Steely Dan. Any fans?

[TheTecknician]

I'm not a huge fan but a latter-day appreciator of their music. I only have one of their albums which is a compilation but it has some good songs. I think of those I've heard, I like 'Peg' and 'Hey Nineteen' the most. 'Deacon Blues' is a good song but it could do with being a little shorter!

Hands in the air, yes I am a fan ! An ex (many moons ago) introduced me to their music and I was hooked. I love the precision and intricacy of their recordings. Esp on vinyl - which is what we had at the time. And the lyrics (looks askance at hey 19) are tricky, quirky and ingenious. Agree with PP that Aja is a tour de force. I was given quite a lot of side eye in the UK at the time - too big for yer boots type of thing - but I think they have stood the test of time. Off to whack it on now ! (Sadly not vinyl)

If I had a wish I would erase hey nineteen from everything, including the world’s memories. Very much a low point, I wonder if DF regrets it 🤔

I didn’t really know them apart from the name but Dh suggested we see the tribute band Reeling in the Dan at Crazy Coqs a year or so ago and they were brilliant. There were only about 6 of them; as I say I wasn’t very aware before, and usually their tribute bands are much bigger in personnel (?) The sound was impressive.

Anyway, I’ve enjoyed listening to the original versions since.

I thought the Sky yacht rock doc was really good, but then I am a fan of all that stuff (again, if it involves Michael!). If you watch right to the end it plays either a transcript or audio (can't quite remember) of the maker asking Donald Fagen if Steely Dan is yacht rock and his response is a resounding F off! I think they would see themselves as 'serious' musicians, and some of the YR genre is pretty cheesy.

My username is very much MMcD-coded :)

@ikeepforgetting what do you think of this (I love it) i will rewatch Yacht Rock at the weekend and listen out for that !

I get you! I have a couple of Dukes of September recordings which pretty much hit all the buttons Steely Dan/Michael McDonald/Yacht Rock style - I mean, Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs in the same band, what's not to like?

I'm not a huge fan of "Hey Nineteen" but I like this version -

@SqueakyFromme I love it too! Great sample.

What's your favourite Michael song, @ikeepforgetting? Have you seen him live?

Checking in, have loved the Dan for over 40 years. Never saw them live which is a huge regret so am really thinking about a tribute act now.

I don’t remember that! That must be what Deidre saw in him.

@ageingdisgracefully I absolutely love What a Fool Believes which along with Chaka Khan Ain't Nobody is my top Spotify every year since Spotify existed! I saw him for the first time with the Doobie Bros last summer and sad to say his voice is not what it was. Like others I wish I had seen him, Steely Dan a long time ago. But that song has seen me though a lot. What about you?

Same age same re parents listening to them. Couldn’t name a tune but song prob recognisable.

this is one I remember Do It Again

Take a look at this video, 'steely dan 70s songs'
https://share.google/MI3xGztCssZJ0znXw

That’s the one I recall being played.

Ah, my parents often had Steely Dan on when I was younger.

When they used to look after my two when they were little, DS1 loved "Back Jack" as he called it 😍

I remember hearing the words back jack but don’t recall song title.

@ikeepforgetting did you listen to Trevor Nelson interviewing Chaka on his show in the week, he was ‘star struck’ she was lovely

Love Steely Dan, in particular Donald Fagan.

Aja is on my Spotify playlist - I have the CD of The Night Fly which is Donald Fagan's solo studio album, he suffered from performance anxiety so didn't enjoy live concerts - which is incredible really, he's so talented!

I love the story behind the name -

The band Steely Dan got their name from a steam-powered strap-on dildo in the controversial 1959 Beat Generation novel Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs. In the book, the device is referred to as "Steely Dan III from Yokohama - Walter Becker and Donald Fagan were aficionados of W S Burroughs.

Also saw him with the Doobies, but in 2024. His voice seemed fine then. We had a really good view of him - kind of from behind. I've watched clips of him since though and his voice doesn't sound so good. Hope he recovers it. He's mid 70s now isn't he? What a titan of pop culture he's been. Regarding his songs, love most of his stuff and What a Fool Believes is pretty iconic but I think my favourite is Sweet Freedom. What a banger!

@ageingdisgracefully i had forgotten sweet freedom it’s a fantastic song you’re right ❤️ he was so handsome when he was younger too, still looks good though and seems a nice person in interviews

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain

Do It Again

I know! Just been listening to it. 70s childhood memories. Along with Santana, pink Floyd and the rest of stepdad’s records.