AUGUST 2004 BlueBook Entries

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 20:03:04 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', Where else ?

Should there be something further from SD, I'd like to hear something without as many horns. Greenbook didn't have them.

I much prefer studio versions of Green E-rings and Black Friday (to live versions with horns) and if there's another live look at the band, I'd also want part of the show to include a smaller configuration with Donald at the piano.

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 18:10:07 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" Green Book hooked me as hard as the title track the first time I heard it! It is virtually impossible to drive down the road, have that tune on at a respectable decibel level, and not bop your head in time - period. "

I would like to nuzzle you .

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 16:07:37 ET
Posted by: Josey, Visiting Atlanta

Green Book hooked me as hard as the title track the first time I heard it! It is virtually impossible to drive down the road, have that tune on at a respectable decibel level, and not bop your head in time - period.

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 11:02:28 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" Green Book" is quintessential Fagan and Becker that harkens back to The Royal Scam with cryptic story telling, minor chords and some truly slick riffs from Becker . "

Oooooo ! Nice One !!! " Green Book " would have fit PERFECTLY on " The Royal Scam " .

" With the exception of Becker taking a lead vocal, there's nothing all that suprising on this album. "

Man , truer words have never been spoken -- A Wise Review


" I heeded my grandmother's advice: "She travels fastest who travels alone!" Sometimes it's good to be free......... "

G.

You make young Joey weep and sh## liquid !

Come to Joey ...


J. Fly !

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 10:17:13 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Serial Bachelor

Here's a link to a review of EMG I don't believe I've never seen. It's pretty darn fair, logical and reasonble commentary by someone who is certainly a fan; then the reviewer steps back a bit and puts a few things into perspective. EMG remains somewhat problematic for me as far as just where and how it fits (or doesn't) into their larger body of work. Is it merely a compilation of bits and shards of the past? Is it a true farewell? Is it any good? How good? Certainly it's not on a par with RS, Aja or Gaucho. Is it disappointing somehow? I know a musician in this town who, like many many session players, loves the Dan. But he thinks EMG is terrible save for, "Green Book." Which shocked me. I wonder who else might feel similarly...

http://www.music-critic.com/rock/steelydan_everythingmustgo.htm

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 09:43:33 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, President of the Bachelorette Club

I heeded my grandmother's advice: "She travels fastest who travels alone!" Sometimes it's good to be free.........

G

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 09:14:39 ET
Posted by: Da Bill, The House on the Gulf Coast

Ok, Who's next?...

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 03:26:27 ET
Posted by: Radio Keneally, Cyberspace

By the way, Radio Keneally streaming Mike Keneally's music (or at least stuff that he has played on) 24 hours a day 7 days a week is "on the air"

http://www.radiokeneally.com

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 03:15:00 ET
Posted by: Edgar Allen Poe, Maryland

The Alan Parsons Live Project will be playing at BB Kings NYC on November 10, 2004. Alan's new album "A Valid Path" features David Gilmour on one track and Crystal Method. The live project is playing all the great Alan Parsons songs and the new material fits very nicely indeed (not to mention that he's got a crack band with great singers and an awesome guitarist named Godfrey Townsend).

Date: Tues, August 31, 2004, 02:16:33 ET
Posted by: I Drove the Chrysler, thru the wetlands of Western PA

Little River Band: apparently not all that bad, since DF copped the chord sequence from the beginning of "Reminiscing" for the beginning (after the intro) of "Florida Room." If you don't believe me, listen to it! Now, lest I be misunderstood, as Igor Stravinsky said a long time ago, "A great composer does not borrow; he STEALS."

Date: Mon, August 30, 2004, 16:47:54 ET
Posted by: King of the Bachelors, wherever

Stay single!!!

Date: Mon, August 30, 2004, 15:53:26 ET
Posted by: Mr Driver, Bon marché

DA Bill and LittleWildOne were in love they said
So in love the preacher's face turned red
Soon everybody knew the thing was DEAD
He shouts, she bites, they wrangle through the night
She go crazy
Got to make a getaway
Papa say

Oh - no hesitation
No tears and no hearts breakin'
No remorse
Oh - congratulations
This is your Houston Divorce

Date: Mon, August 30, 2004, 15:45:16 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" When the band yell out, "...ohhhh Miami," the Scurvies hear, "ohhhh...what happens!" I think I shit the liquid, Joey, not kidding. "

Thanks , My Rajah , for the link -- must play at the office .

J. Fly !

Date: Mon, August 30, 2004, 10:00:39 ET
Posted by: sh, testing testing

hey hoopsie - i think it worked!

well, good monday morning to all...yawn...

anybody see the MTV music video awards? i usually can't stand to sit through the whole thing, but the best part was Stevie Wonder with Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz and i can't help but love that Andre 3000..."lend me some sugar - i am your neighbor"...lol

Date: Mon, August 30, 2004, 00:13:34 ET
Posted by: Rajah, life is unreal

http://www.scurvybrothers.it/home.php

Please listen to me for once and hit the above link. Oh dear me, what we have here is an Italian Steely Dan Tribute. Play "Walk Between Raindrops" from the MP3 tab and go to GUMBA HEAVEN. This is pure comedy. The band are quite proficient, especially the piano player, Steven, seriously, but the singers are horrific. Not the voices, the approach, they are so out to sea at this point but not hopeless. Yes, the phonetic blunders abound as they are doing a quasi-ABBA thing, all the TRIBS do over there to the serious listener of language, at least that is my humble asessment, lo these many years being among them. Our Gina is responsible for bringing this to our attention. Blame her. Oh, darlin, I'm dying over here. Thank you so very much.

When the band yell out, "...ohhhh Miami," the Scurvies hear, "ohhhh...what happens!" I think I shit the liquid, Joey, not kidding.

OK, Steve, cancel rehearsal on Wednesday, I'm jumping on a packet flight to Rome in the morning. The Scurvy Brothers (how perfect is that?)need my guidance.

Here's my new home Hoops, I've finally found my home, buddy, be happy for me.

http://www.scurvybrothers.it/guestbook/jgb.php

Date: Sun, August 29, 2004, 22:50:05 ET
Posted by: hoops,

"Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz" is currently featuring a rerun of Phil Wood's appearance that was recorded in summer 2002 and aired in early February 2003. Check your local US Public radio station or streaming radio station to find out when you can hear it. I heard it again this morning on WBEZ 91.5 FM in Chicago. Next week is a rerun of her show with Henry Mancini and the following week, September 12, is a rerun of her show with Steely Dan. You probably recall that the show with SD was recorded in June or July 2002 and aired in late February 2003. Welp! Here it is again, in case you missed it or just want to experience it again on radio. Remember that "Piano Jazz" doesn't air at the same time or the same episode in the same parts of the USA. Typically, what plays here in Chicago started airing elsewhere as early as five days previously (the Tuesday before, or can air as late as eight days after it airs where I am at--assuming you use my report of when I hear it as a reference point.

Check out http://www.pianojazz.org for when you might hear these shows, blah, blah, blah.

Here's what I wrote on the Blue back on February 7, 2003 about the Phil Woods appearance on PJ--sounded great again this morning too:

-----

Piano Jazz with Phil Woods:
Caught Marian McPartland with Phil Woods yesterday morning on "Piano Jazz." What a great show! Definitely one of my favorites, as McPartland so often says.

Of course, we all know Woods from his amazing sax solo on "Dr. Wu." More than a few Danfans rate it as the best sax solo on a Steely Dan recording.

Throughout the show, McPartland and Woods enthusiastically discussed various songs from their repertoires though the years. The show went by so fast.

Among the highlights was a really great performance of "Lover Man"(one of the best I can remember). And then there was when Phil asked Marian to perform one of her songs from many years ago, that has Johnny Mercer lyrics and was recorded by Tony Bennett, "Twilight World." When asked, Marian replied hesitantly, "I guess I could fumble through…" Well, I've never seen someone fumble so gracefully! It was awesome. And then they did Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" with a "cool tempo" instead of the frequently performed "up tempo," as MP put it. Then Woods said he was used to the "100 MPH" versions. Well, you may know that I am especially fond of the Al Jarreau version on "Glengary Glen Ross" which features Peter Erskine and Bob Sherpard. It's such a fast version-I can't help but think that Phil Woods would call it the "Speed of Light version!"

Date: Sun, August 29, 2004, 14:33:34 ET
Posted by: Eye in the Sky, LA

Saw Alan Parsons live last night at the Canyon. Chatted with him and members of his band (Alan is a big supporter of Which One's Pink?). Normally when you see these classic rock bands, their new material tends to be not up to stuff. Last night was an exception. The material from "A Valid Path" was excellent and fit nicely with the older tracks. Apparently Alan has Crystal Method and David Gilmour on this new album (obviously they weren't there last night). Alan's guitarist Godfrey Townsend is unbelievable. If you get a chance to see this band, take it -- "well it's well worth the fee . . . ."

Date: Sun, August 29, 2004, 09:53:56 ET
Posted by: I Drove the Chrysler, in the wilds of Western PA

Supertramp and Alan Parsons easily the most underrated Brit-Rock (at least here in the States). Yes, their songcraft is on a par with all the other recently mentioned groups (including SD). But SD remains sui generis; no one quite sounds anything like them, and I doubt anyone ever will. It's the combination of D & W's time and place of birth, musical and lyrical influences, sociology of America, and their own aesthetic imagination. AND their meeting of the minds (a truly cosmic event equalled only by the coming together of the Beatles).
Just for the hell of it: After listening to CBaT and CtE again with fresh ears, here are the VERY best songs from those two albums--

Do it Again (the ONLY song from CBaT that doesn't sound dated; CLASSIC)
Fire in the Hole (great organically flowing harmony & form)
Turn that Heartbeat Over Again (a compositional mess, yet somehow works)
Brooklyn (heartrendingly beautiful neo-country)

Bodhisattva (the debut SD BLUES mutation!)
Your Gold Teeth (a quintessential DAN-JAZZ tune)
Razor Boy (perfect form, just gorgeous)
King of the World (Man, that cosmic ostinato synth phrase!)

Date: Sun, August 29, 2004, 02:39:54 ET
Posted by: dr. wu , marietta, ga

just happy to be in the mix! looking forward to reading the talk and contributing from time to time. i also write steely dan related columns in my weblog which i invite you all to visit and participate. http://damon.typepad.com/wu/

thx.

Date: Sat, August 28, 2004, 13:38:56 ET
Posted by: Which One's on the River, LA

Reggae on the River DVD is wonderful. Especially Third World, David Lindley and Ben Harper

Date: Sat, August 28, 2004, 01:14:49 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

I have any number of refuges, dear girl. Give it up Grette honey and just come to me.

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 21:06:43 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, mixing a drink

The Dan is not done. By the way, Rajah, the Mrs. may get sick of the Mr. a lot sooner, he should keep a room somewhere, lol.

G

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 18:16:02 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The latest Dandom Digest covering August 21-27 has just been sent.

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

The following are the subjects of this Digest:

— Back cat...[ on SACD]
— Re: Back cat...[ on SACD]
— Walter sings!
— Todd and Don: What's all this fuss about?
— steely dan and prog rock
— APP and TR
— new Alan Parsons cd
—"art rock" and other labels...and humor
— remixes of SD songs
—*interesting* version of Deacon Blues

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

jim

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 15:00:24 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Tune Town

Gee-Gee, you have waaay better legs than Daffy and I like your beek, ducky, it's kissably sweet.

But you do bring up a point here...what on earth is Walter doing about now? Roasting marshmallows on the beach? Sleeping on the couch in his recording studio? Collecting volcanic rock samples? What, golfing? I know Donald said in interviews last summer that, "no no, we're not done," talkin bout if the Dan is done, but still I can't help sensing a bit of a disconnect between them. Old friends do go through cycles at times where they drift apart for a while, I sense they're in one of those places now maybe. It's not like being married where if you say to the Missus, "look honey, you're kinda makin me crazy here lately, how bout if I go live on the boat for a while?" I bet we see him out with Donald at some point next year, I'm hoping anyway cause we love our Walter.

Strange moment of the week: Big Time Bob Sheppard whips out a flute while sitting in on the three numbers Michael Brecker did Wednesday at the Bowl. That guy is always in such a good mood.

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 13:33:20 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Stepford, where I'm not a wife

Oh, God! I just assumed Walter would be there, I didn't mean to leave him out. I wonder if Bob Sheppard would be in on anything again - I can't stop playing that cd Walter produced. It's a great companion to Apogee, very sophisticated and elegant combimation (which is funny for me to be listening to as I am probably the female equivalent to Daffy Duck, and am sure I appear that way, or worse, to others!)
It's wabbit season!
G

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 12:55:00 ET
Posted by: John,

How about Walter Becker?

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 11:24:41 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" That article got me to thinking who would be a good mix with Donald on a new R&S show. Anyone else have ideas? "

Rickie Lee Jones .

W- W- W- W- W- What ?!?! .....Oh , .. sure .....Here ya go ! :

http://www.rickieleejones.com/

J. Fly !

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 11:00:25 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, pondering........

That article got me to thinking who would be a good mix with Donald on a new R&S show. I'm thinking, maybe, Donald, Rundgren, McDonald, Tower of Power, perhaps some younger artists who respect the true meaning of R&B and soul, like Jill Scott? Hopefully Boz Scaggs will return. Anyone else have ideas?
G

Date: Fri, August 27, 2004, 10:02:18 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Piece on the Hall & Oates / Mike McDonald / Avg White Band R&S Revue...

By Gary Graff in the Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/friday/109360771047350.xml

I'm sorry, but huh?:

"The idea for Rock & Soul was hatched two years ago, when Hall & Oates toured with fellow Philadelphian Todd Rundgren. They ended each show by performing together, not unlike the Motown and Stax tours of the '60s. And while Hall & Oates enjoyed last year's tour with the more pop-oriented Kenny Loggins, they had an appetite to re-create the experience they had with Rundgren."

How can Mr. Graff not give a nod to Fagen & co. from the mid 90s? Especially when SD alum McDonald is involved in the current R&S. I mean, come on, they're even calling it "Rock & Soul!" You can't say the idea "was hatched 2 years ago."

Oh well, I also include the quote because it mentions Rundgren performing with H&O, so next up, Donald??? Just doing my bit to keep the rumors flowing. :-)

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 20:57:31 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Hoops - the production design and art direction of Brazil was an inspired but curious effort. Futuristic setting but retro appointed interiors. All the hardware was old early 20th C. stuff but the tech was definitely futuristic for 1985 when the move was made. The infrastructure of the buildings, one in particular if I recall correctly, where Bobby D's scene occurs, lingers in the mind. All those ducts and wires as he's burrowing through the structure itself. Kind of a kinship there with Naked Lunch but of course not as trippy.

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 20:50:37 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Under a bridge...somewhere else

Kinda gives the tune "Crash into You" a whole new meaning....

Sorry, hoops, no disresepect intended. It seems to me that what you find funny is somewhat like the effects of alcohol...depends greatly on your mood. Maybe it's the figurative shit I'm dealing with this week or maybe it was the deadpan tone of the author, but this article made me howl....

I hope DMB does the right thing, too. The AG certainly moved quickly to get something on file, so they must have a solid (rim shot) case.

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 20:11:02 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

hoops, Yeah, the bodies only come up to the surface every once in a while now. The Chicago River doesn't run backwards for nuthin'

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 18:30:04 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Actually much of the Chicago River, including the place where this happened has become a place for people to canoe and fish. There's been a big river walk and clean up program over the past 20 years. I've been aware of this quite a bit since our School of Architecture works closely with the Chicago Architectural Foundation and we co-sponsor events. However, this tour boat is only run by the CAF. This incident has been bad news for the CAF which runs on a very tight budget based in part on donors.

The DMB connection was brought up when it happened, but no definite proof. Finally someone became aware of a private camera for an adjacent building which is apparently what's suggesting one of the DMB buses. If it is the DMB bus driver's fault, I bet, given DMB's environmental concerns, they will want to pay the fine and also contribute towards all the progress the river has made in the past 20 years.

Showed Terry Gilliam's "Brazil" to Architecture and technology students today. Whatta movie on so many levels. The part that was especially germane to the class was the architecture Ricardo Bofill and Taller de Arquitectura created for the movie. Throughout, I had to keep wondering if "Brazil" influenced the "Snowbound" video, you know? They have a lot of the same look , aside from the tiny figures with Donald's head on them.

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 18:03:23 ET
Posted by: Rajah, when the shit comes down

Dave Matthews is only a sextet, right? Those folks on the architectural tour should be grateful it wasn't the Mingus Big Band with special guests Big Bad Voodoo Daddies.

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 17:40:11 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

"Hey, it's Da Chicago River. Dis will improve a war-ter!"


Actually those were actually the unsold CDs!!!



I wonder what the $ figure including trashed hotels and Lear Jet fuel is on the negative impact on the environment from Rock Bands

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 16:43:41 ET
Posted by: Architecture and Rock Don't Mix...., ILL-inois

Today's winners of the Luckless Pedestrian award:

http://entertainment.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=167468

Now that made me giggle, Joey.

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 15:22:42 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" Actually, Josie's more like a ritual prostitute, like a votress of the Temple of Venus in the ancient world. She serves a purpose, has her place in society and performs a very necessary service under the aegis of the state "

You make Joey smile .


J.

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 12:05:09 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Grette, there are similarities with Josie and Pixeleen. They're both empowered, self-actualized, dynamic, courageous. Only Josie's a big unrepentent slut. Actually, Josie's more like a ritual prostitute, like a votress of the Temple of Venus in the ancient world. She serves a purpose, has her place in society and performs a very necessary service under the aegis of the state. Pixeleen's an action heroin and just likes to travel the world, kill people and jump subway trains. Dad and that numb-nuts boyfriend Randall haven't got a clue. You know come to think of it, Josie COULD be her mother. They just chose different career paths is all. Who are we to judge?

And, of course, Donald simply has to be her father. Dad's always the last to know, ain't that the way?

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 09:58:06 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, sorry I only have 8

Hoops, I always thought Mr. LaPage was singing the refrain, too. He isn't? I thought he was the dirty old man showing a bunch of kids movies in his den to keep them occupied while slinking out with one of the young girls, "alone at last." Could LaPage be Josie's father, and Pixeleen Josie's daughter? There has to be a connection with some of the characters in SD compositions.
G

Date: Wed, August 25, 2004, 01:12:07 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

Sometimes Neil Finn's songwriting is considered by a few (and I'm one) the second coming of the Beatles...while largely ignored in the US except for his Crowded House hit Don't Dream It's Over...he's been a huge hit overseas with Crowded House and overlookd solo albums. You Better Be Home Soon, Fall at Your Feet, Four Seasons in one Day, Weather with You, Distant Sun, Pineapple head, Sinner are classic singles overseas

Neil Finn teams with brother time again for Everyone is Here which I picked up on release day - today. The result is kind of Neil's White Album or EMG...raw yet polished, live tracking, immediate. As much Neil's edgy Try Whistling This as the hyperproduced Woodface

Best cuts are neil dominated Won't Give In, Nothing Wrong With You, Anything Can Happen, Homesick, Disembodied Voices (you'll swear you hear John Lennon), A Life Between Us, rocker All God's Children (a touch of Lindsay Buckingham), Part of Me Part of You, and Gentle Hum...Highly recommended

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 23:45:24 ET
Posted by: Nazman,

Sorry for the duplicate. Computer key error.

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 23:43:35 ET
Posted by: Nazman, Byrnesville

Hoops
i was shocked that he did Naive Melody the other night (how i wish i hunted down a playlist from the stagehands like i usually do after concerts in the smaller venues). Naive Melody is also one of MY very favorite pieces ever written. "Sublime" is a very pertinent word to describe that piece. Appreciate your comments and your regard for this legendary talent. Still buzzing off the experience.

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 23:43:26 ET
Posted by: Nazman, Byrnesville

Hoops
i was shocked that he did Naive Melody the other night (how i wish i hunted down a playlist from the stagehands like i usually do after concerts in the smaller venues). Naive Melody is also one of MY very favorite pieces ever written. "Sublime" is a very pertinent word to describe that piece. Appreciate your comments and your regard for this legendary talent. Still buzzing off the experience.

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 21:14:29 ET
Posted by: Q, TPA

great photo capture, Jive!

Anyone ever seen any DF or WB pics by the noted rock photog Henry Diltz?
I know he did some pics of DF in mid to late 70's.

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 18:25:49 ET
Posted by: hoops,

I keep starting this post and then work interrupts. Here goes again.

Rajah, Angel, thanks for the update on the PL experience, for those who couldn't make it. Steve sent me some tracks for the dandom CD and it was great to hear...I can only imagine how much better it was in person!

David Byrne is quite the artist. It's sad how he and Talking Heads get on but, they were another band that I especially listened to along side Steely Dan and all those prog rock bands in college. Thing is—building on a thread from the Dandom Digest discussion—Talking Heads DID have a sense of humor. "Stop Making Sense" (the expanded edition) is outstanding as it has my favorite version of "Naive Melody" which is just sublime. It's funny to compare "Naive Melody" with "Tomorrow's Girls." I think the end of Talking Heads became evident with "True Stories" but then again, there was Tom Tom Club long before…I guess they grew into other things. "Feelings" is my favorite David Byrne solo album.

Donald backed by Tom Tom Club could be awesome. Tina Weymouth is an awesome bassist.

Was listening to "Katy Lied" on the way into the train station this morning. "Everyone's Gone To the Movies" has been a recurring topic through the years in the Dandom Digest, etc. But a couple of lines that I never really closely thought about until this morning are the refrain: "Everyone's gone to the movies/Now we're alone at last." I mean I never thought of this line that much. For some reason, I always thought of this song as being sung by Mr. LaPage and it's not. All the possible pedophilia in the song has been debated but I realized that the character who sings this song is trying to get other people out of the house or whatever so he can be alone with someone. OK, I suppose this is NOT a revelation to many of you and I am slow to realize this...

I've never seen that shot of Donald before, Jive Michelle. Thanks for posting the link.

jim

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 13:59:51 ET
Posted by: Jive Michelle, under the sun

http://www.dobophoto.com/Prints/Donald_Fagen.shtml

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 00:47:11 ET
Posted by: Nazman, Byrnesville

Not seeing much news on David Byrne at this site but just caught his show (performing w/ the Tosca Strings out of Austin, TX) in a cozy little venue that was truly a Night to Remember. The guy lit up the crowd from the get-go and covered a host of musical genres from arias to vintage Talking Heads. Played to the crowd. Hilarious to spell binding. Hard to believe i was just a few yards away from this true legend. Check out the US tour in progress. If you get a chance go and see this show. And count your blessings. This guy is a modern day treasure...

Date: Tues, August 24, 2004, 00:39:52 ET
Posted by: W1P, LA

Sorry Pretzel Logic -- Sat at the Beach and Sun at the Zoo with Aja and Layla killed this old man's chances of showing up on Sunday.

Date: Mon, August 23, 2004, 13:02:58 ET
Posted by: angel,

Couple of quick comments. That was my back to the bar and my jacket zipped way up tight, due to that very short leash I had hanging round my neck. Had to do some major dancing with the Hubby, to get to stay for the "Dental Suite", but Steve and Pretzel Logic came through for me and only made me get home about a 1/2 hour late. Highlights for me personally were a wonderful version of Here at the Western World, which I never thought I would ever hear live. The band was so improved over what I saw at Hermosa Beach a few years ago and much improved over what is on the Compilation CD's. They kicked major butt! Great evening, with a truly appreciative audience. I just wish it hadn't been a day I had to go to work.

Date: Mon, August 23, 2004, 05:02:27 ET
Posted by: Rajah, LA

Sittin at the bar with our Angel and SOH, three feet from the saxophones, it couldn't get any better. Thank you guys for your great company; thanks to Mr. Angel for understanding that the dear lady just had to go clubbing with two strange men on a Sunday night, that didn't sound right, and to our dear SOH who wore the flip-flops and did not disappoint. Xmas in August. When you ride with any of the Dandom, you be ridin with the King, of this there is no doubt.

DTMA
Green Flower St
Caves
Babylon Sis
Major Dude
Kings
Rikki[full verse marimba intro by Stee-Vee]
Dr. Wu
Home at Last
Do It Again[live 03 version]
Here At The Western World
Peg
Bodhi

Parker's Band
Bad Sneaks
Black Cow
Haitian D
Daddy Don't Live
YGT I & YGT II medley [It took about 15 minutes including Steve's stately, melifluous and thought-provoking intermezzo, standing "O" by the three of us geeky rhythmn monkeys at the rail. What a great idea pairing these two. Ballsy. And executed with assurance, no hesitation. Angel and Southie looked delighted, made me feel all fuzzy to see them so happy over hearing a couple old almost-forgotten songs.]
GAUCHO
AJA
Glamour Pro
Rose Darlin
King of the World
Kid C
MOS

Exhausting. Jake Feldman picked the sets tonight. Steve was running on fumes the last couple numbers, he left it all out on stage this evening. Thank you PL.

Date: Sun, August 22, 2004, 16:21:52 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, The Southland

P.S. The Van Davis website has clips! Check it out!

Date: Sun, August 22, 2004, 16:01:04 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Stuck in the Middle

Oh, to be on either coast....

Thank you Jake, for posting about your upcoming gig and giving us the news about Ted. There are a few of us here who have that gypsy in our soul and would get on a plane to relive some of the thrill of last summer...

Today is the anni of the Jones Beach show. No need to elaborate. Those who were there and shared know of what I speak.

Listening to some rainy day music here (Van, Rickie, Leonard) compliments of a dear friend, who has had a huge impact on my life. A public thanks now, a private one later.

Date: Sun, August 22, 2004, 14:43:34 ET
Posted by: W1P, Lost Angeles

I'm told by the members of Which One's Pink? that playing Floyd music is generally quite easy. The exceptions, I'm told are the bass solo in One of These Days and the the second half of Shine on You Crazy Diamond.

I can't believe no one got that Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods reference -- they used to play post-game at Anaheim Stadium after Angels games in the 70s. Billy, don't be a hero. Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend.

50/50 I'll be a Potato Head tonight -- but the start time keeps changing -- 8:30 .... 9:00? Which is it? And stop scheduling your gigs to go up against Six Feet Under, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

Date: Sun, August 22, 2004, 14:18:37 ET
Posted by: Rajah, LA

You all will really like 55Bar when you go, and you really should go. It's fun, you're real close to the music, it's kinda nasty in there, everything an old Speakeasy should be. Just there that once but this is a place that will summon you back for more. Players like to try stuff out there, that's its allure. Plus the crowd. Small cover big drinks.

Here tonight the tunes live again and we rock, LA Dandom. Steven, chew gum I'm tellin ya; SOH, blue suade flip-flops, sunshine, make me look good.

All right now.

Date: Sun, August 22, 2004, 13:36:51 ET
Posted by: Jake Ezra,

Hey everyone!

I'm a recent member of Dandom. I'm a working guitarist from NYC, and I've been a fan of Steely Dan's music for a long time. On Tues August 31st, I'll be fulfilling my dream of performing alongside Steely Dan's brilliant keyboardist Ted Baker at NYC's 55 Bar. This is a free event, so if you are in Manhattan that night, please drop by. If you are unable to attend, please visit my band's website (http://www.vandavis.com) and sign our mailing list to be informed of future performances. Scroll down to read our press release.

Thank you,

Jake
----------------------------------------------------------------------

On August 31, eclectic rock-jazz trio Van Davis will return to the
renowned 55 Bar, a favorite venue of innovative guitarists such as
Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz. Van Davis -- named for its hybrid style
influenced by Van Halen and Miles Davis -- was invited back to the 55
Bar after a successful debut performance this past spring. In
addition to the adventurous compositions and soulful playing that Van
Davis fans have come to expect, there will be a guest appearance by
Ted Baker, Steely Dan's touring keyboardist.

Jake Ezra, guitarist and founder of Van Davis, has often been
compared to Steely Dan guitarist Larry Carlton; in fact, Ezra used to
joke about sneaking on stage with Steely Dan to take a solo or two.
Ezra quotes, "Steely Dan's The Royal Scam had a major
influence on my composing and playing, and discovering their entire
catalogue was a real turning point for me." He was thrilled when Steely Dan re-
formed in 2000 with a new lineup, including keyboardist Ted Baker.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ted Baker studied piano at Oberlin
and spent his formative years playing with local bands, eventually
landing a break with the Philip Glass Ensemble. His recent projects
include Steely Dan's latest studio releases Two Against Nature
and Everything Must Go; in addition, Baker plays keyboards alongside
Donald Fagan in the live band. When not touring with Steely Dan,
Baker can be heard as the principal keyboardist in Broadway's The
Lion King.

In 2004, Jake Ezra and Ted Baker's paths crossed: Ezra, who
frequently plays on the musicals Wicked and Little Shop of Horrors,
found himself beside Ted Baker in the orchestra pit of The Lion
King. Ezra immediately identified with Baker's confident, rock
feel and was impressed by Baker's ability to excel in the seemingly
separate worlds of Broadway and rock `n' roll.

Ezra also hopes to divide his time between his Broadway work and his
dream project, Van Davis, which features Patrick Carmichael on drums
and Jon Price on bass. The trio has been drawing increasingly large
crowds to their gigs at respected Manhattan venues, including the
Knitting Factory and Arlene's Grocery. The members of Van Davis
are currently collaborating on new material for their second CD, which
will comprise studio tracks as well as live performances.

The members of Van Davis are especially looking forward to their
August 31st performance with Ted Baker, which will be recorded for
their upcoming CD.

Van Davis @ 55 Bar, 55 Christopher St, New York, NY. Tuesday, August
31, 7pm-9pm. Special guest Ted Baker. (212) 929-9883. No cover,
happy hour drink special.


RELEVANT WEBSITES:
www.vandavis.com
www.steelydan.com
www.55bar.com

Date: Sun, August 22, 2004, 05:31:23 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Hi Rajah ... and Everybody --

Thank you Rajah, you Bean Spiller you from your August 19th post.
I spoke to SouthofHollywood earlier tonight (and you too Rajah) ...
South will be coming up to check us out tomorrow night (well, actually, later tonight since it's already Sunday morning) at The Baked Potato.

I've been looking forward to the group of songs that we are playing for a very long time.

The Dental Suite (YGT & YGT II) is a fusing together of two seemingly unrelated songs. I've been trying to get YGT II (my all-time favorite Dan tune) into the set list for over 2 years, and now, it's going to happen.

This is not beach festival music. I think that it could only get a decent reception at a Jazz club which is exactly what the world famous Baked Potato is.

So, here are the details for anyone who might be within driving distance of Studio City, California:

PRETZEL LOGIC - A STEELY DAN REVUE - LIVE TONIGHT (AUGUST 22ND)
AT THE BAKED POTATO AT 8:30 PM.
3787 CAHUENGA BLVD. WEST, STUDIO CITY, CALIFORNIA

...Lay down your Jackson and you will see
The sweetness you've been crying for ...
(That Jackson will get two of youse in da door.)


SteveeDan - BL & KM for PL - ASDR

Date: Sat, August 21, 2004, 16:53:53 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, Why Sharona

Supertramp was one of the few 70s groups that reallysought sonic perfection with takes out the wazoo like Steely Dan...Alan Parsons of Dark Side of the Moon/Oz fame and his AP Project had a knack as well...Which is ironic that THE Knack just didn't have...well, a knack for anything above lo fi.

Date: Sat, August 21, 2004, 16:46:56 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu ,

Roy said: "Dan vs Floyd question: Both groups have generated a plethora ( a word I learned from El Guapo) of tribute bands; yet, only Pink Floyd seems to be emulated (even imitated) by succesful younger groups. (Radiohead, Spiritualized, Smashing Pumpkins). Other musicians copy Steely Dan riffs, hooks, and song ideas, but very few if any, try to take on the whole Steely schtick. Too intimidating? Not universally popular enough? Too many instruments to learn?"

That reminds me - I was lead singer of a band in my old school... for about 5 minutes. We got some America songs down - even a 3 min quadrangle concert. Then we rehearsed and tried to play what we loved: Steely F*&ing Dan...Discovered we simply were not worthy and mercifully broke up thus saving the world...what's the line from the Emporer in Amadeus? "Too many notes"

One thing that separates Dan from most "art rock bands" is (also) mercifully no derivative, fake classical themes...just fake, fake jazz and talkin' 'bout the blues...

Date: Sat, August 21, 2004, 16:37:57 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The Pink Floyd thread is an interesting one. We've been having a similar discussion at the Dandom Digest about SD and Alan Parsons Project, Pink Floyd, Yes, Supertramp and Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. The short of the discussion seems to be that both Steely Dan and these others put an amazing amount of craft and artistry into their work; yet none rivals Steely Dan in terms of humor. It's not quite as cut and dry as this -- the Digest banterings go more into the nuanaces.

jim

Date: Sat, August 21, 2004, 12:40:44 ET
Posted by: roy.Scam, Olympic Jazz Fusion Complex

Dan vs Floyd question: Both groups have generated a plethora ( a word I learned from El Guapo) of tribute bands; yet, only Pink Floyd seems to be emulated (even imitated) by succesful younger groups. (Radiohead, Spiritualized, Smashing Pumpkins). Other musicians copy Steely Dan riffs, hooks, and song ideas, but very few if any, try to take on the whole Steely schtick. Too intimidating? Not universally popular enough? Too many instruments to learn?



"Polk Salad Annie" - A southern rock classic. How could anybody not like that record? And it was written, I believe, by the same person who wrote "Rainy Night in Georgia". Two beauties. Perhaps people confuse PSA with another bayou epic called "Amos Moses", which also involved south-rock guitar style and death by alligator, but wasn't nearly as strong a song.

This summer, be sure to try Steely Dan. The official downer surrealists of the 28th Olympiad.

Date: Sat, August 21, 2004, 01:49:18 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

There are no right answers and I'm just a wanna be, although I'm going through a second or third childhood as my kids are starting music lessons...and I'm tagging along - an excuse to get those Steely Dan songbooks

Oh gosh, I hear a lot more Dan-type blues and approach in Knopfler's work...guess that's why they used them.


Floyd can do the lounge thing...Steely Dan may sound lounge I guess to a no-fan but they are anything but...their fake jazz is more 50s and 60 movie and TV scores...Both sophisticated music...but I just don't hear the same pieces in each puzzle...Floyd is theatrical...Dan is body-blocked

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 23:44:57 ET
Posted by: Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods, Orange County

Are you with me Dr. Mu?

You said: "Some of the greatest music of all time Pink Floyd and the Beatles are great stuff...but they have zero, zippo, nada in common with Steely Dan's sound or approach...with the possible exception of George Martin's notion of a professional sound."

I understand, to a degree, why you say this (in part because you are trained in music while the only instrument I play is CD player). You must have dropped in the Yellow before its untimely demise (I heard my father cry . . . the night the Yellow died). Nevertheless, I have got to disagree with the notion that Floyd has absolutely nothing in common with the Dan's "sound or approach."

I believe that, although the overlap on the Venn Diagram is by no means extreme, there is some overlap nevertheless. For one thing, the Floyds were heavily influenced by jazz -- especially Richard Wright. As explained in the Dark Side of the Moon "Classic Album Series" DVD, the chord structure in Breathe in the Air was lifted directly from the jazz form. The sax breaks in Shine on You Crazy Diamond sound like they were copped directly from Kind of Blue. I don't know if you ever heard those unauthorized Gaucho outtakes but one in particular -- If You Got The Bear -- sounds very similar in parts to Have A Cigar. As a general proposition, I think its true that David Gilmour is a more blues based guitarist than the myriad session guys who appeared on the Dan portfolio. But, on the other hand, do you think Gilmour would have sounded out of place on a Dan Track? Mark Knopfler anybody? (In fact, there's a bend in Third World Man that sounds like it was lifted from the solo in Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2).

Putting aside the instrumentation, I think there are certain similarities in the songwriting of Roger Waters and Walt/Don. True, Roger is much more overt in his political and social criticism. True, Walt/Don have a much better sense of humor, Both each do not suffer fools gladly, each have little fondness for the music industry and each are keen observers, providing acerbic commentary on the human condition.

In any event, I must respectfully register my disagreement with the idea there exists absolutely no similarities in the sound and approach of two of the greatest sets of musicians in history.

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 23:44:37 ET
Posted by: A Fan, epicenter of the world

PF is king of the world as far as I know...

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 22:48:58 ET
Posted by: hoops,

The latest Dandom Digest covering August 14-20 has just been sent.

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

The following are the subjects of this Digest:

— Fagen Sighted at May Todd Rundgren Shows
— Don and Todd: a 'threat' to SD? -- fear not!!!
— Deacon Blues on FX's Nip/Tuck: Soundtrack for McNamara's Hooker Pick-up
— REDUX: Alan Parsons Project and SD
— Re: Alan Parsons Project and SD
— Re: Alan Parsons Project and SD
— iTunes Top 10, Bottom 10, more
—"Steeling Dan" show in St. Paul tonight / 13 Aug 2004...

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

jim

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 12:51:53 ET
Posted by: Rajah, under the bed

I don't mean to be, petal, I beg your pardon.


Here's a map to the real Blue Jay Way:

http://www.electricearl.com/BlueJay3.html


The "...number nine," guy might also have been Derek Taylor.

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 12:09:36 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, afraid you've lost your way......

Rajah, wrong again. It doesn't scare me, but YOU can be pretty scary at times, don't you think? I guess that old rocking chair's got ya...

G

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 11:51:46 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Peter - for goodnessakes, tell us about the gig, Meali. What occurred? Dish, Doctor Q...

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 11:36:48 ET
Posted by: Peter Q, Bklyn

Did anyone else who caught the WK trio last night have a q. about the song 'Shirts Off' as it used to be played by Krantz, Goines and Danziger as opposed to WK, Lee and Carlock yesterday?

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 11:34:50 ET
Posted by: Rajah, fog upon LA this morning

Grette - I think your sensibilities are such that weird and spooky stuff does not speak to you, it uhm, scares you, n'est-ce pas? Do you sleep with the light on, honey? So precious. My daughter used to have a similar problem, still does, with Gary Wright's, "Dream Weaver." Ya know, the scary snythesizer at the top of the number? I used to scare the crap outta her with that tune...ha...still works!

I'm the Boogie Man,
Do whatcha want,
Baba Scary Monster Rajah

PS I believe the voice uttering, "number nine, number nine..." is none other than Mal Evans, longtime Beatle associate and I think, now I may be mistaken, that he still runs what's left of Apple Corps.

Date: Fri, August 20, 2004, 01:06:54 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

Katy Lied is my fav too...but don't forget the great solo guitar work by Dias on the title cut from Aja...a three parter with Walter in the middle...

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 22:16:10 ET
Posted by: Geoff, Home

LWO: Found the NYR&SR CD, better put it in the car for tomorrow. Diego says "hi" (as best he can) to Oliver.

Gretchen: I agree, the first Little River Band album with 'It's a long way there on it" has some pretty decent stuff on it. The single of IALWT was cut drastically short, they eliminated about 5 minutes of guitar solos, and without them the song doesn't make much sense. But Happy Anniversary etc. = shite

Mu and other Kenny/Gamble Leon Huff fans (a) you’re right, and (b) if you haven't already, look for their pre-TSOP stuff. It is amazing. Same thing goes for Holland-Dozier-Holland’s Post-Motown stuff. e.g: ‘don’t leave me starving for your love’. Phrasing, phrasing, phrasing. (with a smidgen of Phasing.)

Regarding 1974: The answer is Rufusized. Chaka's masterpeice and absolutely essential part of any Dan-fans collection.

Geoff

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 21:03:48 ET
Posted by: John,

All the Steely dan albums are fine albums and Mu is right that Gaucho was hugely influential.

But Gaucho is icy and chilling. Fagen even says so. You know who's missing? DENNY DIAS!

Denny's minimal presence on Aja is what makes it different than Katy Lied. That's why those of us think Katy Lied is Steely Dan's best album. Denny and that grand piano. Dennys got that slightly twisted guitar sound that hints at the exotic and loose!

BRING BACK DENNY!

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 20:57:51 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, By the way.........

I have to agree with Dr. Mu in that Gaucho is tremendously underrated. It's a fantastic album that never got it's due. The whole album is delicious to listen to, it's right on par with Aja. I'm working on a Gaucho shawl now, sort of light weight wool with the dancing figures in a felt kind of material. I'll wear it to the next (and hopefully soon) show.
G

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 20:54:04 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, please don't be very long, or I may be asleep....

Sure, I love the Beatles but some of their music freaks me out (from the Pepper era on), but that I'm sure was the intent. What the hell could it have been like in their studio while "Revolution 9" was being recorded, and who was the voice behind the incessant "number nine, number nine?" The other Beatles tune I wouldn't want to listen to alone on a dark stormy night is Blue Jay Way. Strange.
G

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 18:48:33 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

My favorite piece of Pepper is Fixing a Hole and Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane (last 2 the first songs recorded for Sgt Peper - but released as singles instead)


WENDEL - yeah, the Birth of the Cruel...ironically, Steely Dan's most underrated album (Gaucho) may be the most influential recording on today's pop music...the impact was largely on the engineers and producers of Smooth Jazz to Babyface to R. Kelly of Janie Runaway fame...The painting on the dancers on the album cover has now become some kind of sick, twisted Portrait of Dorian Gray...No wonder they went back to Analog!

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 15:27:27 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

Very educational. Being exposed to that crazy range of pop music opened up minds, young and old(er). There were far fewer formulas, drum machines hadn't turned us into automatons, genres bled into each other. The radio was fun. Wild wild west. Later, the separation of sound that stereo records afforded was the next step in mind-expanding (hallucinogens did help) puzzles. Sgt. Pepper in chief, listening to the separation on She's Leaving Home was the next best thing to tripping.

Maybe I really am as old as our Gee depicts me.

Undaunted nevertheless by the ravages of time,
I simply have to beautiful forever,
Never Too Old to Rock and Pass the Windowpane Rajah

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 15:02:56 ET
Posted by: hoops,

I think one of the most positive things about pop and rock music in the late 60s and more so in the early 70s was stereo. Because you could start picking out all the players' individual parts, you could better appreciate how all the tracks were put together and what their contributions where on everything we listened to in our house from Helen Reddy, Neil Diamond and Janis Joplin to classical, Roberta Flack and Lobo. It was educational!

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 14:54:36 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Exactly, LWO. She and Jeff Wald, her then-husband, creative director and manager, chose them for her to sing. Hecnce the joke about why she divoriced him. I don't think she wrote any of her songs. I'll have to get out the LPs in storage. I have 4 of them. Like I said, the Calano-produced ones are quite good for what they are. It's all like an edgey leisuer suit in one way and in other it's the whole idea of how California drove culture to a more laid back, less uptight mode. 60s and 70s-style elevator music is becoming popular again. (ie. Ray Coniff, Montovani, 101 strings.) There's something fun about it.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 14:39:14 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Lord have mercy. Pick a mess of it

Wait a minute now, "Poke Salad Annie" has an entirely different connotation than "Polk Salad Annie."

Sock a little polk salad to me,
you know I need a mess of it,
R

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 14:36:23 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, a common thread

Hoopsie, most of the songs that you panned weren't written by Helen Reddy. And I'll agree that many of the songs she had hits with do seem to feature weak/co-dependent women or a "cry for help." But, maybe illumination of these issues is some of what the women's movement sparked.

Speaking of so-not-co-dependent women, I just saw that Bette Midler's "Kiss My Brass" tour is gearing up again for dates, including my little town, through December. Anyone know if our Mr. Herington is on da bill?

And Boz Scaggs just released a new Greatest Hits cd, recorded live-- must have been recorded last summer (sigh) when Drew Zingg was on guitar.

Dan Fogelberg was forced to cancel his late summer tour to undergo treatment for what is reportedly advanced prostate cancer. The six degrees of Steely Dan connection is that he was discovered and promoted by Irving Azoff in the early '70s and for the strangest reason, several times when I have mentioned SD in conversation, someone has mistaken "him" for this Dan.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 14:32:48 ET
Posted by: Rajah, disco down

Yes to the Philly instrumental, so real, so real, I can dig-it dig-it dig-it. But "Polk Salad Annie," now this is a great song. Gator's gotcha Gretchy. Elvis, it is repeated as urban myth, turned this tune down. Almost as big a blunder as Frank nixing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Polk Salad Annie is visceral blues and funny funny. And you can dance and sing just as good as you want. So tighten up and tune it in, girlfriend.

Mean, spiteful Rajah,
Everybody says it was a shame,
Raji's mama was workin on a chain-gang,
Chompin, chompin, chompin.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 14:17:05 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Memory Lane, Stepford, CT

Remember The Sound of Philadelphia's "MFSB?" That was one great song, borderline disco, but still the Philly sound. And the Ohio Players, "Skin Tight" and "Fire," I'd love to hear all those songs today on the radio. I remembered some other "dogs" from way back when - "Poke Salad Annie" and "Amos Otis!" Also, there was one really dumb, horrifying song about Tarzan, Jane, and the chimp, meant to be funny but it was just stupid. "Guitar Sam" something. Can't remember the title, though.
G

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 13:30:32 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', kick the can down the end o' memory lane

Wow..this is the motherlode of music memories. How can a year that had Hello it's Me, Tell Me Something Good, Band on the Run, Nothing from Nothing, Help Me, Feel Like Makin' Love, and Call on Me get a serious vote for worst anything ?

Okay...Dark Lady...that has to be up there (or down).

Then Came You....I'd stop whatever I was doing today if it came on.

Keep on Smilin ?? I saw Wet Willie on a triple bill squeezed in between Toby Beau and Bob Seger in 1977.

Love's Theme...welcome to CBS golf.

Too many great melodies and grooves for a 13 year old to forget.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 13:22:46 ET
Posted by: Rajah, fast as lightning

Fine line between a pop song's catchiness and ability at the same time to be irksome to the Nth degree. Kung Fu, One Tin Soldier, Me & Mrs. J all cases in point. And it continues to this day. But there's no excuse for the Paper Lace song. A Polka riff in there forgoodnessakes?

You have to draw the line somewhere.

Remember, "Timothy?" That is the absolute limit.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 13:14:08 ET
Posted by: oops,

Terry Jeck - that Billy Jack movie was bad also, and The Night Chicago Died -

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 13:12:32 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

My worst of goes to Billy Jack, Kung Fu fighting and from the 80s "We Built this City" from Jefferson Whateveerthehelltheywereatthattime and that Wang Chung garbage.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 13:08:59 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

Yes!! Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones." The pinnacle of sophistication of the Gamble and Huff and Thom Bell ensemble of Philly talent. They snuck in purer R&B and jazz into the recordings The O'Jays, Syllistics, Delfonics, Harlod Melvin & The Blue Notes, Spinners, Wilson Pictett, Jerry Butler.

I think Paul arranged a lot of that recording with Gamble & Huff. Listen to those horns especially. Understated, expressive, sensuous...the engineering crystalline...almost too much for AM radio of that time. The Best Philly recordings besides the Dan, Stevie Wonder and early Elton John are really the few things holding up pop music after 1969. The Gamble & Huff and Thm Bell stuff IMHO are the closest thing in recorded music, besides cool jazz, to Steely Dan...thus it's not a surprise to have some covers on NYR&SR The later funk by Parliament/Funkadelic was hijacked by disco...and the punk backlash and later "FleshDance" pretty much killed sophisticated music and jazz (except for what Sting could sneak in) in the pop arena until Kama and Steely Dan 2.

I'm surpised that the Gamble & Huff and Thom Bell artists through say 1975 (and the Barry White era) are not mentioned more at the Dan sites. Some of the greatest music of all time Pink Floyd and the Beatles are great stuff...but they have zero, zippo, nada in common with Steely Dan's sound or approach...with the possible exception of George Martin's notion of a professional sound.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 12:38:51 ET
Posted by: Rajah, I'll Play Contrarian

Two can play at this game, I liked 'Angie Baby' by Ms. Reddy, so there. (What's wrong with being ready?)

You live your life in the songs you hear
on the rock and roll radio.
And when a young girl doesn't have any friends
that's a really nice place to go.
Folks hoping you'd turn out cool
but they had to take you outta school.
You're a little touched you know, Angie Baby.

Lovers appear in your room each night
and they whirl you across the floor.
But they always seem to fade away
when your Daddy taps on your door.
Angie girl, are you all right?
Tell the radio good-night.
All alone once more, Angie Baby.


A bit too direct, pedantic even, but an evocative canvas, what?


OK, at the risk of hitting the hot buttons, I dropped in on Stevee and the Pretzel Logic crew last evening and am compelled by cosmic forces more powerful to dish to you. Steve doesn't like me telling tales from rehearsal so I'm breaking his rule here. (Rules? Rajah hates rules.) They're doing YGT I & II in tandem. Holy shit, how long has he had this up his sleeve? Never thought I'd hear either one EVER played live, hell, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe SD has ever played either. Maybe YGT I on the 74 Tour? What a treat for your Rajah, my head came clean off. Rich tapestry these two songs, textures galore, dissonant contrapuntal mischief. Atonal show and tell. Not for the faint-hearted, especially YGT I. Great two-part story line and Steven adds an intermezzo bridge ala Ted Baker on electric piano between the two that is both tender and thrilling, giving away very little of the upcoming II until late in the game. This is a huge labor of love by these players. Their foray now reaching DEEP into the catalogue. Bravo for keeping the faith.

Oh, and Western World. Xmas has come early for me. Thanks for letting me share people.

Sunday night, 9 PM, August 22 @ The Baked Potato. Get out here LA Dandom, can't touch this.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 12:23:36 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Yeah, all the school kids knew the lyrics to those awful songs. You know, David Essex' "Rock On" had that awsome bass line but the lyrics made me shortlist it for worst song. But then the bass line...

Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" is sublime. Said Elton John of it, "Perhaps the best song of 1974...and then I really flipped when I found out (Billy Paul's) cover of 'Your Song' was the B-side! I've always been proud of that." I've never heard his cover.

"Tubular Bells" was, well, TUBULARR! An odd hit, yes. But I think there are a lot of odd, good songs that couldn't be hits today or except in the 70s. Like LWO, it was great for it's context.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 12:12:32 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, She said Billy keep your head low....

Hoops, I remember a bunch of girls in my old neighborhood standing around outside learning the words to "Billy" and then playing and replaying that 45 all summer! LOL I still remember every word, though it was a bad song, along the lines of 1975's "Run Joey, Run!" I still admit to liking "The night Chicago Died!" As far as Helen Reddy, I remember the big to do about "I am Woman" but then she set women back 100 years with those pathetic ballads about forlorn, weak sisters. But, for every bad song there was a great one, like George McCrae's "Rock your Baby", The O'Jays "For the Love of Money" and David Essex's "Rock On". One of my all time favorite pop hits ever was from '74, the smooth "Me and Mrs. Jones." To me it still sounds just as sexy. Maybe I'm being sentimental for a time when I had no problems or responsibilities.
LWO, the reason "Tubular Bells" made my bad list was because of the movie (the nausea remains at the thought of it). I still can't look at the Exorcist all the way through, and now they've gone and made a pre-quel to it!!
G

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 12:02:51 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Bingo on "Billy" LWO.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 11:40:31 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Gretchen, honey, those songs clearly don't rate on my 1974 Desert Island list but I can think of worse. Think Terry Jacks' "Seasons In The Sun." Think Paper Lace's "The Night Chicago Died." Think whomever it was's "Billy Don't Be A Hero." Gag!!!

Helen's albums with Tom Catalano were pretty interesting 70s caberet if you ask me, but, with one point you might be implying I concur: why the heck does she sing "I Am Woman" and then all those pyscho women songs. Like it or not, "I Am Woman" was a very powerful song socially (especially compared with today when we have the likes of Ashcroft's "Let The Eagle Fly"). It was essentially the anthem of ERA and women's empowerment and then she gos and sings all those songs about women who are fucked up! I mean these characters she sings about cleary need psychiatric treatment: we got Delta Dawn, Angie Baby, Ruby Red Dress. These women need help! And "You and Me Against the World," I mean talk about paranoia and emotional incest, oedipal leanings. And "You're My World" is an anthem in support of co-dependency if you ask me. Let's not forget "I Don't Know How to Love Him" where she thinks the guy she's hot for is Jesus Christ. No wonder she divorced Jeff Wald.

jim

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 11:18:48 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Alone Again, Naturally

Interesting...."Do It Again" was #73 on the 1973 list, bested by a number of true diamonds..."Tie a Yellow Ribbon..." (#1!! Yikes), "Me and Mrs. Jones," "Little Willy." Oh, the atrocities go on and on.

In terms of the best of the best, it seems to me the golden era of pop/rock was the latter part of the Beatles reign, say 1966-75. Such an eclectic mix which included hits spun by the Woodstock folk/rockers, some hang-overs from the '50's (Bobby Vinton, Elvis, even the COB,) the emergence of the soul of the Motown sound and even some surprising crossover country artists (Charlie Rich, Bobby Goldsboro, Mac Davis).

After '75, all I remember is ubiquitous disco, amd my private college daze nirvana provided primarily by Steely Dan and Boston.

Hey Gretchen, part of the allure of "Tubular Bells," was its connection to the movie, "The Exorcist." If you think of it in terms of the movie (which scared the shit out of all of us back in those days), it's not so bad.

As for the worst song on MY '74 list: the bronze medal goes to "My Girl Bill," "Billy, Don't be a Hero" takes silver and the absolute most cloying, annoying song on there has got to be "You're Having My Baby," which takes gold.

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 10:13:57 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, I'm not goin' to school, I've got an earache..........

OK, the WORST of '74, I'd have to say is a 3 way tie: "Tubular Bells" by Mile Oldfield, "Angie Baby" from Helen Reddy (Helen REDDY, for goodness sakes!) and "Melody of Love" from Bobby Vinton. There are some dogs on the list, but for the most part it was a great year for pop. How can you beat "I Got the Music In Me" and "Beach Baby?" Oh, to be 11 again.........

G

Date: Thurs, August 19, 2004, 00:28:17 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

Does your mother remember this?

The First white rap song or maybe the first published rap song is "Rock Island" (But He Doesn't Know the Territory) from Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" (1957). I guess one could argue that the way robert Preston sang, most of the songs were rap or delivered as prose... This is the rap of the sales guys bickering with each other on the Train at the beginning of the play/movie to the beat of the locomotive...brilliant...may still be the best rap song of all time...true performance art.

Rock Island

Cash for the merchandise
Cash for the buttonhooks
Cash for the cotton goods
Cash for the hard goods
Cash for the fancy goods
Cash for the soft goods
Cash for the noggins
And the pickins
And the frickins
Cash for the hogshead cask
And demijohn
Cash for the crackers
And the pickles
And the flypaper
Look, whaddaya talk
Whaddaya talk, whaddaya talk
Whaddaya talk, whaddaya talk
Where do you get it?
Whaddaya talk?

You can talk, you can talk
You can bicker, you can talk
You can bicker, bicker, bicker
You can talk, you can talk
You can talk, talk, talk, talk,
Bicker, bicker, bicker
You can talk all you want
But it's different then it was
No it ain't, no it ain't
But you gotta know the territory

Shh shh shh shh shh shh shh
Why it's the Model T Ford
Made the trouble
Made the people wanna go
Wanna get, wanna get
Wanna get up and go
Seven, eight, nine, ten, twelve,
Fourteen, twenty-two,
Twenty-three miles
To the county seat
Yes sir, yes sir
Who's gonna patronize
A little bitty two by four
Kinda store anymore?
Whaddaya talk, whaddaya talk,
Where do you get it?

Gone, gone, gone
With the hogshead cask
And demijohn
Gone with the sugar barrel
Pickle barrel, milk pan
Gone with the tub
And the pail and the tears
Ever meet a fellow
By the name of Hill?
Hill?
Hill?
Hill?
Hill?
Hill?
Hill?
Hill?
Hill!
NO!
Just a minute
Just a minute
Just a minute
Never heard of any salesman Hill
Now he doesn't know the territory
Doesn't know the territory?!?
What's the fellow's line?
Never worries 'bout his line
Never worries 'bout his line?!?
Or a doggone thing
He's just a bang beat, bell ringing,
Big hole, great go, neck-or-nothing
Rip roarin', every time a bull's eye
Salesman.
That's Professor Harold Hill
Harold Hill
What's the fellow's line?
What's his line?
He's a fake
And he doesn't know the territory!
Look, whaddaya talk, whaddaya talk,
Whaddaya talk, Whaddaya talk?

He's a music man
He's a what?
He's a what?
He's a music man
And he sells clarinets
To the kids in the town
With the big trombones
And the rat-a-tat drums
Big brass bass
Big brass bass
And the piccolo, the piccolo
With uniforms, too
With a shiny gold braid
On the coat
And a big red stripe runnin'
Well, I don't know much
About bands
But I do know
You can't make a living
Selling big trombones, no sir.
Mandolin picks, perhaps
And here and there a Jew's harp
No, the fellow sells bands
Boys' bands.
I don't know how he does it
But he lives like a king
And he dallies
And he gathers
And he plucks
And he shines
And when the man dances
Certainly, boys
What else?
The piper pays him!
Yes sir, yes sir
Yes sir, yes sir
When the man dances
Certainly, boys
What else?
The piper pays him!
Yessssir, Yessssir, Yessssssir, Yesssssssssssir
But he doesn't know the territory!

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 23:16:08 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Omigod

Omigod...

Do you remember this one?

Reunion - Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me) -11-74 - RCA

Is it the first white rap song?!

With a STEELY DAN mention???

Sing it with me...

B.B. Bumble and the Stingers, Mott the Hoople, Ray Charles Singers
Lonnie Mack and twangin' Eddy, here's my ring we're goin' steady
Take it easy, take me higher, liar liar, house on fire
Locomotion, Poco, Passion, Deeper Purple, Satisfaction
Baby baby gotta gotta gimme gimme gettin' hotter
Sammy's cookin', Lesley Gore and Ritchie Valens, end of story
Mahavishnu, fujiyama, kama-sutra, rama-lama
Richard Perry, Spector, Barry, Archies, Righteous, Nilsson, Harry
Shimmy shimmy ko-ko bop and Fats is back and Finger Poppin'

FM, AM, hits are clickin' while the clock is tock-a-tickin'
Friends and Romans, salutations, Brenda and the Tabulations
Carly Simon, I behold her, Rolling Stones and centerfoldin'
Johnny Cash and Johnny Rivers, can't stop now, I got the shivers
Mungo Jerry, Peter Peter Paul and Paul and Mary Mary
Dr. John the nightly tripper, Doris Day and Jack the Ripper
Gotta go Sir, gotta swelter, Leon Russell, Gimme Shelter
Miracles in smokey places, slide guitars and Fender basses
Mushroom omelet, Bonnie Bramlett, Wilson Pickett, stop and kick it

Arthur Janov's primal screamin', Hawkins, Jay and
Dale and Ronnie, Kukla, Fran and Norma Okla
Denver, John and Osmond, Donny
JJ Cale and ZZ Top and LL Bean and De De Dinah
David Bowie, Steely Dan and sing me prouder, CC Rider
Edgar Winter, Joanie Sommers, Osmond Brothers, Johnny Thunders
Eric Clapton, pedal wah-wah, Stephen Foster, do-dah do-dah
Good Vibrations, Help Me Rhonda, Surfer Girl and Little Honda
Tighter, tighter, honey, honey, sugar, sugar, yummy, yummy
CBS and Warner Brothers, RCA and all the others

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 23:05:34 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, hmmm...

So now that you've seen "The List" from '74, I dare you...

What's the WORST song on it?

SOH

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 23:01:57 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Dave's Not HERE, Man...

And let's not forget this one from 1974...

Cheech & Chong...Earache My Eye!

Check it out...

http://www.severing.nu/music/1974.html

SOH

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 21:27:37 ET
Posted by: Roy.Scam, Lost here in the future

1974 the worst year for pop music?!

"Blood on the Tracks" Bob Dylan
"Pretzel Logic" Steely Dan
"Good Old Boys" Randy Newman

and , if memory serves me, Sanford Townsend Band and Stevie's "Boogie On Reggae Woman" also lit that year up.

Worst year for pop music? --- Every year since has been a tie.

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 21:01:32 ET
Posted by: father william, wet rock, co

Netflix lists Tom Dowd & The Language of Music in its DVDs Awaiting Release. The Netflix description follows:

Rarely do we get a chance to see a feature-length documentary about a true unsung hero. Tom Dowd was an innovative music producer and recording engineer. Historical footage, photographs and classic music tracks underscore how Tom Dowd altered the course of contemporary music via his many technical achievements. Features appearances by Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Les Paul and Aretha Franklin.

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 20:16:34 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

Give me 1964-1968 for rock-era pop

Dan made 1978 for Peg and 1981 for Hey Nineteen and probably 1973 for Reelin' (but I didn't check), Do it Again?

In My mind (although not necessarily the best recording), the most radio-made hit is obviously FM (or dubbed AM for AM stations)...it's a wicked funky single...Walter shines...

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 18:10:31 ET
Posted by: Rockin Chair Rajah, strapped to my walker

And one more thing: Bing was a helluva jazz singer, When the Blue of the Night Meets the Dawn of the Day still sounds teriffic on this 78 RPM recording here on my wind-up Victrola with the wooden needle, and I remember after they invented microphones, man could you really hear that cat scat.

I also own a rare copy of it on wax cylinder. It's a little tinny but still a real toe-tapper!

Oh no, got over excited,
Control top undies just failed,
Gotta Watch that Prune Juice Rajah.

Nurse!!!!!!!

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 17:10:24 ET
Posted by: Rajah, the Rockin Chair, apparently

Hoops - I was watching a documentary on Tom Dowd last spring sometime on PBS out here, KCET. I stepped in on the middle of it and wondered what it was. Maybe one of these you mention. He is responsible, am I not correct, for bringing Clapton and Duane together, wowie, that Layla record is still great.

Hey listen, Walter probably knows Todd from Hawaii, no reason Walter wouldn't be on a Rock n Soul Tour. I wish he'd play the bass guitar, however.

OK Gretchen -- generation gap? How dare you? Since when is 8.5 years a generational gap? Plus, dude, like aren't you, like, 60 years old or some shit? Sheesh, woman. I'm comin up on a milestone here, don't make this harder on me. 1-2-3 red light, honey that ain't right.

Yummy yummy yummy,
I got wrinkles on my tummy,
Baba I Feel Like Doin You Rajah

(someone help me up)

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 15:51:14 ET
Posted by: hoops,

So any word from Q and Floridave?!? I hope they made out OK!! Sending vibes of the best kind.

Been getting a lot of different emails reactions from Dan fans over the Todd & Don project possibilities. I have to ask, who says it has to exclude Walter? Kama didn't. NY Rock and Soul featured Walter for the last set of performances. Donald was on Walter's solo album. This is one of those things where the pieces will fit together but don't look right right now, kinda like how last year's tour looked at first when all we heard about were state fair dates in Wine country.

There was a couple of awesome segments on NPR about legendary producer Tom Dowd last week.

There are two links where you can listen to the interviews and stories. A really cool part is when they break out Clapton's and Allman's performances on "Layla" in the same fashion as on the Classic Album DVD of "Aja."

http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=3849639

and

http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=3851993

Dowd is known musically for having worked with everyone from John Coltrane and Ray Charles to Eric Clapton and Aretha Franklin. Less known is that prior to entering the recording profession, he was a nuclear physicist on the Manhattan project. Only he got fed up when Columbia University wouldn't give him college credit for the 1950s Physics he was involved in--they wanted him to go back and take 1930s physics classes. So he was disgusted and went into music. Of course, Roger Nichols studied physics--wasn't it nuclear physics? What is it about physicists and sound?

Anyway, here's some excerpts from the NPR site:

Aug. 15, 2004 -- Tom Dowd had the mind of a rocket scientist, but the ears of a musician. When he died in 2002 at age 77, he left a legacy of recordings that trace the recent history of American popular music and the evolution of modern technology. If you listen to the discography of the Atlantic Records label -- from John Coltrane through Eric Clapton -- you are hearing Dowd at work, too.

Dowd never got rich. His name rarely appeared in print outside liner notes. But what liner notes they were: "Layla" by Derek & the Dominoes. "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. "Free Bird" by Lynrd Skynyrd. And the list winds on through a dazzling variety of genres and artists.

Dowd's technical contributions were equally ground-breaking -- especially his work in recording on eight-track tape.

Now, a documentary film -- Tom Dowd & The Language of Music -- has opened in select theaters around the country, giving even casual music lovers a chance to appreciate the work of an anonymous master. Later this month, a DVD with bonus features will be released. The film's director and producer, Mark Moorman, spoke recently with ...

ALSO:
This past Monday's NY Times Auto page had a story about DVD-Audio systems for your car. Elliot Scheiner consulted with GM on designing their system although he's not mentioned by name in the article. Here's a URL to the electronic version of the article. Cool diagram in the print edition.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/16/automobiles/16CARS.html

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 15:33:22 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Gretchen, that is funny because I seem to remember in the past year we had a debate about 1974 being the WORST year ever for pop songs! LOL! I thought it was a great year, even aside from "Pretzel Logic" coming out. Isn't amazing t consider that within five years, Steely Dan came out with six of their albums—two-thrids of all Steely Dan studio albums????

Been reminiscing about last year's outstaning "Boston Rag '03" Danfest, the Boston Show, the PNC/Garden States Arts Center show and, the best moment of all, when Walter Becker walked off stage wearing one of Mark and Bill's "Slang Me" shirts draped over his back. WoW! What a show, what an audience. Already a year ago? My god! THANKS MARK AND BILL!!!

jim

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 15:13:00 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, hello, it's me (again)

Here's an interesting site to peruse:

http://top40.about.com/library/weekly/aa1974e.htm

Search top 40 charts for all years. Tell me 1974's list doesn't have many of the best pop songs ever (with some exceptions, yikes!)
G

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 14:59:19 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Wonderama

Rajah, you cannot be serious about putting the Fruitgum Co. in with Starland Vocal Band!!! I know there's a generation gap here, like you were listening to Bing Crosby growing up, but songs like 1-2-3 Red Light and Simple Simon Says were fun and I still like to hear them now and then! Granted, their songs, like those of the Shocking Blue, Ohio Express, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and The Grass Roots were not really serious music, but enjoyable nonetheless, especially to a 6 or 7 year old! And I remember hearing them a lot on Sunday mornings on "Wonderama" (the Bob McAllister years). I even went on the show once. Yes, I still like some of those goofy old songs. Float, Float on........

G

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 14:57:43 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Wonderama

Rajah, you cannot be serious about putting the Fruitgum Co. in with Starland Vocal Band!!! I know there's a generation gap here, like you were listening to Bing Crosby growing up, but songs like 1-2-3 Red Light and Simple Simon Says were fun and I still like to hear them now and then! Granted, their songs, like those of the Shocking Blue, Ohio Express, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and The Grass Roots were not really serious music, but enjoyable nonetheless, especially to a 6 or 7 year old! And I remember hearing them a lot on Sunday mornings on "Wonderama" (the Bob McAllister years). I even went on the show once. Yes, I still like some of those goofy old songs. Float, Float on........

G

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 13:44:37 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Friday Night It Was Late, I Was Walkin You Home

Grette - I swear if I took a potshot at the 1910 Fruitgum Company, you's take exception.

OK, Starland Vocal Band. Go ahead...

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 13:39:53 ET
Posted by: The Wicked Librarian,

Greater Dandom:

Last night on FX's Nip/Tuck, Deacon Blues played as Dr. Sean McNamara was drowning his sorrows in a bar after a very bad day. In the scene he meets a hooker... I will say no more for those of you who haven't seen it yet. Needless to say, of course Deacon Blues is the perfect soundtrack for the scene.

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 13:30:41 ET
Posted by: Rajah,

I do love that down home phraseology.

Are you one of those people whose panoply of fears includes a scenario where Tribute Bands take over? Apparently, they're everywhere in France, Italy and Spain. Big article in the Friday Magazine section of La Reppublica couple weeks ago citing the following ensembles currently touring the summer festivals:

Apple Pie (Beatles)
The Lizards (Doors)
Freddieband (Queen)
Nevermind (Nirvana)
Notorious (Duran Duran)...and many others

Scared yet? They render the lyrics for the most part "phonetically" if you can possibly wrap your mind around that. A U2 band called "Acthtung Babies" were at the beach one night and I stopped for a listen of their immortal take on, "Mysterious Ways." This was comedy at its absolute best. But the kids loved it, there they were singin and dancin, Lord help them I hope somebody knew the lyrics.

Now an Italian SD band is what I'm currently praying to St. Francis for - can you imagine? Players from the Mediterranean countries simply cannot rock, have never been able to, they don't have the gene for it. There are exceptions but I frankly can't think of one. The weather's too nice, I guess, there's no angst. So what they'd do to those twisty and intricate SD song arrangements would be simply brutal.

Cue the accordians, Giuseppe, and give me a one,
Maestro Babarini Rajinio

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 13:17:40 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Mind Bender

Well, the Little River Band wasn't ALL that bad, how about "It's a Long Way There?" That was a great song, which, along with songs by the likes of Pablo Cruise and Atlanta Rythym Section didn't get much airplay. Go into the "deep cuts" of any of these bands albums and you'll find some hidden gems. I have to admit I picked up a cd recently called "Alive Down South." The reason being it has live tracks from the bands Stillwater and Sea Level, rare to find. Stillwater did the FM hit about the talking guitar, it always struck my fancy.
G

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 11:32:21 ET
Posted by: Joey,

" hey, I'd go see Don tour with a plastic comb and wax paper quartet performing the Little River Band catalogue, I'm not gonna be picky. Give us something...anything. "


You make Joey giggle

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 10:23:13 ET
Posted by: Josey, St. Simons island

PeterQ - you've got me curious with this one to the point where I'm just going to have to unpack my cd's and find it! I just found out yesterday that the Elektric Band is coming to Atlanta on September 4th. I had to go to Weckl's site to find out as it is not yet listed on Chick's or Patitucci's site. If any of you guys and gals get a chance to see this band, do it! Five guys who are simply tighter than a gnats ass stretched over a rain barrel!

Date: Wed, August 18, 2004, 07:41:50 ET
Posted by: PeterQ, Brooklyn

Josey - mystifyingly, the first few albums Patitucci did for GRP are not on his website at all, though if you do a search for John Patitucci Wind Sprint quite a few places come up where you can hear it.

Date: Tues, August 17, 2004, 06:26:18 ET
Posted by: Peter Q, Brooklyn

This was on the GRP label around the same tme as the Elektrik Band was.

Date: Tues, August 17, 2004, 00:17:35 ET
Posted by: W1P, LA

As you know, Beller covered Pattituci's Backwoods on View -- a tasty version I might add

Date: Mon, August 16, 2004, 22:12:08 ET
Posted by: Josey, St. Simons island

PeterQ - to my memory - which took a hardcore beating in college - there are no vocals on the first cd. Again, leave me a tremendous amount of margin on this one, but his first solo cd has Weckl drumming on the first couple of tunes, Vinnie on several of the tracks (the one I referenced earlier), and Erskine on a couple. Anywho, I don't recall any vocalists on his cd's until the second cd which had vocalists on a reggae flavored track (number 6 or 7 me thinks). I'm interested in hearing this track you mentioned simply because Patitucci, in my utterly worthless opinion, is the damndest bassist for my entertainment value around.

Date: Mon, August 16, 2004, 21:40:13 ET
Posted by: Peter Q, Brooklyn

Josey - I believe it is on the eponymous first CD, one featuring Rick Riso on vocals. I think it was the second track, called Wind Sprint. The dust bunnies were playing poker in the apartment when revealed.

Date: Mon, August 16, 2004, 12:35:11 ET
Posted by: Josey, St. Simons island

PeterQ - which cd and which track # is that Patitucci gem you referenced? I have most of his cd's, but they're still packed away from the move back to the coast. I know more of his tunes by the track number than the actual title. Are you familiar with his tune called Crestline? It's track number 8 on the first solo cd of his. It would probably have to be my personal favorite of all his tunes.

Date: Mon, August 16, 2004, 10:35:58 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

OK, Donald and Todd? Todd's latest, Liars, has gotten great critical reviews as I begin to peruse them. We need a serious Todd fan here to tell us how he sounds lately, does he perform the old hits, what's his band like? Don and he do share that certain ability to weave pretty melodies. I couldn't have guessed this would be Donald's next move. Rock n Soul Review? I wonder if he's thinkin of reconstructing the cycle of his renaissance of the early 90s. Not that there's anything wrong with that but I thought everything must go? Is Mr. Azoff the architect here? A live record surely must be part of the mix or maybe this solo will have quite a few collaborations on it. Hmmm. No way there could be a release anytime before, jeez, this time next year? Kinda surprising all this but, hey, I'd go see Don tour with a plastic comb and wax paper quartet performing the Little River Band catalogue, I'm not gonna be picky. Give us something...anything.

Date: Sun, August 15, 2004, 19:18:57 ET
Posted by: PeterQ, Brooklyn

Pink - I bought View when you pushed it on Pat's. It's good. I always admired bassists who put solo ditties on, like 'Elate'. Still have not found a bassist who could match the all time motherfucker by John Pattitucci called Wind Sprint.

Date: Sun, August 15, 2004, 17:30:44 ET
Posted by: W1Rasta, LA

Who has purchased View by Bryan Beller? I'm telling you, Dan Fans will like this record.

Well I caught the Easy Star All Stars last night at the Knitting Factory LA. It was extremely cool. As you may know, Easy Star has released "The Dub Side of the Moon" -- a reggae interpretation of The Dark Side of Moon (I'm going to suggest they do Royal Scam next!). Interestingly I thought their original material came off better by comparsion to their Dub Side of the Moon performance -- it just seemed like the original stuff was what they were more "all about." This is not to take away from the Dub Side -- they play it live very powerfully and the horns really work, especially on Any Colour You Like! They also did Pass the Dutchie as an encore -- pure genius!

Anyway, it was really strange running into people wearing Pink Floyd shirts who came to the show because they saw an ad in the LA Weekly mentioning something about a performance of Dark Side of the Moon but who had never even heard of Which One's Pink? I picked up about 10 new potential W1P fans and sold two copies of A Fair Forgery of Pink Floyd (which came about only because the Easy Star merch table ran out of Dub Side CDs and people were asking me if it was worth buying -- "as executive producer of A Fair Forgery . . . . "). Anyway, if you are in San Diego tonight head to the Belly Up and check it out -- even if you hate reggae, this is a quality band that does a very credible job with Dark Side!

Date: Sun, August 15, 2004, 13:42:33 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu ,

Roy: It indeed looks grim above Ft. Myers in Charlotte County...I'm sure David was one of those who heeded the evacuation warnings...just hope he didn;t stay on to save a boat...it's a *long* cleanup and putting back the pieces together, despite what will be a massive relieve effort...I doubt he was part of the all too mobile home crowd...

Date: Sat, August 14, 2004, 18:00:54 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Was given a heads up about a fan review of a May 2004 NYC show by Todd Rundgren. This fan reports he has seen Donald Fagen at three Rundgren shows including the May 7 show at Webster Hall.

http://TRConnection.com/todd/review/t2004/20040507-jm.rev

Date: Sat, August 14, 2004, 13:07:05 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, Chained Lightning

So, we're watching the opening ceremonies, complete with the hinged cigar cauldron lighting...and the kid says, "Geez, it looks like a Hitler rally."

By all means, Q and Co., send word when you get power. It looks like Tampa was somewhat spared, but as Roy Scam said, we worry.

Hi Geoff. Nice to hear from you. You need to take one for the team and go buy NYRNSR on cd. I LOVE Boz' vocals on "Drownin in a Sea of Love" 'Course I think his voice in general is kinda..well...

And my OMFG moment of the day, Ian Thorpe has size 17 feet....holy shit.

Date: Sat, August 14, 2004, 12:14:52 ET
Posted by: Roy.Scam, Facing Charley down

The NY Times website has a front and center picture of destroyed property in Port Charlotte, Fla. Not a good sign for Floridavid (David Moore) fans. That's where he lives.
Anyone heard from or of him?
I know you have higher priority matters at hand, you beach bar baritone, but get to a computer and tell us something when you get a chance.

Date: Sat, August 14, 2004, 11:29:32 ET
Posted by: Geoff,

Gretchen you've inspired me to go a listen to NYR/S again. I only have it on vinyl so its a bit of a pain. Apart from that life good trying to slow down exit rat race etc.

Date: Sat, August 14, 2004, 08:20:03 ET
Posted by: Rajah, I've Been Everwhere Man, You Think I'd Be Happy But I'm Not

So good to be back. It's oh so nice to go travelin but it's so much nicer to come home. OK, somebody just fuckin shoot me. Hoops' query needs to be brought to resolution and closure, that seems functional, as per those evasive congas in My Rival DVD-A:

Those are not congas as I also assumed for years, James, but rather timbales played by Nicholas Marrero as we are informed. Did it take this format to bring that into focus I am begining to think? Pause there Rajah.

They're in there on me at 00:14ish seconds, four notes at the top of the 8th bar and then that cool rest, so yes, dear Host, that system you heard it on was most probably not in true Digital Surround or, another distinct possibility, a lady hooked this system up (come at me) and is playing it in or thru some kind of stereo rigg or it's some lost soul who won't turn that woofer down, force sound up front instead. A million things could be wrong. There otta be a law.

My Rival has like a 00:36 intro, timbales at 14ish, dat guitar at 00:21, more around 30, like that. Great song and I haven't regarded it in years. New fave now that I've actually listened to it like four times. Another timbales pass at 02:19, the third opportunity a minute or so later was not missed, it was avoided. Schmart boyz.

I wish I'd had another week for Athens as I view this opening ceremony. Useless, histrionic but moving on some reptile level.

Tell me about your world.

Earnest Nuzzles,
Your Wanderlust Swami

Date: Fri, August 13, 2004, 23:33:06 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, Rainy Beantown

Quite a few years ago, Tom Robinson did an interesting cover of "Rikki Don't Lose That Number". I'm suprized he didn't bring that up when he was interviewing Todd.

Happy very, very, very belated Birthday Danfiend!

Mark in Boston

Date: Fri, August 13, 2004, 16:43:53 ET
Posted by: hoops,

There have been two editions of the Dandom Digest this week.

The latest Dandom Digest covering August 10-13 has just been sent. If you are a subscriber, you should see it in your email box within the next 12 hours. If you don't receive it, please email me. Again, the main reason I am in the habit of announcing this here is because some people have been having problems with delivery the Dandom Digest, usually because of spam filters, firewalls, etc.

Also, if you are a subscriber, you should have received a Dandom Digest covering August 7-9 earlier this week.

The Dandom Digest for August 7-9 had items with the following Subjects:

— donald and todd!!
— Re: donald and todd!!
— New Keith Carlock Newsletter
— SD Ringtones?
— Re: SD Ringtones

The Dandom Digest for August 10-13 has items with these Subjects:

— RE: donald and todd!!
— Re: Todd and Don and ...
— Re: Todd and Don and ...
— Alan Parsons Project and SD
— BOZ Scaggs - the DVD
— RE: SD Ringtones
— Two Dan items on eBay for your browsing pleasure

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

Date: Fri, August 13, 2004, 15:55:40 ET
Posted by: hoops,

If you go to this link, you can listen to the full version of Tom Robinson's interview with Todd Rundgren where Todd talks about the possibility of working with Donald Fagen.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH NEXT WEEK.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/presenters/tom_robinson/index.shtml

Date: Fri, August 13, 2004, 11:10:28 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Bon Apetit

It appears legendary chef Julia Child has died. RIP, Julia.

G

Date: Fri, August 13, 2004, 10:15:52 ET
Posted by: Carl Jung, the lab

There is no such thing as an accident. All occurrences are as perfect in and of themselves as they are inexorable. Steve Gadd's stick click, there's case in point.

Koo-Koo-Katchubb and Pass the Pringles
Baba Junga

Date: Fri, August 13, 2004, 08:18:06 ET
Posted by: Josey, St. Simons island

I don't know this for a fact, but I'd bet just about anything that the stick click was not a mistake on Gadd's part. It's a perfectly timed one if it was!

Date: Fri, August 13, 2004, 01:03:11 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

The Legend Goes something like this: Steve Gadd looked over the written drum arrangement for Aja and nailed it on the first take. Naturally, Donald and Walter wanted another take. In the middle of the drum solo, Gadd deliberately clicked his sticks together while looking straight at Donald - easy to hear if you listen carefully...comes during a slight pause, so I don't think it was a mistake...No more takes were required of Mr. Gadd.

Date: Thurs, August 12, 2004, 22:53:32 ET
Posted by: Still Sparkin', China

Okay...so what's the famous Steve Gadd mistake in Aja ?

Date: Thurs, August 12, 2004, 20:46:11 ET
Posted by: hoops,

UK cover band, "Nearly Dan," mentioned in "The Guardian."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/ontheedge/story/0,12830,1281715,00.html

Date: Thurs, August 12, 2004, 14:33:59 ET
Posted by: Evacuee, Tampa Bay

"Down in Tampa the future looked desperate and dark "

Date: Thurs, August 12, 2004, 10:16:20 ET
Posted by: Gretchen,

Hey Mike, Amazon has it for $9.99.

G

Date: Thurs, August 12, 2004, 09:56:51 ET
Posted by: angel,

Hey Mike: A big no for streaming audio on their website. For some reason, they will not be streaming that program. Too bad.

Date: Thurs, August 12, 2004, 09:06:47 ET
Posted by: HeyMike, Chicago

WDRV 97.1 in Chicago (96.9 in Milwaukee)is featuring our boys all day. You may be able to get it on the web too. Does anyone know how to get a copy of NYR&SR? I have the poster but lost my copy somehow. Mixing up CD's during some relationship I'm sure...

HeyMike

Date: Wed, August 11, 2004, 21:10:02 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu, Be Born Again My Friend

NYR&SR was recorded in two nights at the Beacon Theatre and is an engineering, sonic marvel. something about the acoutsitcs of the place...even with "closed" mics. Probably the best sounding Live performance on the tube

Those West 57th Series are stellar as well.

AiA was recorded over two years on the second of SD's tin roof smphitheatre seris. Plus Fagen overdubbed quite a bit. darn good performances (SiS, GE, Book of Liars), but the engineering is a zombie-like...ironic given the cover...

Any Neil Finn or Crowded House or even Split Enz fans. The Finn Brothers (Neil and Tim) are releasing their second album as a duo on Aug. 24 sandwiching 2 Neil Finn and 2 lesser Tim Finn solo albums and just after Crowded House's swan song - the Brilliant Together Alone. Neil is one of those rare songwriters of the post Beatle era like Becker/Fagen to deliver over many albums. Most Americans know him for Don't Dream It's Over or Something So Strong from Crowded house's first album. The other Croseded House and Neil Finn albums are very popular overseas - and sadly overlooked in America. The CH debut is probably their weakest album and Something So Strong is one of Neil's most Bland songs... The first Finn album was not much more than a demo, written in a hurry...but not this one.

I've heard about half the album, and this one's chock full of great songs and a live, but polished sound. Mitchell Froom is back as producer for the first time since Crowded House's Woodface (1991). Froom doesn't overproduce this one, as he did on Woodface.

Won't Give In, Anything Can Happen, Nothing Wrong With You, Homesick, Part of Me/Part of You, and Gentle Hum are Neil-dominated killer pop songs...worth checking out in a couple of weeks...

Date: Wed, August 11, 2004, 15:43:04 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, shoe dept. at Nordstrom, standing on shaky ground

Lol, I knew I'd get flack for that one! I don't know, I haven't really listened to it all that much. It nevah "grabbed" me! Maybe I'll dust it off and give it another listen this rainy evening....
G

Date: Wed, August 11, 2004, 15:00:44 ET
Posted by: They said you, must be joking son...

Gretchen- You must be kidding! The Rock & Soul Revue cd is one of the
best live sounding recordings EVER!

John- The difference between Wayne Krantz and Jon Herington? To the
average listener Krantz starts off sounding as smooth as Larry Carlton.
After a few minutes he takes a left turn and loses you. I'm convinced
you have to be a "professional musician" to "get him". Herington is a lot
easier to listen to. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure
out what he's doing. Drew may be more talented then all of them. As far
as what Zingg is doing now? I hear he's living in southern Cal and is
addicted to crack cocaine...what a waste.

Date: Wed, August 11, 2004, 13:23:57 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, suburban hell

Hi Geoff,
I didn't get to see the R&S review at all, but I know I'd have probably enjoyed the live performance much more than the cd. I have to admit it's not one of my favorites, the sound to me isn't that great. What's new in Dallas?
G

Date: Wed, August 11, 2004, 13:23:54 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, suburban hell

Hi Geoff,
I didn't get to see the R&S review at all, but I know I'd have probably enjoyed the live performance much more than the cd. I have to admit it's not one of my favorites, the sound to me isn't that great. What's new in Dallas?
G

Date: Wed, August 11, 2004, 11:47:37 ET
Posted by: Rajah, L.A.

Geoff - Dude, for me, Boz's version of 'Drowning in the Sea of Love' is riveting. Certainly you do not find his vocal performance weak? The rhythm backing was a bit slushy, I will own.

Baba Lost My Sense of Direction and Goin Down One Time Rajah

Date: Wed, August 11, 2004, 07:04:56 ET
Posted by: Geoff,

Gretchen, looks like you've got the set list development process started already. Forgive me for stating the obvious:

Kings
King of the world
The goodbye look
Big noise, New York
etc.

I didn't think much of the Soul bits in the last NYR&SR, e.g. the very weak version of 'Drowning in the sea of love' Maybe they can figure out a way to do "Take me to the river", as an apology for the worst cover version of any song ever (Talking Heads). The original (Al Green) is a bit dull. Find the Willie Mitchell version if you can.

Date: Tues, August 10, 2004, 22:29:50 ET
Posted by: Russian Spy, The Road to Utopia

http://www.tr-i.com/flash.html
Check it out, cool site.

Date: Tues, August 10, 2004, 01:23:24 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Can't help seeing all the way through

Let's kick up a little dust...

Donald is poised for a major break out. He's got to find a way to say what he wants to say. Don't start to ask.

That boy's a super freak.

Gretchen honey, count your lucky stars. Even the dark ones.
You're all right with me. The kind of girl you take home to mother...whether mother's around or not. [rim shot]

Leavin on a jet plane and trust me, I'm the biggest security risk around.

On hightened alert,
Ridin with the King,
Baba Bin Leavin Rajah.

Date: Mon, August 09, 2004, 22:22:59 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, Seeing everything as much as I do you....

Hey, a Donald/Todd collaboration would be very interesting, and full of emotion, as Rundgren is known for his moody and sometimes downright angst ridden compositions. One of my favorite of his is "Black Mariah" from I think the album #1 Lowest Common Denominator. A rock and sould featuring Fagen and Rundgren would be lots of fun, particularly if they sampled each other's past hits. Can you imagine Donald on a version of "Leroy, Boy, is that you...."
Any news is good news, sounds like Donald is looking for some great talent.
Attended yesterday's Litchfield Jazz Fest performances and one of the highlights for me was Maria Muldaur, who is so much more than the well known "Midnight At The Oasis." She's almost like a female JJ Cale with a jazzy twist, and has been recording for 41 years. I was thinking how an artist of her style would be great on a rock and sould type thing with Donald, sort of similar to Phoebe Snow back when. And yes, Maria delighted the crowd with "Midnight At The Oasis" which still sounds damn good after all these years. Another bright spot was Brad Meldhau, whose quiet, classical jazz piano suited the beautiful sunset, and Mathias Lupri, on vibes, who began the afternoon with a very atmospheric and serene set of music.
Friday evening I saw Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and although they look quite old, the performance was one of the best I've seen. A lot of new tunes from the album being released tomorrow, very political and powerful, certainly inspired by all the chaos in today's world thanks to you know who (I promise I won't spew politics). Did some old favorites, particularly "Dark Star" which I think is a piece of genius, and a track from my favorite album CSN back in 77. God, 1977 was a great year for new releases, wasn't it?
Another cd I wanted to mention, even though most of you probably know of it, is the Bob Sheppard release entitled "Tell Tale Signs" produced by Walter Becker. It's cool, uplifting jazz, great for either driving around on a sunny day or sipping wine with an interesting companion in the evening. Pair it with Apogee, which has a similar feel, and be happy (for the time being, anyway).
As summer drones on I feel like I missed out on so much, as it's hard to be an adult and enjoy summer. Out of college and working 18 years, I have never truly enjoyed a summer in my adult life. It's not fair, I know, perhaps there's still hope to sneak away for beach time.
Happy belated birthday, Toya!
Goodnight all,
xoxo
G

Date: Mon, August 09, 2004, 19:57:16 ET
Posted by: Boston Rag, Utopia

Wow!!! That's great news Hoops! I was just listening to Todd's Anthology last week!!! What a psychic moment!

Now get Skunk back on guitar and Ringo on drums and we're in for some rock n' roll revue fun!

Mark in Boston

Date: Mon, August 09, 2004, 18:40:37 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Try this:

Point QuickTime player, Real Player or other MP3 player at http://www.dandom.com/toddonfagen.mp3 .

Date: Mon, August 09, 2004, 18:04:24 ET
Posted by: hoops,

This just reported to the "Dandom Digest "

Dan Fan Ben Rose in the UK just emailed about Tom Robinson's interview of Todd Rundgren on the BBC earlier today.

Todd says that he and Donald Fagen are talking about the possibility of doing an R & B revue tour next year —it wouldn't take up the whole year—and they would do some recording together before the tour "to give people a sample of what to expect."

This was in response to Robinson asking who Rundgren respected in music.

How exciting to get some news!

jim

P.S. Ben sent me an MP3 clip of the actual comments. I will get it loaded and post the URL.

Date: Mon, August 09, 2004, 17:15:07 ET
Posted by: John, Erie, PA

Just skimmed through the updated Keith Carlock newsletter. It's a correction of the one from a couple of days ago. Talented guy that Keith. Annie Lennox and Sting are OK in my book. But I sure long for when he tours with Steely Dan.

Any one heard if he's working in any sessions for Donald's album? I guess they are supposed to start this month. Given Wayne Krantz is doing some sessions, I could see Keith being on it too.

You guitarists out there, in what ways would you say Krantz plays differently than Herington? Also, anyone know what Drew Zingg is up to these days?

Ciao,

John

Date: Sun, August 08, 2004, 22:16:37 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Hiya every1.

Happy Birthday, Danfiend! My sister and a couple of friends CALLED to remind me also that it is the one-year anniversary of the Steely Dan show in Chicago at the United Center. A great show and several of us concur that was one of the best performances of "Black Cow." Like's Mrs. O'Leary's cow, let's say it was legendary and burned the place up.

Regarding "Yellow Peril" -- Yes, it's been promoted here and even much more so in the Dandom Digest. I did a review when it came out and I've been doing my best to help Pat distribute his stock. Last I spoke with him he had some left. He only wants like a $1 or $2 for each so please help him recoup the $$$$, if you can. It will be worth it. Speaking of compilation CD, things with the Dandom Digest/Dandom.com is coming together but kinda waiting until "Yellow Peril" stock gets exhausted. Speaking of John Tobacco and Nigey Lennon and other compilation CD artists past and present; Radio Free Dandom 2 (RFD2) — one of Dandom.com's streaming radio stations, regularly plays many of them. So give a listen...follow the links from http://www.dandom.com/radiofreedandom

Well, hey everyone, it's good to relive the vibe from last year. Was great to hear from Carlock, on top of hearing from Chuck Rainey and Steve Shapiro in the last Digest. I'm feeling it. Wonder if any of those three will appear on the DF solo album.

Some classes start tomorrow for me: Where did Summer go, huh?

See ya.

jim

Date: Sun, August 08, 2004, 21:20:16 ET
Posted by: W1 Fish, LA LA Land

Wow, thanks all. I really wasn't prepared for the unbelievable quality stuff on Yellow Peril. Calle Sin Nombre grabs me immediately -- cash in your debenture! It's like EMG -- I love the financial references in the Walt/Don lexicon and Nigey really does it justice!

Anyway, Aja (now 4) and Layla (now 6 months) are awesome -- my little buddies!

Finally, I want to run something by the Blue (I posted about this on the Yellow to ZERO response). The bass player in Keneally's band is a fellow named Bryan Beller who, among other things, has also toured and recorded with Steve Vai. Beller recorded a solo album called "View" with some incredible musicians including Joe Travers on drums (who is responsible for maintenance of the Zappa family library of live performance tapes soon to be released on the internet). Anyway, this album View is an incredible piece of rock/jazz fusion that I think many in the Dan community would find very interesting. If you are so moved, the album is available on CD Baby and I will refund (not) your money if you buy it and don't like it.

Date: Sun, August 08, 2004, 20:25:47 ET
Posted by: Roy.Scam, Right coast

W1P~ You have succesfully fished for compliments. Yours is a good Major Dude (on the Yellow Peril CD). It may be sacrilege, but I like Mike Keneally's thrashing at least as much as the spanish-style guitar fills in the original. I like the percussion too.
Since I dorked around and didn't get around to saying it, I want to express my appreciation, admiration and heartfelt artistic jealousy for the contributors to that compilation. I really liked all but two of the 20 numbers, and I find myself still listening to it even after the novelty and curiosity have subsided. As Mu said, impressive one-man show by Ken Vogel, I wouldn't be surprised to find out he's Ray Davies' nephew or something. David Moore's Beach song has a criminally catchy melody and great arrangement; you can almost smell the bikinis. The "Calle Sin Nombre" song is like discovering one of those pre-Dan B&F recordings. And a killer vocal by Chris Watts on "Doctor Wu"; (I'm killed; I'm deceased; I'm a late bird; I am no more.) Many more high spots. Nice work, yellow people.

Date: Sun, August 08, 2004, 11:52:51 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, The Tide is High

P.S. The Carlock newsletter also features a great article from earlier this year where he expresses shock and awe at touring with SD. Here's the link www.backstagestories.com/interviews/pages/KCarlock_interview.html
(Sorry if this is old news, first time I've seen it.)

P.S.S. Such a lot of Leos here. Happy Birthday, Danfiend!

Date: Sun, August 08, 2004, 04:26:49 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Goriano, Italy

Yeah, Gina is one smooth operator on her cut. And the Brain Tap is inspired. Steves bway and eee are marvelous, the whole thing makes you smile. St Al still has some but LWO honey I will burn you one when I get back to LA if someone doesn't beat me to it.

Date: Sun, August 08, 2004, 00:34:32 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Oh, and add Ken Vogel's Knopfler-like guitar - he makes it cry aand sing

Date: Sun, August 08, 2004, 00:01:06 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

W1P: I dig your version of Any Major Dude and Pretzel Logic really pulled off Gaucho...but the highlights with no slight to any of the talents on the disc are John Tobacco's Oh, Wow and Tobacco/Nigey Lennon version of Brain Tap Shuffle which slides into Zappa heaven...Imaginative and Polished

Weightless is the coolest original song. Gina's Romeo and Juliet is a very professional sounding recording in the Swing out Sister/Nothing But the Girl/Eye-to-Eye/Anita Baker vein of pop/jazz sound crossed with Joni/Walter lyrics...it's all good...

Date: Sat, August 07, 2004, 22:15:57 ET
Posted by: Little Wild One, NYC dreaming

Woke up way too early for a Saturday, but the internal clock couldn't miss Boz and Herington on "Today." I was disappointed JH didn't get more face time on camera, but the back up singers are indeed sublime, Lonnie.

Also on the nearly Dan list, Keith Carlock is frigging getting the Grand Tour with Sting...his latest newsletter indicates the boy is booked until late fall. He is doing a few smaller gigs in NYC with Wayne Krantz and Will Lee/Anton Fig, which I would damn near kill to see. This is one busy and talented boy...

Hi W1P! I don't have Yellow Peril (hint, hint to someone who does), but I am sure your rendition of AMD is a winner. Welcome back! Hope Aja and sister(?) are well.

Date: Sat, August 07, 2004, 19:35:57 ET
Posted by: PeterQ, Brooklyn

W1P - I have it. Very good idea; love the shakers. What about Snowy White now?

Date: Sat, August 07, 2004, 15:18:07 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Goriano, Italy

W1P - Your peformance on Any Major Dude was aces. Grunge and Pink meet the Dan. I personally love to hear these songs reinterpreted in other styles, seriously messed with, even. The guitars are wonderful, frieght trains with their breaks squealing out at ya. A great sense of controlled chaos. Neil Young and Joe Walsh eat your hearts out. I like the contrast created by the reassuring lyric with the heavy machinery behind it. Sounds like chunks of sharp cast iron are coming unglued from the moving transport and are careening down the tracks. Step back son or get sliced open.

See, fish and you shall find.

Folks my age here don't know Steely Dan from KC & the Sunshine Band but they go absolutely nuts for Pink Floyd. Even their kids do. It resonates somehow, don't know quite what it is; psychadelic church music is how one of my cousins described it. Hmm.

They're taking me to Italian kareoke tonight. Mama, hold on tight.

Now where are my lyrics to "Private Eyes" and "Volare?"

Move Over Rick Astley,
Baba Rich Baritone Rajah

Date: Sat, August 07, 2004, 13:54:22 ET
Posted by: W1P, Lost Angeles

Hello Blue bookers, I have taken the plunge and obtained from Hoops the magic word allowing me to post here again. I am sad about the demise of the Yellow but want to again thank St. Al for a great ride while it lasted. I've tried to search the archives for any discussion of Yellow Peril (the last compilation) but I was to lazy to really look hard. Did anyone here get the CD? What did you think? I'm fishing for compliments on my "marvelous" vocal "rendition" of Any Major Dude ;-)

OK, well I will be dropping by for more talk from time to time. Take care and thanks Hoops for welcoming me back!

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 20:23:04 ET
Posted by: blurb,

Item about chris potter

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/music/article/0,1299,DRMN_54_3089953,00.html

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 19:46:20 ET
Posted by: hoops,

In Digests past, we've gone reviewed parts 1 and 2 of the three-part Danny Awards 2004. Part 1 covered Danny Awards for events at Danfests, Danventions, iDanventions, Wind Dings and Summer Smokers before and after the Steely Dan shows during the 2003 tour. Part 2 surveyed fans reactions to various facets of the actual Steely Dan shows in 2003. The third and last part is the FREE-FORM, DO-IT-YOURSELF DANNYS, an opportunity to add any categories not covered in parts 1 or 2 while also giving the voter an opportunity to exercise comedic flare. All in all 81 Danfans voted in the Danny Awards 2004. Some voted in all categories while others only voted in as little as one or two categories.

To be honest, I'm surprised there weren't responses and comments about last Digest's votes on the best of the 2003 shows. Would love to hear your thoughts…

With out further adieu, here's the results from the "FREE-FORM, DO-IT-YOURSELF DANNYS, 2004."

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

FREE-FORM, DO-IT-YOURSELF DANNYS, 2004

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

BEST GRAPHICAL DISPLAY AT A 2003 STEELY DAN SHOW

That Really Cool Indian Chief TV Test Pattern during "FM"

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

MOST UNDERSTANDING DAN FAN SPOUSE (2003 AND ALL-TIME)

Kathy Farley -- Who had no idea what she was REALLY getting herself into when she said "I DO" 27 years ago -- Hey, that was the year "AJA" was released!!!

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

METROSEXUAL DANFAN OF THE YEAR

Three-way Tie: Pete Q, The Joey and Aussie

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

BEST TECHNICAL UNDER-ACHIEVEMENT AT A DANFEST.

Those responsible for the Blackout causing the cancellation of the Toronto show.

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

BEST MOMENT OF FATE

Aside from meeting so many wonderful Danfans at the Roseland Ballroom and being able to bond with them over something no one understands in my house or town, I do have a wonderful, wonderful, happy memory from seeing Steely Dan at PNC Bank Arts Center. My Mom insisted we leave the house at 3:30 to beat traffic, even though the concert started at 8. By the time we got there, it was 5. I laughed in her face and said "Thank God we got here so early! The parking lot is so full! What, five cars? Whoo, good thinking, Mom!" So she suggests we go inside and eat and visit the souvenir stand and chill out and walk around, but of course we walk up to the gate and it's locked because it's THREE HOURS EARLY. So I stand and the gate, handing the sarcastic remarks to my mother by the shovelful, when I spot a Q1043 van outside the venue. Q1043 is my favorite radio station and had been sponsering kaereokee events at other concerts I had been to that summer, and I thought they were doing the same thing here, because someone was singing something. My mother turned to me and said, "Margaret, I think they're warming up." And wouldn't you know it! My favorite band was inside the center, performing "Black Cow" and I was ecstatic. I leaned against the gate and quietly sang along (so I could hear) and after that you could have knocked me over with a feather. That was the only song we heard them do, but oh, what a moment. It was like Don and Walt knew I was there and were singing just for me. It was a special moment, and well worth the three hour wait.

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

BEST RANDOM COMMENT MADE BY BAND WHEN ADDRESSING AUDIENCE

"It smells like the fucking Hindu Kush in here…"

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

HOTTEST BAND MEMBER

Donald. Donald. Donald. (my friend says Michael, but I say Donald.)

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

BEST SD MOMENT *NOT* DURING THE ACTUAL CONCERT

Sound check at the Gorge, the music floated down the river and directly to my ears as our own private concert.

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

BEST PLACE TO SMOKE OUT

The cigarette smoking area with a joint... any venue.

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

MOST FUN STEELY DAN SONG TO SING IN THE AUDIENCE

"My Old School"

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

BEST ORGANIZER OF ANY DANFEST

Hoops

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

BEST UNPLANNED AFTER SHOW PARTY

The New York State Troopers - After the Syracuse show (even though I was arrested)

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

BEST STEELY DAN ACRONYM MOMENT:

HFS...Roseland Friday night. This must never be spoken outside the hallowed walls of Roseland

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

BEST BEER SERVICE AT A STEELY DAN SHOW:

Roseland and DBB. "Scuse me, pardon me, I've got FRIENDS UP FRONT." Spoken like a true New Yorker...

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

BEST AMATEUR TRIBUTE CHOIR AT A DANFEST:

The à capella singers at Jones Beach: Danfiend, Mister Sam were the song leaders..(sincere apologies to those whose names were left off)

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

BEST SURPRISE PARTY GOODS

The Monkey with the Fez salt & pepper shakers at the Garage bar in Maui

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

BEST IMPERSONATION

That guy who dressed up as Carolyn and took her place on stage at the Concord Show.

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

BEST USE (ABUSE) OF A FELLOW DANFAN TO GET INTO THE FRONT ROW AND SNAP A FEW PICTURES THAT I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED COPIES OF...

Keith a.k.a Earthbound

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

BEST IMPROMPTU DANFEST WHILE WAITING IN LINE FOR 3 HOURS

Memphis, TN - too many names that I don't remember, but we know who we are.

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

MOST FLIRTATIOUS OFFICIAL BARE-MIDRIFF FEMALE OF THE YEAR.

Cindy Mizelle - Damn! but she can 'shake it'

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

FAGEN-REFERENCED SNACK MOST LIKELY TO MAKE MARTHA STEWART SPIN IN HER JAIL CELL:

Ritz crackers+guyere cheese+Cuervo Gold

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

BEST SMILE ON A DANFAN'S FACE

And the Danny goes to SUEDAVE

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

BEST DAN FAN FRIENDS

Sam and Fife...for going out of their way for a Dan Fan Friend

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

BIGGEST HYPE

Donald ending the shows with "See ya next year!"

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

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 19:16:13 ET
Posted by: PeterQ, Brooklyn

I guess that picture of me getting my eyebrows shaved by the female US Army captain in combat fatigues at the Hershey Park concert helped me tie for Metrosexual Fan of The Year. Gee!

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 18:04:14 ET
Posted by: Josey, Visiting my daughter

Rajah - that cover of Palladium I'm talking about is not on the tribute to Porcaro. It's on a cd called "Document" by Karizma. You can find it easily at audiophileimports.com. In fact, for anyone looking for "musician oriented music" (sorry if that sounds snobbish), that website has it all. Tons of stuff you simply cannot find in most music stores.

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 17:40:06 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

The latest Dandom Digest covering July 24-August 6 has just been sent.

It includes the "Free-Form, Do-It-Yourself Danny" awards results and some news from Chuck Rainey and Steve Shapiro.

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

The following are the subjects of this Digest:

Herington on US TV Saturday 8/7
Mr. Herington & Mr. Boz
Chuck Rainey on "Aja" coming to cr.com
New Music from 2vN Vibes player Steve Shapiro
Attn: Steely Dan Web Ring Webmasters

YOUR VOTES ARE IN: Free-Form, Do-It-Yourself Dannys
- BEST GRAPHICAL DISPLAY AT A 2003 STEELY DAN SHOW
- METROSEXUAL DANFAN OF THE YEAR
- BEST RANDOM COMMENT MADE BY BAND WHEN ADDRESSING AUDIENCE
- BEST STEELY DAN ACRONYM MOMENT
- MOST FLIRTATIOUS OFFICIAL BARE-MIDRIFF FEMALE OF THE YEAR
and much, much, more...

REDUX: A Rumor about the New Donald Record

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

jim

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 17:32:10 ET
Posted by: Tom. S. , New Baltimore, MI

These song ideas remind me of my own idea i had for a Steely Dan song. It would be about some collegiate-type goings on at an advance genometics lab/fertility clinic. In the proposed ditty (are you listening Walter and Donald?) these lab assistants have a wild lab orgy (opening verse), all the clients' test tubes get mixed up with surprise body fluids and proteins (middle verse), and then the resulting grab-bag chillun' end up on The New Jerry Springer Show (Third and Final Verse). Funny stuff......maybe. You could then have Chris Potter take it home for a few days and add an incredible 12-minute solo at the end, suggestive of these kids' anguish and confusion. Heck, in what could be your first Bacharachianesque reference since "Almost Gothic," you could incorporate the following tasty, award winning lines as a post-ironic outro and have them cooed by the Midriffs:

---

On the day that you were born
The angels got together and decided
To create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moondust in your hair
Of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue

---

For the video (and you need a video, you know---look what happened with no video for EMG), Donald could even put on a sexy Karen Carpenter wig. Not too much of a visual stretch from the pre-Thrill days, if you ask me. And everyone just loves retro.

Maybe call the song, "Test Tube Biz Kids."

Was just trying to help. <sniffle> Your honor, I'm guilty but another 4-20 years is a long sentence for a middle-aged Steely Dan fan like me.

Tom S.

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 17:00:22 ET
Posted by: Song Wizard, the Netherworld

How about this for a Steely Dan composition?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/08/06/crime.toes.reut/index.html

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 16:11:48 ET
Posted by: get down on it,

this bit from A.P. about rick james makes him out to be someone out of a steely dan lyrics.

James was convicted in 1993 of assaulting two women. The first attack occurred in 1991 when he restrained and burned a young woman with a hot pipe during a cocaine binge at his house in West Hollywood. He was free on bail when the second assault occurred in 1992 in James' hotel room.

Super freak, indeed.

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 16:01:34 ET
Posted by: get out the funk, funkytown

rick 'super freak' james is dead. apparently natural causes.

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 14:13:17 ET
Posted by: Rajah , It-lee

Steevee-Boy:

Four Simple Rules of Being Interviewed on Camera:

1)Get on the interviewer's left side. I like your left profile best, huggy-bear. (Hey all of you is lovely to me punkin but left is best I think.)

2)Look at the interrogator when being asked a question but switch your visage to camera on response. Focus one eye only on the lens, it's eye to eye as Michael Caine suggests.

3) Wear a nice deep rich solid colored shirt. Unbutton two buttons and add a tasteful sunburst medallion ala Gino Vanelli; show off that hairy chest. If ya got it, as Max Bialistock says, flaunt it baby. Remember, 2-3-4, you're... too sexy for this shirt, too sexy for this shirt, soooo sexy it huuuuurtz...

4) Under no circumstances touch your unit during questioning. However, do give the camera that, "Baby, am I packin a large caliber salami in my pants or what," knowing smile, know what I'm sayin?

I'm really bummed I won't be there, a PL show without the Rajah is like, well, heaven on earth for the long-suffering Blue!

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 14:02:50 ET
Posted by: Lonnie, The Kingpin

FYI to all in the greater Dandom community ~

I was told by the background vocalist extraordinaire, Monet, that Mr. Boz Scaggs -- including JON HERINGTON -- will be on the Saturday Today show on Saturday, August 7th. Ms. Monet told this to me after Boz's show in Lake Tahoe on July 24th. I suggest you get your morning coffee (or other beverage of choice) fired up and enjoy the sounds of Boz, Monet, and our own Mr. Jon Herington (who is as good as ever).

Enjoy!

Lonnie

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 13:15:03 ET
Posted by: SteveeDan,

Hi Rajah -

I hope you are enjoying your time in It-lee. Keep your teeth in your head indeed.

We (Pretzel Logic - A Steely Dan Revue, Los Angeles, CA) are playing for the city of Yorba Linda (birthplace of President Richard Nixon) on Sunday August 8th at 5 PM at Hurless Barton Park.

Our performance will be Televised Live on local Yorba Linda Cable TV Channel 3 (like any of you can actually get it) ... but we'll have a copy of it and we'll press it into a DVD ... it's just so exciting.

At the beginning of the show, they are going to interview me on camera. Imagine that. Gee, I sure hope I don't run out of things to say ...

I will be boasting to the interviewer that our band is known around the world. What I won't be telling them is that our band is known around the world by about 52 people.

Have a nice weekend everyone.


SteveeDan (BL & KM for PL - ASDR)

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 12:50:25 ET
Posted by: Rajah , Rollin with the Gumbas, Italy

SOH – Mellencamp and BB-Face??????? Can the friggin Rapture be far behind?

Hey Mu – I’ll have to wait till I get back to LA to hear Chuck & Jeff. My shit is weak on this rigg ovaheer. And yo Josey and Daddy G, Palladium is one of the best Weather Report tunes ever. I gotta get my hands on that tribute version.


OK, here’s my personal take on YGT I & II. It ain’t all that but hey, it’s my opinion and I guess everyone’s entitled to it:

Your Gold Teeth I: the tale of an out of control person whom you simply cannot help. At some point you throw up your hands and exhort them to throw out their gold teeth as well, jump off that ledge, go ahead, ruin yourself if you must, destroy yourself, just get it over with. You figure maybe that will snap them out of it but most of the time, you’re wrong, they just keep rollin. The narrator here is fed up. Ever notice how Mr. Steely Dan is repeatedly at his wits’ end with these chicks? His friend, a woman of redoubtable sexual charm, is accustomed to employing her gifts to get what she wants or, more likely than not, get herself out of trouble, get back to square one. He’s seen this dance and witnessed her mendacity and self-delusion on prior occasions. But he does have the presence of mind to realize that one day the locusts will come, she will not be able to render that one particular roulade, the trap door will fly open, the abyss will swallow her up. Just why he has allied himself with her is the ultimate Steelian question and a topic for serious study of the psychology of the persons with the penis. Your Rajah has also seen this dance before, I assure you.

Your Gold Teeth II: a somber reflection on the lady and the lesson two years hence. The winged child who screamed and ran wild. The very thought of her and others like her prompts one to tremble. Those wings she covers reminds your humble observer of the fallen angels of Judeo-Christian tradition. That girl was she of the cloven hoof but she masked her wings with the way that she smiled. She was the very devil in disguise. And so the cautionary caveat is simply to watch out for folks who keep pushing you further and further out on that ledge which we all seem to challenge at some point in our lives. The people who cover your action and dare you to keep stepping. So go ahead and roll those dice if that’s what you need to do but forgoodnessakes, keep your fuckin gold teeth in your head and cut your losses. Play if you must but know when the game is over and pull your sorry ass outta there.

Class dismissed. (Mamalusha, that’s like a triple entendre, pidgeons.)

Date: Fri, August 06, 2004, 11:23:58 ET
Posted by: SouthOfHollywood, Wonderland

Mellencamp and BABYFACE on the same ticket?

In WILKES-BARRE, PA?!

What vote are they actually shooting for with this show?

The good news is that, much like in Chicago, even the dead still vote in Wilkes-Barre...Early AND often...Trust me on this one...

SOH

Date: Thurs, August 05, 2004, 17:37:18 ET
Posted by: Doctor Mu,

Rajah: You ever heard the alternate take sans vocals? Check out Rainey and Porcaro - what a conversation! a whole new dimension

Date: Thurs, August 05, 2004, 15:38:09 ET
Posted by: Madame Erzulie, looking at a map of Santa Monica

This looks ok so far.......

Date: Thurs, August 05, 2004, 15:12:56 ET
Posted by: Joey ,

" So here's my political statement for the day: love somebody, do something nice for somebody, help a stranger, say hello in there to some poor lonely old person, and for goodnessakes, y'all, (I'm talkin to myself here) stop dwelling on the bad stuff and appreciate all the wonderful things you have in your life.

You beautiful selfish American bastards you, lol... "

My Rajah ...................................

You are much loved by The Joey and all your Steelian Brothers and Sisters . Ours is a Secret Society . Drink Kirschwasser from a shell we do . San Francisco show and tell ...................
Hug Me .

Joey !

Date: Thurs, August 05, 2004, 14:28:40 ET
Posted by: Josey, Visiting Atlanta

Daddy G - The "Tribute to Jeff" is pretty good. The most amazing Garfield cd is called Karizma "Document" and has Garfield, Vinnie C., Mike Landau, and Neil Stubenhaus. They do a version of Weather Reports "palladium" that's one of the damndest things I've ever heard. For any of the Vinnie fans, this is an absolute must have!!

Date: Thurs, August 05, 2004, 14:12:09 ET
Posted by: Pam, by the sea

Raj, how we love you. A beautiful post from a beautiful world by a beautiful soul. Makes me weepy, darn you.

:) Pam

Date: Thurs, August 05, 2004, 13:43:31 ET
Posted by: Daddy G., NJ

Here's a piece on George Benson's latest CD ("Irreplaceable") which then goes on to to mention a CD called "Giving Back" by David Garfield, "a St. Louis native and Benson's music director and keyboardist.":

Fans are split on Benson's bend toward R&B on latest CD
By Kevin C. Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Pop Music Critic
08/05/2004

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/Columnists.nsf/0/BEA34FF372C00DBE86256EE6000062C3?OpenDocument&Headline=Fans+are+split+on+Benson's+bend+toward+R%26B+on+latest+CD

A couple relevant Steely excerpts:

"Although the CD includes Brazilian-flavored and fusion songs, 'Giving Back' features such covers as the Isley Brothers' 'For the Love of You' and Steely Dan's 'Josie,' which he says was recorded in the vein of a James Brown song."

"All of Garfield's music, including 'Giving Back,' is released on his own Creatchy Records, which takes its name from Garfield's nickname. The label has 19 titles, six of which are Garfield CDs. Among those is 'Tribute to Jeff,' which features 78 artists including Michael McDonald, Don Henley, Richard Marx and Eddie Van Halen honoring the memory of drummer Jeff Porcaro. Other titles feature former Garfield fusion bands, and a variety of guitar and saxophone players."

Date: Thurs, August 05, 2004, 06:58:55 ET
Posted by: Rajah, Castel D'ieri, Italy

I sit here in the Post Office with my cousin Orazio. He runs this little PO and he's got a DSL line in here. Only he had to run into town real quick to check on his son at summer school and guess what? Yup, your Rajini was doling out stamps and punching out money orders. Only in Italy, only in a town of 300 people. Strange days indeed...

Hoopsie - I have Katy Lied, AIA, EMG and Apogee with me here this trip. And a'course, Joni. Yikes, what a gigantic soul she is. But for me, it's all about Katy Lied, hands down. I'm stuck on YGT II. I just adore this cut. Stevee and I had a discussion about YGT I & II a couple weeks ago, I asked him if he heard any kind of musical kinship on any level between the two, direct, relative or complimentary. He said definitely not and why didn't I bring do a brief study on the possible lyrical ties. Now that I have a printer here, I'm gonna do just that. I know that YGT II has some of the best lines ever by our boys:

Who are these children
who scheme and run wild?
Who speak with their wings
and the way that they smile?
What are the secrets
they trace in the sky?
And why do you tremble
each time they ride by?

All questions, no answers; except for this reflection:

The answer they reveal? You know it, life is unreal.

Especially up here in my mountain home, a million miles and years, it seems sometimes, from everything. Life here is indeed unreal. Here in the hinterland of ancient Latium in this town founded in 500 BC where life, love and friendship, i.e., the big things, the important things, the enduring things, these do not change my beloved Blue, have not changed, and, God willing, will never change. Just the sheer joy of being with each other, caring for each other, helping each other.

So here's my political statement for the day: love somebody, do something nice for somebody, help a stranger, say hello in there to some poor lonely old person, and for goodnessakes, y'all, (I'm talkin to myself here) stop dwelling on the bad stuff and appreciate all the wonderful things you have in your life.

You beautiful selfish American bastards you, lol...

Hold me tight,
Rajah.

PS: Gee-Gee, get in your truck with Madame Erzule and keep driving west... I'll meet you at Amoeba Records on Sunset & Vine.

Date: Wed, August 04, 2004, 23:01:12 ET
Posted by: Gretchen, the smell of prickly pear.........

Update from my Steely test lab regarding the Gaucho DVD-A and the hybrid SACD: By now, my neighbors are surely wishing I were driving west on Sunset, to the sea. Alternating between the 2 all evening (yes, I need to get a life) I have to say I am leaning toward the SACD for richness of sound for my favorite track on the album, "Glamour Profession." It just sounds deeper, richer, more lush, on the hybrid. "Babylon Sisters" on the dvd-a sounds like a different take than that of the sacd, as Donald's voice is more pronounced, less altered. As I said in a post long ago, the dvd audio sounds like he's in the room with me, but the sacd is more ear candy. This is using my Bose Lifestyle system and the Pioneer DV-563A. I need to take a step back, go through Gaucho withdrawal, listen to some Outkast perhaps, to cleanse the musical palatte. Jesus, there really isn't a cure for the summertime blues!
Goodnight, all
G

Date: Wed, August 04, 2004, 16:36:33 ET
Posted by: hoop,