2023 Posts

Date: Thurs, December 28, 2023, 10:51:35 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. 2024 is upon us. Will Donald release a new album? We'll see. In the meantime enjoy some great music.


キリンジ Kirinji - エイリアンズ Aliens (Live)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGmSCtfMp8M

Burt Bacharach - Nikki

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dldvv_o7GXI

Yumi Matsutoya - 楓

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfKV6IpIWvo

李行亮 Li Xingliang - 麦比乌斯 Mobius

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

Michael Jackson - Got The Hots (Demo) - Unreleased song composed by Rod Temperton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v4bhg-g5MI

Date: Mon, December 25, 2023, 16:18:21 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Merry Christmas, everyone!

------

Michael: thanks for the Christmas tree graphic. Very fun. Wishing you and yours the best.

Just a caveat about the standard 33 1/3, 180 g black vinyl re-releases of the Steely Dan catalog from UMe/Geffen. Three of the five versions have had some pretty consistent manufacturing defects. I'm not trying to rain on the parade and sniff at whether there's one degree of too much treble here or a little bit too much bass here or that sort of thing. But I'm talking about the following… with my suggestion that you spring for the $150, 45 RPM versions or look for a really clean, used early pressing.

Multiple have reported about the UMe/Geffen 33-1/3 versions:

Can't Buy a Thrill
The opening note to "Only a Fool..." has either a scratch, distortion or just seems to be gone on more than a few copies. One person reported sending it back to Amazon twice before they finally got a third copy that was good. Rest of it sounds at least pretty good or better, depending on your ears.

Countdown to Ecstasy
All reports give a big thumbs up.

Pretzel Logic
All reports give a big thumbs up.

Aja
Aside from the lack of the credits and lyrics, there's also distortion or skipping on the outro to Josie reported by a few people.

Gaucho
Reports of dropout or skip during Babylon Sisters. Multiple reports of significant warpage.

Again, not trying to be a wet blanket, but I think these are kind of basic kind of issues. You buy a new record, it shouldn't be skipping or severely warped, especially if it's steely Dan which is known for its sonic perfection and why we buy so many multiple copies.

I had been buying these from local independent record shops. (Actually, I put them on reserve order at Amazon and if I find out my local record store is getting it in, then I'll cancel the Amazon so the local store can get the money.) But the problem is that with these releases being defective is that for all practical purposes the record stores just eat the cost of the bad records and throw them away. This is at three different independent stores I've talked to. In fact one of them which is really a good shop which has decided not to carry
any more of these in the series as they come out. They're losing money on them because of the returns.

So I think if I get the final two titles, I'll go with Amazon since they can eat the cost of the defects, I'm like an independent store.

Finally, I have this feeling they're going to re-release all of these as a box set, sort of like Donald's "Cheap Xmas." It wouldn't surprise me if they have a bonus LP with FM, Here At the Western World, etc. I don't have any inside information, but it's just my speculation after following this band for so long. I'd guess they come out with it before next Christmas. Again, just my hypothesis.

Wishing you all the best of the remaining holiday season and much happiness in the new year. Thanks for the opportunity to share the things I know in love with those of my kind.

Jim

Date: Sun, December 24, 2023, 10:54:33 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, that's true. We can mix and match tracks however we want.

Since I'll in all likelihood be way too busy tomorrow, I'm gonna take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.


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Date: Sun, December 24, 2023, 01:25:32 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael: We, of course, have the ability today to play an album in whatever order we like.

EMG - I always play it in reverse order. The opening on the title track is a tip of the fez to Coltrane's A Love Supreme. It's a perfect opener. Sets the stage for the remainder of the album.

The stronger material is in the back 2/3 anyway.

Everything Must Go
Lunch With Gina
Pixeleen
Greenbook

I'll stack the four above with any consecutive 4 songs in the Dan discography - that could just be me

Slang of Ages - Walter's delivers it right. A very clever and underrated song

Godwhacker - has more punch when played after Slang. The Dimension Skippers are on the loose.

Blues Beach - ideal late album track, a change of pace, a goofy song of a nuclear fallout

Things I Miss the Most - perfect for nearing the end, and at the end of one's rope. While I like the live version better with the extended Intro, it is a very overlooked song.

The Last Mall - pull the plug.

Date: Sun, December 24, 2023, 01:14:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Heartbreak Souvenir was recorded with Bernard Purdie on drums, Anthony Jackson on bass, Steve Khan on guitar, and Don Grolnick on keyboards. It was Khan's choice to replace the Second Arrangement, but Donald said it was too hard to sing. Some clown on bought Heartbreak on eBay and it's never seen the light of day.

Date: Sat, December 23, 2023, 20:17:03 ET
Posted by: Still, Wandering

When you think about it, much of what made D&W special was their ability and willingness to say: No.

No to that track. No to that solo. No to that mastering or pressing or product. No to that interview or press junket or commercial or VIP Access programs. No. No. No. Until they found that special and rare thing they could say Yes to.

I am guessing if W was alive we wouldn’t see this flood of remasters and re-releases and re-re-releases. I’m guessing it took both of them to turn so many potential Yesse$ into Nos.

Just my guess.

Date: Sat, December 23, 2023, 18:49:52 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

I’m loving the “what could have been” Gaucho. So yes, “Here at the Western World” would have already been released by the time Gaucho was releases but in a perfect world I think it would have made a great single from an actual album. As for “Heartbreak Souvenir” which is getting a lot of attention, I know the lore behind the song but has an actual demo of it been released? I can’t say I’ve ever heard what that one actually sounds like.

Date: Sat, December 23, 2023, 16:38:34 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, Gary Katz explained how they sequence tracks. "There's no science to that at all, except first cut first side. It's probably as important as making the record in that it sets the feel in the same sense that you would edit a movie... so that it flows from beginning to end. And it's a difficult thing to do 'cause everyone feels another thing. Lots of lists, lots of lists."

Date: Sat, December 23, 2023, 12:48:30 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Since, we're talking about CD length - I'll stretch it out.



Babylon Sisters
Hey 19
Glamour Profession
Time out of Mind
Heartbreak Souvenir
Kulee Baba
Gaucho
The Bear
I Can’t Write Home About You
Third World Man
The Second Arrangement

What could have been...

Date: Sat, December 23, 2023, 12:44:46 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Dave - if only CD length albums were available

Side 1-
Babylon Sisters
Hey 19
Glamour Profession
Time out of Mind
Heartbreak Souvenir


Side 2-
Gaucho
The Bear
I Can’t Write Home About You
Third World Man
The Second Arrangement (was scheduled as the first single but last track on the album IIRC)


Here at the Western World (had been released as a single and part of the Greatest Hits) Bonus CD track?

Date: Fri, December 22, 2023, 16:23:38 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Walter cleaned himself up after he moved to Hawaii and got married in the '80s, at least that's my understanding of events.

As 'The Second Arrangement' was the first track they cut for Gaucho, that would've been track #1 had it not been erased.

If only we could hear Heartbreak Souvenir.

Date: Fri, December 22, 2023, 15:32:29 ET
Posted by: Alternate Uniburst,

Re: “The Bear”, for as bright as WB was (and I think
He was perhaps brighter than DF overall), he ironically
was not able to avoid “The Bear getting his ass”, in his late 20s.

It seems no matter how cool or hip or smart or supercilious
you think you are, ironically again, if your family
life was shaky or unloving in your youth, you’re
basically f’ed unless you: A) admit it to yourself at least that
your hurt or hurting,
B) realize you need help and C) seek that help.
(Ooo, to be vulnerable, oooo, scary, right?)
But that’s what you’ve got to do. All that other
shit is a big facade.

Heroin is a self-loathing pain/self-destructing life-ender.
Not cool, not hip and ironically, stupid.

Date: Fri, December 22, 2023, 14:19:35 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions) , Philadelphia

I don’t believe this has been posted yet (link at the bottom). This guy has a few cool YouTube channels where he cleans up leaked demos and stuff like that. Now it seems he has ventured into also filling out piano/vocal demos with full band arrangements. On his main channel he does a lot of stuff with the “Lost Gaucho” concept (cleaning up the songs that didn’t make the cut, making his own Gaucho running order, etc) and of course being the obsessed nerd that I am got me thinking what my perfect Gaucho would look like and I came up with this, let me know what you think of my version

Side 1-
Babylon Sisters
Hey 19
Glamour Profession
Time out of Mind
Here at the Western World

Side 2-
The Bear
I Can’t Write Home About You
The Second Arrangement
Gaucho
Third World Man

Now that is a badass record! I always thought it was a shame Western World never ended up on an official album but I agree it doesn’t fit on either Scam or Aja but in my opinion it could slot in here perfectly. The glaring omissions are My Rival and Kulee Baba but I just don’t think they fit on the version I’m going for. Also, I didn’t limit mine to 7 songs which I see most people do, I’m not an expert but I’m pretty sure even though some of these songs are quite long, there’s still enough room on the vinyl for a few more, it’s just a dumb thought experiment anyway.

https://youtu.be/y1EFFao9oT0

Date: Thurs, December 21, 2023, 11:37:59 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Cool stuff to check out.


Jessie Ware - Pearls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAaUn5sn1T0

Emma Hoet - Tandem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1IP9QKixOw

Red Garland Quintet - Birk's Works

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

Dabeull - Day & Night (with Holybrune)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDVOqLGZgW0

Francis Lai - Aventure et vacances (Adventure and vacation)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nW4ZtKLDrQ

Mamalaid Rag - 三日月の夜 (Crescent Moon Night)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3yO9eNLepU

Andy Williams - The Christmas Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yefpbYd9hc

Date: Mon, December 18, 2023, 21:35:12 ET
Posted by: Donald Rumsfeld-Fagen, Nome Nome, Alaska

He's back!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZdcOb2OnyY

Donald talking about the Aja remaster with Aja alums Bernie Grundman (original and remaster mastering engineer) and Bill Schnee (recording engineer) as well as Chad Kassem (Acoustic Sounds record label owner) and Fred Kaplan (journalist and DF friend).

Date: Mon, December 18, 2023, 20:05:42 ET
Posted by: Denise, Hinktown

That was horrendous. The ice skating bit is beyond belief.

Date: Mon, December 18, 2023, 13:35:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, Danger Will Robinson

Sorry about the double post. There was a malware warning, hoops.

Date: Mon, December 18, 2023, 13:34:30 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - yeah, Be the Change first channels some Sea Level-like chords in the intro, then it morphs into a Latin beat Donnie Hathaway recording.

I've had the Jarrod Lawson's debut for years, but only recently started listening to the follow-up. It's an amazing leap forward. Masterfully recorded by Bob Stark and Lawson.

Date: Mon, December 18, 2023, 13:34:17 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - yeah, Be the Change first channels some Sea Level-like chords in the intro, then it morphs into a Latin beat Donnie Hathaway recording.

I've had the Jarrod Lawson's debut for years, but only recently started listening to the follow-up. It's an amazing leap forward. Masterfully recorded by Bob Stark and Lawson.

Date: Mon, December 18, 2023, 13:34:02 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - yeah, Be the Change first channels some Sea Level-like chords in the intro, then it morphs into a Latin beat Donnie Hathaway recording.

I've had the Jarrod Lawson's debut for years, but only recently started listening to the follow-up. It's an amazing leap forward. Masterfully recorded by Bob Stark and Lawson.

Date: Sun, December 17, 2023, 18:45:33 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, excellent find. I like Jarrod's soulful vocal delivery and those rich, full harmonies. Reminiscent of classic R&B but with a modern sheen. 'Be The Change' is such a great track, deserving far more attention. Thanks for sharing.

Date: Sat, December 16, 2023, 06:59:24 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Hiiiiiiii, aside from their musical prowess D&W were also very literate whereas their imitators aren't to the same degree.

Date: Fri, December 15, 2023, 23:13:48 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Jerrod Lawson - Be the Change.

https://youtu.be/C3KcRKNkbO8?si=Abuss2qj_3wCMDcb

A little more Stevie than Steely, but you get it.

Date: Fri, December 15, 2023, 23:07:11 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Jarrod Lawson - He's There

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP6P7vMD8U4

Date: Fri, December 15, 2023, 21:43:58 ET
Posted by: Hiiiiiiii, fiiiii

The lyrics in a lot of these Steely-soundalike songs are embarrassing, though.

Date: Fri, December 15, 2023, 03:23:17 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, asiteverwas

do the same

Date: Fri, December 15, 2023, 03:22:26 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Major Minor - as the chord progressions of course to the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98h2bH_wTsE

Very tasty, particularly the chord chart.

- Maison de Singe


Florida Room is a trifle. On the Dunes has the gravitas.

The Nightfly title track, Goodbye Look, and The Night Belongs to Mona also stand out as Fagen masterpieces. Memorabilia is very underrated.

Good Stuff has attitude - even while covered.

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

I've noticed Sunken Condos has a bit more Walter attitude than the other Fagen solos. Interesting.

Date: Thurs, December 14, 2023, 16:39:52 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. I don't know if you're ready for this much quality, I certainly wasn't, but that's how we do things around here. Go big or go home.

Brad Goodall - How Long Has It Been

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHc-UU4TazU

L'Impératrice - Peur des filles (Afraid of Girls)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUH-z_SBlj0

Myrone - Concrete

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9QhAyPdzXU

Yukika - I want to be closer to you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfq88GJ_Fd4

UZEB - Doobie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vneGm2dvAIA

Mark Bulos - Escape

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

Knower - Nightmare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERCkf0j8pPM

Corduroy - January Woman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ibwhGAJTXc

Leila Pinheiro - Besame

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUVM4WdXMLs

Date: Thurs, December 14, 2023, 10:50:52 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

Love love Snowbound. Yes, best DF solo track along with New Frontier.

Date: Thurs, December 14, 2023, 06:55:14 ET
Posted by: Michael,

One of the best tracks off Kamakiriad for sure, along with Tomorrow's Girls and Florida Room. Best DF solo track? I'd go with either IGY or Miss Marlene.

Date: Wed, December 13, 2023, 22:28:10 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Tonight's seasonal sing-a-long.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96GCrZec5u8

Dat bass.

Best solo track? Arguably so.

Date: Tues, December 12, 2023, 13:52:08 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

Just to echo EC's comment re being exposed to some good music via The Blue.

I've been posting (occassionally) here for a good 15 years, possibly longer. In that time I've got into Vulfpeck, Mayer Hawthorne, Toy Matinee, Toxic Vegan, some recent David Crosby/CPR stuff, Bruce Cockburn (seriously....someone linked to 'pacing the cage' many years back) and as well as State Cows/Norwegian Fjords the 'biggies' i.e. YGSF, Mama's Gun and Monkey House!

I've loved Don B's work since the Headquarters album was recommended on here many moons ago so that alone deserves sincere thanks and there's probably at least a dozen others I've forgotten were triggered by a wet Sunday morning browsing The Blue.

Date: Mon, December 11, 2023, 19:02:35 ET
Posted by: Michael,

This bass line sounds vaguely familiar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIhG7_kfBBg

Date: Mon, December 11, 2023, 18:13:32 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Mayer Hawthorne OG soul.

A+ for the Pulp Fiction excessive video.

The Walk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmfcYli6vV4

Date: Mon, December 11, 2023, 18:04:49 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Hoops - the 1998/1999 CDs were a significant improvement, particularly for Katy Lied - they really tried to enliven it, overcoming much of the noise reduction fiasco. The 1999 Gaucho is a little saturated around "shake it!" in the Babylon Sisters chorus The DVD-A and/or SACD are worth having.


hoops: IMHO, 95% of Steely Dan Fans will be happy enough with the 1998 and 1999 CD versions plus the 2003 SACD/CD hybrid of Gaucho.



Here's a classic Stevie W song - Don't You Worry about a thing which slips in a F mu major at "worry about a THING, mama." Fantastic chord progressions, melody and performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsBc5p-dPU


My song of the year: Moonshine by Rod Temperton (RIP) and Andy Platts performed by Young Gun Silver Fox. In LA might be a close second!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y_WVos6YS8

Date: Mon, December 11, 2023, 12:04:33 ET
Posted by: Hiiiiiiii, fii

love the playlists, keep them coming. Love the reissue talk, keep it coming.

Audiophiles do have one thing in common and that's money to spend on electronic equipment.

Date: Mon, December 11, 2023, 08:02:21 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Hoops, I'm satisfied with the CD reissues of SD. They sound great, can't complain. The Citizen SD box set is also good, although the version of FM included has Pete Christlieb's sax solo whereas I prefer Walter's guitar solo at the end. Haven't heard any of the vinyl reissues but most opinions are positive, except for skimping on Aja's lyrics and credits. You'd think someone would've noticed that glaring omission from Steely Dan's most popular album. How can they possibly botch that release?

EC, thanks for the kind words. I don't understand what I'm doing to cause so much animosity. I come across interesting finds from all over the world and share them with those of you who want to expand your horizons. If someone takes exception and doesn't want to listen, that's fine, just skip my posts. I don't **spam** the Bluebook with playlists every day.

YGSF are one of the best modern artists. Their top-tier songwriting is what sets them apart IMO. If you dig Mayer Hawthorne then you should check out his side project Tuxedo with Jake One. Mayer loves Steely Dan and has amassed a rather large record collection, frequently hosting his 'Wine & Vinyl Hour' on Youtube.

Date: Mon, December 11, 2023, 01:04:19 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Dr Mu, Michael and others: appreciating the passionate discussion of the masters, the sonic quality of various streaming formats, etc. It's been a while since we've discussed it and such discussion has classically been a hallmark of Steely Dan fan obsession.

Regarding the late 80s/early 90s masters mixup....I remember when MCA acknowledged the mixup, and started issuing new versions. They had the new MCA 1992 logo on the packaging and even had a sticker that said "newly remastered" --but the CDs themselves looked the same! UGGGH! Then the Glenn Meadows versions came out about a year later...they had a sticker..."newly remastered by the artist" --but again, the CDs physically looked the same. Ugggh!

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

IMHO, 95% of Steely Dan Fans will be happy enough with the 1998 and 1999 CD versions plus the 2003 SACD/CD hybrid of Gaucho. Get the "Show Biz Kids" compilation for "Here at the Western World." If you have the 1984-85 versions they are pretty darn good too. They are made by JVC as indicated near the hub of the disc and also have an extra stock number beginning DIDX. The "Citizen Steely Dan" box is nice economical way to get all seven albums with a good master for 1993; but how some of the tracks are out of order from the original albums gets on my nerves, I mean, at the end of the day, it's still those amazing songs and performances by Our Favorite Most Amazing Duo. I would just skip any discs that come in the "Compact Disc/Compact Price" packaging...assuming the discs inside aren't mixed up.

The other 5% of us can split hairs...and buy these new Acoustics Sounds versions. 'Deacon Blues

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

As far as the lastest releases, I'm going to say the standard Geffen/UMe LP 33-1/3 versions are fine if you don't have a clean copy and are going to play on that Crosley turntable someone bought from Kohl's for Christmas. But I'm personally disappointed in the quality control of the vinyl. And how could they leave the lyrics and credits out of the Aja album?

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

The new Acoustic Sounds 45 RPM versions sound great..."Deacon Blues" is the pinacle. But at the end of the day, do you really want to flip the LPs three times? No--not a regular basis.

The Acoustic Sounds SACD/CD of "Countdown to Ecstasy" sounded great, especially with regards to the bass and especially the drums/percussion. The best of this series so far. But like others I AM disappointed in the CD layer of the Acoustic Sounds "Pretzel Logic" SACD/CD hybrid. ( I withhold my opinion of the SACD layer on these because I have a firmware issue between my Denon 6.1 receiver and my Toshiba SACD player.)

At any rate, just a few random notes for now...thanks for listening...

Hang loose and love.

Jim

Date: Mon, December 11, 2023, 00:19:54 ET
Posted by: EC, NY

For what it's worth...

I don't like when people post here using anonymous IDs, or people previously unknown here, post for the purpose of crapping on a Bluebook regular. Just seems so cowardly and so "internetty" to me.

I CAN say this, that I have been reading here and posting (occasionally) for a long time now, and Michael is a known quantity here. Unlike the recent anons. Some (apparently) don't like the playlists, but I do. If not for Micheal's (and Doc Mu's) repeated mentions of acts like YGSF & Mamma's Gun and even Mayer Hawthorne, I probably wouldn't have been exposed to those acts.

Why come to a small room - this place - you were never invited to (but were always welcome to) in order to cause dissention??

Michael - thanks for all the comments and the playlists (I don't always listen to everything, but I like the idea).

Date: Sun, December 10, 2023, 17:06:56 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Sour grapes over what happened several months ago? Not taking the bait. Hoops would probably prefer less drama, as would I.

Date: Sun, December 10, 2023, 12:48:52 ET
Posted by: Dr. Fauci's Biggest Fan, Reality

Eino, how dare you question people who are anti-science? Don't you understand that he's an expert on everything?

Date: Sun, December 10, 2023, 07:43:39 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I didn't elucidate on that because I took it for granted that everyone already knew how it worked, especially here on the Dandom. Have a nice weekend.

Date: Sat, December 09, 2023, 19:46:35 ET
Posted by: Eino Eubie Sexton,

Michael: I wasn't trying to *prove* anything, but rather to point out a detail that suggests you're coming off like you don't really know much about the subject matter you write about. It seems like you're implying that the sample rate freq. of CDs is *twice* as high as that of human hearing with no mention that the end result of digital audio sampling is always only half as high as the sample rate. Have a great weekend.

Date: Sat, December 09, 2023, 19:00:14 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Sorry Doc, I just read your post. Audio sample rates can be likened to video frames per second. Watching a video running at 15-20 frames against something with 30 or 60 is readily apparent, whereas 60 to 120 doesn't seem as dramatic a difference. The same holds true for audio sample rates as well up to a certain extent. While 24-bit/96k is superior to 16-bit/44.1k (or 16-bit/48k) on a technical level, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference except maybe with quality stereo equipment. If you played Aja for a room of 20 people on vinyl, CD and 24/96, how many do you think could tell the differences?

You said, "Any decent pair of headphones or audio system will allow even the most naive listener to hear the difference between 16 bit/44.1KHz and 24 bit/96Khz. The difference is especially stark with symphonic music or a really "dense" album in production - like Gaucho. 32 bit/192kHz has diminishing returns vs. 24 bit, but some ears are better than others."

DSD and blu-ray-spec can more accurately replicate original source material than standard wav format, but after a certain threshold has been achieved you're talking about details as minute as microseconds and frequency ranges beyond human perception, at which point it becomes redundant and pointless.

Date: Sat, December 09, 2023, 18:26:56 ET
Posted by: Michael,

You must sample with at least double the rate of the highest frequency you want to capture, otherwise you will not be able to faithfully reproduce the full audible spectrum of whatever you're attempting to record. This has been thoroughly explained a million times before. I don't know what you're trying to prove.

Date: Sat, December 09, 2023, 16:07:41 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,



Audiophiles generally have good speakers or headphones. Ummmmmm...I may little leg up... courtesy of an engineering degree, field experience, and practicing a bit of science. Signal processing was part of our training.

To make a long story short, humans process and sample sounds much faster than visual information because visual info has a much larger bandwidth. We can process a visual image in a minimum of 11 milliseconds. However, the refresh rate for visual info bandwidth is believed to be close to 30 samples per second (some argue higher). Having said that, your brain can perceive maybe half that in images (10-15) per second. That follows an old engineering adage, that the specs need to be about 2X more than a calculated need.


Below is again the bit depth - quanta of information. It's not the same as a refresh rate:

16-bit = 65,536
24-bit = 16,777,216
32-bit = 4,294,967,296

Dr. Hawksford and other audio engineers estimate a 58kHz refresh rate (sampling rate) for human hearing.

Thus a 16 bit 44.1 KHz OG CD with excessive noise reduction is insufficient in information and sampling rate and sounds flat. Any decent pair of headphones or audio system will allow even the most naive listener to hear the difference between 16 bit/44.1KHz and 24 bit/96Khz. The difference is especially stark with symphonic music or a really "dense" album in production - like Gaucho. 32 bit/192kHz has diminishing returns vs. 24 bit, but some ears are better than others.

So, the DVD-As, SACD, and modern streaming (mostly) restore the LP lustre of Aja, Gaucho, The Nightfly, especially given that Roger's digital gold standard library for the albums was not use initially in generating CDs. The DVD-A features a better mix on TvN.



For funsies - the human brain is a combination of digital (binary) and analog signaling. Each action potential propagating down a nerve = 1. The resting membrane potential = 0. However, information is integrated in interneurons with IPSPs (inhibitory post-synaptic potentials) and EPSPs (excitatory post-synaptic potentials) thus biasing (loading the dice) on the frequency of action potentials produced by downstream neurons. Thus we code information, including down to skeletal muscles in binary/bit code, but "think" in analog.



Speaking of which - our son wants a turntable and LPs for Christmas - off to vendor sites and arrange to ship to his address! He does have good German? headphones. Gotta run.

Date: Sat, December 09, 2023, 07:50:28 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, I don't listen to music on cheap, nasty earbuds. I have a pair of Ultrasone HFI-780 S-Logic professional headphones and they get the job done. The Sony MDR-7506 and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x which are less expensive but retain superb sound quality, suitable for both casual listening and studio application.

Sample rate simply refers to the amount of samples per second for digital recordings. The higher the sample rate the more close it will be to the original analog wave, represented as points down to the millisecond. Think of the difference between watching a film in 24 frames and the same film in 60 frames. There's a smoother, more true-to-life effect. It's virtually impossible for our ears to distinguish between the two when the sample rate is extremely high. The higher the bit-rate the greater the amount of samples.

16-bit = 65,536
24-bit = 16,777,216
32-bit = 4,294,967,296

With higher sample rates comes increased noise floor which adds mechanical noise. This is where studio engineers come into focus as they know how to reduce the amount of unwanted white noise without sacrificing quality. I'm no expert in this field so you would have to ask an engineer how this works.

Date: Fri, December 08, 2023, 20:12:28 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - dynamic range isn't quite the same as the human hearing sampling rate and bits of information we can process per second.

A band or orchestra can fit a hell of a lot of information/bits into one second, especially with the harmonics. An OG 16 bit CD only gives you 2[16] = 65,536 bits/sec. Divide by 20,000 sampling rate and that's a 1962 4 channel studio in Memphis at best.

Again CDs were originally designed to be noise reduction systems, which eliminates the noise characteristics of each instrument (brass, wood, strings, etc.) and harmonics that makes the recording sound natural.

Malcolm Omar Hawksford, Professor at the University of Essex, estimated human hearing needs at least a 20 bit, 60 kHz system to cover our range.



Agreed - we're in a brave new world where the sky is the limit in capability, yet we listen on cheap ear buds (headphones if we're lucky). Streaming/SACD/DVD-A/24 bit CDs are 2[24] = 16,777,216 bits/sec or better.

Now we can HEAR something.

I certainly hope Dr. Fagen can take advantage of our better buzz audio recording/dissemination world by recording his Next One. It would fit the once a decade paradigm for solo recordings.

Date: Fri, December 08, 2023, 17:15:47 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Modern recording technology is vastly superior to what was used decades ago. DSD has far superior sampling rates to redbook WAV file, we're talking anywhere from 64 to 128 times the amount. Blu-ray-spec 24-bit/96k, 192k and beyond is now possible, although only avid audiophiles with great hearing could discern differences between formats and that would require a great system setup with quality studio monitors to get the most out of the experience. Most people can hear a maximum frequency range of about 20,000Hz, or roughly half that of a normal CD playback (16/44.1k), after which the differences are more about how well a particular track has been mixed and mastered from the cleanest source material. Generally speaking, the greater the fidelity, the lower the noise floor and superior dynamic range, but again, this isn't something most listeners will notice. With stuff like mp3s the differences start to become more noticeable as data gets truncated off the high and low end, but listening to both an mp3 and something higher fidelity through a normal sound system would be nigh impossible to distinguish.

My issue with DSD is that it requires a streaming service. I much prefer to own tangible albums whenever possible.

Date: Fri, December 08, 2023, 13:01:35 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Except crappy Spotify (non-premie and Premium doesn't work half the time - I finally dumped it after the Monkey House debacle where the latest sounded brickwalled on Spotify), the streaming services are pretty good with 192 kHz, 24 bit streams. Apple music is actually solid.

The Dolby Atmos platform has potential as an immersive system.

Again, what you hear is only as good as the source. TG Roger saved all the original source material - I assume Dr. Fagen has the digital preservation material (with numerous backups).

That reminds me - I believe TvN was recorded onto a Mac Quadra (from the Steve Jobs-less gap). Those Quadras were held together by twine and Elmer's. We're lucky that TvN was completed and released intact!

Speaking of mixes - I'm really enjoying the in-side mix of Peter Gabriel's i/o.

Producers and engineers who could hold a candle, especially today are few. Quincy Jones and Jay Graydon were among the tech geeks and musicians that could get it done. Here they are are on a couple of George Benson pop recordings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omnpu8mzX4c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA_kOJP94Hc

Graydon's recordings tended to be brighter (e.g., Al Jarreau)



Shawn Lee with Andy Platts have recreated their vision of (old) analog with new music. Sierra Nights is as well recorded as anything since about 1982.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKqaln0r6Cw

Note the Steely/Rikki/Silver bass line as well!

Date: Fri, December 08, 2023, 12:42:21 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, editing shak

You're

Date: Fri, December 08, 2023, 12:41:22 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

You only as good as your source.

CD technology = noise reduction technology from the 70s (signal processing stuff I remember from engineering school for aircraft, NASA, etc. CDs can take away the depth of analog especially the awful 16 bit is awful. 20-24 bit can be good. I found the DVD-A stereo (192 kHz, 24 bit) versions with Gaucho, Nightfly, TvN to be fantastic, especially vs. the CD. The remix of Kamakiriad on DMD-A is very cool. Elliot Scheiner is a tech god! Not much of a difference vs. the CD with EMG. The album is modern analog with a tough of dig. editing at the end.

SHM-SACD seems to be preferred over AP-SACD. I may buy 1 or two and check it out. My mid-end OG Yamaha, Boston Acoustics (I refurbed them a few years ago) are great - I have to wait until my wife is out of the house to crank 'em!


The Steely Dan CDs I bout about 1984/1985 were flat. Here's why.

- sorry about the bandwidth but the Granatino page is down (digitally lifted from Hoffman's site. From the Immortal, himself:

The Crime of The Century

As we stated earlier in the news, MCA has admitted to using faulty masters for the recent pressings of the entire Steely Dan catalog. It was exposed by Dan engineer Roger Nichols in the following article he wrote for the October 1991 issue of EQ Magazine.

Snap, Crackle and Pop Music

A tale of the (wrong) tape when remastering

By Roger Nichols

I originally got involved in recording music because I hated clicks and pops on record. I figured that the only way that I was going to get good quality recordings to play was to record them myself. I could then bring home two-track 15 ips copies to play on my stereo. Much better than the Rice Crispy sound of vinyl LPs.

When the Compact Disc became a reality, I was beside myself. I was also close by the side of any record company exec who could get me any discs to play on my new found CD player. Since CDs preserved all the characteristics of the original master tape, I could now enjoy music without the drawbacks of black vinyl.

Vinyl Verdict?

The first project I worked on that became a Compact Disc was Donald Fagen's "Nightfly" album. I couldn't wait to get the CD in my hot little hands and compare it with the original mixes. When the CD arrived, I ran to my audio system and threw the CD into my player. After about 30 seconds I was ready to throw in the towel. The CD didn't sound anything like the final mixes. Was I wrong about digital audio? Was the Compact Disc truly inferior to the vinyl disc that it was to replace?

I started doing some checking with the mastering facility where we mastered the album. Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk in New York told me that the record company never asked for the 1610 digital master that we'd made. Instead, they had requested a 30 ips half-inch analog tape copy of our digital mixes. Then they made the CD master from this analog copy. No wonder my CD didn't sound like the original mixes. After we raised enough hell, new CD masters were prepared and new CDs were pressed. I compared the new one to the original mixes.It matched perfectly. Whew!

This was in late 1982. I figured that there was a necessary learning curve for the record companies to get their act together and realize that digital audio Compact Discs should not be made from second or third generation analog tape copies. Isn't nine years enough time?

Aja-Ta

In 1982, Donald Fagen, Gary Katz and myself gathered up all of the original Steely Dan tapes (15 ips analog) and transferred them to digital format so that they would not deteriorate any further. This was in anticipation of catalog re-release in the new Compact Disc format. The first two albums to be released on CD were "Aja" and "Gaucho." I listened to the CDs and they were fine.

Mobile Fidelity is licensed to produce gold-plated CDs of "Aja" and "Gaucho." They called me up to ask me if I liked the sound of their pressings. I listened to them and compared them to the CDs from MCA. I figured the only difference I would hear would be the difference between the gold plating and the aluminum plating on the stock CD. I was shocked! They sounded completely different. The gold ones sounded worse. The gold "Gaucho" CD was even a different speed, about a quarter tone sharper than the original CD from MCA.

A writer I know called me to ask if I heard any difference between the stock CDs and the gold CDs. I told him what I found. He said that he didn't hear any difference. The lightbulp went on in my thought balloon! The stock CDs that I had were produced seven years ago and the ones my friend used were just purchased at Tower Records. I jumped in my car and zipped over to the nearest record store and purchased new copies of the CDs in question. He was right, the new stock CDs sounded exactly like the gold CDs, including the pitch shift on the "Gaucho" CD.

The time we spent transferring all of the original masters was wasted. The record company in their infinite wisdom decided that when they needed new 1630 CD masters to send to the CD plant, that it would be better to use the EQ'd analog copy that had been sitting around for 15 years instead of the digital tapes that we supplied to them nine years ago for just this purpose. And on top of everything else, they couldn't even make sure that the analog machine that played back the "Gaucho" tape was going the right speed.

I guess this is all just a part of a grander scheme -- make all of the CDs sound worse and worse until we can't tell the difference between Compact Discs and the new Digital Compact Cassette that the record companies are pushing.

I went to my storage locker and found all of my old vinyl LPs. I haven't thrown my turntable away yet either. Maybe the clicks and pops aren't quite so bad after all.



Then, in the January 11, 1992 issue of Billboard, MCA admitted there was a mistake...

Master Mistake Mars Steely Dan CDs

Inferior tapes used by MCA on 7 discs

By Dan Levitin

LOS ANGELES -- MCA Records accidentally used inferior master tapes in the manufacturing of seven Steely Dan compact discs, the label has admitted.

All of Steely Dan's original albums, from 1972's "Can't Buy A Thrill" through 1980's "Gaucho," were transferred to CD from the proper master tapes for their initial run in 1985; but subsequent pressings, including current warehouse and retailer stock, were made from faulty masters.

Billboard learned of the mistake as MCA was assembling "Steely Dan Gold -- Expanded Edition." The new release, however, was mastered from the proper tapes. Modeled after 1982's vinyl compilation, "Steely Dan Gold," the set includes two Donald Fagen solo cuts written for film soundtracks, as well as a rare live version of "Bodhisattva" from the group's 1974 tour.

Andy McKaie, VP of catalog development and special products A&R for MCA, says the first seven Steely Dan CDs will be remanufactured from the proper masters and released chronologically, two at a time," beginning in early 1992. The new CDs will bear a "digitally remastered" sticker.

"We made a mistake and we'll fix it," McKaie explains. "We're committed to getting the right product out there. There have been other errors which we also fixed, involving CDs from Elton John and the Who." There have been no consumer complaints about the Steely Dan CDs, he adds.

The tapes used to master the inferior Steely Dan CDs were the original analog masters; but according to Roger Nichols, one of Steely Dan's recording engineers, they were in terrible shape, due to improper storage, and had poor fidelity. In 1981, Nichols meticulously transferred them to new 3M digital masters, in anticipation of demand for CD catalog reissues. Although MCA used the new digital masters for an initial release in 1985, subsequent runs were mistakenly made from the old analog masters, which have been steadily deteriorating.

Ironically, Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, manufacturer of high-quality, gold-plated CDs that sell for twice the price of standard CDs, was also furnished the wrong masters by MCA and used them for its Ultradisc releases of "Aja" and "Gaucho."

Nichol's immediate reaction was one of disgust. "What pisses me off is to spend 20 years doing this, and spending two years on "Gaucho" alone. Two years, every ****ing day in the studio, and it comes to this. I have no reason to continue. I quit. I'm quitting the music business."

Steely Dan's recordings are considered by experts to contain some of the finest engineering of all time. "Gaucho" won the best-engineering Grammy in 1980, and previous efforts, including 1977's "Aja" and 1975's "Katy Lied" have been hailed as recording masterpieces.



To get more information on the problem, ICE, the CD newsletter followed up with Andy McKaie, VP of catalog development at MCA:

Response from Andy McKaie

For a clarification and follow-up, ICE contacted Andy McKaie, MCA's VP of catalog development and special markets A&R. While McKaie admits the story was factually correct, he feels it may have blown things out of proportion a bit since his department has never received a consumer complaint about the sound quality of its Steely Dan CDs. (Neither has ICE, for that matter.) The CDs in question -- the second run onwards -- were actually remastered from the true analog master tapes, usually a best case scenario. But in Steely Dan's case, the group and engineer Nichols had painstakingly prepared better, more permanent masters back in 1985 that were used only for the first run of CDs and then inadvertently shelved.

"When digital first came in, there were many formats being kicked around," McKaie tells ICE. "One of them was these oversized Scotch reels, digitally encoded analogs. That's what Steely Dan chose. Realizing their analog masters were deteriorating, they went in and remastered all the albums on these oversized, heavy-duty reels. When it came time to do the CDs, they said 'Use those,' so on the first go-around, they (MCA employees) did. Unfortunately, the oversized reels was one of the formats that lost. So when they did the second go-around of CDs, the studio (engineers) didn't have access to those machines: there are only a couple of places that do. So, having the original analog tapes, they probably just did what they thought was right and used those. Unfortunately, those original analogs don't sound as good as the digital transfers that the group did on the oversized analogs don't sound as good as the digital transfers that the group did on the oversized Scotch reels, because Steely Dan had really worked on them to get them right."

"Hence, the second CDs don't sound as good as the first, albeit they don't sound bad, and I've never had any complaints. They sound as good as the average, straight reissue CD out there today. So you're dealing with, 'Yes, they could sound better, but they sound fine.' It's unfortunate, and I feel bad about it, but it's not the same as when we did Elton John's 11-17-70 where half the CD was taken from a third generation source. We're probably going to stop all our (production) orders, remaster them all at once, sell off what we have in the marketplace and then go right into production of the new ones. We'll definitely upgrade them and put a little sticker on them so that you know they're upgraded."

"McKaie says that the label does not plan to offer consumers exchanges for their old CDs. Besides that, he could offer ICE no tips or guidelines to determine the original CDs from the re-runs, but he pointed out that the initial runs were undoubtedly large. "This is what you get into when you have all these damn systems," he says in obvious frustration. "Sometimes when we remaster, we have to go out and rent a quadraphonic machine, because some of the '70s stuff was mixed to quad."

Where does this leave us?

While MCA does not have a "formal" return policy, we believe it's only fair for them to exchange an inferior CD for a correctly remastered one. Andy McKaie is not as bad as some record executives and inherited the problem so we don't think that we should make his life a living hell at this time. Since the remastered CDs will not be available for several months, there's nothing for him to offer in exchange. So there's no point in writing him until all the new CDs are in the marketplace.

What you can do until that time is to try to determine if you have any defective CDs. It won't be easy since there are no distinctive serial numbers to differentiate the pressings, so you will have to let your ears tell the difference. If you have a copy of "Gold -- Expanded Edition," you can compare the sound of its tracks (which used the correct tapes) to the respective tracks on your other Dan CDs. If you can't hear a difference, you don't have a problem. If you hear a difference, make a note of what you hear that is inferior and hang tight.

After the remastered CDs are all available, you should send your inferior CDs with a nice letter to Andy McKaie detailing the differences you've found in sound quality and how you would like to exchange your inferior CDs for good ones. No threats, no boycotts, no profanity. Just communicate an expectation of a reasonable response for a reasonable request.

Make sure you get the CDs insured when you mail them, and send them "return receipt requested" to confirm delivery. We think this is your best chance to allow MCA to handle the situation maturely. We will keep you up-to-date on this situation.

Date: Fri, December 08, 2023, 10:49:12 ET
Posted by: ccw, ny

Thanks Michael and moray eel re the Pretzel Logic SACD. I wish I wasn't such a dumbass re audiophile technology, but I can barely follow the Steve Hoffman forum thread. I have Dali speakers, a Denon receiver, a Samsung Blu-ray player, and I don't even know if this system is good enough for the new SACD to sound better/different than my current Pretzel Logic CD, or whether it can access the SACD layer (if I'm even following correctly that there is one).

I also hadn't realized the remastering for streaming is the same as the SACD; does that mean if I listen through Spotify on my system it'll be basically the same as the new SACD?

Maybe I just need to fork over the $35 to find out rather than inundating this board with questions!

Date: Thurs, December 07, 2023, 23:36:11 ET
Posted by: Hiiiiiiii, fiiiii

no complaints, happy they're out, worth every penny. The continued ascent of vinyl sales is so heartening to watch!

Date: Thurs, December 07, 2023, 18:59:06 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist.


Knower - Real Nice Moment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls17vqcH-Xw

babychair x TeeBai - Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL4vkS4H0Uo

Mayer Hawthorne - Deeper Vibration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhxbz2lITpk

Kimiko Takeguchi - Loneliness (Live from Shiba Park)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YqE3z9DHPQ

Minyo Crusaders／民謡クルセイダーズ - Kaigara Bushi／貝殻節 (Shellfish)

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



Bonus: Keith Carlock Solo from Modern Drummer 2005 Festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVLx8H0IMfw

Date: Thurs, December 07, 2023, 17:27:40 ET
Posted by: Eino Eubie Sexton,

Well…this guy “Still” states his complaint(s) about the pricey re-issues. Fine, but just to be clear, that’s not *my* complaint and not my perspective. I don’t care if they do pricey deluxe re-issues; I just want basic Steely Dan albums to sound great at regular, reasonable prices – and I hope that at least the triple-platinum Aja as well as some kind of decent SD best-of will be present and available in retail stores – (especially places like Target and Walmart in the US ‘cause so many people still shop at ‘em) – just like albums like Rumours and the latest remixed Beatles album and GNR whatever and other bestsellers-of-yore are, ‘cause I’m always rooting for Steely Dan to be passed down through the generations in a big way like FMac and those others do. So I certainly wasn’t accusing *Fagen* of a cash grab. He did an interview to promote his 2012 album – I think in a UK mag? – which ends with him stating he “never, ever” thinks about money – tho I do think he was talking about when *making* an album – and punctuates by quoting from the chorus of McCartney/Lennon’s “Can’t Buy Me Love”. (Isn’t that interview re-printed in the $20 SD Ultimate Music Guide compilation-mag put out by a UK publisher?) I’d guess he doesn’t think about money that much in general; I think he does those big double-headliner shows because he likes his and Walter’s songs to be well-known, and it’s probably just big fun playing to a big crowd. If you don’t sell tickets for market value, some re-seller will, so they wind up being pricey these days. Is adding VIP Access to that really any big deal? Are you sure he doesn’t simply give much of the money to charity?
And I suspect he agrees to these expensive re-issues for other reasons…like, the sheer fact that people do shell out so much for them is quite impressive. I assume he wants his SD and solo work to be highly respected as it should be, and that’s one route to respect. Fine. All I’m saying is, I hope they make sure going that route isn’t at the expense of people just picking up an SD album at regular price, whether or not for a gift, and finding the sound to be incredible. (He and Walter initially balked at the spectacular-sounding Gaucho coming out at $1 higher list than most albums in 1980, as you recall.) But remember, now just as then, it’s not strictly the artists making the decisions.
When I mentioned the mp3 of Donna Summer f. Jeff Baxter’s “Hot Stuff” playing on the radio, I wasn’t suggesting that Steely Dan records be massively compressed like that. But it does sound lively, I think, and D&W have talked about how they liked the way Rudy Van Gelder’s old recordings sounded “lively”, and I hope the latest SD re-masters sound lively so “regular” music listeners love the sound.
Okay, more about my weird Kamakiriad 5.1 DVD-audio experience: Really, it’s been over a decade so I don’t remember that much, except that I was playing, I *think*, a stereo mix on that dvd via a ‘70s stereo receiver that had a mono/stereo button on it for some reason. Plus two normal stereo speakers, hooked up normally. For some reason I hit the mono button to see how it sounded, and instantly much of the instrumentation cancelled. It was so shocking at first. I quickly checked the other songs and as I recall they were similar. I do understand how this sort of thing is possible – it has to do with phase cancellation of a stereo pair of audio signals, and how, for instance in the early 80’s(?) a hardware device called the Thompson Vocal Eliminator used to be pitched as a way to make your favorite stereo recordings largely lead-vocal-free for karaoke purposes, and it basically worked its magic by inverting the polarity of the left stereo channel of whatever song you were playing through it, then summing that and the non-inverted right channel to mono so what was in the middle of the stereo image (usually the lead vocal and more) would be canceled out. As you can imagine, it worked way better on some tracks than others. I think they made it so it only processed the midrange and treble; otherwise you’d rarely hear any bass. In recent decades people have done similar processing tricks using audio software like Apple’s Logic, etc. What was unique when I played that Kamakiriad mix that way was that I must have been listening to a mix where certain instruments were in the mix with one of their stereo channels already phase-inverted – can’t imagine *why* though can you? – but hadn’t been summed to mono til I hit the mono button. When I did, they self-canceled. I meant to record the spare-sounding mono result to my computer for posterity but never got around to it, and lately I’m not playing dvd’s at all.

Date: Thurs, December 07, 2023, 14:23:32 ET
Posted by: Hiiiiiiii, fi

and asking John Mulaney to do liner notes is a very 2018-thing to do and will age like milk.

Date: Thurs, December 07, 2023, 14:15:55 ET
Posted by: Paul,

At least four of these albums have not been available on vinyl since the late 1980s. I hardly call that a flood. Used copies with some surface damage have been going for $15 or even $20. There is a case for Gaucho and Aja being overrereleased since there have been releases every five or six years. From 1984 until 1993, there were at least four versions of the audio CD for the seven ABC/MCA albums. Other than the Japanese pressings from about 10 years ago, five of these albums have not been re-released on CD in 20 years or more.

I agree people can say no if they don't want to buy them. I also agree that maybe Walter would suggest some different mastering, perhaps or maybe not. Given the track record I'm not sure he would outright say no. If you see it as a cash grab, take a pass.

Date: Thurs, December 07, 2023, 14:04:13 ET
Posted by: Still, Wandering

When you think about it, much of what made D&W special was their ability and willingness to say: No.

No to that track. No to that solo. No to that mastering or pressing or product. No to that interview or press junket or commercial or VIP Access programs. No. No. No. Until they found that special and rare thing they could say Yes to.

I am guessing if W was alive we wouldn’t see this flood of remasters and re-releases and re-re-releases. I’m guessing it took both of them to turn so many potential Yesse$ into Nos.

Just my guess.

Date: Wed, December 06, 2023, 05:29:02 ET
Posted by: Donald-Rumsfeld Fagen, Remaster of the domain (random.com)

The latest remasters are available on all of the streaming services (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.). There may be multiple versions of the albums on some services, so search by album name and take a look at the release info for the various versions. You want the one with the record company listed as Geffen Records. (All of the remasters are being released under the Geffen label.) If you're using anything but Spotify, you can stream the new remasters in hi-res (at 24/192).

The versions released to streaming services are the same versions released on the SACDs (with a technical difference being that the streaming is PCM vs. the SACD's DSD). These are not the same masterings at the $150 UHQR vinyls that were mastered specifically for analog.

There are two remastering being done as part of this project, both by Bernie Grundman: One for analog (super-expensive UHQR vinyl) and one for digital (streaming and SACD). Confusing things further is that the cheaper vinyl reissues ($30 a pop) are sourced from the digital remasters and reportedly don't sound great.

There's a big discussion about these remastering at Steve Hoffman's forums:
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/steely-dan-on-ap-sacd.1155698/

Date: Wed, December 06, 2023, 02:15:08 ET
Posted by: Hiiiiiiii, fiiiii

I'm absolutely priced out of the LP re-issues and do not have the money to drop $35 bucks on a single CD at the moment, this should be a kind space for those of us left behind by these prices.

Date: Tues, December 05, 2023, 22:57:31 ET
Posted by: Eino Eubie Sexton,

I'm not at all sure this was worth posting:

With all the discussion of the latest SD re-masters, I wonder if I dare ask - can we check out some of these out online, perhaps in hi-fi - perhaps even free? Where? I know, sometimes it just seems like blasphemy - listening to this super well-recorded SD music the way people often do now (Donald: "Those miserable earbuds", etc. etc.) And what the fug is up with this recent phenomenon of bluetooth speakers from major brands like JBL that actually sound pretty great for the money BUT THEY'RE NOT STEREO! Often they can instantly impress with such powerful bass, sparkling treble and creamy middles for the reasonable price and handy take-with-ya size. Turns out that's enough for many people. How weird is it that the speaker mfgs. never announced the eliminating of such a basic feature, and much of the public went "Back to mono" without even realizing it. Years ago, of course, even the cheap-as-fug off-brand portable radio/cassette/CD players and boomboxes sold in cheap-shit stores like K-mart were at least true stereo devices. Phil "Back To Mono" Spector must be rolling on the floor of his... er, I mean, uh ... live in peace, Phil.

For those of use who caved in to the convenience of it all, what's good for stereo bluetooth at a good price?

I tried scouting around for reviews, even though they may not mean much, and it appears Anker's Soundcore brand is a popular, not expensive option. But I haven't listened to them.

They do talk up their speakers' true stereo, and point out that they have that semi-common ability to operate two speakers (or more) in stereo mode, so then you get *wide* separation you wouldn't get from a single unit.

Years ago discovered the jawdroppingly weirdest quirk of the 2005(?) Kamakiriad 5.1 DVD when I played it - I think it was a stereo mix on the disc - I played it in mono, and much of the instrumentation instantly cancelled out on every song I think - does anyone have any idea what I'm talking about? But I'll write more about that later.

Date: Tues, December 05, 2023, 13:41:51 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Amor

ccw: I received my SACD of Pretzel Logic. The packaging is disappointing. The credits are non-specific and the large group photo of the band is relegated to the the inside hidden behind the actual SACD. The mix is controversial because they smoothed off the top. Most people prefer the sounds of Pretzel Logic tracks from the Steely Dan Greatest Hits compilation.

m.e.

Date: Tues, December 05, 2023, 11:15:57 ET
Posted by: Michael,

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/steely-dan-ap-sacd-sound-quality-only-discussion.1165691/

Date: Tues, December 05, 2023, 09:58:43 ET
Posted by: ccw, NY

Looks from the Acoustic Sounds website that the Pretzel Logic SACD is available now. Anyone get it, and any reactions?

Date: Tues, December 05, 2023, 08:01:32 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Hoops, Your review of the new Gaucho vinyl pressing was pretty thorough. Sounds like they skimped on the Aja reissue by not including the lyrics which is odd because that's the most popular SD album by a mile. I enjoy high quality audio when I can get it but repurchasing the entire SD catalog again for pricey reissues isn't really on my to-do list, not unless I get my hands on some high-end audio equipment down the road (my old stereo system broke down over time). Cue sudden flashback of going into listening rooms to try out different stereo equipment at electronic stores. The Nightfly was for many THE album for testing sonic fidelity and for good reason.

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 20:40:24 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I should clarify, yes, I know that it's two separate things. I was using the R&R HOF to illustrate my point.

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 20:40:22 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I should clarify, yes, I know that it's two separate things. I was using the R&R HOF to illustrate my point.

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 20:37:28 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Hoops, thanks and best wishes. I agree about the HOF but at the same time hold it in little regard considering the *ahem* pedigree of who's been inducted.

Still, if you browsed through my recent comments then you'd find various instances where SD was the topic. Just because I didn't comment on the HOF thing until now doesn't mean I was ignoring it, I just had nothing much to say about that particular subject. Rap artists were inducted into the Rock & Roll HOF before SD. Rap artists. Please explain that to me.

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 18:48:11 ET
Posted by: Eino Eubie Sexton (well that's the rumor anyway),

You might appreciate a quick link to SD's yesterdecade Hall of Fame postings:

sdarchive.com/hof.html

Letter 2 on that list has the line about the "case of honey mustard" on its way to Wenner. But the whole batch are classic SD dark hilarity.

Speaking of Wenner, in a fairly long LA Times interview with Daryl Hall in April(?) '22 (apparently to promote his solo tour (with Todd Rundgren) and then-new solo double-cd best of), the subject of Wenner came up - I wish I had it handy to quote from, but I can quote this Daryl line from memory: "Fuck Jann Wenner and the horse he rode in on!"

Of course, the obvious response to people who say things like that is, "Fine, but don't you suppose that that horse has already suffered enough?"

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 18:39:37 ET
Posted by: Still, You know

Also Hoops: I would firebomb the Kennedy Center before seeing only Donald standing up in that balcony with a rainbow ribbon around his neck. Sorry…anything that allows only DF to represent, or accept, or be adored would make my skin crawl. (In fact, if SD inducted to SHOF I would vote DF not attend the ceremony.). Every time I hear DF “represent” SD since 2017, it sounds more and more bogus —an aging “artiste” trying to collect more and more historical credit for his “legacy”.

Sorry, just a personal thang…

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 18:33:03 ET
Posted by: Still, Yeah

Hey Hoops. Thanks. They got the ASCAP Writers award a long while ago…that might be what led some of us to sort of assume they were already in the SHOF?

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 18:29:32 ET
Posted by: Still, Again

OK, I’ll bite: “…while waiting for SD developments….”

Um, yeah dude: while nothing is happening, why not [playlists and etc], that’s cool. I agree rehashing the Mu chord etc is pretty intolerable…

But then a small morsel of actual real-world “SD development” finally drops.

…to the sound of crickets? And more playlists?

Sorry, I don’t get it. Yeah, for years “nothing SD” happens Out There. Then….Something SD Happens Out There. However small or insignificant it be, I’m baffled it merits exactly zero acknowledgement.

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 18:24:53 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

and oh yes! I'm very excited about this "Songwriiters Hall of Fame Thing." so I don't know how it slipped by… Because I thought they were already in. Definitely they should've been in before some other people who I won't list. That matter, I wonder if Steely Dan can receive Kennedy Center Honors, even tho Walter has passed away. I believe the Eagles got in after Glenn Frey passed away. Back about 20 years ago, I actually started looking into what we fans could do to get Donald and especially Walter the Mark Twain prize. Walter is one of the greatest American humorists in the tradition of Mark Twain. As I research, I came to doubt that it was basically an award given by SNL's Lorne Michaels. Politics surrounding that that maybe would not favor such a thing happening. Of course, Walter was a bit dismissive about such awards. Remember the classic, "what am I bid?" Paige he had after winning an award? And of course I believe it was either the gold or platinum record award for "Aja" that was nailed to the door of a toileting facility on his property. That said, as Walter said when they won the Grammy in 2001, he's pleased to accept this as a nod to the fans.

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 18:18:50 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Michael:

If nothing's happening, there's nothing that says we have to fill in with other content. Maybe it's just a good time to take a break and hug your family or whatever especially being the holidays. At the same time, I appreciate your sincere and positive motives and good hearted contributions.

That said, I posted a review of the latest edition of Gaucho on vinyl (33 1/3 on a single black LP, 180 g vinyl). Also gave one about five or six weeks ago about the new special 200 g 45 RPM clear vinyl version of Aja from Acoustic Sounds. A huge part of Steely Dan discussion throughout the 70s, 80s, all the way into the early 2000s at least, was discussion of high-end audio, debating the quality of these versions, inappropriate audio equipment. So that's happening again, but it's largely been a yawn, perhaps with some good reasons. Perhaps people are no longer interested that sort of stuff. But that's some Steely news of the day right now. Personally, I'm a little hesitant to discuss some of the audio quality because my system, for reasons too complicated to explain, may not be set up in the most optimal way. So eager to hear what other people think.

At any rate, best regards to you and everyone else,

Jim

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 18:18:12 ET
Posted by: Still, Wandering

Moray: Yeah I guess I agree about D+W’s likely (non)-response to the award.

But ***I*** care, as a fan, as someone invested in music history: If anybody should be in the Songwriters HOF, it’s our guys. IMHO.

In fact, I was shocked to learn they weren’t already in. I mean this HOF has been inducting for years and years, and looking at the long list of inductees, I personally think it’s malpractice that Becker and Fagen have been passed over so far.

So, maybe I’m in the minority in caring that they fucking be acknowledged as among the greatest songwriters in popular music….

Michael: ….oh never mind….

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 17:48:40 ET
Posted by: Michael,

We discuss SD on here plenty but there hasn't been much news lately in case you haven't noticed. Donald had mentioned years ago that he'd been writing new material but nothing further came to light since then. What should we do in the interim, discuss the meaning of cryptic lyrics like we've done a thousand times before? Delve into didactic abstractions regarding mu-major chords?

I'm not forcing you to listen to any of the music I share. It's there for those who want to hear something new and can appreciate good songwriting and performances, discover new artists while waiting for further developments regarding SD, spark some interesting discussions from time to time.

Date: Mon, December 04, 2023, 15:00:21 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Amor

Still: it is true that people here operate in their own silos. Generally, most people use this forum to promote their own non-SD musical interests.

Since D + F seemed indifferent to the R&RHOF, I don’t the fans here have strong opinions on any potential songwriting recognition.

m.e.

Date: Sat, December 02, 2023, 17:35:02 ET
Posted by: Sammy, US

If you know you know.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8Pn1ubK/

Date: Sat, December 02, 2023, 13:00:21 ET
Posted by: Brutus Charisma,

Great interview segment from Monk Rowe had with Tom Scott.
Tom talks about writing/recording on “Deacon Nlues”:

https://youtu.be/XNs0lmMSNcQ?si=9TZMqpKtOILh4CAV

Date: Sat, December 02, 2023, 00:07:39 ET
Posted by: Still, Wandering in the desert

Hey don’t mean to interrupt playlist posts and various other flaming leading edge discussions with actual SD news from Earth 1 — (hey fellas, get a room maybe? Oh, I guess you already have one 🙃) but just wondering if anyone has any reaction, prediction, or comment at all on SDs nomination to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame?(posted about 10 days ago and worth, apparently, zero comment or note). Such as: historically what % of nominees are inducted in an average year? And: what does the “competition” look like to every(any)body? And: If inducted, will DF go to the ceremony? Will WB’s estate send a holograph? And: What non-SD playlist should commemorate the event? Like that.

Date: Fri, December 01, 2023, 20:28:05 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

While the Acoustic Sounds double LP, 45 RPM, 200 g clear vinyl UHQR edition of "Gaucho" has apparently been delayed from its expected release date of today, the Geffen/UMe single LP, 33 1/3 RPM, 180 g black vinyl edition is out today. I now have it in my possession to add to my other 25 or 30 copies of "Gaucho." I've given it a first listen and I like it, but I have to give a few more listens to compare to some of the other versions. And of course, one variable that's unique for every listener is what stereo system they have and their own hearing.

That said, I will offer a comparison of the appearance to four of the other versions which have always stood out for me in my collection: The 1980 original pressing by Masterdisk for MCA, as stipulated by Walter and Donald; an early 1980s MCA Records Audiophille version Mastered by IAM Cutting Center and plated and pressed by KM Records, Burbank; the 2007 Universal Japan version; and a 180 g vinyl version by UMG from perhaps the past four or five years. My concern was going to be that they were simply going to repress that most recent version, sort of like what happened with the 2021 version of "The Nightfly" which was simply a repress of the 2012 version with an updated Warner logo.

As it turns out, all five versions I've mentioned are from different plates. All of them have a different runout and different spacing between the grooves. The new version out today is not a repress of any of the previous versions. The newest version of "Gaucho" replaces the MCA logo with a Geffen/UMe logo on the outside jacket; but the record label itself still has the MCA logo on it. Previous releases in the 2022-2023 series replaced the ABC logo with a Geffen logo since Universal does not have rights to the ABC logo. The 2007 edition of "Gaucho" had an MCA clouds and rainbow label design but removed the MCA logo. You will recall also that I was very disappointed that inexplicably they left out the lyrics sheet to the single LP version of "Aja" that came out about two months ago; however, the lyrics and credits are included here. They appear to have reprinted the lyrics/credits slightly but I can't find any differences other than some of the lines of text have different spacing than the previous versions and the Geffen info. Very, very subtle. I compared for about 20 minutes to see if any of the credits were adjusted at all. There was no difference that I could tell. You will recall that in the Acoustic Sounds UHQR versions that have been coming out some of the credits have been tweaked a little bit in the updated notes. I'll have a few other points to add in the comments, and I look forward to your comments as well.

I predicted a couple years ago that they would probably release all these 1972 to 1980 Steely Dan albums again again and now they are. I now that they will release all seven of these albums as a box set with a bonus LP at some point in the future. Nobody has said anything to me, but given other precedences by other bands and especially Donald's own "Cheap Xmas" box, that's my hunch. Maybe this time next year. Looking forward to the Acoustic Sounds UHQR version of "Gaucho" coming probably in a few days or weeks.

Date: Fri, December 01, 2023, 07:55:46 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Given how they put together a group on such short notice and recorded CBAT in a mere three weeks, I'd say that's impressive. To put this into perspective TvN took at least three years from start to finish. Most of their jazz heroes would record entire albums in a day or two. D&W demanded a level of precision other artists didn't, booking session after session to get an arrangement they were comfortable with which more often than not came down to finding the right combination of session players. If D&W weren't happy with the way a single kick drum lay in a track or a guitar solo wasn't quite what they were looking for, they wouldn't accept it.

I really like 'Only A Fool Would Say That' but 'Kings' is also great.

Larry Carlton rich jazz-infused melodic style instantly appealed to D&W. Small wonder that he featured so prominently on The Royal Scam. Brazilian composer Eumir Deodato also enlisted Larry to play on his sublime track 'San Juan Sunset'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0X7No4vYao

George Benson also played on 'Love Island' from the same album. Both songs are excellent. Recommended listening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WxXi7dvi4c

Date: Thurs, November 30, 2023, 20:26:28 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

Vindication is not the right word, by a feel some sympatico with Denny Dias here.

I've always felt the writing was better on the more sophisticated numbers like 'Turn That Heartbeat' and 'Fire In The Hole'. That's going to be the bone of tone of the next album."


Heartbeat, Fire in the Hole, and Only a Fool Would say that are far my favorite recordings on CBAT. I rarely listen to the other 7 songs.

It's still a very good album, but I have it as the least interesting album. EMG doesn't get the respect it should.

Heartbeat, especially that instrumental interlude is truly a sign of things to come. And Walter sings lead, even if it's shared in first part of the chorus and for a few sec. at the very end.


CTE is a big step up in overall sophistication and complexity, even though ironically Show Biz Kids is a one chord vamp.

Date: Thurs, November 30, 2023, 10:35:00 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist, lot of cool stuff to check out.


Bruno Pernadas - Step Out of the Light (Live)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FphrPc9Nnm4

Daniel Santiago & Pedro Martins - Curupira Modernista

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwg5EAmUWK0

Sven Wunder - Take A Break

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY9SyuRQ070

Dina Ögon - Det läcker (It's leaking)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-4I7MqD_S4

Marco Castello - Torpi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyIA53bAi8w

Kaede (Negicco) - 「ただいまの魔法」 (Magic Right Now)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcC5pwUmOpg

MIA - Imagen III

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpa3TSHu47E

Date: Wed, November 29, 2023, 16:37:32 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Dean, they needed to come up with songs that had "commercial potential", you know, material not as outré as most of their previous efforts. Even before they first got their gig as staff writers their goal was always to end up making their own records. Other artists had no idea what to do with their material since it was so unorthodox in comparison with other stuff.

Denny Dias explained their situation thusly after having completed CBAT. "I guess I am a perfectionist, but Can't Buy A Thrill is the worst album we'll ever make. Some of the songs on the album were written years ago and I think the older stuff tended to be stronger. I think Donald and Walter wrote the other numbers - the more commercial stuff - to get the record companies interested. I've always felt the writing was better on the more sophisticated numbers like 'Turn That Heartbeat' and 'Fire In The Hole'. That's going to be the bone of tone of the next album."

By the time they were writing material like 'Proud To Be Your Slave' for Diamond Head they had a firm grasp of how to subvert normal pop/rock/R&B structures to their liking, but even some early material like 'Come Back Baby' seemed suitable for radio play, though they wound up abandoning most of those tracks.

Date: Wed, November 29, 2023, 14:26:15 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Reasonable explanation, Michael. Thank you I saw similar things but never got the idea they specifically sat down and wrote a song for a single. Maybe took one they liked and made some adjustments with the running time in mind or specifically included a shorter tune they could include. Really don't know. I know they wanted to sell records (duh) but always believed they didn't write with audience taste in mind. Makes some sense since neither W or D were big consumers of the popular music of that time.

I was never big on buying singles. As a youth I reserved singles only for songs from bands whose repertoire I thought less than stellar, other than the one or two songs. Never made any sense for me to buy a SD single. But that's me.

Date: Tues, November 28, 2023, 17:24:13 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Dean, I have some quotes from D&W in one or two of my SD books suggesting as much but will need to sift through to find specifics. The basic gist of it was D&W knew they needed to come up with something to please the record execs. After Show Biz Kids flopped they wanted nothing to do with picking out singles because they weren't really sure what would strike a chord with the general public. Donald said that he thought of singles as little more than advertisements for their albums. Makes sense that fans didn't have much incentive to purchase singles when the songs were on the albums anyhow.

SD's label at the time, ABC, would try to edit down songs, even ones which weren't particularly long to begin with such as Peg which runs just shy of 4 minutes. OTOH, you had groups like Led Zeppelin (Stairway to Heaven), Queen (Bohemian Rhapsody) and even The Beatles (A Day in the Life) with songs which clocked in longer than 5 minutes and got plenty of airplay.

Date: Tues, November 28, 2023, 12:21:44 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

I didn't know Discord was a "happy place" or even an intelligent one.

I'm thinking just stay clear of all the mainstream social media garbage. But then again, I'm an old man (and IT support tech to the elderly) who abhors most of this shit.

Date: Tues, November 28, 2023, 12:17:17 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

I checked out the Dan subreddit again, and have yet to find much (anything?) worthwhile. Then again, I can only tolerate sorting through so much trash looking for a marginally valuable item. I just wasn't made for dumpster diving, I guess. Maybe metal scrounger is a better analogy. But if it works for you, fine.

Have fun! I can only tolerate this forum as there are so few posts and it's worth surfing over several to get to one that is interesting and/or funny.

And why does UCR's Allison Rapp conclude Black Friday is about "a corrupt Australian speculator"? Is there any indication the main subject is Australian? He flies far away TO Muswellbrook. As she pointed out, "the choice was random, so long as it was as far away as possible". Why conclude he only relocated somewhere in his own country? Nonsense analysis of a SD lyric as usual.

And Michael, are you suggesting Walt and Don specifically wrote songs specifically to be singles? Anything to support that. Given their comments over the years, I always understood that was something they never considered. At least not until after the songs were recorded/finished. And even in that regard, perhaps suggesting another song might have been better. But I could be wrong. There are many here that have a lot of info I missed (or forgot).

Date: Tues, November 28, 2023, 12:00:41 ET
Posted by: read, it

the only thing dorkier than this place and the SD Reddit are the middle-aged guys with glasses on Twitter trying Steely Dan memes.

join a Discord instead

Date: Sun, November 26, 2023, 13:55:49 ET
Posted by: Dan, Liverpool

YouTube link:

https://youtu.be/xMx_KOrBxAk?si=P2VtxmYCqBWivBRU

Date: Sun, November 26, 2023, 13:53:58 ET
Posted by: Dan, Liverpool

Whilst we're suggesting things inspired by Steely Dan, how about this one:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5a8YnZ3ZvzGPjOq5YAotff?si=5WCi67WeR7qUG30cn7U_nA

Bass line is 2vN, but in 4/4 instead of 6/8. Not sure, but I think the chorus makes the same leap from Abm to Em.

Funny song too.

Date: Sun, November 26, 2023, 10:44:30 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Steely Dan had a big influence on Robert, no doubt about it.

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

I've been hearing a lot of intricate harmonies on tracks from a wide array of artists, less formulaic than much of the stuff which used to get played on the radio. More artists are taking chances in the studio which is great. No matter what your preference there's stuff out there to scratch that musical itch if you know where to look.

Date: Sun, November 26, 2023, 09:01:36 ET
Posted by: Chris, nh

Bobbing is Robert Ross, who had a previous project called Feed Me Jack. It's guitar based instead of electronic and pretty different but the through-line is pretty clear. Perhaps a bit too ADD (in a good way as far as I'm concerned) to recommend it based on interest in Steely Dan, but then again, here's my favorite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb8vWUDEmxc

there is also a very interesting cover of Reelin' in the Years. I appreciate an entirely re-arranged, at times almost unrecognizable Steely Dan cover, but be warned if you do not:

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

Date: Sat, November 25, 2023, 06:55:12 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Donald and Walter knew that they needed to have standing in the radio singles department if they wanted to keep running with the ball or else the label would take it away. Songs like Do It Again, Reelin', Rikki, and Black Friday solidified their presence, paving the way for more extravagant (some might say overboard) studio expenditures. In the end it was well worth it. I don't see how anyone could mistaken Black Friday's lyrics to be about the start of the shopping spree leading up to Christmas.


Bobbing, one of the most intriguing electro-pop/rock artists around, released a new album about a month ago titled Year of the Newt. Definitely worth checking out.

Rag Time Gal (feat. Dani Offline)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bHpuu79_bo

Cool With It

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58kq9ZzAhkk


Also, Telehealth released a new track titled Mindtrap. If you like stuff like Devo, The Cars and The B-52s then you'll enjoy this.

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


"We don't make movies for critics since they don't pay to see them anyhow." Words of wisdom from Charles Bronson.

Date: Fri, November 24, 2023, 23:57:54 ET
Posted by: AR, UCR

Steely Dan's 'Black Friday' Isn't About Holiday Shopping

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/steely-dan-black-friday/

** Years before the day became an international shopping extravaganza, Steely Dan's song "Black Friday" told the tale of a corrupt Australian speculator who makes off with his fraudulent gains. Though the term has been applied to many problematic events in history, the original Black Friday can be traced all the way back to Sept. 24, 1869. American investors, eager to turn an enormous profit, began buying as much gold as they could to drive the price up. But when President Grant caught on to the plot, the U.S. government flooded the market with $4 million worth of gold, effectively causing the price to plummet and the financiers to lose a fortune. But it wasn't until the '50s that "Black Friday" was used in conjunction with the bustle of post-Thanksgiving shopping, an eventual staple of the holiday season.
Steely Dan's version of the Black Friday story, however, is largely fictitious, centering around a made-up Australian investor deeply involved in the devious business scheme. "When Black Friday comes, I'll collect everything I'm owed," sings Donald Fagen. "And before my friends find out, I'll be on the road." The investor hightails it to Muswellbrook, a small rural town about two hours north of Sydney. Why? Even Fagen admits the choice was random, so long as it was as far away as possible."I think we had a map and put our finger down at the place that we thought would be the furthest away from New York or wherever we were at the time. That was it," he said to Steely Dan Reader.
Meanwhile, Walter Becker reportedly provided the song's guitar solo on a Fender Telecaster borrowed from regular contributor Denny Dias, who also played on the album. Released in 1975 as the first single from their album, Katy Lied, "Black Friday" only reached No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but neither Fagen nor Becker were all that concerned. "We write for effect. Lately we've been getting into the social protest thing, like 'Black Friday' on the new album," Fagen said, seemingly sarcastically, as documented in Brian Sweet’s biography of the band, Reelin’ In The Years. "We may even do a song about Gerald Ford, the Kennedy assassination or Da Nang. We write topical music. I don't think audiences have a problem relating."
While most listeners had likely never plotted an intricate and illegal gold-grabbing plan, relatable or not, "Black Friday" remains a key highlight on a record overflowing with well-crafted songwriting. **

Date: Fri, November 24, 2023, 11:26:06 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. Only good vibes.

wave to earth - bad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q5xqNkCk7w

Fabi Silvestri Gazzè - L'amore non esiste (Love does not exist)

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

Barbara Dickson - January February

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW0C_zSVnPM

HYBS - Prettiest To Me

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

Chocolate Lemonade 『チョコレートレモネード』 - Amaiwana アマイワナ with Ginger Root

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu7kZOCZagU

Unique Salonga - Panahon

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

Date: Tues, November 21, 2023, 16:40:35 ET
Posted by: About F-ing Time, The deserts of NV

About time.

https://variety.com/2023/music/news/songwriters-hall-of-fame-2024-nominees-tracy-chapman-public-enemy-1235803982/

Odds on winning?

Date: Mon, November 20, 2023, 14:06:53 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

<<Now a reminder, former SD member Michael McDonald *is* currently singing and playing with the Doobies (as is their early 70's lead vocalist Tom Johnston) so you do at least have a show that, far as I'm aware, you'd never have gotten back in the day>>

Tom Johnston hasn’t played with the Doobs since earlier in the year. He hurt his back I believe. They had been touring for a few years now with MM and TJ on their 50th anniversary tour and also did some shows in the 80s with both of them. I saw one of them back then and it was an excellent blend of the two bands.

I have a love hate thing for the Doobies. Love their more obscure stuff like Ukiah, Disciple (which they actually played when I saw them open for the Dan like five years ago), Without You, and so many excellent cuts from Once Were Once Vices and Stampede (their two best albums). Road Angel, APAS, Music Man are examples. All written by Tom Johnston. I despise their only #1 hit, Black Water, and their mostly lowest common denominator set lists which always contain their common hits.

As far as MM, I resented him joining the band especially after seeing him first join the band as an emergency live fill in for TJ, singing Tommy’s hit’s which sucked. I was a teen eager to hear the new songs from Stampede and got this shit. There was no warning, internet, not even a mention on stage who in the fuck MM was and why was he butchering TJs songs. They couldn’t be further from each other musically and vocally. But I really liked the MM influenced Fault Line and MBM. Takin it to the Streets was just too soon after the disappointment of the abrupt replacement of TJ. MM had the best influence on Patrick Simmons and his writing. Chinatown, Fault Line title track, Depending on You were his best work. Too bad you have to hear Black Water vs. those tracks live.

Finally, Ted Templeman was the most underrated ingredient in the Doobie Brothers and Van Halen. Pure genius.

Date: Sun, November 19, 2023, 18:03:45 ET
Posted by: Eino Eubie Sexton, a/k/a Tristan D.

Wow - Thank you Doc Mu for that enlightening overview of such a bafflingly overlooked album by a double-platinum band – and to think it was hot on the heels of Takin’ It To the Streets.

I would've guessed Baxter would say he was most proud of – again - Fault Line - plus that Donna Summer "Hot Stuff" solo! I've never gotten even slightly sick of that, or the rest of that song – it’s all just so righteous. Interesting to think that when he recorded the "Hot Stuff" solo (probably early '79), his former band's Aja had just spent the last year conquering the airplay and sales charts. Conquering the world, really. So, like, maybe he's venting his hurt and frustration in that solo just a bit, knowing the song was likely to be a smash because Donna Summer was having one huge hit after another around then. Ya think? "Dammit - where were the TV ads for *my* current band's brilliant last album??" "Sorry, Jeff, *you* simply aren't fortunate enough to be signed to ABC Records anymore!"
(Mind you I don’t think anyone here is saying the Fault Line LP quite exactly rates with Aja!)

Anyway. Back to Elton & Taupin again for a moment. Yeah, their song "Idol" could use an ace cover. For one thing, the recording just isn't as tight as the rest of the album for some reason. Wasn’t it around the time of Aja’s release that Fagen & Becker played guest DJs at an FM rock station, picked the tunes from the station’s greater playlist, and their choices included “Bennie and the Jets” and FMac’s “You Make Lovin’ Fun”(?) I only read about it, though. That’d be fun to listen to, right?

What I really shoulda had on that list of primo Elton tunes for the Steely/DF composition fan was Elton's best double A-side 45rpm: "Grow Some Funk" and "I Feel Like a Bullet", both from his Westies LP. Obviously, like most of Elton’s tunes, you don’t get a lot in the way of interesting jazz chords, but he’s amazing at keeping the interest up via endless stretching and re-inventing of conventional pop song structures – like Fagen. Here’s a good question: what probably were the best Steely double A-sides? (Meaning, classics on both sides of the 7”, even if they weren’t both promoted - or - in some cases – if neither side was promoted, ha ha.)

Having earlier mentioned both Elton and the Eagles current tour, the Elton/Eagles “duet” is actually an Elton tune called “White Lady White Powder”, and the chorus lyric “Hit this boy again” is a clear sign it’s really about a dominatrix. Very catchy, you’ll notice. Your friend’s mom should love it.
Elton and Henley also recorded an early 90’s cover of ’75 soul nug “Shaky Ground”, but it’s not as great. Better: Henley’s first solo single “Johnny Can’t Read”, a serious-topic, way-catchy hoot! It stiffed but no one cared because follow-up “Dirty Laundry” was soon all over everywhere, forever.

Okay, here are those archive.org links for free American Top 40 downloads:
https://archive.org/details/american-top-40-shows-1976-1979
https://archive.org/details/american-top-40-shows-1970-1975_202309
https://archive.org/details/casey-kasems-american-top-40-the-70s_202205
https://archive.org/details/casey-kasems-american-top-40-the-80s
https://archive.org/details/american-top-40-shows-1980-1982

If you haven’t downloaded from the site before, note that clicking on each link first gives you streaming options shown on a black background. But you’ll want to scroll past that black section, since you’ll want to download them to have and hold forever. (They could be taken down from the site at any time.) Notice you can generally download each link’s batch as a big bunch of mp3’s (or m4a’s) – but then they come as a zip file, so if you go that round you’ll have to get the whole giant file or else you’ll get nothin’. The first of these four links is the best, and note that the m4a’s there are not the same countdowns as the mp3’s, so get both sets. Yes, most of these are frustratingly low bit-rate. And some really do sound shitty. But others – even the 96kbps ones, actually sound quite decent. I wish they all had on-the-radio sound.

‘78 was the year SD scored four hits on AT40: the 3 from Aja plus FM in the summer. To help you find where Casey talks ‘em up:
January 7, 1978 #40 … 1/14/78: #36 … 1/21/78 #32 … 1/28/78: #28 …
2/4/78: #20 … 2/11/78: #15 … 2/18/78: #13 … 2/25/78: #12 …
3/4/78: #12 … 3/11/78: #11 … 3/18/78: #32
… and that’s just “Peg”! Hours of fun to be had, as you can tell. I’ll post more of these later.

Date: Sun, November 19, 2023, 13:06:36 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Tristan: Livin' on the Fault Line is a really underrated and unified, cohesive album. Both Takin' It to the Streets and Minute by Minute both contained some Tom Johnston tunes that didn't quite belong. Pat Simmons adapted much better to the "McDoobies" more R&B styles.

Tiran Porter on bass can't be underestimated as flexible enough for the transition. The sound is immaculate - gorgeous mix and instrument separation courtesy of the legendary Donn Landee, who engineered Fault Line at Sunset Studios. But you are correct in that Skunk Baxter really pushed the McDoobies to stretch out on the title track and Chinatown. David Paich, who sessioned with Steely Dan on Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied arranged the horns in a quite Steely Way.

Decades before Negative Girl and 4 years after Razor Boys, there's a vibraphone solo over a walking bass on the title track.

Skunk co-wrote You're Made that Way with Michael McDonald that's an R&B/jazzy fusion. Steely gospel if you will. The bridge connecting the verses to chorus is a killer and unexpected flipping keys from C minor to A minor. Note the jazzy guitar counter-accents by Skunk - a very overlooked song. Babe choir backup. Bobby LaKind on congas. Nice horn chart. What's not to like?

Two R&B tasty numbers follow - Echoes of Love (Pat Simmons with Willie Mitchell, Earl Randle), with Simmons on lead vocals with MM harmonies and co-lead on verse 2, chorus, and outtro. and this Holland Dozier Holland hit with Little Darlin'. Nice synth intro on Echoes of Love and tasty harmonies. A tasty, mini-solo from Skunk. I think they fit seamlessly and cohesively into the album. Little Darlin - nice uptempo gospel R&B cover with Skunk cementing the vibe with a relatively complex early, steely guitar solo.

You Belong to Me was a hit for co-writer Carly Simon but her version is too treacly for me. The McDoobie version is much darker in a stalking/possession kind of way. Can we talk about that bass and the walk up in modulation to the chorus? Skunk's steely jazz stabs signals that something is very wrong. And a Bacharach mini horn solo and outro? Much better IMO with that edge. Like the Police's Every Breath You Take the song's darker underbelly is lost (because of Carly's version.

The title track has a cool and unique song structure. I have to give Skunk props with MM for arranging this one. Simmons went along with the change. Complex chord progressions and counter rhythms.

Nothin' but a Heartache (MM), another complex R&M number (but sounds much simpler than its nearly 30 chords and several key changes), and Chinatown, where the Doobies stretch out again continue the momentum established by the title track.

The remarkable There's a Light (MM), Need a Lady (Tiran), and Larry the Logger Two Step are a perfect way to complete the album with a bow tie.


Evidently, Tom Johnston walked into the Fault Line sessions with 5 songs but said" "I'll see you guys later. You go do your thing... I see you cookin' and I ain't doing shit."

Simmons: "Our boundaries had shifted and so, for me anyway, I kind of let go of more traditional forms and tried to write songs that were a little more experimental. I felt like Jeff and Mike might be able to help with the crazy ideas that had worked their way into my consciousness." (referring mostly to the title track and Chinatown)


I've seen an interview or two where Skunk seems most proud of Livin' on the Fault Line album as well as the guitar solos on My Old School and Razor Boy (slide guitar).

For the OG Doobie biker fans - too many chords and too many key changes.


Tom Johnston was more active in the Minute by Minute sessions and there was more discord among the band TJ vs. MM vs. Skunk. Skunk felt he could not steer the band in the more complex and interesting direction. He left after and worked on the next Tubes album with Lukather...

Not surprisingly, sans Skunk One Step Closer was a significant fall off, except Real Love.

Date: Sat, November 18, 2023, 19:54:12 ET
Posted by: Eino Eubie Sexton, West of the Rockies

Oh hell yeah let's hear a cover of Elton & BT's "Idol"!

Btw, I forgot to include a song on my Elton/Taupin list (see below):
their incredible "Grow Some Funk Of Your Own" from the Westies LP.

Also, after I posted yesterday, it occurred to me that I wrote about the current Eagles tour, then about Elton/Taupin classics, without realizing there's an Elton classic of sorts that features Henley, Frey and Schmit on backing vocs: "White Power White Lady" (1980). If yr not familiar, give it a quick listen and I'm sure you'll agree: it would've always been a classic rock staple since Day 1 except that, oh you know, the lyrics, Elton's lifestyle, etc.

I was also gonna mention downloadable American Top 40 countdowns ...
the best way is to start with duckduckgo or bing, etc., and search for

archive.org American Top 40

... but I gotta run to I'll come back to that.

Date: Sat, November 18, 2023, 14:03:34 ET
Posted by: DonB, Toronto

Eino Eubie Sexton, "Idol" is one of my all-time Elton faves -- great pick! I’m considering recording it...

Date: Sat, November 18, 2023, 08:11:59 ET
Posted by: DonB, Toronto

This is my kind of review! I can retire now...

“Recorded and mixed by Grammy-winning engineer John ‘Beetle’ Bailey, Monkey House’s Remember The Audio sounds amazing. The overall clarity is astounding. I’d put it right up there with Elliot Scheiner’s revered 5.1 mixes of Steely Dan’s Gaucho and Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly.”

—Jonathan Cornell, immersiveaudioalbum.com

Date: Fri, November 17, 2023, 11:18:38 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist.

The Blue Jean Committee - Catalina Breeze

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfrHCNo2I3M

Rude Jude - Let Your Garden Grow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFbSAhdrac8

Fabiano do Nascimento & Sam Gendel - Foi Boto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGMMo7-xSW4

Laetitia Sadier - Une Autre Attente (Another Wait)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENZD88Ktp9M

Albrecht Schrader - Diese eine Stelle (This One Spot)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBj59AKwIWA

Mo Troper - Citgo Sign

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wko8kdhRwHY

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Ano Yo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RezM3s275g

Dabeull - INDASTUDIO with Rude Jude

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

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

An intriguing excerpt from a Melody Maker interview conducted between Michael Watts and D&W back in 1976.

How does the marriage of lyrics and music come together?

Walt: Often there will be a fragment of music and lyrics we have that is very open-ended and could suggest a lotta things, and then we'll decide what would be the most interesting to write the song about with that piece in it. Or a piece of music, for example, will suggest that its lyric be concerned with a certain type of affair; either a little short story, or a more free-form type of imagery.

Don: We always start with a fragment that will suggest the whole of the song. The way we write the fragment is the way any so-called artist will write a fragment, and I don't think you can explain that, unless you want to get into discussing the philosophy of art or expression.

Walt: Oh, please, let's not!

How are you different as writers?

Walt: I'm less concerned with tying everything up. I like swatches of colours, images that don't necessarily make so much sense. But, of course, Fagen makes me tell him how it makes sense when we write it. He's gotta make it all come together, and that's good. And Donald has a more organized mind than I do.

Don: It's just that, if there's something in a first draft that sounds like it shouldn't be there and doesn't lend unity to the song, I will argue endlessly to exclude it or replace it.

Walt: It works out pretty well, actually. When I consider how difficult the collaboration actually is, I'm amazed that we're as single-minded between the two of us.

Don: We rarely have any disagreements about any part of a song. The only thing, in fact, is the way Walter sometimes perceives. If I have some kind of - usually - vamp, Walter will perceive it to be in another key than I do. Sometimes we have problems in song structure. But that also leads to some rather interesting constructions.

Walt: In other words, what Donald sometimes thinks of as a one-chord I will think of as a five-chord, and what Donald thinks of as a strong beat in a bar I will think of as a weak beat.

Don: In other words, sometimes he's thinking of the song backwards as far as I'm concerned.

Date: Thurs, November 16, 2023, 23:19:21 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Steve, thanks for the heads-up. I'm searching for a stream, but have yet to find one that's safe enough. (As I type Reeling in the Years is playing on Thursday Night Football). I think as an early example of the start of fusion (in very different ways, of course) there is something tangential about KC and SD. I know 21st Century Schizoid Man was among my early WOW moments in music for me.

Haven't found a way to stream it in the USA, anyway. Any advice is appreciated. Legal advice of course. Let's respect Hoops here.

Date: Thurs, November 16, 2023, 13:57:41 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

If anyone is looking for an interesting recent music documentary to watch then I can highly recommend the King Crimson at 50 thing "In the Court of the Crimson King" directed by Toby Amies.

I don't really like KC (most of their stuff gives me a headache to be honest) but it's a well made documentary which if nothing else gives good insight into what a thoroughly odd little man Robert Fripp really is.

Also, I can't really pretend the KC doc is in any way "dangential" but apparently original KC member Ian McDonald (who also weirdly founded Foreigner) reportedly listened to a Steely Dan album every day....that's all I got!

Date: Tues, November 14, 2023, 22:34:49 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Finally heard part 1 of Sanborn's interview with Sonny Rollins. Really good. Understand Sonny is in his 90s. So it might take awhile and be a bit slower and more hesitant than one is used to hearing. But damn this dude still has it. The drug discussion right before the end of part 1, is fabulous, IMO.

Looking forward to hearing part 2 in the next few days.

Hope all is well with Donald

Date: Tues, November 14, 2023, 19:09:14 ET
Posted by: Tristan Dristan,

Tho I suppose you'll probably be reading this after the fact... As I'm writing this - close to dinnertime on Nov. 14th - both "nobody's opening band" Steely Dan and, by some accounts, the Doobies are scheduled as openers for tonight's Eagles show in Lexington, KY.

Too bad Jeff Baxter isn't touring with the Doobs anymore - if he were, they'd make a (how should I put this on an SD list?) closer-to-okay-fine-then-whatever replacement for still-on-the-mend(?) Mr. Steely Dan and his band of gifted transients... Cuz then you'd have another beloved, frequently FM-airwaves-bothering band sporting *2* prominent SD alumni (Mike McDonald being the other of course.)

Speaking of Baxter, does everyone here know that it's him playing that thrilling solo on Donna Summer's '79 mega-hit "Hot Stuff"?

And by the way, are all the Aja fans here familiar with the Doobies LP that is most stylistically comparable to Aja? (I suppose that would sort of be a stretch, but then, comparing any album to Aja is a stretch, right?) It's called Livin' On the Fault Line; it came out in late '77 I believe (so yeah, around the same time as Aja), and it is one of the better albums I've ever heard by anyone. It's certainly among Nightfly-lovin' producer Ted Templeman's finest hours. The closest things to hit singles on it would be their semi-hit remake of "Little Darlin'" and the Doobs own version of Carly Simon's hit "You Belong to Me". But there are other seriously fine songs on that album! Check it out if you haven't - good chance you'll be loving it forever like I do.

Best of health, Mr. Dan!

Date: Sat, November 11, 2023, 19:58:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Yeah, I was wrong about Durand Jones & the Indications. I underestimated their Indiana School of Music Trained Old School new music with a touch of south Louisiana. After a few more listens Andy Platts has some competition, especially in the tuneful hook department

Ride or Die

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

Private Space

https://youtu.be/P73S0B5e7Ow?si=xnS8CVD-Kao3P0oI

Date: Fri, November 10, 2023, 18:09:51 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist, great music. Enjoy.

Donny Benét - Multiply

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwPUtEMms4E

Uwanosora - Autumn Ballad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5ZsX5-nPVE

Casker - 바랜 고백 (Faded Confession)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLzI7GW0JcQ

Juan Luis Guerra - DJ Bachata

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcGuUPcWt0o

Neil Richardson - The Riviera Affair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nyR9cPqGfE

Gal Costa - Verbos Do Amor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_40EpLs09I

Date: Fri, November 10, 2023, 12:28:58 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Brutus, thanks for the Sonny Rollins, link. Been a huge fan for years. Got to see him in NYC early in the 2000s at Roseland, if my memory serves. Incredible.

Date: Fri, November 10, 2023, 11:26:35 ET
Posted by: Brutus Charisma,

An easier to access link to David Sanborn’s interview with Sonny
Rollins:

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1201331649/as-we-speak-with-david-sanborn

Date: Thurs, November 09, 2023, 15:26:24 ET
Posted by: RP, NC

SD were replaced by the Doobies 11/07/23 in Charlotte. Just announced, SD are returning with the Eagles, Sat 3/16/24. Spectrum Center.

https://www.steelydan.com/tour

Date: Thurs, November 09, 2023, 10:45:47 ET
Posted by: Brutus Charisma,

Probably one of DF’s favorite tenor saxophonists, Sonny Rollins, was recently interviewed by David Sanborn. This was very enjoyable to me. I think you’ll find quite interesting too:

https://www.wbgo.org/2023-10-24/there-is-no-ending-to-our-quest-sonny-rollins-in-a-rare-conversation-with-david-sanborn-part-1?fbclid=IwAR2EjHpTZRCuKiz0uW_EIgl9qs3D4_XAuvgJNBukqJbnYcUag10nGmliC0o_aem_ASQZdw8rb2OjFB9AKrcO3_k6PG0h40prKOZhJXq_Tdt6jSpWz3l7VFgK8ZiVpPgxrDw&mibextid=9R9pXO

Date: Thurs, November 09, 2023, 10:45:47 ET
Posted by: Brutus Charisma,

Probably one of DF’s favorite tenor saxophonists, Sonny Rollins, was recently interviewed by David Sanborn. This was very enjoyable to me. I think you’ll find quite interesting too:

https://www.wbgo.org/2023-10-24/there-is-no-ending-to-our-quest-sonny-rollins-in-a-rare-conversation-with-david-sanborn-part-1?fbclid=IwAR2EjHpTZRCuKiz0uW_EIgl9qs3D4_XAuvgJNBukqJbnYcUag10nGmliC0o_aem_ASQZdw8rb2OjFB9AKrcO3_k6PG0h40prKOZhJXq_Tdt6jSpWz3l7VFgK8ZiVpPgxrDw&mibextid=9R9pXO

Date: Mon, November 06, 2023, 18:46:18 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Another unexpected Steely Dan chord sighting.

The Queen, Selena (RIP) from her crossover album, released after her unfortunate demise. The hits I Could Fall in Love and Dreaming of You are solid pop, but kinda kiddie pop...much different than her Tejano roots where she won a boatload of awards.

Captive Heart and this one - I'm Getting Used to You where you really hear Selena's power, control, sassiness, and ability to connect. I'm Getting Used to You allows Selena to translate her famous Latina near MJ level stage presence into a grown woman performance. There are some sick runs vocally.

minor sharp 7ths intro, then each phrase in the verse, before the bridge begins with an add 9. Vrry R&B hint of jazz...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AhTmyA3W_Q

Date: Sun, November 05, 2023, 10:47:20 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Sweet treats and surprises for all the little buckaroos.


Swissy - After All

https://swissymusic.bandcamp.com/track/after-all

Burnier e Cartier - Mirandolina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XF5jW8p7Qo

Landon A. R. Coleman - Are You Down?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1-GVQLKYls

Jerry Goldsmith - The Hour of the Gun (Main Theme)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-sqg-X0VGM

Willie Gonzales - Si Tu Fueras Mía (If You Were Mine)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGu4J1SbVmY

OutRun - Last Wave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH2zAdwZZL0

Date: Wed, November 01, 2023, 15:34:36 ET
Posted by: FWIW, Atlanta

The official announcement was delivered via email by the venue, in which they shared, “Donald Fagen continues to recuperate, and Steely Dan will not be performing at the two Eagles shows in Atlanta on Thursday, Nov. 2nd and Saturday, Nov. 4th, at State Farm Arena.” It continued, “The Tedeschi Trucks Band is confirmed to play these two nights with the Eagles.”

Date: Wed, November 01, 2023, 01:51:45 ET
Posted by: FYI,

Steely Dan replace by Trucks band for the two Atlanta dates November 2 and 4. Get well Donald!

Back to the usual tangential playlists.

Date: Tues, October 31, 2023, 23:59:04 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

<<Almost Gothic is more complex than probably the first 3 SD albums combined. >>

No

Date: Tues, October 31, 2023, 18:09:01 ET
Posted by: Michael,

SD's earlier material had more of that standard pop-rock type of affair with a little sprinkling of blues, jazz, folk. I detect a little theatrical influence in there as well, especially on some of their proto-SD stuff like Let George Do It and Soul Ram but also Your Gold Teeth II and the outtake version of I Got the News.

D&W had a wide range of influences and so it would behoove them to derive from that vast pool. Every notable artist had been influenced by others, even Bach and look how good he turned out.

I don't remember their actual wording but D&W had told interviewers their plan was to begin with more straightforward, easy-to-digest material and eventually work their way into more complex stuff later on.

Date: Tues, October 31, 2023, 17:22:58 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, Almost Gothic is one of SD's deepest tracks both lyrically and harmonically.

While What a Fool Believes has a normal pop structure, the harmonic movement coupled with the unorthodox bass lines makes it difficult to grasp without breaking down each segment to really understand how it flows together.

https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/the-doobie-brothers/what-a-fool-believes

Date: Tues, October 31, 2023, 15:51:50 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

What a Fool Believes. The "key" is literally the A#m6 Beatles chord in the bridge and modulating way up to F#maj7 in the chorus. That's a Gospel trick...and you can hear more Gospel in the chorus:

"...the power to reason away" [then there's the ascending chords on the Prophet 5]

Date: Tues, October 31, 2023, 15:40:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

After the Love is Gone, Reasons are more complex harmonically than almost anything on the first 3 SD albums. Pretzel Logic has Rikki, Night By Night, the title track, and Parker's Band. But Any Major Dude and most of the album are *realtively* simple harmonically compared with what was to come.

SD's most complex stuff harmonically is on Two Against Nature. Almost Gothic is more complex than probably the first 3 SD albums combined. There's a bit too much clipped snare on TvN, although that goes away on the DVD-A stereo mix.

There are more suspended chords in Pixeleen than in most rock groups' careers. EMG and if it's possible the 4X Grammy winner are criminally overlooked.

Date: Tues, October 31, 2023, 08:50:55 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, we're on the same page, although EW&F versus Mozart is apples and oranges. Two very different styles of composing. In terms of harmonic complexity most other chart toppers aren't in the same ballpark as September. What a Fool Believes is right up there, as are several Steely Dan classics.

Date: Mon, October 30, 2023, 19:51:15 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

I was lucky enough to have seen EWF live (over 2 1/2 hour show) at their pinnacle. There's always the miracle they wrought on Jay Graydon, Bill Champlin, David Foster's After the Love is Gone, where Philip Bailey's high tenor and Maurice White's turbo-bootsed modulations reimagined the melody and harmonies - a well-earned Grammy.

In the Stone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z2xClustQo

Can't Hide Love

https://youtu.be/1TxgfbPl9Qg?si=akYR91nqieOMqc1r

Reasons

https://youtu.be/nwYI5fz6c5Q?si=jJZQbVgAHfGonChJ


are among my favorites


Tasty Pop music that is as sophisticated as the most intricate hard bop or Mozart.

September

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWXub7E5moM


Musicians freakin' out because the melody for September really isn't in one melodic line but a group of lines forming the harmony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAgYcO_wTTo&t=7s

Date: Mon, October 30, 2023, 19:45:27 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

I was lucky enough to have seen EWF live (over 2 1/2 hour show) at their pinnacle. There's always the miracle they wrought on Jay Graydon, Bill Champlin, David Foster's After the Love is Gone, where Philip Bailey's high tenor and Maurice White's turbo-bootsed modulations reimagined the melody and harmonies - a well-earned Grammy.

In the Stone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z2xClustQo

Can't Hide Love

https://youtu.be/1TxgfbPl9Qg?si=akYR91nqieOMqc1r

Reasons

https://youtu.be/nwYI5fz6c5Q?si=jJZQbVgAHfGonChJ


are among my favorites


Tasty Pop music that is as sophisticated as the most intricate hard bop or Mozart.

September

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWXub7E5moM


Musicians freakin' out because the melody for September really isn't in one key or any key.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAgYcO_wTTo&t=7s

Date: Mon, October 30, 2023, 03:25:20 ET
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Date: Fri, October 27, 2023, 22:35:47 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Imaginatively speaking

Just a note to the anonymous poster with the decades-long setlist beef(s) - I agree with you...you darn well should complain - loudly and repetitively, I say - about the band's choice of songs they choose to perform live. It's what you unhappy folks do best anyways. Keep up the fight, man!

Oh, and the individual I referred to previously is a "long-time" fan, not some self-professed "Big Time Fan". And because for most of his adult working life he's been stationed in one of several far-off/exotic locales, his opportunities to see Steely Dan in person have been few & far between. Imagine living and working in, say, Lahore or Dubai or even Winnipeg...with nary a Steely Dan live event to be had, year after frustrating year. Just imagine. Sometimes Fate deals us SD fans a cruel hand.

Or...to get back to my original point, imagine paying $800 or $900 or even $1,000 for a pair of tickets to see your favorite live band - Steely Dan, in this case - as the opening act for a band you've always been ambivalent-at-best about, or perhaps even despise - in this case, The Iggles - only to find, at the last possible minute that your all-time favorite live act has, at the last possible minute, been replaced with (a) an act you don't even recognize as an "act" - in this case, "Cheryl Crow" or (b) an act you recognize - in this case, "Cheryl Crow" - but can't stand any more than you can stand the Feature Attraction? What recourse does an unlucky concertgoer have?

Apparently, none.

Note that a ripped/torn/bleeding transverse colon, courtesy of some widely-detested ticket seller outfit-monopoly, does not qualify as "compensation". Or. more correctly, in my opinion​ it doesn't qualify. As Jim says, your mileage may vary.

Imagine that.

M/O/D/P

Date: Fri, October 27, 2023, 19:52:14 ET
Posted by: Michael,

jmi2621, Neil Finn wrote some exceptional tunes alongside his brother Tim Finn as Split Enz. Plenty of great stuff throughout their catalog including Next Exit, Dirty Creature, Six Months in a Leaky Boat, One Step Ahead, Message to My Girl, and I Got You.

Doc, EW&F are one of the best R&B/funk artists of all time. Their unique trademark sound was complimented by some of the hottest horn players, right alongside Tower of Power and the Brecker Brothers + David Sanborn, and those unmistakable Philip Bailey vocals on the high register. If you enjoy their stuff then you should definitely check out Brazilian group Banda Black Rio. They wear their EW&F influence on their sleeves and combine it with deliciously jazzified samba.

Check them out.

Mr. Funky Samba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOTb1wpwnyg

Tem Que Ser Agora (It Has to be Now)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d05lKqguReM

Vidigal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZExMIa9u7Q

Maria Fumaça

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AL5ILRGfsk

Melissa

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

Date: Fri, October 27, 2023, 19:07:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Yeah, the chord changes and modulation on EWF's That's the Way of the World are absolutely sick. Stevie Wonder, Katy Lied and onward Steely Dan level stuff.

Earth, Wind & Fire - That's the Way of the World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhW3P7_jvWY


RIP Maurice White.


I was listening to some of Beck's Odelay on the way home and realized that Sheryl Crow's career is a weak Beck ripoff...

Date: Fri, October 27, 2023, 12:26:41 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

organic

Date: Fri, October 27, 2023, 12:26:12 ET
Posted by: JML,

Michael,

YGSF songwriting is next level and consistent. Andy Platts is now in the rarified air of having written 40-50+ great songs or more: Beatles, Walter & Donald, Bacharach, Rolling Stones, Dylan, Moody Blues, maybe Tom Petty, Sting (although he's written very few since 1999's Brand New Day), Holand-Dozier-Holland, Thom Bell + Gamble & Huff, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, King/Goffin, Smokey Robinson, Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Hank Williams, Neil Finn is close, Elton John, Prince, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter...


The Durand Jones and the Indications album Private Space is very consistent. It's sprightly R&B recorded in the YGSF, Steely Dan paradigm. Oranic with great instrument separation. No autotune. Very good songwriting sprinkled with a little funk, a little jazz and outstanding performances. It's not Aja or even Ticket to Shangri-La, but the album is very enjoyable throughout. No duds.

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

Date: Fri, October 27, 2023, 11:19:58 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, it would've been better if Ed had focused on making 4 or 5 more tracks similar in quality to the aforementioned ones. Tracks like Quartermass Has Told Us, Of Good Strain and Confrere's Exile lack that special spark. Overall the album is pretty good but feels a bit too self-indulgent and lacks consistency in quality.

By contrast, YGSF's Ticket to Shangri-La is a fantastic album. The tracks gel together perfectly, there's coherence to its structure, it takes you on a journey. Shawn Lee and Andy Platts had a well defined vision, a musical recipe if you will, and stuck to it. Rolling Back, West Side Jet, Simple Imagination, and Sierra Nights clicked right from the start and are now regular staples in my playlist.

Speaking of playlists, it's time for a new one starting with YGSF - Rolling Back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdko5I6i7Eo

Earth, Wind & Fire - That's the Way of the World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhW3P7_jvWY

Steely Dan - Charlie Freak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDZdNr9PHao

Azymuth - Seems Like This (Faça de Conta)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gjo8iyD6s4

Ryuichi Sakamoto - きみについて……。(About you...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKm6_OfPKIo

David Crosby - She's Got To Be Somewhere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQbgu_jrA7U

Le Superhomard - Paper Girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIDsLOje_0o

Have a great weekend.

Date: Thurs, October 26, 2023, 12:18:13 ET
Posted by: yeah, setlist

We've been complaining since 2006 over the setlist. As we should.

Bigtime Dan Fan only seen Steely Dan twice between 1993 and now?

Date: Thurs, October 26, 2023, 11:49:25 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

Yeah - Those middle tracks are a bit unusual. Dizzying in chord and key changes. They could be growers. Or not.

Date: Thurs, October 26, 2023, 07:58:21 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc Mu, I found it a mixed bag. Some tracks are enjoyable while others are lackluster. The instrumentation, arranging and production are spot on, as usual from Ed. Would've preferred more tracks along the lines of Safely Far, Newsroom Customers and Slumberland (disregarding his somewhat obtuse lyrics).

I wish more artists out there were influenced by SD, especially Aja/Gaucho period.

Date: Thurs, October 26, 2023, 00:24:21 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

That new Ed Motta album is pretty good. I don't listen too close to the lyrics. They *sound* good, but have a Google translate X2 weirdness. It probably would be pointless to look up the lyrics online. Hat too Flat.

The middle of the album has songs with very odd but cool chord changes and dizzying modulation.

Newsroom Customers is an interesting opening. At first it is reminiscent of a late 1940s soundtrack for a movie about reporters...then some mu major like chords, before a very Al Jarreau sounding track.

Safely Far, A Shot in the Park, Deluxe Refuge, Tolerance on High Street are other highlights.

It's well-recorded. First rate musicianship through fairly complex arrangements. Nice instrument separation, balance, and the mix is solid.

Date: Wed, October 25, 2023, 23:19:45 ET
Posted by: hoops, Quick Answer

Because Steely Dan is an opener not the main act, there are no refunds if they do not perform. Refunds are only if Eagles cancel. at some of the shows they've had tickets on sale the last minute, usually for resale, they are significantly less expensive than the original prices. Your mileage may vary, but you may get a great deal at the last minute and also be assured that Steely Dan will be performing.

Date: Wed, October 25, 2023, 22:21:12 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Is There Anybody Out There?

So, earlier this month I found myself corresponding with a peer who had tickets to the early October SD/Iggles show in Denver. He's a long-time Dan fan, and (understandably) lukewarm (at best) on the monolithic, bloated, once-again-reconstipated-strictly-for-cynical-profit Headline Corporate Rockers. His plan, told to me well in advance of the show, would have been to soak in the the SD set, then leave with dignity intact. Despite the obscene ticket pricing, this fellow had decided in advance that even a shortened Steely Dan set was worth - to him - the full admission price. He's seen SD live only twice before, so he's not nearly as jaded and cynical as some of the dedicated fans here, the ones who've openly & proudly boycotted SD shows since, say, 2006, due to "the set list". See Bluebook posts dating back as far as 2007 for details, as provided by those prematurely-disgruntled Bluebook denizens who whined & carped about every tour since (at least) 2006...due to "the set list".

Anyways, the most recent email I received from this fella told a sorry tale of woe. Unaware of the last-minute "opening act" [sic] changes, he and his date dutifully attended the venue...only to find that his beloved Steely Dan had fallen ill (he got the official "change of opening act" email a day late) and that in Steely Dan's place he (and his date) would now be serenaded for perhaps an hour or more by the nonsensical/ridiculous "Sheryl Crow". One can only imagine the feelings he might have felt as he was feeling them, right there at the venue. I certainly know how I would have felt...

The whole thing left me wondering if anyone who checks in here had a similar experience at one of the shows where SD was replaced by Cheryl Crow or Steve Miller or some other wholly inappropriate substitution. Did TicketBastard offer refunds? Did anyone receive compensation after actually sitting through two acts they paid Big Bucks for but really didn't wanna see/hear? Would anyone - anyone - in his or her right mind actually pay $800.00 or more to see some distended/revoltingly-insincere corporate rock act go through the motions yet again, even with a really good [but cancelled] opening act?? Or did most of us just let this unpleasant thing pass, in hopes of something better down the line?

So many questions, I know...

M/O/D/P

Date: Wed, October 25, 2023, 16:32:53 ET
Posted by: Ben Jammin, Indy

More '24 dates for The World's Best Opening Act have been shared:

https://www.jambase.com/article/eagles-farewell-tour-dates-2024-steely-dan

Date: Sat, October 21, 2023, 18:33:45 ET
Posted by: Michael,

SC have written some excellent songs, songs which no doubt would've received heavy rotation on the airwaves back in the day when stuff like The Doobie Brothers, Christopher Cross and Steely Dan were mainstays.

Plenty of great music is still being made, you just have to know where to look. It's extremely rare that I come across anything good or semi-decent in the mainstream.

Date: Sat, October 21, 2023, 12:48:14 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

State Cows ain't half bad.

Date: Sat, October 21, 2023, 08:22:19 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist.

Lamp - 角をまがれば (Around The Corner)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZ2iNpdCCM

Mayer Hawthorne - For All Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkV4KGoLShE

Bobbing - A Night Alone (feat. Maddie Jay)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CSnlY1Qc4U

Ed Motta - Newsroom Customers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu4ccf-juGA

babychair x Cardin Phua - Dear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGM6_bVlmrk

Le Flex - Baby Come To Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFiMZ5ZX7-8

Lamp - 夜の霧雨 (Night Drizzle)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOG23ILh0WQ

Ciao.

Date: Wed, October 18, 2023, 11:52:30 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

The current situation reminds me of Toxic Vegan's last song on their album: Holy War

Although the point is straight ahead, the lyrics are clever and salty enough to really make it work. It's not political as they are on no one's side, with bile for all. The bitter is juxtaposed against very Steely jazz fusiony ear candy. It is difficult to write a good protest song, but Toxic Vegan makes a nice Steely stab at it. Nice acrid vocal delivery as well.

There's one little piece of lyric I can't quite decipher, but...

Starts on 26:32

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-20THjkJCE

May the prophets bless your hand
Remains in guns
While your fathers’ battles
Take your sons

May you cup runneth over with kerosene
May you light up the night on my TV screen

With Your Holy, Holy, Holy War
Your Holy Holy War
Your Holy, Holy, Holy War
Your Holy, Holy War

May your religions free you
From your guilt
While you burn the temple
They have built

May you see them arise in the desert sand
And die in the dust of the Promised Land

[chorus]

Oh, in the outtro I hear at little tip of the Fez to Show Biz Kids, another protest song that bites the hand that fed them.

Date: Mon, October 16, 2023, 22:56:09 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Mamas Gun - the catalog is thick with deep tracks.

Pots of Gold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40AoFxMAIJo

Let's Find a Way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mgDzzaL5pE

People on the Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQDFq5jmNpM

Reconnection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNBhi89KPUs

On a String

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lgw9-0DOSs

This is the Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1JiTkufJgY

London Girls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKq4SXlKwEU

On the Wire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vn4BFwuUlY

Diamond in the Bell Jar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOGYC4ours0

I Need a Win

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdO1yL8afjg

Winners Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2bGbdUNWGo

When You Stole the Sun from the Sky

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



Get well soon, Dr. Fagen

Date: Mon, October 16, 2023, 07:11:08 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Mamas Gun, Joey Quinones, Thee Sacred Souls, Monophonics, The Winston Brothers, and numerous other modern artists specialize in bringing that 60s funk-soul style to new audiences.

Sorry you didn't enjoy that Benny Sings track, Dr. Hünd.

Date: Mon, October 16, 2023, 00:25:07 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

From the band where Aaron Frazier is a member. From the Indiana School of Music:

Durand Jones & The Indications:

Love Will Work It Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AnXiScwWj4

Witchoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7vTtnevlO4

Private Space

https://youtu.be/P73S0B5e7Ow?si=xoQfVkI5HeJSu735

Date: Mon, October 16, 2023, 00:11:04 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

<<Bonus track: Benny Sings released a cover version of the Christopher Cross hit 'Sailing'. >>

I really can’t pick which is worse…..the singing, the faux programmed bossa nova track, or the video.

Date: Sat, October 14, 2023, 19:05:36 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Bonus track: Benny Sings released a cover version of the Christopher Cross hit 'Sailing'.

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

Date: Sat, October 14, 2023, 10:29:24 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. Hope everyone's doing ok.

Video Age - Better Than Ever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jRjKaRnzGw

Gruff Rhys - Celestial Candyfloss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv5jwu_RdQw

Kinga Głyk - Fast Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-EltF-Z_uE

The Winston Brothers - Drift

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

Wasia Project - Petals On The Moon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR2ChjJeZ8s

Monophonics - Last One Standing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42WH73b5jBI

Kowloon - Wake Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Id2hNfVjZQ

Collateral Lab - Outside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd-c2lgdmcg


Stay groovy my friends.

Date: Thurs, October 12, 2023, 01:13:01 ET
Posted by: Lutz, Hnl

And thanks for the Toxic Vegan tip. It's Fabulous!

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 21:30:24 ET
Posted by: Lutz, Hnl

Doc Mu, wow - talk about a high to low weekend.
I couldn’t wait for the NIghtflyers to make it out West after all the great early reviews.
Then that sad Sunday morning came and I wished I had attended even more SD shows.
Sure hope, Don has some left in the tank next year without the California hotellers.

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 17:41:30 ET
Posted by: popegreg, Suburban Streets

So apparently Don Henley mentioned on Monday night that Donald was hospitalized. Here’s hoping today’s report in Rolling Stone is true. It cites an unnamed source and says he’s out of the hospital, and that SD is expected to return to the road soon.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/steely-dan-donald-fagen-out-hospital-missing-shows-1234850609/

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 14:54:52 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

If you don't go twittering, an MSN article said that 5 members of the Iggles crew tested positive for COVID.


https://x.com/Power2Control/status/1711792306506891299?s=20


I've contended that the Iggles were germ-infested for decades!

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 14:47:53 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Any news about Dr. Fagen's reported hospitalization?

[hell, I'd fake an illness to get out of an Eagles' Tour!] I noticed all Henley said was something like: Well, the show must go on. Effing ****


All dark humor aside, I hope The Donald recovers soon.

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 14:43:52 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Dean, That would be awesome. I sure hope so. I didn't see TV cameras or a boom set up up front, though.

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 14:23:52 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

“I wasn’t sure if Fagen’s Rhodes keyboard was even plugged in. “

This is from a review of a show from last month with the Eagles. I saw a side stage view clip last week of one song which showed the extra (well probably main) keyboard player and Fagen in the same shot. It certainly looked like that player was playing most if not all of the notes with Fagen just idling his keyboard.

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 11:43:32 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Regarding Connor Kennedy, has the reason he left the touring SD band ever been given? Just curious.

And do we know for sure the ACL Nightflyers concert wasn't recorded? I have recently become convinced they recorded most everything for posterity these days. It would be nice to see/hear a high quality video of one of their shows.

Thanks in advance

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 10:14:22 ET
Posted by: Frank,

Vince Gill is going to fill-in as the opening act, as a solo artist, in addition to his Eagles duties, on Sunday, October 15 in Pittsburgh.

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 10:13:44 ET
Posted by: Frank,

Vince Gill is going to fill-in as a solo artist, in addition to his Eagles duties, on Sunday, October 15 in Pittsburgh.

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 10:06:22 ET
Posted by: Groucho , Bahamas

Steve Miller to Replace Steely Dan on Eagles Long Goodbye Tour

Read More: Steve Miller to Replace Steely Dan on Eagles Long Goodbye Tour | https://ultimateclassicrock.com/eagles-steely-dan-steve-miller-band-opener/?fbclid=IwAR2d252w0ql5w-1FfTHvvmQxlH8Xh20LJbEMGeopLg46ZyS9_bfU0msYBUY_aem_AcscmXKqFUcP3WpjE6Ba54V47c9Q51z7K9V-D0m_3A8ic4Ors2c2PZX23LAgLhVMPYQ&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 00:28:39 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Casual fan: Connor was absolutely ripping it at ACL. It was a massive mistake not filming that concert for posterity.

Connor nearly brought the house down with his solo on Weather in My Head.

https://youtu.be/mcEi0nlc4ao?si=yRYaFgLCugkP_Skb

Date: Tues, October 10, 2023, 00:23:47 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Lutz,

My son and I attended the Austin show at the Austin City Limits theatre the night before Walter passed. The band was absolutely en fuego. Just amazing breathing new life and attitude to the setlist.

We arrived home late, and I awoke the next morning to the sad news. The rest of the Nightflyers Tour was cancelled.

Date: Mon, October 09, 2023, 16:23:35 ET
Posted by: casual fan, central fla

I saw the Nightflyers show here in Orlando. Was really good. The young people he had playing with him shone and hope they all stick with music for their careers. Clearly Connor Kennedy has, very talented guitarist and I'd love to catch a gig by him in some form or fashion, affiliated with Fagen or not, down the line.

Date: Sun, October 08, 2023, 13:43:56 ET
Posted by: Lutz, Hnl

Dean and Dr. that was the second leg of the Nightflyers tour in 2017. They played some US shows, cancelled their concert in Texas the day Walter died and with it the rest of the tour.

Date: Sat, October 07, 2023, 13:53:23 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Thanks Dr. H.

I either never knew of that planned tour, or have forgotten. Either is a vert plausable situation. Thanks for the link.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 21:39:47 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/steely-dan-singer-says-insurer-is-stiffing-him-for-canceled-tour-82355.aspx

I'm confused. You said "Does Fagen have insurance for these cancellations? Remember when his insurance carrier didn’t pay for his solo tour cancellations when he got ill after Walter died?" Fagen's solo tour was in 2006 I believe. Walter died in 1917.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 19:30:45 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. It's Happy Hour

Dr Hund (sorry I'm all out of umlauts),

I'm confused. You said "Does Fagen have insurance for these cancellations? Remember when his insurance carrier didn’t pay for his solo tour cancellations when he got ill after Walter died?" Fagen's solo tour was in 2006 I believe. Walter died in 1917.

Bcbill, that is a fabulous bridge and lyric. The Dan has the best bridges in the business. IMO of course.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 17:03:01 ET
Posted by: Bcbill, Nw

I’m thinking of a major Jane Street sunrise…
The goddess on the fire escape was you

I mean….cmON!
there it all is.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 16:59:10 ET
Posted by: Bcbill, Nw

I’ve always been fascinated by bridges—and SD’s are often transcendent—and I could tell “something different” went into a good bridge but could never quite put my finger on it. What D&W said here made something click—-it “opens up” the song, suspends time, etc. Vibes with why I so often feel lifted and “freed” by a good bridge. Makes me appreciate even more the craft and art of a good pop song and loved hearing them verbalize a small part of that.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 13:46:42 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

I didn’t buy tickets for the Colorado show(s) because I’m not even that interested anymore in seeing the Dan live and certainly not any Azoff/Ticketbastard/Henley giant cash grabs. It’s a risk now with these older boomer acts. I saw plenty of the first U2 Vegas Sphere show via some very good clips and Bono didn’t sound so good. Edge is still fucking great but that would have been a disappointing too expensive two hour show. These shows seem to all be geared to a FOMO sector.

Azoff was involved in the Vegas Sphere of course but is now breaking away with his own planned Vegas venue. Maybe because the Sphere is already in financial trouble. They got killed on cost overruns during the pandemic which almost tripled the cost finalizing the total cost past the Allegiant Stadium tab! And they can’t get a corporate sponsor which they desperately need. Most of the money is going to U2 (check out the details of their sweet deal) and the cost to run and maintain that thing will be astronomical. Wait until they have to start replacing video panels inside and out.

Yes, Fagen is sick and in a hospital in NY. Henley told the crowd last night that everything is ok and SD will be back on the tour in November but gave no details. I don’t know how Sheryl Crow and her band got to the gig at the last minute and I guess they couldn’t even get in a sound check as their sound reportedly sucked while being dialed in during the first several songs. SD fans are asking for refunds. Will they get them? Does Fagen have insurance for these cancellations? Remember when his insurance carrier didn’t pay for his solo tour cancellations when he got ill after Walter died? It’s a bitch getting old.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 11:50:54 ET
Posted by: Smart Eugene, Here@TheWesternWorld

Rumors say that DF is ill and Steely Dan is off the Eagles tour for the next few weeks, with a possible return in early November.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 08:21:56 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I, too, would've enjoyed learning more about their songwriting process, but alas we're at the mercy of whoever's interviewing the boys. To be fair, Mr. Breskin did manage to glean more keen insight than many other interviewers, although I think that's more due to Walter's interjections forcing Donald to elaborate than anything.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 00:27:37 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Michael, thanks for posting that interview. I don't recall having ever read that before. Excellent banter.

Bcbill, I hear ya. But compared to the way most interviewers completely ruin the interviews, I consider this a relativelt minor offense. Also, we weren't in the room and can't know what the vibe was like. That's an excerpt from a what I imagine was a longer conversation/interview. So I'll give the guy the benifit of the doubt on this one. Besides, they seemed to get back on topic after Walt's witty response.

I hope Mr. Steely Dan's illness isn't too serious.

Date: Fri, October 06, 2023, 00:09:11 ET
Posted by: Bcbill, NW

So annoyed at that MUSICIAN interviewer. D & W finally talking about actual and interesting aspect of their song construction…and the interview breaks the flow with a crack about the Brooklyn bridge. Classic: interviewers of D/W too often seemingly more interested in trying to be funny or clever than in recognizing / continuing along an informative track. I 4 1 found their (too short) comments on ‘the bridge’ interesting and worthwhile and would have loved to hear them continue. Grrrrrr…

Date: Thurs, October 05, 2023, 23:16:15 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

Steely Dan has fallen ill and will no longer be opening,” reads a note emailed from the venue to ticketholders referring to the Donald Fagen-led band as a person. “Sheryl Crow is now the opener for October 5 and 6, 2023 Eagles event dates.” An announcement about the change of the bill has not been posted on Eagles, Sheryl Crow or Steely Dan social accounts as of press time.

Date: Thurs, October 05, 2023, 22:12:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Steve - that's why the Ghana rondo is in Italian. ;)

Fortress is a fine song. Sting makes good use of flatted 6ths and flatted maj7s so the song sounds kind of jazzy and modern, yet ancient.

Branford, I mean he's no Kenny G ;) but that's spectacular soprano sax. Kenny Kirkland could do not wrong. RIP.

Date: Thurs, October 05, 2023, 12:01:29 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

I think that's a fine example of Walter messing with the interviewer in that very last sentence re lyrics.

Date: Thurs, October 05, 2023, 10:06:20 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Excerpt from David Breskin interview with Donald & Walter for MUSICIAN magazine, Mar. 1981:

Q: As your vocabulary grows, musically and lyrically, and you become more aware of your artistic options, do you find it more difficult to finish a song?

Becker: It got tough a while ago. Yes, the last verse is hard to write. The more you know, the more you might paint yourself into a corner.

Fagen: But the way we write – it’s more improvisational and instinctual. We don’t really use 'strategies' consciously.

Becker: But we do in a way.

Fagen: The method derives from the subject.

Becker: But nevertheless there it is – the method. By the time you’ve finished everything except that last piece or link of a song, you’ve got to make some very, very conscious choices.

Fagen: All right, we’ve learned certain things in terms of how to present the material. We know now what a bridge is supposed to do: it opens up the song musically, and we tend to open it up lyrically as well, in that it tends to talk about subject more generally than the verses do.

Becker: And it’s also a real release from the tension of the lyrics in the verses. You’re suspended in time for awhile.

Fagen: You generally find that there’s much more detail in the verses than in the choruses.

Becker: When you’re in the bridge you don’t have to worry about how you got to this point, however fucked up that may be, or, how did I get to this swell position I’m in now. So it’s a release, a channel. Somebody invented the form, God knows when. I know they didn’t have bridges in Gregorian chants but they’ve had them for a while.

Q: The Brooklyn Bridge has been around for a very long time…

Becker: Right, there you go, and you know how good you feel when you’re on that because you’re not yet in Brooklyn but you’ve left Manhattan.

Fagen: (wryly) The traditional popular song form of the ‘30s and ‘40s has served us well.

Becker: Oh yes, through the eighties, through the eighties.

Fagen: I like it, it’s a good thing. It’s the closest thing we have to a structure for rock’n’roll. It’s blues, and traditional song form.

Q: I know you agonize over your lyrics. Does it ever frustrate you that most of the people listening, all they want is a beat and a hummable melody?

Becker: I assume that’s the case with most of the audience, or at least a big part of it, and that’s why we try to always make the lyrics not grab your attention. We want them to sound good with the music, even if you’re not an English-speaking person.

Date: Wed, October 04, 2023, 16:53:00 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Everybody is entitled to their opinion. I don't predicate my music tastes on what others think, including Walter. Sting has written some excellent songs.

Date: Wed, October 04, 2023, 13:12:56 ET
Posted by: ., .

Walter's response when asked his opinion of Sting back 25 or 30 years ago:
"I don't shop in that part of the record store."

Date: Wed, October 04, 2023, 12:22:28 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist.

Sting - Fortress Around Your Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=panj9vwjTiI

nobonoko - B-Meowsic I

https://youtu.be/CftEMc4MO2E?t=355

Ennio Morricone - Rodeo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_qmmpHFr4U

Mildlife - Return To Centaurus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaes7ozjDEw

Emily Bezar - His Everything

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc1jtjGxD9I

Kaseke - Kala Jälg Vees (Fish's Trace In The Water)

https://youtu.be/YhwH9AGrDWI?t=2745

Date: Tues, October 03, 2023, 21:07:19 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Next installment in (un)expected mu/SD like chords in popular music.

this one's cheating a bit because the add9 in the intro and verse is A minor, not major rooted. The tabs on the interwebz for the Police are often wrong; Andy Summers used some wicked chords and voicings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIr4XDhfn6Y

Dizzying syncopation on this number. Feels like 9/8 in the verse, but it's 4/4.

Date: Sun, October 01, 2023, 08:04:40 ET
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Date: Sun, October 01, 2023, 04:45:31 ET
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Date: Sun, October 01, 2023, 04:40:56 ET
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Date: Sat, September 23, 2023, 23:42:02 ET
Posted by: SDV, up on the hill

good to see Wenner finally suffering consequences for his smug and stunted views, even better knowing he has no one but himself to blame. if only it had happened 50+ years ago. yes the RRHOF is a joke (SD certainly treated it as such) and RS became one long ago, but it's still satisfying to know the guy's hubris finally got the better of him. good riddance

Date: Sat, September 23, 2023, 09:19:04 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Back with a new playlist.

theCatherines - She Found Her Peace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9BGKoDXl5c

Alberto Rosenblit - Pica Pau

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdBx5oZ4SiY

Henry Mancini - Lujon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjsG3i6L9vw

Milk Talk & Vantage - Million Miles Away

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

Casiopea-P4 - A Beam of Hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRKKg6tfGDw

Perry Botkin Jr. - Bridges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6hlCVYBYPg


Some of you might recognize Perry Botkin Jr. as he, along with Barry De Vorzon, composed 'Cotton's Dream' for the film Bless The Beasts and The Children. This song subsequently became the theme for The Young & The Restless and was retitled 'Nadia's Theme' after Olympic gymnast Nadia Comăneci. Aside of this, Perry composed music for television, collaborated with various artists on albums and produced some solo material. He also composed the ABC Friday/Sunday Night Movie theme used from the mid-'70s through the early '80s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrjtOoB8b-E

Perry passed away a couple years ago at age 87.

Date: Fri, September 22, 2023, 20:54:17 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Taking The Bait, Again...

Hey, Sammy...

Maybe no one here has commented (so far, anyways) on the story you refer to because maybe, just maybe, no one here really gives a flying fuck about anything as assinine & idiotic & infantile and ultimately irrelevant as "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" - a pseudo-Disney-esque tourist attraction designed to appeal strictly to those of severely-diminished capacity, or, if we're being generous, a really dumb thing created for those half-wits who believe that "music" is a "sport" with "winners" and "losers" who require "awards" and "trophies". Why anyone - even those poor unfortunates who live right across the street from the stupid thing - would ever go there is beyond me. So who gives a shit who's in it or which cadaverous, foul-smelling business-person runs it? And what kind of dipshit travels cross-country to take a gander at (and an obligatory "cell-phone pic" of) Bono's first pair of wraparound sunglasses or to behave with similar personal indignity while mooning over Bruce Springsteen's first all-metal "State of New Jersey" lunch-bucket?? Those are rhetorical questions, by the way.

As far as Wenner and his shitty, pompous, completely unnecessary "journalism" [sic] project, the less said the better. Frank really did say it best, in that interview with Bruce Kirkland of the Toronto Star back in 1977. For those of you who don't get the reference (perhaps you've actually attended the R&R HoF, maybe even more than once, or maybe you're a long-time "Rolling Stone Magazine" subscriber, I dunno), the quote goes like this:

"Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read". That pretty much covers "Rolling Stone Magazine". Prove me wrong - I dare ya.

And then there are all these current revisionists & snipers who somehow see racism, misogyny, this-&-that-o-phobia, and "hate" any time - every time - someone/anyone - even a jerk like Wenner - voices and opinion that sounds like it might have come from 1950...or 1970...or 1990...or even from ten years ago. Me? I'm even more tired of those noisy, destructive fucks than I am of Wenner, his dull-witted news-paper, and his ridiculous (and now, apparently former) "Hall Of Fame".

M/O/D/P

Date: Fri, September 22, 2023, 18:34:28 ET
Posted by: Sam Bivalent, Off-set

Sorry to phrase this so negatively, but straight up: I can't believe no one's yet made any "ding dong the witch is dead!"-type comments regarding Jann Wenner's ousting from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame board of directors last weekend. To bring you up to speed Jack, um... oh... does someone else want to provide details? But you can google it, natch. Nutshell: a guy who briefly worked for Rolling Stone some years ago interviewed Wenner for the NYTimes about Wenner's new book of interviews, mostly culled from RS, called, oh, Legends of Rock or some dumb shit. The guy asked W why none of said legends interviewed in the book were female or black, and boy did Wenner ever respond, and the rest, as they say, is rock 'n' roll history. Shockingly, appallingly racist and sexist remarks. But I can't stop laughing, because this will become his very stained legacy - as it should. The interview was published in the NYT online last Friday (9/15) (and in print finally on Tuesday), instantly drew major ire, and Wenner was voted out by Saturday. The two "let him stay in" votes were from Wenner and Jon Landau. The Times already ran a great follow-up article yesterday (9/21), but no letters-to-the-editor have shown up in the print edition yet.

Thoughts on this?

I'm calling on our hero, occasional Times contributor Good King Donald, to write a piece for the paper about what an unbelievable ruiner of Western culture that honey-mustard-loving(?), ripped-jeans-loving, walking talking bag of toxic waste has been over the decades. Who's with me? Pretty please, D?


"When the skanks were sky-high, that's when you'd always shine"

Date: Wed, September 20, 2023, 20:39:51 ET
Posted by: Elmont, UBS

Phantom Raiders

Josie
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Kid Charlemagne
Dirty Work
Time Out of Mind
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' in the Years

A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry

Date: Wed, September 20, 2023, 20:37:08 ET
Posted by: Newark, NJ

9/16

Phantom Raiders

Josie
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Kid Charlemagne
Dirty Work
Black Friday
Black Cow
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' in the Years

A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry

9/17

Phantom Raiders

Josie
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Kid Charlemagne
Dirty Work
Black Friday
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' in the Years

A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry

Date: Mon, September 18, 2023, 08:58:18 ET
Posted by: steelyfez, New Jersey

Went to see our beloved band Saturday for the first time since Walter passed. I must say they sounded great. Quick short setlist.
The crowd was enthusiastic as well. I had several young adults around me that didn't really know much about Steely Dan? Afterward they were all impressed. The Eagles were good as well. Fun night at the Prudential Center.

Date: Sun, September 17, 2023, 20:59:32 ET
Posted by: EC, NY

Well, I'm rather pleased to find out that The Dean doesn't closely resemble Catherine Deneuve, and I'll bet that he's happy about that fact too. Even though Jim's & M/O/D/P's 2 stories were *eerily similar*.

I did look up Wilfed Lucas in that 1940 Laurel & Hardy film. Every bit as dignified & distinguished-looking as I imagined The Dean all these years. Perfect.

Count me in as not being ready to even discuss SD opening for the Eagles, as well. Maybe, some day, after the painful "right here/right now" reality of Tour 2023/24 is no longer fresh in my mind. Maybe.

Date: Sun, September 17, 2023, 19:07:00 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

M/D/O/P/: Nice story about the Dean. The best connections are real.

The rest is, as they say, "bluebook history."

J

Date: Sat, September 16, 2023, 12:54:55 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Sometimes Bad News is Good news...

https://youtu.be/G8OCGoDmnAI?si=ooqq1djFwp1HMjaH

Dat bass.

Date: Sat, September 16, 2023, 12:41:11 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

"...A kind of rhythm and blues foundation with jazz harmonies and my voice and a few other points of style give you that sound."

I'm delighted that Dr. Fagen owned this because that's been my argument from the beginning. Steely Dan was never a (classic) rock band, but an R&B jazz fusion that played it on rock instruments over the first 3 albums until their true intensions were revealed...

They got it.


Aaron Frazer

I Got It

https://youtu.be/6MdYYOtgwM8?si=KagjwlGVksCUiUqZ

Has that Mamas Gun (Andy Platts) OG R&B vibe.

Date: Sat, September 16, 2023, 12:06:33 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Don and M/O/D/P, thanks for the nice comments. I'm blushing. I'm getting a little verklempt.

We definately need to have another session before the boys hang it up.

I'm still not ready to discuss The Dan opening for the Eagles.

Date: Sat, September 16, 2023, 00:58:19 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

M/O/D/P, I also remember(though blurrily) having a tutorial with our fave Dean at the BE. A fun night on all fronts! You meet the most interesting folks at Danfests and after parties.

Dean check YOUR email!
Peace

Date: Fri, September 15, 2023, 22:48:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

FM - right - the original version included Walter's magnificent outtro solo.

There's a Fan Mix with both the guitar solo, then Christlieb's sax solo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=316mipUnA-M

Date: Fri, September 15, 2023, 22:46:03 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Sure, I wasn't exactly sitting next to some gorgeous/famous European movie star, but still...

Jim, I love that Catherine Deneuve story, and I have one of my own that's eerily similar. Once, a long time ago, at a Steely Dan Beacon Theatre show in NYC, I found myself sitting next to The Dean!! Of course, no-one had to explain to me who he was, after the fact - I already knew it was him. We'd actually pre-arranged the whole thing.

He wasn't pretty, or blonde, or even French, but that didn't bother me one bit. The fact was, he looked EXACTLY like Wilfred Lucas in the Laurel and Hardy movie "A Chump at Oxford" - black gown, black mortar-board hat, white mutton-chops and all. Exactly. He truly was "The Dean". I suspect I was as impressed by this as you were, post facto, by the lovely & famous French actress.

More than a decade later, I have come to value that evening as much as anyone could value an evening.

Date: Fri, September 15, 2023, 21:32:35 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Don "screwing up" the lyrics on a studio recording? Not bloody likely!) (Please read that in a stereotypically pompous British accent.)

Live? Definitely possible (perhaps even likely). But an officially released live recording? That's a puzzle.

M/O/P/D check your email.

Don Patrol, how the hell are you and Fran?

Hope you are doing well, Jim

What ever happened to Jazzassassin? I miss that dude.

Shout out to all the Dandom. My best to you all.

Date: Thurs, September 14, 2023, 22:03:51 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Mark Bacola reminded of 23 years ago yesterday on September 13, 2000: Steely Dan performs at Olympia in Paris.

Fantastic show! The performance was great. We had a great Danfest before;. Walter got the biggest round of applause I've ever experienced at a the Steely Dan show, even more than Donald Fagen usually gets. Curiously, I sat next to Catherine Deneuve. I didn't realize it was her – – who expects to sit next to Catherine Deneuve at a Steely Dan show? Then she left during the encore; she looked vaguely and then a couple people told me it was her.

Date: Thurs, September 14, 2023, 11:44:37 ET
Posted by: nah, no way

there is no such fucking thing as Eagles Time.

Date: Thurs, September 14, 2023, 11:08:37 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Thanks for clarifying. Always thought the guitar version was the original because it was played on the radio and that D&W might've added the sax solo later. I much prefer Walter's guitar solo.

Never understood the discrepancy until now because I never purchased the FM soundtrack. From what I understand it wasn't a good movie.

An interesting quote from Donald: "One thing people don't realize is that we never, ever went for a specific kind of sound, even in the '70s. It's really a function of what we like to hear. A kind of rhythm and blues foundation with jazz harmonies and my voice and a few other points of style give you that sound."

Having access to some of the best studio musicians and engineers certainly helped, but it all boils down to the core songwriting strength of D&W. Even their stripped-down piano and bass demos were superb.

Date: Thurs, September 14, 2023, 09:56:46 ET
Posted by: FM, the real story

@ Michael:

The original soundtrack to the movie FM had two SD songs on it: FM and FM (Reprise). FM had the wonderful Walter guitar solo on the fadeout. FM (Reprise) was a shorter instrumental version with Pete Christlieb wailing away on the sax.

A few years later, someone at the record company somehow decided it would be a good idea to kind of mash together the two versions, and created this Frankenstein version of FM, with Walter's solo wiped out and replaced by the sax solo. No idea what Donald and Walter thought of this concept but that's how it went down.

On the various album compilations that have come out since then (Gold, Decade, Citizen etc.), the version you get will vary. Unfortunately today most of the time on the radio you will hear the mashed-up version.

Date: Thurs, September 14, 2023, 07:13:14 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Given his fastidiousness in the studio it's highly doubtful that Donald would screw up the lyrics to his own music.

What I want to know is why are there two different outros to FM, one with a sax solo and another with a guitar solo?

Date: Thurs, September 14, 2023, 04:05:53 ET
Posted by: Jimmie, US

There are a couple of discrepancies between the printed lyrics on The Nightfly and what is sung on the recording. At least with my CD from the mid 80s. On the live CD, Donald sings these lyrics as they were on the lyric sheet and not the original studio tracks. I’m guessing he went back to the printed lyrics to learn the songs again. Or maybe the whole objective of the live project was to correct the original discrepancy. Yeah, pretty sure that’s it.

Date: Wed, September 13, 2023, 22:44:42 ET
Posted by: Chris, Nh

TDG, Night 2:

Phantom
Josie
Hey nineteen
“We’re gonna have a lot of fun playin for y’all … So uh.. get comfortable … and we’re just gonna go through it”
Aja
Kid c
“He was famous in his time … look it up”
Dirty work
“What’s new? I know that’s an impossible question to ask. Everything’s new.. and old.. same time … “
Black Friday
“Thank you. Where am I? What’s my name?” (Possibly referencing the fact that he came in a bar or so behind initially, and the band adjusted)
Black cow
“Alright … it’s a sad story”
Peg
My old school
“Gettin near to that eagles time …. “
Reelin
Man ain’t

Date: Wed, September 13, 2023, 10:26:03 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I got in the limited edition 3CD box set of the new Kirinji album 'Steppin' Out' which just came out a week ago, so I've been listening to it quite a bit. Especially interesting to hear the demo tracks for these songs. Excellent stuff through and through. Here are some songs from the new album.

Runner's High

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8_IDTXiduo

I ♡ 歌舞伎町 (I ♡ Kabukicho)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJNLPaCEpc8

説得 (Persuasion)

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

Rainy Runway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfq4xEANM2E


Just for good measure, here's another J-playlist.


来生たかお (Kisugi Takao) - スローモーション (Slow Motion)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6TGQe2uWgc

稲垣潤一 (Junichi Inagaki) - クリスマスキャロルの頃には (At the Time of Christmas Carols)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtL9DdSJ8TY

村下孝蔵 (Kozo Murashita) - 初恋 (First Love)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKizrDxp54c

高田みづえ (Mizue Takada) - 私はピアノ (I Am the Piano)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2GVyYGl758

鈴木雅之 (Masayuki Suzuki) - 別れの街 (The Town of Farewell)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys84RnFP0NM

Date: Tues, September 12, 2023, 18:28:16 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Listening to my copy of Toxic Vegan's My Fabulous Life album...and really digging again those deep cuts.

23:00 Sister Easy Street - has that organ/horn Dirty Work soundscape, except even more bluesy and NOLA. Here the story is told from the boyfriend/husband's perspective. He's abused but whipped and would do anything to keep the scoundress. There's a knack for twisting melodies and shifting rhythms in this sultry number.


19:29 Your Ace in the Hole. Another poor soul longing for their love - here the belle of Belarus, Tatania, and the love he missed out on, or threw away, years ago. Some really nice chord changes and rising modulation that lifts the chorus. Channeling some Katy Lied era Dan, fused with some early 60s jazz and a touch of Gaucho. What a Shame About Us.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-20THjkJCE&t=305s

Date: Tues, September 12, 2023, 05:26:00 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

It's behind a paywall but an article in the Vulture section of the New York magazine has an interesting wee article about Don Henley taking the original crack at the Peg backing vocs before MMcD finally got the job. It describes D&W leaving the studio to 'get a sandwich' leaving Katz to give Henley the bad news. Always been a fan of D&W's judgement!

https://www.vulture.com/2023/09/steely-dan-donald-fagen-the-eagles-don-henley.html

Date: Tues, September 12, 2023, 03:01:39 ET
Posted by: Bah Stunn, TDG

Phantom Raiders

Josie
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Kid Charlemagne
Dirty Work
Black Friday
Black Cow
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' in the Years

A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry

Date: Mon, September 11, 2023, 21:24:29 ET
Posted by: popegreg, suburban streets

I’m wondering what I missed as I thought Connor Kennedy left the band? I don’t think that’s him with the man bun in the videos on YouTube from Madison Square Garden. So who’s the new guitar player?

Date: Sun, September 10, 2023, 03:07:18 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Tomi Malm with Ole Børud: Are You Real?

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

Date: Fri, September 08, 2023, 19:46:42 ET
Posted by: Co man, Nyc

So, last night's SD opener was, TBH, pretty good. I mean, Phantom Raiders intro (really thought they'd just jump into bodhisattva or something) then Josie as first song: not bad! All were on form and not a bad little set.

Just saying.

I was there.

And, TBHF, better than the fucking Eagles.

Out.

Date: Fri, September 08, 2023, 11:37:45 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist.

Tomi Malm - Margeaux (feat. Julian Thomas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUOqPCfmh2Q

Olivia Byington - Banda dos corações solitários (Lonely Hearts Band)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ__k_w7jF0

We Used to Cut the Grass - Shep's Nightcap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFM74T2Gs-k

Sunset Rollercoaster - Villa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5gD7e9yYto

Antonio Neves - Lamento de um Perplexo (feat. Leo Gandelman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8q2MbJadCE

Date: Fri, September 08, 2023, 01:10:10 ET
Posted by: ,

September 7, 2023

1. Phantom Raiders
2. Josie
3. Hey 19
4. Aja
5. Kid C
6. Dirty Work
7. Black Friday
8. Rikki
9. Peg
10. My Old School
11. Reelin w/ KFC solo
12. A Man Ain’t Supposed to Cry

Date: Thurs, September 07, 2023, 22:19:17 ET
Posted by: Madison, Seventh Avenue

9/7/23

Josie
Hey Nineteen
Aja
Kid Charlemagne
Dirty Work
Black Friday
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Peg
My Old School
Reelin' in the Years

Date: Thurs, September 07, 2023, 18:25:42 ET
Posted by: Chris, Nh

The Eagles have really upped the Irving factor in ticket pricing. Primo seats may be expensive no matter what, but the cheap seats for tonight’s show are well under face value from resellers (who are now the only game in town for many shows) and I suspect other nights will follow suit.

I went to an undersold LiveNation show a couple weeks ago. I paid $10 for a $35 lawn seat.
Once inside I was able to upgrade to pavilion seats for $20. Not saying it will be the same case here, but that’s how it can go sometimes.

Date: Thurs, September 07, 2023, 01:29:56 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Steve M - that is just damn good stuff. The horns, Omartian's ad libs, Schnee's mix - perfection.

RIP Walter. It's still hard to fathom that the news came near daybreak after Fagen and the Nightflyers played in Austin. What a show. From the highest high to the lowest low.

Date: Tues, September 05, 2023, 12:30:02 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

Bill, absolutely correct sir.

Date: Mon, September 04, 2023, 15:21:31 ET
Posted by: Bill , Sigh

Sorry couldn’t edit. Promoters’ guarantee (their gamble) is based not only on hype/sales pitch (the irv factor), but also in part on relevant historical data…and the Es have sold out huge venues forever, and recently. So I think the guarantee itself (what a promoter MUST pay for the act, regardless of actual ticket sales) is where the big bucks are. If ticket sales stay slack this year, then that means 1) artists don;t get that bonus for draw, (or much for consessions) and 2) promoter guarantees for the next tour are adjusted downward, cause they took a bath on this year’s. But the Es and DF will have still pocketed a massive guarantee.

Date: Mon, September 04, 2023, 15:12:53 ET
Posted by: Bill, Bc

Dr Hund — that is my impression too. Also remember the base ‘take’ is the promoter’s guarantee; that’s what’s guaranteed, based on promoters’ gamble on how big a lineup will be…and that # bound to be pretty huge since Irving no doubt hyped this bill to the heavens etc. Then on top of promoters guarantee are cut of (or bonus for) ticket sales above some % of house capacity. Both will contribute (and concessions cut also really add up: just reflect on what we pay for parking, a t shirt, a beer) but I’d lay odds that promoters offered gold for what they believe will be a ‘winner’.

Date: Mon, September 04, 2023, 12:38:28 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

Sorry if this Second Arrangement video has already been posted here?

I know this is just a cover but the involvement of Michael Omartian and Bill Schnee gives it a bit of cred. Sounds great overall, vocals maybe a little too polished but it's the horns that really work for me....what could have been eh?

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

Date: Mon, September 04, 2023, 08:25:55 ET
Posted by: Gino, around

Interview with Bill Schnee.

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

Date: Sun, September 03, 2023, 23:25:38 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

<<And yes, because of economies of scale, combined with what they can charge for a double bill like this, basically it's a break-even with a shorter show for Donald.>>

Donald and band will make more money opening this double bill vs. their last headlining tour. Guaranteed. Everyone, including Eagles, may not make as much though as anticipated as ticket sales are not quite robust.

Date: Sun, September 03, 2023, 22:51:58 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

Miss you Walt!

Date: Sun, September 03, 2023, 19:08:12 ET
Posted by: Bill, Yada

PS to Chris — thanks for the social media intel. I heard somebody (my cousin) say Carlock was also on board—I’ll look at his site

Date: Sun, September 03, 2023, 09:20:40 ET
Posted by: Mer, Boston

Thinking of Walter today. Miss you and deep gratitude for your musical impact!!

Date: Sun, September 03, 2023,  ET
Posted by: The Greater Dandom, Worldwide

Date: Sat, September 02, 2023, 09:27:59 ET
Posted by: Chris,

Jimmy Buffet's Mailboat Records put out Walter's Circus Money album in the US.

RIP.

Date: Sat, September 02, 2023, 07:53:31 ET
Posted by: Stan, US

RIP Jimmy Buffett.

Date: Sat, September 02, 2023, 00:55:00 ET
Posted by: Chris,

Yes, as you point out, Carlock and his wife have also been referencing their SD tour prep on social media. Pretty much appears to be the same crew as last year's tour. We'll find out in six days. Like I said, maybe they'll have one less backup singer or horn player.

And yes, because of economies of scale, combined with what they can charge for a double bill like this, basically it's a break-even with a shorter show for Donald. They don't release such figures publicly, but that's pretty much what I'm gathering from different sources. I just follow the various social media channels as well as my modest knowledge about the concert industry. Concessions help, but at the end of the day, Donald breaks even with less work and strain on himself. Remember, a lot of Steely Dan shows were not sell outs last year. It was very close to being a solo Steely Dan tour this fall but this worked out better.

I'm certainly not saying that I prefer Eagles/SD to the usual Steely Dan headliner shows. For me there's no comparison. I'm just glad Donald's able to perform at age 75.

Date: Fri, September 01, 2023, 23:27:47 ET
Posted by: Bill, Yada

PS to Chris — thanks for the social media intel. I heard somebody (my cousin) say Carlock was also on board—I’ll look at his site

Date: Fri, September 01, 2023, 23:20:30 ET
Posted by: Bill, Again

Chris, did you really mean to write that a solo SD versus 2nd bill with the eagles would be roughly equally profitable to SD/Fagen?. I don’t think that can be right. They’re playing some MONSTER venues this year, and tour juggernaut that the eagles are (ick), these huge venues are likely to sell very well. I can only assume that the promoter’s payouts for high-selling top-dollar big venues are massive….and that’s not even including scores of thousands more bodies at the t-shirt tables (and, plus, also, you can bet Irving drove another deal of the decade on this one). Anyway even after Don H and crew get their big cut, I would bet DF gets more perhaps far more for these shows as openers than he’s gotten in a a good while, and for half the work. anybody more knowledgeable care to jump in?

But honestly, it’s probably not worth thinking about too carefully anyway. It’s just a little depressing, speaking for myself. He’ll just be broke again next year and god knows what will come down the pike next.

Date: Fri, September 01, 2023, 20:33:19 ET
Posted by: Chris,

Like Bill said, they haven't updated band bios before tours since the days of Walter and the SD Webdrone.

Based on social media posts and photos from Jim Beard, Jon Herington, Michael Leonhart and Catherine Russell, looks like most or all the band will be there. Maybe they will have one fewer Bare Midriff or one less horn, but I think it will be the same. Catherine's going to miss a handful of shows due to previous committments.

My hunch is that they looked at the economics and decided that an SD Orchestra tour could be just about as profitable if they toured by themselves or with Eagles. I don't think all the SD shows have been sell outs in recent years.

It is pretty amazing that Donald is still touring and performing at age 75. I can't blame him for wanting to lay back a bit and do shorter shows.

Personally, I can't afford $300+ to see SD for an hour. I'm not especially an Eagles fan. Hope SD does a few more dates by themselves in 2024. But they are starting to talk about SD also opening for Eagles in 2024.

Date: Fri, September 01, 2023, 15:44:13 ET
Posted by: Bill, Smokey nw

Casual -the band lineups, bios, tour pics etc were in the before-days. Haven’t seen anything like this since the official site’s change in management after Walter’s death. You might have some luck getting the lineup from members like m Leonhart who is on social? I’m sitting this 1 out but agree the band lineup would be a factor in considering the $$$ tickets.

Date: Thurs, August 31, 2023, 15:41:22 ET
Posted by: casual fan, Florida

Been a long time since I posted here and just wanted to offer a few comments on the upcoming Eagles Tour w/ opener Steely Dan. I've seen the comments about ticket prices and that many wished the bill were the other way around (count me amongst the critics of both).

One other concern that I have not seen addressed (apologies if it was) is that typically the opener does not have a large stage presence. Play maybe 30 minutes or a bit more, but then their items must be hustled off the stage for the main attraction. I fear this means a scaled-back version of the 10-12 member ensemble we've seen over the last decade-plus.

In tours past the SD website always put a bio up of all touring members, subject to change where needed, but it gave a sense of the scope of the band and its energy. So far I do not see that on the SD page and we're a week from Day 1. If anyone has any info on who might be in the SD band this go 'round, that might help me make some decisions earlier than I otherwise would have to.

Date: Wed, August 30, 2023, 09:43:33 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. Enjoy.

Ian Gomm - Hold On

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-Xt5DAwlfg

High Llamas - Cookie Bay

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

Chris White - Spanish Wine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7O5NPPrR2E

Benny Sings - Late At Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kokvb4mrLCY

Keith Mansfield - Good Vibrations

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

Date: Mon, August 28, 2023, 21:16:54 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

M/O/D/P: thanks for the background all that. I didn't know all that. 👍

Date: Fri, August 25, 2023, 20:13:07 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Long ago & far away/in a different age

In the mid-1980s I worked for a while as a licensed private investigator for a medium-sized investigations firm. One of my [least favorite] occasional assignments, when things were slow, was "document service". Back then, I was paid $50 per subpoena served...which, yeah, sounds good, and sometimes it actually was good money. On a really good day, I'd have to serve a bunch of lawyers, all in the same office tower, all on the same day...BOOM! - a quick $500.00 for less than an hour's work. Mostly, though, I'd spend two days chasing the deadbeat asshole I was supposed to serve...the guy who was never home, never at work, the guy who lived out in the damned sticks...who knows where that greasy crackhead loser was?? Neighbors don't know nothin'...family don't know nothin'...it's a flat fee/I don't get to book for mileage...three days of frustrating work, all for a lousy $50.

"Wait - I thought this was gonna be just like The Rockford Files..."

Anyways, the law was, and presumably still is (?), that all I had to do was, "hit him with the paper"...meaning, the server ("me") must make the envelope containing the subpoena make physical contact with the clod ("the other guy") being served. Even if the guy refused to accept the serve, even if the envelope bounced off his food-stained track pants (or his still-moist peejays) and hit the ground, no problem. It was all legal because I "hit him with the paper".

I always wore "plain clothes/street clothes" when serving documents - sometimes I'd carry an empty pizza box to the door...or maybe I'd bring what looked like a delivery package...anything to look distinctly "unofficial". Of course, I can't be 100% certain, but there's a very definite possibility that I may have worn a Steely Dan t-shirt on one or more of these assignments. After hearing Jim's story, I like to think that I did, at least once.

I do know for a fact that I never wore a "Bruce Springsteen" t-shirt, though. Not because it wouldn't have "worked", we understand. Because, even when I was dealing with those on society's lowest rung, I still had some sense of decorum.

Date: Fri, August 25, 2023, 19:31:32 ET
Posted by: hoops,

Steve in Scotland:

😂

Date: Fri, August 25, 2023, 16:06:38 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

A subtle little logo reading "Agents of the law".....

Date: Fri, August 25, 2023, 15:49:29 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

I don't know that there is a dress code for professional subpoena delivery services. Who knows? Maybe next they'll have "Uber Subpoenas." But whatever the dress code, it would fun if they require Steely Dan attire.

Regards

Date: Fri, August 25, 2023, 15:07:16 ET
Posted by: BC@gmail.com,

Hoops re your subpoena reflection:

So weird that a guy in a T-shirt (no matter the logo) would serve a
subpoena.

I always thought a sheriff, lawyer, court clerk, notary public, administrative assistant, or professional subpoena service could serve one.

So cool and yet unlikely a possibility, but
these are coo coo times we find ourselves in.

Date: Thurs, August 24, 2023, 23:03:43 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Had to make some script updates...before posting be sure to do a "refresh" or "reload" of this page. When you go to post, the URL at the top of the page should end in N1ghtFl1L1v3S3p21.html

Thanks!

Jim
aka hoops

Date: Mon, August 21, 2023, 08:09:23 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. :)

The 5th Dimension - Up, Up and Away

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

Louis Cole - Blimp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_xaSom3Lro

Jigsaw - Sky High

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjtD8A-MWBc

Fiji Blue - No Ties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilW7u9-sL70

Blue Magic - Sideshow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HJ-QcPhC68

Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces

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

Date: Sun, August 20, 2023, 00:00:14 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Have to indulge in this story that happened this afternoon. I'm at home laying in bed with a bad fever, recovering from a virus. (Fortunately not Covid.) When I fell sick, I was sorting through my various Steely Dan; LPs, including the stack of my 11 copies of "Can't Buy a Thrill" which are sitting pretty close to my bed, abandoned when I felt ill. So I hear a knock at my door. I drag myself out of bed because the knocking is very persistent. The guy standing in front of me is there to serve a subpoena. So two things I can't figure out: one I can't imagine being subpoenaed for anything at this moment and, two, he's wearing a "Can't Buy a Thrill" album cover T-shirt. OK? Am I hallucinating? Fever dream? Turns out he has the wrong address, but nevertheless I said, "Since you woke me up, wait here a second." I come back with all of my CBAT LP copies in my arms and tell him, "Yeah, I really like that album too." He thought it was hysterical. I further explain, "I also have multiple copies on CD and cassette."

Anyways, I thought it was a cute story.

Date: Tues, August 15, 2023, 08:33:07 ET
Posted by: Daniel, NYC

Just watched most of the Gary Katz interview on Cimcie Nichols' YouTube channel. Of course thrilled that it exists and grateful that she's doing these (Dias, Baxter, Katz).

I will say that Katz's memory isn't great - lots of incorrect details (recording Gaucho on 32 track digital, taking home DAT tapes from SD sessions, a different - and seemingly less accurate - version of the Wayne Shorter/Aja session just to name three) and things that he has no memory of at all (Heartbreak Souvenir, to pick one). Not a complaint, just an observation.

There's a great story about Steve Gadd hearing the mixed version of the song Aja for the first time.

But here's a question for the group:

Katz says that, with the exception of Steve Jordan's part on Walk Between the Raindrops - which he says was played - all of the drums on the Nightfly album were programmed into Wendel by Jeff Porcaro and not played. Doesn't make sense with the credits on the album sleeve, but I'm curious if anyone else has made this claim.

Date: Mon, August 14, 2023, 22:56:10 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

35 years ago today, Roy Buchanan was found dead in his jail cell. RIP Roy. One of my favorite guitarists of all time.

Date: Sun, August 13, 2023, 22:01:03 ET
Posted by: BC,

Doc Mu

I'm defining backing vocalist as a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists.

DF's vocals might be doubled-up in the chorus.

But there's no vocal harmony/ backing vocalist anywhere in Any Major Dude.

There is no vocal harmony in that song.

Date: Sun, August 13, 2023, 20:43:04 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. Enjoy.

Donald Fagen feat. David Sanborn - The Finer Things

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0F83sMAjJ4

Prep - One Day at a Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjHaL5egC18

Roger Glenn - Reachin'

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

Cisco Swank - All The Same

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j29o8_c5Ouw

Resavoir - Taking Flight (feat. Brandee Younger)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkyx04YnE3A

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - Cherchez La Femme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrzxW0rsD1Q

Bix Beiderbecke - In A Mist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2_Ai8dgBko

Date: Sat, August 12, 2023, 05:20:49 ET
Posted by: SDV, up on the hill

Donald sings most of the parts on all the songs. I initially thought Walter sang at the end of Heartbeat but after hearing isolated parts I definitely don't think so anymore. I absolutely hear him on KOTW and YGT though.

I still think it's Hodder doing one lower part of Razor Boy and Palmer doing a high part on Rag, YGT, and MOS. don't hear Palmer on KOTW. there's a "croaky" voice on Showbiz I don't really recognize so that's probably Rolleston.

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 22:55:20 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

CTE:

Razor Boy: sounds like Donald with harmonies

Boston Rag - Hodder on backing vocals

Show Biz Kidz - James Rolleston is allegedly the male backing vocalist with Shirlie Matthews, Myrna Matthews, Patricia Hall

Boston Rag: Michael Fennely - backing vocals

KOTW: I think that is Palmer on some of the backing vocals. Could be Walter as well.

Turn that Heartbeat Over Again: We all agree that Walter takes an isolated lead role at the end.

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 22:42:40 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

BC - If you are arguing that Fagen is not only the second doubled up voice in the chorus and the harmony on the bridge, then you could have a point. My daughter and I listed to chorus and bridge few times by speaker, ear buds, headphones and we definitely hear a second vocal track on chorus and bridge. The chorus is really tight, but that's one of Donald's super powers. He could replicated every nuance spot on.

In an interview Donald said that Walter wrote most of the lyrics to Any Major Dude, so I imagine they at least thought about Walter assisting on vocals. For now I will side with Wiki and what few other breakdowns of Any Major Dude that I've seen over the years.

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 21:58:02 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

SDV- I agree with what you're saying. As for Turn That Heartbeat Over Again, I'm the one who pointed out a few months ago that I think it's Walter singing the very last line of the song when Palmer and Fagen go "turn that heartbeat over uh-Walter sings- TUUURN that heartbeat over again"

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 19:00:49 ET
Posted by: SDV, PS

I also hear who I think is Hodder on Razor Boy and Showbiz

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 18:57:41 ET
Posted by: SDV, up on the hill

Dave-
on Countdown I'm pretty sure I hear Palmer on Boston Rag, YGT and MOS. and in addition to YGT I hear Walter on the choruses of KOTW.

we'd also discussed how much Walter sang on Heartbeat and after hearing the semi-isolated vocals I believe he only sang on the "love your mama, love your brother" section

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 11:45:39 ET
Posted by: Eurolurker, Europe

BC, I agree with you about the Howard Rodman interview. It was lazy and of poor quality and a huge missed opportunity.
The interviewer told us next to nothing about Rodman himself, giving us no context for what was to follow.
Unlike Donald, about whose early life we know a good deal, mainly thanks to his own work and writings, we know very little about Walter's. He almost seems to have sprung into existence, fully-grown, at Bard.
There are so many things I wanted to hear about, such as what Walter was like as a kid and as an adolescent, his musicality, his family background and his personality, in particular through the one-on-one interactions that Rodman had with him after he became well-known through Steely Dan.
Let's hope someone else has a crack. I do like the work Jake Malooley is doing; his Expanding Dan podcast back in May was a great introduction for me to the music of Terence Boylan and others.

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 01:21:32 ET
Posted by: Phred,

Where did we learn that Christopher Cross attended rehearsals for an Aja tour?

Date: Fri, August 11, 2023, 00:51:03 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

<<How big was the push to tour after the huge success from Aja? (We've learned recently that Cristopher Cross attended a few rehearsals for what would have been that tour) >>

It was big of course…..but why didn't they tour? Touring logistics at the time. Difficulty having the right live musicians pull it off live at the time. Fagen and Becker having a ton of money at the time. Drugs at the time. I can't tune in this weekend but let me know if I'm correct.

Date: Thurs, August 10, 2023, 14:07:53 ET
Posted by: BC,

Doc Mu


If you're talking about the ABC record version, there are no background vocals in Any Major Dude.
None.
Nada.
Zero.

Date: Thurs, August 10, 2023, 13:21:31 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

I watched the Denny interview from last Sunday, I was at an event and couldn't tune in live. A few cool anecdotes but nothing earth shattering. This Sunday Cimcie is interviewing Gary Katz which is cool, he doesn't do many interviews. Maybe he can clear up any questions this crazy fan base still has? In regards to the Pretzel credits, I'm in agreement with pretty much everything there, it's certainly interesting (at least to this Dan nerd) how much Becker sang on those early records, with a good pair of headphones you can really pick out his unique voice if you know what you're looking for (the bridge in Your Gold Teeth- "dumb luck my friend won't suck me in this time" you can hear Walter quite obviously on harmony vocals and then in Parker's Band bridge same thing, that's clearly him singing). According to the credits and a question that was answered by Anthony Robustelli, Tim Schmidt did not end up playing bass on any Pretzel songs even though there are pictures of him in the studio during the Pretzel sessions playing bass (maybe they were just messing around or more than likely his part got re-recorded by one of the "pros"). Anyway, the chances to ask someone like Gary Katz questions don't come along that often so hopefully the community can ask some good ones.
Gary- who plays the electric piano solo on "Everyone's gone to the movies"? Sounds like Don? And for that matter who played the little slinky sax part on that song? Possibly Don as well? I can't imagine they hired a session sax player to play two notes but they've done crazier things I guess.
What went into convincing Don to be the full time lead singer? What were those actual conversations like? How big was the push to tour after the huge success from Aja? (We've learned recently that Cristopher Cross attended a few rehearsals for what would have been that tour)
David Palmer is listed in the credits for Countdown to Ecstasy, what songs did he actually sing on?
I'm sure I have a million questions those were just off the top of my head, and yes I know they're extremely nerdy and relevant to only like 10 inquiring minds. Anyone have any other good ones?

Join us! Sunday 8/13 at 12PM PT/ 2PM CT / 3PM ET for a live casual conversation with GARY KATZ of STEELY DAN
Will he fire us? Will he tell us to do it again 500 times? And we can ask him whatever YOU want to know. You all are the experts not me!! Come join us live on my channel. 🙋🏼‍♀️
Let's have some fun and celebrate the early days of #SteelyDan, help me learn about this amazing band that my dad got on tape from someone that was instrumental in them finding an audience and was there in the room for the anecdotes. ❤️🎤 🔗in bio

Date: Wed, August 09, 2023, 18:22:34 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. It's Happy Hour

RIP Robbie Robertson.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/robbie-robertson-dead-the-band-1234803234/

So Garth stands alone.

Date: Wed, August 09, 2023, 16:00:44 ET
Posted by: Grim Reaper, Between worlds

Robbie Robertson, RIP.

Date: Wed, August 09, 2023, 14:21:22 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Any Major Dude:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Any_Major_Dude_Will_Tell_You

Donald doubles up his voice in the chorus but not the verses.

On the Bridge - there are definitely backing vocals. Could be Donald or Walter, but they aren't synced up as well as Donald would, so I'm OK with it being Walter. Your mileage may vary.

1:51 - 2:03

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

Date: Wed, August 09, 2023, 14:10:14 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

SDV: Hmmmmm...This is per an interview with Skunk.

For Steely Dan's 1974 cover of the song, Walter Becker played the melody through a talk box to imitate Miley's trumpet style, while Jeff "Skunk" Baxter used a pedal steel guitar for the trombone part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5zTOxJOBl4&t=22s

Date: Wed, August 09, 2023, 14:10:05 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

SDV: Hmmmmm...This is per an interview with Sunk.

For Steely Dan's 1974 cover of the song, Walter Becker played the melody through a talk box to imitate Miley's trumpet style, while Jeff "Skunk" Baxter used a pedal steel guitar for the trombone part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5zTOxJOBl4&t=22s

Date: Tues, August 08, 2023, 23:05:54 ET
Posted by: SDV, up on the hill

there's an early mix of Dude with Walter on bgv's

and I always thought it was Walter on Toodle-oo but the new PL liners say it was Skunk on guitar as well as pedal steel. I also thought it was Walter doing the solo on Monkey

Date: Tues, August 08, 2023, 10:02:00 ET
Posted by: BC@gmail.com,

Walter B background vocals on Any Major Dude?
There are no background vocals on Any Major Dude.

Date: Mon, August 07, 2023, 12:30:23 ET
Posted by: Daniel,

Re: Motta - I am a massive fan of AOR. The guy is so talented and IMO there's never been anyone who more successfully channeled Fagen musically without sounding like simply an imitator. I'm in awe.

That said, wow the lyrics on that new tune are really not great. I'm not sure how they are on AOR as I've only heard the version of that album that's sung in Portuguese (a language I don't know), but I sure hope the new album is available in a Portuguese version.

Date: Mon, August 07, 2023, 09:42:50 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New Mayer Hawthorne track 'The Pool' dropped over a week ago. Dig it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU1P1c-3zRI

Date: Sun, August 06, 2023, 20:37:56 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Pretzel Logic

Some of these are well know, and this is the produced of long-term investigation and more recent collaboration and notes sharing. Let me know what needs to be updated. We will have the list revealed by upcoming releases I believe?

Rikki
Donald Fagen Lead Vocals
Walter Becker Bass, backing vocals
Jeff Baxter Lead Guitar
Jim Gordon Drums
Dean Parks Acoustic Guitar
Michael Omartian Piano
Victor Feldman Flapamba, Percussion
Timothy Schmit Backing Vocals

Night by Night
Donald Fagen Lead Vocals
Walter Becker Bass
Jeff Baxter Lead Guitar (solo)
Dean Parks Rhythm Guitar
David Paich Clavinet
Jeff Porcaro Drums
Plas Johnson Sax
Jerome Richardson Sax
Ernie Watts Sax
Lew McCreary Trombone
Ollie Mitchell Trumpet
Timothy Schmit Backing Vocals

Any Major Dude
Donald Fagen Electric Piano, Lead Vocals
David Paich Electric Piano
Denny Dias Rhythm Guitar
Jeff Baxter Lead Guitar
Chuck Rainey Bass
Dean Parks Acoustic Guitar
Ben Benay Acoustic Guitar
Jim Gordon Drums
Walter Becker Background Vocals

Barrytown
Donald Fagen Piano, Lead Vocals
Walter Becker Bass
Jeff Baxter Pedal Steel Guitar
Denny Dias Rhythm Guitar
Dean Parks Rhythm Guitar
Ben Benay Acoustic Guitar
Victor Feldman Percussion (tambourine)
Timothy Schmit Backing Vocals
Jim Gordon Drums

East St. Louis Toodle-oo
Donald Fagen Piano (solo), Synthesizer, Alto Sax (solo)
Walter Becker Bass, Lead Guitar (wah wah solo)
Jeff Baxter Pedal Steel Guitar (solo)
Dean Parks Banjo
Jim Gordon Drums
Roger Nichols' head Gong


Parker's Band
Donald Fagen Organ, Lead Vocals
Walter Becker Bass, Backing Vocals
Denny Dias Lead Guitar
Jeff Baxter Rhythm Guitar
Jim Hodder Backing Vocals
Michael Omartian Piano
Jeff Porcaro Drums
Jim Gordon Drums
Plas Johnson Sax (solo)
Ernie Watts Sax (solo)


Through With Buzz
Donald Fagen Piano, Lead Vocals
Walter Becker Bass
Jim Gordon Drums
Victor Feldman Vibraphone
Jimmie Haskell String arrangement


Pretzel Logic
Donald Fagen Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Lead Vocals
Walter Becker Lead Guitar (solo)
Michael Omartian Piano
Wilton Felder Bass
Jim Gordon Drums
Dean Parks Rhythm Guitar
Timothy Schmit Backing Vocals
Plas Johnson Sax
Ollie Mitchell Trumpet
Lew McCreary Trombone


With A Gun
Donald Fagen Lead and Backing Vocals
Denny Dias Rhythm Guitar
Jeff Baxter Lead Guitar
Timothy Schmit Bass, Backing Vocals
Dean Parks Acoustic Guitar
Ben Benay Acoustic Guitar
Jim Gordon Drums
Victor Feldman Percussion (tambourine)


Monkey in Your Soul
Donald Fagen Electric Piano, Lead Vocals
Walter Becker Bass (fuzz)
Denny Dias Rhythm Guitar
Jeff Baxter Lead Guitar
Victor Feldman Marimba, Percussion (handclaps)
Jim Gordon Drums
Plas Johnson Sax
Jerome Richardson Sax
Ernie Watts Sax

Date: Sun, August 06, 2023, 20:22:13 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Motta - Yeah, a lot of KL - Nightly period sounding chord progressions.

A bit of the Jay Graydon produced stuff of the same period.

Date: Sun, August 06, 2023, 17:46:20 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist, focusing on great songs with female vocalists, one artist from South Korea (Casker) and the other four from Japan.

캐스커 (Casker) - Undo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jiv5Cfhq0Ng

microstar - ドライブ (Drive)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TAGthd3aJI

Shiho Nanba (南波志帆) - プールの青は嘘の青 (Blue of Pool is Blue of Lie)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0hlmmbKEjY

Taeko Onuki (大貫妙子) - 幻惑 (Illusion)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3-CJVjLDLM

Round Table - ヒマワリ (Sunflower)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsFsqsWSV2w

Date: Sun, August 06, 2023, 17:00:37 ET
Posted by: Michael,

SD is a huge influence on Ed.

Date: Sun, August 06, 2023, 15:27:42 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Motta is pretty locked in with the groove live.

https://youtu.be/LCJXbtrbHg4

Date: Sun, August 06, 2023, 08:00:45 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, I posted a link for 'Safely Far' about a month ago. Unless something changed his new album is scheduled for release on October 20th.

Date: Sat, August 05, 2023, 18:54:49 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Recent Motta track. Loaded with those expensive Fagen-y chords.

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

Date: Sat, August 05, 2023, 18:43:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

The Motta track is superlative. Very Bluey/Al Jarreau jazz/R&B fusiony...

Date: Sat, August 05, 2023, 18:24:15 ET
Posted by: BC,

Is anyone else kind of disappointed with Howard Rodman interview?

Maybe the interviewer could've asked more specific questions?
Maybe Howard could have cited more interesting and specific events he had
shared with Walter?
Because, Howard was allowed to ramble, I think the interview was uninteresting and lackluster for the most part.

Date: Sat, August 05, 2023, 07:00:24 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New Ed Motta track 'Slumberland'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZX5Xas97SE

Date: Thurs, August 03, 2023, 08:06:58 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Interview with Howard Rodman, Walter Becker's lifelong friend. Some great nuggets, closing with one of Walter's raps. 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2146895/13315320-any-man-left-on-the-rio-grande-ft-howard-rodman

Date: Wed, August 02, 2023, 01:56:01 ET
Posted by: Troy,

Universal has scrubbed YouTube of all of Cimcie Nichol's recently uncovered tunes including The Second Arrangement and the Schlitz jingle.

In another world, this would mean there's a high quality official release of these tunes on the way. But I don't think we live in that world.

Date: Wed, August 02, 2023, 00:22:16 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Thanks for the heads up, Dave!

Date: Tues, August 01, 2023, 23:39:45 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

In case anyone isn't following Cimcie on Facebook, today she let everyone know she will be doing a live discussion with none other than Denny Dias on Sunday. He hasn't done many interviews so this could be cool
.
Join us! Sunday 8/6 at 12pm Pacific / 2pm Central / 3pm East for a live, casual conversation with DENNY DIAS. 🎸
I will ask him the important questions like, where did he get that gold poncho, what was REALLY in that helium tank and whatever YOU want to know. You all are the experts not me!! Come join us live on my YouTube channel. 🙋🏼‍♀️
Let's have some fun and celebrate the early days of Steely Dan. Help me explore this amazing band that my dad got on tape. ❤️🎤 🔗in bio


Unrelated but it's pretty interesting they finally decided to include instrument credits on the Pretzel Logic reissue. It only took 50 years! A few years ago I was talking regularly with Anthony Robustelli and a few other super fans as well as posting on here with questions because we were trying to compile the first comprehensive track by track list of instrument credits for every Steely Dan song. Some of the albums of course already included this (Aja, Gaucho and the two newest records, albeit with a few mistakes like famously no clavinet on I Got the News) but I digress, it's weird they decided after all these years to include the credits even though they're not broken down track by track. A band of this magnitude really deserves to have a list like that somewhere out on the internet by now you would think and that was my and Anthony's thinking behind it but alas we ran into so many roadblocks (particularly on Pretzel Logic and Katy and so we gave up. Maybe we'll pick it up again in the future.

Date: Tues, August 01, 2023, 09:45:29 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Shawn Lee making a song in his studio in 2 hours. You will enjoy this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfwmHkFS3I8

Date: Sun, July 30, 2023, 12:33:02 ET
Posted by: T, Avignon

Thanks hoops.

Michael Leonhart & JSWISS at Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents on July 26, 2023 here:

https://www.radiofrance.fr/fip/podcasts/live-a-fip/michael-leonhart-jswiss-au-marseille-jazz-des-cinq-continents-9897919

Date: Sat, July 29, 2023, 22:39:49 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Duke: Obviously, there was a second arrangement.





Too easy?

Date: Sat, July 29, 2023, 16:11:03 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

(Please note: You might see some codes that say "OBJ," perhaps bracketted in a box. If you do see them, please ignore those. It's a technical thing I can't resolve.)

Both the Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions, UHQR 45 RPM, clear 200 g vinyl, double LP version and 33-1/3, black 180 g vinyl single LP Geffen/UMe version of "Pretzel Logic" came out yesterday. Details on ordering follow.

If you're not into audio quality and packaging discussions, at least, I think you'll find the photos of the production tape box along with Donald's new liner notes (only in the Acoustic Sounds version) to be interesting.

Just like original 1974 version and unlike the 1999 CD version, there are no lyrics included.

Acoustic Sounds' SACD/CD Hybrid of "Pretzel Logic" has not shipped.
Acoustic Sounds does not charge your credit card until they ship the item. However, I believe you have to call customer service if you want to switch your credit card number after you place your pre-order. Of course, if I'm studying this, right, if you pre-order all of them together, they only charge you one shipping charge--so far that's been my experience.


You can purchase The 45 RPM and SA CD hybrid titles at http://www.acousticsounds.com

You can purchase the 33 1/3 version at steelydan.com, Amazon or your local record dealer (That's where I bought mine.) Be sure to play the copies you intend to keep immediately. It's a lot more complicated to make returns, or even find replacement stock, if you wait a few months before playing it. Surprisingly, people do buy these and then not play them.

All that said, I am including two shots of the new liner notes to the Acoustic Sounds version, presented under fair use, not for profit, and solely for discussion purposes. (And great if it influences you to buy them!).

It's been noted that although Jim Hodder appears in the gatefold photo, the newest, more comprehensive notes show Jim Gordon played drums on all but one track; Hodder contributed backing vocals to only one track; and Tim Schmit's backing vocals contributions are specifically named. A few other tid bits there too. Will have more to say in a bit...thanks in advance for your perspectives.

Date: Sat, July 29, 2023, 15:17:59 ET
Posted by: Duke, Earl

I notice that Ms. Cimcie's DAT video is now set private. Could it be that the lack of hearing "no" didn't actually imply a "yes"?

Date: Sat, July 29, 2023, 15:15:27 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, IreallyshouldeditasItype

Listen to the vocals and harmonies on the touch on the Walter influence "Things We've Left Unsaid" from Canyons. They just jump out, almost explode, on the listener - with superb separation between lead and among the harmonies (a Steely Dan phenotype).

Date: Sat, July 29, 2023, 15:10:21 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

"Before there was Pro-Tools, there were Pros."
- Jay Graydon

The comparison with Donald and Walter as producers is apt. Gary Katz assembled the first band, reserved studio time, and found ace session musicians as needed. He was also a 3rd Ear while Donald and Walter produced the albums with their crack engineer team led by Roger Nichols. The most important 3rd ear contribution was the immediate recognition in the studio that Fagen sounded great through a microphone. His voice was idiosyncratic (not classic), immediately recognizable, and he could usually (there were bad days) just nail the pitch. Possibly more importantly, he could completely replicate vocals precisely, allowing the SD team to double his voice. Fagen could also harmonize without vibrato perfectly as well. He was gold.


YGSF is a classic 20 year overnight sensation. Shawn Lee and Andy Platts have produced over 40 albums. Lee recorded music for television and TV and recorded his own albums. Lee bought his own studio and filled it with OG analog equipment. He had heard Platts sing and admired his soulful songwriting on Mamas Gun and other artists...and reached out to record organically with a late 1970s analog studio paradigm. Platts lived in Hong Kong for the first 10 years of his life. A lot of East Asian pop borrows "those expensive jazz chords" that W&D mined heavily.

Lee and Platts are both multi-instrumentalists, arranged, recorded, produced, and engineered West End Coast, AM Waves, and Canyons themselves with some assistance mixing on Canyons. The songs, arrangements, horn charts, playing, production on Ticket to Paradise are probably their most consistent. AM Waves is a close 2nd.

Pierre Duplan was brought in to engineer Ticket. The engineering is very good. Clean, but compared with Canyons and AM Waves it's just a little compressed. Lee (and Platts) should engineer their next album themselves with assistance mixing on some of the overdubs from other studios (If it ain't broke, don't fix it). Platts once described Lee as a studio "mechanic" who can complete take apart and then reassemble a car.

Note the difference in the studio version of West Side Jet and the live version at a Dutch radio station.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOIbAPqJY5Q

The studio version is fine, beautifully mixed, arranged, and produced, but very slightly, itty bitty flat on the vocal recording and mix. Hell, most engineers today tend to super compress and brickwall albums - so no real complaints from me!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKTKXA6U_O8

Listen to the vocals and harmonies on the touch of Walter Things We';ve Left Unsaid from Canyons that just jump out on the listen and the separation between lead and harmonies (a Steely Dan phenotype)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umi1U32tOec

Oh, and check out how Platts altered the last part of the second verse. A twist of absolute songwriting genius.

Don't try this at home kids - leave it to the pros!

Date: Sat, July 29, 2023, 07:55:29 ET
Posted by: Michael,

It comes down to taste, developing a natural feel for how things should sound. Andy and Shawn are fortunate in that they have access to the tools they need to realize their sonic vision. Due credit also goes to their studio engineer. In a way it's not much different than how Donald and Walter would operate in the studio except Andy and Shawn get it done by themselves pretty much.

Date: Fri, July 28, 2023, 22:27:03 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael: Platts is indeed a once on a lifetime talent. It's eerie and almost bizarre - although Platts has K-pop and J-pop #1 compositions on his gun belt, YGSF and Mamas Gun are both small cult bands.

The only realistic way to make a living today is via touring.

I'd agree that flying under the radar is a bonus in a way for YGSF.

They didn't write She's in LA, but they make it their own. It's got the kind of bop, a crisp bounce that only a few artists have every been able to create: Earth Wind & Fire, early Santana, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, The Police...arguably some of the Cars debut and Candy-o, parts of Ben Folds discography...

Date: Thurs, July 27, 2023, 22:34:51 ET
Posted by: Grim Reaper,

Randy Meisner, RIP.

Date: Thurs, July 27, 2023, 18:25:40 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Right. Their craftsmanship is top-tier. Doesn't matter which chords are used, they know how to make anything sound great. YGSF have the *it* factor which very few artists ever acquire in their lifetime. Some have fleeting flashes of brilliance once, maybe twice. That's it usually. Part of me is glad that they're not considered a major big artist because they would come under immense pressure to live up to other people's expectations. Just let them keep making music the way they like to make it.

Date: Thurs, July 27, 2023, 17:58:22 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

That's my point about Platts (and Lee). His music isn't simple but is sophisticated. A lot of thought goes choices of song structure, production, engineering, instrumentation, etc.

Gotta love shots of Donald handing out cans of beer to the kids. In front of an adult video store. Can't understand why Schlitz didn't use their pics or video. ;) "Kids if you want some fun."

Even in this short jingle that fits into the Schlitz tag line, there are some great choices.

Date: Thurs, July 27, 2023, 07:17:33 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, sophistication isn't merely a matter of stringing together different chord changes full of extensions and alterations. Making intelligent decisions regarding key components be it voice-leading, structure, phrasing, sound juxtaposition, where to add embellishments, altering the tempo, rhythm or time signature to add an element of surprise (without sacrificing the groove), having an innate sense for all the finer details which constitute the whole -- that to my mind is sophistication. Each chord movement should have a function, a purpose, not be there just for the sake of filling a stave with as many notes as possible.

Date: Wed, July 26, 2023, 19:42:38 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael: YGSF's chord changes are probably around early SD level. They are plenty sophisticated. But indeed, they don't sacrifice Carnegie Hall for a great melody, structure, sound, and groove.

An example from Andy Platt's alter/other ego Mamas Gun. While a bit more R&B that "lift" Platts can place into a sing is undeniable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHlt3PjGdYM

I think I posted this before? But it's been awhile...

Date: Wed, July 26, 2023, 18:10:14 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

T in Avignon: Enjoy seeing Michael!

Just a heads up that today Acoustic Sounds started shipping out their Double LP, 45 RPM 200 g clear vinyl UHQR version of "Pretzel Logic." UMG/Geffen will also be putting out the single LP, 33 1/3 rpm 180 g black vinyl version of the album this Friday. Acoustic Sounds' SACD/CD hybrid edition still does not have a release date.

As posted previously, Acoustic Sounds has the following schedule for the UHQR vinyl releases: 

- September 29, 2023, "Aja"
- December 1, 2023, "Gaucho"
- March 29, 2024, "Katy Lied"
- June 28, 2024, "The Royal Scam"

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/171037/Steely_Dan-Pretzel_Logic-UHQR_Vinyl_Record

Date: Wed, July 26, 2023, 09:15:15 ET
Posted by: T , Avignon

It's not every day that you get to see a member of Steely Dan in Marseille !!

Tonight :

https://www.marseillejazz.com/cpt_programming/michael-leonhart-jswiss/

I'll be there.

Date: Wed, July 26, 2023, 07:37:44 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, YGSF have tweaked and polished their sound to perfection, I'm sure with more than a little trial-and-error in the studio. No matter how simplistic some of their songwriting structures may seem on the surface, there's always a sense of underlying sophistication embedded within the groove. You don't arrive at that sound overnight. I'm guessing artists such as Curtis Mayfield, The Doobie Brothers, Rod Temperton (especially his work with Heatwave and Michael Jackson), Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Steely Dan are major influences.

But the songwriting creativity is ultimately theirs alone regardless where they draw influence from. They deserve all the credit.


M/O/P/D, great breakdown. That's the second time over the past few days where someone decided to stir things up around here, but hey, we've dealt with worse. Not really much of an issue from my perspective. His outrage over copyright tells me he's got some skin in the game.

Anyone who's ever used the internet has inevitably looked up copyrighted material at some point, and as that's the case then they really have no right arguing for stringent copyright enforcement as it's counterintuitive to how creativity works. A professional artist's core objective is to make money but it's pretty hard to do that without exposure, putting your work out there to be found, right? With regards to established artists like Steely Dan it would be futile trying to stuff the proverbial genie back into the bottle as they're now part of the cultural landscape.

Date: Tues, July 25, 2023, 22:10:20 ET
Posted by: Damn autocorrect,

bone = song

Date: Tues, July 25, 2023, 22:09:38 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - Yeah, the thing for me is that throughout their discography they actually give a damn about chord structure, and a rich stack of flavors and colors that enhance richness of the song - but the bone have to be there and they are put together with great care.

AM Waves is my 2nd fav YGSF album after Ticket to Shangri-La. It has kind of a party vibe without being hackneyed.

Underdog has that altered blues structure Don & Walt are famous for, with an R&B flair. They lay down a figure with flatted 7ths, then repeat over the same chords, but twist it up a bit. Then a sly prechorus and a more major key chorus where tasty blasts of horns first follow the beat, then throw in counter melody jabs.

Platts and Fagen are just money at writing a bridge, with a guitar solo over new chords, before returning to Gb/Ab and the chorus, then slide into the pre-chorus. We expect the chorus, and they give us a kind of a round instead.

A A'B C A A'B C D E B F C


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1HB2DmN5sY


Platts and Lee aren't lazy, yet it's never stilted, always organic.

Date: Tues, July 25, 2023, 20:56:01 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, "All comments now cleared through my very own Legal Department - even THIS one"

Time for a joke, I think. So, here it is...

An Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman walk into a bar.

No, wait, that's not the joke I wanted to relate. Good lord, that one's been done to death. Plus...it has absolutely nothing to do with yet another recent crude, insulting, vulgar outburst here by yet another previously-unknown "contributor" - the second such unwanted outburst in a week.

OK, so the real joke is, "One angry, self-righteous, noisy cunt interjects himself into an ongoing conversation he himself admits he's never participated in before. Then , that same doughnut proceeds to shriek loudly & profanely at everybody who may be reading - everybody here - despite the fact that the majority of readers haven't actually commented​ at all, one way or another, regarding the thing that's perturbed the angry, self-righteous noisy cunt into interjecting himmself in the first place. Then, that same twatty individual summarily condemns everyone here for the posted opinions - informed, uninformed, partially mistaken, or 100% provably & legally correct - given by a mere handful of commenters so far. Opinions. Thoughts. Followed by Internet Outrage.

Good Lord.

Sadly, there isn't really a punch line to the joke, is there? Just another sad example of today's perilously uncivil online culture. It's everywhere, it seems. Pathetic, really. The foot-stomping & summary/declared exit was a nice touch, though. So fucking original.

Sometime, well into the future, Medical Science will hopefully be able to better identify things like Antisocial Personality Disorder before these poor, afflicted folks get internet access and who, in an ill-advised effort intended to spray shit all over a bunch of complete strangers who happen to have differing opinions, hilariously fill their own pants right up to the fucking beltline. In public.

It's July 25th. Happy Thomas Eakins' birthday, "Benny".

M/O/D/P

Date: Tues, July 25, 2023, 07:26:47 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, well said. YGSF have developed their own sound to the point where you can discern their work from other artists.

Benny, I didn't call SD's work "props", I was using something analogous to music for its possessive qualities. In this case, props used on a film set which constitute part of a commercial work. People collect stuff like that all the time and not infrequently showcase their collections on YouTube and elsewhere.

If you post an original piece of artwork you own, regardless whether it's part of some copyrighted work, then you are not in violation of any law. Otherwise, sellers wouldn't be able to auction their stuff anywhere.

The fair use doctrine is a statutory law allowing for the non-commercial use of copyrighted material. It's highly improbable that SD would have a legal case against Cimcie's use of 2A given that she's not using it for commercial profit and SD doesn't make any profit off it anyhow as they never released it.

If everyone thought as rigidly as you do then nobody could ever post copyrighted material of any kind without getting sued into oblivion. At which point, what would even be the point in using the internet? There are millions of uploaded songs, movie clips, artwork, and other copyrighted material every single day. The supposed *damages incurred* from posting a song on the internet have been vastly overblown by groups like the RIAA, ASCAP and BMI which act more akin to the mafia, shaking down bars, restaurants and mom & pop stores for licensing fees.

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 21:14:34 ET
Posted by: Jimmie, US

Is that Elliott Randall on guitar?

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRWH4uga/

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 20:39:16 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

When I was a kid, my Dad brought us up to the Schlitz brewery in Milwaukee. I suppose for the free samples, but Schlitz was already nearly as cheap as Iron City. The vats were enormous and one of the vats had a glass window to peer through.

Skunk as the Frito bandito...or just emulating folks he new from 10 years in Mexico City. They had to be rolling in the aisles. It's a wonder they finished. Funny, it really has that Steely Dan sound from the first two albums, a step up from Dallas (*ducks*). Especially on the harmonies.

Remastered:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gvXMuit2y8


Michael. Yes indeed. Andy did not write that one. It's simpler than a lot of their stuff. But Platts and Shawn Lee just create "their sound" and lift it to another level...like even in the Schlitz commercial - that's a Steely Dan sound.

Especially after hearing/seeing live broadcasts of YGSF over the last couple of years as well as the recent collaborations, it's become easier to dissect them from their influences. She's in LA and much of their recordings 70s sensibilities, but the YGSF "sound" has its own iconic stamp.


I think it's the ability to have the song well-laid out before recording it, coupled with their ability to inject their emotion into the song. That's why the dry, organic recording used by SD and some of the West Coast crowd works for them.

https://youtu.be/HX5zIGJY23Q

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 18:15:52 ET
Posted by: Puzzled PS, On second read

It doesn't seem that Benny is trying to persuade anyone. He;s just stating his clear opinion, and also making clear the proper and legal understanding in copyright/protection, which, as a reader of this board, seems to me is expressed in a minority of comments. And he's a lurker anyway…why should anyone care if he wants to separate from following this discussion (and says so, and says why)? Do you want him to stay to read self-defenses or criticisms of his pov?

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 18:07:23 ET
Posted by: Puzzled, Lost wages

So Benny backs up his values with his feet (browser bookmarks): that makes his points less persuasive?

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 17:45:26 ET
Posted by: Jess Sayan,

Benny make some points worth considering, but then blows chances of persuasion by insulting everybody. "I'm taking my toys and leaving. Boo hoo."

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 17:14:24 ET
Posted by: Benny, Rocky Mtn Low

Duke is right.

Michael is wrong. Wrong. Wrong. (But oh, stated with SUCH certainty and authority! ..a habit shared by many around here).

D&W's words and music in any form—audio, written, chart—is protected by copyright implicitly at the moment of creation if not also explicitly via registration, and cannot be used or published (yes, includes YooToobe) without permission. Same goes for recorded material of the same (recorded process/production aka work-product) in part or in whole — even a horn track.

Calling these things "props" is beyond absurd…and now added to the long list of disingenuous ignorant self-serving cowshit I've seen round here:

"silence -so far - means it's probably ok"
"no commercial value"
"the release platform of protected materials makes it wronger/righter"
"I want it…so, it's all good"
"if it isn't fed to us, it will go ‘to waste'"
"Cynically pumping up a needy person doesn't bother me"
"how far will this go? Where does it end? Not my problem!"
"hey but I really really admire SD! See how much I respect hibrow art!"
.
.
.All of it, what a load of excrement. Who ARE u people??

U won't miss this lurker. I'm embarrassed to be anywhere near this stink.

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 11:37:13 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Apples and oranges. If someone acquires original artwork, tapes from a recording session or props used from a movie then they can pretty much do what they want with them (unless they signed some form of legally binding document), excepting a commercial venture such as releasing an album with said material on it which would technically put Cimcie in legal hot water.

Date: Mon, July 24, 2023, 09:26:33 ET
Posted by: The Duke, of Earl

Daniel said: "I don't know Cimcie but it's her stuff now and she can do with it what she likes."

But it isn't her stuff, really. I mean, I get the whole possession is 9/10ths of the law thing, but the fact of the matter here is that she merely possesses the media that her father kept and not the right to distribute the recorded (or written/copied/etc) materlal. Steely Dan (Becker/Fagen) own the actual work material. Nichols was an employee of Steely Dan, not a member. He might have been a valued and respected employee, but that doesn't give his child any ownership over their work product.

Did Becker or Fagen ever copyright the music they wrote for the Schlitz beer ad? Doesn't that open up a whole can of worms? I assume that the Becker estate and the Fagen camps both have access to this material, and could conceivably release it in the future (maybe like M/O/D/P said, not on YouTube, maybe something like the Becker folks are doing) or even have added something like this to the Citizen box set, if they wanted it out there.

And again, I'm totally glad to listen to this stuff, so I'll own my own hypocrisy.

Date: Sun, July 23, 2023, 15:58:49 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Another week, another playlist featuring infectious grooves, soothing woodwinds and sublime pop.

Kaidi Tatham - Feels Like I'm On My Own

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wITzaPmtF8Q

Gotic - Jocs d' ocells (Bird games)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7umwz7ltSs

Fievel Is Glauque - Go Down Softly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ5HdphYnFQ

Saori Hayami (早見沙織) - 「garden」

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

Bronze (브론즈) - Illusion (with 김사랑, Jason Lee)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC2cq8_a7ho

Ken Hung (洪卓立) - 那些年,我們一起追的女孩 (In those years, the girl we chased together)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGlz0t9PaP0

-----------------------------------------
Ed Motta is set to release a new album, Behind the Tea Chronicles, on October 20th.

Date: Sat, July 22, 2023, 13:40:39 ET
Posted by: Annette,

Another blog site hyping Cimice'a latest output at YouTube, the Schlitz beer commercial. As said earlier, it's like she's opened the (Schlitz beer) tap wide open--the videos, photos, audios keep flowing.

https://boingboing.net/2023/07/22/listen-to-steely-dans-commercial-jingle-for-schlitz-beer.html

Date: Sat, July 22, 2023, 12:53:59 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Clearer

I wanted to clarify my comment from last night with regard to YouTube. The "sleaze" factor I referred to was directed solely at Youtube as an entity. I think YouTube itself has done a lot to cheapen/degrade the inherent value of a lot of things. I'm not a YouTube fan, at all, and I generally try to avoid the site except in exceptional cases. However, as someone else has pointed out, it's not like we're ever going to see these lost/hidden treasures on any official SD release.

I absolutely was NOT in any way referring to the Nicholls family. Like most here, I'm grateful for the material that's been made available recently, and the enthusiasm that Cimcie in particular obviously has for all of this is cool to see. I just wish they'd chosen a different delivery method (see above). Just me...a personal preference. I like how Walter's family has presented & preserved his unseen/unheard stuff.

M/O/D/P

Date: Sat, July 22, 2023, 06:59:39 ET
Posted by: Michael,

The alternative is that Roger's 2A DAT and tape could've just sat there collecting dust until in an unworkable state. A lot of good that would have done. Once these artifacts are gone they're gone *forever*.

Not long ago some English DJ acquired another version of 2A and teased the internet with a short clip of it, intentionally adding copious amounts of echo effects while talking over it and laughing as he fades it out prematurely. I guess that made him feel good, which tells you something about his character.

Whatever one may think of Cimcie, at least she's not a stuck-up prick who feels the need to mock SD fans.

Date: Sat, July 22, 2023, 05:14:34 ET
Posted by: Daniel, NYC

Seems to be a lot of handwringing about the Nichols stuff, which seems a more than a bit disingenuous to me. People talking about Fagen's privacy and artistic integrity and all that (is someone actually upset about the sharing of the Second Arrangement chart? That's just bizarre IMO). Because what I don't remember is the same kind of moralizing in the past, when one or other outtake would appear, "released" to the internet by one nameless/faceless person or other. Nobody seemed concerned about Fagen and Becker's feelings when "Megashine City" emerged (and really, correct if I'm wrong about that).

I don't know Cimcie but it's her stuff now and she can do with it what she likes. And I, for one, am grateful that she's sharing the stuff she's sharing. As for her father and what he would've wanted, I don't think any of us have any idea. Look, the guy left - literally - thousands and thousands of 35mm slides he took of car races that nobody's ever seen and Cimcie is making sure those find a home where people can see them. She's keeping her dad's name alive and that's a good thing.

As for the Eagles, a guy's gotta make a living, right?

Date: Fri, July 21, 2023, 23:29:20 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Ashamed of being ashamed of things, again.

QUOTE: "Opening for the Eagles is nothing to be ashamed of".

Strictly speaking, I guess I agree, albeit reluctantly.

I mean, who wouldn't want the juicy payday that presumably comes from opening up for one of Corporate Rock's most monolithic monstrosities? Hell, I'd probably even have taken the gig myself, if it had been offered to me, and if only I had a back-catalog of four or five vaguely radio-familiar tunes that might mildly appeal to the massive, bloated audience of massive, bloated Eagles fans as they drunkenly & obsessively "text-message" their "face-book" friends while awaiting the onstage arrival their beloved Classic Rock heroes. It wasn't, and I don't, though, so sadly I'll never be faced with that moral dilemma. Nor, for that matter, will I be faced with other​ dilemma - forking out $750 or $1000 for a pair of seats to see my one of my very favorite bands open up for one of my very least favorite bands.

As for the "ashamed" part, frankly, just because one individual may happen not to be ashamed of his or her own decisions doesn't mean others can't feel ashamed for them.

As far as the recent spate of material coming from Roger Nichols' family goes, I think the stuff we've seen and heard, at least so far, probably does deserve to be seen and heard at some point before every last one of us who still gives a flying Kulee Baba is dead. The caveat, for me anyways, is the method used (so far) to disseminate the bits. Yes, I'm well aware that it's 2023 (so they tell me, anyways) and that this is how folks do stuff now...it's just that for me the whole YooToob thing has an overall air of sleaze. Not "subversive" or "liberating" in the good old positive "bootleg" way...just genuine sleaze. To clarify, any dolt can now "post" someone else's creation on his or her "channel" for fun & profit. No talent or creativity required. I say this as someone who has had, on occasion, seen things I've done/written/recorded/otherwise created summarily added to the YooToob archive without credit, and without my involvement or consent, by individuals who sought only to bring attention to themselves with "likes" and "comments". I wish that the Nichols family had chosen other avenues, but I understand that I'm likely in the minority on that. It's "2023", after all...

I also understand that the material being shared has, at this point, little to no actual commercial value, and really - let's be honest - only historical value. And even then, really, only for maybe a few thousand (or so) people. So, like everybody else, I watch & listen. And I'm occasionally delighted...sometimes I even break out in a smile.

Because, let's face it, When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer.

M/O/D/P

Date: Fri, July 21, 2023, 13:18:52 ET
Posted by: Earl, Rocky Mtn Hi

Also think —the audio, sheet music etc is bad enough (legal issue). But I think the personal pics and home movies/footage are even another level of violation. Maybe not illegal (except maybe performance and rehearsal video), but extra scummy. Imho.

Date: Fri, July 21, 2023, 12:58:15 ET
Posted by: Earl of duke, —

Duke -when you're right, you're right. The whole thing is embarrassing to everyone involved, maybe especially to this ‘employees kid'' . Roger kept everything private for decades. He knew the law. And knew it wasn't his place.

Date: Fri, July 21, 2023, 12:43:22 ET
Posted by: Soul Money, Louisville, Ky

When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer.

Date: Fri, July 21, 2023, 11:18:48 ET
Posted by: Duke of Earl, Netherlands

Remember when Steely Dan decided what Steely Dan got released and not one of their employee's kids? I like hearing all of this stuff, but I don't feel so good about it. Does my desire to hear something trump the artist's desire for me not to hear it? I mean, at the end of the day whatever Donald and Walter created is theirs, not mine, not Roger's, not Roger's kid's. Right?

Date: Fri, July 21, 2023, 00:44:19 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

IMPORTANT:

For the first time in a long time, we had a spam-bot latch on to our posting page--the page you get when you click the "post" button near the top.

So I had to rename the script that makes posting possible.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:

If you are going to post, FIRST, use your browser's "reload" or "refresh" button/command to reload the new script that makes the posting page appear. SECOND, before posting make. sure the URL ends in

"…thebluebook/N0rth3astC0rr1d0r.html" --- Good!

AND NOT

"…/thebluebook/AManA1ntSupP0s3d2Cry.html" --- Bad!(Old URL known and used by spambot)

Alternatively, if you wish to post, you can use this link:

http://www.dandom.com/thebluebook/N0rth3astC0rr1d0r.html

While there might be one or two more spam posts--which I humbly ask you to ignore--that should be the end of them after that.

The Bluebook is based on a decades old script but it has it's own culture and ethos which would go away if we switch to something else. Thanks for your friendship and patience.

Best,

Jim aka hoops

Date: Thurs, July 20, 2023, 16:38:25 ET
Posted by: hoops, chicago

I don't speak for Steely Dan but when I looked at the Beacon schedule, it's already quite packed late September -- Early November.

So I say no dates at the Beacon this fall.

Just my two piasters.

In other news...just saw that the robo spammers were by for the first time in a long time. Please just ignore the spam -- it is a bot-- and please don't reference it in posts.

Thanks for your love and charitable thoughts.

Jim

Date: Thurs, July 20, 2023, 14:26:29 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

<<A band squeezing in headline dates while being on tour as an opener? Can someone cite an instance of this happening before with well-known acts?>>

Not uncommon. Neko Case, Spoon, Del Amitri, Cheap Trick and many others have done this recently.

Date: Thurs, July 20, 2023, 14:00:07 ET
Posted by: Gsbe, PA

A band squeezing in headline dates while being on tour as an opener? Can someone cite an instance of this happening before with well-known acts?

Date: Thurs, July 20, 2023, 08:17:48 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, I hear a little Low Rider in that melodic phrase after the chorus.

While the song structure is pretty straightforward, the infectious groove coupled with the stepwise bass motion leading into each new chord helps give the song a forward thrust. Andy Platts' vocal prowess is spot-on as always.

Am7 - Dm7 - Bm7 - Em7 (repeat x3)

The little change up where he sings "And now she's in LA" is something like FM7/A - FM7/G - CM7 - E/D

I'm not great at figuring out chord names. :P

Date: Thurs, July 20, 2023, 00:48:39 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael: I love the War/ Santana breakout in the chorus.

Their groove cannot be denied.




- Put on the neighbors, the Eagles are listening.

Date: Wed, July 19, 2023, 16:08:40 ET
Posted by: Mt. Belzoni, Portland OR

Lately it seems the band has moved its Beacon-runs to a Westchester or NJ theater that is probably a lot cheaper to rent. And yes, I am hoping they'll squeeze some SD dates in between Eagles shows in nearby off-tour cities. (Still can't believe they've agreed to be someone else's opening act . . . )

Date: Wed, July 19, 2023, 12:33:06 ET
Posted by: popegreg, the basement

If you're having a bad week, worrying about the future; or just having a bad week. Or even if you're perfectly content, this recent CBS News piece on a Michael McDonald super fan is certain to brighten your day. https://youtu.be/gfcVSMeJ73A

Date: Tues, July 18, 2023, 18:31:57 ET
Posted by: Ignoramus, The Bronx

There's a three wwek gap at the end of October for The Eagles tour. Ay chance for a short Beacon run?

Date: Tues, July 18, 2023, 07:11:38 ET
Posted by: Michael,

YGSF can't miss. They've got that AOR/West Coast groove down to an art form.

Date: Mon, July 17, 2023, 16:22:42 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Dave - that's definitely live! Fantastic find. Donald's voice in in rare form and the enthusiasm is high with Fagen, Skunk, and the background singers. My Old School is one of those songs that really breathes live vs. the studio recording.

Another YGSF sighting: YGSF serve as part of the band on She's in LA for Rio 18 with producer, instrumentalist Carwyn Lewis. Rio 18 features Rio de Janeiro musicians. Produced by Shawn Lee, Andy Platts. Lee on drums and Platts on vocals. it sounds like a YGSF - bossa nova hybrid. Snappy. Catchy. Another winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OHfnY_ZE_4

Date: Fri, July 14, 2023, 22:46:26 ET
Posted by: Lutz, Hnl

wow, right after 9/11.
EMG tracks mostly done, it seems.
Walter on drums is a treat.
Thank you to the Nichols family for this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJkvBtjhgd8

Date: Thurs, July 13, 2023, 17:47:09 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

How much money does Don Henley have to make? He was filthy rich many ginormous cash grabs ago.

Date: Thurs, July 13, 2023, 13:12:17 ET
Posted by: PRE-SALE CODE, $$$$$$$$$

EAGLES50

Date: Thurs, July 13, 2023, 09:33:19 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions) , Philadelphia

Well I posted the other two so I might as well post this one. When people kept talking about my old school I thought they were talking about the lip synch one that everyone knows but no, they played it live! Sounds great

https://youtu.be/GCX635Z7_PE

Date: Thurs, July 13, 2023, 08:14:41 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist, mixing it up this time with an emphasis on great guitar playing.

George Benson - Dinorah, Dinorah

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

Jan Akkerman - Streetwalker

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

Casiopea - Midnight Rendezvous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inwk2RlXUzw

Iceberg - Joguines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE9Ghh-JbMY

The Rosenberg Trio - There Is No Greater Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWUuCEG6318

Danny Gatton - Danny's Blues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcMJe32j_lY

Date: Thurs, July 13, 2023, 07:02:52 ET
Posted by: Myron, G

See if you can spot the lyric in this 1991 Southside Johnny song later used by SD on a post Gaucho release.

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

Date: Wed, July 12, 2023, 23:39:49 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

I'm unsure of your age in 1972, but "Richard" Nixon was POTUS, killing and pillaging in Vietnam continued unabated, despite the protracted withdrawal. "John" F. Kennedy had been assassinated and Camelot evaporated less than a decade earlier, not to mention RFK and MLK's star-crossed assassinations in 1968. Political and socio-economic fervor had been at a fever pitch and recent history was fresh and forefront in everyone's mind. The word play and juxtaposition of Kings was ingeniously clever, but Kings was hardly obfuscation. We all knew what the song was about - anyone older than 8 years old knew.

Having said that we can truly appreciate the sophistication of the song written by the Bard pair in their early 20s, unlike the more straight ahead Change of the Guard.

Date: Wed, July 12, 2023, 22:19:36 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Steve - considering the expected mega ticket sales and price tag, I'd expect most of the band will be there. Irving Azoff has made it so.

Date: Mon, July 10, 2023, 06:29:06 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, Kings is cleverly obfuscated. I can listen to the song and enjoy it on its own merits because it transports the listener out of the current environment with its medieval undertones, whereas 'Tin Foil Hat' is a bit too blatant for my palette, not very amusing either.

While Rundgren was touring following his White Knight album he went on a political screed during his shows, souring many of his fans. People paid to enjoy a concert, not to take part in a political rally. FTR I'm no fan of Trump, nor the other candidates, all the more reason I don't want to hear about them in music. Personal preference.

Date: Mon, July 10, 2023, 06:10:29 ET
Posted by: Steve, Here n there

Wonder if DF will still be able to get the full SD band of late for just a short opening slot. Might see a different line up.

Date: Sun, July 09, 2023, 19:23:25 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Kings in 1972 wasn't really that obfuscated. It's quite obvious that John = JFK and Richard = Nixon. SD upends the King Richard, Prince John mythology of the Robin Hood legend, in that Richard abandoned his position to plunder and pillage elsewhere during the Crusades. Clever song and juxtaposition.


There's a lot of humor in Tin Foil Hat and its catchy, so that's OK with me.

Per an interview ca. Two Against Nature release:

Q. "Why don't more groups use humor in their music?"

Donald: "Because they aren't that funny!" laughs


The only song I thought stretched the envelope in the SD -ography was Fall of '92 because 41 was a war hero against Japan and the farthest thing from a Nazi, regardless of politics.


Incognito had no releases before 1981 and they were part of a different group. You could say the Police had been making music together since 1976, but had no contract, dressed up in masks to lip sync an accidental hit from Stewart Copeland's Klark Kent project on Top of the Pops...teaching the Sex Pistols a few of the 1000 chords they knew... and were penniless until Copeland's brother Miles managed to sign them with A&M records...and two years later, magic happens and The Police released their first album... yet Roxanne went nowhere on the charts for months before breaking through...

Date: Sun, July 09, 2023, 17:23:13 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, while some SD songs may have political undertones they would obfuscate subject matter, not rub it in everyone's face. It's bad enough that I can't watch new films anymore without obnoxiously planted political messaging. Don't need it in music. Don't *want* it in music.

Date: Sun, July 09, 2023, 15:32:03 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael: Many of SD songs are political...they are (usually) subversive or indirect about it.

Tin Foil Hat is fine. There are versions without the video. It sounds like Rundgren only pitch corrected and put an effect on his vocals.

I was a Republican, believe it or not. Now, I am independent for life, especially with the heir to "Good King Richard" still around.

Date: Sun, July 09, 2023, 15:25:50 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Irving Azoff to his clients: You can check out any time you like, but you can lever leave.


- see the glory of...of The Royal Scam.

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 18:43:40 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Hoops, the Twitter feed doesn't appear on my end, perhaps because they want you to sign in to view posts. What a dumb, pointless change on their end.

Doc, I'm not sure which Bluey album or song it was as you had posted it some time ago. I know he's the founding member of Incognito which began as early as 1979.

That Rundgren track was pretty weak, especially considering his track record. I'm not particularly fond of when artists decide to inject politics into their work, although I don't mind certain songs like DF's 'Mary Shut The Garden Door' or when making a statement like The Temptations song 'War (What is it good for)'.

'Time Heals', 'A Dream Goes On Forever', 'Love of the Common Man'. Undeniably great songs. Todd's latest album 'Space Force' has some good tracks on it from what little I heard.

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 18:32:07 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

The irony of having those on the spectrum (my daughter is as well) aka Musk and Zuckerberg in control of "social" media.


The latest, hand delivered:

https://twitter.com/MichaelLeonhart/status/1677731123688816642?s=20

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 16:04:06 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

If you don't look at the twitter feed at the top of this page, there's no need to look at the rest of this post.

For the rest of you (which I understand is a minority), I know there's a problem, but it seems to be on Twitter's end. I'll continue to monitor the situation and remove the feature if it ends up that Twitter has discontinued it. Thanks.

Best,

Jim

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 14:04:34 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

An addendum to Incognito. They evidently go all the way back to 1981 and their debut album Jazz Funk, which is as the title describes. The quality of the recording, instrument separation are really good. Quite sophisticated for 1981 outside Rogers Nichols and Eliot Scheiner produced stuff.

Fusion, R&B, jazz, funk, latin all of it...

https://youtu.be/Kv1mk7Whr6I

https://youtu.be/4CzUJ4xOuZg

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 13:45:18 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - the fabulous run ended here and Walter's entry into another plane. Can't say we weren't warned.

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

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 13:41:21 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Was it that album or the previous one: Life Between the Notes?

with Sunships on the Shores of Mars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCC5cqYydQc

and

Leap of Faith

with Sky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4NAtxz-g30



There's a good reason Bluey reminds you of the 90s R&B and acid jazz movement...Bluey led the acid jazz group Incognito in 90s and 00s - today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0tPaeW5lQk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNi1vcb6uVU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj0GjltHr4o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5H4jP0KUd0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP3HmrDlylo

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 07:07:45 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, thanks for that chart. Now we have corroborating evidence. With the launch of Kamakiriad and subsequent reunion of SD began a stretch of healing and optimism throughout the country.

I think you posted that Bluey album before. It's got a bit of SD in the jazzy changes but I also detect some of that soulful 90s-style UK dance pop sound, a bit similar to Kaidi Tatham (although he tends to play more outside) with shades of Jamiroquai influence.

Date: Sat, July 08, 2023, 01:59:23 ET
Posted by: Lutz, Hal

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

Date: Fri, July 07, 2023, 19:18:53 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - you may be onto something in a sense.

The murder rate in the US decreases substantially after Walter & Donald reformed Steely Dan in 1992, completed Kamakiriad, and hit the road in 1993.

The murder rate began to increase again after Walter passed. Coincidence? You decide.


https://static01.nyt.com/images/2021/09/18/upshot/27up-murder-chart1-1631984649635/27up-murder-chart1-1631984649635-mediumSquareAt3X.png





In the Ed Motta vein, Bluey released another really solid album during COVID that was largely ignored.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ieNeDaCpds

Back Here Again is a bit smooth on the jazz, but there's a couple of very Steely breaks.

Date: Fri, July 07, 2023, 15:58:54 ET
Posted by: Dr. Hünd, Hanging Valley Wall, Colorado

They got the Steely Dan T-shirt
And for the coup-de-gras
They're outrageous

Bunch of music elitist haters. This is a beautiful thing. Eagles and Dan. Same era. Same devil manager. Referenced each other in song. Eagles love Steely Dan. Steely Dan loves Eagles. Joanie loves Cachi. Both have key dead members. Look at the bright side. Everything You Did in the setlist. You old grizzled bastards get to see cute little Deacon and if you play your cards right, Deacon Blues.

Oh, just learned Tom Brady and Gisselle lost $48 m in crypto. :( I'll be posting a go fund me link here to help them when I get it up.

Date: Fri, July 07, 2023, 11:33:28 ET
Posted by: chris, nh

Suppose I can't blame Fagen for a real light touring schedule, likely flying out for each run of 2-3 dates, playing 45 minutes, probably getting a bigger payday than he did sweating in sheds all last summer ... but OTOH, unless there's a last minute fire sale on tickets (unlikely given that it's Azoff's world as others have mentioned) it looks like I'm sitting out my first Steely Dan tour since I started going in 2000.

Date: Fri, July 07, 2023, 09:53:05 ET
Posted by: BadSneakers, ..

Steely Dan shouldn't be opening for anyone. Especially the Eagles,

But Donald Fagen surely makes more money opening for the Eagles than on his own. Its a payday, nothing more than that.

Date: Fri, July 07, 2023, 09:04:47 ET
Posted by: Michael,

'Safety Far', the new Ed Motta single dropped a couple weeks ago. Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecAq-Uh5wHI

Date: Fri, July 07, 2023, 09:00:58 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Well, crimes rates have increased significantly across the country ever since The Eagles were formed. Want to pick a fight with North Korea? Send them one of their Greatest Hits albums.

Date: Fri, July 07, 2023, 07:23:18 ET
Posted by: Steve M, Scotland

M/O/D/P: I'm afraid the reality is even worse....

scroll down to the actual fight video, it's pretty funny!

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/eagles-hyde-park-concert-fight/

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 23:26:36 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

M/O/D/P: I'm still stunned but it's Azoff's world, and we just live in it.

In Any World it would be a YGSF, Steely Dan double header.

When MLB games became longer than Springsteen concerts, they put a pitch clock on the field! Maybe something similar?

That reminds me that Prefab Sprout once sung about Springsteen and his predilections from the pretty Steely From Langley Park to Memphis. Then Paddy McAloon was struck nearly blind and deaf about 13 years later...

https://youtu.be/jEJdfDD4dVg

"some things hurt much more than Cars and Girls"

Don't mess with The Boss, I guess.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 21:03:26 ET
Posted by: M/O/D/P, Wotta revoltin' development!

My goodness me...well, this is certainly some shitty news, isn't it? At a juncture where most "news" seems to be overwhelmingly fecal, though, I guess this unpleasant development isn't entirely unexpected. At least nobody died this time. Not literally. OK, maybe "metaphorically"...I'll give ya that...

I just can't do it, though. As much as I'd like to see the band again, even maybe just one more time, the thought of paying for and/or actually sitting through a bloated/extended/paint-by-numbers Iggles set just isn't in the cards for me. No, I don't have a "weak stomach", but really there's a reasonable limit for everything in life, no? No??

I can't even imagine sitting with a group of wealthy, borderline-M/R Classic-Rock-Totally-Rocks-Dude! clumsy idiots as they drunkenly & sing-alongingly mangle the trite, simplistic lyrics to some tired old watery-thin country-rock/"classic rock" tune sung performed by what's left of a tired & cynical past-its-prime-if-in-fact-it-ever-had-one Corporate Monstrosity.

I can't even imagine trying to listen to the one or three possible "deep cuts" [sic] that the Opening Act might dare to insert into a shortened Greatest-Hits-By-Demand set while twenty-three-or-five thousand inebriated and/or dementia-stricken clods obsess over their cell-phones and chatter loudly about their oh-so-important personal lives while waiting for the Beloved Headliners to appear so that they can blabber over most of those songs as well.

No fucking way I'm gonna put myself through that. Think of my blood pressure, I tell myself.

HOWEVER - In the interest of finding some bit, some mere smidgen of positivity here, I'd like to point out that things could be worse. Because, at least theoretically, things could ALWAYS be "worse", no? When I first saw the distressing news earlier today, I was completely and utterly disgustipated. Once I calmed down, I tried to put things into some kinda perspective, if for no other reason than to put things into some kinda context.

So, sure, it occurred to me that things could have been even worse...say, by as much as 14.7% or so...if they ("The Powers That Be") had replaced the existing Headliner ("The Eagles") with another Headliner. Think about it. Let your imagination run free...if you dare...

Anyone for two years of "Queen: Reconstipated" with opening act Steely Dan? How about "Journey: Several Awful, Shitty Albums In One Horrible, Regrettable Evening" with opening act Steely Dan? Or...how about "Bruce Springsteen Sings Every Goddamned Song He Ever Wrote: The Sixteen-Hour Concert" with special guests Steely Dan??

See? I told you. It could have been worse.

That doesn't make it any better, though, does it?

M/O/D/P

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 17:31:26 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

blacked out on the tarmac.


https://youtu.be/iClrSNOoBYI


need some angel food healing...


Assassins, cons, and Eagles, might as well...

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 17:11:36 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Well, ^$#%$#%^&$! Karma for dumping fine artist and songwriter Aimee Mann, I suppose.

https://youtu.be/l6bgD9Ve7io


Ca$h Only Island. It has a Little Feat vibe for me.


Sue Ann is zoomin'
Slow Friday night
She bops down to pheromone city
Where the vibe is right
Double-clicks the icon
And waits for juice
Salt spray hits
She's thinkin' well does anybody
Have a right to feel this loose

Crazy beaches, killer moonlight
Cash Only Island, 'cause it's your lucky night
Let's take a hayride, great hall of fun
Sue Ann McCaffery, let Telly
Show you what you've won

It's a tiki party, in the bison room
The band sings Wooly Bully
How I love that tune
Don't forget Telly, you tell yourself no way
2 or 3 double margas
And the big jerk starts to look ok

Crazy beaches, killеr moonlight
Cash Only Island, 'cause it's your lucky night
Let's take a hayridе, great hall of fun
Sue Ann McCaffery, let Telly
Show you what you've won

Night is quiet, a good rain comes
Can't you hear the distant thumping
Of the Cash Only Island drums
Swell is rising, the lava starts to flow
Pick up the house phone honey, and hold for mo'
Hold for mo', hold for mo', hold for mo'...

Crazy beaches, killer moonlight
Cash Only Island, 'cause it's your lucky night
Let's take a hayride, great hall of fun
Sue Ann McCaffery, let Telly
Show you what you've won

Repeat chorus.


Turn up the neighbors, the Eagles are listening.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 16:11:42 ET
Posted by: ccw, NY

Opening for what's left of the Eagles? Come on, Donald, haven't you saved up enough money by now to stop doing lame cash-ins?

For a brilliant musician near the end of his career who wrote a book filled with complaints about touring, this seems like the opposite of what he should be doing. Play at City Winery NYC once a month (or Town Hall NY if you want to go bigger), charge $500 a seat, never travel, invite your favorite musicians, and play whatever you like. Just enjoy yourself. Life's about more than making yet another buck.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 16:03:10 ET
Posted by: Lutz, Hnl

Poor Donald,
understandably, he had such disdain for the boomer audience during the Dukes tour when they didn't show much interest his cute Ray Charles song- according to the book. He'll have to bring out the Ai fire spewing dragon for this one here.
But it's good the band keeps going and everyone gets a paycheck.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 16:02:43 ET
Posted by: Just sayin',

Walter would never have signed off on this.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 15:47:33 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

The Variety announcement says that the tour is expected to continue into 2025. Not 2024, but 2025. With as many shows in each city as the "audience demands." Whatever. Will SD make its longest tour be one as an opening act for The Eagles? That seems unlikely, but what do I know. Irving Azoff strikes again. Whatever.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 15:13:19 ET
Posted by: Gabe, PA

Belz,

There's a reason there haven't been anymore Beacon runs. They exhausted demand. Opening for the Eagles in NBA arenas is more financially viable at this point.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 13:09:39 ET
Posted by: Don Patrol, Mtl

Happy Birthday to our guy Hoops!!
Have a great day Jim!!

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 12:28:03 ET
Posted by: Mt. Belzoni, Portland OR

Wow, what a bad idea this is. Steely Dan is no one's opening act.

This is great for Eagles fans, who'll get to hear an opening act better than the headliner. Hopefully it's also great for the band, which should get a huge payday out of this.

But it sucks for Steely Dan fans, who don't want to pay inflated Eagles prices to see a shortened Steely Dan greatest hits set- and then have to sit through a (far-inferior) Eagles concert.

I sure hope this doesn't replace whatever touring the Dan would have done this fall, or that they fill in off-days with their own nearby headlining gigs (though their agreement with promoters may limit the geographic area in which they can do their own show within 90 days of the Eagles show). This may also make it harder for the Dan to be taken as seriously by less-avid fans as a headliner after stepping down into an opener role.

Anyone see any other upside here? What a shame about . . . this.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 11:59:14 ET
Posted by: $$$$$$$$$, +

First round of dates-

Sept. 7 - New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Sept. 11 - Boston, MA TD Garden
Sept. 16 - Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Sept. 20 - Belmont Park, NY UBS Arena
Oct. 5 - Denver, CO Ball Arena
Oct. 9 - Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Oct. 13 - Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
Oct. 17 - Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Nov. 2 - Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
Nov. 7 - Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
Nov. 9 - Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
Nov. 14 - Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
Nov. 17 - St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center

Can't even imagine what ticket prices will be...

Hoping they play a Beacon / Cap Theatre run during off time; end Sept or Oct.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 11:54:08 ET
Posted by: Gabe, PA

Maybe the "Dons" will have a duel. Fagen will blast Eagles music while Henley produces a large knife and stabs him.

Date: Thurs, July 06, 2023, 11:35:24 ET
Posted by: Here we go!!!, MSG, NYC

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/the-eagles-announce-farewell-tour-the-time-has-come-for-us-to-close-the-circle/ar-AA1dvyA4?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=17ccda1e8ddc4a19bf08658c0e0c8fdc&ei=7

The Eagles will embark on their own long road out of Eden this fall for a farewell tour expected to last into 2025."We know how fortunate we are, and we are truly grateful," the band said in a statement. "Everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle." Dubbed The Long Goodbye, the Eagles' final shows will kick off Sept. 7 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Only the first handful of dates are being announced with Boston (Sept. 11), Denver (Oct. 5), Atlanta (Nov. 2) and St. Paul, Minnesota (Nov. 17) among them.

**** Also along for the jaunt will be Steely Dan, longtime contemporaries of the band who will commemorate their own five-decade-plus career. ****

Date: Tues, July 04, 2023, 20:38:45 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Mr

Dave: Thank you for posting the Midnight Special video. Most of their recent videos have views in the thousands and tens of thousands. Their Show Biz Kids video has over 117,000 views.

Is it too much to hope that they'll post a clip of My Old School in the near future?

m.e.

Date: Tues, July 04, 2023, 19:31:22 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

Midnight Special just released this. From the same night as Show Biz Kids

https://youtu.be/5b6fPnBtUqw

Date: Tues, July 04, 2023, 12:10:38 ET
Posted by: 90 seconds, From New York to Paris

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8etL1fc/

Date: Mon, July 03, 2023, 19:48:18 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Chris

This is a link to a new interview with Christopher Cross. He is wearing an Aja t-shirt. He talks about working with Larry Carlton, Michael O'Martian and Michael McDonald. He tells a story about buying The Royal Scam and putting it on while enjoying some recreational products.

https://youtu.be/nljarzFg1Qs

m.e.

Date: Fri, June 30, 2023, 12:28:58 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Forgot to mention - on the live version, even though the chords are not the same If I ever Lose... almost has a Rikki Don't Lose than Number feel. Especially in Sancious playing and Miller's tone on guitar.

Date: Fri, June 30, 2023, 12:25:55 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

the song: If I Ever Lose My Faith with You

Date: Fri, June 30, 2023, 12:24:37 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Another episode of the mu major out there on familiar songs, some surprising, some not.

I kind of missed them in the verses on the original recording because the chords are completed by keyboard and guitar...

But on a live recording (Chicago sessions the Add9, Gadd9, Dadd9's are easier to hear. He mixes the jazzy sweet with suspended chords for back and forth tension. Sting has a jazz background and Andy Summers and Steward Copeland were in fusion bands before they decided on punk jazz with

Many of the Police tabs out there are iffy (you can't say they're good), because no one gets Andy's voicings.

It's a great band on Ten Summoner's Tales with Vinnie Colaiuta, David Sancious, Dominic Miller...

The first song on the live Chicago sessions. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19hp-2mLALA

Date: Fri, June 30, 2023, 08:17:36 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Demos and outtakes have been floating around for decades, sometimes being traded on ebay or other venues. I don't think it would be realistic to expect for Donald to be celebrating alongside Cimcie, but then it's not much different than Walter's estate dropping those unreleased tracks after his passing. It is what it is. At some point you've gotta learn to roll with the punches. Now I can't speak for anyone else but do you really think guys like Duke Ellington or Ray Charles would've cared one way or the other about whether people heard studio outtakes? They're not magicians concealing tricks, they're artists performing music.

Date: Thurs, June 29, 2023, 21:23:28 ET
Posted by: Stan, Mt. Belzoni

It doesn't make Steely Dan or Donald look bad, Michael. But very doubtful that Donald wants it out there. It may be legal to put it out, but it's still seems likely they are defying Donald. The YouTube video does not feature Donald celebrating with them over its rediscovery, not even a congratulatory text message or anything.

Date: Thurs, June 29, 2023, 11:29:29 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Stan, I knew about the falling out between both parties but refrained from commenting as I don't know any of the details and was a personal matter anyhow. Never saw that video Roger made either. Interesting take on this being an elaborate form of retaliation as it doesn't cast Steely Dan in a negative light.

Date: Thurs, June 29, 2023, 10:55:50 ET
Posted by: Stan, Mt Belzoni

For sure, Michael! For example, Hey Nineteen has no horns.

My take on all the stuff coming out from the Nichols family this past week is that it comes off as a big "fuck you" towards Donald. It's not exactly a secret that Donald and Walter had a falling out with Roger in the early 2000s. After that, Roger's website focused on all his John Denver work with most of the Steely Dan stuff being omitted. Then there was that rather sad online video about a dozen years ago, before he passed. Roger was in very poor health and he was very bitter towards Steely Dan. It came off like Roger was being pressured to make the video. It was up for maybe a couple of days, if that, and then, poof! It went away. I'm speculating, but the Nichols probably got some legal advice that it was now OK for them to put this out. Don't get me wrong, I'm finding this stuff fascinating, but pretty certain Donald does not like it being public.

Date: Thurs, June 29, 2023, 09:21:13 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I think the original 2A sounds just fine without horns. Every SD song doesn't need a horn arrangement to sound complete. My two cents.

You should check out DOMi & JD BECK, a group of two extremely talented young jazz prodigies with tight synergy and blistering playing. Reminiscent of 70s jazz fusion like Herbie Hancock.

Sniff (live)

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

Not Tight (feat. Thundercat)

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

Bowling (feat. Thundercat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oABY8oc7tc

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 20:17:37 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

Personal preferences. In 43.5 year retrospect - I think the original feels a little stiff and robotic. WENDEL-ized but not WENDEL-ized. However, the horn accents have not been added.

The reboot was not far along, and while the Gadd drums are fantastic, they keyboards drag a bit and it would have been an effort to infuse something Donald and presumably Walter didn't have the heart to finish. It's didn't have a spark yet. Third World Man is an outstanding closer and features Gadd's organic drumming. Kulee Baba and The Bear are even more mouthwatering with AI-assisted clean-up.

Hoops: These decisions should always be the artists' prerogative. I don't have an issue with the way SD and associated interests have managed the online world. I'm grateful for what we've heard...

In the end it's the craft, ideas, and imagination that are compelling.

The craft end of things is where our discussions of Andy Platts/YGSF/Mamas Gun have really excelled, especially with song structure - well thought out, yet peppered with clever and sometimes unexpected ideas.

We've posted Moonshine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y_WVos6YS8


Nice hi hat and altered blues rhythm guitar opener. The verse moves up and down the chord progressions, including chord inversions. Nice set-up of the bridge moving into the chorus, moving across the chords on a key change. So many hooks before we enter the call and response chorus. A very clever resolving of the chorus so we're taken back to the next verse. A very tasty understated jazzy guitar solo (2:30). Then they turn the bridge sideways (2:50 - 3:14) - very American songbook, although both Temperton and Platts are/were British. Platts and Donald are geniuses at creating miraculous bridges and transitions.

This is the kind of songwriting, like D&W, that requires a lot of idea development and compositional edits.





Now Gaucho and TvN pushed the recording edit envelope: "We didn't even know it would count that high (# of edits)... We'll call you back."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrRSNcOC09o

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 18:52:04 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Top-notch samba jazz fusion from multi-instrumentalist Antonion Neves.

A Pegada Agora É Essa (feat. Marcos Esguleba)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7sdn234OCw

Forte Apache (feat. Hamilton de Holanda)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k96ydSPf5CQ

Lamento de um Perplexo (feat. Leo Gandelman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8q2MbJadCE

More choice finds.

Àbáse - Oya

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

John Carroll Kirby - Oropendola

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5dR-OYIK2s

Brandee Younger - Somewhere Different

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv9Kk9ojb-I

Soyuz - Offscreen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7Qo259LKmk

Soyuz - I Knew It

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u14mt-j6fFg

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 15:57:07 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, I like the 2nd attempt as well but it's clearly inferior. Something about it feels too sterile, lacking the substance, nuances and memorable flourishes of the original.

Your assessment about artists catching flak for blocking fans is spot on. Glad that The Eagles aren't catching on with younger listeners. Never understood their appeal anyhow.

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 13:34:43 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

The last time we had a cease and desist request from DF/SD was 3-4 years back when this site offered the archive of Walter's "Hey 19" raps and rants audience recordings and transcripts. They insisted that they be taken down immediately. Note that the raps, etc were stored and streamed from this site, so that's why I was served. Simply mentioning that an audience recording or the like exists somewhere else is not a reason I will receive a cease and desist. However, again as I understand, encouraging others to bootleg, etc can cross a line. During the past 30 years, my goal has been to support and defer the wishes of Donald and Walter and their reps.

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 12:35:19 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

It's right here:
https://youtu.be/cAtOuLuO3vU?t=86

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 12:34:10 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Thanks, Doc. I actually did see it when I first saw it the other day, but it didn't make an impression. I was looking for something more than "That's it".

And that's the total text message. "That's it." Not even an exclamation mark.

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 12:28:38 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

Michael: The DAT is indeed a preserved safety tape they made before laying down the last overdubs - horns, maybe a guitar solo.
salt's YT is the re-do with Steve Gadd. But there are no vocals - I actually like it and the shuffle.


Hoops:
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8: Intellectual Property
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

I'm a big proponent of i.p. rights being conferred as individual rights (not corporate rights) as an author of scientific articles, presentations, abstracts, and a textbook. Academic authors are ripped off on both ends - we pay to publish scientific articles (a conflict of interest IMO), and often get pittance on textbooks because of the low % and resale. My textbook is now electronic, online behind a paywall only - which is OK because I intended the text to be a modular e-book. Anyone who covers a song that seeks a profit must seek permission and must pay royalties (flat fee or % or both).

Donald owns the SD and solo catalog. He could record the various outtakes...or not.

However, the media/social media experience last 20 years are crystal clear. Artists and record cos. that habitually block fan releases that seek no profit limit exposure, reduce sales, and are less and less likely to catch fire with younger generations. In the case of Don Henley and The Eagles that is arguably a good thing. Zeppelin is far less popular than a generation ago because they are blockers.

I would characterize SD blocking of fan videos as relatively lenient. Because of that and the greater appreciation for their high quality recordings, as well as relatively frequent touring and release of SD and really good solo discs, Steely Dan's popularity among millenials has risen and Gen. Z has been getting a healthy dose of exposure. Queen as well. Technology today allows for high quality recordings in a DIY environment, outside major studios.

Because the state of things in the music biz, livings are made touring rather than recording. Hence, the effort to DIY recordings, yet still retain high quality audio. This is part of the reason SD's reputation is intact and rising. The efforts of Donald, Walter, other musicians, Roger Nichols, Eliot Scheiner, Al Schmitt, Bill Schnee, etc. have not gone unnoticed.

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 11:50:21 ET
Posted by: Dean-Not,

Could someone just tell us what the text message says? Thank you.

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 11:47:51 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Dean - it's on the DAT youtube video. Just watch, you'll see it.

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 11:42:54 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Mu, text from Elliot Scheiner? Care to share a link?

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 11:20:41 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Various recordings of outtakes and demos have circulated for decades. Their existence deprives nothing from the finished work. If anything it reaffirms what we've long known about D&W's pursuit of quality.

Roger's DAT of 'The Second Arrangement' is an almost complete version of what was to be the finished song, likely made a couple days prior to the completed arrangement and recording which got erased. The hiss indicates that the DAT was a safety copy he had made from a cassette tape before it degraded to the point of no return. The other full mix with some missing vocals is taken directly from a separate cassette, same arrangement as the DAT version but with a few other minor added details like that little guitar lick at the end of the intro which was probably edited out later at Donald's discretion and those backup singers doing that 'Aaaah...' sound which later got turned down in the mix.

That alternate version of 2A floating around is likely from D&W's 2nd ill-fated attempt to record the track, but since it didn't quite live up to the original D&W decided to toss it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPLZBdpFyA8

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 10:38:42 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

For the record, I doubt Donald and his legal are cool with the latest release of "Second Arrangement." My hunch is that they are not happy but probably have concerns I don't understand.

However, this site/guestbook itself is not streaming or hosting them. The responsibility belongs to parties who posted them and the services that are hosting and streaming them, starting probably Cimcee and Connie...

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 02:27:44 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

PSA: The text from Elliot Scheiner could shed a tear.

Date: Wed, June 28, 2023, 02:25:46 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Cimcie's youtube release of the DAT version of 2nd Arrangement. It's pretty clean - the highlights for most Dan fans will be the clips of Roger, Walter, Donald, Cimcie and sister(s). I don't believe the flashback clips have been seen before now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAtOuLuO3vU

Date: Tues, June 27, 2023, 17:01:25 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

hoops - thanks for the insight. I did not know that about Walter. Hey, if it led to rarities nights! A nice way to codify these great songs.

Just in case folks haven't seen/heard Dan Belcher's remastered live version of 2nd A.


https://youtu.be/weQsCjsDyxQ


Glad to hear that you and the legal eagles are cool with this so far.

TBH, I understand now why Roger Nichols never really listened to cassette versions. Cimcie's release is for me of interest due to the connection with her dad rather than the fidelity of the recording. It did confirm that the more disco-ey version (Ed Greene on drums) is the original and the redo has more of the shuffle drumming -that is Steve Gadd. I often wasn't sure which was the original. Ironically, I like Gadd's take better. 2ndA has more bounce in the redo.

I'm actually more excited about the sound of the AI'd The Bear and Kulee Baba. We'll never know what the pan fried versions would have sounded like unfortunately, but I think these are in the ball park.

AI is out of the bag, but I like it far more as a signal processor than a "researcher," because of AI's tendency to go off script and churn out fake news when presented with a difficult question...because it's programmed by humans...

Date: Tues, June 27, 2023, 11:08:57 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

Michael:

Thank you for the clarification. I went back and checked; apparently I listened to another version of "Second Arrangement" that was also recently put out there in the past few days. This other new version actually omitted the lead vocals during the refrain, which is I why I wasn't especially impressed. But like others, I'm intrigued by the lyrics.

Through the years, there's been so many demos of "Second Arangement" and almost as many variationns on the lyrics, but this is pleasing because it seems to be the most complete and cohesive set of lyrics for the track.

While others give props to the audio quality, I think that's a bit exaggerated. It sounds like the FM radio on my dad's mid-1970s station wagon: we were elated that our car finally had FM stereo, but we still had crappy AM radio-quality speakers. Yes, it's a slight improvement but it still sounds like cassette dub of another cassette.

As some of you long-timers know, I've received "cease and disist" orders/requests from Donald's/Steely Dan's legal through the years. I doubt Donald is trilled to have this out there. I did reach out to Donald's legal people as to what they thought of this latest copy of "Second Arrangement," so I can consider how to report on this in the Dandom Digest. I've not received a response fron the attorneys.

I remember over two decades ago when "You Got The Bear," "Were You Blind That Day," and I think yet another version of the "Second Arrangement" were posted here on the BlueBook (for that matter, posted anywhere) for the first time. Walter, et. al. used to lurk here, and right after, he contacted us asked if we knew where it came from. The person who posted the recordings claimed he bought the tape at a garage sale in Southern California. Very soon after, the songs were registered at the Library of Congress copyright office.

I had heard that part of the reason these songs were performed in 2011 was to reaffirm rights, but only D+W's hairdresser (and atty's?) knows for sure. And of course, all this should be considered from the vantage that I am not a legal professional.

Thanks for the good wishes--many returns,

Jim

Date: Tues, June 27, 2023, 07:53:35 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Hoops, hope you're doing well. As you know there hasn't been much news regarding SD/DF future plans. Being presented with almost complete versions of one of the most sought after lost SD tunes is a pretty big deal. Roger had several stacks of SD material, among other things, which is pretty exciting since it presents us with the possibility of more gems being unearthed.

Better late than never, right?

That aside, my ears are always firmly to the ground looking for new music to fill the gaps.

Date: Mon, June 26, 2023, 21:30:14 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

This new cleaned up "Second Arrangement" is kind of interesting in a certain way. I mean, for the most part we've heard all this before; but from my angle, what's interesting is how apparently Steely Dan legal and management is not bothered by it. I have been offered similar recordings to publish in the past and it's always been "no no"/"cease and desist" territory. Moreover, "Second Arrangement" along with "You Got the Bear" and "Were You Blind That Day" were similarly debuted for the first time here on the blue book something like a decade and a half ago. Walter was so surprised when they surfaced that he actually contacted us to ask where the heck it came from. So I guess this is like the fourth or fifth almost official version of "Second Arrangement" that has come out. Anyway, please let me know if you have anything to add to what I've said here or below. I hope everybody else is doing OK these days. I'm always low-key here because everybody else seems to do a better job of talking. But struggling with some things right now so appreciate your good vibes.

Peace out and love,

Jim

Date: Mon, June 26, 2023, 09:40:03 ET
Posted by: LaWhat, asdf

oh yeah we've had this discussion, all the way back to Yellow Book, Oleander's page has a good background on what we came up with.

Date: Mon, June 26, 2023, 00:02:53 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Updraught, yes I'm fine with LaRoux, Leroux, Leroue or any alternative spelling. My point was, it isn't "who..." or "ruse". The Dan likes some specifics. I'm thinking it's the person's name. A name that has a certain French creepiness to it makes perfect sense to me.

Somehow I feel we've had this discussion before. I'll have to check another day as I'm fading.

Date: Sun, June 25, 2023, 23:24:31 ET
Posted by: Upgraught, Philly area

Dean:
I believe

Roux Family History
Roux Name Meaning

French:: nickname for a red-haired man from Old French ro(u)s ‘red' (from Latin russeus). sometimes also a habitational name from (Le) Roux the name of several places in various parts of France. This surname (in any of the two possible senses; see also 1 above) is also established in South Africa. Compare Leroux .

Date: Sun, June 25, 2023, 20:20:23 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Reggae Sunday!

I have to say, I enjoyed hearing the cleaned up/AI versions of Second Arrangement (and The Bear). But I have to believe Don, and most serious old school musicians, feel similarly about AI as they did about Autotune. Perhaps I'm wrong. However IMO if Don wanted us to hear this, he would have gone to the trouble to be involved in some way. Just a thought.

With that said, the lyric is "LaRue stepped out with no regrets", right? It certainly isn't "who stepped out" or "rue stepped out". Am I mistaken?

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 22:15:53 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Correcting the pitch and speed of the recording shouldn't be too difficult for someone with a little know-how and a DAW to accomplish.

Maybe Roger had a copy of Heartbreak Souvenir and a full band rendition of I Can't Write Home About You. He procured a lot of stuff from what I can tell so it's not entirely out of the question.

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 21:03:22 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Yeah - the first version from the cassette is slightly slowed dow, due to age of the tape. The DAT version was recalibrated. Someone will AI these soon enough if they haven't already.

There's an AI of Real Ove on dropbox that cleaned up John's vocals - it's amazing.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2k72p5f8qrvrdwt/The%20Beatles%20-%20Real%20Love%20%28Original%29%20%5BAI%5D.mp3?dl=0

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 18:26:32 ET
Posted by: Michael,

There's apparently three versions of SA:
Full new mix (with partial vocals)
Instrumental of new mix (sans vocals and lead guitar)
Previously shared "tape leak" demo in higher quality

All can be heard here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU2oZGPjPbM

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 15:21:57 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

So, a lot going on. Roger Nichol's daughter Cimcie has released her Dad's cassette mixtape of the 2nd Arrangement (original) on the dan substack.

https://expandingdan.substack.com/p/second-arrangement-steely-dan-roger-nichols-tape

A DAT rip released a few hours later. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZNYuuOFUb4

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 15:07:49 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu ,

AI - enhanced The Bear

https://youtu.be/QPt_l28ralA


At least we got something good out of AI before it goes Full HAL and destroys what's left of humanity. ;)

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 14:45:05 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Wow - mini Steve Khan solo on the last version. If that sax/horn outtro could have been extended! Even in this state, it's the best song from the Gaucho sessions. JMO.

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 14:42:16 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

AI - cleaning up Kulee Baba (and making Now and Then possible as new/last Beatles song).

I haven't heard horns on this one before.

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

Here's another mix (also with horns):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQY9JesF9I&t=0s


Kulee's my favorite among the Gaucho outtakes and would have been a standout on the album. Too bad there were not CD length then (or a double album or 3-sider)...

Date: Sat, June 24, 2023, 14:32:27 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Not perfect, but cleaned up KL outtakes that suggest at times what Jeff's drums could have sounded like before the noise reduction fiasco thing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bInRwyj1VRQ

Date: Fri, June 23, 2023, 19:17:12 ET
Posted by: Billow Togatz,

"But it all comes out ON the inside
Eventually."

One would think it should have read:

"But it all comes out FROM the inside
Eventually."


Screwy bastards…😊

Date: Fri, June 23, 2023, 17:13:55 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

a tab and the *chords*

Date: Fri, June 23, 2023, 17:13:02 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

I looked up a tab and the chorus, and sure enough, the chorus on Honeybee is

Gadd9 G
Amadd9
Gadd9/B

Gotta sweeten that hunny.

A couple of sus chords and a Dadd11/G. Everything in harmony (ies).

Date: Fri, June 23, 2023, 17:00:02 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Here's a New Zealand group Unknown Mortal Orchestra from New Zealand with that flatline attitude. Most of their stuff is alt-psychedelia.

This number - Honeybee - has a little Steely and YGSF in it.

https://youtu.be/IJrKlSkxRHA

Date: Fri, June 23, 2023, 10:35:58 ET
Posted by: Michael,

More interesting finds to check out.

Yachts on Fire - Ride by Night (EP)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arD5gIXkKeI&list=OLAK5uy_mf4GOzJFl2oswq9UE5v-IA1nBsRGLweu4

The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco - The Son of Mrs Queenie Brown

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

Dark Horse Flyer - High Five

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biydH2sXqpU

Ghost Cousin - Breakfast and Tea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD67qvXfG5c

Date: Thurs, June 22, 2023, 16:44:25 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I heard Sea Level awhile back but completely blanked on them. Wonder how many other gems I'm missing out on.

Here's a little tip for those of you out there who can't identify certain tunes online. There's a browser plugin called Shazam which can quickly identify artists/songs. It even works with music files on your PC/laptop if you drag and drop them into your browser which should make them play automatically. Note that it can't identify everything but I've had pretty good success rate with it. Once you DL the plugin simply pin it to your desktop and click the icon while a song is playing.

Date: Wed, June 21, 2023, 12:45:24 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

I forgot to mention: Great haircut, Don. That had me actually laughing out loud.

Date: Wed, June 21, 2023, 12:43:25 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

Dave, thanks for the Show Biz Kids link. I had actually forgotten about that.

And regarding the Sea Level discussion I am, and have been, a huge Sea Level (and Chuck Leavell) fan. I wondered if King Grand would be posted, as it is very cool and funky tune, IMO. While Seal Level is at their best on instrumentals (IMO of course) vocal tunes such as King Grand, If That's Your Secret, etc. are exceptional, too.

I always chuckle when Stones fans complain about Chuck. They say he isn't right for the Stones. And they are right. He's FAR too talented to be playing with them

Date: Wed, June 21, 2023, 00:42:24 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Hey, a Royce Jones sighting on Show Biz...

Date: Wed, June 21, 2023, 00:39:14 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Dave - Nice! that ain't no Fugazi!

Date: Wed, June 21, 2023, 00:37:07 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Almost forgot the Royal Scam (album)-like funk-blues King Grand from Sea Level. Dan meets Little Feat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z_fTcC1XHQ

Date: Tues, June 20, 2023, 17:29:45 ET
Posted by: Big Trev, Barcelona

Now that's one nice acquisition right there Dave. Almost worth the 50 year wait. 50 years! A nice glimpse of a particular moment in the history of Steely Dan with a short lived but interesting line up. A full concert recording of that line up would be great. I live in hope. But not another 50 years please.

Date: Tues, June 20, 2023, 11:59:55 ET
Posted by: Dave (from acquisitions), Philadelphia

It's finally here! 1973 performance of Show Biz Kids on the midnight special

https://youtu.be/E2JWtuBLelw

Date: Mon, June 19, 2023, 17:13:28 ET
Posted by: BrianG, at home on my comfy chair

Very fine edit of an already very fine *extended* rhythm track for Green Earrings, married with the LP vocals etc. Funk Royalty getting funkier.

Jive Miguel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQwVPndr8U

Date: Sat, June 17, 2023, 16:23:00 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Now, here's some OG fusion, and a shout out to Dusty Rhodes:


Sea Level - maybe 2.5 great albums as an Allman Bros offspring: chuck Leavell, Jimmy Nails, Lamar Williams, Jay Johnny Johanason. They were amazing live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPwz4QpXq-4

https://youtu.be/_YEytw-hozI

https://youtu.be/LOF7cf_7i3Q

https://youtu.be/qyjN2PW54l4

Date: Sat, June 17, 2023, 15:30:41 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael,

My comment re: Burning Bridges wasn't that it's great or even good, it's that the best changes and hook resemble TWM.

I think we're all aware that IV was a massive commercial smash.

Falling in Between is awful, overall. Let it Go in the studio is OK, an altered blues with decent harmonies in the chorus with Phillinganes' vocals as the highlight. However, live performances during that period were really, really good.

Date: Sat, June 17, 2023, 15:07:46 ET
Posted by: Michael,

That Lukather track 'Burning Bridges' sounds like conventional fanfare, a bluesy structure with modifications thrown in. He's written great songs with Toto so I know he can do much better than this. As I'm a jaded listener, having listened to countless songs, I'm more demanding.

I kind of like 'Let It Go' from their album 'Falling In Between'. Phillinganes and the others did a great job. For whatever reason it reminds me of music played during training montages in Rocky films.

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

I think the reason 'IV' won over 'The Nightfly' was due to commercial appeal, not because it was a superior artistic work. Award shows function as self-congratulatory infomercials for the industry. Who remembers by rote who won for best album of 1984, 1989 or whatever year? Beats me. It's meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

Bliss Band had scattershot flashes of brilliance but failed to make a big impact and thus were short-lived. AOR albums were coming into vogue just about the time they had arrived but there were too many of them, resulting in a select handful getting extensive radio play while the rest were left out in the cold.

Another overlooked AOR artist is Larry Lee. His 1982 'Marooned' album had some good material like 'Number One Girl', 'Don't Talk' and the title track.

Jeff Porcaro was an amazing drummer. Small wonder D&W brought him in.

Date: Sat, June 17, 2023, 13:56:47 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

We all know the reality - the best "Toto" songs were Boz' Lowdown and Miss Sun.

https://youtu.be/I-hKBmTAADo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbUP5_4ZPvA

Porcaro's shuffle on Miss Sun is ridiculous, and the sync-lock with David Hungate on Lowdown is legendary.

Date: Sat, June 17, 2023, 13:34:58 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Michael - I was raised Catholic so blame is big, including on Mr. Big...plus there's a plethora of Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd/Loonie Tunes reference.

Big fan of Toxic Vegan on the snark and YGSF, as well as Andy Platts' other band Mama's Gun, which is a little more R&B. The album Golden Days is highly, highly recommended by MG - it's probably my favorite Platts album besides YGSF's Ticket to Shangri-La.

I have to check out Bliss Band again...I do remember them, but haven't listened to their stuff in over 40 years.

Funny about not too many sounding like Steely Dan rather than Toto.

On the title track of Lukather's new Toto/not Toto solo album, he's definitely channeling the middle 8 of Third World Man:

Check it out -> 0:54 https://youtu.be/Ps_E9q00DY8

Toto is one of those bands that could occasionally rise to the occasion, but were usually lazy as songwriters, unlike Andy Platts the craftsman. Toto was happy to slap it together in the studio. Occasionally brilliant, but then mortifyingly stupid. The hits from the debut album - I'll Supply the Love and Hold the Line are mind-umbingly awful. I think Georgy Porgy, Girl Goodbye, and Rockmaker actually work years later.

I do like the prog-fusion element in their overlooked 2nd album Hydra, and that still is for me their best album. 99 and Mama work as songs as well. I think Hydra works because they focused on "It's the Musicianship, Stupid."

Turn Back is garbage. On IV Rosanna, Make Believe, Africa are good, but the remainder of fare is banal. The Grammys - it cuts both ways. How IV wins over The Nightly is as head scratching as Taste of Honey's win in '78. Unforgivable!

After David Hungate left the band their output is even more inconsistent to dreadful. Parts of the Dune soundtrack, the Seventh One and XIV (featuring Keith Carlock) rise above their flotsam and jetsam. Skip the first 3 unlistenable bombastic songs on XIV, and the album isn't really that bad. Luke's 21st Century Blues, The Little Things, Chinatown, Great Expectations are maybe the closest thing to Hydra, because of the emphasis on musicianship.

Date: Fri, June 16, 2023, 13:31:25 ET
Posted by: Michael,

*connoisseur

I can't believe I proof-read and missed that. Oh, the humanity.

Date: Fri, June 16, 2023, 13:24:47 ET
Posted by: Michael,

---Artists which bear similarity to Steely Dan.

There have been seemingly countless imitators of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, and every other prominent artist you care to think of, but, perhaps owing to the complex nature of their work, there haven't been quite as many of Steely Dan. Still, some artists have made a brave attempt at emulating components of the Dan's sound with varying degrees of success. Of course imitation doesn't necessarily guarantee a similar level of quality output. All the performance and production talent in the world is meaningless without great songwriting.

Please note that not every artist mentioned here is 100% attempting to emulate Steely Dan but in some instances share enough similar qualities that I would be remiss not to include them. I hope you find my feature to be concise and informative. With that being said, let's get this under way.

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

We begin our trek with Ed Motta, Brazilian soul/funk/jazz connossieur who sports a rather massive record collection spanning all genres. An avid Steely Dan afficionado, Ed has incorporated much of that Aja-esque sophistication and production sheen into his own work, even in his more more hip-hop/dance/funk tracks. This, combined with a slew of other influences including Stevie Wonder, Eric Tagg, Jamiroquai, even J-pop artists like Makoto Matsushita and Tetsuro Yamashita, ensures the listener a broad-range listening experience. Both 'Manual Prático Para Festas, Bailes E Afins' and 'As Segundas Intenções do Manual Prático...' make great introductory albums for those seeking to broaden their sonic horizons.

Bonus fact: Ed is the nephew of Tim Maia, renowned samba/soul/funk MPB artist.

Next we take a trip to the sunny west coast with State Cows, Swedish AOR specialists. Daniel Andersson and Stefan Olofsson form the nucleus of the group. Seamlessly juxtaposing intelligent pop hooks, superb production and clever harmonies to keep surprising the listener's expectations, many of their songs sound as though lifted directly from AOR's early 1980s heyday. You can definitely detect a strong Steely Dan influence in their sound along with a sprinkling of Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, David Foster, and Kenny Loggins without sounding too derivative. While album releases have been somewhat sporadic over their decade-plus span, Dan and Stefan's ability to create masterful pop tunes speaks for itself with their latest track 'Waiting for the Right Words' having just come out back in March, hopefully foreshadowing a new album lurking in the not-too-distant future.

Bliss Band was a short-lived UK group fronted by Paul Bliss who also worked as a backup musician for both The Hollies and The Moody Blues. Their debut LP 'Dinner with Raoul' was produced by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and just for good measure features Michael McDonald doing backing vocals. The Steely Dan influence shines through on cuts like 'Don't Do Me Any Favors' and 'On the Highway'. Unfortunately their follow-up album 'Neon Smiles' would also be their last as they disbanded shortly thereafter in 1980.

Fitness Forever is an Italian pop group formed by Carlos Valderrama, showcasing a penchant for exceptionally well-written compositions and expertly devised grooves, incorporating a wide range of influences ranging from Steely Dan, Burt Bacharach and Brian Wilson to Stereolab, Ennio Morricone, Piero Umiliani and beyond. They are known to record using analog equipment, giving their albums a warm, vibrant sound. Tracks such as 'Laura' and 'Cosa Mi Hai Detto' are unmistakably Dan-ish in composition while retaining Fitness Forever's lush signature style. They seamlessly straddle the lines between seventies-style dance funk, lush orchestration in the spirit of classic Italian and French film composers, 1960s sunshine pop, and bossa lounge. While some of their material may succumb to a bit of saccharine, you'd be hard-pressed to find a modern artist more authentically retro-sounding than this.

Canada's answer to Steely Dan, Don Breithaupt began Monkey House sometime back in the early 90's, sporadically releasing albums at his own leisurely pace with the latest 'Remember the Audio' coming out last year. Although his first two albums were rather lackluster, Don eventually found his strut with Headquarters, navigating to far superior production values with a strong emphasis on Dan-ish vibes, best exemplified in tracks like 'Major Minor' off his latest album. Jazz-rock guitarist Drew Zingg, who also toured with Steely Dan and Boz Skaggs, has been along for the ride for the last four MH albums. In addition they've brought in world-renown talents such as Michael Brecker and Michael Leonhart as guest performers to complete the package.

Perhaps no other group has more blatantly tried to sound exactly like Steely Dan than Jango. That's not an exaggeration. Everything from Steve Nieves's attempts to vocally emulate Donald Fagen with matching obtuse lyrics to boot, to those distinctly Dan-esque arrangements with little instrumental breaks, sax solos and chiming guitar riffs leaves nothing to mystery. Whether listeners find this to be intriguing or off-putting is certainly subjective but, speaking for myself, several of their tracks make for enjoyable listening, replete with nice hooks and embellishing phrases. I'd recommend 'The Beard', 'City of the 2nd Chance', 'Joyful Caravan', and 'Dreamtown'. Most of their other tracks are firmly in smooth jazz instrumental territory.

Pages is a joint AOR project between Steve George and Richard Page, much in the spirit of Donald and Walter. From the lusciously soulful Rhodes-driven groove of 'Clearly Kim' to the soft AM pop-rock fusion of 'You Need a Hero', Pages perfectly demostrate a finely tuned ear for serviceable melodic hooks and tasty chords. For their third and final album they brought in Jay Graydon to produce, but the writing was on the wall and within a year Steve and Richard had closed the book on Pages, moving on to the much more commercially successful Mr. Mister.

Also worth a mention is Airplay, a short-lived group featuring David Foster, Jay Graydon and Tommy Funderbunk. Their sole album epitomizes West Coast/AOR. If anything their sound was much closer to Toto than Steely Dan but the expert production is nothing to scoff at. 'Nothin' You Can Do About It' is a pop gem and they saw fit to include their own version of 'After The Love Is Gone' which Foster, Graydon and Bill Champlin had originally composed for Earth, Wind & Fire.

Now it's time to head back over to the UK for a massively underrated artist which flew under the radar, Talc, featuring session musicians James Knight (Dr. Fun) and Nichol Thomson (The Gift). Regretfully they only released two albums, 'Sit Down Think' (2006) and 'Licensed Premises Lifestyle' (2008), but what fine albums they are. Tracks such as 'Modern Sleepover' and 'Rhyming Man' should thoroughly convince you that this is top shelf material. Of note is their incorporation of vocoder on some tracks to provide a campy robotic sci-fi feel. Sly lyricism with a sprinkling of English humor combine with a healthy dose of brass stabs and funkadelic guitar riffs to complete the throwback feel.

Toxic Vegan is another duo project in the style of 70's and early 80's sophisticated pop. Dillon O'Brian and Steve Lindsey are adept songwriters with a keen grasp of that Steely Dan sound. They even brought in session players like Freddie Washington, Dean Parks and Alex Acuña for the ride. Only one album to their credit titled 'My Fabulous Life' but it's full of excellent cuts like 'Robo Girl' which was chosen as the single, 'Your Ace in the Hole' and the title track. Not much else needs to be said. If you like smart jazz-pop then you should get this.

Naoki Fukuda (vocals, guitar, keyboard) and Kaoru Inoue (piano, vocals) together formed Blue Peppers (ブルー・ペパーズ) in 2015, an AOR/pop group from Japan with meticulous production values. They produced their eponymous debut EP by themselves while still in college. Most impressive. To date they have released two albums, 'Retroactive' and 'Symphony'. The track 「星空と孤独のマスカレード」 (Masquerade of Starry Sky and Loneliness) from their debut EP is alone worth the price of admission. Unfortunately only a preview is available.

https://youtu.be/OSVdJUesay8?t=99

Young Gun Silver Fox are the best new artist to emerge from the UK over the past decade. Specializing in creating soulful AOR earworms, Andy Platts and Shawn Lee are at the top of their game, having just completed their fourth album 'Ticket to Shangri-La' late last year. Chock full of delectable pop masterpieces, YGSF prove that they've still got it going on. 'Sierra Nights' is simply majestic, 'Rolling Back' is a bona-fide modern pop classic and 'Simple Imagination' is like some long lost Stevie Wonder tune from his heyday. Also, don't miss their incredible new single 'Moonshine', composed by Andy Platts and Rod Temperton back in 2006, reminiscent of Michael Jackson at his boogie-pop peak. YGSF's consistent quality output is amazing. How do they do it? I don't know but I'm here for it.

The Norwegian Fords is yet another AOR duo project with heavy Steely Dan overtones. Erik Enzo and Paul Call do a decent job emulating D&W's jazzy quirks, coming across in a similar vein to State Cows. Nothing too remarkable here, just solid performances over easy-listening jazz-rock grooves. Only two albums to their name, with their last album 'Somewhere Down the Road You'll Listen' released back in 2011. Tracks such as 'Surfing on the Sun', 'I'll Be Dining Here Again' and 'Fit In' are worth checking out.

Smooth Reunion are yet another duo, Joseph Melin and Samuel Andre, who are heavily influenced by Steely Dan, particularly Aja/Gaucho period. They released one album back in 2008 titled 'Cleaning Up the Business' which from what I can tell garnered a small following in Japan, but that's about all the info I've managed to scrounge together.

Samuel Purdey released one album back in 1999, 'Musically Adrift'. It's good, really good. Acid-jazz pop full of tasty chords. 'Lucky Radio' was a hit, especially in Japan where it became a radio staple. Both 'One of a Kind' and 'Whatever I Do' clearly exhibit an intimate understanding for what makes a classic song tick, soft of an amalgamation of the Dan, Doobies and Skaggs. Having Elliot Scheiner behind the mixing console and former Jamiroquai member Stuart Zender on bass was a smart decision. Speaking of which, Jamiroquai front man Jay Kay had commented that 'Lucky Radio' was the best single of 1997. For more of those great-tasting West Coast vibes be sure to check out Powder Blue Tux, another project from Barney Purdey.

Keiichi Tomita (冨田 恵一), perhaps best known for Tomita Lab (冨田ラボ), his ongoing solo project, is a versatile composer, performer, arranger, and producer in Japan. Having worked with a large pool of talent including Kirinji, bird, Maaya Sakamoto, Ken Hirai, Mamalaid Rag, Taeko Onuki, YMO member Yukihiro Takahashi, and many others, he's proven himself to be exceptionally skillful both in the studio and live performance. A self-confessed jazz-rock maniac, Keiichi takes influence from Steely Dan, Claus Ogerman, the Brecker brothers, Ivan Lins, and Henry Mancini. He even released a book titled 'Nightfly: How to Create and Appreciate Recording Art' with an emphasis on Donald Fagen's 'The Nightfly' album. Unfortunately the book is not currently available in English but seems to offer plenty of commentary and insight into recording method, arranging techniques, and similar topics. Occasionally his music bears a striking resemblance to Steely Dan, a few examples being 「海を渡る橋」 (Bridge Across the Sea), 「プラシーボ･セシボン」 (Placebo cest si Bon) and 「横顔」 (Profile).

In terms of sheer quality no other artist has come as close to that Steely Dan level than Kirinji (キリンジ). Formed back in 1996, brothers Yasuyuki and Takaki Horigome (堀込泰行 and 堀込高樹, respectively) formed the nucleus of the group, with Yasuyuki departing back in 2013 to pursue his solo career. Since then Takaki has taken the helm, carrying on Kirinji as a solo project. Keiichi Tomita served as producer on their debut EP and first five studio albums, excepting 'Omnibus', an album of mostly self-covers for tracks they composed for various artists. The strength and consistency of their songwriting has been nothing short of exceptional, spanning a wide breadth of styles including melodic pop, rock, jazz, country, funk, dance, electronic, etc. Steely Dan's influence can be felt most prominently on tracks such as 「牡牛座ラプソディ」 (Taurus Rhapsody), 「悪玉」 (The Heel), 「メスとコスメ」 (Female and Cosmetics), 「雨は毛布のように」 (The Rain is like a Blanket), and 「地を這う者に翼はいらぬ」 (He Who Crawls on the Ground Needs no Wings). They've got all the elements you want: irresistible melodies, sophisticated harmonies, superb performances, arranging and production. The only fly in the ointment may be the Japanese lyrics but this only adds to their mystique.

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

That's all I've got. *phew* If any of you have further suggestions then please feel free to chime in.

Date: Fri, June 16, 2023, 07:42:11 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Doc, that's close to my sentiment, only I could do without the first half. Green Book, Pixeleen, Lunch With Gina are my top 3 tracks. As a Christian I cannot bring myself to enjoy Godwhacker. Even if you're of a different faith it's not wise to threaten God. The first three tracks on EMG are pretty weak. TAN was a much better album overall.

I should have up the special I've been working on sometime today, hopefully within a few hours.

Date: Thurs, June 15, 2023, 22:39:28 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu, left of the Rio Grande

Michael,

For me that last 2/3:

Godwhacker
Slang of Ages - gets better with ages
Green Book
Pixeleen
Lunch with Gina
Everything Must Go

are pure gold and stand up against their best.


Things I Miss the Most is the real upgrade on Northwest Passage. Much or the rest of the live recording is by rote, but naturally excellent.


Yeah, I'm the guy that plays the tracks for EMG in reverse order.


The opening for the title track is superb. It's a tip of the fez to Coltrane's A Love Supreme of course.


EMG also becomes a concept album about dying played in reverse:

EMG - Well, we're screwed, but it's been great.

Lunch with Gina - The grim repress has a date with me, but we're ducking her so far.

Pixeleen - The Last War will be virtual

Green Book - Hide in here.

Slang of Ages - Can we escape to an alternative universe?

Godwhacker - If I'm going to blame anyone, it has to be Mr. Big

Blues Beach - Fallout

Things I Miss the Most - A lot of good my hideaway does me now.

The Last Mall - Memorabilia rolls down the aisle as well pull the plug.

Date: Wed, June 14, 2023, 12:09:44 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

I stand corrected. It looks like one doesn't need a Spotify account to listen to this podcast. It's just that I have so much protection in my Chrome browser it won't play in that browser. It played just fine in Firefox, which I only use occasionally and I don't keep locked down as tightly as I do Chrome. Carry on...

Date: Wed, June 14, 2023, 12:06:11 ET
Posted by: The Dean, St. Augustine. Uptown, Baby!

BS, that interview has been posted here before, but it's not a bad idea to have a reminder for those who may have missed it. IMO of course.

Here's a Youtube link that doesn't require a sign up to listen to. For people like me who don't have, or want, a Spotify account.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwl4TYIm-M8

Date: Tues, June 13, 2023, 16:35:19 ET
Posted by: BadSneakers, .

Interview with Donald Fagen from 2019:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/02s5On1QWtrshMKph0cwt0?si=BfSDLZgdQTWBJanTAX0iIA

Apologies if already posted

Date: Sun, June 11, 2023, 06:34:36 ET
Posted by: Klaus & the Rooster, Munich, Germany

I wish alt.music.steely-dan would come back to life - but hey - this is maybe the next best.

Met Hoops in 2000 in Frankfurt at a Dan Fest before the show.

Cheers,
Klaus & the Rooster

Date: Sat, June 10, 2023, 11:34:48 ET
Posted by: Solstein, Norway

Solstein - "Hamada"

https://link.isitjazzrecords.no/Solstein_Hamada?location=94

Featuring drummer extraordinaire Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Toto, John Legend, Sting) and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow, The Opium Cartel, Donner) as well as up-and-coming guitarist Stian Larsen and keyboardists Brynjar Dambo (White Willow) and Bill Bressler, Solstein is a project that melds the groovier side of fusion with elements of prog and funk. The project was born after Holm-Lupo and Carlock collaborated with legendary guitarist Georg Wadenius on a track for Holm-Lupo's Donner project. The collaboration worked so well that the pair decided to work together again on a whole album.

https://solstein.bandcamp.com/album/solstein

Date: Sat, June 10, 2023, 10:44:45 ET
Posted by: Michael,

I prefer the second half of EMG, with Lunch With Gina and Greenbook being my favorites from the album. I've got a special Steely Dan feature coming later this week. For now, though, it's time for a trip back down to Brazil for some more wonderful MPB, samba, bossa, all that good stuff.

Gal Costa - Sutis Diferenças (Subtle Differences)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ymV36TTdR0

João Marcello Bôscoli - Carnaval e Reveillon (Viagens)

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

Marcos Valle - Novo Visual (New Look)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DInC8VB0R2g

Fagner - Guerreiro Menino (Um Homem Também Chora)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qs6bDAZqV8

Azymuth - Seems Like This (Faça de Conta)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gjo8iyD6s4

Nara Leão - Um Sonho de Verão (Moonlight Serenade)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnE0qGwP8bA

Djavan - Asa (Live)

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

Personnel on that Djavan track include David Sanborn (Sax), Marcus Miller (Bass), Hiram Bullock (Guitar), Phillipe Saisse (Key), Omar Hakim (Dr), and Don Alias (Perc). Quite a stellar lineup.

Have a great weekend.

Date: Sat, June 10, 2023, ALL DAY! ET
Posted by: The Greater Dandom,

Date: Thurs, June 08, 2023, 19:03:40 ET
Posted by: Stan , US

New video on Roger Nichols and Wendel.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT812MhQf/

Date: Wed, June 07, 2023, 17:32:31 ET
Posted by: Michael,

That could be, but Donald related in an interview that Marlene died tragically in a taxicab accident and that she had been unlucky in love, so the narrator is reminiscing about her, even alluding to being haunted by her.

---------------------------
Sometimes on a league night
I catch her scent again
Her hand guiding my hand
We drop the seven-ten
---------------------------

Date: Wed, June 07, 2023, 14:50:35 ET
Posted by: Nicholas Urfe, Phraxos

Miss Marlene, indeed! It seems to me that the narrator is in a What a Fool Believes/Diary kind of situation. Maybe that's obvious.

Date: Tues, June 06, 2023, 08:33:03 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Miss Marlene is such an amazing song. I honestly think it's the best song Donald composed since IGY. Those vocal harmonies, melodic phrasing, luscious groove, Jon's tasty guitar licks interspersed throughout. The arrangement is too good, a total throwback, like some unreleased gem made decades ago. If you played it at a traffic jam people would get out of their cars and start dancing.

Date: Sat, June 03, 2023, 14:06:33 ET
Posted by: CJB, YVR

This sure sounds like the Record Plant broadcast with a few other live songs tossed in. As you were, sorry.

Date: Sat, June 03, 2023, 13:51:17 ET
Posted by: CJB, YVR

Tidal served up some new live Donald this morning; currently listening to a long fine set titled "Donald Fagen - KLOS FM Broadcast Universal Theatre 14th March 1992," which includes lots of relatively uncommon live songs - Chain Lightning; Boston Rag; Any Major Dude, King of the World, among others. No personnel information on the file, just clear soundboard quality sound. Donald shouts out "Denny Dias on guitar!" on Chain Lightning, so, at least one guest musician spotted.

Date: Sat, June 03, 2023, 08:27:49 ET
Posted by: Michael,

*small correction, Goro Ito

Date: Sat, June 03, 2023, 08:26:58 ET
Posted by: Michael,

New playlist. Enjoy.

A Barca Do Sol - Desencontro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBAHgRiu0Z4

Heaco - Winter Lovely Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGtLF06cr8c

Louis Cole - Palmdale Cruisin'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlzOsfRC12w

Goto Ito - Captain Coo With A Butterfly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDI2uemJkic

Ben Reed - Station Masters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDpdcaYcv6E

Date: Fri, June 02, 2023, 12:27:26 ET
Posted by: OMG RITY, ...REELIN'

Full episode, Reelin @ 1:00:23.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFyWTxB64I8

Date: Fri, June 02, 2023, 12:09:02 ET
Posted by: OMG DIA, Late at night...

From February 9, 1973 Steely Dan's performance on "The Midnight Special"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SM_eJKVlzs

Date: Fri, June 02, 2023, 08:04:21 ET
Posted by: Doug, Liverpool

New song from a new band. This is clearly the bass line from Two Against Nature but in 4/4 time rather than 6/8. Similar key change in chorus too, though I'm not sure if it the same.

https://youtu.be/xMx_KOrBxAk

Date: Wed, May 31, 2023, 17:47:38 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Just to be clear. I don't have a 5.1 sound system, but the stereo mixes Scheiner produced for the Gaucho, Nightfly, Kamakiriad, TvN have always been preferable vs. the CDs. The 1999 CD saturated on "Shake it." Ironically the DDD Nightfly always sounded flatter on CD than vinyl. The DVD-A copy brought back the lustre.

So, I'll probably complete a mix and match full-ish SACD/DVD-A collection.

Date: Wed, May 31, 2023, 13:32:20 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Steve

The Everything Must Go, DVD-audio, 5.1 surround sound mix is widely considered to be the gold standard. Nothing tops it.

If people want to go down the rabbit hole, the Steve Hoffman forums are a Wonderland of information

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/steely-dan-gaucho-dts-5-1-cd.682359/

m.e.

Date: Wed, May 31, 2023, 12:38:03 ET
Posted by: Gabe, PA

Sammy, I bought it when it came out because it coincided with a push to market DVD-A as a mainstream format, and it was there on the shelf along side dozens of other titles. But I don't think I ever listened to more than a few seconds of it.

Curious if iTunes can now RIP DVD-A? That might be a reason to dust them off after 20 years.

Date: Wed, May 31, 2023, 05:29:41 ET
Posted by: Sammy,

Any opinions on the Everything Must Go DVD-A???

Date: Wed, May 31, 2023, 03:35:09 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

m.e. Heartily agree that Gaucho, Nightly, and adding Kamakiriad and TvN are game changes on DVD-A


Continuing the sporadic mu chords in strange places...Neal Finn in the more eclectic Split Enz and Crowded House pun a lot of Beatlesque tunes into gold down under (Australia, New Zealand) and in England... Maybe 5 hits in America. Chord structures are folky usually with odd jazzy infusions.

Two of Split Enz best songs were Poor Boy and History Never Repeats. Snappy performances here at ARIA awards. The chorus in History never repeats are chock full of suspended chords so the setup at the end of the verse

"But anyway that's history."

features our old friend mu major cadd9.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8sJQmEWP-c

As live performances go, this is a cracker.

Date: Tues, May 30, 2023, 01:11:07 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Claire

Studio albums released in 5,1:

Gaucho
The Nightfly
Kamakiriad
Morph The Cat

Live 5.1 releases:
Two Against Nature
Dukes of September

There were rumblings that a 5.1 mix of Pretzel Logic was completed, but never released.

All other SACD releases, Japanese import or Acoustic Sounds, are high quality stereo mixes.

m.e.

Date: Sat, May 27, 2023, 02:24:28 ET
Posted by: moray eel, Sa

The new Acoustic Sounds SACD release of Can't Buy A Thrill is less adventurous than the old DVD-A release of Gaucho.

It is still a good multichannel recording. Acoustic Sounds seems to have paused the SACD releases for the other albums.

Gaucho revealed itself to me in the DVD-A format and TVN had extra bars of Chris Potter's solo on Gaslighting Abbie.

I have The Nightfly on DVD-A and the Japanese SACD release. I think they are pretty close. If I had to pick one, I would give the DVD-A mix a slight edge.

m.e.

Date: Fri, May 26, 2023, 11:54:30 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Good catch on Tigers. All that's left is Someone and Sharon. Any ideas?

Date: Fri, May 26, 2023, 10:44:26 ET
Posted by: Sammy,

Interesting thread, Michael.

I believe "Tiger" became "Godwhacker." It started out based on William Blake's, "The Tyger."

"We sniff you, Big Tiger In the forest of the night."

Then later evolved to include all that stuff with the Geo. W. administration.

Date: Fri, May 26, 2023, 07:37:16 ET
Posted by: Michael,

Given the long stretch since there's been any breaking developments, would it be safe to assume that Donald's been working on his new solo project? One can only hope.

Gary Katz mentioned how Steely Dan recorded about 12 cuts for Gaucho which was standard operating procedure, allowing them more flexibility in assembling a final track list to their liking. As I recall, in the lead up to TAN's release there was a contest on their website for visitors to take a stab at assembling TAN's track listing from random song titles. Here's the full list.

1. Two Against Nature
2. Someone
3. Runaway
4. Gothic
5. West of Hollywood
6. Shame
7. Jack of Speed
8. Abbie
9. Sharon
10. Negative Girls
11. Tiger
12. Things
13. Cousin

https://i.redd.it/8sulh65lsbx31.png

Aside from Cash Only Island and Wet Side Story from their Art Crimes tour, there were 4 tracks which didn't make the final cut - Someone, Sharon, Tiger, and Things. Things is likely short for Things I Miss The Most. The other 3 tracks were never released, in much the same way The Second Arrangement, Heartbreak Souvenir, I Can't Write Home About You, and other Gaucho outtakes never were, even though they had complete or virtually complete versions of those tracks.

Date: Fri, May 26, 2023, 06:08:22 ET
Posted by: MonkeyH, Toronto

Hoops, to your point in the Digest about SD members doing other things this summer: Our "New York Rocks the Canadian Songbook" show returns to Joe's Pub @ the Public Theater in NYC on July 1. I'll be MD'ing, and participants include La Tanya Hall, Carolyn Leonhart, Michael Leonhart, Jamie Leonhart and Vickie Cave, as well as Allison Miller (Artemis), Pete McCann (Manhattan Transfer), Ben Zwerin (Lionel Loueke), Dan Levine (BS&T), David Mann (Tony Bennett) and about a dozen other major talents. It's gonna be off the hook — always is — and this is our 20th anniversary show. Songs by Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen et al! Link: https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2023/c/canada-day-celebration/?fbclid=IwAR30LYYAvOywTZ2yigABrzSuu8K3hUT4G7-6wrV2djZ9LXIbedyLO_nANSI

Date: Fri, May 26, 2023, 00:13:12 ET
Posted by: Doc Mu,

Hoops - thanks for the reminder. My Yamaha DVD-A player c an also handle SACD.

Can anyone tell me if the SACD mixes are similar to the DVD-A stereo mix? Scheiner (?) did an amazing job mixing the TvN, Gaucho, and Nightly DVD-As. The snare whacks on TvN no longer takes out an ear drum and sound a lot more organic.

Date: Thurs, May 25, 2023, 23:52:32 ET
Posted by: hoops, Chicago

The latest edition of the Dandom Digest for March 6- May 25, 2023 emailed out about an hour ago. You should receive it around midnight ET/NYC Time. ! The latest edition of the Dandom Digest (Vol. 31, No. 2). The previous regular Dandom Digest covered January 1-March 5 ,2023.

As I regularly remind subscribers, some people have problems with delivery of the Dandom Digest, usually because of their spam filters, firewalls, etc. That's why this sort of notice is posted here--so you are aware that you should have received the latest edition. With email filters and spam, what they are today, there can be some issues beyond our control. For example, many work-place email servers reject email that it scans as having a "naughty" word. At any rate, if you don't see it in your in box, let me know by sending an email at jjmckay at me dot com. I've also included. the full contents below for your convenience and BlueBook discussion.

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

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

As the Dandom Digest marks 30 years, thanks to all who contributed to the latest edition of the Dandom Digest, be it through the emailing digest AT dandom DOT com or through posting to our BlueBook guestbook or Facebook page; or tweeting @dandomdotcom.

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

DANDOM DIGEST

MARCH 6--MAY 25, 2023
Yr. 31, No. 2

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

IN THIS DANDOM DIGEST

"A Long Sweet Ride": 30 Years Cruising the Trans-Island Skyway with "Kamakiriad"

UPDATE: Donald's Next One Album? 2023 Tour?
UPDATE: 1972-80 Albums Reissue Project
REDUX: Personal Notes on the Remasters…So Far
REDUX: Fagen, Kaplan & Kassem Talk About the New Versions
REDUX: Grundman & Kassem Talk SD Reissues
REDUX: Analogue Productions' 2vN & EMG
REDUX: Bernie Grundman Talks "Aja" Mastering

Monkey House: Now in Dolby Atmos!
"New" from Catherine's Dad, Luis Russell
Happy Birthday to Roger Rosenberg
REMINDER: Calling All Current SD Orchestra Members & Alums

Thank You For 30 Years of the Dandom Digest

Followed by

PRETZEL LOGIC

-------------------------------------------------------------
PastedGraphic-1.tiff

Subject: "A Long Sweet Ride": 30 Years Cruising the Trans-Island Skyway with "Kamakiriad"
From: Jim McKay
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2023

Thirty years ago, marked the official return of studio recording partnership of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. After several years, Donald's long-awaited "Kamakiriad" solo album, produced by Walter Becker, was officially released.

At last the drought was over, it seemed like an eternity since "The Nightfly," but soon after midnight, on Tuesday, May. 25, 1993, I had my own "Kamakiri" and listened over and over into the wee hours of the dawn.

So many memories, but here's a list of recollections, many of which you will remember yourself:

-- Purchasing tickets to the first official Steely Dan tour in 19 years.
-- Interviews in the likes of "Jazz Times," "Musician," "Billboard," "Jazziz," and so many other publications.
-- CD singles for "Tomorrow's Girls," "Snowbound," and "Trans-Island Skyway," not to mention bonus tracks on CD, like "Big Noise New York," "Confide In Me," "Shanghai Confidential," "Snowbound (Bass and Drums Mix)," "Trans-Island Skyway (Bass and Drums Mix)" and more!
-- The "Tomorrow's Girls" video with Rick Moranis
-- The "Snowbound" video with stop motion and real time footage, produced by Michel Gondry.
-- The Grateful Dead playing the entire "Kamakiriad" album from start-to-finish as their intermission between sets of their June 1993 shows
-- Roger Nichols and the 20 karat gold "Super Bit Mapped" CD edition of "Kamakiriad" which was "like magic."
-- Submit your own memories for publication to JJMcKay at me.com

Here's to that long, sweet ride! May it continue...until we meet at that "Teahouse on Tracks."

-------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: UPDATE: Donald's Next One Album? 2023 Tour?
From: Jim McKay

Fans are always asking if Donald has a new album coming and also when will the Steely Dan Orchestra be touring again.

We haven't heard anything directly from Donald in recent months, but let's not forget his September 30, 2021 interview with Jon Blistein at "Rolling Stone". Donald said that during the pandemic lockdown, he had written enough songs to fill out a new album and had even recorded demos. Saying some of the songs are "personal," he mentioned a track with a working title of "The Stellar Bartender."

In late December 2022, a British tabloid site said he was recording some more...which is plausible. However, tabloid news sites are a bit dubious. Still, we do have the "Rolling Stone" interview with Donald from about 17 months ago.

2023 Tour? "If you see something, say something!" So far there's no word on a 2023 tour by Donald and the band. Will Donald take the year off? Will the band tour again this summer, like clock work? Will Donald work on the aforementioned recording first, and then undertake a tour?

Usually by now, late spring, we've heard something.

Some of the Steely Dan Orchestra players are out touring with other artists or embarking on their own solo tours. For example, Michael Leonhart is touring with Elvis Costello this summer, among other things, promising his amazing take on the trumpet solo originated by Chet Baker on the breathtaking "Ship Building." Catherine Russell has her own summer tour going. Keith Carlock is out with Christopher Cross, one amazing talent complementing another amazing talent and Steely Dan fan. Roger Rosenberg is playing some dates close to his NYC TriState area home. Jon Herington will be out with Madeline Peyroux later in August. Jim Beard probably has some amazing sonic concoction in the works in the studio. Walt Weiskopf has a steady stream of releases and dates (including late August in the US Northeast.) Freddie Washington will be teaching bass at. University of Southern California in the fall.

So back to hopes for 2023 dates for Donald Fagen and the Steely Dan Orchestra? Only Donald's hairdresser knows for sure, but IF there will be any 2023 dates, I SPECULATE, it would be a small set of dates in September or October in the US Northeast, say at NYC's Beacon. And. that is iffy, as far as I am concerned.

What is a more likely POSSIBILITY is a regular tour in 2024, as mentioned about four months ago by Michael Leonhart in an interview with Preston Frazier. My hope/fantasy? Donald finishes that album he talked about a year and half ago, releases it later this year, and then tours to support it in 2024.

But as of the mailing of this edition of the Dandom Digest, there's no word, no substantial rumor. So if you see anything, it would be appreciated if you would email jjmckay@me.com. The info will be passed along to the Greater Dandom. Thank you.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: UPDATE: 1972-80 Albums Reissue Project
From: Jim McKay

WHAT'S NEW: May 25, 2023:

*** Geffen/UMe will release their new single 33-1/3 RPM, 180g black vinyl remastered edition of "Countdown To Ecstasy" tomorrow, Friday, May 26, 2023. Other titles are in the pipeline.

*** The remaining Acoustic Sounds' Quality Record Pressings' double 45 RPM, 200g clear vinyl UHQR albums now have an official calendar of release dates"
- July 28, 2023: "Pretzel Logic"
- September 29, 2023, "Aja"
- December 1, 2023, "Gaucho"
- March 29, 2024, "Katy Lied"
- June 28, 2024, "The Royal Scam"

The official calendar of dates for Acoustic. Sounds' SACD/CD Hybrid counterpart versions, from "Countdown To Ecstasy" to "Gaucho," is still "To be announced..."

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

Previously, back in March and before that in January 2023, the Dandom Digest featured this information:

-- Acoustic Sounds' SACD/CD hybrid disc of "Can't Buy A Thrill" (CBAT) was released the third week of January 2023. The SACD/CD versions of "Two Against Nature" (2vN) and "Everything Must Go" (EMG) came out this past November (2022). I've given the CD audio layers several listens; they do sound great, although I haven't been able to listen to it in SACD. (I have a Toshiba SACD player and Denon 6.1 SACD capable receiver, but there is a software incompatibility I've not been able to resolve.) Note that on 2vN, they left in place the original typos of Jon Herington's name. As Walter said at the time, something to the effect, "Now that Jon works for us, he can afford a couple of extra consonants in his name." I just received the SACD/CD of "Can't Buy A Thrill" a few minutes ago. So far sounds good, but again, no time to carefully compare and study, etc. In all three cases, the artwork largely remains consistent with the original artwork, of course adpated for these formats. Of course there are some exceptions, like a Geffen logo replaces the ABC Record logo because Disney and not Universal owns the rights to that; the original CD for 2vN was a shade of orange and the DVD-A was a shade of green...but the black on this SACD/CD audio is the same as the 2000 German LP version that Warner/Reprise/Giant issued but was not approved by D+W. So little things like that but nothing like a show stoppers as far as I can see so far. My own perspective is shaded by the limitations of my particular audio set up as well as any imperfections in my hearing, My thought is that these are likely to the last reissues of these recordings with Donald and Bernie Grundman* being involved so I'll spring for them. They are nice to look forward to. (*Bernie was limited in his involvememt in 2vN.) Looking forward to hearing from others who have acquired these and how they compare with previous versions. Finally, one random note: Donald's new liner notes written for the 45 RPM vinyl version of CBAT do not appear with this new SACD/CD.

-- Last time, I mentioned some were experiencing an anomaly with UMe/Geffen's single LP 33-1/3 RPM, 180 g black vinyl of "Can't Buy A Thrill." I have since tried my copy with a different stylus and then a different turntable. I still get a slight drop out at the opening note of "Only A Fool Would Say That." Most won't notice, but us picky fans do. Others have had similar experiences.

-- There's no word if and how they plan to incorporate "Here At the Western World" and "FM (No Static At All)" into this project.

The following is from last fall's (2022) Acoustic Sounds' press release for the project. [ Info contained in brackets is inserted by the Dandom Digest ] :

There'e never been a bigger band with fewer audiophile reissues than Steely Dan. That's about to change. Acoustic Sounds, Analogue Productions, Quality Record Pressings, and Bernie Grundman Mastering are bringing these masterpiece titles to the pinnacle of audiophile excellence.

Few bands cared about the quality of their productions than Steely Dan. Each recording session included the very best musicians and recording engineers of the day. Their pursuit of perfection was legendary. Steely Dan has always been an audiophile demo favorite. But collectors were limited, for the most part, to hard-to-find original copies. Now, audiophiles will be able to enjoy the ultimate versions of these already-incredible sounding records.

All albums are meticulously remastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog tapes except for "Aja", which will be mastered from an analog, non-EQ'd, tape copy, and "Gaucho", which will be sourced from a 1980 analog tape copy originally EQ'd by Bob Ludwig. (There's no evidence the original tapes containing the flat mixes of "Aja" and "Gaucho" were delivered to the record label and it's presumed the tapes no longer exist.)

Seven of these classic titles — "Can't Buy a Thrill", "Countdown to Ecstasy", "Pretzel Logic", "Katy Lied", "The Royal Scam", "Aja", and "Gaucho" will be released as double 45 RPM UHQRs, priced at $150 per copy with a limit of three copies per customer.

Additionally, Geffen/UMe is releasing the same seven titles on 33 1/3 RPM, also mastered by Bernie Grundman. Lacquers for UMe's standard 180-gram version will be cut by Alex Abrash at his renowned AA Mastering studio from high-resolution digital files of Grundman's new masters and pressed at Precision. They will be housed in reproductions of the original artwork.

Two of the titles from the Steely Dan/Analogue Productions reissue series – "Everything Must Go" and "Two Against Nature" – have already been released as non-UHQR, 45-RPM editions…[and in November 2022 were finally] …released on Hybrid Stereo SACD. "Two Against Nature" is the only title in this series not mastered by Bernie Grundman. It was recorded to a multi-track analog tape, mixed to 24/96 and mastered and cut by Scott Hull at Masterdisk. [Some additional brief information follows in this edition of the Dandom Digest.]

All of the Analogue Productions records will of course be pressed at the world's finest pressing plant, Quality Record Pressings.

And each of these titles will be available on SACD for $35 per copy.

"This is a lifelong dream," said Acoustic Sounds CEO Chas Kassem. "I really can't think of a bigger band will better titles, both musically and sonically, that has barely been reissued. This is like the audiophile reissue holy grail. We're so excited for our customers to hear these classic records sound better than they ever have before."

-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jim McKay
Subject: REDUX: Personal Notes on the Remasters…So Far
Date: Sat, December 31, 2022

A few of of my notes about what's been released so far:

-- Some acronyms localized to the Greater Dandom:
--"CBAT" is shorthand for "Can't Buy a Thrill".
--"CTE" (or sometimes "321 XTC") is shorthand for "Countdown to Ecstasy."
--"2vN" is shorthand for "Two Against Nature", as first seen at Steely Dan's official website; other fans use "TAN."
--"EMG"? "Everything Must Go".

-- Speaking of acronyms, "UHQR"? Since several people have asked, "UHQR" means "Ultra High Quality Record"--Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions' proprietary manufacturing process. It is all explained here: https://www.qualityrecordpressings.com/index.cfm?go=projects So far about 15 UHQR titles have been announced, including the seven Steely Dan titles.

-- Based on customer comments at Amazon.com, some have been experiencing an anomaly with the Geffen UMe 33-1/3, single LP version of "Can't Buy a Thrill." When the anomaly is experienced, its at the opening second of "Only a Fool Would Say That." For some, it's an outright skip. for others, it's a very slight drop in the opening note. I emphasize that not everyone is experiencing this, some have obtained better results by replacing their turntable's stylus or adjusting the stylus force pressure; some have opted to exchange their copy at the point of sale. The vast majority of reviews. at Amazon.com do mention any problem.

-- I've only heard one report of a defective LP in the Acoustic Sounds release of "Countdown to Ecstasy." Acoustic Sounds quickly expedited a replacement upon proof of destruction (a photo) of the defective disc. They did not send out an entire new package.

-- While it is correct that the first five titles have not been issued on vinyl in decades, other wonderful audiophile versions of "Aja" and "Gaucho" have been released in the past 15 years or so. It will be interesting to compare these with the new versions.

-- Both the 33-1/3 and 45 RPM versions of "Can't Buy a. Thrill" sound fantastic, as far as I am concerned, many times better than my ancient ABC and MCA vinyl from the 1970s and 1980s. Definitely an edge the sound of the 45 RPM version since it basically has a higher sampling rate, if you will, compared to the 33 1/3 version. One annoying feature to the 45 RPM versions: one has to flip the LPs after every other song. So the single LP 33 1/3 edition has that benefit--but of course CDs and high end digital files have the benefit of no flipping--but then that's a point of debate for those who think of think of the two sides of any albun as "Act I" and "Act II."

-- If you have a very modest turntable and sound setup, the 33-1/3 version will likely be an adequate replacement for your 35 year old vinyl. Ditto if your hearing has declined in recent years.

-- The 45 RPM versions include some new liner notes penned by Donald. They are a lot of fun with some new insights with my only wish being that each was longer than something like a page.
-- Purchase the 33-1/3 RPM LP versions from the Steely Dan website store, Amazon.com, or your favorite independent record dealer.

-- Purchase the 45 RPM LP and SACD versions from Acoustic Sounds at https://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=results&artistid=3361&LabelID=507

Some publicity interviews with the key players in this remastering and reissue project follow.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: REDUX: Fagen, Kaplan & Kassem Talk About the New Versions

A Casual Conversation: Donald Fagen, Fred Kaplan and Chad Kassem

Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions CEO Chad Kassem sits down with Fred Kaplan, reviewer for the Tracking Angle and a columnist for Slate, and Steely Dan's Donald Fagen for a casual discussion about master tapes, Contemporary Records, Jelly Roll Morton, Rudy Van Gelder, the upcoming UHQR & SACD series & more.

https://youtu.be/vmrnS6ocCPA

-------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: REDUX: Grundman & Kassem Talk SD Reissues

Bernie Grundman and Chad Kassem discuss the Steely Dan catalogue, reissues, and the master tapes.

Bernie Grundman is the widely acclaimed audio engineer known for his work with Contemporary Records and A&M Studios. For us Steely Dan fans, his work on the "Aja" album is landmark. Roughly a decade ago, he remastered Donald's "The Nighfly" album. Another highlight is his work on Walter's "Circus Money". A few of his various recent high-profile projects have included works by Miles Davis, Prince, the Joni Mitchell Masters project, and now the Steely Dan remasters.

https://youtu.be/ADpxrBJ7M-0

-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jim McKay
Subject: REDUX: Analogue Productions' 2vN & EMG

This past June saw release of high-quality 45 rpm versions of "Two Against Nature" and "Everything Must Go" from Acoustic Sounds' Analougue Productions (AP) in association with Warner/Reprise. A few weeks ago in November, the SACD/CD hybrid counterparts were also released.

I've tested the SACD/CD hybrids of 2vN and EMG in both a Toshiba and a Sony SACD player. They work fine--but of course, one must have the player "reconciled" with an SACD-capable receiver with properly corresponding firmware. Yes, I get lost sometimes with that as well. Moreover, these SACD/CD hybrids also play standard stereo layer sound in my cheap Phillips CD changer, my 22-year-old Sony boombox, and even a 32-year-old Sony Discman!

To order the AP versions of 2vN and EMG, head to: https://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=results&searchtext=steely+dan-------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: REDUX: Bernie Grundman Talks "Aja" Mastering
From: Matt Channen
Date: August 7 at 12:22 PM ·

Here's an interview between Chad Kassem of Acoustic Sounds/Analogue Productions and Bernie Grundman on some of BG's masterings from over the decades. Very interesting conversation. He specifically talks about Aja at about the 9:10 and 14:40 marks as well as the two new live albums.

Bernie was also the mastering engineer behind the Northeast Corridor, The Nightfly Live, as well as the recent Analogue Productions 45RPM of Everything Must Go. Very possible that he'd be the mastering engineer for AP if they end up remastering the remaining titles.

https://youtu.be/-ZurO8d4Jx0

-------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Monkey House: Now in Dolby Atmos!

Be sure to check out the incredible new way to hear Don Breithaupt and Monkey House's latest, "Remember the Audio"-- in Dolby Atmos!!

Whether you have the latest pro system even a lowly five-year-old Apple iPhone with EarPods, not to mention your $10,000 home audio system, Dolby Atmos reveals "New Sounds!" New, special equipment is not necessary!

For more details, check out:

https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/forums/threads/monkey-house-"remember-the-audio"-dolby-atmos-mix-now-available-as-a-lossless-download.33301/

Reminder of some other Monkey House items in the past few months:

Congratulations to Monkey House for their new video for their rack "New York Owes You Nothing", featuring Don Breithaupt and Michael Leonhart, When I first encountered the video, I thought it had already won an award...but we will have to wait a little longer for the inevitable.

Video: New York Owes You Nothing (2023) Monkey House featuring Michael Leonhart and Don Breithaupt
https://youtu.be/s2IshzfauOM

"Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I was just listening to this track in the car, and realizing that I love it and appreciate it more every time I play it. This vid is the icing on the cake"--Nancy Fielding

"This video does wonders in capturing the mood. Michael screams NYC." --Phil Biondi

"Smooth as silk." --Paige Waldron

And if you haven't already, be sure to listen to Monkey House's 2022 best album yet, "Remember The Audio."

A sure bet for any Steely Dan, here's the latest glowing review (of many) from Inside Musicast's Eddy Cabello who features it on his 2022 "Best of" list.

"If you're already a fan of Monkey House and love their music, then this review won't be news to your ears! Because you already know what this Canadian-based band is all about – hooky, vibey, jazzy, sultry, and sophisticated tunes that bleed coolness...On Remember the Audio, Breithaupt brings in reinforcements in the form of some of the greatest studio players in the music scene – guitarist Drew Zingg, singer Lucy Woodward, horn players Michael Leonhart and Randy Brecker and others who add musical frosting to the already-sublime album. Let me say that the collaborations are not cosmetic, they are purposefully injected Breithaupt's already wonderful arrangement, making the album an excellent listening experience for all.

CD ORDER
https://www.amazon.com/Remember-Audio-Monkey-House/dp/B09ZYQ2XYZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BMQQOICM46IV&keywords=monkey+house&qid=1654295488&s=music&sprefix=monkey+house%2Cpopular%2C156&sr=1-1

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/remember-the-audio/1622910747?itsct=music_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&app=itunes

STREAM
https://monkeyhouse.lnk.tt/RTAPR

And don't forget Don Breithaupt's acclaimed 33-1/3 Book, "Aja".

The definitive book...features conversations between Don Breithaupt and Donald Fagen on Steely Dan's landmark album.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0826427839/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_NBJE25YDFYKZR8Q3E3YA

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Subject: "New" from Catherine's Dad, Luis Russell

Dot Time just released music from the vault by Catherine's legendary father, Luis Russell. It's receiving rave reviews. It's "must listen music."

Order "Luis Russell: At the Swing Cat's Ball" at https://www.dottimerecords.com/product/luisrussellattheswingcatsball/

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Subject: Happy Birthday to Roger Rosenberg
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2023

While the Dandom Digest regularly features updates on the various members of the Steely Dan Orchestra (past and present), for whatever reason, Steely Dan's own "Baritone Man," Roger Rosenberg seems to be under-represented in our Dandom Digest. But with Roger's birthday tomrrow, May 26, let's wish Roger a very happy birthday--and many more--with a fine bio of Roger, along with a quick tribute to Roger in YouTube clips provided by Maria and Pixeleen Byrne. Here's to many more, Roger, and thanks for the music and the generous way you go the extra mile for the fans.

Roger Rosenberg Bio, "Hard Bop Modern"
https://jazzbarisax.com/baritone-saxophonists/hard-bopmodern/roger-rosenberg/

"Spring Can Hang You Up The Most,"
https://youtu.be/OuXdBeL7RlU

"Pixeleen," w/Steely Dan
https://youtu.be/-4_Yk4fbKrI

"Then and Now," w/Bob Mintzer Big Band
https://youtu.be/zcPRciYhIwE

"New Frontier," w/Steely Dan Orchestra, Beacon Theatre, NYC
https://youtu.be/0JFOASavLiw

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Subject: REMINDER: Calling All Current SD Orchestra Members & Alums

The Dandom Digest wants to do its part to help get the word out about your latest project, be it a mini-tour, guest appearances, new music release (your own or by others where you appear) workshops, etc.. The Dandom Digest goes to approximately 1,750 hardcore Steely Dan fans. Email JJMcKAY at me.com with your PR or other info when your release is approaching. Thank you!

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Subject: Thank You For 30 Years of the Dandom Digest
From: Jim McKay, aka hoops


Dear Dandom:

March 23, 2023 marked 30 years since the Dandom Digest started as an email listserve and digest in 1993, then based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Widely believed to be the first Internet resource dedicated first and foremost to Steely Dan, the Internet and music itself has evolved that in some ways would have been hard to imagine.

While much has changed in the ensuing years--most notably the passing of Walter--our mutual love for all things Steely Dan and our friendship are stronger than ever.

I'm hoping in the next year or so we can celebrate by having one helluva Danvention/Wing Ding to end them all.

I doubt many of us, self-included, will be here in 30 years, but nevertheless for the ensuing years to come, here's to more great times and great music.

And special thanks to all who have made it possible, especially of course Walter and Donald.

Peace out...love and all that,

Jim McKay
Chicago

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PRETZEL LOGIC*

"Let's get with the program
(Let's talk about the good times)"

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Original portions of this Dandom Digest ©2022, ©2023 James J. McKay. All Rights Reserved.
Other portions copyrighted by the original author and presented under fair use.
"Kamakiriad" Album Artwork ©1993 Reprise Records/Warner Music Group, Inc,
*Lines from "Trans-Island Skyway" lyrics by Donald Fagen, ©1993, Freejunket Music

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Walter Becker
1950 - 2017

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END OF DIGEST

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