Deacon Blues Last fall I saw them live. Played all of Aja plus some extra hits at the end. Only two original members but they're the key parts and fuck it was fun Only people there under 40 and everyone loved us
As much as I can't stand Michael MacDonald for more than 15 minutes at a time, F and B really got the most out of his tone. He's more of an instrument than your standard vocal.
I really like Steely Dan, grew up with it. I humbly posit that Traffic is a better band though. Low Spark of High Heeled Boys is amazing.
Major regret that I've never been able to see them live, but I did catch that Fagan/Scaggs/McDonald tour a few years back (fantastic). It was the same kind of crowd and some drunken older lady asked me if I was there with my parents. Black Cow's my answer.
hahaha Holy fuck. My dad kept saying Steely Don, He didn't read closely, It's actually Steely Dan In Grand Rapids. Now with Becker passing who the fuck knows. He's gonna be pissed when he gets my text.
Telling him the concert may not happen may be worse. He got 2nd row seats and two hotel suites in GR. If they don't have that concert he is going to be devastated.
Just saw this. I don't know if he was sick or anything. What a bummer, regardless. Music world lost a really fantastic artist. I'd always just written them off growing up as another shitty "70s" band, whatever that means. Friend in college who was a musician got me to watch a DVD of them in the recording studio during a recording session. Think they were playing Peg when the DVD started. Was just blown away. Dove right into their entire catalogue right after that and quickly became a huge, huge fan. Nobody writes lyrics like those two. Unbelievably insightful, sardonic, smart and biting lyricists that tell great stories. Great musicians to boot. In terms of my top bands of all time, based on longevity to date and bands I still regularly listen to and will never stop listening to regularly, it's the Dead and Steely Dan for me. Only got to see them live one time out in Tahoe around 2004 or 2005. It was an amazing show. To be able to translate what is essentially studio perfection to a live show and not miss a beat, quite a thing to behold. Steely Dan aren't for everyone. It's easy to write them off because of their 2 huge radio hits that get played relentlessly on every classic rock station in America. But they are absolutely worth giving a fair shake because if it is for you, you'll have opened up a treasure trove of 4 decades of amazing music from 2 really, really talented artists. RIP.
I "discovered" Steely Dan around 21 or so, when I started working as a live sound engineer. Every single engineer I worked with (and learned from) brought in a Aja or Gaucho to start setting EQs because there's almost nothing to compare for clarity and precision with a sound that full. You can only spend so much time passively listening to something before you really start digging in to it, and it once I really started listening I was floored by them. Probably the "band" I've listened to most in my life.
I was in a youtube hole a few weeks ago just watching them do different live performances from over the years and came across a fairly recent show. One of the youtube comments was about how Becker looked near death.
Probably Home At Last for me. Countdown to Ecstasy is probably my most listened to Steely Dan album, but Can't Buy A Thrill, Pretzel Logic, and Aja get a lot of play too
More of a Sophie's Choice for me. But, I might be overstating the importance of the decision. maybe. i dunno.
Empty highway on an inky dark night. Driving home, Husk victory still warming the soul, ignoring speed signs. Bright stars in the sky. “...drink your big black cow, and get outta herrrrreeeeee” That’s the good shit.
While taking my 4 year old daughter to school this morning, the following conversation occurs: Daughter: daddy, can you play that jam? Me: what jam? Daughter: the jam you played on the way to aunt ree rees house. Me: you mean Steely Dan!?!?!? Daughter: yup, and turn it way up and let's roll the windows down. So we were blaring black cow with the windows down on a 45 degree morning as we pulled into her school. Possibly my proudest moment as a father thus far. Mods/ Clown Baby please merge Aja thread with official dads thread thanks in advance
Saw them Monday night in Grand Rapids. Two hours, no breaks and no opener. It was an amazing show. Nice but subtle tribute to Becker. I could not have been any happier. And I was proud of the number of people our age (I'm 32) attending.
Agreed. I'm still working on her pop sensibilities, but cultivatiting an appreciation, and dare I dream, a love for steely dan will do her well as she navigates through this topsy turvy world we live in. Next life lesson will be based on the following: Well the danger on the rocks has surely passed Still I remain tied to the mast Could it be I've found my home at last?
My fiancée really connects with her dad through Steely Dan. Her earliest memories were driving around with him late at night with them turned up