprised at how much SD & related music I've dusted off from which to make the music mix for the Danfest. It'll be fair to.....expect some tracks off the beaten path. If anyone has any "must hear" or "must not hear" email me directly.
Get ready for the show at the Gorge and
COME TO THE SEATTLE DANFEST!!!
Friday August 1st 2003
8:00 pm
http://home.comcast.net/~susandavidson/seattledanfest.html
Drink Cuban Breeze's by the Manatee Bar
Try a Schezuan Dumpling and Swedish Ginger Cookies
Exchange stories with Danfans from near and far
Pay a quarter for Red Beans & Rice
Watch movies in the den
Listen to great music
Drop yourselves off in groovetime
http://www.dandom.com/danfests/engorgement/index.html
In getting ready for this year's summer smoker, I'm desperately trying to get rid of clutter in my house - everything must go (what remains goes into the basement lol).
Gorge info here - http://www.dandom.com/danfests/engorgement/index.html
The countdown has begun - Hope to see you here and there,
Susan
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies W. AngelinaI am thankful of Bill, Jaybuzd and Denton helping my child study music. It is my feeling that many of our youth commit crime because they have no music education and cannot play guitar or piano. My children are very happy in the piano, though they are many years apart.
One is learning the stylsitic difference between Mississippi piano man Arturo Michelangeli and Italian piano player Scott Joplin. He's older than the young one, almost twenty years. My husband made me pregnant after I was forty and the old one holds it against me, which is why he won't teach the young boy his piano. I have no knowledge of the beautiful music myself, I scrub hotel floors in the night to put my kids through school, but the kids today, all they know how to do is put the cap on backwards and talk language. I am grateful to all the Steely Dans who helped us (the teacher said to ask you).
Thank you!
Posted by: denton, iowa"Add a B and you've got yourself a diatonic scale..."
I think you also need an "F" in there, please correct me if I'm mistaken. CDEFGABC (in C major) Diatonic as I know it is keeping the melody within a certain key, regardless of the chord changes.
Chromatic is half steps all the way, no spaces between notes. Every key white and black key on the piano, right in order. Nothing at all like diatonic. "Steely Dan" could probably explain it better, but I doubt HE will be posting here any time soon.
Do a google search on music theory--you could spend the next 5 years reading the info on those websites.
Posted by: Mike Moore, Trivia Buffs;
"Everything Must Go" comes in at #76 on this week's "Billboard" charts, selling 13,661 copies during the 5th week of the albums release. That means a total of 185,885 copies of EMG sold in the five weeks.
The rest of the rundown. Ashanti remains at # 1, selling 135,161 copies and Beyonce remains at # 2. Evanescence raises to # 3 from # 7 and Metallica falls another notch to # 7. Norah Jones remains amazingly strong at # 8 in her 72nd week on the charts. (I feel sorry for her having to follow up this album that the label was hoping would sell maybe 100,000 copies over it's life! The pressure will be debilatating if she listens to the "industry folk".) Cher bounces back up to # 10 from # 18 selling 52,241 copies of her hits collection. (Right. Cher reruns beat out EMG. Right.) Charlie's Angels Sdtk. falls to # 15 and Annie "I look like a powerdered donut" Lennox falls to # 18. The Beach Boys retreads rise to # 25 (see what playing State Fairs did for their sales?) and Buddy Jewell falls to # 32. Trains drops to # 33, Led Zep falls to # 57.
Not even worth two piasters. I guess that's why they call it "trivia."
Mike Moore
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynThe very nervous, edgy, uneasy relationship that SD characters have with money starts immediately, in Do It Again, and doesn't stop - virtually every song on the first two albums has a queasy reference to money, an allegorical use of the words "Pay" or "spend," or a reference to gambling. By the time we hit Pretzel Logic and Through With Buzz the thing is stated quite baldly - "He takes all my money." Black Friday is too overt to need comment, but lines like "The last piaster I could borrow," continue the trend. The outrageously obscene I Got The News, however, containing Daddy The Rare Millionaire might take the cake. (As with every other theme these lyrics concern themselves with, however, after 1980 the issue is not much explored anymore (unless we count the song EMG, which is basically a recycled Bret Easton Ellis novel) - the lyrics, starting with Fagen's album Nightfly, start to look more towards the outer world than the inner person and take on a social and political character that is almost completely absent in the albums 1972-80.)
Money, though, is always a means to something else for these characters - and it, or the things it gets or does, always leads down a bind alley of frustration and muzzled desires ("Your black cards can make you money/So you hide them when you're able" - except that he isn't able and must put them on the table. The only reason the male bimbo in Dirty Work gets the call-up is because "Times are hard/You're afraid to pay the fee." Is this a literal, plain statement of fact that she can't afford to pay for sex, or is it hinting at something else? Money itself complicates everything, there is no escaping its reach as it were - if there's an emotional diffuculty, tie it in to money somehow ("I spent alot of money/And I spent alot of time.") Etc. It is almost as if money, or the relationship it has to someome, is some kind of anthropomorphic ruiner of the best laid plans. ("And they wandered in from the city of St.John/without a dime.") Etc
Posted by: hoops, Hooo Wheee. What a rough and wild ride this week. Now it gets comfy!
I put on my 2000 Analisa T-shirt today and was reminded that the first tour dates that year were in Japan. I had forgotten that. Makes me feel a teeny bit better about not being able to attend the first few shows this tour which is something like 103 hours away as I write this.
Oleander talked about Our Favorite Duo being on the cover of "On Stage" (she picked it up at Borders. I've been going nuts trying to get a copy. Anyone else have luck? Been looking in the music and entertainment mag sections.
Catch up more laters...
jim
Posted by: afoolnluv, libations, sensations, those standouts of mime...The latest and greatest from Charles Shaw Vineyards:
Two-buck Cherry Wine
Two-buck Grapefruit Wine
Two-buck Kirschwasser
Two-buck Smooth Resina
Two-buck Scotch Whiskey
Two-buck Zombie, Cuban Breeze, Black Cow, Pina Colada, and Margarita mixes
Two-buck Tangueray
We got the booze we need, all that two bucks can buy...
Posted by: The Whole Charade, Lasa Brian Nyberg - isn't the term smooth jazz, not soft jazz? Are you well informed? How could they let you write about music? There's soft rock, smooth jazz, cool jazz, hot jazz, hard rock, lite FM, etc. What standards of journalism does your paper have?
Does anyone know who did Fagen's hair for the inside sleeve of Godwhacker? I like that silvery sheen, though it's kinda hard to tell with the hues and texture of that kind of paper of the sleeve. Is he going gray, or was it streaked?
I am proud to post in Blue Book.
Posted by: Any Minor World, I didn't get a chance to read all the postings so if this is redundantI apologize. after repeatedly listening to "godwhacker" and reading the lyrics, this makes me think of a biblical apocolyptic schene where the "good" arcangels, or "godwhacker(s)" are hunting down satan for his final cosmic come-upins.
In the beginning (first line from the bible)
We could hang with the dude ( before lucifers fall from grace)
then culminating with
For crimes beyond imagining
It's time to pay the price
and in between the two the chase the seven heaven worlds. if someone already covered this interpretation i again apologize. all in all i think this is a great cd. i've been a Dan fan since the 70's and one thing i've always oved was trying to figure out what the songs are about. i love reading others interpretations, which for the most part are usually thought provoking and make listening to the songs even more enjoyable, if that's possible.
AMW
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies W. AngelinaPlease, the teacher say to ask Steely Dan, please - I see many important discussions here but my child needs help with the chromatic scales, he doesn't understand how the half tones apply to the octave. Please, they told us Steely Dan was the most advanced, please help our youth study good music. Please.
Posted by: chillin at the manatee bar, Butler, PaI cannot believe my eyes....an ad for EMG in this weeks issue of Time.....They must be getting ready for the Christmas rush.
Posted by: DACW , Beers: That's facism! ;-) Herington let it rip on Kid C and DTMA on Plush and during the tour last ime around...I prefer the style of Zingg, but i don't like Wadenius or Krantz as much Herington...
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Peter, may I call you Petermeister - Very entertaining and well realized thoughts, thank you. Don't listen to da beersy, although you gotta love 'em, irreverent SOB, he doesn't sugar-coat it. The thing about us being so good at being Steely Dan, ok, they're a bit obnoxious about their proficiency, but I can live with it. Their protagonists are generally such losers on the whole that I don't mind that they're both show-offs in real life. Trade off.
Posted by: Beered Up, @the edgePeter Q .......wall of type .. man take a f****** breath
see space is FREE .. Mr Big
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynPreamble: Steely Dan shows a conviction to principle, to certain core values and beliefs and preferences, which has been revealed through the years to be very stalwart and focused, perhaps more so than any other pop group one can think of. They are not experimenters - they like what they like, period. Ellingtonian type jazz, jazz of the type exemplified by horn players like Paul Desmond and Lee Konitz, groove-influenced soul music, here and there a hint of rock and roll (although by Royal Scam this is pretty much dispensed with) - that's it. You're not going to hear Steely Dan get down like James Brown, blast into your consciousness like a bomb like Coltrane, rap, play folk or country, approximate Gregorian chant, play a waltz or polka, or anything else that deviates from the formula (which is perfect). Except for a few references to the internet, EMG could just as easily have been from 1983 as 2003 - out of context you couldn't tell. Whether or not this is a good or bad thing is up to your individual taste. It's very hard to hear an album like EMG and not be mighty impressed; on the other hand, it's equally hard to hear an album by, say, Bill Laswell or Jim Beard and not wish Steely Dan would show some balls like that, stretch out that much. A wag once remarked to me that the message he got from 2VN was "See how good we are at being Steely Dan?" which he took to be an observation in the minus column.
It's a very subjective call.
Posted by: mikem, lbi, nj8/30 Atlantic City tix on sale Monday, July 21st @ 12noon EST
Steely Dan
The Borgata, Atlantic City, NJ
Sat, Aug 30, 2003 8:00pm
DOORS OPEN 1 HOUR PRIOR TO SHOWTIME. WILL-CALL PICKUP BEGINS 3 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
======================================================
Internet Onsale Info
Onsale to General Public:
Mon, 07/21/03, 12:00pm
TicketMaster:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/020036EB45118C22?brand=&artistid=736195&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
no prices yet, seating chart at above link- good luck!
cheers,
mikem-->>lbi, nj
Posted by: angel, A bit more, on 2 Buck Chuck.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A994-2003Apr1.html
Posted by: The Bending End, Oops...I messed up my own handle. It's "the bending end," not "the bended edge." I was listening on the way home and realized I had it wrong, and thought it should instead be "the bended end," but, after double-checking the lyrics, it's actually "the bending end."
Posted by: slinky, tx"Beatsters! My brothers in the subculture of the Early Resigned!" -DF
(http://www.steelydan.com/premiere3.html) Blues Beach.
I've been searching for the meaning of this archaic colloquialism.
Thanks for the cool insights!
Even though I never understood their lyrics,
I always felt that I knew what they were saying.
Genius! The mix of science and art. Quantum physics in groove time.
Posted by: Joey, " While playing Negative Girl th'other day, I was struck by the resemblance between the tasty guitar motif at the end of the song, and Jeff Baxter's playing in I Cheat The Hangman (from the Doobie Brothers' Stampede album). Could it be a tribute to Mr. Skunk? An in-joke? Something else entirely? "
WTF ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Skunk now works for the Pentagon so you can bet your Sweet A## it is no tribute to him .
Actually , a case can be made that EVERY guitar motif ever laid down on vinyl/disc/whatever bears some resemblance to Baxter's playing in " Hangman " .
Now , if you will please excuse me , it is getting close to five PM ( Pub Time ) and it is discussions like this that drive me straight to the bar for a " Jaigerbomb " .
Peace , Out ,
Joey
Posted by: The Bended Edge, I've tried to read most of these postings from June and July, but haven't gotten beyond June yet.
Not sure if anything like either of the following have been mentioned:
---------------------------------
Recently, while searching for something else, I ran across an article entitled "The Home Depot Culture: Orange-Blooded," which reminded me of "The Last Mall": http://www.sprawl-busters.com/hometown.html
In this case, "orange-blooded" refers to Home Depot's corporate culture of pure devotion to their own organization, which includes a relentless drive to bury the competition.
Coincidentally, I noticed this article today, entitled "Malls: Death of an American icon": http://money.cnn.com/2003/07/02/pf/yourhome/deadmalls/
The article attributes part of the problem malls are having to "big-box stores such as...Home Depot."
---------------------------------
The other thought is simply that the phrase "the moon is yellow" in the opening line of Green Book refers to an Asian woman's ass on some Internet porn site.
Posted by: DJ, Chicago on the wine front
Just to clear up the Two Buck Chuck thing. It is shit...no offense to anyone who drinks it or likes it. But, it is made from grapes from the Central Coast that were wrongly planted in the wine boom of the mid-nineties, they should be raisins. The also use up to 15 percent Concorde grapes think MD. Then they race through a carbonic maceration fermentation that includes whole clusters, stems, pips and whatever else, then use chaptalization (adding of sugar) to finish the wine and make it drinkable. I am all for a bargain if real wine is being considered. This is a double edged sword as it is introducing a lot of new people to wine (which is good) but it is also painting a poor picture of what wine really is (which is bad). It's kind of like just playing "Through With Buzz" for someone and telling them that is what Steely Dan is.
Posted by: Man with no face, The college kid reviewer is out of his league. I certainly hope he's not a music major. Nah, he can't be, he would know what jazz and blues are otherwise. He's probably never been exposed to either, his parents probably listened to Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles in his formative years.
Spandex - I think a guy over on the other guestbook also came up with that theory. Sounds right to me, or at least one of the many layers of interpretation in that song.
The typical SD narrator is either cluelessly self destructive, or (more usually) in some inner conflict about changing his ways or his inability to do so. The technique of the narrator addressing "you" or describing some third person to the listener when really speaking about himself is prevalent throughout. Album 1, side 1, track 1 sets the tone for the entire body of work. No closure "the hangman isn't hanging/and they put you on the street", ultimately unfulfilling relationships with women "you love a little wild one/and she brings you only sorrow", and other self destructive compulsions (particularly drug addiction) "Now you swear and kick and beg us/That you're not a gamblin' man/Then you find you're back in Vegas/With a handle in your hand" pervade the lives of these characters. As in "Dirty Work", the narrator always forsees terrible trouble and stays there just the same.
An attitude of cynicism and sarcasm is also prevalent throught the works, again introduced with Can't Buy a Thrill. "Kings", "Change of the Guard", and "Only a Fool" speak of the failure of political systems to make our world a better place. Felonius and the Midnight Cruiser can't adapt to a changing world as youthful optimism gives way to the broken dreams of the Gentleman Loser, another Steely archetype. Even the drug addicted petty thief of "Turn that Heartbeat" realizes that "Now the food here ain't so good no more/And they closed the package store". In "Fire in the Hole" the cynicism grows into feelings of dehumanization, loss of control and paranoia.
Yet the characters remain mostly sympathetic. The losers, the hustlers, and the dreamers generally seem to be striving for good. The narrator dreams of a good life for the charmer in "Brooklyn..." and the petty thief prays for the life of his dying friend. The protagonist in "Reeling in the Years" has spent both money and time on the girl only to be left behind. In "Do it again", it is forces beyond the narrator's control, the wheel (of fate) turning 'round and 'round, that cause him to do what he does. There is an everyman quality that we all can relate to in these characters.
Posted by: David Hayes, Between the raindropsFirst, I'm a newbie, so forgive me if this is old territory.
While playing Negative Girl th'other day, I was struck by the resemblance between the tasty guitar motif at the end of the song, and Jeff Baxter's playing in I Cheat The Hangman (from the Doobie Brothers' Stampede album). Could it be a tribute to Mr. Skunk? An in-joke? Something else entirely?
Posted by: Jaydubz, Laurel CanyonAdd a B and you've got yourself a diatonic scale...
In Music theory, the diatonic scale is the fundamental building block of the Western musical tradition. The diatonic scale is composed of two tetrachords separated by intervals of a whole step. The pattern of intervals is as follows Whole-Whole-Half (Whole)Whole-Whole-Whole-Half. The major scale begins on the first note and proceeds by steps to the first octave of the root note. In solfege, the syllables for each scale degree are "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do".
Posted by: Bill, PittsburghIn the key of C it would be CDEGAC. Right, musicologists? Five notes plus the octave. A lot of melodies can be constructed around these notes. Not sure why SD would be recommended as a good place to start. I'd say listen to the guitar work of Dickey Betts, formerly of the Allman Brothers, or maybe the classic Nashville piano of Floyd Cramer (think of the old Miller Beer jingle) and you'll hear a lot more diatonic scales than you will in anything by SD.
>What is the diatonic scale, please? My child has a music project in the school and the music teacher said to ask Steely Dan. Please? it is for the education of my child.
Posted by: angel, Beers: Trader Joe's is known for (except on the East Coast, where they can't sell wine) their inexpensive, but nice, wines. I shop there twice a week and the place is always packed with yuppies and people who care about what they eat. So I think this reviewer did the wine a disservice, by calling it cheap. Inexpensive, but not cheap.
Peter: Ok, I will jump on the bandwagon with you on. Yes, they rarely take their songs onto a personal level. They also have a long history of reusing the same phrases in songs. Nothing new there and I am sure it is deliberate. Ole's site mentions it quite a bit. The way these guys agonize over each word (I believe Walter mentioned that sometimes 1 lyric line signed off by the 2 of them was all they got for a days work) proves that they do nothing lightly.
Posted by: Soft Jazz Hoochie Mama, Bumpin Fluffies W. AngelinaWhat is the diatonic scale, please? My child has a music project in the school and the music teacher said to ask Steely Dan. Please? it is for the education of my child.
Posted by: Beers, @it"Getting nostalgic on cheap wine?" ...
despite the nom de plume (which refers to my occupation amongst other things) I'm more inclined to Getting nostalgic on GOOD wine? the high is so much more mellowwwwwww
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYStudio 7 Dave, you're right! Thanks for correcting my noxious omission of the infernal Rhodes piano.
EMG is by far the most guitar-centric Steely Dan album, IMHO, because, at least as far as the guitar is concerned, it doesn't follow the jazz/pop/show tune structure of all the earlier stuff, that is, the verse-chorus-solo-repeat verse or chorus structure that almost every song assumes - the songs on EMG also have the blues structure of sung line, guitar lick, sung line, guitar lick, etc., like a real Mississippi Delta blues (in one of the seemingly endless publicity interviews they've done for this album I recall Becker talking about Hubert Sumlin, he of "Whiskey Headed Man" fame. Sumlin was the house guitarist for Chess Records. He used to use a cracked Jack Daniels bottle as a slide on some of those old Howlin Wolf records. Unless that was me, when I gave guitar lessons to the twin sisters who haunted my teenage years. And still do.) But to my knowledge, this out and out blues style has not been used by Steely Dan before. Also the way Ted Baker plays under the layers of bass and guitar is very reminiscent of a piano player like Pinetop Perkins playing a two hundred dollar upright piano in the smokiest corner of the saloon from hell. And I'm sorry, but on tunes like Last Mall the piano is just not mixed in correctly, you have to listen too goddam hard to pick it up. I missed the exit ramp and drove into a fuckin ditch trying to concentrate. Then they tell me I no longer have roadside assistance!
Posted by: Shaun, Boston"Donald Fagen's stage banter"????
The two things Donald Fagen says during the show.
1- "Here's my partner Walter Becker"
2- "See you next year"
Is this "stage banter"?
Posted by: Chase, ManhattanHey but I like feeling compeeled.
Howard, you make Joey all compeeled.
Chase!
Posted by: Howard, @lunch
Two things:
guitar solos - Becker is essentially a blues guitar player, with a dash of rock and jazz thrown in. Herington is essentially a rock player, with a twist of jazz and blues. For the live stuff, I think they divide up the solos according to which role best suits the song. I don't think there's any question of giving the "easy" or "difficult" solos to one of them - that's ridiculous.
Also, remember that for the live versions they often rework and extend the songs, which means there may be several solo spots, so it makes sense to take one each in these cases (e.g. the plush Jack of Speed).
reviews - as others have said, there will always be reviewers who dislike music that we are passionate about. Get over it.
if you really feel compeeled to write or email a reviewer who you disagree with, I would suggest you think carefully about what you hope to achieve and what you intend to say. Your time is probably best used on something else.
Howard
Posted by: Chase, Steely Dan Hate Mail Vol.IVhttp://www.ocweekly.com/ink/03/46/clubbed-griley.php
"And lastly, on Wednesday, take a hump-day breather. Dim the lights, bust out a bottle of Trader Joe’s two-buck Chuck and pop in that Steely Dan CD you tried to sell back to the record store but couldn’t. Call your ex from college while "Rikki Don’t Lose That Number" plays in the background and pour a libation for all the poor souls at Wednesday’s Steely Dan show at the Pacific Amphitheater. Getting nostalgic on cheap wine? Without having to sit through Donald Fagen’s self-important stage banter? Count me in! I’ll bring the weed. But don’t you dare bring a blacklight."
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYHey Beers! If you think Herington can't let it rip you should get Dennis Chambers' album and listen to the song Paris On Mine or, even better, get Bill Evans' Starfish album and the song Whiskey Talk. Can't let it rip?!? Watch your comments about The Herington! LOL.
Posted by: Beersy , @itreviewer noun
someone who writes articles expressing their OPINION of a book, play, film, etc....
He didn't like it , Live with it , F*** Him !!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Beersy - A reviewer's job is not to argue with the artists' choices, it is to analyze how well those choices were executed. Whether Mr. Nyburg likes this record means nothing to anyone. It's how well he dissects it. That means he's able to not only evaluate it in the context and realm of the now, 2003, but also put it into historical perspective, or are you a flat-out deconstructionist who wants things to mean what you want them to mean instead of the admittedly tedious but I feel necessary task of dragging Western culture in general and the last 70 or so years of American jazz, blues, pop and rock in particular with you? Mr. Nyburg doesn't get what all that is, and if he does, he's got a funny way of showing it. Who's the fascist now?
Posted by: Beers again - round two, @it"He's just another in the long line of idiots who should not be allowed to put pen to paper before putting ear to the music of the last 70 years or so at least." ...
Come on ! this is bordering on fascism ... You may disagree with the guy (so do I), BUT you cannot call him an idiot just cos he don't like the album - that's the nature of a review
Posted by: Beers expecting flak , @it"how come all the tough old solos from all the old radio faves go to Herington? " I can only imagine it is to underline the fact that they no longer accept/want the role of soloist in it's purest form - ie elevated to the platform , up on the pedestal of Baxter, Carlton, Graydon, Krantz, Zingg, Wadenius etc As "talented" as Herrington may be, IMHO, he is soul-less, mechanical and down right AR ... he noodles nicely, but would never let it rip ... On the last two albums how many stand out solos are there ?
Posted by: SpandexJacket, PhoenixI read all the comments I could find on this board about Pixeleen, and I'm somewhat surprised that as far as I can see, no one else came up with the interpretation that seemed natural to me.
"Pixeleen" (a "nym?") is a young teenage videogamer. She controls a "Lara Croft"-like hero in her game of choice. Ahmed Abu (which, by the way, is what I believe the lyrics REALLY say, has anyone checked the published version with the musicians?) is the villain in the game. Her character jumps turnstiles and pulls knives from her boots as part of the gameplay. She hangs onto trains that no longer exist in the real world because they're just canned props in the game.
And then, every so often, while engaged in playing her game, she gets interrupted in the real world by a call from her father or boyfriend, and you hear from the jejune girl instead of her sophisticated electronic alter ego.
The narrator seems fond of her. Is he her father? Probably not, since he describes her getting a call from her father. Is he a guy who has a thing for jailbait? Well, it wouldn't be the first time we've seen THAT in a Steely Dan song...
Posted by: Pivotal Pete, CaliforniaPeter Q -
I think there's more emotion in there than your thesis suggests, but there is certainly a "distance" in many of the narrators' descriptions. Still, these are, I think, real emotional statements--and more than just 5 or 6 accidents. (Will cite the songs, just for the few who don't know every darn line by heart):
"I can't cry (don't care) anymore, while you run around" (Black Cow)
"She brings the smooth retsina, she keeps me safe and warm." (Home at Last)
"I can't be no savage, I can't be no highwayman." (King of the World)
"I like your eyes, I like him too [i.e. Brubeck...]" (New Frontier) (I think he likes her eyes a little more than Davey)
"In my dreams, I can hear the sound of thunder ... " (Walk Between Raindrops) This whole song is an emotional recollection.
"Can't you see our love (?) will grow" (I Got the News) (maybe this is not quite "emotion" ...)
"And when you smile for the camera, I know I love you better" (Peg)
Overall, though, this is one of the better points you've made and is worth reflecting on. Hard to tell, for example, what our depraved hero is feeling as he watches his bridges burn ...
Gretchen - I had no doubt that was your name and it's nice you're mentioned in a song!! [Ever been waitressing in the Caribbean?] Have you picked a name yet?
Posted by: Studio7Dave, ChicagoChief-
The one instrument you left off the list is the ever-present Fender Rhodes. A staple of both SD and the dreaded "smooth jazz". Particularly the late 70's-early 80's artists (Spyro Gyra, Al Jarreau, Grover Washington) always used Rhodes. I know a lot of people who when hearing just a single chord played on a Rhodes will immediately think "smooth jazz". It's unfortunate it has this stigma, it's really a great instrument.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYDACW you gotta get the album Escape by Bill Evans (1996) if you think Branford is the only soprano player. The most adventurous music of our time.
Posted by: DACW , There's some bad Ganja up in Oregon. NyBORG - what's soft jazz? There's cool jazz, smooth jazz, soft rock, the Wave - the birth of the Cruel. Anyway EMG really bares no resemblence to the above...more 40s Ellington style blues...
The only real soprano sax man is Branford Marsalis, and I think besides El Stinger and the excellent contribution to Blue Turtles and Nothing like the Sun, he made the mistake of playing on a Don Henley song...that disqualified him...
To tie it all together Branford did briefly get Der Stingle out of the modal mode for a while on ..Nothing Like the Sun...great bridges and everything...40s influence heavy...Englishman in New York is really nice stuff...
Things I Miss the Most in the verse has a Sting-like structure from that period...the transition line "it's getting pretty damn close"
The Dan rarely strays from loserdom and the complex emotions of various losers...exception may be change of the Guard and Charlie Freak - maybe why they are IMO their least successful recordings...closest thing to joy is Florida Room from solo Kama written with Libby
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynBecker and Fagen are probably very familiar with the philosopher Schopnhauer who was very bitter about humanity but who said "Music is the highest form of human activity." That's why their tunes often have an upbeat emotional tenor.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Peter - I find your arguement compelling and depressing. This guy's character runs through every album, he's all that we've said here and a buffoon on top of it all. His trite jargon, the name brands he's constantly mentioning, pop culture references, and the Jazz slang of ages. Cousin Dupree is a pathetic clown, Jeanine tells him to his face his soul is constructed from dreary architechture -- and the schmuck doesn't even get, "just what is it, exactly, turns you off?"
Question then: are there any SD characters who have it together?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynNot necessarily that's it the same two people but it's the same theme, repeated over and over and over in so many of their songs. It's like the symbolism Tennessee Williams used in the play Glass Menagerie, the glass animals. Emotions are so fragile, so delicate, that they can't - MUSTN'T - be spoken about, or clearly enunciated. The loneliness and angst is, literally, unspeakable.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Do you mean the "adorable ghost" might just be the same gal from Black Cow? On the lyrical basis that our pathetic putz of a protagonist sees her "in the corner of my eye?" It's working for me.
Posted by: CrellMoset, I don't spend much time in grocery stores . . . I'm only 18, you know, but I was thrilled upon hearing my first SD song in a supermarket whilst purchasing root beer earlier today - "Any World That I'm Welcome To" - yea!
CrellMoset
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHowever, in TIMTM the line "In the corner of my eye" is repeated from Black Cow - don't you see this? The identical method of inarticulation cuts across 25 years. Something more is going on here besides sadness over a relationship.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Thank you my Sistah, yes, well, I mean whether it's through therapy which I'm certain you don't mean to be the only method of self-realization or actualization, yeah, the guy simply cannot see himself, doesn't understand his true self. Plenty of sensate emotion, "feels nice" and the rest, the guy reminds me of the Joni lyric, "just living on nerves and feelings with a weak and a lazy mind." Over and over we see him, so paranoid, emotionally misguided and immature. The litany of strange and troublesome women. What a mess.
Posted by: BabylonSistah, ChicagoRajah -- I don't quite understand -- but I think the narrator is a guy with tons of raw emotion, but hasn't been to a therapist yet, nor does he ever involve himself with an "evolved" woman, so he feels all this raw emotion; therefore, he can't say "I'm sad" -- he can only talk about how he's the one. I think Joey was hitting on this earlier.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Peter - For the folks who aren't onboard with our theory of the dearth of direct, first person emotional content in SD lyrics, I thought of the song which diametrically opposes this SD signature trait: Yesterday by Paul McCartney. I guess maybe the closest thing to Yesterday would be Things I Miss the Most but, again, we have a first person narrator who doesn't understand his own shallowness, he's not clued in like the guy singing Yesterday.
If anybody understands what I just said, please let me know what it was. I don't feel we've nailed this down yet.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYActually, they never use alot of the staples of "smooth jazz" type elevator music, like soprano, heavy latin percussion, thumb slapping bass, polyphonic synths, etc - so why do they get categorized as smooth j. by so many folks?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynYeah man but all the sax players they hire play soprano, and most of them play it like Coltrane not like Kenny G! Or not?
Posted by: YGK, ManhattanPeter Q: Two Words: Kenny G....
ygk
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynAngel...I don't believe I said he's not showing emotion. My post has been quite misinterpreted . I meant to say, most people say or think simple things such as "I feel lonely" or " I am happy" or " I love you" " I like you" or "I am jealous" about a hundred times a day and you almost never see a simple statement like this in any SD songs; it happens too frequently in ever day life for it not to be a conscious omission on the part of the lyricists. That's what I meant.
Posted by: angel, If my memory serves me correctly, Walter tends to take the bebop (Denny Dias) solos on some of the older stuff. "Bodhisattva" and "The Boston Rag", come to mind.
Peter: Isn't the Bookkeeper's son showing an emotion (a feeling inside his body) when he comments in the lyric that "He don't want to shoot no one"?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynDanheads, the gang here is interested to know if anyone has ever read or heard Becker/Fagen comments on why they don't use soprano sax in any of their music, or if anyone has any thoughts on this matter.
Posted by: Bill, PittsburghFor some reason Walter handed over some of his own recorded solos to Herrington last time out, including the middle of Black Friday, the end solo on Jack of Speed, and what I consider his best recent solo, West of Hollywood. I can't remember for sure, but I think Herrington plays the Pretzel Logic solo on Plush Jazz-Rock Party that Walter originated. Walter does step up on some of the early stuff he didn't originally play lead on, like the Skunk part at the end of Bodhisatva and the rearranged Midnite Cruiser duels with Wayne Krantz.
>...Becker pretty much played the solos on the early albums that he felt comfortable with, so I would suppose he's still comfortable with them. Herington's just a better fit with the rock-style solos.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareRajah:
If you check out Steelydan.com, you'll see that they have updated band personnel (if you get the newsletter, then you know this). Barney is slated to be bassin' it up on the '03 tour.
DOE
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawarePeter: I would consider Herington more of a rocker than Becker...he plays a lot of the lines that lean more towards rock 'n roll (KC, Peg, Bodhisattva, Black Friday, etc). Becker pretty much played the solos on the early albums that he felt comfortable with, so I would suppose he's still comfortable with them. Herington's just a better fit with the rock-style solos.
DOE
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Well Peter, if Walt couldn't or wouldn't do the solos on the old records, it should be no surprise that he doesn't now. His solos - here's that word again - lope along. He's an incredibly tasty bass player though, wish he'd strap on in concert, but Barney's the man for the big band, no doubt. I suspect he'll do that lead on Godwhacker but can anyone really see him doing the break on Peg? Herington has the great jazz licks, he can ride, he can scratch and cleek, the man's a virtuoso, watching him is like going to school.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynSo Danheads - how come all the tough old solos from all the old radio faves go to Herington? Shouldn't Wwalter try them?
Posted by: Joey, " Two weeks ago I bought ONE C.D. This catapulted into my buying 5 other C.D.'s and procuring tickets to the Chicago concert. I am totally obsessed! What's going on here? (Comforting to see that I'm not the only one!!) "
The worm has certainly turned for YOU my friend .
WELCOME TO THE PARTY PAL !
Joey !
Posted by: Man with no face, "Don't Take Me Alive" uses the I construct to reinforce the fact that the narrator is not human. I-ronic, isn't it?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynThis Nyburg guy is hilarious! I wonder if he knows that Walt Weiskopf's books on harmonic theory are studied in the conservatories in Europe? What a dip.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, IJ - Congrats and welcome aboard, there's no turning back now. Devour those albums before the concert and watch your head come right off your body and into the stratosphere.
Posted by: I.J., ChicagoO.K. -- I always liked some of SD's hits, but was never particularly a SD Fan. Two weeks ago I bought ONE C.D. This catapulted into my buying 5 other C.D.'s and procuring tickets to the Chicago concert. I am totally obsessed! What's going on here? (Comforting to see that I'm not the only one!!)
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareI think Nyburg is probably some punk college kid who got mad when he was asked to review a couple albums that are not Eminem or Korn. This is what our country is turning into...a bunch of Ritalin'ed aggressive punks that have no appreciation for music, society, and probably even education.
DOE
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Gretchen - He's just another in the long line of idiots who should not be allowed to put pen to paper before putting ear to the music of the last 70 years or so at least. Walter said something interesting in that Onstage interview. If memory serves, he says that our sense of rhythm has changed due to the electronic metronome, or as the postmoderns call it, the click. I think this has affected the schlub-on-the-street with EMG particularly because of the analogue-all-together-now approach the boys chose to employ on this disk. The rhythms follow the time kept in D&W's collective head. Walt says EMG "lopes", you know, like a horse riding into town. The damn click thing is taking over our man made rhythms, the ones in our head; it's changing what we think of as rhythm. So without an appreciation for a sense of musical history, we might think EMG sounds like elevator music. Hey look, lots of folks can't relate to opera and classical music for this same reason. My advice: take a deep cleansing breath and let it all go. Everything must.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYI actually found an email for this Nyburg villian, ovoice@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Posted by: Gretchen, Who the hell is this Ryan Nyburg and what exactly does he consider good music? He offers up lots of negative feedback, but just who does this pantywaist consider talented? I'd be interested.
Posted by: Joey, " mon.8.4.03
Denver
Fiddler's Green
The Wing-Ding starts at 4:30 pm
C.B. Potts Big Horn Brewery
(across the boulevard from Fiddler's)
with your host Michael Marchese and friends
Michael Marchese, aka Joey from the BlueBook, is hosting a Wing Ding
across the boulevard from Fiddler's at C.B. Potts Big Horn Brewery
starting at 4:30 pm MT. C.B. Potts is a fine Brew Pub. (Wendy Liu and
hoops will be there) "
Hello My Steely Brothers and Sisters ...............
Yes my Hoopsie , you are quite correct that the Denver Danfest will be quite an event . I look forward to meeting all of you fine individuals , and as you all know , the weather in Colorado is absolutely stunning in the summer . Here is the address to the DanFest on August 4th :
C.B. & Potts Big horn Brewery
6575 South Greenwood Plaza Blvd .
( 1/4 BLK. North of Arapahoe Road )
Englewood , CO
C. B's Phone # 303-770-1982
The Bar is huge and the food is quite good . Oh , and it is
right across the street from Fiddler's ( Don't leave your car in the lot during the show though -- Tow City !!!! )
My Steelian Kin ...........I highly recommend seeing the Denver show . The venue holds 18,000 people and even though it is situated right in the middle of an office park ( Denver Tech Center ) , it is well insulated from any outside noise and has a gorgeous view of the Rockies .
Please get your tix now and thank the Joey later .
Joeykins
Posted by: Pete and Repeat Went Out On A Boat, Dumb enough to post twice, eh?
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYAttention all shoppers:
Yesterday, walking with my child, a sudden gust of wind swept up and blew her fez off her little head, causing me to chase it like a loon down several avenues. I thought, "I'm going to get a negative event about Steely Dan today, it's a sign, an omen."
Lo! I come on here and see this review of EMG by this Ryan Nyburg person. This person has no email, so I suggest everybody invest a stamp and send this person a letter letting their feelings about this review be known! The snail address is: Ryan Nyburg, Music Reviewer, Oregon Daily Emerald, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403. Imagine his surprise to get 5,000 letters reviewing his review! I will post my missive to him here once I finish sewing this red fez.
Posted by: wormy, new orleansrindy - beloved pets will be release into Central Park (love it)
no McCraken (sp?) and I was hoping to see Walt don a bass in a few numbers
Albequerque is on sale 7/18
Is there a pre sale??? password??
old songs never played
top of my list "dr Wu"
does "What A Shame About Me" count, it was played at the plush shoot but not on tour
the title track for aja was done on 90's tours but average joe party boy was usually busy taking a bathroom break. Songs with great dynamics and quiet passages don't work in less than intimate settings unless you have the audience already spellbound
touche from the topsoil
wormtom
Posted by: Bob Dole , This is Bob Dole...Bob Dole never uses the word I. Bob Dole loves Viagra and his hot little Senator wife, even though Bob Dole is dreaming about Spearing Britney...Bob Dole said "OUCH" when Bob Dole did a header over the rail in the '96 campaign...
Bob Dole cracks up at Joey's jokes. Any Major Dude including Bob Dole knows, that with the exception of the solo albums, Steely Dan songs call for character playing. The imperfect narrative!...there's complex and deep emotions when Donald Fagen calls in frustration and condascendance"..but you don't even know your mind..." and the emotion despair of isolation when he gets visceral: "...a vsion of a child returning....a kingdom where the sky is burning. Honey, I will be there, yes, I'll be there..." There's emotions alright...OTHER people's emotions!
"I know all at once who I am..."
Peter makes Bob Dole snicker at his nom de irony...
Posted by: Bob Dole , This is Bob Dole...Bob Dole never uses the word I. Bob Dole loves Viagra and his hot little Seantor wife, even though Bob dole is dreaming about Spearing Britney...Bob Dole said "OUCH" when Bob Dole did a header over the rail in the '96 campaign...
Bob Dole cracks up at Joeys jokes. Any major Dude including Bob Dole knows, that with the exception of the solo albums, Steely Dan songs call for character playing. The imperfect narrative!...there's complex and deep semotions when Donald Fagen calls in frustration and condascendance"..but you don't even know your mind..." and the emotion despair of isolation when he gets visceral: "...a vsion of a child returning....a kingdom where the sky is burning. Honey, I will be there, yes, I'll be there..." There's emotions alright...OTHER people's emotions!
"I know all at once who I am..."
Peter makes Bob Dole snicker at his nom de irony...
Posted by: hoops, Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 18:33:03 -0500
From: hoops <hoops@dandom.com>
Subject : DANFESTS UPDATE: The Wing Ding Thing
Look for info on Chicago, Boston, NYC & others later this week
----------------------------
wed.7.23.03
Costa Mesa, California
Orange County Fair
Summer Smoker begins at (Time TBA)
at The Baja Blues Club inside the venue
with your hosts,
Priscilla, Jon, StevieDan, Miz Ducky Shelley, & the rest!
more details: http://dandom.com/danfests/la
----------------------------
su.7.27.03
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Harvey's Outdoors
The Wing-Ding starts at 3 pm
at the Hard Rock Café inside of Harvey's
with your hostess, Amelia Ray
http://dandom.com/danfests/goldrushtrifecta
----------------------------
fr. 8.1.03
Seattle
with your hostess SueDave
http://home.comcast.net/~susandavidson/seattledanfest.html
sa 8.2.03
George Washington
The Gorge
Organized and hosted by dianeDianeDIANE aka Jack of Days
more info: http://dandom.com/danfests/engorgement
----------------------------
mon.8.4.03
Denver
Fiddler's Green
The Wing-Ding starts at 4:30 pm
C.B. Potts Big Horn Brewery
(across the boulevard from Fiddler's)
with your host Michael Marchese and friends
Michael Marchese, aka Joey from the BlueBook, is hosting a Wing Ding
across the boulevard from Fiddler's at C.B. Potts Big Horn Brewery
starting at 4:30 pm MT. C.B. Potts is a fine Brew Pub. (Wendy Liu and
hoops will be there)
Mike reminds us all that Fiddler's a huge, airy place invisible from
the highway where all you can see are the mountains in the
background. So it's a great place to see the Dan.
more info: http://dandom.com/danfests/denver
----------------------------
wed.8.27.03
Bristow, VA
Southwest of Washington D.C.
Nissan Pavilion
****COUNTDOWN TO ECSTASY DANFEST****
The "Countdown to Ecstasy" group led by Steve Preactor, based in the Baltimore-D.C. area, is coordinating plans for the Danfest at this show. Things are well underway. This group first got organized at the Merriwether Post Pavilion Steely Dan Show in 2000 and has met multiple times since that show.
See more below
more info: http://dandom.com/danfests/baltdc
Posted by: Steve Preactor, Greetings fellow Dan-o-philes!
After being fingered by Hoops as the alleged "leader" of the Balt/D.C. Danfest, I feel compelled to announce the following:
Countdown to Ecstasy 7
Saturday, August 16, 2003, 1:30PM
A Warm up for August 27 at Nissan
In light of the release of the new and very danceable Steely Dan disc, "Everything Must Go" and the recent passing of one Buddy Deane, I have chosen a theme for C2E7: "Summer Smokin' Danfest Dance Party".
Speaking of "alleged leaders", I'd like to acknowledge the contributions of C2E Grill Mistress Emeritus, Melanie and Host Emeritus, Nathan for their stellar contributions to the continuing success that is the Danfest benchmark known as: "Countdown to Ecstasy".
The "Summer Smokin' Danfest Dance Party" will commence rain or shine, at our humble abode in Reisterstown, MD.
Featured attractions will include: Live music for your listening and dancing pleasure. Two BBQ grills for your epicurean delight.
Burgers, dogs, condiments, utensils, cups and paper goods.
A host of Dan-friendly faces to meet, greet and party with.
What you'll need to bring:
• An instrument and appropriate gear if you want to play
music.
• Blankets, chairs, umbrellas, etc. for your comfort.
• A cooler filled with your beverage(s) of choice.
• Any food items you wish to cook for yourself on the grill.
• Any other cool party accoutrements you require.
If you plan to attend, please by clicking my name above or by emailing:
<spreactor@yahoo.com>
Kindly include in your response:
1) The expected head count for your entourage.
2) What instrument, if any, you'd like to perform with.
3) Any details on culinary treats you'd like to share.
4) Any questions regarding logistics, food, music, etc.
Directions will be provided to those who respond.
We are looking forward to another fabulous wing ding!!
Sincerely,
Steve and Brynn
...Sharing the things we know and love
With those of my kind...
Posted by: Slinky, TexasThey've always been my favorite songs,
but I've never purchased myself a 'Dan album as a young buckaroo,
because I wanted to keep my love for their music 'fresh'.
Now that I'm a big boy, I copped the whole set.
I'm a freak who will listen to their CD's all day.
The feelings are still strong, even when I hear the 'hits'.
Since I've heard EMG, I have been on a 'Dan binge.
Can we meet in the big D on 9/21? Last call...
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynBookkeeper - the passage you quoted proves my point exactly. You couldn't have picked a better one. What point are you making? I don't get it.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Nihil - I think we all have to accept the fact that there will always be a certain number of folks who simply do not have the ability or the analytical chops to understand not only EMG but also SD in general, an historical sensibilty which would enable them to differentiate between our boys' efforts and elevator music. Their loss, not ours.
But this guy should be hung upside down and beaten with Eagles vinyl. A thousand curses on his mustache. Schmuck. Who cares, he has already lost his soul.
Posted by: nihil obstat, bunsen prize runner-upCame across unfavorable review while "working" earlier today
U. Oregon: CD REVIEW: New albums serve insipid musical mush
Publication: U-WIRE
Source: NEWSE
Jul 16, 2003 12:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U-WIRE-07/03/2003-U. Oregon: CD REVIEW: New albums serve insipid musical mush (c) 2002 Oregon Daily Emerald Via U-WIRE
By Ryan Nyburg, Oregon Daily Emerald (U. Oregon)
EUGENE, Ore. -- It is truly a terrible curse when one cares so deeply about musical quality. It means that whenever I find an album that offends my sensibilities, I am driven into a funk that often takes days to recover from. I sit around in my room, drinking diet soda and lighting matches for fun. It is truly a sad sight. Often the only thing that can exorcise my demons is a good solid rant about what I love and hate about recent albums. Here are a few rant-worthy titles.
Steely Dan -- that irrepressible duo who swept the Grammies a few years back with 2000's "Two Against Nature," their first album in 20 years -- is back again. This time, they offer "Everything Must Go," an insipid collection of tunes inspired by the vilest of musical bastardizations: Soft jazz. Those simplistic rhythms, those bland solos, those weak, uninspiring arrangements. It makes my skin crawl just to think about it.
Soft jazz has infected this album like a bad case of the clap. Any semblance of life, soul or lyrical credibility is lost among the shallowness of the arrangements. The only song with any semblance of life to it is "Godwhacker," a track that almost becomes funky with interesting lyrics, but only succeeds in pointing out the flaws in the rest of the album.
Next up on this hellish trail of mediocrity is "True Reflections," the first solo album by Dave Matthews Band violinist Boyd Tinsley.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Don't Take Me Alive is a rare exception, the format of the lyrics makes it a VERY powerful song. And it is a rarity for SD to write from that very personal (as far as character goes) point of view. The wonderful lines, "I feel my inside, the mechanized hum of another world" is EXACTLY what we don't get very much of at all in SD. And remember, the narrator/actor here is a sociopath and, yes, we do get his innermost thoughts communicated directly and without ambiguity but it is colored by the fact that he ain't normal.
Da Joey crrrazzzy.
Posted by: Bookkeeper's son (sometimes you need to hit people on the head with a hammer), OregonPeter: Don't Take Me Alive. The very fact that the song comes from the perspective of the Monster himself, gives it a chilling feel. There are many times the man refers to himself as "I" and shows feelings, see some of those lines below.
The fabulous music, makes it so Steely Dan.
I know you're out there
How can I answer
A man of my mind can do anything
I'm a bookkeeper's son
I don't want to shoot no one
Well I crossed my old man back in Oregon
Don't take me alive
I could hold out here all night
Yes I crossed my old man back in Oregon
I hear my inside
I know what I've done
I know all at once who I am
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliIn mi country, the black market STEELI DAN tapes was brang from the ships to la gente, the peoples, by "Maricon Joe," everyone has the beliefs that policia no go near him. It is right and true. Aunque, los criminales estaban atacando, beat the shit, with him one day. Cops find illegality in the tape, and after that we no in our corazon if we gonna make America, women (femail) gonna have to bring the musica. Fiesta baby! We do it.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawarePeter: I don't disagree that D+W's writing is dense, thoughtful, and provocative. I just find that you present your ideas from a "know-it-all" standpoint, which is annoying. Maybe people feel that way about me, but I honestly try not to sound as if I'm the authority on Steely Dan...I'm guessing just like everyone else.
I feel as though you are pointing out the obvious, and that these points have for the most part been mentioned in one forum or another. I know that there are some that enjoy reading your posts...I just think that this has been hashed about before. While I agree that the use of the "I ____" construction for emotive statements is rare, to say that their statements of emotion are not direct is not entirely true. I think it's pretty easy to glean from many of the passages (including those I posted) an emotion that is represented by the lyrical passage.
Thanks,
Earl
Posted by: Joey, " Rarely do you get inside of the narrator's emotions. We never hear a lyric from them like, "You don't realize how much I need you" or "You make me smile with my heart" or "I get a kick out of you" or "How could she do this to me". We access their emotions in an ambient fashion, we get it as it bounces off a wall, like we see a shadow, not a direct transmission of any kind. "I crawl like a viper through these suburban streets" - we know a lot about the guy there and even maybe a glimpse of how he feels about himself, but it has to be inferred, it's not a direct statement of his emotional state. I think it's a theory worth developing. "
Rajah , when you write like this , my capillaries become engorged and my arteries floweth open like never before ---- Indeed , YOU ARE VIAGRA and I thank you for that .
You are much loved by the Joey !
The Joey !
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYMany Moore is the bomb! I'll go. Love that song, In My Pocket.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Even Rosencrantz & Guildenstern think we're on to something.
Posted by: Laurie Cramer, SD in new Mandy Moore movieThe movie "How to Deal" starring Mandy Moore opens friday. Checking the cast list at http://us.imdb.com/Title?0319524 shows a character known as "Steely Dan Fan". Obviously a small role since we don't find out hisor her name but some loyal fan has got to take one for the team and sit through a couple hours of Mandy to find out what the deal is.
Posted by: Beers in torture, @it againBeggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you:
and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. Were
you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free
visitation? Come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynRaj - very well stated!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Yes, pour me some more, Gretchen, I think we've got it. Beersy - just think how bored we'd all be if the SD tortured the pen as you do? Peace brah.
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, Let's not forget:
Aja, when all MY dime dancing is through, I run to you...
In the corner of MY eye, I saw you at Rudy's...
Still I remain tied to the mast, could it be MY home at last...
Daddy is a rare millionaire, I don't care...
Call ME Deacon Blue....
Posted by: Beers, @screaming pointBut I really am BORED ... and emotional LOL
Posted by: Beers, @screaming pointBut I really am BORED ... and emotional LOL
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, I'm with you Peter. Whenever they do use the "I" it is generally much more a function of the "Id" or that part of our counsciousness that deals with basic wants, needs, desires, like an infant needs, wants and desires. Rarely do you get inside of the narrator's emotions. We never hear a lyric from them like, "You don't realize how much I need you" or "You make me smile with my heart" or "I get a kick out of you" or "How could she do this to me". We access their emotions in an ambient fashion, we get it as it bounces off a wall, like we see a shadow, not a direct transmission of any kind. "I crawl like a viper through these suburban streets" - we know a lot about the guy there and even maybe a glimpse of how he feels about himself, but it has to be inferred, it's not a direct statement of his emotional state. I think it's a theory worth developing.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynDon't be bored! We have a 46 page paper coming on this very topic on a well known SD website soon.
Posted by: Beers, @ itI & I agree ... But I still maintain it's nothing more sinister than the tense chosen for the narrative - The nature of the beast is; Don & Walt write about characters NOT as if they were them - therefore the use of "I" would obviously be limited ... Now I am bored with this ...
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynBeers... respectfully sir, when most people speak to themselves or express their emotions they use the word "I", not "you," which is hardly "semantics."
Posted by: Beers, @itPete Q ; Respect is due ... BUT surely in swapping "I" and "You" I FEEL you are just playing semantics ... The fact the songs do not fit your BLANK template is just a function of the tense in which the narrative is written ... The emotions ARE there and are FELT by the characters... LOVE BB
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynBeers, may I respectfully suggest perhaps yourself and Duke both did not really read the post you're trying to take issue with? I'm all for debate of ideas but you really didn't read what I wrote. I defy you, or anyone, to find the structure of a sentence "I (emotive verb) " or " I feel (emotion)" any more than 6 or 7 times. Your quotes are of lyrical phrases with totally different meanings.
Posted by: Beers , @itPete Q come on give up ......
Then you love a little wild one
And she brings you only sorrow
You're afraid to pay the fee
Sad old men who run this town
So glad that you're here again
Has murder in his eyes
You feel no pain
You're feelin' the change of the guard
Love your mama, love your brother
Love 'em till they run for cover
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYMr. Royal Scam - like all young males of health and vigor, I too desire more voltage in the wanton thrillstick; what I am talking about is spam for surgery, pills, potions, etc. for that purpose. I'm not quarrling with the concept at large. Sorry for the mixup.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynDukie, - I think perhaps we stated there are 6 or 7 examples? However you didn't find any except love and like. "Care", "believe". "knew" and "appeared to me" are not emotions there, snowflake.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareLet's see:
Green Book: "I like the neon, I love the music"
TIMTM: "I kinda like fryin' up my sad cuisine"
Gaucho: "I don't care what you do at home"
Third World Man: "I believed that I was dreaming"
Everything You Did: "I never knew you, you were a rollerskater"
Caves of Altamira: "Every man and beast appeared a friend as real as I" - still an emotive statement.
Sorry Peter Q, you are making stuff up now.
DOE
Posted by: Rindy, Big AppleAny speculation out there in dandom land as to old songs never played live re/upcoming EMG Tour?
-Rindy
Posted by: Rindy, Big Applefyi -
Earlier this month, in the vast middle of
a vicious heat wave, the EMG '03 band convened
for rehearsals in NYC.
New kids Cindy Mizelle (BG vocals), Keith
Carlock (drums), and Walt Weiskopf (sax) join
SD stage veterans Jon Herington (guitar),
Cornelius Bumpus (sax), Michael Leonhart (trumpet),
Jim Pugh (trombone), Tom Barney (bass),Ted Baker
(keyboards), Carolyn Leonhart (BG vocals),
and Cynthia Calhoun (BG vocals) to round out
the '03 touring ensemble.
Anyone lurking at the door of Studio C would
cop to hearing some old tunes, some new tunes,
and ... yes! some tunes never before played live.
Indeed, your humble reporter -- no naif when it
comes to live Steely Dan -- had to call for the
salts more than once.
And now the gear is packed, soon to be rolling
X-country for the first west coast dates. Final
merch prototypes are approved. Band members finish
packing (or not). Final visits are made to favorite
sushi bars and/or dens of iniquity. Beloved pets are
reluctantly released into Central Park...[Just
wanted to see if you were paying attention]...
In any case, you can see that we're getting ready...
and so should you. Hope to see you soon!
Posted by: Beerberian second thoughts, @itAlthough … I have another theory
We track your almighty ass
Thru seven heaven-worlds
Me, Slinky Redfoot
And our trusty angel-girls
And when the stars bleed out
That be the fever of the chase
You better get gone poppie
GodWhacker's on the case
Jewish mystical tradition, turned the concept of seven heavenly levels into a key focus of its speculations. According to their imagery these heavens are actually palaces--"heikhalot"--and the task of the mystic is to ascend as high as he can until he reaches the highest level, where he will find the throne of God. But The rules of the mystical ascent into the Heikhalot are quite complex - Throughout his ascent, the mystic is being opposed by hostile angels who stand guard at every gate on the way. The opposition becomes more powerful as the levels get higher.
Posted by: Beerberian struts, @ itGW - To be a modern Hamlet or not to be …
Of that stank attitude
Now they curse your name
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” Corruption abounds in high office
Godwhacker’s on the case – A hero plays minister and scourge in avenging a moral injustice, an affront to both man and God ie he is whacking FOR God NOT against …
By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me!--
Be very very quiet
Clock everything you see
Let it be tenable in your silence still;
And whatsoever else shall hap to-night,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue:
“For crimes beyond imagining
It's time to pay the price”
Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
Are burnt and purg'd away.
The king has been murdered by his own brother, Claudius, who then becomes king and marries the dead king’s widow. The ghost of the dead king (GW himself) visits his son, Prince Hamlet, and urges him to avenge the murder. In the course of the play, Hamlet, a scholar, slowly convinces himself that he must murder Claudius. The play ends with a duel between Hamlet and the courtier Laertes, and the death by poison of all the principal
“Step back son” speaks the ghost of his father I need whacking space ….
Posted by: Roy.Scam, virtual virginiaDACW~ If there's an implied virtual/real interaction in "Pixelene", I would envision it being less like "Purple Rose of Cairo" than like "Cool World" (a much lesser film but a closer comparison). I don't know what eventually happens to Pixelene, but in Cool World, the virtual heroine longs to become real (they had to have Kim Basinger portray the live version). It ultimately leads to her demise as she isn't protected by the physical immunity of animated characters.
Anyway, I've gotta admire a guy that references Randy Newman in The Yellow and Woody Allen in the Blue.
Chief of Theory~ Penis enlargement isn't among the problems I've enountered (not on a permament basis, that is.) Nor would it be something that I would feel urgently compelled to stop.
Posted by: Lee, Over the weeks there has been some discussion about EMG (the tune, not the whole CD) being about the downfall of some of America's greediest corporations. Seems to me it probably is.
Enron has been mentioned prominently as an example of failed corporate greed in many of those discussions, which it certainly is. But does EMG specifically refer to Enron?
In listening repeatedly and studying the lyric sheet from time to time, I just noticed something -
"first run movies"
which seems a bit incongruous in the same breath with "the sky, the moon, good food and the weather."
Wait a minute - if that's not a reference to the failed broadband deal between Blockbuster and Enron, what is it?
Your ideas welcomed...
Lee
Posted by: hoops, Chief:
I've installed a SPAM deflector and it works well as far as my experiences are concerned. (if you check the code you will see something like <a href="http://www.dandom.com/leeches/index.html"></a>
I have an account I use for some posts and only use it here to test the effectiveness of "Leeches." It has not been spammed that much. HOWEVER, be aware that the majority of email addresses added to spam lists today cannot be prevented because most of these lists are generated using a program that guesses addresses and then removes the majority that bounce back, leaving just those that go through.
Now if you don't believe me, feel free to add "TAKETHISOUT in the middle of your email address. Or you can just email your address privately and leave it blank when you post.
jim
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYSince I've started posting here I get spammed 20 times a day for penis enlargement, anyone else encounter this problem? How to stop it?
Posted by: Bookkeeper's son, OregonI know you're out there.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynForgot - Charlie Freak is the only one of their songs that really comes close to the above.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynOne of the truly unusual, and very carefully crafted, techniques of Steely Dan lyrics is that characters very, very, very rarely make any direct statement of emotion or, indeed, of any interior psychological state at all (in a body of work of more than 120 songs I can only find 6 or 7 examples). This is unheard of both in song and in everyday speech. The model of a sentence " I BLANK ", where BLANK equals an emotive verb such as love, hate, am angry, am happy, am morose, am depressed. etc., is uttered or thought by the average person something like 80 times a day, according to psychologists. (Or "I feel BLANK," where blank is some or other emotion). Granted, Steely Dan characters usually grapple with more complex emotions than those expressed in the average pop song, where people more or less are content to hunt and fuck and howl at the moon. However, this avoidance of speaking any sentences with emotive content can't be accidental - it is too much a part of human nature to just evaporate -and probably requires much further looking into.
Posted by: Doctor Warren Kruger, Peg- There was a great song by the band LOVE from the 1960s called "Orange Skies"
Posted by: Steve Savicki, USAOops! typo, my name is Steve Savicki :0
Posted by: Steve Savoclo, USASteely Dan and Donald Fagen solo were artists I grew up with because my dad listened to them as well. Therefore, I did links for both of them:
Steely Dan:
http://www.xsorbit4.com/users2/stevesavicki/index.cgi?board=2-1&action=display&num=1058231354
Donald Fagen:
http://www.xsorbit4.com/users2/stevesavicki/index.cgi?board=2-1&action=display&num=1058231769
Here is the main page:
http://www.xsorbit4.com/users2/stevesavicki/index.cgi
Posted by: Chase , ManhattanHow totally selfless of you, Mr. Roark, giving yourself the trouble to type this lengthy treat for us.
Bet you used a scanner and the copy/paste keyboard shortcut keys.
Hey, thanks, asshole.
Posted by: ed beatty, @homeHoward,
Why be so juvenile?
Posted by: Howard Roark aka Nu2Blu, Monadnock ValleyOnstage Article:
Interviewing Steely Dan's Walter Becker and Donald Fagen is a lot like playing a verbal pinball machine: their answers change direction with a comic, if disorienting, suddenness — deflecting the thrust of a question and bouncing up against an array of societal, historical, and musical references. For instance, when I asked them whether their latest album, Everything Must Go, reflects their impressions of the end of the world or is instead the big sayonara — the end of their career — they said:
Fagen: “Of course, as always, it's all in the listener's mind.”
Becker: “Certainly, the characters in the title song are celebrating the end of the old thing and perhaps the beginning of the new. That kind of, ‘End of the world office party.’ I think of it basically as a party record.”
Fagen: “The last office party.”
Becker: “Secretaries jumping up on the office copy machine.”
Fagen: “Did you see that movie, Secretary, by the way?”
Becker: “I missed that.”
Fagen: “It was called Secretary. It came out last year. It was on a pay channel. Kind of a bondage-and-discipline movie. Usually I don't go for that stuff, but this was kind of interesting.”
In conversation, Becker and Fagen act more like a pair of comedians than the fearsome pop composers they are. The musicians who worked with them to create such classic Steely Dan albums as Royal Scam, Aja, and Gaucho know how serious they can be. Becker and Fagen are two perfectionist, astute musical geniuses who never met a studio player they couldn't cut down to size.
Their pickiness is well known. Legend has it that during their heyday in the '70s and '80s, Becker and Fagen would record an entire album, become dissatisfied, scrap it, and start over. Drummer Rick Marotta tells of Fagen micromanaging his performance in “Peg,” finding the infinitesimal instances within a bar where the seasoned drummer would rush or drag.
Gear also came under severe scrutiny. For example, rather than merely tweaking the EQ for a better snare-drum sound, they were known to record as many as 52 different snare drums for a single song. As for guitar solos, they'd sometimes go through 20 guitarists before finding the magical combination of melodic judgment and instrumental burn that they required. Steely Dan albums such as Royal Scam and Pretzel Logic were marathon torture tests in which studio musicians were taken to their limits, only to be asked to give even more. Working with SD was a badge of honor and a brand of ultimate respect. Getting a recording credit on a Steely Dan album would elevate a player into an elite coterie of musicians. Your stock rose. Your name was gold.
Steely Dan's perfectionist impulses in the studio carried over into live performance. Becker and Fagen's contempt for the road eventually caused them to abandon touring; the band was never well suited to opening for bubblegum bands or mangy hard rockers. But when the group did tour, they approached it as an art, striving for the same sort of flawlessness onstage as in the studio. Such perfection was of course unattainable, but it didn't prevent them from trying. For a while in the '70s, they even toured with an elaborate high-fidelity P.A. rig devised by Dinky Dawson.
All in all, however, the road was a nightmare for Fagen and Becker. Fagen loathed rental cars. Becker disliked waking early in the morning in order to get to the next gig. They hated touring, and it showed; a Los Angeles newspaper once described them as “the ugliest band in the world.” For Steely Dan, touring was about music and not about smoke bombs, theatrics, adulation, or groupies.
But now, with 30 years of playing professionally under their belts (and millions of albums sold), things have changed — both onstage and in the studio for Steely Dan '03.
For one thing, endless fussing about what their sidemen play is out. “They are not very dictatorial, and they don't tell you what to play,” says SD road and session keyboardist Ted Baker. “If it isn't working, they might give you some suggestions. But it's never a directive. You're free to work out your place. They're all about where to lay your part into that groove matrix. It takes a lot of concentration to play with them night after night. I have to be at my sharpest. I know that they're listening and that they hear everything. They have x-ray vision — this greater sense of being able to hear all this stuff in the midst of everything else. It's incredible.”
As always, the musician's respect for SD remains. “Donald will sit down at sound checks and play standards,” says Baker. “He sounds incredible. Donald puts his body into it, and he is so attuned to the feel. He lays it way back into the beat, and you think it will sound too far behind. But it never does. That attention to feel is what makes him an incredible musician.”
“I found that Donald and Walter were not difficult to please,” adds longtime guitarist Jon Herington. “If anything, they understand that I am difficult to please.”
Everything Must Go is the follow-up to SD's 2000 Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year, Two Against Nature. Once more, Becker and Fagen break new ground. Instead of the elaborate digital recording systems they used in the past, 90 percent of this album was tracked on analog gear. The album also features a single band, not a collection of session players waiting for the axe to drop. That old-fashioned approach helps Everything Must Go sound more natural than most digitally tracked CDs that are released today.
Nevertheless, the chiseled Steely Dan style remains. The cutting humor, the grandly down-on-their-luck characters, the losers parading their “mighty hidey-ho faces,” and “God-whackers” quartering punishment are the new stuff of Steely Dan legend. Fagen plays glowing Rhodes piano throughout, and Becker's bluesy guitar bites and spits with consummate grace and taste.
Has Steely Dan mellowed? After many successful tours in the '90s, is the road now a place that they can call home? I sat down with the pair in a room at the plush Santa Monica Fairmount Miramar Hotel.
The new album seems to follow the credo of less is more.
Walter Becker: Our brain cells are dying off now. We have to be more economical. We have only so much to work with on a sheer cellular level.
Donald Fagen: Also, when you have a real rhythm section, because that sounds good by itself, there are so many subtleties that you don't have to do so many overdubs.
You used a single band on this album. Has it been harder to find musicians than it was in the '70s and '80s?
Fagen: Because we played live a lot in the '90s, there's been a process of natural selection, where we have these guys that feel the groove the same way.
Becker: The predominance of the drum machine, programmed groove — playing along with the click generated by a metronomically even time rather than generating your own time — has changed the way that people hear and play rhythm. In the evolution of jazz and pop music there are always shifts occurring in how people feel rhythms, in what place they feel the beat, and in how explicit certain parts of the time are. It's changed now, and that is one of the things we have had problems with. We're still trying to recreate a rhythmic feel that predates that, where the feel is generated by players and has swing and a lope through it rather than being completely even and symmetrical. And of course, insisting at the same time that it be hypnotically steady.
(Hey Hoops Fuck you Why don't you delete this post you asshole)
Steely Dan hated touring back in the 1970s. What's improved since then? Better musicians? Better technology? Better touring conditions?
Becker: All of those things. The enterprise of rock 'n' roll tours has been perfected way beyond what it was in the '70s. That was a real uneven experience in every imaginable way back then. We played places that were basically indescribable in many cases. Plus, we opened shows for people most of the time, so we didn't really have a chance to sound good.
Fagen: We were just little babies back then. We experienced everything in a different way.
Becker: You would've thought we would have liked it more, but we didn't. That's what nobody could understand.
Fagen: Because it fell so short of what we imagined it would be.
Becker: Our dreams were shattered on a nightly basis. Tune by tune. We figured we would sound like the Duke Ellington orchestra playing rock 'n' roll but we actually sounded like …
Fagen: Tommy James and the Shondells.
Becker: On a good night. It sounds much better now than it did almost all of the time. The only exception was the very last tour that we did when we were headlining. We had Dinky Dawson's custom P.A. That was a unique sound. A hell of a thing. Dinky built this system that was like a giant acoustic suspension speaker. It had a tremendous number of dome tweeters, Bose midranges, and then a monster 8-inch acoustic suspension bass system. It really had a sound.
Fagen: It sounded more like a hi-fi than a P.A. The downside was that it couldn't play nearly loud enough for an outdoor gig. But for the 3,000-seat movie houses we played, it was great. No one has capitalized on that since then. Dinky was a very talented mixer and he had a vision of how the band sounded.
Is there one particular gig from the '70s that stands out?
Becker: There are 50 that tie for first place.
Fagen: That first showcase we ever played was weak.
Becker: But no one saw that.
Fagen: People in the music business saw it.
Becker: After the album [Can't Buy a Thrill] came out, we played in a club for a week, then we were ready to hit the road. The first gig was in a hotel for industry in Seattle, of all places. And it was a disaster. There was a prayer meeting after the gig. I remember the guys from the record company had our singer and drummer in a huddle, telling them to “Buck up guys. It happens to the best of them! Any given Sunday!” Then the next night we opened our first real gig for the James Gang and it went great. It went so well, that the second night they wouldn't let us use their lights. [Laughs] In show-business fashion they said, “Wait a minute! Hang on! These guys, who are they?”
Can you compare road gear then and now?
Becker: Some things are not so different. The guitar amps are not that different. The bass-amp technology is not that different; it's a little more powerful, compact, and reliable now. The microphones onstage are not that different. The Rhodes piano is similar, and the horns are the same. There are some effects and controls that the guitar players use that are more modern than what we had then. And the P.A.s are radically different; they are more elaborate, large, complex, powerful, advanced and sophisticated setups — with the exception of the Dinky Dawson P.A. You couldn't swap it with today's gear, but it was incredible.
Do you find that today's shows are much louder and more powerful?
Becker: I have never seen a Steely Dan show, but generally speaking most shows are too loud, too rumbly, and there's too much bass. It may be that it follows that if the shows are too loud, then the bass will be rumbly because of uncontrolled resonances that are beyond the soundman's control. And the shows are also catering to the tastes of those who want it like that. For my tastes, most shows could be softer and cleaner, and it would be just as good.
Is obtaining a good live sound important to you?
Becker: We do as much as we can. We try to play places that make it possible to sound good. We have the best sound company and people that we can find. We listen to what they are doing and how they are conceiving things and try to make sure that we are in concert with them. To some extent, we rely on the expertise of mixers like Dave Morgan. You can never hear what the audience is hearing, because even if I go out in front with my little guitar transmitter during the sound check, that is not what the show is going to sound like. That's because nobody is in the hall and won't be until the show starts. Instead, you are relying on the judgment of the house mixer, and they do a great job.
Do you use in-ear systems onstage?
Becker: We have in the past. The only thing that's not so good about those is that you tend to feel that you aren't at the event, and that you are hearing it from somewhere else. In-ears cut you off a little bit from the immediacy of being onstage with musicians and playing. Most of the sound comes from the front monitors and the musicians' amps and the drums. The bass is pretty loud, and the horn players are right behind me so I can certainly hear them.
What do you like to hear in your monitor mix?
Fagen: When I'm singing, I need to hear my voice and piano and stuff like that. When I'm playing, I need to hear drums — mostly hi- hat — and keyboards. I got a guitar player next to me and the bass spreads well.
Becker: It doesn't matter as much to me as to Donald. Singing is so much harder than playing. I am trying to think why Donald gets the females behind him. Mostly he is hearing the vocals through monitors. But if I could have girls behind me instead of horn players, I'd have it, too. That is an interesting idea.
What does it take to play in your band?
Becker: The bottom line is that you have to play with a lot of feeling, personality, and soul. Along the way, generally speaking, you have to be well trained, a good reader, and versatile. You have to do lots of different things to play with us. We tend to work with people that we like to be with, too. Sometimes you meet someone who is a great player but that you don't want to see again.
In a recent issue of Onstage, Carlos Santana spoke of telling his band to hit the G spot during performance. What kind of pre-show pep talk do you give your band?
Becker: Our conversation is similar in subject matter, although different in tone.
Fagen: We say the same thing but we are probably talking about something else.
Becker: We are not talking about music.
Are there any proven problem-solving methods that you use when rehearsing bands?
Becker: There are a lot of little things that we do to nudge things in a new direction. None of them are surefire. Often we have players change parts: if we have two keyboard players — one on acoustic and one on electric — we might have them change places. The different guy playing the different part would change the way something felt. Or one of the guitar players changes his instrument. Sometimes you move the tempo around. Sometimes we start all over again.
Are there any particular songs that you enjoy playing live?
Becker: I love playing blues-based songs that have just the right level of enhancement; not necessarily 12-bar blues structurally, but tunes that are basically bluesy. “Chain Lightning” is great to play. “Josie” is even more fun, because it is sort of a blues song. It is structurally and harmonically strongly related to the blues, but it is not strictly just an altered blues. “Black Friday” is blues based, but it's not a 12-bar blues. “Chain Lightning” is an altered blues, with a 12-bar structure and some very interesting alterations. A tremendous amount of what we do is very blues inflected. There's a lot of bluesy stuff, and there are some standard 12-bar things. There are some on the new album. “The Last Mall” is basically an altered blues.
Do you think younger players care as much about the blues?
Becker: I imagine it's arcane to them, the idea that there is music called the blues, and that blues licks evolved that are an ultimate dialect you can use at almost any time. It adds a certain color and musical tension, as if somebody is talking and they suddenly go into a Brooklyn accent. Probably people who don't have a sense of the blues and what the connotations of that idiom are couldn't possibly understand the idea of playing blues licks over major-seventh chords. Solo playing for me is an outgrowth of listening to jazz and blues players like B.B. King or Freddie King or Hubert Sumlin. Plus the people who modeled themselves on those guys, like Eric Clapton.
With all your road experience, what advice can you give to aspiring bands?
Becker: It took us so long to get our band the way it is, I think I'm the wrong person to be giving advice. The route we took was circuitous. The most important thing is to enjoy it and always be straight ahead and strive for tone.
Does the live Steely Dan album, Alive in America, still hold up for you?
Becker: I wouldn't know. I don't listen to any of that old shit, those old Steely Dan records. I like to listen to records made in the year 1956. That was a really good year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ken Micallef is a New York-based music journalist. He wishes to thank Susan Markheim and Brian Tomasini from Azoff Music Management, Luke Burland, Bob Bradshaw, Wayne Williams, Skip Gildersleave, Ted Baker, Jon Herington, Tom Barney, and Keith Carlock.
The Gear of the Dan
Walter Becker's setup on the Two Against Nature tour, consisted of two Sadowsky solid-body electrics, a fairly complex effects rack/switching system designed by electronics guru Bob Bradshaw (customaudioelectronics.com), as well as Bogner Ecstasy and Mesa/Boogie Maverick amplifiers. Despite having a rackfull of effects at his disposal (including a Lexicon PCM 80, a Lexicon Reflex, two Roland SE-70s, a CAE Super Tremolo, and more), Becker says he doesn't use that many effects onstage. “The reality is that, most of the time when you are playing in a venue, unless it is a concert hall, there's already more ambience and diffusion and more repeats than you want,” he says. “So you're trying to get clarity rather than lushness.” (There was talk in the Steely Dan camp that Becker's setup would be changing for this tour, but no firm details were available at press time.)
Donald Fagen's rig is relatively simple (see Fig. A), consisting of a Fender Rhodes 88-key suitcase model piano going direct through an MXR Phase 90 phaser pedal. He also uses a Lync LN4 MIDI controller (now out of production) that's MIDI'd to a Roland JV-1080 module (which he sets to a jazz-guitar type of patch). “I am in big trouble now because I only have one and a half Lync's left,” says Fagen. At which point Becker retorts: “In other words, our performing career can't go on indefinitely unless somebody is going to resume manufacturing this keyboard.”
Ted Baker, the band's other keyboardist, uses a setup that features a Steinway baby grand piano (typically miked with two Shure SM82s) and an organ (either a Roland VK-7 or a Hammond B-3) through a Leslie 122 cabinet.
Drummer Keith Carlock plays a six-piece Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute drum kit consisting of either a 14" × 5.5" or 14" × 3.5" snare, a 20" 5 14" kick, 10" × 7.5" and 12" × 8" rack toms, and 14" × 14" and 16" × 16" floor toms. His cymbals include K. Zildjian 14" hi-hats, a K. Zildjian 20" Constantinople Medium Ride, and A. Zildjian 19" and 18" Custom Crashes.
Guitarist Jon Herington's rig consists of Gibson ES-335 and ES-336 guitars and a Fender Telecaster and a Hamer Artist Korina. He uses a Guytron GT100 amplifier with a Guytron 2×12 cabinet. He also has a Digital Music Corporation GCX Guitar Audio Switcher to control his stompboxes, which include a Boss EQ pedal, a Boss TU-2 tuner pedal, an Ibanez Modulation Delay pedal (for a delay or a flanging effect), an MXR Phase 90, a Voodoo Labs Tremolo pedal, an MXR DynaComp, an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, a Boss BD-2 Blues Driver (both modified by Robert Keeley), an Ernie Ball volume pedal, and a Real McCoy Wizard Wah.
Although bassist Tom Barney normally uses (and endorses) Aguilar amps, he's opted for an Eden rig on this tour to get the sound he needs for the Steely Dan material. It consists of a Navigator preamp, a WT-1000 power amp, and four D410XST cabinets. He's playing ESP J-1005 LTD Deluxe and Celinder 5-string basses.
Jon Herington Plays Classic SD Solos
In the annals of '70s and '80s rock, the guitar solos of Steely Dan reign supreme. “Peg” (Jay Graydon), “Reeling in the Years” (Elliot Randall), “Third World Man,” and “Kid Charlemagne” (both Larry Carlton) feature some of the most well-known and hotly executed fingerings since Eric Clapton burned up “Crossroads.” Through the years, Steely Dan has hired a number of mighty guitar slingers to execute these renowned plectrum blowouts in concert. None of them, however, has been more successful (or enjoyed such continual road employment by the band) than Jon Herington.
“I figured out that I had two choices here: I could play this gig the way I wanted to play it, or I could try to second-guess what Donald and Walter wanted me to play,” says Herington. “They're very fussy, but they give you a lot of room. I think I got two comments the entire year I worked with them.”
Herington tried to maintain the essence of the famous recorded solos while adding something of himself. “I wanted to be true to what the fans loved about the original solos, but without constricting my musical instincts. I didn't want it to be a cover-band experience. Instead, I wanted to make it my own and communicate what I loved about the original tracks.”
“I would start with a sonic concept. [For instance] if the tone of the solo was important, I would go from that.” Like “Peg,” for instance. “That solo is so unique, it was hard to play,” laughs Herington. “I didn't want to treat it like an etude. I wanted to be able to improvise. I used the open-G string from the original, and I would play and explore ideas that somehow connected to it. And I would do it with a similar sound, so I could adopt the character of the solo without having to adopt every single note. Sometimes I would quote the beginning of the solo — it seems like part of the composition.”
According to Herington, part of the fun in playing Steely Dan tunes live comes from making such carefully crafted events sound free and spontaneous. “The most important thing is to trust my instincts. They're going to use somebody who comes across with strength and confidence. For me it's about keeping the big picture in mind, and not getting lost in some guitar-playing adventure that's my own agenda and not the music's.”
Posted by: LiveWire, Pup TentGretchen, you could call the pup "Mad Dog."
Don't take me alive,
LW
Posted by: dbeefy, @the start of the end of historyPeter Q, usually, I'm afraid to say, I take your posts with a pinch of salt but you make a good case for the 'low-level exec' in EMG..
Posted by: Mike, Louisville, KYPuppy name: How about Barry the Software King?
El Sup
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoLatest moment of clarity re EMG: It may be the only album I own that works better back to front. If you reverse the order, you get the best tracks in the first half + a better thematic flow: white collar crime, virtual sex, lechery, godwhacking and avarice climax in a 12-bar apocalypse. The title track even starts with an overture. Look:
1 everything must go
2 lunch with gina
3 pixeleen
4 green book
5 slang of ages
6 godwhacker
7 blues beach
8 things i miss the most
9 the last mall
Posted by: danfiend, Hey All
I've just arrived home from a hard's days work all tired and frustrated. All I wanted to do was hunker down and read the Times. But I found much more interesting reading in my mailbox.
Steely Dan is on the cover of the July/August issue of Onstage. In it, D&W discuss their rig, the equipment and setup they're using, and they devulge the touring lineup.
There are no real surprises:
Cornelius Bumpus, Baritone Sax; Michael Leonhardt, Trumpet; Jim Pugh, Trombone; Tom Barney, Bass; John Herrington, Guitar; Ted Baker, Piano; Carolyn Leonhardt and Cynthia Calhoun, background vocals, are all returning.
The newcomers, however, are Walt Weizkopf, Tenor; Keith Carlock, drums; and Cindy Mizell, background vocals.
Getting this really made my day.
Now I have to say goodnight
danfiend
Posted by: Gretchen Lu , CTPivitol Pete:
Good ideas. But my name really is Gretchen. That's why I was so pleased to FINALLY hear it in a song, and fittingly it was Donalds! (Odd connection to SD - my birthday is same day as Walt's). I'll pour a cuban breeze for anyone who's gotten the goodbye look.
Posted by: Shaun, BeantownWorm- It would prove nothing. We got caught, lets go out with a bang! Who gives a shit about anything anymore. It's over. It's all coming to an end. They're dissolving the corporation in a pool of margaritas. Get that handy cam out you use for those documents and film him getting head in the service elevator. Why not? Let's party. The companies is going out of business. Nothing to lose.... Everything Must Go!
Posted by: Larry, New JerseyIs Steely Dan the most played artist in your supermarket? I know they are in STOP and SHOP here in lovely Cranbury NJ. I seem to hear them just about every time I go there.Not just one song either. Im talking about a large selection of songs.Even odd solo stuff.Just seems wierd to me.
Posted by: Chase, Manhattanall the quotes fit to print:
http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/steelydan/everythingmustgo/
Posted by: wt, new orleansshaun
the service elevator is used for people to haul their old office personel belongings downstairs and out to their cars. Again he wants the boss to pop his head in as he's leaving.
What the hell would a video of the boss' secretary with lewinsky marching orders prove on the corporation's end (nothing)
the handycam is for documents - when no paper trail is left
Posted by: Pivotal Pete, California (New York, today)Gretchen-
A Scotty's gonna be tough. Other breeds might be easier ...
Chow or Pekinese (now Beijingese?): Dr. Wu, Lou (as in Chang)
Chihuahua: Miguel (aka "Jive"), El Supremo, Gaucho
French Poodle or Bichon: Mr. LaPage, Napoleon, Charlemagne
Bolognese: Gino, Daddy G, Dino
Cuban Retriever: Gretchen (I know it's a girl's name, but that's one of my favorite lines in all SD lyrics. D'ya suppose a "Cuban Breeze" is some kind of heroin cocktail...?) (Yes, made up the breed for the sake of the joke.)
Not sure if "Rudy" is a real Scottish name ...
How's about HOOPS? McCann sounds Scottish!
-Pete
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Joey'sI used to have a cat named Jack...He has since hit the road, however...Jack...Much less complicated than Charlemagne...
Posted by: Joey, " There are plenty of dan chick names around, but what about guy names? Charlemagne is just too damn long for a pup......... "
Freddy !
Posted by: Dennis, ChicagoI say Abu or Pepe.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYHow about Fabriani, which is the alias Fagen used when he wrote the liner notes to CBAT?
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, I need some input from other Danfans. I'm getting a puppy, a Scottie to be exact, and want to give it a SD inspired name (it's a boy)!! There are plenty of dan chick names around, but what about guy names? Charlemagne is just too damn long for a pup.........
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynPerhaps the biggest giveaway that the person narrating EMG is a young, low to mid level exec with comparatively little experience is the line "Does anyone get lucky twice?"...of course they do. People fail tremendously in business and make grand comebacks all the time. (Steely Dan themselves are an example of this!) Look at Donald Trump. The list of examples would be endless. Michael Milken, the 80s poster boy for "corporate greed," is now the greatest philanthropist in the history of the world. But this young fellow thinks the failure of the corporation is the end of the world - he doesn't understand anything about peaks and valleys, ebb and flow, etc. He's a kid. He calls the Justice Department, or the state attorney general (whoever moved legally against the corporation) "the bastards" - as if it were some kind of game, or war, an us against them thing. He is totally sucked in by the movie Wall Street and thinks it presents an accurate view of the business world. (Which is why he offers to have Dave film Miss Fugazy blowing him in the elevator, so he can use the tape to double cross her, get her to spill the beans on her bosses and save his, the narrator's, ass in court.) Etc.
Posted by: Shaun, BostonWormy- Everybody here knows that "Face Time" is a business term. We all know that. But in this case it has a double meaning. Think about it....who in the hell conducts business in a service elevator? If anyone at all is in the service elevator, it's the operator of the elevator or maintenance workers luging heavy equipment or office supplies. What I'm saying is that their is hardly anyone ever in the service elevator. It's the perfect place to "do the the secretary" not "show your face" to your boss or co-workers. They simply don't use the service elevator.
Posted by: wt, new orleansMiss Fugazy is the boss' secretary
he is desperately trying to get a word in with the boss (face time) on his way out the door
the pool of margaritas is going to happen with his cohorts after he leaves the office
the fellow with the camcorder has access to certain incriminating business acquisitions
no pants dropping indiscretions the way I see it
wt
Posted by: Don, I should be working"Face Time" has gotta equal blow job. (in my take)
He's setting up Miss Fugazy, the office bimbo, who's getting pretty drunk by this time because it's getting later than late. That's why he wants to use the "service" elevator.
Posted by: DACW , Crell - that would only be true if their fan base were country music - centric... It's a long time since the non-hit "Dallas" ...
Nah, it's Warner Bros. Cartoon characters after the "Western deity" or "Mr. Big"
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliWe swim in the oceans to cum to America and hear STEELY DON. In mi pais we don't have real STEELY DON but only Herbie Mann, he sings, Do It Otra Vez, "In the morning we go gunning for a man who steal your daughters" etc. Mi papa sing it so much, los soldados put him in the carcel. Crime for being, que quiere decir en Ingles, "pestilential fuckball." It was sad when mi papa die, then my beatuous wife Barna - we extol freedom! - she get on the docks, from the black market, mucho dinero, we eat sunflower seeds for two weeks only -STEELY DO GOLD and the family go apeshit. Dancing every night in the rock gardens! Walter Beckman for el presidente, cool motherfuckah with that long hair. And Ronald sing like Daryl Hall! We love America and mi wife, Barna. Glad to no ya baby!
Posted by: CrellMoset, Is is possible that D&W just denied the "Godwhacker" = G.W. Bush comments because they're smart enough not to let the same thing happen to them that happened to the Dixie Chicks recently?
CrellMoset
Posted by: norm, Dan - those rumours have been circulated by Purdie himself, I was just working in a Steely reference there. He may have been called in to "sweeten" the 1961 tracks with Tony Sheridan (Pete Best drumming), but no hard evidence of him showing up during the EMI years - it's never been a secret that Andy White and Paul McCartney played drums on a few songs, so it makes no sense to hide/deny Purdie's involvement had it actually happened.
Now, you wanna talk great drummers, how about that Dave Mattacks?
Posted by: wt, new orleansMitch
the handy cam is to document the business scam
not the poor sod packing up this office and taking it out to the car
please
Posted by: Mitch, Wormy...then why should Dave bring his handicam?
It's a come-on, plain and simple.
Posted by: wormy, new orleansgodwacker face time = felatio
not a chance
it's a business term for those in the middle or bottom for getting one on one time with a higher up managerial type
"use a little face time in the service elevator"
I'm packing up my office and I sure would like the boss (who got us here) to have the decency to show his face as I'm leaving.
wormtom
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynAja 1977
Barry Walters' review of Aja on the Rolling Stone site contains this observation: "Drummer Paul Humphrey's upstroke during the beginning of Black Cow, the 1977 album's languid opener, is so hesitant, so world-weary, that it barely catches up to the pulse he sets with his foot." Wow! A good way to describe a song that articulates the sorrow of its people so well it is actually painful to listen to (Deacon Blues has the same characteristic, by the way, and Black Cow and Deacon Blues share a repeating of lyrical phrase technique that Becker and Fagen often use to link songs together - "stagger" is used in both songs, the way "pride and joy" appears in both Book of Liars and Hard-Up Case and "smoke at the top of the stairs," or at least a variation of the motif, appears in both Show Biz Kids and My Old School.)
There is another technique used in the first four songs of Aja that was heretofore undeveloped by SD - people and objects of importance are linked together by spatial concepts, by position, by their relationship to each other in the physical plane, i.e. :
on the counter *BY* your keys (by meaning "next to")
Chinese music *UNDER* banyan tree
here at the dude ranch *ABOVE* the sea
die *BEHIND* the wheel
your name in lights *ABOVE* it
Here, things and people are defined by the way they are set against each other in the visual field. The lyricists require that you visualize the scene on the screen of your mind's eye in order to understand it correctly. Symbolic meaning is given, too, to contrasting things that fight for the characters' attention (the keys on the counter are next to a book of numbers and "remedies" - the keys signify a way out (presumably they are house keys and car keys) while the other two spell misery, torment, still more unhappy times.
It makes a difference if you die behind the wheel or not, if the dude ranch is above the sea or at sea level, if her name in lights is above the picture or below it, etc.
This painterly technique works well with the album's musical mood. Around the time of Aja alot of the players on it had released impressive albums, i.e. Joe Sample (Carmel), Lee Ritneour (Captain Fingers), Wayne Shorter (with Weather Report, Heavy Weather and Black Market) ; Steve Gadd was on the cover of a drumming magazine with the headline MOST IN DEMAND DRUMMER, etc. Becker and Fagen were at the height of their creative powers both lyrically and musically here and raised the bar to a standard that some feel they have yet to return to.
Posted by: Dan Belcher, Yes, that's my real name...norm, Yeah I've heard that rumor before. I don't believe it for a minute though, unless Purdie just had absolutely zero talent in the 1960s. He's far too good a drummer to have sounded that horrible if that was the case.
Posted by: Pivotal Pete, CaliforniaCars' "Bye-Bye Love":
"It's an orangey sky/Always it's some other guy."
Doubt it's the reference here, but a great song. And if you think D&W lyrics are hard to decipher, try some of Ric Ocasek's!
-Pete
Posted by: Peg, Babbling in the back roomA while back someone was grousing on this page in that they were wondering where Chuck Rainey was. Well if you are a fan, you have got to help yourself to some majorly enjoyable blues/jam/funk music that he plays on a CD called "There Goes The Neighborhood." The CD is by Robert Walter, a keyboardist/songwriter who plays the B3, piano, and Rhodes. It is awesome! To get it, do a google search for Robert Walter's 20th Congress or Robert Walter. Chuck is outstanding on this CD.
Last night I had one of those Steely Dan Soundtrack moments. It was a full moon and I was driving through Cincinnati...."My coat is black and moon is yellow...this is where I get off (which played as the exit appeared).. .I'm so in love with this dirty city..." Awwww!
As for lyrics to the Last Mall: the whole blood orange sky line to me seems to vaguely familiar yet I cannot figure how, except maybe there is an old song called "Orange colored sky?" Is there?
Posted by: wormy, new orleanslooks like Ole has been busy at feverdreams,
some nice commentary on the new one
one song I noticed without too many reviews was The Last Mall
this piece is great, reminds me of I.G.Y. in it's grandious nature
although this time it's all going down the tube and our faithful narrator is exuding nonchalance ala mode
armaggedon is on and he's worried about sweet treats and surprises?
aren't there enough surprises in store? got to keep the kids content now
love the merchandized "sweatheart sunset special" uh, how romantic sounding
and 'gospel morning'? a nice rejoicing sounding event that will make the 10 plaques of Egypt look like a picnic
who kisses checkout girls??? nobody, unless of course things are looking pretty grim
off to the freeway, just pull on up the ramp (no traffic, everyone else left days ago)
blood orange sky
so is this "red skys at night? sailors delight
or 'red skys at morning? sailors warning
armaggedonoutofhere
wormtom
Posted by: Godwhacker, Amund,
Donald and Walter named their band after a dildo. And face time is about a blowjob in a service elevator.
Godwhacker
Posted by: mike m, lbi, njmorning,
well july 12th is here- no tix on sale for the 8/30 borgata/atlantic city gig;
does anyone know what is going on with this show?
ticketmaster says tickets onsale soon, and steelydan.com says TBA
thx,
mikem-->>lni, nj
headed to ebay for pnc/tweeter tix........... (no brokers- brokers BAD)
Posted by: norm, Dan - that was actually Bernard Purdie on the Beatles' recordings. Or so it's been said...
Gretchen - SD did Monkey In Your Soul on the 2000 tour. Walter sang.
Posted by: dbeefy, in TJ , on Sundayoh you lucky US Danfans - a tour !
Instead of a setlist , how about this for something I wish the guys would do ...
September / October
London
Cardiff arena
Manchester
Glasgow
Paris
Amsterdam (imagine Slang there :)
Copenhagen (there seem to be lots of Scandinavian fans too)
Berlin
ah well, one day ...
Posted by: Dan Belcher, Yep, that's my real name...Amund, I personally love Walter Becker's voice. It's deep, yes, but it's soulful and blends in well with the instrumentation.
And NEVER EVER use a Ringo comparison again. That's just downright insulting! (I think Ringo's the single most overrated drummer in history and his solo career was an absolute joke)
Posted by: DACW, OMG, Gaucho is now down to paltry 2 stars on the RS website!...LOL...I noticed they're covering their asses by upgrading Aja from 3 to 5 and TvN from 3 1/2 to 4...Clueless on EMG...a measly three stars...here's your brain...here's your brain on THC + Britney Spears + Blinnk 182...
Posted by: DACW , PeterQ: Partially so. For what it's worth, Rolling Stone gave Gaucho 4 1/2 stars at the time in a glowing review. In ironic contrast, Aja in the infamous "Dazed at the Dude Ranch' review, received only 3 stars in 1977...Since then, the revisionist historians at RS have downgraded Gaucho to 3 stars and sinking.
In addition, Stereo Review highlighted the Gaucho album in their pop music review section shortly after its release with the heading "Too Good for Common Folk?"
Posted by: bob in nyc, nycWhat is the Letterman date again???
Posted by: Joey, " Yet it is, lyrically speaking, probably the one single work which most successfully ties together all their usual themes and styles (that is, in the period 1972 -80; in the later work, starting with Fagen's album The Nightfly, the lyrics start to shift to a totally different paradigm which has to be reviewed under separate exegesis).
TBC "
When you write like this , I get all " tingly "
You are much loved by the Joey !
Posted by: Dave, Peter Q writes:
"a tired exercise in self indulgence and self aggrandizement"
HEY!!!! That descibes your posts to a T, Peter!!!!!
Dave
Posted by: John Carlton, Portland, ORTrying to decide which Danfests to get together at. Could we maybe have a special Danfest chat tonight or this weekend? What does everyone think?
John
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynGaucho 1980
At the time of its release many people groaned at what seemed to be (at the time) an overextension of formula, a tired exercise in self indulgence and self aggrandizement, an example of preaching to the choir (a common criticism of Steely Dan - you almost never see any young people at their concerts) and the rather blatant use of Keith Jarrett's published, copyrighted song in the song Gaucho (he sued Becker and Fagen, and won). The stress of heaving this album out, it would seem, caused them to break up for a time. Critically speaking, this was one of the worst received of their works. Part of the reason for its incongruousness is that it's pieced together from old stuff (Carlton's solo on Third World Man was done during sessions for The Royal Scam; Glamour Profession was written more than ten years before, according to Brian Sweet, etc.). Yet it is, lyrically speaking, probably the one single work which most successfully ties together all their usual themes and styles (that is, in the period 1972 -80; in the later work, starting with Fagen's album The Nightfly, the lyrics start to shift to a totally different paradigm which has to be reviewed under separate exegesis).
TBC
Posted by: Amund, Oslo, yes NorwayGlad you worked out the "face time" line; guess it's as easy to think about a BJ here as with the sword swallower in Ballad of a thin man, but neither Bob or D&W are that cheap..
EMG is one of DAN's best albums (Goddammit!), skip Walters Slang and it's sooo soaked through darn tootin' great that I feel like a kid waking up on christmas morning every time I push play
To anyone in love with Mr B's deep voice - sorry, but that Ringo stunt was uncalled for, I think.
Better keep it real, or whatever.
Amund
Posted by: DACW , Set I
EMG
Set II
Katy Lied
Encores
FM
Don't Take Me Alive
Go Home Happy
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, The beautiful state of CT!!In considering a "dream setlist," I think you have to keep in mind whether your venue is indoor or outdoor. There are clearly more "outdoor" type songs where you can get more loose and lively, such as My Old School, Bodhitsattiva, Show Biz Kids. Those are more frat party sounds. In the indoor places, I think i'd like to hear the more sophisticated moody stuff like:
Aja - great opener to the show for all of us who have listened to the entire album every day since 1977
Your Gold Teeth I
Green Earrings
Babylon Sisters (great song, underrated album - give it another listen, please)
Kid Charlemagne
Dr Wu
Of course, we need to hear some new songs, too:
1. Lunch with Gina (this rocks and it's hysterical!)
2. Things I miss..
3. What a shame about me
4. West of Hollywood
And how about a few surprises! You never hear these anymore!
1. Monkey in your soul
2. Turn that heartbeat over again
3. Kings
4. Boston Rag
And a few "must plays" just per my request.......
Bad Sneakers
Josie
Caves of Altimira
I have loved this band since I was 10. They've been my favorite for 30 years! The 80's were such a dismal, ugly decade for music mainly because there was no SD. I remember each stage of my life with each album. To this day, "Everyone's gone to the movies" reminds me of my first huge crush in 8th grade. I'll stop my wanderings now.....
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, The beautiful state of CT!!In considering a "dream setlist," I think you have to keep in mind whether your venue is indoor or outdoor. There are clearly more "outdoor" type songs where you can get more loose and lively, such as My Old School, Bodhitsattiva, Show Biz Kids. Those are more frat party sounds. In the indoor places, I think i'd like to hear the more sophisticated moody stuff like:
Aja - great opener to the show for all of us who have listened to the entire album every day since 1977
Your Gold Teeth I
Green Earrings
Babylon Sisters (great song, underrated album - give it another listen, please)
Kid Charlemagne
Dr Wu
Of course, we need to hear some new songs, too:
1. Lunch with Gina (this rocks and it's hysterical!)
2. Things I miss..
3. What a shame about me
4. West of Hollywood
And how about a few surprises! You never hear these anymore!
1. Monkey in your soul
2. Turn that heartbeat over again
3. Kings
4. Boston Rag
And a few "must plays" just per my request.......
Bad Sneakers
Josie
Caves of Altimira
I have loved this band since I was 10. They've been my favorite for 30 years! The 80's were such a dismal, ugly decade for music mainly because there was no SD. I remember each stage of my life with each album. To this day, "Everyone's gone to the movies" reminds me of my first huge crush in 8th grade. I'll stop my wanderings now.....
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareDave: Thanks for corroborating some similar thoughts I had about the person in question. You put it a little more eloquently than I did.
DOE
Posted by: Dave, Hey Pivotal Pete. Wasn't referring to you. Love your posts Was referring to the arrogant Peter Q. who takes himself way too seriously. Sorry about the confusion.
Speaking of which, have read a lot of Katy Lied reviews, Peter Q, but yours is Oh-so boring
Dave
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoHere's a pretty short but fairly good phone interview with Donald and Walter done by KFOG in San Francisco:
www.kfog.com
scroll down towards the bottom of the page.
They make it quite clear that that they have no intention of calling it quits after this album/tour.
-Rob
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynKaty Lied - 1974
Although the previous 3 works would lead us to suspect that much of the subject matter concerns heroin addiction, Katy Lied is really the first SD album where the shifty, seedy junky world starts to be sketched out in full. Dr. Wu; Snake Mary; Mr. LaPage; Rose Darling; Daddy from New York - these are all junkies and junkie associates. On this album we first start to get a handle on the Steely Dan hero (perhaps epitomized by the narrator of Any World That I'm Welcome To, later summed up in an immortal line from 11TOW -"Where's a guy like me fit in?" or from Deacon Blues "I want a name when I lose" or Caves of Altamira "The busy world was not for me/So I went and found my own" - this is always the same person speaking, the same consciousness placed in utter psychological isolation from the people around him) who wistfully observes how things were supposed to be; the person who had it in him to be a great jazz star, or a great novelist, and ended up with a whore for a girlfriend and buying smack in the back seats of cars from guys with names like Jive Miguel.
This is also an important album because of the alto solo on Dr. Wu played by Phil Woods. In the famous documentary on Thelonius Monk, there is a scene in which Woods, the only white player in Monk's group, asks Monk "Any preference in the solo order here Monk? Any preference in the solo order?" and gets no reply. Around the same time as Katy Lied, Woods recorded the sax solo on Billy Joel's Just The Way You Are. These are perfect bookends for Steely Dan - straight ahead, instrumental, acoustic hard bop and extremely polished, over produced, shmaltzy as-commercial-as-it-gets pop music. Steely Dan lies, and probably wants to lie, somewhere in between. One of the recent reviewers of EMG called it "pop music for people who like jazz."
Posted by: Man with no face, Godwacker can be GWB's feelings about OBL, or OBL's feelings about the false god of Western Culture, or humankind's anger with a God that allows evil to exist. The Blake reference reinforces that. Read the poem.
Posted by: Oh please.., ..."I don't care what they say, I'm convinced GW is a deliberate reference to George W" (Bush).
NOT!
Posted by: Pivotal Pete, CaliforniaDave-
You may skip this, BUT the only "fact" I was presenting (not opinion) is about usage of the term "Face Time."
My *opinion* is that repeated speculation that "whoa, must be some hip term for a sexual act" kind of misses the point that D&W are great at ironic humor. Often the obvious interpretation is funnier than the obscure.
Still, I don't care what they say, I'm convinced GW is a deliberate reference to George W (Bush). Can't fool me!
(Wow, Paul really IS dead ...)
Posted by: Dave, Been busy, but want to pipe up to thank Joey and Bob for being so funny. After the condecending and opinion-presented-as-fact posts of Peter, we need your kind.
Peter, no hurry to post, I usually skip yours.
Bob and Joey fan,
Dave
Posted by: DJ, ChicagoJoey, I don't want to shake your nerves and I by no way think opening with TLM and closing with EMG is the ultimate but I just have a feeling.
Me I'd like something like this:
I
Chain Lightning
Bad Sneakers
Godwacker
Janie Runaway
Any Major Dude
The Fez
Black Cow
Only A Fool Would Say That
Show Biz Kids
Peg
Lunch with Gina
Cousin Dupree
II
Your Gold Teeth
Slang Me
Pixeleen
Gaslighting Abbie
Dr. Wu
I Got the News
Green Book
Josie
Everything Must Go
encore
Hey Nineteen
Do it Again
Probably not...but hey.
As far as a cover "I take what I want" by Sam and Dave would be cool to hear Fagen sing.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareBob: Never said I was ignoring you. In fact, my comment was based on the fact that many (including myself) have been privately flogged for comments similar to yours (not similar in view, but similar in the fact they are political in nature). Since you don't leave an email address, I can't privately give you the scoop. That's all I meant by getting out of the way.
I'm not ignoring you. You started the flamethrowing when I gave an alternate interpretation of third hand rose. After a while you figure that it's not worth the effort. Hopefully I'm wrong about that.
Hope this explains my position...
DOE
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareI stated in my post about EMG that those correlations were originally by other posters. My point was to add the fact that stories in the news portrayed Enron as happening place when it came to affairs and physical relationships. I was prompted to do so by reading Oleander's page and seeing that there were other interpretations, and I wanted to weigh in at my favorite place.
DOE
Posted by: DACW, The album is a Memento look at what's running out.... TIME'S UP! Gentlemen...
Posted by: Lee, Nice job, Pete. I knew I'd heard the term "face time" somewhere before, but couldn't place it. And since the requested meeting is in the "service elevator" (the only one in the building you can push the "stop" button on without sounding loud buzzers or bells)there could be little doubt as to the agenda. Clever you; double clever D & W as usual.
Posted by: Pivotal Pete, CaliforniaThis "face time" thing seems to ignore the fact that D&W are masters of ironic humor -- which is that the lines are about.
Fact: The term "face time" in corporate America for the past few years has been used to mean "time in person with so-and-so." For example, someone might say: "I really need to get some face time with my boss. She's been on the road so much I think she's forgotten what I look like."
I get e-mails asking for "an F2F" -- i.e. Face to Face meeting.
So when our EMG hero mentions getting a little FACE TIME with Fugazy, he obviously wants to see her in person. "Why?" you dirty-minded so-and-sos may wonder.
"In the service elevator" is the absurd ironic confirmation that his intentions are not to clean out his In-Box. (Alert: Not a metaphor.) Isn't this really more clever and witty than some obscure term for a sexual act -- using a real term and changing its meaning by context? Methinks it is...
If you guys want to MAKE "face time" a metaphor for a BJ, go ahead -- but seems to me we got plenty already.
BTW, I think my take that the narrator in Gina is an aging star is more reasonable than just some "guy" who finally decides he likes this chick. Note the continued uncertainty: "Maybe later, maybe never." Seems to fit D&W's tendency to evolve their topics to fit their own ages/life experiences.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYIs this still happening?
10 non Dan selections:
Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Boss of the Bass
Robben Ford, Tiger Walk
Etta James, 7 Year Itch
Jim Beard, Advocate
Shamekia Copeland, Wicked
Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus
Heather Headley - the whole album, damn!
Tito Puente, soundtrack of The Mambo Kings
Thelonius Monk, Genius of Modern Music Vols 1&2
Brecker Brothers, Return of the Brecker Bros
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynGotta raise the level of discussion in here, lollipops. I'll try to start tomorrow.
Posted by: Bob, Studio789Dave-guess what? I haven't seen anyone insist it's NOT about oral sex. Only Shaun is sarcastically (right?) remarking that Earl is late to the game, OK? Yo! Read the Blue for the past month. Happy 1-month anniversary of EMG's release. Everyone knows it's about the guy wanting some head in the SERVICE elevator. I mean, head is quite elevating when one is serviced correctly...gotcha! bang!
Posted by: Bob, Shaun-Thanks for confirming my fucking genius. Nobody else seems to agree. You can be my PR man. You're deck.
Speaking of which, too bad the rest of the world isn't deck enough to know Steely Dan is not a nostalgia band.
Pollstar is now showing second Roseland date. Get there, Everybody spin.
Posted by: Studio7Dave, ChicagoGotta agree with Shaun. When DF sings "face time" in EMG he is definitely asking Miss Fugazy for a little oral gratification.
Posted by: Shaun, BostonBob- What was I thinking! I'm such a jerk. I did what you said. After connecting all the dots I see that "Blood orange sky" "I tango down to the smoky lobby" and "Our man Abu" are all about clocks! A matter of fact, the whole record is about clocks. You're such a fucking genius Bob!
Posted by: Bob, Yeah Shaun's right, no one else agrees. I mean face time. There's fucking clocks all over the album notes so obviously face time refers to the faces of the clocks we see everywhere. Clock everything you see. Face time. Connect the dots however you like, doesn't freaking matter.
Part of the deal with ignoring someone, Earl, is that you don't post that you are ignoring. OK?
On the 1973 tour, what was then 2000's bare-midriffs sang "My Boyfriend's Back" ("…and you're gonna be in trouble…") They should open this tour with the girls singing that.
How does that make Joey feel? Jo-E! Joe-E!
Posted by: Shaun, BostonEarl- From the first second I heard the song "EMG", I thought "face time" meant oral sex. I still stand by that. Nobody else seems to agree.
Finally read the Keith Carlock cover story in Modern Drummer. When I finished it, I realized it was an interview about Wayne Krantz. Hey, the kid knows how to plug.
Posted by: Joey, " I am thinking The Last Mall to open and Everything Must Go to close each and every show. Just thinking out loud .... "
Please don't think this way out loud .................you make Joey quite visibly shaken to the core and stirred with sadness .
Vegas odds place " Kid Charlemagne " at 3:2 as the opener with " BODHISATTVA " right behind .
Damn Straight !
JACKY !
Posted by: DJ, ChicagoI am thinking The Last Mall to open and Everything Must Go to close each and every show. Just thinking out loud...
Posted by: norm, John - impossible? Not necessarily. Their usual opener in '96 was Do It Again - okay, there wasn't a new album out, but that song is as "yesterday" as anything they could choose. And the re-arrangements on that one and Reelin' are as far from rocking out as they could get, yet no one seemed to mind (how's the fiber, Joey?). Even with a new one in 2000, they were still opening with things like Boston Rag. I could see them opening with the fanfare from Everything Must Go, then going straight into something completely different, just to throw off expectations. But hey, whatever they decide on is fine by me.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareOne further comment about Face Time/Lighting up the Luckies. If anyone saw the stories about Enron's heyday/collapse, it was a regular old sex shop from what was portrayed in the press. I am pretty sure these lines are innuendo regarding some lurid action, as was previously stated by others. Face time is probably some form of sexual act, whether a Monica or a Gennifer. And "Light up all the Luckies/crankin' up the afterglow" does seem to refer to stereotypical postclimactic events.
Some other potential innuendo:
"sliding down the ladder" (similar to Hey Nineteen's slide on down)
"first-run movies" (sorta like the one that Davey-boy takes later)
"few good licks"
Bottom-line: there was a lot of stories about how many marriages were broken up at Enron, and if a story involves sex, our guys are almost certainly going to be all over it.
DOE
Posted by: YGK, NYCWell, if sales are down - that says one thing: "we're not trying hard enough!"
How many copies of 2vN did you buy? How many EMGs?
Get the hell out there and buy some discs, folks, and give 'em away........
Everything Must Go MUST GO!
ygk
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYYeech, that radioandrecords.com thing is the kiss of death. Once you're bagged as a "smooth jazz" artist people think you're pleasant background elevator music. Right up there with Kenny G and Spyro Gyra. Yeeeech.
Posted by: BeanCounter, EMG down to #64 this week. 17,358 copies sold this past week versus 24,712 copies the week before for a total of 172,224 copies sold so far.
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Charts/trpa_Home.htm
Review: http://www.music-critic.com/rock
/steelydan_everythingmustgo.htm
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareJoey: I was joking about the Stones comment. I probably should have made that clearer.
Hmmm...Bob starting more political commentary Hoops. I'll step back to "give the man some whackin' space."
DOE
Posted by: not dbeefy, be very very quietjust thought people would like to know, EMG is currently playing on the almost deserted 7th floor at the office of the deputy prime minister in London.
:)
getting approving looks too.
Posted by: From the Daily OK, This appeared in the "Daily Oklahoman." The Author is a regular on the Dallas, Houston and OK Danfest lists and is interviewed on the 2000 Danfest movies.
http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=1044781&pic=none&TP=getentertainment
------
July 4, 2003
Steely Dan "Everything Must Go" (Warner Bros./ Reprise)
It took 20 years for Steely Dan -- Donald Fagen and Walter Becker -- to follow 1980's album "Gaucho" with 2000's "Two Against Nature" but only three years to release "Everything Must Go," a darkly satirical work featuring the duo's trademark quirky jazz, smooth harmonies, jittery rhythms and acid-laced lyrics.
While it seems like the same old thing on the first spin, "Everything Must Go" is sneakingly addictive, combining cutting- edge songs such as "Pixeleen" -- a digital action heroine -- with the snarky love-gone-wrong of "Things I Miss the Most."
First cut "The Last Mall" and the last title cut bookmark this disc with a world-ending weariness. From the first song's "Attention all shoppers/It's Cancellation Day/Yes the Big Adios/Is Just a few hours away" to "Everything Must Go's" "Can it be the sun is rising/Guess it's time for us to book it/Talk about the famous road not taken/In the end we never took it."
"Blues Beach" and "Slang of Ages" are classic Dan, with Becker taking over vocals on the latter.
"Lunch With Gina" is a stinging take of a man trying to hide out from a determined woman, one he remembers he likes when she finally catches up with him.
Whether this is Steely Dan's way of telling us this is their farewell album or not, it's a safe bet "Everything Must Go" won't wind up in the cutout bin.
-- Sandi Davis
Posted by: Alan Ludden, And the password is...
aja
Posted by: Da Bill, HoustonAnyone have the presale password for Dallas?
Posted by: Bob, Joey, you know how funny you are? You are so funny you make Bobby involuntarily spurt milk and store-brand Müselix cereal through his nose. My g/f and I will see you at Englewood, but now I clean up mess. Bobbeeeeeeeyyy.
Bobby think that since Donald write with Carole Bayer Sager he should cover That's What Friends are For this tour. It would suck but so might solo album without Becker.
Hey all you God "W." Bush Whackoffs
http://www.rocksbackpages.com/news/0606_hoskyns_dan.html
Outtake:
Is 'Godwhacker' George W. Bush?
WB: Somebody else asked us that, but no, we didn't think of that.
DF: We were just thinking of the Western deity –
WB: Mr. Big –
OKKKK!!????So now you can shut up about this. Still, Bushee sux.
Speaking of shutting up, Earl, you are last one who should be telling anyone, including Joey to shut up about anything/one/etc even if it is the Rolling Stones.
Does this make Joey chortle with delite. Maybe.
Posted by: John, DCI'm re-thinking this whole 2vN opener thing. It's impossible. Who wants yesterday's papers, who wants yesterday's girl? Gotta be something from the new album, and therefore it's gotta be The Last Mall.
J
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareRegarding that Godwhacker,
Nice to see that Last Mall is still holding it's own on the Smooth Jazz charts even though WJJZ in Philly does not play it. Other than WJJZ, there are only a handful of other SJ stations in the country.
DOE
Posted by: Joey, " Joey, you are way too funny. "
Hoopsie ..................................
You are much loved by the Joey .
See ya in Denver ( Englewood ) in three weeks .
Posted by: Kid Clean, On the roof of the A A
Joey - I don't really want to be the cause of another load in your shorts BUT Black Friday is not the pounding rock song it used to be. Since 2K it has been retooled to sound more like a New Orleans death march, which may be a little more appropriate considering the subject matter.
Perhaps you should consider getting some adult under garments, something like "Opps! I crapped my pants" or Depends if hanging out on the blue causes you such stomach upset. Just looking out for you Joey.
KC
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYThey should open with a real out of character song for them, some raw-ass howling blues like John Lee Hooker's Let's Make Love Tonight or Hound Dog Taylor's I Really Love You But I Hate Your Friends. Something unsophisticated, low down and dirty, no Red Garland chord changes, make Cornelius play a honking, embrochure dominated solo and let Herington cut it loose playing licks around Fagen singing non witty, non literary, baby let's get it on lyrics!
Posted by: Lee, I think the term "schmaltzy" applies rather well, in that the playing is sentimental and somewhat greasy/corny (to great effect)in the intro.
Posted by: Lee, The word should have been "cadenza"... my apologies. Further, a candenz usually occurs near the end of a piece, not at the begining. It's been a long, long time since my music school or working musician days!
Actually, the "Duke of Earl" got it right with "rubato bridge"... the chord structure is the bridge, but the tempo is slowed and flexible.
Posted by: Question for Lee, I've heard of "schmaltzy" which does not accurately describe Wieskopf's playing, but what does "credenza" mean?
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareBTW - I mean that I thought that Weiskopf did a better job of soloing.
DOE
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareJoey: Rule #1 of this board should be no comparisons of Steely Dan to the Rolling Stones unless in jest. Think about it: Rolling Stones fans are so old, they need a song like those to wake up.
Lee: It was definitely nice to see someone other than Chris Potter get a turn at soloing. I think he did a better job from the standpoint that he kept it a tad simpler. Potter tends to get a little busy in my opinion, and sometimes you need to let the groove speak for itself. Agreed about the bridge, I think overall they provided a number of nice bridge sections on this album. I think every song except for TLM, TIMTM, and GW have great bridge sections. TLM, TIMTM and GW just seem to be a step back from the A sections, whereas the other songs seem to advance by leaps and bounds because of the bridge section.
Actually, a neat opening tune would be Everything Must Go. The band could play the intro (which is really a rubato bridge, I believe may be a gentle nod to Dave Brubeck's Strange Meadow Lark) in extended form.
DOE
Posted by: n, ...not forgetting that they don't have to pick just one tune to open every concert on the tour. 2vN one night, Green Earrings another, and since they actually DON'T have to start strongnotwimpy, they've been known to open with Babylon Sisters clearly in flagrant disregard to Joey's gastrointestinal concerns. (Or would that be "fragrant"?)
Posted by: norm, Joey - I don't think that was me who made you do that. It was more likely your diet, or that virus going around.
Two Against Nature has a nice beat, you can dance to it, there's room to stretch out on the solos, and all the other points John made as well - esp. D+W coming out after the band sets up the vamp, the reverse of their exits during the 1974 tour. And, unlike the rest of the album, it has potential to rock out.
Your Gold Teeth II to open the second set?
Posted by: oleander, so long traffic copsAhem....
fever dreams has a new home: www.feverdreams.net
and oleander has a new e address: oleander at feverdreams dot net
Many thanks to Hank for virtual hot toddies and handholding.
Posted by: Boston Rag, 2 weeks until go timeWooHoo! 2 weeks until the party starts! I had a very strange dream last week that Donald was talking to Greg Allman about extended jams and how he wrote new charts on several Steely Dan songs. I woke up when Donald said "The kids won't even recognize Peg". Hmmmmmm. Didn't Donald attend an Allman Brothers show a couple of months ago?
I'd like to see then open with "King of The World". A nice, friendly post-apocalyptic table-setter. That would be a rockin' opener.
Speaking of great openings, I picked up the long awaited DVD release of Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light. "In France They Kiss On Main Street" opens the set and what a groove. Pat Metheny on guitar, Jaco Pastorius on bass, Lyle Mays on keyboards and Don Alias on drums. Michael Brecker also contributes on sax. I'm on the road on business so I have not listened to it in 5.1 yet but I am really looking forward to it.
Hey New England folks - sign up on the Boston Danfest list. Some details soon! Spongebob Bill and I are waiting on some confirmations on a couple of special guests. It's going to be fun!
Mark in Boston (currently in CT right now)
Posted by: Lee, A few thoughts on the title track from the latest...
Walt Weiskopf!
Geez, this guy tells the truth. From the schmaltzy credenza opening with the whisper of a honking low note held at the end, through the various tasty noodlings hinting at the melody to come, through the masterful solo bridge and chorus, to the sultry lick slingin' ending solo, what a masterful performance.
Speaking of the bridge, the background vocals there are really prototypical of D & W. They use that sound often, and it is so tasty smooth. "Smooth jazz" WISHES it was that smooth.
Lots of fun in the lyrics, too. I especially like the persuasion of Miss Fugazy to share her oral talent once more for old times sake, and maybe finally let that freak down in Aquisitions video it - what the hell?
Hadn't heard mention of any of these things, and felt like gettin' a few good licks in.
Posted by: John, DCWherever it comes in the program, it is going to be a thrill to hear that fanfare and then that beautiful tune after it.
With mention of the first shows coming up and set lists being posted, I realize I'm going to have to decide whether to find out what they're playing or be surprised and delighted at the show (Nissan, 8/27).
Think I'll hold out!
Spoilers, please!
Posted by: hoops, "Green Earrings" was a great opener.
Not sure I see 2vN, but what do I know?
I think I said this in the Digest but, I am thinking the title cut, with the "fanfare" entrance/opening would be a great opener. Or it might make a nice closer to the second set or the opening of the encore, assuming the audience was encore worthy.
So not sure what they would open with but that's what comes to mind.
Joey, you are way too funny.
jim
Posted by: John, DCPS - Chief suggested they should do a cover. So how bout it, like, cover what? I would like to hear Steely Dan play 'Cool Jerk.' Well, maybe at sound check, anyway.
Posted by: John, DCI predict they WILL open with Two Against Nature. It can have an extended intro during which the band can set up the groove, then Don and Walt walk on, the crowd goes nuts...it will appeal to new fans that came on board since 2000, it speaks to their renewed success in the 21st century, it's a happening tune...
Posted by: Joey, " Two Against Nature (the song) would make a good opener, I think. "
WTF ?!?!?!?!?!
You make Joey weep and shit liquid -- WHY ?!?!?!?!?!
The boys need to come out strong not wimpy !!!!!! Just like the Stones when they open with " Jumping Jack Flash " or " Street Fighting Man " .............grabs the audience right away .
" Kid Charl. " or " Black Friday " come to mind .
The Joey !
Posted by: norm, Two Against Nature (the song) would make a good opener, I think.
Posted by: hoops, The KFOG and KMTT interviews got me wondering: Has anyone heard Warner/Reprise's "One Hour Sale" CD on the air yet? Any one get a copy? This CD is a pre-taped radio interview of Becker and Fagen with breaks for commericals inserted. It has six of the tracks and, of course, discussions. This, I guess, replaces the words + music series which came out for Kama, 11TOW, AiA and 2vN. Those were darn revealing.
Posted by: h, I know what you are saying Rajah, but that same logic doesn't hold for SD. Just instinct or something. The same logic you cite would also have had them taking a victory lap tour in 2001.
Of course, I could be all wrong. But they played a lot from 2vN in 2000, just figuring they will spend this tour on EMG which I would love to hear all of live.
Simply my two piasters.
jim
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, The last album won the BIG Grammy. Doesn't logic dictate that they will pay it its proper obeisance?
Posted by: sk8terdoll, rollin' w/ the homeysSetlist dreams? Hmmm....would love to hear 'em open with "Caves" and close with "Dr. Wu," which seem to top most die-hard fans' request lists. I cannot WAIT to hear WB perform (ahem) "Slang" in living color.
And I know this is pathetic, but please, please play WOH for those of us who ride that wave.
Two weeks and counting, folks! Hoops, please tell us that you will BE THERE at the opener in California! We who inhabit the green as part of our daily lives want to thank you in person and buy you a ...funnel cake or... whatevah.
Posted by: hoops, Great find on the KFOG interview. Fagen defines a Paranymphic glider as a hot vehicle to pick up a hot dates. And Becker adds or a a vehicle from which to drop a hot date from a height. Also both B + F confirm for the record that the "Everything Must Go" doesn't refer to this being the end for Steely Dan.
Peter:
The NYC-area Danfests (Roseland, Jones Beach, and Holmdel) are the most popular of all. WIll be lots from here going. 163 people interested in the Danfest. Head over to http://www.dandom.com/danfests and sign up if you haven't already.
jim
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Further to Mr.Sticks, the mighty Dr.WU, a great rockin SD tribute ensemble is playing the famous Knitting Factory (venue used by HBO's Reverb) on Hollywood Boulevard on Saturday, July 26th! These folks are HOT, playing all your favs. I've seen every gig for a coupla years. Make it a Southern Cal. SD week. And check www.doctorwuband.com
Posted by: morrisj, If you go to www.kfog.com RIGHT NOW you can hear the interview they gave this morning 7/9/03. It'll probably be gone by tomorrow so act now.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYBob-We're academics. We're trying to get the school to let us give a course on "The Steely Dan Weltanschuung: Posterior Analytic Analysis of the Literary Work o Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, 1967 - 2003." We're not having any success. I've spent sixteen years in the dustbins of the Bard College library. We don't go to Roseland to party, we go to study. I have knocked on every door in Bayside, Queens, New York trying to find Lonnie and Lady Bayside (no luck). My children all wear a fez in the public street.
Posted by: Joey, " No, no one wants to go to Roseland. That's why Hoops said it's the best place to go see the Dan and there are annual memorials of Roseland Weekend '95. Nope, nobody going. Peter Dude, get on the NYC Danfest list already, are you on???????????????????? "
I hope everyone who attends the Roseland Gig stops by the " Russian Vodka Room " beforehand -- ( right down the street from the venue ) .
Needless to say , you WILL be " well - oiled " for the concert .
Mmmmmmmmmmmm ! Tasty
Skittles Joey !
Posted by: lucky henry, thank you, Bob. I remember that unofficial ticket sale announcement now that you mention it, and waiting to see if I have to postpone a weekend shore trip as a result.
The Borgata opened with great fanfare last week and was touted as the most stylish, extravagant joint in town, if for no other reason than perhaps to justify the $42 price tag on their hamburgers. But with headliners like Carrot Top, one has to wonder.
lh
Posted by: Mr.sticks, Hi everyone,
just note for your planning.
The Steely Fan Band is from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach areas and some of us WILL be joining you all again this year for the danfest festivities before the show.
If you're coming to town and or can spend a couple of days in town..SFB will be performing a show 2 days after the Steely show on July 25th.
We'll be at the Studio Cafe just down the road in Newport Beach that night at 8:30pm. 3 hours of old AND hopefully..NEW Dan cuts LIVE and up close. If you make ,great! we would love to have a great big turnout for this great Dan week! I would also invite other members of OTHER Steely tribute bands to come out.and check us out and sit in for the celebration!..And LASTLY..Donald and Walt..your're welcome to attend as well..heh heh!!
Thanks
Mr.Sticks
Steely Fan Band
http://www.steelyfanband.net
Posted by: Bob, Ewwww....Joey. Your post makes Bob want to nuzzle you. Then again, just ,kidding.
Posted by: Bob, No, no one wants to go to Roseland. That's why Hoops said it's the best place to go see the Dan and there are annual memorials of Roseland Weekend '95. Nope, nobody going. Peter Dude, get on the NYC Danfest list already, are you on????????????????????
There was a bit about Borgata tix in a recent Hoops Digest. Someone called and they go on sale 7-12. But it's not listed at Ticketmaster or on ODP (Official Dan Page). New York papers have huge full page colored ads for Borgata in today's editions. Who says gambling ain't profitable. Well, no one.! But this further proves the point.
Bob-bob-bobbin' with the Jack of Speed.
Posted by: Joey, -" Literary note: The "Tiger in the Forest of the Night" line in GW alludes to the work of William Blake, (Tyger, Tyger burning bright) whose "Marriage of Heaven and Hell" turned the Devil back into a heroic, positive character and proponent of *real* religion. Blake (as I recall from college) saw organized religion as squelching energy, passion, creativity, emotion -- all of which are the essence of humanness, love, art, etc. Check-out Blake's "Proverbs of Hell" "
Actually , on the subject of religion , it is my personal belief that Walter and Donald are trying to tell everyone that Technology has finally delivered on its promise :
" That Entertainment would Replace Religion . "
-- Thank You
The Joey !
Posted by: lucky henry, anyone else out there anxiously waiting to hear about Borgata tickets? I notice they have booked Bill Cosby at 8 PM the same night the Dan are scheduled.
lh
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynAnybody going to the Roseland Ballroom show? Chief and I will be there. Love the shows in those small clubs.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Hoops - yes of course it's all wishes and speculation and unsubstantiated rumors. I'd love to hear Here at the Western World and Haitian Divorce, so folks really like to hear those, huh? But, dude, Walter doing Josie? Ouch. And who here wouldn't want to hear AJA?
Posted by: hoops, Cherry's post reminded me of a comment made by Joe Jackson in the same issue of "Keyboard" that has the interview with Fagen, July 2003.
Joe Jackson talks about how he needs a band to peform his works. He says that unlike Ben Folds, Billy Joel or Elton John, he composes on a piano for a group of players. With Becn Folds, BJ & EJ, you cna tell their songs come out of their being piano players rather than using a piano for composing.
Ragnar:
You got the correct idea. People will post set lists and reviews here. The Dandom Digest (http://www.dandom.com/dandomdigest ) has featured set lists ever since the 1993 tour.
Set Lists:
I won't speculate on the set lists—who's to say—but Walter on "Slang Of Ages" is a given, I think we all agree, since it's a new song and Walter will sing a few songs (also pretty much a given.) Otherwise, I have no idea how you can say what they will and won't play. I can say, what I wish they would play.
I know that the most requests from fans have been for "Dr. Wu," "Hatian Divorce," and "Here At The Western World." Again, my choices for Walter vocal performaces (and there has to be some to give DF a break, I suspect) would be "Slang," with my prefernce/fantasy of Walter-covered oldies maybe being a Walter version of "Josie, " "Everything You Did" or "Haitian Divorce."
In 1993, they didn't play anything off "Pretzel Logic" at the shows I attended. Wouldn't that be something if they skipped another album? For some reason, as much as I like it, I can't see them playing anything off 2vN, except maybe "Shame" or something they didn't do in 2000.
And back about two years ago, I suggested Brubeck's "Real Ambassador" for the second set opener. Maybe "Gold Teeth II" would do it as well.
Just my favs and speculation.
jim
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Ragnar- love that name, didn't Ernest Borgnine play a Viking named that? I'll be at the first show in Orange County, California on the 23rd and as soon as I get back to LA that night, probably after midnight, I will post the set list with a brief blurb on the highlights. How excited am I? Don't ask.
Posted by: cherrygarcia, westoflaI saw ben folds a few times and at one show someone yelled out play Barrytown and he said OK, but only played the intro and then went into one of his new songs.
I also read an interview with him around the time they were covering Barrytown for the movie and he had made mention of how "Hi-fidelity" Steely dan was and how "Low-fi" his band was and that was the struggle to get that clean sound. His band consists of a piano, guitar, and drums...so you could imagine the struggle.
That being said, some of his tunes have string arrangements and almost all are built around a piano. He is worth checking out if any of you are looking for some summer tunes.
Respectfully yours,
JGR
Posted by: Ragnar Daneskjold, Galts GulchTwo weeks until the tour!!!
Any idea how we can get set lists?
I will be at the Detroit and Vegas shows so I will post those.
Cheers,
Ragnar D.
Posted by: bwaySteve, 43rd and BroadwayBefore the transformation of Times Square , here and there along both 7th ave and Broadway were these stores that sold electronics but also very ornate furniture, crystal, gaudy vases and other opulent looking items.It would not be uncommon to have large, sometimes handwritten signs ," Going Out Of Business" and " Everything Must Go " in the windows .Stores operated this way for decades . It was a scam.I think the hook really springs from here.
I have had a tougher time relating the meaning of the cover art to the hook because the watch guys never say EMG. They just say " Rolex" .
The watch guys with the attache cases are all of African descent. On another day they might be carrying cloth bundles of knock-off sunglasses.They are a fixture in Times Square and their industry , very interesting to observe.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYThey should do a cover! One time I saw the Dead and they all came out in Werewolf Masks and did Werewolves of London. I wish SD would do something like that!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Hey Soulmonkey: Only five songs from the last two albums? Not if we take what Donald said about not wanting to be a nostalgia band. I don't think they'll play more than 20 numbers, that was the number last time round. Also, I believe they might play AJA. Goota have about 8 or 9 songs from the last two albums. Yes, I agree, Josie, My Old School, Kid Charlamange, where's Peg, is that on there. I do believe they will do Razor Boy and maybe something really old from the first album. Does anybody out there hear any scuttle-butt?
Posted by: Bob, Given that Green Book is about Cybersex, maybe it's a sexual sound. I will pay more attention when I listen later today.
Posted by: Russ, Angel, yes I also noticed that low-key "green book" just before the solos kick in. It sounds like Donald to me, in a very annoyed, almost exhausted, tone of voice.
Posted by: Jackson, Traverse CityGood place to check on Steely Dan and other hip artists:
www.triplearadio.com
Posted by: analog in ann arbor, Flanging! The original digital effect. The term coined by John Lennon- who, according to stuff I read, didn't like his voice and was always playing with recording tricks/effects. If two tape recorders simultaneously record the same vocal track and are played back simultaneously, the effect is produced by placing a digit lightly on the FLANGE of the tape as it tracks between the reels. This will very slightly vary the speed of one of the machines relative to the other- so their interfering signals start doing the reel-to-reel tango, whooshy, in and out of phase, spaced out shimmering sort of what planet is that from sounds can be created depending on how good you are with a finger.
Posted by: SoulMonkey, Louisville, KySetlist predictions for the tour.
1. The Last Mall
2. Razor Boy
3. Here At The Western World
4. Blues Beach
5. Doctor Wu
6. Time Out Of Mind
7. Josie
8. Slang Of Ages
9. Only A Fool Would Say That
10. Pretzel Logic
11. Everything Must Go
2nd Set
1. New Frontier
2. Deacon Blues
3. Almost Gothic
4. Haitian Divorce
5. Hey Nineteen
6. Chain Lightning
7. Lunch With Gina
8. Kid Charlamange
9. Bad Sneakers
10. Don't Take Me Alive
11. My Old School
Posted by: Tumesence Monitor, Cathay IslandsThis sure nuff is an informational website! Damn!
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYThanks for the dirt Howard. Is there suspicion in that account? Some of the underground girlfriends may have to involve themselves. Now what about this Red Garland influence Donald Fagen mentions in this Keyboard mag interview! I never hear that kind of blocked chord structure in Steely Dan tunes. Neil: check out limehouselizzy.com. best Thin Lizzy t shirts on the web!
Posted by: Howard, @lunch
Neil W - check out http://www.steelydan.com/dennys3.html for info on the vocal effect on "Daddy Don't Live..."
It's not an effects box, but a phase effect that was done by hand using the reel-to-reel tapes. I'm sure George Martin talked about something very similar that he did for some Beatles tracks.
Denny Dias explains:
On "Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More" there is no special effect on the lead vocal. For the re-mix Roger implemented a manual phasing technique that required him to stand near a tape machine and slowly turn a dial by hand.
Chief of Theory - The Haitian guitar solo was originally recorded by Dean Parks, without any voicebox effect. Walter then went home with a mix down, learned the solo note by note so that he could "do the right mouth stuff" on the voice box, then the next day they put the recorded solo through the voicebox + Walter's mouth. That was what ended up on the final track.
There is some info about this on a web page somewhere, but I can't seem to find it...
Howard
Posted by: Theolonious, Mono, MontanaGreat stuff hoops.
I wonder who Donald took the vocal lessons from. Probably some great stories there.
T
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hoops - thank you for the quotes. Wow, very revealing. I love the "sophmoric humor" comment. Cause, ya know, now that everybody's pretty much tapped into the deeper levels of music and lyric on EMG, one might tend toget a little depressed to say the least at the world they've drawn for us, i.e. terrorism(TLM), divorce(TIMTM), rehab(BB), God-jihad(GW), weird hook-up in Amsterdam(SoA), da scary kinky(GB), confusing cyber-entertainment(P), pursued by demons(LWG), and just the totally depressing world of EMG. I hear Donald say stuff like that it makes me feel like 1) they're NOT total freaks and 2) I don't feel like so much of a freak, cause you know what, Steely Dan is really not that popular. It just hit me. Duh.
Posted by: hoops, Maybe I missed this being discussed here...I sure did miss this in my mail pile at home. I received the July 2003 issue of "Keyboard" at least a week ago and it was only tonight that I realized there's an interview with Donald Fagen in it. It's a great article, despite a couple of minor quibbles (ex: author Robbie Gennet says fans weren't sure there would be a follow-up to 2vN right after it won the Grammys--of course, we KNEW there would be The Next One.).
But there are many really intersting parts, including some things that add to and perhaps answer our debates over the past couple of months.
A few things it talks about:
• Fagen writes at an acoustic piano as opposed to any electronic instruments
• Parts that he will play on his demos often turn up on the final recordings. (Of course I don't think he means actual recorded demos are part of the final tapes...or does he?)
• When asked who was chosen to play which Piano Parts on EMG (Charlap or Baker), Fagen is quoted as saying, "whoever was standing nearest."
• "On 'Godwhacker,' one of the standout tracks, a melodica sound from a Korg Triton was altered substantially, while on the upbeat, "Blues Beach," an E-mu Vintage Keys module provided some of the non-piano sounds. On 'Green Book,' Becker and Fagen trade fours, with Becker playing a 5-string bass through an envelope filter and Fagen countering on the Triton."
• (A quote from the author that I like) "EMG has that classic SD sound, seemingly straight-ahead at first listen, but revealing upon repeated listen."
• Fagen attributes his work to "two branches, jazz and soul" with Red Garland and Bill Evans cited as influences, but on the "R&B side, [organist] Paul Griffin was the person I liked best. He had a incredibly great percussive style."
• Fagen emphasizes that SD is not a jazz band but clearly jazz has an influence, citing the need to keep being fresh and that SD is more along the lines of 40s and 50s big band where there was a lot of arranging and not that much improvisation, like with Ellington.
• He explains that neither Walter nor Donald wanted to end up vocalist in the early 70s, but DF was "elected" because he "had a slightly better pitch." He also claims that back then he didn't know how to sing correctly, and since he has taken lessons so he doesn't get burned out on the road.
• DF says they are making new records so they have new material to play live—they don't want to be a nostalgia band. "If we didn't feel that we were alive as artists ,we would just quit."
• The writer comments on how SD music has a "collegiate" sound to it and DF agrees it does. "There's a youthful approach and we don't take ourselves too seriously...we've been more successful than most in holding on to a kind of fresh feeling you have when you are starting out. The sophomoric humor and all kinda helps...hopefully we've kept the good things about being 19—and we're still there."
Be sure to pick up the July 2003 issue of "Keyboard" to get the rest of the interview. Also has a great interview with Joe Jackson.
jim
Posted by: Pivotal Pete, CaliformiaJust spent a week-plus catching up on two months of EMG postings, flames and hypotheses. Some random comments:
- IMHO, EMG is overall better than TVN and shows that the Dan is still able to do *great* work. But to me there's still an overall weakness (compared to the "Back in the Day" albums) in the Intros and Bridges. GW has a great bridge, EMG a great intro, but in general they are not as "wow" as they used to be. Maybe that's how they got the album out in a year ...
- I've surmised 2vN (the song) was about "Voodoo exorcists" -- which seems similar in theme to GodWhacker.
- Literary note: The "Tiger in the Forest of the Night" line in GW alludes to the work of William Blake, (Tyger, Tyger burning bright) whose "Marriage of Heaven and Hell" turned the Devil back into a heroic, positive character and proponent of *real* religion. Blake (as I recall from college) saw organized religion as squelching energy, passion, creativity, emotion -- all of which are the essence of humanness, love, art, etc. Check-out Blake's "Proverbs of Hell"
- Does any other speaker of the English language pronounce the word "light" the same as DF? (And they sure use it a lot!)
- Singing along with the kiddies (I know this was a while back): I think you *could* get the little buckaroos to sing SD songs, but somehow I'm not totally comfy introducing my 10- or 14-year-old (or younger kids) to I Got the News, Babylon Sisters, Everything You Did , or quite a few other of our faves.
- Lunch with Gina- My theory (a new one?): This is a not-so-hip-anymore celebrity who has an ambivalent relationship with a stalker/groupie. She's a nut case, but she's the only one I've got, and in the right light she's not all THAT bad ...
- EMG: General theme of the song: "Live in fame, die in flames." And isn't that a kind-of recurring theme from D & W?
Thanks for listening ... -Pete
Posted by: Neil White, PortlandCan someone tell me exactly what type of vocal effects box Donald used on "Daddy don't live in that New York City no more"?.
I have heard the same effect used on "Jailbreak" by Thin Lizzy.
Thanks,
Neil
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYHelp me please! In Brian Sweet's book he says the voice box on Haitian Divorce is played by Becker; however, Lee Ritenour is credited on the album and this sounds EXACTLY like the voice box Ritenour plays on albums like Captain Fingers, Rit and Rit 2. Anybody know if somehow B&F leaked bad info to Sweet to make him look like a fool? I need to know! I keep getting turned down for research grants!
Posted by: HeyMike, Just back from the Manatee BarJoey--You make HeyMike wonder :-)
main Entry: snig·gle
Pronunciation: 'sni-g&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): snig·gled; snig·gling /-g(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: English dialect snig small eel, from Middle English snygge
Date: 1653
intransitive senses
: to fish for eels by thrusting a baited hook or needle into their hiding places
transitive senses
: to catch (an eel) by sniggling
Pronunciation Key
© 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
Merriam-Webster Privacy Policy
Posted by: h, A photo of Our Donald appears with the caption "Steely Dan's Donald Fagen" on page 86 of "Rolling Stone" #927 (with Eminem on the cover). Just a blurb in a box entitled, "Your Turn" for rollingstone.com/reviews/cd
--------------
YOUR TURN
Disgaree with us? Post your own reviews at RollingStone.com
"'Everything Must Go' is another classic Steely Dan album: the layers in the music, and those back up singers—so languid and bittersweet."—Sandy Musson, Wycoff, New Jersey."
--------------
Of course, I'd much rather post my opinion to the website of a mag that features Becker and Fagen on the cover.
jim
Posted by: Le Bob, Yeah, Da Bill is right. No extermination. Just trying to make wifey go-'way. If you were gaslighting mice, you would purchase one of those ultra-frequency devices that make them stay away. No poison or trap-crushing involved.
Whaddaheck is the title track on Two Against Nature all about? I don't think it has to be a completely coherant story any ways. And, hey, if you don't have a sense of humor, you can sit this thread out. Don't want anyone having a coronary or a coronation for that matter.
EMG songs are more straight-forward lyrically then TAN.*** I mean, the lyrics don't try tooooooo harddd. Speaking of too hard, why are some of you still trying too hard with Green Book?
Off to for a good time with my third-hand rose, as soon as she's done with a couple of other dudes.
***I'm not saying that the songs aren't clever though. Fecker/Bagen done write.
Posted by: angel, Chief of Theory: Current thought is that it's a duck quack.
Anyone catch the saying of "Green Book" at 3:41 into the song. Sounds like it might be the male backround singer.
Posted by: Da Bill, HoustonGaslighting is not about killing someone. In modern day terms its more like a con, or scam. In the movie they set up situations and fabricated prior events to convince someone that certin things have happened in the past. sort of like planting evidence after the fact. once it was all done the person was sort of brainwashed into beliving that something happened that really never did happened. Almost like the opposite of a cover up.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYSpeaking of humor, @ about 4:40 of Godwhacker, is there a fart noise or some kind of whoopee cushion sound?
Posted by: hoops, Earl:
I'm open to new and well-supported interpretations, but gotta say the discussion from Monday, June 30 is one to read first. I'm open to new interpretations that are well-arguged—that's what's this place is all about. Still, I know what a 'second-hand rose" is and the connotations of a "third-hand rose" leave it firm in my mind that the term refers to a beautiful whore or slut, used by a lot of others and sexually experienced. I'm not hypothesizing; I'm convinced. Jamie Lis's post from 12:54 on June 30 speaks pretty much for me as well. Hey, your'e entitled to your hypothesis.
"Fever Dreams" is a great site.
Bob, Joey & others:
Thanks for adding humor. I, for one, appreciate it. I think EMG is an amusing, dryly humrous record. Fan obsessions is great to a point but I've noticed on most all the Dan forums, people are overlooking the funny, amusing parts of these albums. Almost a whole facet of this album is being overlooked.
Gaslighting Abbie:
The cathedral thing is hilarious ROFL. I can see Monty Python as monks there! For those who truly don't know, here's what "Gaslighting" means. From there, it's not a hard song to figure out.
On the 2vN "Words + Music" interview CD and in their "Piano Jazz" appearace, just to name a couple of sources, Fagen and Becker attribute the song to the 1944 thiller "Gaslight" in which a guy is trying to dump his current wife for a new woman but making her think she is losing her sanity. He does things like changes all the lamps to lower wattage and pretends nothing is wrong, moves her things around on here, etc. It's a passive agressive thing.
Heck, here's a summary on the web, from http://www.filmsite.org/gasl.html
"The film's plot, faithfully adapted by its screenwriters, is about a diabolical, Victorian criminal husband (Charles Boyer playing against type) who systematically and methodically attempts to torment and drive mad his bedeviled wife (Ingrid Bergman). Its title is derived from two items: the frequent dimming and flickering of the gaslights, and the phrase "to gaslight" someone (to deliberately drive someone insane by manipulating their environment). The film was advertised as "the strange story of an international criminal's love for a great beauty," and "the strange drama of a captive sweetheart."
Read the whole page and the song is pretty *dern* straightforward in meaning, although the title is what makes it so hard to understand at first. Even Marian McPartland was embarrased to ask, "Gaslighting--What's it mean?"
jim
Posted by: Peter Q, Brooklyn"Gaslighting" is a technique culled from the French film Diabolique in which a guy and his illicit bang-shang-a-lang gal exterminate his wife.
Posted by: Mike, Sorry, I meant Studio7Dave.
Posted by: Mike Fishman, New YorkThanks, Steve, wow, major information there.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYMike - You know, Westminster Abbey, Gaslighting Abbey, etc.
Posted by: Mike Fishman, New YorkA cathedral in London? Have not been able to find that on the net.
Do you have any further info? Thanks.
Posted by: Studio7Dave, ChicagoMike-
This link should help.
http://home.earthlink.net/~oleander1/2AN.htm
(BTW it's Abbie not Abbey.)
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYGaslighting Abbey is a cathedral in London.
Posted by: Mike Fishman, New YorkCan someone please tell me what Gaslighting Abbey means? Thanks.
Posted by: Joey, " This was in the late 70s, before I was hit by a piece of Skylab when it fell to earth and I could no longer sit in clubs for too long."
You make Joey sniggle Chief .
I would like to nuzzle you .
Joey !
Posted by: Peter Q, Brooklyn Actually 2VN and EMG are going in a different lyrical direction, but the work from 1972 - 80 contains consistently identifiable characters grappling with consistently identifiable issues over and over again.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareBob: Nice to know we have the authority on every lyric in the house. I don't mind someone saying "Your theory is wrong because...", but just to say that we definitely know because a group argued about it a week ago and came to a consensus is misinformed. Unless D+W come out and say a song is about something in particular (which is rare indeed), I think there is a shadow of doubt in almost every lyric that D+W write w/ regards to their intent.
I'm not outright saying I know what "third hand rose" means...but I don't think Hoops did either. He's hypothesizing like the rest of us.
DOE
Posted by: Kid Clean,
Chief - I'm envious of you, except for the skylab part, were they able to remove it? I only discovered Son a year or two ago when I found his first album on cd at the library. I was blown away and have purchased several albums now. I'll have to check out Bad Axe though thanks for the tip.
Last week I picked up the DVD-A of Kama. I finally had some time to crank it up this weekend and WOW. What a great mixing job. I heard all kinds of things I hadn't heard before, especially on Teahouse, the ambiance that's created in surround makes you feel like you're sitting at a table right there. I have to admit that song and Countermoon were my least favorite, until now that is. Teahouse is superb. Whoever has the missing master from AJA, please return it!!! I gotta hear that on this medium.
KC
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYI just want to connect two different posts that I saw here today, one was about Son Seals. The song Frigidaire Woman is on the album Danger Zone. And Bad Axe by Sons Seals is also the most totally ass kicking blues album ever, period, the end. Since we seem to be talking about Chicago, I used to sit in the Kingston Mines and listen to Sons Seals play all night, from about ten pm till about 4 in the morning. This was in the late 70s, before I was hit by a piece of Skylab when it fell to earth and I could no longer sit in clubs for too long.
Posted by: Dennis, ChicagoI'm a not so good friend of Dennis Deyoung's second cousin's sister whose brother used to be the only original remaining member of the Chicago band Twigs before he quit.
Posted by: Bob, "The Night Chicago Died"Dennis, is that you? Are you really Dennis De Young from the Chicago band Twigs? Municipally Correct....
Anyone know where to get a replacement DVD-A case for my EMG? Mine brokey.
Hey Hoopsie...the Performing Songwriter interview is hilarious AND insightful.
"Want to try some of this Persian heroin?" How come nobody asks that?
Posted by: Meal Reviewer, CaliIt is better to like the STEEL DANY MUSIC in the home! IN mi pais they shoot you ass dead when you have musica in caro, and the nabor peoples sing "Tonite when I play with mi dragons, water they pay you with cherry time, " bailando, bailando! One time a policia hit mi beatous wife Barna because she sing the STEEL DANY in church, and papi too - he hide the vino.
Posted by: Dennis, ChicagoBob! Where are you from? Maybe Don and Walt should write a song about all the cheesy one hit wonder bands that are making a resurgence (or never died) from Chicago. I know it still wouldn't make you happy but it would be damn funny for me. I'm not mentioning any names here but there is some pretty sappy shit that comes outta here. Hey Bob, where are you from?
Posted by: Bob, Nope. Check back in the posts about a week ago, Earl, where everyone argued "third hand rose" to death.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareGreen Book: If this song is about some sort of online dating, then it occured to me this weekend on vacation that third-hand rose could mean that his object of affection first speaks to her computer, then her computer to his computer, and then his computer to him...thus the info he's receiving would be third hand. A stretch, and of course in the world of the internet there are many more maneuvers than just that, but it could simply be looked upon as being told through three different conversations from a simple point of view.
DOE
Posted by: Bob, from BumblefuckWhat do you know, Dennis!? You live in Chicago and there are plenty of songs about your town, that toddlin' town, that town with nothing for a monkey woman to do, my kinda town, set me free, let me be. They probably even have a whole band named after that city. Noooooo....you're not qualified to comment. You don't know how it FEEEhhhhlls.
Posted by: Abu, ChicagoBob, get a grip. Artists write about what they know and D&W know New York. I wouldn't call it favoritism, sheesh.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynOh about the Ellington thing, sure, that's straws, but there's absolutely no doubt the Double A down to Sheridan Square refers to the NYC subway line.
Posted by: Bill, You're grasping at straws, Peter. How about "double A has the right number of syllables and beat? As opposed to just singing "the A" Plus, it's in NYC.
GOD, why can't they make references to D.C.?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynIt could also be a cutsie Ellingtonian reference, Duke's signature "Take The A Train," the AA used to run alongside the A, for example www.quuxuum.org/~joekor/lostrain.htm
Posted by: Bob, Impressive, Peter, however, no cigar for you...just yet. It's all too easy to dismiss this as factual info when there is oh, so much, much suggestiveness that flys under the radar in ever y sardonically-fortified Steely Dan song. I'm stumped as to what they mean by A-A. We must find a definitive answer so we can quit thinking about the songs and implications.
What about "Bush's Angel Girls?" If it were Bush, wouldn't it be "matron-hags" instead?
I am deeply troubled by the NYC references but not as much as I am troubled by a literal reading of the A-A. They should be municiapally correct--no favoritism towards any city.
Paul is Dead.
Bob
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynFrom that locale it's easy to get other trains to the Palidades and the bogs of Jersey. Also, if she's on the AA that places the context of the song quite some years ago, not today. Thirdly, Sheridan Square area is perhaps the most wildass bohemian place on the face of the earth, probably a good place for Pixeleen.
Posted by: Studio7Dave, ChicagoThanks for the mass transit data Peter.
Now the question is, why is "the Double A down to Sheridan Square" in the song? Why that train? Why that location?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynWhich brings up a point, a lot of their lyrics have NYC references like this that a person who doesn't live there may not understand - does anybody find this a problem, or worthy of comment?
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynSee www.nycsubway.org, key in Sheridan Square
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynThe double A was the 8th Ave local, it's been out of service for a few years, the #1 train goes to Sheridan Square now.
Posted by: Bob, This just in from the "Paul Is Dead" department:
AA refers to Alcoholics Anonymous. Pixeleen, and her friend Olestra must be in Ala-teen.
Remember: Godwacker = GW = George W.
And for you George "Godwacker" W. Bush theorists, I have a question. Who are the "trusty angel girls?" I'm betting Condoleeza Rice, that advisor lady who went back to be with her family in Texas (yeah, right), and Christy Todd Whitman (before she got canned, er..."resigned"). All three dressed in burquas.
Speaking of burquas (sp?), I think Steely Dan wrist watches to clock everything we see and Steely Dan burqua/bikini sets should be sold at the concessions (I love irony).
What's your idea to be this year's version of the "SD Sex Tip No 19 " baby T from '96 and the "Wonderwaif tiny-T from 2000? Anyone remember in 94 when the tour programmes were from the Japanese tour and also when they had the cutouts of D & W to pose with?
Did I ever mention that when I was in line for a shirt in 2000, this big hairy, bearded biker brute wanted an extra large Wonderwaif T for himself to wear and didn't understand why there were none!?
Paul is dead.
Bob
Posted by: Studio7Dave, ChicagoListening to "Pixelene" I keep wondering why the speeding train is the "double A". Is there a real double a train that goes to a real Sheridan Square? Or is "double a" used to indicate something else? Possible ideas...
Battery size- AA for a hand held Gameboy or Palm computer game.
Actually that's all I've got right now. Any other thoughts?
Posted by: Hamburger Laddie, Londonbook review extract from London Observer yesterday (see post belowfor context)
The People's Music by Ian MacDonald Pimlico £10.99, pp272
"MacDonald's re-evaluations of both pantheon artists (Dylan, Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Hendrix) and cult ones (Love, Chic, The Band, Steely Dan, Laura Nyro, Nick Drake) bracingly shake off received opinion and orthodoxy, obliging the reader to come at the music afresh. Randy Newman's 1968 debut album is his best, with a sense of 'irony so faint one could walk right by it, oblivious'. Steely Dan's oft-ignored Gaucho is 'a gem in the trash can of Californian entropy, a ray of coherent light amid LA's louche neon'. Bob Marley's songs are 'stranger in retrospect, more alien and sectarian than they've ever seemed before'. The music of Laura Nyro, who still lacks her rightful place in rock history, 'happens to be the most original, resourceful and powerful composed by any woman in the field of popular music over the last 50 years' - implicitly superior, in other words, to that of the more feted Joni Mitchell."
Full review: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,992150,00.html
Posted by: steel driving hammer , ILHello, I'm searching for a poster who goes by the name " Joey " ...
Does he Post here ???
;^)
Posted by: Dr. Rose, NYCTime for another single to be released!
...anything G-whacker, Pixel, Lunch....c'mon what is reprise doing??
Apparently they don't like to sell albums...unless of course the name of your band has the word Fleetwood or Mac in it.
Fuck Warner Bros. or should I say Fuck AOLTIMEWARNER.
Posted by: Kid Clean,
P Q - No Fridgidare woman on that album, it does have 'Your love is like a cancer woman' and one of the best instrumentals I've heard, 'hot sauce'. Sounds as fresh today as it must have back in '72.
KC
Posted by: Hamburger Laddie, LondonHoops, the Ian McDonald who reviewed EMG in Uncut magazine is the author of Revoultion In The Head, easily the best of the 100-or so books I've read about the Beatles. It's a chronological track-by-track guide which gives basic recording detials, analyses lyrics, talks about what the Beatles were up to privately at the time and gives a broad cultural overview of the time. It's fantastic. McDonald has a new book out in the UK which I read a review of yesterday - there's a chapter on The Dan in which he hails Gaucho as their best album and the best thing to come out the vapid late 70s-early 80s LA deal. Basivally, the guy's no bum - although I disagree with his assessment of EMG.
Posted by: Bill/Pittsburgh, re return of some charactersI've been thinking that the narrator in Slang of Ages is one of those straight-laced guys from Junkie Girl cruising the bad part of the college town - a prospective drug buyer or john chatting up a much younger woman in a back alley somewhere, getting hoodwinked, cheated out of his money, then ditched.
>>In all likelihood I believe it's the "men in business suits" from Junky Girl, which I believe is a more filled out, much more bitter telling of the same tale, but the salient point is that the idiot narrator doesn't realize how this "friend" has come to know Rikki's name.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynIn their golden years B&F used a classic storytelling technique, the kind of fourth wall techinique borrowed from the theater, in which the narrator of the song was involved in a conversation with a second person. We, the listeners, were witnesses. We are invited to observe the conversation through the fourth wall. In certain of these songs you can practically imagine yourself sitting in a smoky club beside two people at the next table talking in urgent, whispered tones. This practice is entirely dispensed with on 2VN and EMG, nowhere to be found.
Perhaps the classic instance of this technique is Rikki Don't Lose That Number (overlooking the controversy about the music of the song, just concentrating on the story). In this story communication, or more accurately communication breakdown, is a prominent theme. People talk but they seem to mean the exact opposite of what they say:"We hear you're leaving/that's OK"...but then everything he says for the rest of the song indicates that it's not OK - he makes proposals for activity should she stay, he suggests that if she leaves she'll want to come back, etc. The person who is really the key to the whole song, the "friend in town/he's heard your name" is referred to just once, almost as a peripheral aside, an afterthought.
Who is this "friend"? Pimp? Pusher? Crime lord? Jive Miguel? In all likelihood I believe it's the "men in business suits" from Junky Girl, which I believe is a more filled out, much more bitter telling of the same tale, but the salient point is that the idiot narrator doesn't realize how this "friend" has come to know Rikki's name.
Again, this is a familiar character in Steely Dan; he shows up in Dirty Work, he shows up in Your Gold Teeth, he shows up in Pearl of the Quarter, but at least in those songs he understands what is being done to him, and he accepts it - here he doesn't even understand. Why is he afraid to have his phone number found on Rikki? Who's after her - the cops? Bookies? Pimps? Druggies? He misses the whole point of "You tell yourself you're not my kind". (People constantly miss the point in alot of songs on Pretzel Logic, particularly in their childlike acceptance of the media -"I just read the Daily News/and swear by every word" or "I seen em on the TV, the movie show").
Etc.
Posted by: hoops, iTunes SD Top Ten
The applemusic.com / iTunes Steely Dan Top Ten has been pretty steady the past week or so:
1) Things I Miss the Most
2) Blues Beach
3) EMG
4) The Last Mall
5) Godwhacker
6) Reelin' In The Years
7) Pixeleen
8) Green Book
9) Slang of Ages
10) Lunch With Gina
I have no idea as to how many downloads of each but it's interesting that "Blues Beach" is still up there since it's been available longer than most of the other tracks on EMG. Then of course the title track could be downloaded a lot because of the appeal of being the title track. "Things I Miss the Most"--Is it really the most popular or the second song on the album (TLM was out for a while) so people start to download the album and stop (?????)
All speculation and trivia.
jim
Posted by: hoops, Oops...forgot.
I also took a pass on the latest issue of "Uncut" which reviews EMG with 4 out of 5 stars but then says there's nothing memorable on the album, even thought Steely Dan is impeccable. Written by some guy named Ian MacDonald (Has he ever hung out here or on the Digest or something?). It's like all of 5 paragraphs and t'ain't worthe the $$$$, IMHO.
jim
Posted by: hoops, Another fine interview sighting. This time it's the July/August 2003 issue of "Performing Songwriter" which features "Five Minutes with Steely Dan." My favorite line is attributed to Fagen who says Steely Dan is often about "subverting the blues." I also dig how the call "Green Book" "noir-ish," "Pixleen" as "animé-flavored." And the arguably either the saddest or happiest quote (attributed to Walter): "...we throw away a lot of stuff. We have a lot of songs that we've deleted." And then Walter gives a really great explanation (get the interview). They also comment on classic jazz, Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell, and how they compose, not to mention some really hilarious remarks, as usual.
jim
Posted by: Bill/Pittsburgh, re: Herbie MannNew Orleans' OffBeat magazine did an interview with Herbie Mann around the time of this years' JazzFest. Excerpts were published in an online newsletter they send out. He said that critics hated him because he sold more records than serious jazz artists, and quipped that he was the Kenny G of the 60's. He did hire some hot sidemen, though, including a young Duane Allman on his classic tune/album Push Push.
Posted by: Dan Belcher, (Yes, that is my real name...)I've been into Steely Dan for a long while now in a little way. I grew up listening to classic rock, so I've heard Do It Again and Reelin' in the Years and other classic rock radio staple Steely Dan songs. However, I have never really liked their radio-friendly stuff as much. ;) Kid Charlemagne was the first SD song I really got into about three years ago. Throw Back the Little Ones was another one I really got into. After awhile, I started getting really into their jazz-rock sound. I'm currently cranking EMG in my car on a consistent basis (Man, who would have thought a Ford Focus would have that good of a stock sound system?). I've also managed to get my mom back into SD (She used to love Aja 'back in the day') and I've even gotten one of my friends to get her own copy of EMG. Things I Miss the Most is a brilliant song, and even the worst song on the album (Green Book) is good.
Posted by: Sly, CanadaSomeone in this digest wrote about Herbie Mann's death this week. He has done great things, but some of his records were not always interesting. But a lot of Steely Dan's guest musicians played with him (Steve Gadd for example). Someone remembers his version of "Do It Again" recorded in 1973 with his long time partner Pat Rebillot who played in "My rival" on "Gaucho"? Has he done other Steely Dan's song?
Posted by: ed b, @the airport somewhereHi,
check the link- Prophetic in a way?
http://money.cnn.com/2003/07/02/pf/yourhome/deadmalls/index.htm
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYYou can see Carlock a good solid 2 months of the year at the 55 Bar on Green St, he plays with Wayne Krantz on guitar and Tim Lefebrve on bass. It's all Krantz's music and they really kick it. It's all improvisation.
Posted by: normie, That drummer question doesn't take the first two SD albums into consideration, but sometimes those writers get a little overzealous. No biggie, whatever gives the new album more attention...
I got a chuckle out of some of the "complaints" people had (either here or at the yellow) about the lack of scorching guitar solos, Rainey on bass, etc. Jes' no pleasin' some folks! The only thing I miss on EMG is Cash Only Island, a dilemma easily solved on my in-the-car tape version - Wet Side Story, COI and EMG fill one side of a C-100 nicely, 2vN of course filling the other. Looking forward to the 24th!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, Hoops - Returning to the Piano Jazz appearance to review Mr. Carlock's chops. He fits the oldies, the classics, and, obviously the new stuff. He's got this "ssslllaaaapp" thing going on.
Posted by: hoops, Just picked up the August 2003 issue of "Modern Drummer" and Keith Carlock is the cover story. Have just skimmed it so far but very, very tasty article with an inset with comments on Carlock by Becker, Fagen and Wayne Krantz.
The cover says: KEITH CARLOCK: STEELY DAN'S RISING STAR
And then the intro on the Index pages says:
"Quick: Who's the only drummer to play on an entire Steely Dan album? Purdie? Porcaro? Nope, that would be this month's cover artist, the impossibly talented Keith Carlock. A star is born."
While skimming the article, found where they ask Carlock about his drumming on songs (including specifically about "Godwhacker") and working with B/F.
Awesome!
jim
Posted by: jw, baltimoreEVERYTHING MUST GO maintains the phenomenolly high standard of the recorded work of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. This includes 11 TRACKS OF WHACK, both Donald Fagen solo albums, and of course the great Steely Dan canon.
What can said that hasn't been said already. These guys truly deserve every accolade they receive. I pray that they continue to record.
A few thoughts about EVERYTHING MUST GO:
I probably listened to the album about 13 times (on the Steely Dan website utilizing broadband) before buying it on it's release date. Since then I've heard it about 25 more times. AJA and GAUCHO are my favorite Dan albums; not to detract from TWO AGAINST NATURE, ROYAL SCAM or any other Dan album, but I think it's worth mentioning that I like EMG even more than 2VN.
My favorite EMG tracks right now are:
1. the title track 2. Godwhacker 3. Green Book
(I'm reluctanct to mention favorite tracks, because I wouldn't want to detract from any of them)
I could discuss any one of the EMG tracks for hours.
I think what makes Steely Dan so great has to begin with the songwriting, particulary the music. the quality of the lyrics just enhance the excellence. the recording detail is a completely separate element that Becker and Fagen are masters of. I'ts great to have EVERTHING MUST GO. I hope they perform all of the tracks at the 08-27
show (Nissan Pavillion - Bristow, VA.)
per other postings I've seen, An "at the moment" non-Steely Dan favorite albums list:
Keith Jarrett Standards Vol. I
Keith Jarrett Standards Vol. II
Keith Jarrett Tribute
Pat Metheny/Ornette Coleman Song X
Miles Davis Kind Of Blue
Weather Report Night Passage
Carole King Tapestry
Paul Simon Graceland
Stevie Wonder Innervisions
Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Bruce Springsteen Born To Run
Genesis A Trick Of The Tail
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynCountdown To Ecstasy
1973
Around the same time that this album was released the great Chicago blues composer Willie Dixon was initiating a series of lawsuits against Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, which he would eventually of course win, for co-opting alot of his material and presenting it as Led Zeppelin originals. Dixon's suit was over music, not lyrics - however the name of a famous song he wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "The Killing Floor," shows up in Your Gold Teeth. This is noteworthy because another line from a great blues, by Joe Williams, is also in Your Gold Teeth- "There ain't nothin in Chicago for a monkey woman to do." (This paves the way for "Monkey In Your Soul".) On this album the Chick-As-Maneater in Steely Dan stories really starts to come out in full force.
The same love-whipped wimp that narrated Dirty Work, he who "foresees terrible trouble" but stays just the same, seems to be the narrator of Your Gold Teeth, as well: "Torture is the main attraction/I don't need that kind of action/You don't have to dance for me/I've seen your dance before." This kind of pessimism and disgust pervades the whole album, like cigarette smoke that gets in your clothes (the only exception is Bodhisattva). In 2003's Green Book we get notice that the babe there resembles the ultimate Chick-As-Maneater, the character from Robert Aldrich's film Kiss me Deadly, but it could just as well be here. The women in Razor Boy, The Boston Rag, My Old School, and Pearl Of The Quarter are all whores, if not by profession then by disposition and inclination. ("It was still September/When your daddy was quite surprised/to find you with the working girls/In the county jail." -Even her daddy knows she's a slut, but he at least expected her to make it through the semester before he'd have to deal with it.)
The loathing of LA that was begun in Reelin In The Years now is revved up full throttle in Show Biz Kids, of course, and Bodhisattva is also probably making fun of California-based themes as well. King of the World chronicles the aftermath of the Bomb, B&F's version of Dr. Strangelove. However, the continued exposition of the main SD themes are really what's important here - the automobile is starting to show its importance ("You were Lady Bayside/There was nothing that I could do/So I pointed my car/ Down 7th Avenue"); Christian imagery is carefully placed around the characters ("I met my baby/by the shrine of the martyr"); and we begin to be invited, more and more, to be flies on the wall around very intimate, painful, private conversations.
Etc.
Posted by: DACW , I personally dig the Art of Tea, Tiger in the Rain, Burchfield Nines Period...Franks always rides the edge on schmaltz, but Carlton, LiPuma, Sample, and clever songs put these over the top. Eggplant's pretty damn funny...sucker for those Latin beats as on Tiger...
The Objects to Passionfruit Period sounds like Steely Dan Sessionmen at the Manatee Bar to me. Great playing - sounds like they're glad to be away from a Dan album:
"Man, I just nailed that solo the first time on that Dan song...then Donald made me play it again nine f**in' times...then they didn't even use it..."
"You think that was bad, Walter made me play to some "clicks" What was that!?
maybe it's just me but there are about 4 albums that should have been 2 or 3...the songs and production getting a bit too clichéd and early smooth jazz...the song Baseball is pretty good...
Skin Dive for a fake everthing 80s production album's not bad, and Your Secret's Safe with Me was an unexpected hit.
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoPaul Revere's horse was called Brown Beauty.
Posted by: Shaun, BostonMichael Franks best? "The Art of Tea"!
I always loved this one. It's basically Franks being backed up the Crusaders. Not a bad band to have executing your tunes.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI always thought the best Michael Franks albums were Objects of Desire, One Bad Habit, Passion Fruit and Skin Dive. Does anybody know the name of Paul Revere's horse?
Posted by: duncan, dbreview from Dotmusic.
http://www.dotmusic.com/reviews/Albums/June2003/reviews29737.asp
Steely Dan
'EVERYTHING MUST GO'
Released on Mon 9 Jun 2003
Label : WEA
Download Steely Dan
When they reach a certain age, it seems as if American authors are duty-bound to take a shot at the Great American Novel. A wise, satirical, incisive, covertly
passionate examination of how their nation works, where it's going, why it may be falling apart. Most of the time, though, their ambition defeats the vision, their
magnum opuses hamstrung by the terrible obligation to be a magnum opus.
If only they could measure the iniquities of America with such grace and precision as Steely Dan. 'Everything Must Go' offers most of what we want from a
intelligent doorstop, with the bonus of some spectacularly good music. It's a record to get lost in, one that constantly surprises with its apparently infinite
number of hidden harmonies and wry asides. Like the best books, it improves with each study. And unlike, say, DeLillo's 'Underworld', it only takes 42 minutes
to get through.
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's ninth album together, 'Everything Must Go' is something of a rush-job by Steely Dan standards, having taken only a measly
year to record. Not that you can tell, of course. This is breathtakingly elaborate music, a scientific experiment in examining every possibility of the perfect
groove, then making the whole process sound effortless. As ever with Steely Dan, it's not the sort of thing, post-punk, we're meant to admire: those jazz
moves translated into silky adult rock; the way the session musicians and the battalions of engineers ensure every last sound on 'Everything Must Go' is quite,
quite flawless.
But this is what Steely Dan do - subvert our ideas about music, and America, and the ridiculous anxieties of the male menopause. Yes it's hard to explain, in a
world where the rawness of The White Stripes or the futurism of The Aphex Twin are so justifiably eulogised, quite why the systematic whiteboy funk of 'Blues
Beach' is quite so seductive. Essentially, Steely Dan 'swing', and sound more aspirationally luxurious than even Jay-Z could ever imagine, but then undercut
every pristine riff with the blackest lyrical ironies.
So 'Things I Miss The Most' sees Fagen brilliantly playing the divorcé who can't quite decide what is the greatest loss - love, sex, or the Audi TT. And so 'Slang
Of Ages' finds Becker - in his first lead vocal for the Dan - as a middle-aged creep trying to pull a young girl, juxtaposing the hipster argot of his youth with
increasingly excruciating attempts to speak her language. The moment when he drawls, "These tabs look iffy, you say they're good? Let's roll with the homies
and knock on wood," ranks as one the most perceptively embarrassing moments in recent rock history - Roth or Updike, you feel, would be proud.
We could go on for hours, days maybe. About how 'The Last Mall' and the title track wryly present American corporate excess as initiating, then struggling to
cope with, the prospect of Armageddon. About how loss - of youth, love, property, dignity, security and, potentially, life - pervades most everything here.
About how the stunning liquid tunes surpass 2000's reunion disc 'Two Against Nature', recall Fagen's brilliant solo debut from 1982, 'The Nightfly', and are
frequently a match for Steely Dan's revered '70s heyday. For here are a band uncommonly suited to the cynicism, awkward passions and elevated tastes of
middle-age. And like the best writers who are their true peers, it's hard to imagine Becker and Fagen doing anything but improve with age.
John Mulvey
Posted by: Lee, Washington PostingI sent an email to the Washington Post writer, got a reply, and then replied to him. Below are the emails in chronological order.
I listened once and thought, "Well, that's enough of that."
Mr. Segal,
THAT is the problem! I guarantee that if you give it about 5 or 6 more spins you will love it. Their music is too complex for it to sufficiently register in the brain after only one or two listenings. I am a long time fan and after a couple of times listening to it, I thought what you did. I now think that it is just a shade below Aja, and that is obviously saying a lot!
Lee
Hey,
I've gotten a few messages about this on-line comment of mine about Steely Dan, all in the past few hours. What happened? Where did you read what I'd written?
I appreciate your letter, and those of others who echo your sentiments. I will give the album more time and more listens.
Thanks for the suggestion,
David
Thanks for the quick reply. It was on a Steely Dan fan site that has a "guestbook" where people post comments about the Dan. Go to:
http://www.dandom.com/guestbook/
Then scroll down to the post by "fezo", date and time listed below.
Thurs, July 03, 2003, 09:58:30 ET
I'd like to expand my earlier comments. I had been given the Aja album as a gift soon after it came out. I listened a couple of times and was unimpressed. A few years later I was seeing a woman who was a singer, and she played Aja quite a few times while I was in her apartment. I was a captive audience and after 7 or 8 listenings, I was blown away, not only by the quality of the album, but also by the fact that I had rejected it earlier. I then bought several more of their albums, and each time it took many listenings to "get it". After the Gaucho album, it took a few years for any of their new material to come out. First it was The Nightfly, by Fagen (by the way, this album truly is sonic perfection, maybe my favorite album of all time). Then it was Becker's 11 Tracks of Whack (took a huge amount of time to "get it", but it is a well kept secret nugget of gold), Fagen's Kamakiriad, Two Against Nature, and now Everything Must Go. Due to the intervening time, I had forgotten that it took repeated listenings to fully appreciate their music, and sure enough, The Nightfly came out and I was at first unimpressed. Then a friend whom I had turned on to the Dan told me how great it was and reminded me about my "multi-listening postulate". Sure enough, I loved it when I gave it a chance. I have thought quite a bit about this phenomena and came to believe, as I wrote earlier, that there are so many layers and elements within their music, that the brain cannot readily process all of it to the point of real comprehension. Now that I am so ever-cognizant of the time it takes to appreciate their music, I knowingly slogged through the discovery process of EMG (not THAT much, I find this to be maybe their most accessible album), finding it to be a true gem. I firmly believe that if you listen to it 10 to 12 times, you will be totally blown away and will find it to be more than well worth the effort. Let me know.
Lee
Posted by: DACW , Don:
The playing on Elegant Gypsy is superb, but the songs are a little too Lounge for my tastes...I much prefer the Jobim influenced Tiger in the Rain and Abandoned Garden...
Posted by: DACW , SF: Sonically, Machine Gun Ibiza reminds me of EMG, when both are played loud... Danny Wilson may sound a bit more like SD, but Sprout It's all good (including Two Wheels) from 1985-1990...they were the premiere pop band of the Dark Ages of Steely Dan... I'm kinda partial to From Langley Park to Memphis (which may be best vinyl engineering I've heard - by Thomas Dolby)...good Springsteen putdown...Venus of the Soup Kitchen and Nancy are really wierd and weird is good...also tasty harmonica by Stevie Wonder on Nightingales...Andromeda Height is underrated from the 90s... just can't get into Sprout's or McAloon's last releases though...
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoRob,
Convential wisdom among the Michael Franks fans I know (and there are more than a few) is that SLEEPING GYPSY is the desert island MF disc -- for songwriting, groove, solos, arrangements, overall mood. Claus Ogerman's string charts alone are worth the price. Same year as AJA, and it sounds it.
db
Posted by: Theolonious, Mondo, MontanaI find it highly revelaing to see what othev DanFans listen to beside the boys. It's both psycholigically revelaing and a clear demonstration of advanced synaptal wiring architectures and efficiencies...
My Top 10 non-Dan (and it is tough not to include at least four SD tunes in this list)...
1. Close to the Edge - Yes
2. Kind of Blue - Miles
3. Take Five - Brubeck
4. From the Beginning - ELP
5. I talk to the Wind - King Crimson
6. Lovely Day - Bill Withers
7. Summer - War
8. God Bless the Child - Billie Holiday
9. Girl From Ipenama - Jobim
10. Pop Classic! Smoke From a Distant Fire - Sanford Townsend Band or Take me to the Pilot - Elton John
11. Movin' to Montana - Frank Zappa
Shit I forgot Louis Armstrong and the Duke.
Yikes, I'm a mess!
See ya at the shows...
Posted by: steelyfan, DACW: Machine Gun Ibiza rocks, but I'll put most of "Two Wheels Good" over "Jordan" any day...Prefab Sprout is actually the band I liken most to Steely Dan, not necessarily musically, but in terms of songwriting craft, production, and quality.
Posted by: Rob, San FranI've always kind of liked Michael Franks when I've heard his stuff on the radio. And with all the talk about him on this board I decided today to buy one of his earlier albums "Burchfield Nines" (1978).
I really like it so far, after hearing it once all the way through. It doesn't have that Steely Dan edge of course, but does have great clever lyrics and lots of tasty Rhodes piano and electric guitar chops. And besides, it's arranged and conducted by one of my favorite musical figures of all time, Eumir Deodato. So far my faves are "When the Cookie Jar Is Empty" and "Dear Little Nightengale". Further listenings will change things though, I'm sure.
I will definitely get more of his stuff. Iguess next on my list should be "Art of Tea" and "Gypsy". Any further wisdom on this matter would be appreciated.
-Rob
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynCan't Buy A Thrill (1972)
Surely the first thing that comes to mind after perusing the lyrics of this album is, "Wow, not a single love song on it." This statement by omission still holds true in 2003 - not a love song in sight. While I have never seen any kind of statistic on the subject, I would presume 90% or more of songs in popular music are about love and romance - the absence of it, then, is some kind of silent comment. On who or what remains to be investigated.
Both musically and lyrically, this album is in search of a voice. The album is very influenced by the popular rock music of the period (both the Beatles and the Stones were experimenting with the sitar around this time, and that influence is heard here) in a way that Steely Dan's later work will not be (listening to 2VN or EMG, you would have no clue that rap music even existed. The 20 years between Gaucho and 2VN gave birth to nothing new). However, lyrically, most of the major themes that the later work will flush out in full are already solidly established here.
The very first tune introduces a character that will torment Steely Dan's male characters forever, the Chick-As-Maneater. Here, still new to us, she requires a little introduction ("Then you love a little wild one/and she brings you only sorrow/all the time you know she's smilin/you'll be on your knees tomorrow"). 28 years later this same lady will still be around, having morphed into "Her reptile brain...locked down and ready in combat mode." Incredibly, she turns up again in the very next song, but there she is not the most interesting character - it's here that we first meet the Steely Dan Hero. The SD hero is the dude with the heart of gold among the losers. It takes five albums to bring out his character completely, but by the time Aja and Gaucho roll around he's not only clearly recognizable by his behavior but he actually has the same lines in different songs ("I'm the one" is lifted verbatim from Black Cow and dropped into "Glamour Profession.").
Other themes tentatively explored here include word play - "Felonius" in Midnite Cruiser might be the adjective felonious, it might be Thelonius (Monk) mispronounced, or it might be a guy really named Felonius. The loathing of the LA scene that is to follow in Show
Biz Kids and others is tentatively worked on here ("the trip we made to Hollywood/is etched upon my mind.")
Etc.
Posted by: wormy, new orleansThings I Miss The Most
I love the melancholy of this song
It even has that nearly quiet apologetic opening stanza
like someone who's world has come crashing down and is resolved to resignation while everything else is busy around them
obviously the big divorce - and the world is oblivious
"I don't mind the quiet
Or the lonely nights
I don't miss the funky attitudes
And I don't miss the fights
I lie on the couch 'till suppertime
And hunker down and read the Post
And that's when I remember the things I miss the most"
our protagonist looks backwards to fill his void
he doesn't mind the empty house, the isolation
but he realizes there was a lot of strife he could gladly have done without
his old companion's qwirks are obvious - but he isn't having to deal with them now, so fond reminisence sets it
he's got more time on his hands, and nobody placing demands on him
hence the relaxed spiraling pace to dinnertime
the paper harkens to leisurely sunday mornings with old beau
"The talk
The sex
Somebody to trust
The Audi TT
The house on the Vineyard
The house on the gulf coast
These are the things I miss the most"
love this chorus
sparse, direct (maybe too direct)
he longs for the positive things she brought him
and misses that core element of trust fundamental to it all
then things digress to the adult toy chest
materialism ala mode
cars and houses - big ticket items
my take is he married into bigger money and prestige
and those things stayed in the family
enjoyed Dr Mu and Angel's Kennedy correlation
but I prefer it more vague
"I kinda like frying up
My sad cuisine
Gettin' in bed and curling up with a girlie magazine
But sometimes in the corner of my eye
I see that adorable ghost
And then ba-boom I remember the things I miss the most"
dinner for 1 - sad cuisine
probably an easy stir fry - doesn't feel the effort to cook (espec for 1)
girlie mag - his ex's old evening reading material
Martha Stewart or Cosmo? reminding him of her abscence
(the Heff and Larry Flynt end doesn't work here
it's less the physical than the emotional)
adorable ghost - his departed love
ba-boom - a honeymooner "I got it" moment
"The talk
The sex
Somebody to trust
The comfy Eames chair
The good copper pans
The '54 Strat
These are the things I miss the most"
second chorus strays to the exotic materilistic
thy shalt covet
Eames was an expensive designer 60's chair
the strat priceless and again acquired with ex's abounding affluence
and stays in the family
(he can't be taken to the cleaners when they weren't his to begin with)
the tit for tat of divorce possessions is all in her favor here
"I had a little birdy friend
By morning she was gone
Birdy good-bye
Birdy bye-bye"
a non fullfilling aquaintance
younger, none of the sophistication of his former spouse
she sees the state he's in and is quickly out of there
he sees the meaninglessness of the encounter
"I'm learning how to meditate
So far so good
I'm building the Andrea Doria out of balsa wood
The days really don't last forever
But it's getting pretty damn close
And that's when I remember the things I miss the most"
self help 101 - get in touch with one's real self
that guy you lost in the relationship
a project will keep me busy
the irony - cheap balsa and a tragic leasure liner
a freudian mirror of his less plush surroundings and sinking esteem
brilliant
just love the next line's double innuendo
days don't last forever - meaning that relationship is gone
but they do drag on too long - my current painfully dreadful situation
timtm - the what a shame about me of EMG
a ghost of his former self
self absorbed,longing for that good life
not the more substaintial things that might make it truly significant
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynRespectfully not. I think WB is much more comfortable producing Lost Tribe. The guys from Lost Tribe are all over 11TOW, no? Ben Perowsky, Adam Rogers, and might I even go so far as to suggest that you hear a shift in WB's bass playing on EMG and the influence of Fima Ephron is very apparent? Or that may be conjecture, as I am trying on my Paul Revere suit for the 4th of July play tomorrow and can't concentrate 100%.
Posted by: , oh yeah # 14 Vincent's Ear - Michael Franks
Posted by: DACW , Peter Q: All I Need and especially Vincent's Ear are the highlight of Becker's (non-Dan)producing career IMO...really raised the bar for Franks from cheesy, spry jazz...
in fact, I'll put Vincent's Ear in My Top 13 no Dan:
Machine Gun Ibiza - Prefab Sprout
Creepin' - Stevie Wonder
Escapade - Joe Henderson (the sax player, not the singer)
Steamtrain to the Milky Way - Danny Wilson
Flamenco Sketches (alternate take) - Miles Davis
Something - The Beatles
Nails in My Feet - Crowded House
Boxing - Ben Folds Five
There's a Light - Doobie Brothers
Stone Love - Branford Marsalis
Gentleman in New York - Sting (except for the stupid drum solo)
Lucky Guy - Rickie Lee Jones
(tie) Oliver's Army/Satellite - Elvis Costello
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHey Clean, is that the Son Seals album with Frigidaire Woman?
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Hey Mr. Clean: You're right, of course, a SD should only be a SD show, you are the voice of reason, darn it. Rainbow Bridge, yes.
Posted by: Kid Clean, Finally in some air conditioning
Top ten albums - not in ranking order -
Bird & Diz - Parker & Gillespie
The Joshua Tree - U2
Three of a Perfect Pair - King Crimson
Misplaced Childhood - Marillion
Total Evaporation - The Radiators
The Summit - Live in Chicago '63 - The Rat Pack (Frank, Dean & Sammy)
The Son Seals Blues Band - The Son Seals Blues Band
Rainbow Bridge - Jimi Hendrix
Bad Influence - The Robert Cray Band
Last Splash - The Breeders
This will change a little here and there, but they are always close at hand.
KC
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.I emailed that mega-moron reviewer from the Washington Post, thanks Shaun and fezo, here it is (I had to keep it high in tone):
"Your estimation of Steely Dan's latest as "longe-y, frothy...lacks much power" appalled me. Quite apart from perhaps not enjoying the brilliant, "Everything Must Go", it reveals a paucity of 20th musical knowledge. As to your unfortunate choice of "lounge-y", I can't fathom what you might mean by that. I suspect, neither can you."
I left out the expletives. So there.
Posted by: gypsyqueeninafairytale, Top 10 non-Dan songs...TODAY,that is!
Prince-Adore
Lyn Leon feat.Carolyn Leonhart-Would You Catch Me
Laura Nyro-Luckie
Stevie Wonder-Smile Please
Marvin Gaye-Inner City Blues
James Brown-Mother Popcorn
Stevie Nicks-Stand Back
Ohio Players-Sweet Sticky Thing
Flora Purim-500 Miles High
Smokey Robinson-I Second That Emotion
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynIsn't Book of Liars on the live CD? Even Walter started calling it the concession stand tune.
Posted by: h, My friend Mike Moore gets the record sales stats and he passed along the following for whatever
edification it might bring you.
EMG (noted earlier as coming in at #49 on the "Billboard" charts) scanned 24,712 copies in the past week for a total of 154,866 copies scanned so far.
Also Michael McDonald's excellent album of classic Motown covers (on the Motown label) debuted at # 78, scanning 14,364 copies.
Posted by: Kid Clean,
Hoops, you kill me sometimes!!!
KC
Happy Birthday America!
Posted by: Kid Clean, The Equator
Raj - I, for one, hope they keep it similar to the 2k tour, all Steely Dan all the time. Don't get me wrong, I love all 3 solo lp's and I just picked up the Kama DVD-A today, but if I'm only getting 2 hours of music, I'd rather hear all Dan tunes. Call it, truth in advertising. I seem to recall on the 90's tours they intro'd the band as the Steely Dan Orchestra and they didn't do that in 2k. There's still enough Dan in the hopper that we haven't heard live yet before they start mixing in the solo stuff. All of this is still imho.
Working on non-Dan songs/albums list....ooooohhh thought provoking. Some interesting choices so far.
KC
36 days till Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: hoops, Top 10 *non*-SD songs of the moment?
I don't understand.
Happy 4th, Americains.
jim
Posted by: dbeefy, what a beautiful world this will beWhat a good idea. Here's mine, at the moment, songs likely to change from day to day but artists pretty much the same..
aimee mann - wise up
husker du - eiffel tower high
stone roses - I am the resurrection
Bob Mould/Sugar - If I can't change your mind
Elvis Costello & Burt Bacherach - God give me strength
Zappa - Camarillo Brillo
Ben Folds Five - selfless, Cold and Composed
Barry Adamson - Something wicked this way comes
Goblin - Profondo Rosso (movie soundtrack)
Whitehouse - Cruise (force the truth)
I know another game. Why not pick somebody's list and a track/artist you've never heard (of) , and download an mp3 from 'somewhere'..
db
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynBecker actually produced some of Blue Pacific, he didn't gel well with Michael's style.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHey Don - Michael is the only guy I know who can consistently get a better lineup of jazz players for his albums than SD.
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoTop 10 Non-Dan Albums (songs is too hard) in no particular order:
Frank Sinatra "Ring a Ding Ding" (1960) Reprise
Frank Sinatra "Sinatra's Swingin' Session" (1960) Capitol
Antonio Carlos Jobim "Stone Flower" (1970) CTI
Astrud Gilberto "Gilberto With Turrentine" (1970) CTI
Quincy Jones "Birth of a Band" (1959) Emarcy
Cannonball Adderley/Bill Evans "Know What I Mean?" (1961) Riverside
Bill Evans "From Left to Right" (1970) MGM
John Coltrane "My Favorite Things" (1961) Atlantic
Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" (1959) Columbia
Eumir Deodato "Skyscrapers" (1973) Ubatuqui
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoHey Peter Q,
If you haven't already, check out some pre-MIDI Michael Franks, specifically the SLEEPING GYPSY album: produced by Tommy LiPuma, sidemen include Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, David Sanborn and John Guerin.
Don
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynList -
Maxwell, Each Hour Each Day Each Second
Thin Lizzy, Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed
Heather Headley - anything - girlfren rules!
Tony Williams, Geo Rose
McCoy Tyner, Atlantis
Bill Evans (sax not piano), Coravallis
Mike Stern, Another Way Around
Lee Morgan, Cornbread
Chet Baker, The Italian Sessions
Michael Franks, Read My Lips
Posted by: Da Bill, Haven't MovedOpps... The correct Date is Sep 13
Posted by: Da Bill, 1600 Miles East of HollywoodHere is a link to register for tickets to Roseland on Sep 18. This may be on other clear channel stations web sites too.
http://www.classicsdujour.com/artist.php?id=steelydan&PHPSESSID=856d5f2cd6d6cc80a787728afc8f7614
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoOkay, I'm dumb. A couple weeks ago I was having trouble dowloading part 2 of the interview from KMTT.com radio of Donald and Walter. In fact, I couldn't hear it al all. Then somebody on this board told me how to do it, via an e-mail. Then I accidentally deleted the e-mail. Can anyone help? It's such a great funny interview that I want to tape it for future listening. And this time I promise not to delete my e-mail.
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoTop 10 non-Dan songs (this is tough!):
We Belong Together / Rickie Lee Jones
American Tune / Paul Simon
Until You Come Back to Me / Aretha Franklin
In France They Kiss on Main Street (live) / Joni Mitchell
What's Going On / Marvin Gaye
A Day in the Life / Beatles
First Circle / Pat Metheny Group
Time / Tom Waits
Alice Childress / Ben Folds Five
Amity Gardens / Fountains of Wayne
GOD, I love making lists...
Posted by: Shaun, bRajah- Check out Fezo's last post below for the Washington Post review.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI always thought the best song on Bridge of Sighs was About To Begin - smooth, hot, sexy, what innuendo in the title!
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoThe guy who says that EMG is "lounge-y" and lacks power needs to listen to "Lunch with Gina" again. The chorus where Donald sings "like meat on the bone" as well as the instrumental solo section have a ton of energy.
And what about "The Last Mall"? Lots of horns, and Donald practically giving himself a hernia on the line "Roll your cart back up the aisle". This are not the sounds of 2 guys playing checkers in a rest home.
But who cares what critics think anyway? This new record rocks. period.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Remind me in brief Shaun, what did the reviewer guy say?
Posted by: Shaun, BostonOk...Re: The Washington Post review. That guy David Seagal is a moron! I think everyone that posts here should let him know that.
segald@washpost.com
Go ahead...make his day (I already did!)
Posted by: dbeefy, see how they roll"Lacks much power" - now I'm using power in the 'rock' sense of the word; in my humble opinion, I've never looked to the Dan for power. That's probably what the new Metallica is 'for'. Having said that, two of the biggest whacks of emotion ever delivered by music for me have been Rose Darling and Gaucho (the track). Pixeleen finally clicked for me about a week ago with similar effect.
Cool. Grooves. Sophistication. Lyrics that can stand up to much entertaining deconstruction (you know who you are:) , Expertly crafted songs.. just some of the things I love about SD...
Posted by: Man with no face, I fell in love with "Do it again" and "Reeling in the years (sheaves)." I was twelve or thirteen. I grew up listening to my dad's jazz collection, a lot of latin, A&M pop jazz (I still put Brasil '66 in from time to time), big band, dixieland (Jonah Jones), and more out stuff like Monk. There was of course a lot of AOR radio and rock 'n' roll. Thru high school, my friends and I anxiously awaited each new Dan release. Rikki held a special place because of a girl. Got into fusion via Zappa. I remember wondering "who is Eric Dolphy, and why does he have a memorial barbeque?" and also "who is Zawinul and why does he have lava?" (Brian Eno). I went out and bought a bunch of jazz records and fusion records. Fell totally in love with Ornette and Sun Ra and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. I wore the grooves out of my copy of Aja freshman year of college.
Posted by: Russ, ouch again... EMG crashes down to #49 on this weeks' Billboard magazine albums chartt
Posted by: fezo, ouchFrom yesterday's online chat with the Washington Post's main music critic:
"Orange, Virginia: Heard the new Steely Dan yet? I know somebody else from the Post has reviewed it and liked it, but was curious about your opinion cause you've said in the past that you were a big fan of their '70's stuff. My own take: a lot more musical energy than their Grammy award winning comeback disc, but the lyrics--as well as Fagen's vocal--seem strangely muted. Like the market bust and 9/11 have somehow managed to stifle the sordid spirit that usually soars through their words.
David Segal: I just think it's way too light jazzy for me. These guys are pretty old and they're making music that fits their age: it's very lounge-y and very frothy and lacks much power, far as I'm concerned. I listened once and thought, "Well, that's enough of that."
Posted by: Peg, Live or Memorex? You decideAw, Gretchen Lu, what a great thing Bridge of Sighs is. I will never forget going to see Robin Trower live and hearing them play that song......I used to play that album over a lot!
Damn, what a great interview of Don and Walt is in the newest issue of Performing Songwriter. (It has Trey the Phish dude on its cover.) Hilarious. Enlightening. And it ends with Donald talking about heroin, and that is all I will say. Get it, now. And you, too, may want to start trying to change the mushy lyrics to old standards from jazz's catalog of chestnuts.
Some more thoughts about EMG. When I play it now I skip the first 3 songs and that is that. I just cannot get into them nearly as much as the remainder of the CD. As per godwhacker, it does not offend me in the least, and I'm a very flamin' (but unreligious) Christian...I think it's the religious folks who might be offended...What a wonderful job they did putting this album together, and are there any guesses out there in Dandom as to which ones off EMG they will play live?
A quick list to respond to Gretchen Lu...These have been thought of real quick and like everyone else who makes lists, I will remember something I like better as soon as I have posted this, I am sure!
Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
Piano concerto in C -- both by Mozart
So What (Miles Davis)
Empty Pages (Traffic)
Sultan's Boogie (Scott Henderson)
With Or Without You (U2)
Boogie On Reggae Woman plus ALL of 'Songs in Key of Life' album (Stevie Wonder)
Don't Bother With The Local Girls (actually, entire 'Squeezin' Out Sparks' album by Graham Parker)
Once in a LIfetime (live version, Talking Heads)
Moose the Mooch plus tons other Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie old recordings...
Posted by: Gretchen Lu, CTI agree with FEZ's idea that we girls who attend the concerts should all dress as our favorite Dan Chick. My personal favorite is Aja - God, would I love to show up in my interpretation of her! Good idea for a Danfest event, too. Josie would be a hoot, too, and might I suggest prizes for the best Kathy Berberian imitation!
On a curious note, I was wondering what others' top 10 favorite non Dan songs are. Would be interesting to compare notes. Mine are as follows, but not necessarily in this order:
Rock On - David Essex
I'd Love to Change the World - Ten Years After
Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
I'm On Fire - Dwight Twilley Band (Yes, I'm serious!)
Overture from "Carmen"
Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John
Too High - Stevie Wonder
Can't Find My Way Home - Blind Faith
How Can I Be Sure - Rascals
Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth. How can we not love Don and Walt? Any guys musing about an Eames chair have to have one hell of a bizarro sense of humor. Le Corbusier, anyone?
Posted by: wormy, new orleanshank - I hedged my bets and said enron like or a dot.com extension
yes the opening instrumental part is symbollic much like the sqwock box on Haitian Divorce is the passion filled couple arguing
this is not the only such case on EMG
the trading fours on Green Book give me the impression of either an exchange between new acquaintences talking all over the map about diverse subjects to impress and find common ground
or
cyber inputs from two males trying to get the undivided attention of one female participant
there are a few more fun musical imagery nuances on the disc as well
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Let's all take a deep, cleansing breath.....there, and ponder the musical questions, will D&W do any songs from any of their solo efforts? Could we, or should we, hear a SD renditions of "Florida Room" or "Walk Between the Raindrops" or "IGY" or "Green Flower Street".
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynRe: Fugazy Fugazy was a notorious NY car dealer who ripped off consumers for many years with unscrupulous business practices and was eventually closed by the state A/G's office. The term entered the vernacular like Catch-22.
Posted by: Yowie!, It's Connie Lee Clas- I believe the main reason Hoop's started The Blue Book was because of you! You fucked up St.Al's guestbook so much the "hardcore" fans needed a place to post without assholes like you coming in to mess it all up.
Hoop's- Good Job! Two down (Bill & Clas) hopefully not to many more to go.
Posted by: Joey, " 2nd: Joey: When you are listening to the 5.1 mix, there's not much to do except peruse the jewel case and liner notes. I find it funny how you seem to be the person on this list that contributes the least to the Dan discussions. You may have supplanted Clas for that honor. How are you liking EMG? "
Thanks for asking my Brother ........................
The album itself now rates a solid A- for me . It's Blues Based appeal raises immediate comparisons to The Rolling Stones ' " Exile on Main Street " which , as you all know , has -- over time -- gone on to be considered as THAT Band's Masterpiece ( yet , it is their least selling album ever ....go figure .)
I am still in the process of Digesting and will regurgitate and promulgate a prodigious tome here on this most beloved of message boards soon . Until then , THIS :
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJOEY !
Posted by: hoops, Clas,
Stay the fuck off of here. You come on here, even flaming yourself as anon for the sake of starting a bigger argument and worse. And then you post some intelligent stuff to make yourself look OK After the kinda low-life shit you post here, I don't care how brilliant your other posts about "Pixeleen" or anything are, you're not welcome here.
Posted by: Peace, Anthony's bar and grillRIP
Herbie Mann died today.
He was a wonderful musician.
Cordially,
Mr. Lapage.
Posted by: LAPAGE, MOTOWNYES SH.
i WILL BE THERE ROW KK. CENTER.
DETROIT HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN AS ONE OF THE BEST CROWDS EVER. PEOPLE ARE ON THEIR FEET FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE SHOW UNTIL THE ENCORE.
..NOT TO MENTION THE BOOZE IS ALWAYS FLOWIN' AT THE VIP LOUNGE.
ENJOY.
C YA THERE
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHal Galper, Phil Woods' pianist for many years, who may have set B&F up with Phil for Dr. Wu. Anyway, the point I was wanting to make: Zawinul's style and interests would never gel with SD's; Feldman's was perfect for it.
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoPeter Q.
I've confirmed that it was Zawinul who replaced Feldman in Cannonball's band around 1963. Zawinul did in fact leave around 1970 for Weather Report. The piano spot in Cannonball's band was never really "fixed" after 1970, rotating between George Duke, Gal Halper, and Michael Wolff until Cannonball's death in 1975.
Victor Feldman was such an interesting end ever-present person in the jazz, rock, and pop music world for a long time. Not only was he a great pianist but played great percussion and he even arranged several Steely Dan tunes with the cooperation of DF and WB for Woody Herman's big band in 1974. Just a great all-around musician.
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoPeter Q:
I would agree that Shorter's solo on Aja was more similar to his earlier 60's work. I wasn't actually trying to establish a connection between his playing on the 2 different records (and 2 different saxophones), but to give a history of where the "Bitches Brew" session players ended up after 1970.
Am I mistaken but didn't Joe Zawinul replace Victor Feldman in Cannonball's band around 1963, not the other way around? I don't know who took over Adderley's band's piano post after Zawinul left, but I suspect it was vacated by around 1970 since Zawinul had moved on to Weather report. I may look this up.
I think it's so cool that Feldman played both with Cannonball Adderly as well as Steely Dan. It just shows you how open minded DF and WB are and how genuinely they wanted a genuine jazz influence in their recordings.
-Rob
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynAnd of course Jim Beard, who plays with any number of the Steely Dan alumni, played with both Shorter and McLaughlin for many years. I know people think Steely Dan has a sense of humor but believe me, until you've heard Beard's album Truly you may not have heard humor in jazz. And how Herington plays on it!!!!!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Everyone - Rave on you sleek and soulful cyberJazz freaks! So fine.
Posted by: h, Oh yeah, forgot. What Buckmaster said was that "Bitches Brew" had BACH thing going! So of course, I went and bought a Bach compilation. I still didn't get BB. Hey, I'm trying. Maybe too hard.
jim
Posted by: hoops, Rob:
No need to apologize at all. That's what this place is all about Steely Dan and all things tangentially Dan--musically, humorously, trivially and more.
"Kind of Blue" is in my top 5 of all time (Amazing to think that it didn't go gold until about 5 years or so ago and now is something like double platinum), but "Bitches Brew" has always alluded me as to it's appeal. Through a strange set of circumstances, I had the opportunity to connect with cellist/orchestrator Paul Buckmaster who was in Miles Davis' circle at the time and loves the album. After discussing it with him, I STILL didn't connect with "Bitches Brew." Myabe sometime I will be in the right frame of mind. Some naysayers have said that Miles and other jazzers in the late 60s and 70s were trying too hard to catch up with the rock heavies of the time. I dunno. But apprciating the conversation here--hoping it gives me new insights.
jim
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynOr excuse me, more recalling of his late 50s work with Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, like Free For All, The Big Beat, Indestructible, albums like that (cf. Fagen's horn arrangements with these albums).
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHang on here a second...Joe Zawinul was replaced in Cannonball Adderly's group by Victor Feldman, whose style is much more in line with Steely Dan's than Zawinul's. Also Shorter's TENOR solo on Aja is not really recalling of the exclusive SOPRANO he plays in Weather Report but more of his early 60s work with Miles. Or not?
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoSorry to continue with Bitches Brew (although it is definitely Steely-Dan relevant), but you look at the personnel lineup on this record and where these guys all ended up within a year or 2. Then it becomes obvious how pivotal and infuential the record was:
Wayne Shorter (co-founded Weather Report plus the "Aja" apperance)
Joe Zawinul (co-founded Weather Report)
Herbie Hancock (Mwandishi Band and so much else)
Benny Maupin (Mwandishi Band)
John McLaughlin (Mahivishnu Ortchestra)
Chick Corea (founded Return to Forever)
Lenny White (Return to Forever)
Dave Holland (Circle, along with Corea)
Miles Davis (no comment necessary)
Harvey Brooks
Jack Dejonette (all over the place, others on this board have better info)
Don Alias
Jumma Santos
Out of a dozen or so members of the band on "Bitches Brew", about 2/3rd of them either founded, co-founded, or were charter members of major jazz/rock fusion bands within a year of the release of this record.
I would love to ask Donald and Walter what their thoughts are on this record, as it is directly related to the jazz-rock developments in music which they became a significant part of only 2 years later. I wouls guess the influence of "Bitches Brew" during their formative years must have been major, as it seems to have been for that entire generation of musicians.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Rob - that's why I agree with Walt who was quoted somewhere saying as he gets older, he finds young people are so unhip, so close-minded, and so adamant about their opinions. Amen. Dolphy is a freak but give it another try.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI find Dolphy to be more accessible than all the other free jazz players, especially Ornette or the later Coltrane, but that kind of jazz is not of a Steely Dan nature, especially funky electric bassists like Jamaladeen Tacuma. I don't believe I've ever heard either a soprano sax or a funky-ass, slapping style bassist on any Steely Dan tune. Dolphy woulda.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawarePrimarily the Aja album in college which I didn't own...lent to me by a friend who heard I bought Citizen SD and hadn't listened to it past Disc 1. I was nursing Disc 1 and he was like, "Man, if you like the Dan, you must listen to this." Primarily Black Cow and Home At Last got me. They are still at the top of my list of Dan songs.
DOE
Posted by: CrellMoset, "Kid Charlemagne" and "Sign In Stranger" when I was 13 . . . that was five years ago.
CrellMoset
Posted by: Rob, San FranciscoRajah-
It's unthinkable to me that an FM radio station would play any part of Bitches Brew. Most tracks on the album are over 10 minutes, and have little or no discernable melody to them. Now FM radio is the stomping ground of Brittany Spears etc. I guess radio really was different in 1970 (thank goodness). It's also hard to belive that Bitches Brew sold over 800,000 copies and went gold, which I read it did. I see it as such an experimental niche-type record for the hardcore music fan. But I guess in 1970 the average music listener was a lot more serious about acceptiong and appreciating less "accessible" music? I hope I'm not being too cynical here.
I have "Kind of Blue" (I assume everyone does), I have heard "Sketches of Spain" (wow), and have "Miles in the Sky" as well as "In A Silent Way" which I've really been enjoying lately and which prodded me to thake the plunge into "Bitches Brew." Eric Dolphy's "Out To Lunch" really turned me off when I heard it 7 or 8 years ago. Maybe I need to give it another shot now. Dolphy is so out there. He even has a record called "Way Out There", I believe.
Interesting how years of time and listening can make you appreciate things that you just didn't "get" before.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Do It Again and Dirty Work, Senior year in High School.
Posted by: sh,
I fell in love with the music of SD in 1972...geez...
I'm just growin' old...
What's cool is that I can still listen to all of it and still love it!
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Rob: Love the Davis. Bitches Brew was actually played by the early FM album oriented rock stations. Incredible and it couldn't happen today. How about the monumental, "Kind of Blue" and this one you'll like if you like BB so much, "Sketches of Spain" Great Sunday afternoon stuff. Miles later spun off into way out fusion and lost me. Ever listen to the very freaky Eric Dolphy's "Out to Lunch"? Sounds a lot like the atonal horns on the intro to Two Against Nature's title track, you know that squawking and squeeling? Nice.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynI think Wayne Shorter wails on soprano on both Bitches Brew & In A Silent Way...wonder why SD never uses a soprano solo?
Posted by: Bob, This just in from the "Paul Is Dead" Department:
I abbreviate "Everything Must Go" as EMG like most of you. Then just a few minutes ago, I started writing "GW" for "Godwacker." Hey.....GW!?! GW = G.W. = George W Bush!???? Let the conspiracy theories continue.
(Is this old news to everyone else? If so, sorry.)
Posted by: Rob Keil, San FranciscoOk, let's start a contest. I fell in love with "IGY" from "The Nightfly" when I was 13. Because I had pretty much no money to buy the record (and no turntable to play it on), I kept trying to make micro-cassette recordings of it off the radio with a cheap mini-boombox my dad gave me. Now I'm 34 And I still love the song over 20 years later. <But now I've got DVD-Audio :)>. That for me is one mark of great music, that you never get tired of it. And if you're lucky, it actually grows on you over time.
Speaking of which, has anyone on this board listened to Miles Davis "Bitches Brew" lately? I haven't heard it in 10 years. Back then I just couldn't deal with it. Too weird, too electric, too unstructured, I thought. I just bought it a couple days ago and can't stop listening to it. t's got incredible energy and breaks so many rules. It makes me think about music in a whole different way. I guess you could say it "opened up my head" on the words of DF and WB.
Now I'm mesmerised by a record which I couldn't even get through 10 years ago. Hopefully that means I'm getting somewhere in my appreciation of music.
Posted by: Bob, I remember Walter and Donald bashing Neil Young in an interview for his comments that CDs suck.
Posted by: dbeefy, relaxing at CamarilloGo for it David, I was listening to the Dan when I was 15...
db
Posted by: sh,
Mr LaPage - yep, i'll be at the Detroit show at DTE (i still wanna call it Pine Knob)
you going?
Posted by: Randy, Northern NJ / USA
Some Neil Young news for those who may be interested:
http://hometown.aol.com/nightfly62/PAGETWO.html
Randy / NIGHTFLY**@aol.com
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Oops, sorry, Lee, the kid is David.
Posted by: dbeefy, drink scotch whisky all night longStealing Dan (and Don) played a great 2-hour set last night in London.. they get several thumbs up from this reviewer, who had partaken of much Stella Artois during the gig.
Highlights for me included Dirty Work, Throw Back the little ones and Parker's Band. Danfans in this part of the world are advised to check 'em out ..
And apologies are hereby offered for shouting 'My old School' at various times in the second half :)
db
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Peter and Duke: nice fight, who won? Seriously, I liked it. See, we CAN fight and not go too far here at the begining of the end. I think I'm leaning towards the Duke although I enjoy Peter's passionate ravings, must say. There's 16 year old kid in here, is it Lee? Why aren't you listening to Staind and such? So tell us why you listen to SD, is it just your Dad's influence, does he force you to listen, cause we could probably have him thrown in the pokey for that. My daughter and son-in-law law HATE SD. They think it's elevator music - dummies - and that the lyrics are WAY TOO clever for their own good. SD is just a couple of aging geeks who think they are still relevant. I bet you dollars to doughnuts when they get a little older they'll by listening to SD and Frank. They love those Beatles, though. But who cares what they think. Dummies.
Lee, Godwhacker is about getting rid of God, who, in this case is the god of the "people of the book", the Jews, Christians and - wait for it - Muslims. Yup we all have that same old book. Only everybody has twisted it to their own way of thinking by now and, particularly in the case of one of these groups (although all three groups do it to varying degrees), is actually using it to brainwash their otherwise regular nice people, like nice people everywhere, into doing terrible things. Things so terrible that our boys wrote this song and in it they create this team of superhero-type folks who call themselves the Godwhackers made up of, oh, our narrator, Lucifer (slinky Redfoot is also part Walter cause on this album he's slinkin' around the gee-tar) and a few female fallen angels. Who is our narrator you ask, well he's either Donald Fagen or Satan, who, come to think of it, are closer in personality than anybody would have guessed. Is getting rid of God a good thing? My feeling: God can stay. But the religions humankind have created and the fictionalized god we've created over about 3000 years gotta go. Cause they're mangled beyond repair. Can't fix it, too old, can't get parts, keeps breaking down. Like the hoopty car you'll probably be driving soon. All of it, everything must go. So, for me, I think it's really a good thing.
Posted by: Andy, Gossip columnOur own Donald Fagen made the pages of the NY Post's Page Six this morning:
July 2, 2003 -- DONALD Fagen of Steely Dan fame had to chuckle Sunday night when he came into Balthazar with a lady and was seated with a good view of two women described by our witness as " 'Sex and the City'-type girls." The babes were catching peeps of purchases they'd made from the Pleasure Chest. "One actually pulled out a vibrator on the sly," said our spy. Fagen might have laughed even harder because Steely Dan was named for just such a sex toy.
http://www.nypost.com/gossip/37347.htm
Posted by: angel, David: Fever Dreams keeps track of the lyric interpretations. If you don't find something, you might like to check her site out. She is still behind with posting the comments, so be patient on the EMG stuff.
http://home.earthlink.net/~oleander1/Index.htm
Posted by: Hank Silvers,
Neat wordplay in Pixeleen -- the narrator's baby's got a sweet back (story, that is)...
wormy, I was thinking almost the same thing about the beginning of the song EMG. The increasingly frantic effort to keep the company afloat, followed by the calm as it sinks out of sight into Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
I don't have the impression the song is about major corporations and their well-publicized transgressions, though. I'm thinking it's just a generic dot-com that lived the high life on venture capital.
They all put in a lot of hard work to try to help the company make it, and even though there were some successes, some semi-big scores, in the end they failed. Now that it's almost all gone, they're taking one last look around the old HQ before locking the doors.
One of them has even brought a camcorder to try to keep the moment forever, but it's only going to be a flat 2-D image at best. Eventually, the digital tape will deteriorate, or the home-burned DVD will decay, but even if the recording medium holds together, someday the man himself who recorded it will be gone and no one else (apart from the odd historian) will know or care what the pictures mean.
The company goes, the pictures go, the humans go too...all things must pass, everything must go.
Posted by: Mr. Lapage, The DenAnyone going to the Detroit show on Aug. 11th?
Also, does anyone know if Hall of Fame footage is available. The version on VH1 I saw had them doing "Do it again" and they completely murdered the song. It was almost uncomfortable to watch. They must have done more songs...Why isn't this commercially available?
Just wondering....
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawarePeter: Most of your points have been accurate, although the point about their tales being male-biased is almost true. I guess one point I had is that it would be noteworthy if they did an occasional song that was from a female's perspective; as it stands, for a male singer to croon a song from a male's perspective is far from unique.
And I was jerking your chain a bit with the reference to Leonhart. I guess I am from the school that believes "always" and "never" are words that are rarely proven. In this case, I believe that Leonhart's lyrics are meant to show Pixeleen's POV...there is a sort of love story going on with the main character and Pixeleen (cut to the chase being a double entendre for editing lingo and get to the point about their relationship) and her lyrics show that she feels that she can't relate to the guy anymore. Contrary to some of the interpretations who believe it's a fan, I believe that this is about the writer of this comic/movie star becoming almost lustful of his character. My interpretation:
"Flashback to cool summer nights" = the narrator wanting Pixeleen and him to make things the way they used to be back when things were simple and less commercial.
"Freddy can we cut to the chase" = main meaning is that she feels that he's holding onto something that isn't there anymore.
"In a room above your garage" = still trying to convince her to resurrect old times.
"Everything about me is different, symmetrical and clean" = He finally realizes that things are different, Columbia has polished the edges and made things squeaky clean (dancing in the video with gun and tambourine is a kind of shot at the new Pixeleen who is now not only bowing to corporate entities but doing "clean" things like shaking a tambourine in a music video).
Well, this has gravitated from my answer to Peter, but my point was that "never" is a very strong word, and using it means a person has a high burden of proof. You're posts have been on topic, which is better than some. I will try to throw more-well-thought-out feedback your way in the future. "I guess I'm happy now we've had this chat."
DOE
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoDeconstructionists that they are, Donald & Walter have reviewed their own album: ANACHRONISTIC BUT NICE.
Posted by: wormy, new orleansalright
I'll take a stab at Everything Must Go
scroll if over analysis of lyrics isn't your bag
~ ~ ~
this one being the closer is a nice summation piece of all preceding it
the opening instrumental is not only a wild stab at what proceded it but also is the equivalent of the corporation blowup scandal (the initial disparing implosive notes - discovery and induendo), then the 'we will rise above this' ascending sax solo (all is well if the scandel subsides) and then the final fallout (the whole house of cards comes tumbling down) brilliant!
then we have the aftermath - the picking up the pieces as it's falling down all around one
I picture this a corporate righting -
whether an Enron like financial scandal or a dot.com looks great on paper fallout. Obviously the stock analysts have more say than one would like on their livelihood
the protagonist has bet his career on this up and rising company. Mid to late thirties, incredibly ambitious. He's not one of the masterminds who was directly responsible, but don't let him off the hook either, he's risen by emulating them to a t and wants their corner office as well. He's pissed he wasn't clever enough to have thought it up or rewarded enough to fluff the whole thing off
he's pissed, but he's such a go getter that this is viewed as only a big setback that will be righted down the line with his cool business savy
surely self confident - just got caught up on the wrong ship sinking
the musical accompaniment has this optimism in the face of the bottom falling out
"It's high time for a walk on the real side
Let's admit the bastards beat us"
their companies financial woes were finally made public
the bastards are the higher up corporate insiders who ran things into the ground with smoke and mirrors, cashed out the stock options and grabbed the few golden parachutes before it all goes down
"talk about your major pain and suffering
now our self esteem is shattered
show the world our mighty hidey-ho face
as we go slipping down the ladder"
he's banked it all on the company and now shell shocked
time to dust off the resume and act cool and collected to hopefully land the next job elsewhere (just hope I'm not too tied to the scandal)
that corporate ladder he so aspired to climb is now a downhill slope
all that ass kissing and pressed suit image is now all for naught
"It was sweet up at the top
till that ill wind started blowing
now it's cozy down below"
top of his game, making a hell of a lot more than any of his college buddies
ill wind of the scandel
cozy down below - too many steps down to be tied in too far on a federal probe
"we gave it our best shot
but keep in mind we got a lot
the sky the moon good food and the weather"
we were really living the high life
everything that money and prestige could buy
love this line
"does anybody get lucky twice
wouldn't it be nice"
he landed the ultimate job with primo stock options and bonus
the good life
then it all falls apart
will I be as lucky next time? will another gravy train happen?
and am I savy enough to ride it (and jump out at the right time?)
damn if I had only cashed out those stocks before the fall
this line is hilarious
"frankly I could use a little face time
in the service elevator"
our protagonist wants an audience with his higher ups
the very ones that brought it all down
he's got his "face time" sharp exec lingo down
and his superiors (mentors and possible contacts for his next aspirations)
are surprisingly absent as he packs his office and moves on (using the service elevator)
'and if Dave from Acquisitons
wants to get in on the action
with his handycam in tow"
can we document our fallen leaders for the impending investigations and "get a few good licks in"
"can it be the sorry sun is rising
guess it's time for us to book it
talk about the famous road not taken
in the end we never took it"
the scandel's been revealed to the light of day
time to exit stage left without too much sticking to me
damn, if we had only cashed out sooner
we could have continued living in oppulence
with some time to kill before the next bmw payment
what a great ending to the album
Posted by: David, FloridaWow...I'm so happy I found this site...finally, a place where I can discuss SD with someone other than my father.
I'm 16 years old...I was raised on SD and only since 2vN was released have I really begun to analyze the lyrics. I'm still going crazy trying to figure out what GodWhacker and Slang of Ages are about, and I have a vague idea of what Pixeleen is about. I know these had to have been discussed on here but I can't find it...an email explaining these songs to BBMarlins1@aol.com would be so much appreciated!! Thanks...
David
bbmarlins1@aol.com
marlinsrule.net
Posted by: DJ, Shi--whereDAWC & others,
It seems to me that Abu is more a constant (albiet harmless) foe to pixeleen than friend. No? Go-Go boots and Turnstile vs. Mini-glock and Tracer Rounds. Who else would they be fighting if not each other?
peace
Posted by: Lee, Carolyn Leonhart on the cover of Jazziz:
http://www.jazziz.com/pages/current_issue/V20N07default.asp
The article, the last part of which can be read after free registration:
http://www.jazziz.com/pages/current_issue/feature/v20n07feature.asp
Posted by: Lee, Among the horseshoe crabsI read or heard an interview where Walter specifically said that they had one finished song that they decided to leave off of the album, in his words "for some reason". I am guessing that this is the one with the "horseshoe crab" line.
Posted by: angel, Earl: Regarding Donald and the picture on the back of EMG. I believe that is just the way he photographs. See these shots from the TEC awards, for a similar look.
http://www.steelydan.com/tec.html
Rajah of Erase: It was me who thinks a song or 2 were taken out. They did comment that there were songs that were left over, but I do not know for a fact that any were taken out, after that press release was sent. I have my suspicions, but no real facts, minus the missing lyric of course.
Posted by: steelydoubt, i was watching tv and saw some magic show on animal planet, and a man was interviewing a woman who looked familiar, steely dan popped into my head but i could figure why. than a while later it dawned on me, the woman was on sd confassions; it was wierd.
Posted by: hoops, Peter, Earl, others.
Fascinating thread, as best I can keep up with the dense writing. More humor to loosen it up a bit?????? Steely Dan way.
peace
jim
Posted by: hoops, Regarding which Danfests to attend, it's hard to say since there are so many good ones.
One place to start would be the Danny's page. It was a fan poll back in 2001 where fans from the Digest, SIS GB, Alt board, yahoo, etc, voted on what were the best Danfests to go to and more. A lot of the Dannys page--http://www.dandom.com/thedannys--is hilarious too.
And bet there will be even better Danfests this time.
As a matter of personal opinion and having missed more than half of them, Danfests that really stand out in 2000 as being huge were Boston, Dallas, Gorge, Washington D.C/Baltimore, Philly and Jone Beach. And those were mainly the ones I was able to make it to ( I missed Balt/DC aka Countdown to Ecstasy). If you can't make a certain Danfest, there are plenty to attend that are equally exciting.
As for your question about the Gorge. I plan to make it since it is sorta a tradition. At the same time, if you are coming from outside Washington State, you need about three days to make the trip if you ask me. I'd love to hit Portland but it would be too much traveling overnight. For those of you who don't know, the Gorge is pictured on the back of "Alive In America" and it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere--Seattle and Spokane are about 3-4 hours away as I recall. So it's a long trip and there is extra logistics gettintg there.
At the same time, if you can't make that, there are other Danfests with just as much going on, albeit different in atmosphere, etc. Jones Beach, Boston and Dallas all topped the Danny's fan polls as well and given how busy the Baltimore DC people have been in the past three years, I think that's gonna be huge. Then again, in Düsseldorf, it was just four of us and it was really special. We had a nice dinner, made some great Danfest vids and Düsseldorf was a fantastic show.
I hope this helps.
Check things out at http://www.dandom.com/danfests
jim
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynHmmm...let's see, I said that they have never written a song from a female first person POV and you proceeded to quote an instance whereby they had a female singer mock a conversation with a male singer...your point being exactly what? Don't rant like a six year old but state your point clearly and concisely so we can understand it. Secondly, in case your experience of our world is limited to Steely Dan and the Rolling Stones, approximately thirty million storytellers have chosen to tell a story from the POV of someone of the opposite sex...again, your point being? Try not to bang the table too hard with your rattle while you answer, just state your point clearly and concisely.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawarePeter: "Freddy can we cut to the chase"...I suppose that her writer/director/whatever is saying that.
Have you ever heard the Stones do a song from a female's POV? It's a trivial point that is actually rather common in music...male singers tend to sing songs from a male perspective. I was being facetious.
DOE
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynNo actually, her parts aren't. You mean the choruses where she sings "Bogs of Jersey" and so forth? That's third person. The part where she sings symmetrical and clean is actually harmonized with DF. Are you trying to say that the song Pixeleen is told form a first person female POV? That's hilarious. Your reading is perhaps superficial there, raindrop.
Posted by: Duke of Earl, Delaware1st: I get the feeling that "ramming the clip in the miniglock" and "pager starts to throb" are not purely references to loading a shotgun and a buzzing messaging device. They seem possibly to be innuendo (trained to love and spy hard) regarding the sexual nature of her character...maybe a teenage/girlie James Bond.
2nd: Joey: When you are listening to the 5.1 mix, there's not much to do except peruse the jewel case and liner notes. I find it funny how you seem to be the person on this list that contributes the least to the Dan discussions. You may have supplanted Clas for that honor. How are you liking EMG?
3rd: Peter: Gee, Carolyn Leonhart's part in Pixeleen is not first person female? Hmm, maybe Pixeleen's a crossdresser. I think you've missed an obvious trait, Peter Q: the lyrics are almost always formed from the English language. Not only that, but they seem to form statements and questions that help to tell a story. Maybe those can be 9 and 10.
DOE
Posted by: Keith, Hoops and others:
Which are the best Danfests & shows to attend? I always thought The Gorge was the one to attend, but it seems like so many others are headed elsewhere. Basing that on the figures I saw in the digest yesterday.
Godwhacker seems like the most popular overall amongst Dan fans, just based on all the discussion. I love it.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynAlienation and isolation from rites of passage/positive ritual is the 8th readily observable trait of Steely Dan stories. This character, the Steely Dan Hero if you will, seems to have a DEEP VISCERAL LONELINESS that is not socially fostered but, rather, INBORN - ("I recall when I was small/How I spent my days alone/The busy world was not for me/So I went and found my own"..."Girlfriend/If it can't be you/I don't even have anyone/To tell my story to"..."Any world that I'm welcome to/Is better than the one I come from"..."They got a name for the winners in the world/I want a name when I lose"...etc. This character permeates all the CDs in various guises, usually as someone already down on their luck offering comfort and solace to someone whose life is about to crash in big way, and B&F always present this as an intimate conversation between two people- the narrator speaks to "you", whoever you is. The Steely Dan Hero is always male (they have never chanced writing in the first person from a female's POV) and always
Posted by: DACW, Peter, Clas: You're sooooo close...
Here’s what I see for Pixeleen. The key is “call and response.” Interaction between the instruments is key throughout EMG. Here, a virtual/real interaction occurs at a high level. It’s unclear whether this is a “purple Rose of Cairo” moment or whether the interactions has simply become real in the protagonist’s mind, because it seems to real. OK, I imagine Pixeleen as a cult to famous 3-D DVD holograph (SurroundVision 5.1) digital movie character set in the near future. I’ve debated in my mind whether the protagonist is a mentor, father, professor…It seems that he is simply a BIG fan with mixed feelings of parental protection, lust, and admiration. Pixeleen started out as an “on-line comic book character” like the virtual Lara Croft. She’s a Superteen Spy and sex kitten with a Gibson-like edge… As the protagonist watches the new 3-D DVD (for likely the 10th time) released after a run at Sundance, he recites the action as it progresses…we get not only call & response between the viewer and Pixellen, but a projected Nightfly-type moment (there Lester goes back and forth between his thoughts and memories and the action of the broadcast)…the distinction between reality and virtuality blurs until it soaks through…another example of SD and Fagen’s Imperfect Narrator ploy…
The viewer is a HUGE FAN and recites in his mind the action as it progresses:
“Our man Abu squeezes off twenty tracer rounds
And that's when she jumps the turnstile”
We follow the start off the action furiously as Pixeleen enters the scene with Abu protecting her back
“And as she clings to the roof of the speeding train
The Double A down to Sheridan Square”
The nimbleness, power, and dexterity of spider man packed into a knockout bod
“Her cell phone rings
It's, like, her stupid father
Be in the door by ten – again”
A comical break in the action, where we’re reminded in a hot babe/Doogie Howser way that our 3-D super-heroine is still a teen…with boring homework and stuff…and a curfew…I imagine a goofy Dad out of Fairly Odd Parent show or something
“Pixeleen
Dream deep my three-times perfect ultrateen”
The admiration of a huge fan – she’s a 3-D marvel (nod to Oleander), Pixar in 6 more generations (note: a computer generation has a life of 18 months)
“Pixeleen
Born in the bogs of Jersey
Trained how to love and spy hard”
This background is likely in the SurroundVision DVD, but also comes from the viewers exhaustive knowledge of here background from Pixeleen’s on-line comic book days…Here though Pixeleen, in his mind, her history soaks through in the call & response - brilliant
“Dropped on the streets of Roppongi”
Intrigue in the Far East draws Pixeleen – nice Gibson reference
“Soaked through on the floor of a noodle shop”
possible reference to digital editing and a look so real it Soaks into the mind of our viewer
“And when Abu rams the clip in the miniglock
Up on the catwalk inside the warehouse”
As Abu rides a hi-tech shotgun, Pixeleen continues to amaze us in #-D, it’s his favorite SurroundVision movie
“You whip a knife from the top of your go-go boot
With just a flash of spectacular thigh”
Admiration now starts to move to the Southern Hemisphere
“Your pager starts to throb”
Ironic emphasis on YOUR? Hmmmm…
“It's your as-if boyfriend Randall”
That jarring buzz in the right channel…The jerk – he represents a loser rival vying for the attention of Pixeleen…I mean, she’s winking at me, the viewer, right
“Better keep it real -- or whatever”
Get rid of him – I don’t care what he does at home…
“Pixeleen
Rave on my sleek and soulful cyberqueen”
You Da Woman!! Uhh-huh. Everything I always wanted
“Pixeleen
Penned by a hack in the Palisades
Backed by some guys from Columbia
Shot all in digital video
For a million and change”
Now he recites the history of the making of #-D Pixeleen in Surround Vision
“Flashback to cool summer nights
Freddy can we cut to the chase?
In the room above your garage
Everything about me is different
Symmetrical and clean”
The highlight of the song..errr album…errr career…We soak through to the “making of Pixeleen”…Note that Pixeleen is now directly interacting with the viewer, calling him by name (in his mind?) the viewer pojects himself there to her creation…or is he projecting Pixeleen to an attractive neighbor (perhaps from HIS past) who in his mind becomes Pixeleen…everything is swimming
“This is what I see
Just a girl in girlie trouble
Dancing in the video with gun and tambourine”
A little male ego comes out…the viewer sees a vulnerability beneath the SuperTeen Queen UltraSpy Pixeleen…I can help her…I can dance with her…play in her band…there’s that cartoon melding with real and 3-D super-real digital editing virtual reality…
“Pixeleen
Be good my three-times perfect ultrateen”
What a marvel of virtual video and personality
“Pixeleen
Born on the floor of a noodle shop
Dropped in the bogs of Jersey
Shot by a guy from Columbia
Soaked through all in digital video”
Very clever shuffling of Pixeleen’s history – representing the merging of reality, fanatasy, and digital SurroundVisioin
“Girl with the sweet backstory
Pitched in a trailer in Burbank
Cast by a cool-enough yes-man
Screened at a festival in Utah”
The viewer thinks about the wonderment of Pixeleen as the credits roll…
Posted by: Earl!, Joeyy
When you talk about my posts that way, it's not nice. You know what you make Earl want to do? You make Earl want to muzzle you.
Earlll!
Posted by: dianeDianeDIANE, SeattleATTENTION ALL SHOPPERS:
If you plan to come to the show at the Gorge Amphitheater and you have not signed up for the Danfest mailing list at www.dandom.com, do so right away.
31 days from today we will all be eating Szechuan dumplings and drinking Cuban Breezes (oooo killler) at Suedave's house at her unbeatable Seattle Danfest. Sue and Dave are the best, and there will be special guest appearances by me, Mark the Chimp, St. Al? we hope and maybe Hoops himself? and god knows who else, but I have a feeling there will be a bunch of other folks you are all going to want to meet, folks from here as well as the Sign in Stranger guestbook and Hoops' Bluebook.
I have offered space in my apartment to fellow Danfans with group happenings like cooking, drinking, smoking, sharing two bathrooms, sleeping on the deck in sleeping bags overlooking Elliot Bay and the Space Needle, then trucking to the Gorge the next day, Danfesting there and camping overnight, heading back to Seattle the next day. A lot of granola will be consumed. All are welcome. Others among us have space to spare here as well.
We all have different schedules, transportation needs and flights in and out, but all that can be arranged and negotiated. But the first thing you must do is sign up for the Seattle Danfest. Portlanders might also want to be included.
The countdown to ecstasy has begun.... will you be there?
love and kisses
diane
--
Somewhere along the line
I knew there'd be girls, visions, everything;
somewhere along the line
the pearl would be handed to me.
-- Jack Kerouac
ON THE ROAD
Posted by: steve, lowell, MAin green book, anyone hear some ghostly, punchy reinforcements here (in caps)
IT'S... KINDa... SCARy... to dig yourself etc?
(the last time he sings it)
the song overall gave me the impression of a couple of video-game designers taking a test-drive through their virtual world: who the hell changed the cashier to look like jill st. john?- someone is "kinda cute but [needs to look] a little younger"
of course, who the hell knows? all i know is i've been listening to nothing else for three weeks plus!
Posted by: Bob, Earl, I thought the photo looked funny as well. Because it cuts off DF at the collar line and there is that long tie, it looks distorted. Which makes me ask the question, is this like the penis shadows on Two Against Nature? Maybe there is something subliminal.
Posted by: Rob Keil, San FranciscoBob-
Donald and Walter have noted that "Aja" will not be a DVD-Audio for the time being, as the original multi-track master tapes for at least 2 of the songs "Black Cow" and "Aja" are missing and have been for years. This precludes isolation of the tracks needed for the construction of a surround mix. In fact they have a $2000 or so reward for the return of the multi-track original master tapes, no questions asked.
A very interesting and sad dilemma, actually. To think that someone has these tapes or that they have somehow been lost or destroyed would really be a shame.
I'd be curious to know if anyone else knows more about this problem.
-Rob
Posted by: Joey, " Anyone think that the picture of "Fagen" holding the melodica on the back of EMG looks like a mannequin? Becker's sorta looks like a mannequin too, but the hair on the right wrist and the vessel through his left hand make me think it's real. Fagen appears to be a mannequin in that picture in my opinion. "
Shiver .......................................
Me thinks you have got WAAAAAAAY too much time on your hands .
Joey !
Posted by: Rob Keil, San FranciscoRajah of Erase-
Thanks for the tip on the Frank Sinatra DVD. I actually saw that in the store the other day and was considering it. If you don't have them already, the videos "A Man and His Music", "A Man and His Music Part 2", and "Sinatra + Ella + Jobim" are all A+ videos that are widely available from Reprise home video.
An Interesting fact is that Sinatra actually created the Reprise records label in 1960 with his own money. He later sold interest in much of it to Warner Brothers. Now Steely Dan is recording on this same label started by Sinatra over 40 years ago.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Russ the discussion on "horseshoe crab" here a while back led to someone saying that additional track(s)? were recorded but not being used for this CD. There was also the interview someone posted here from a radio station, WTTM, I think, somewhere in the great NW, where the boys briefly talk about this, then say something like, "we have them (the tracks) under heavy security". Then a comment that stuff on ice like that only has a shelf life of about 18 months. Hmmm. Seem we'll never get a proper "Second Arrangement" it would seem. Now wouldn't it be great if they just kept up this pace for say, another 2 or 3 go rounds?
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareAnyone think that the picture of "Fagen" holding the melodica on the back of EMG looks like a mannequin? Becker's sorta looks like a mannequin too, but the hair on the right wrist and the vessel through his left hand make me think it's real. Fagen appears to be a mannequin in that picture in my opinion.
DOE
Posted by: Bob, Tom Hanks? Whooaaaa...I had him over for dinner and let me telll YOU! "Forrest Gump" will never be the same again. Or maybe it will since I didn't care that much for the movie to begin with.
Really though, Frank is a genius and everybody has their character defects. Moreover, it's those same character defects that often drive demi-gods like Frank (or even our heroes Donny + Walty for that matter) to genius. All goes back to that post last week where someone was talking about Yeats and good and vs the artist who is evil, etc.
Any word on some Euro singles being released commerically>? I'd really dig some bonus tracks like with "Kamakiriad."
Wonder if 11TOW and AIA will come out on DVD-A.
Laters.
Posted by: Don Breithaupt, TorontoLiterary critics call it the "biographical fallacy": the tendency to judge an author's work based on what is known of his/her life. It figures into the Sinatra discussion, because some people get so turned off by Ol' Blue Eyes's mob connections and surly disposition that they're incapable of taking his immortal music at face value. Unless you've had Frank over for dinner, there's no excuse for this! The world produces too few great artists as it is. If we marginalize the ones whose personal habits are objectionable, all we'll have left is Tom Hanks.
Posted by: Russ, It's funny, ya know, looking back at the press release in January, Reprise couldn't even get the lyrics right then. They said "...jumped the turnstile..." instead of "...jumps the turnstile..."
And whatever happened to the "horseshoe crab" line??
Posted by: You could call me Al, Rajah of Erase - no, in the movie "the Godfather" Frank Sinatra is about to sing on Al's private party. When Frank is entering the stage, Al has to take an important call in the kitchen.
Frank is howling from stage:
-Where are you going?
-To the kitchen and listen to a couple of Tony Bennet records.
Everybody goes "hahaha" and they know that he's talking serious biz.
Posted by: Peter Q, BrooklynRobert Aldrich made Kiss Me Deadly, he is considered one of the top disciples of the cinematic style of Orson Welles (who also obsesses Becker & Fagan); shot-reverse shot occurs when the camera assumes different point of view within the same scene, or, in B&F's case, song.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.OK Peter who is Aldrich, what are his movies and would you care to enlighten us on the shot thing?
Al Pacino - they asked Frank who he put on the turntable when he wanted to set the mood with his date... Yup, Tony Bennett was the reply. But he's no Frank.
Posted by: Al Pacino, I prefer Tony Bennet.
Posted by: Peter Q, Brooklyn...the latest example of SD's attempt to incorporate the shot-reverse shot technique from the cinema into language is seen in a song on their new CD, Green Book, in which they refer to Robert Aldrich, a consistent practicioner of that technique in his films.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Bob, Victor Feldman passed away a while back. It's OK, you didn't get it, don't feel bad. His son is a major bass player down here. Big bottom, Dad would be proud. Also plays in Pretzel Logic, one of our four tribute bands down here.
Posted by: Rajah of Erase, L.A.Rob - I'm all over Sinatra, what a voice, what feeling. He could make you happy or sad and everything in between. Forget the "New York, New York" phase of his career. I've spoken personally with his piano player of 30+ years, Bill Miller, lives in Glendale down here. Frank liked very minimal music behind him. Check the classic "I've Got You Under My Skin". At the bridge when the horns come in yeah, it's big and blustery. But for most of the piece, the band just vamps around a little. A touch here and a touch there. "I Get a Kick Out of You" the same way. Frank knew the importance of pauses, empty spaces in the scoring of his songs, and our boys D&W also understand this very well. (Title track on EMG) But it was Frank's ability to sustain notes was nothing short of athletic and really set him apart from everyone else.
Here's treat for you: get the DVD of live duets (not that Duets crap from the early 90s) with the like of Ella, Sarah, Dinah and the rest. The sound sucks but you get to see what singing live on TV in the 50s was like. It was raw and mostly informal. It was released last winter.
Posted by: Bob, Oh my Godwhacker, Russ! You mean Victor Feldman has joined Skunk Baxter in the Bush Adminstration??????
Posted by: Rob Keil, San FranciscoI'll put in my 2 cents on Sinatra too. Long before I was a SD fan, I was (and still am) an intense Sinatra fan. Despite the fact that he may not have been a nice human being, he was an incredible musician. His recordings stand up 50 or more years after the fact, and always will. I would buy a record of him singing almost anything. Not because he's Sinatra, but because he's that good.
Posted by: ed beatty, @ROCKY MT HIGHHi,
Maui =RED DIRT-VOLCANIC
See Red dirt shirts
Ed
Posted by: Studio7Dave, ChicagoAll the Godwhacker/Elmer Fudd/Vewey Vewy Qwiet talk reminded me of the post 9/11 South Park episode in which Cartman torments Osama just like Bugs used to torment Elmer. I don't recall if Cartman said "Vewy vewy qwiet" or not, but they used just about every Looney Tunes cliche in the book. Just an interesting precedence.
Posted by: Chief of Theory, Queens, NYI believe in Peter Lavazzoli's book , in the chapter on Steely Dan, there is an analysis of the influence of Victor Feldman's 1958 composition, Azul Serape, which he recorded when playing with Cannonball Adderly, on Steely Dan. Or else someone told me that, I'm not sure which.
Posted by: lou chang, Further to queries on the putative ID of Slinky Redfoot: Anyone know what kind of strings WB uses? And what about the colour of Maui mud?
Posted by: Russ, Mike Nishiura,
Denny Dias is alive and well, at least as of last year when there were some postings about him playing with a band near Boston.
Sadly, Victor Feldman is now part of the GodWhacker crew chasing the almighty ass through seven heaven worlds.
Posted by: YGK, NYC IF ANYONE is really interested in bothering Reprise re: a next single, please use the email address below........
Doubt it will work, but I do think Pixeleen is a smash!
I also know that the sax solo is detrimental to the track, unless it goes to air on Jazz radio.......
Use: wbrepinc@wbr.com
YGK
Posted by: Duke of Earl, DelawareYou're hearing things in Godwhacker. Although I haven't listened through double-barrel headphones, I have yet to pick that up. Maybe he's trying to sound like Lessard from Police Academy.
OK...You're trying to get rhythm tracks down that flow nicely, and are very "in-the-pocket" as they have called them. Are they going to trash a whole track simply because the drummer plays a fill? Remember that their style in the past REQUIRED several takes, simply because when you are playing against a tape, it's not as easy to find the groove and to hit exactly where you need to...not to mention the temptation since you're already overdubbing to make sure it's absolutely 100% the way you want it. I would have to think that with live rhythm tracking that a producer might be more content with something that's at least close to what they're looking for.
Don - interesting point about the alternate releases...still probably way under what they should be at if Reprise got off their arses.
Hoops - Guess you should look for a 2nd job at Borders...stacking cut-outs? Guess that's one of the perks of working their...getting to keep and sell the promo stuff.
FMac with "slick studio weirdness?" I mean, a marching band is weird, but since 1980 they've done nothing new. It's all rehash and lame. I don't think Rumours was about the $$$, but every album since has been. Almost as bad as the Who.
DOE
Posted by: mike mishura, lbi, njhi, a random thought, but anyway:
after the tour, why dont D&W put together a pay-per-view special,
about three hours in length, and have all the studio people, from over the years, play their songs?
they could have michael mcdonald, elliot randall, larry carlton, skunk, bernard purdie, jay graydon, steve gadd, etc.
where is denny dias these days? victor feldman? sadly, i know where jeff porcaro is...
out of the blue,
mikem-->lbi,nj
©Page Design 2001jim mckay - flat hat design
