For Steely Dan fans: Remembering Walter Becker

[Analogous]

just because we are grateful...

Remembering Walter Becker, Gone On This Day In 2017 | Lone Star 92.5

Take a behind the scenes look at the legendary guitarist making of one of Steely Dan's greatest albums

lonestar925.iheart.com

 

[shyamv]

Absolutely grateful for the music! Between 1972 and 1980, Steely Dan made 7 seminal albums with intricate layerings of rhythm, melodies, chords and words which still resonate with millions of fans all over the world.

My life wouldn't have been the same had I not discovered Steely Dan in my late teens. I distinctly remember that day in the summer of 1992, when a friend of mine played a tape of Aja for me. I took the tape home and though I did not 'Light a candle' while I listened to the album endlessly over the next few days, I was able 'See my future'. (Hope you get the Almost Famous movie reference.)

For the next 3 decades, Steely Dan has been part of my life. The urge to listen to the complex layers and rhythms in their music has been the reason for my interest in HiFi equipment. Aja has been the go-to album for my listening tests for ever. Probably the most well-recorded album ever!

Between 1999-2018, I was fortunate to witness Steely Dan live at 18 concerts, last of which was just a few months after Walter Becker's death. Despite Fagen's valiant efforts, the sound was not just the same without Becker. But their music lives on in the hearts of millions!

 

[Weathered]

Unfortunately for whatever reason I discovered Steely Dan relatively late in my musical journey. The first time I listened to the album Aja, was blown away by the musical virtuosity and recording quality. Truly a masterpiece!

 

[Analogous]

Some trivia masala:

Steely Dan: the origins, the attitude and the signature chord

Fagen and Becker met at Bard College, a number of years prior to the foundation of Steely Dan. Wind the clock back to a 1967 Halloween ...

www.mixdownmag.com.au

 

[Kannan]

SD is an hidden gem of jazz influenced rock. One of my all time favorites....Lets do it again and again

 

[Analogous]

and a few anecdotes that help us understand how they achieved “audiophile“ sound and that unique Steely Dan style...

https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/steely-dan-stories-of-donald-fagen-and-walter-becker.html

 

[shyamv]

The duo were known to be tyrants in the recording studio. There are some videos of Joy Graydon where he talks about his ordeals while recording the 30sec solo from Peg. After 6 other guitarists were rejected, he did a few bits and left the studio not knowing whether his solo would get picked. Joy came to know that his solo was in the album only when he heard the song playing on the radio several months after. Apparently, he had to relearn the solo when the song became popular and says that he cannot still play it exactly the same way he played in the recording studio.

 

[Analogous]

The duo were known to be tyrants in the recording studio. There are some videos of Joy Graydon where he talks about his ordeals while recording the 30sec solo from Peg. After 6 other guitarists were rejected, he did a few bits and left the studio not knowing whether his solo would get picked. Joy came to know that his solo was in the album only when he heard the song playing on the radio several months after. Apparently, he had to relearn the solo when the song became popular and says that he cannot still play it exactly the same way he played in the recording studio.

Musical equivalents of Steve Jobs !!!

 

[shyamv]

Musical equivalents of Steve Jobs !!!

If I could, I would rather work for Becker and Fagen than for Jobs

 

[coaltrain]

Massive Danfan here. Many thanks for this thread; it’s high time we paid our respects to one of the greatest groups ever.
The very first Dan song I heard was ‘Ricki Don’t Lose That Number’. That was 40 years ago! I was totally hooked by the opening piano ostinato, not knowing for many years that it was from Horace Silver’s ‘Song for my Father’.
Today, four decades later, I still find the song mesmerizing. And, I still don’t have a clue what they‘re singing about! I guess their lyrical obfuscation is a major part of their charm.
While I’m also a fan of Fagen and his solo work, there was an extra sprinkling of magic when he and Becker worked together. Downbeat said it best when they reviewed the duo’s debut album: “They’re bound to either take off completely, or become cult heroes. The latter seems more likely.’
Count me in as an official member of the cult!

A deep dive into the Dan lexicon:

The Steely Dan Dictionary

An A to Z glossary of obscure and confusing words taken from the lyrics of Steely Dan songs.

steelydandictionary.com

 

[Analogous]

Massive Danfan here. Many thanks for this thread; it’s high time we paid our respects to one of the greatest groups ever.
The very first Dan song I heard was ‘Ricki Don’t Lose That Number’. That was 40 years ago! I was totally hooked by the opening piano ostinato, not knowing for many years that it was from Horace Silver’s ‘Song for my Father’.
Today, four decades later, I still find the song mesmerizing. And, I still don’t have a clue what they‘re singing about! I guess their lyrical obfuscation is a major part of their charm.
While I’m also a fan of Fagen and his solo work, there was an extra sprinkling of magic when he and Becker worked together. Downbeat said it best when they reviewed the duo’s debut album: “They’re bound to either take off completely, or become cult heroes. The latter seems more likely.’
Count me in as an official member of the cult!

A deep dive into the Dan lexicon:

The Steely Dan Dictionary

An A to Z glossary of obscure and confusing words taken from the lyrics of Steely Dan songs.

steelydandictionary.com

Fantastic Dan dictionary! Thanks for sharing this!
Been listening to their song (on repeat the past half hour) “Negative girl” the word mesmerizing seems totally apt.
Impossible to predict where they are going with the melody, scale or the rhythm in the next moment, even though I have heard it hundreds of times....and that fade out at the end is delicious!!!

 

[shyamv]

Massive Danfan here. Many thanks for this thread; it’s high time we paid our respects to one of the greatest groups ever.
The very first Dan song I heard was ‘Ricki Don’t Lose That Number’. That was 40 years ago! I was totally hooked by the opening piano ostinato, not knowing for many years that it was from Horace Silver’s ‘Song for my Father’.
Today, four decades later, I still find the song mesmerizing. And, I still don’t have a clue what they‘re singing about! I guess their lyrical obfuscation is a major part of their charm.
While I’m also a fan of Fagen and his solo work, there was an extra sprinkling of magic when he and Becker worked together. Downbeat said it best when they reviewed the duo’s debut album: “They’re bound to either take off completely, or become cult heroes. The latter seems more likely.’
Count me in as an official member of the cult!

A deep dive into the Dan lexicon:

The Steely Dan Dictionary

An A to Z glossary of obscure and confusing words taken from the lyrics of Steely Dan songs.

steelydandictionary.com

Yes, lyrical obsfuscation is right! In our younger days, after having imbibed various substances, a group of friends used to analyse Dan's lyrics and come out with various interpretations...Angular Banjoes..Sounds good to me!

 

[coaltrain]

I’ve probably posted this before, but it belongs here in this thread:

 

[Analogous]

I’ve probably posted this before, but it belongs here in this thread:

What a fantastic documentary! Thanks for sharing this

 

[himadri]

Steely Dan is the greatest band ever ,be it jazz, rock, blues etc.
So what if it's only a duo and specialised in studio masterpieces.
Period.

 

[coaltrain]

Awesome Sunday afternoon here in B’lore with steady rain and a temperature of 22 degrees. Just the right weather for some Dan.
And do check out these liner notes from ‘AIive in America’. They don’t make bands like this anymore

 

[Analogous]

One of a kind, for certain and great for a rainy afternoon...
and then there are these guys too:
The Doobie Brothers
Sampler:

 

[Nikhil]

just because we are grateful...

Remembering Walter Becker, Gone On This Day In 2017 | Lone Star 92.5

Take a behind the scenes look at the legendary guitarist making of one of Steely Dan's greatest albums

lonestar925.iheart.com

What a great thread!
Thanks for starting this discussion ...



.

 

[kartick]

Steely Dan is Jazz for me!! Brilliance beyond words. Here is a ‘dantastic’ interview!! Enjoy watching it...

 

[shyamv]

Here's a brilliant interview with the guy behind 'Good Steely Dan Takes' twitter account that delves into their Dan brand of humor, some very funny Dan memes, David Crosby's love for their music and Steely Dan renaissance that is currently underway which is particularly reassuring in these dark and dull times!

'Good Steely Dan Takes': A Chat With the Man Behind the Funniest Rock Fan Account on Twitter

How did one Twitter account become the internet's unofficial home for Steely Dan humor? The creator of Good Steely Dan Takes weighs in.

www.rollingstone.com

Fitzcarraldo and Caves of Altamira reference is particularly funny!