I was about 11 when Can't Buy A Thrill was released. My older brother was a big fan and I think he had all their albums, at least up until Aja. I didn't get it at the time - I was into heavier stuff back then like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie, but by mid twenties I had realised my brother was right. I'd say they're probably in my top 10 favourite artists of all time.
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Steely Dan..
- Thread starter bubinga5
- Start date
My favorite Steely Dan trivia: Chevy Chase used to play drums for Fagen and Becker before they formed Steely Dan. Imagine what Steely Dan would've been like if Chase hadn't made comedy his career.
I never thought of Steely Dan as yacht rock. They cop some of the tone but the arrangements are too complicated and the lyrics are way too arch for them to be easy listening. They have more in common with jazz funk than with southern California hippies, Joni Mitchell excepted.
I never thought of Steely Dan as yacht rock. They cop some of the tone but the arrangements are too complicated and the lyrics are way too arch for them to be easy listening. They have more in common with jazz funk than with southern California hippies, Joni Mitchell excepted.
Agreed 100%. There's also the dark lyrical content of steely Dan which to me excludes them from being yacht rock
My favorite track. A very young Jeff Porcaro on the skins.
I share your opinion, and yet I also like a lot of the so-called yacht rock. They are worlds apart in texture to my ear. Just because their music is well-produced, layered, and often moderate in tempo this gets applied to them, but it ain't that.
I will concede that they have songs which have been overplayed on radio that roughly descend into that category- I will not name them because both of the examples I immediately think of are well-loved by some here, yet they are among my least favorites in the SD catalog. There's so much more to absorb there, but it's not for everyone.
Had the good fortune to see them at the Beacon Theatre in New York some years back. They did the entire “Royal Scam” album and then about two hours of hits. Freddie Washington was great on bass. So sad that Walter Becker is gone.
Kid Charlemagne and Dr. Wu are right up there for me. Don't Take Me Alive is an underappreciated gem, too. There are so many great ones, it's hard to choose favorites.
Just to backtrack a bit...
During an old interview with Walter Becker. He said as soon as Chuck Rainey started showing at the studio, he saw no reason to bring his own bass in. Chuck being phenomenal as he is. AND HE IS !!
However, I always thought Walt had own style which I really liked. Hark back to Rikki Don't Lose that Number, Do it Again, Midnite Cruiser, Reeling in the Years to name a few. He just kicks it bass wise.
During an old interview with Walter Becker. He said as soon as Chuck Rainey started showing at the studio, he saw no reason to bring his own bass in. Chuck being phenomenal as he is. AND HE IS !!
However, I always thought Walt had own style which I really liked. Hark back to Rikki Don't Lose that Number, Do it Again, Midnite Cruiser, Reeling in the Years to name a few. He just kicks it bass wise.
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Those guys are awesome - they write meticulously crafted songs, hire the best sidemen and take the time to record and mix perfectly. It’s called art
LOL. If Steely Dan was ever be put in that category, this is how their "boat" would rank....
Two Against Nature is a real gem IMO and never got the notice or accolades it deserved (Okay they did win a Grammy for it), such great tunes like "What a Shame About Me", "Jack of Speed" and "Almost Gothic"
I will add that although I don't attend concerts very often these days, the opportunity to see them during the summer of 2016 was one for which I'm very thankful.
I'm not going to argue with those who don't enjoy their music . . . To each their own, but I figure that when I don't enjoy some artist or genre of music (the Ramones, Punk , and many subcategories of metal come immediately to mind) that it's probably a result of my inability to appreciate it based upon my age, exposure, experience, and/or inherent biases.
I figure that perhaps my musical tastes are too sophisticated for some types of music and not sophisticated enough for others.
That being said, I join the chorus of those who don't classify the Dan as Yacht Rock, though I recognize the tie-in.
I'm not going to argue with those who don't enjoy their music . . . To each their own, but I figure that when I don't enjoy some artist or genre of music (the Ramones, Punk , and many subcategories of metal come immediately to mind) that it's probably a result of my inability to appreciate it based upon my age, exposure, experience, and/or inherent biases.
I figure that perhaps my musical tastes are too sophisticated for some types of music and not sophisticated enough for others.
That being said, I join the chorus of those who don't classify the Dan as Yacht Rock, though I recognize the tie-in.
Book of Liars is a standout. The Alive In America version is gorgeous.
