TGIF Rock-n-Roll Oldies: STEELY DAN

Reaganite Republican ^ | May 27, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

"Sue me if I play too long..."

Steely Dan is an American pop band who developed refined and highly-original compositions blending elements of rock, funk, blues, jazz, and R-n-B, among other influences. Executed to perfection by founders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker -along with the finest studio musicians on the planet- there simply never was a band like Steely Dan before, and it's unlikely there ever will be, not like this...

The music that they brought was complex and well orchestrated, with most songs displaying a significant jazz influence. Fagan's unique voice backed by sweet harmonies and irresistible musical hooks made the sound beautiful and timeless, and the cerebral and ironic lyrics were hip, sarcastic, and witty- touching on topics such as international crime, affairs, personal demons, regrets, society, and lost love.

Initially -pre Steely Dan- the two played in a handful of bands together, including Bad Rock Group, featuring comedic actor Chevy Chase on drums (!). They also performed under pseudonyms in Jay and the Americans' backing band, but a real break came when Babara Streisand chose to record the Fagan/Becker-penned "I Mean to Shine" in 1971.  

Interestingly, Donald Fagan initially lacked confidence in his voice and suffered from substantial stage-fright... it took some effort to convince him that he could -and should- sing lead later in the newly-formed band.

Steely Dan also strove to go against the prevailing late 60s/early 70s hippy culture, seeming to think they were above the earthy San Francisco scene- in fact, they despised it. The two had become fast friends at college in upstate NY after Fagan heard Becker playing guitar at a coffee shop he was strolling by, and after some collaboration had a whole other take on what was cool, musically: they then proceeded to go out and create it.

In contrast to hippy icon Janis Joplin falling-down drunk at Woodstock, Fagan and Becker are known for near-obsessive perfectionism in the recording studio, very difficult to work with... they really took their business and art seriously.

The Dan toured for a couple years in the early 1970s, but by 1975 had gone studio-only. After seven albums the pair disbanded in 1981, leaving the music world for a decade. But in the early 90s, the group (surprisingly) resumed playing live concerts: since, they've released two albums of new material, the first of which earned a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. As it stands, Steely Dan has now sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. 

And in my humble opinion, the songs below are nothing short of musical masterpieces- but not unusual for Steely Dan, pretty much the only kind of stuff they ever did, including Fagan's solo album The Nightfly.

Yeah, in case you can't tell: I absolutely adore this band, always have: can't imagine ever getting sick of listening to such towering greatness... what a class act.

Steely Dan: Deacon Blues [video]

Steely Dan: Black Cow [video]

Video/more at Reaganite Republican

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Previous Rock n Roll Oldies features -here-

Steely Dan.com   Allmusic  Wikipedia

[PhilosopherStone1000]

Jeff “Skunk” Baxter - my favorite rock trivia answer!

[Yo-Yo]

Ricky Don't Lose That Number

[Disambiguator]

I own exactly one Steely Dan album - Aja.

[Reaganite Republican]

Yep!

[bagadonutz]

Great band - Fagen’s solo album The Nightfly is one my all time favorites.

Looking forward to seeing them in August when they play in Indy!

[SeeSharp]

You should at least add Can’t But a Thrill.

[moehoward]

Bodhisattva live at the Santa Monica Civic = their finest moment.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Fagen: Florida Room...masterful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-JDwLJhQf4

[Reaganite Republican]

I’m jealous, Moe!

Why you, I oughta... lol

[Lazlo in PA]

Best band ever. One of my favorites that is obscure is “Daddy Don’t Live In That NYC No More”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmOMcUm2JK8

I have seen them more times in concert than even the Dead. They are awesome. Coming the Bethlehem PA this summer live. Can’t wait. Good thread here Reaganite.

[Reaganite Republican]

Thanks Lazlo, tho I’ve only seen ‘em once... agreed on ALL points

[Bullish]

I saw Steely Dan live in 1974 in Long Beach Calif on their Pretzel Logic tour. Never have I heard a band that could play their music so closely to the original studio versions. They were amazing!

[wordsofearnest]

hey nineteen, my old school, reeling in the years, black friday, Peg, midnight cruiser.

There are no bad Steely Dan songs. Takes me back to my college years.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Great band - Fagen’s solo album The Nightfly is one my all time favorites.

One of the best solo albums ever. A favorite of mine as well.

[Reaganite Republican]

Never have I heard a band that could play their music so closely to the original studio versions

---

I was JUST thinking that exact same thing watching these clips I posted, REAL bands can play live- an almost non existent skill from the mediocre rubbish out there today

[jjsheridan5]

The live version of Bodhisattva I heard was, IMHO, the most impressive single display of complex precision I have ever witnessed. It simply blew me away.

[jjsheridan5]

You don’t happen to know of a good live version of Kid Charlemagne (for sale, or for free, doesn’t matter). I am not a fan of the one from their live album (it didn’t have the hard kick of the studio version). I have heard a much better version in person, but obviously have no recording of it.

[blueunicorn6]

“The things that pass for knowledge
I just can’t understand.”

[canuck_conservative]

Josie
Show Biz Kids

great stuff!