Steely Dan

[drwalker]

The new  http://www.steelydan.com/emg.html]Steely Dan  is out now!  It sounds very retro Dan, and that is most cool!  8)


dw

[Paul DAngelo]

Amazing that these guys can turn out good music for decades.  

They seem like a couple of pretty strange guys, it must help them be creative  ;)

[stumpy-p]

They did take about 15 years off, though.

I listen to the Aja/Royal Scam years on the box set (disc 3) a lot. Great stuff!

I saw them about 6 years ago with Ricky Lawson on drums. They were amazing live!

[Paul DAngelo]

They did take about 15 years off, though.

Yeah, you're right about that.  BUT, there aren't too many other performers that can take a 15 year break, then come back with good material.  I'm just amazed at their longevity and the quality of their music.

[Ratamatatt]

Is the price of the CD at the usual 20% "Dan" premium.  They're proud of their work.   ;)  

BTW, Royal Scam was an amazing album.  Still sounds fresh.  Loved the sarcasm of the lyrics and Fagan's vocal tone.  Definitely worth a 20% premium.  And, the guitar  on Green Earings just roolz like Dan man.

[Joe]

I just wanted to mention that even though they took c.15 years off, their 2000 release Two Against Nature sounded very modern and slick, as did Tomorrow's Girls by Fagen back in 1994.

I'm excited, however, that this disc sounds "retro".  

[Drumbo]

It's just my opinion, but I think even "retro" Dan is light-years ahead of the pack!  Donald Fagen's The Nightfly from '82 is an awesome listen.

[Matt Self (Gaddabout)]

I'm still trying to figure out the secret joke behind having Moby introduce them for their Rock and Roll HOF induction. He was mystified, I was mystified, but the Dan duo thought it was funny. Everything's an inside joke to them, which is part of their appeal, of course. Just check out their website.

[drwalker]

I just picked the disc up last night (Bestbuy $11.99) and I have to say this disc was mixed and mastered very well.  There is a very nice emphasis of bass and drums.

Keith Carlock who plays drums on this disc has some killer grooves!  He keeps the funky jazzy type feel that all the Dan records have and plays an absolutely killer groove on the fourth song of the disk called "godwhacker"..   Very Porcaroish feel on the hats.  Keith is not a busy drummer but one of those smooth clean groove/pocket players..  Great pick for a drummer!  

Does anyone have any background on Keith Carlock they might want to share?

Cheers..  

dw

[Paul DAngelo]

I just picked the disc up last night (Bestbuy $11.99) and I have to say this disc was mixed and mastered very well.  There is a very nice emphasis of bass and drums.

Keith Carlock who plays drums on this disc has some killer grooves!  He keeps the funky jazzy type feel that all the Dan records have and plays an absolutely killer groove on the fourth song of the disk called "godwhacker"..   Very Porcaroish feel on the hats.  Keith is not a busy drummer but one of those smooth clean groove/pocket players..  Great pick for a drummer!  

Does anyone have any background on Keith Carlock they might want to share?

Cheers..  

dw

Here's something that showed up on Google:
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,669246,00.html]http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,669246,00.html

[nudrum]

Does anyone have any background on Keith Carlock they might want to share?

The new Modern Drummer has him on the cover!!
He has played with:
Steely Dan (last 2 albums)
Wayne Krantz
Leni Stern
David Johanson
Wolf
Rhett Tyler
Jane Getter


Check it out

[blue-eyed soul man]

i think the subject of steely dan drummers deserves
it's own thread, but

there's some info on carlock at the yamaha site in
the artists section.

from the s.d. website, i read where they recorded/mixed
the drum tracks in analogue instead of digital this
time.

carlock's awfully lucky. (but i'm sure he's worked hard,too).  

getting the nod from becker and fagen puts him in
some great company, as far as drummers they have
used.  to say the least.

[drwalker]

there's some info on carlock at the yamaha site in
the artists section.

carlock's awfully lucky. (but i'm sure he's worked hard,too).  

getting the nod from becker and fagen puts him in
some great company, as far as drummers they have
used.  to say the least.

A Yamaha player..  cool...

I agree.  He has big shoes to fill from past SD drummers..  Carlock has a great sound a groove going on this disc though..

dw

[Christopher]

The new Modern Drummer has him on the cover!!

I read the interview last night.

From the interview, he comes across as a knowledgeable, modest guy.

Most impressive were the comments given by Becker and Fagen. They had very high praise for Keith and his playing.

They must really like him; he's the only one on the record.

As you know, that's a true rarity in Steely Dan land...

[drwalker]

I read the interview last night.

What month is your MD issue?  

[Christopher]

What month is your MD issue?  

August, 2003. I just got it in the mail yesterday.

And much to my wife's dismay. She is now accepting of the fact that she becomes a "widow" for a few hours a month directly after the mailman delivers it.  ;D

[blue-eyed soul man]

i'm a bit behind christopher here as far as picking up
the disc, and reading the m.d. article, but

ONE DRUMMER FOR THE WHOLE ALBUM?? WOW!!

in the past, it wasn't unusual for them to have 4 or 5
different drummers record the tunes. then they would pick and choose who they would want playing on what. jim keltner talked about that on one of the s.d. fan sites.

he said at the time he recorded for the "aja" album,
he wasn't even sure ANYTHING  he recorded would
be used...

can't imagine anybody but purdie playing on "home
at last". his "shuffle" moves that tune right along.
somebody else mentioned that earlier.

i'd like to hear some alternate takes of some of their
stuff, though.  (like the solo on "aja", for instance).
gadd was good, but it would be interesting to hear
what else was recorded. (i'm not puttin down steve
gadd, here. his might be the only solo they recorded.
i don't know).

[victor]

one of the best and tightest groups i ever heard in my life.  there so tight, you can here the sweat drop off the musicians, anybody know who's kicking for em now.

[Joe]

I don't mean to bump, but I suppose that this thread is recent enough.

I got the album on CD about two weeks ago.  Upon further research, I see that they have released a few different versions:  standard CD format (can't tell ya 'how many bits'), a CD/DVD featuring a Taxicab Confession, the album on DVD format in 5.1 Surround, and a limited vinyl release for those die-hard audiophiles.

I like this release better than their last album, for the sole reason that Donald Fagen is singing a bit more enthusiatically.  Keith Carlock is just excellent on the drums, and I'm glad to see that Walter Becker is back on the bass full-time; I do like his playing.

One of the things that perked me up was the increased presence of Carolyn Leonhart, who is featured on background vocals throughout most of the tracks.  I managed to find a few songs on her website, and she sounds simply superb by herself.  Does anyone else like her?

[Joe]

one of the best and tightest groups i ever heard in my life.  there so tight, you can here the sweat drop off the musicians, anybody know who's kicking for em now.

I'll be happy to help when you tell me what 'kicking' means. ;D

[nudrum]

The new Modern Drummer has him on the cover!!
He has played with:
Steely Dan (last 2 albums)
Wayne Krantz
Leni Stern
David Johanson
Wolf
Rhett Tyler
Jane Getter


Check it out

If it is the drummer here's your answer.

[blue-eyed soul man]

carolyn leonhart and cynthia calhoun (who's voices
blend nicely) are all over the TWO AGAINST NATURE
album.   i thought her association with the dan went
back even furthur than that, though.

i thought she was on the KAMAKIRIAD album. (fagen's solo album from '93), but it was katherine
russell that i was thinking of. she's gotten some press lately, too.

i know that leonhart has toured with them. she was
part of the "citizen steely dan" tour back in '94.

just for fun, i went back and listened to "black cow"
from AJA.  (talk about good backing vocals...)
talk about a good sax solo, talk about a great horn
arrangement, talk about...

[drwalker]

Has anyone heard who is going to be the drummer for the upcoming SD tour?  That is if they dont take Keith (which they should!)

Hmm, If I could wish for alternate to Keith for the tour..

1.)   Dave Weckl (But, I dont think Fagen and Becker could  deal with his Chops)
2.)   Vinnie Colaiuta ( I think he is more suited for this gig because he can play anything and make it groove and sound awesome..  And Vinnie has the chops when he needs them!  But Vinnie is on Faith Hills tour so not likely!)
3.)   Steve Gadd  (Havent heard much of him lately.  Probably the most likely choice if they dont take Keith)
4.)   Peter Erskine (I dig Peters drumming what can you say, clean and tastie!  Wow)
5.)   Bernard Purdie(Tell me why not! He walks on water..)

[blue-eyed soul man]

it's gonna be (drum roll please....) keith carlock. (for
both legs of the tour) i think most long-time fans are happy with that. (though i don't speak for everybody,
obviously).

they'll let him stretch it out a little bit , live. (that's one
of the things that makes their live shows so good.on
records, the guys are restrained, with every lick it
seems having been dictated,  but live, they'll loosen
the reigns and give 'em some room.

in the abscence of carlock, hmmm...interesting to
speculate on who might have ended up back there...

on piano(which will be "out front") they'll have
ted baker, who's featured on the new album. (love
those piano licks on "the last mall", the 1st cut).

A-players, man.  ought to be good.

hey, joek, i went to the c.leonhart site, but i think
her links are down. (were you able to get any song
samples in mp3 format?) i don't want to re-install
realaudio.

[Matt Self (Gaddabout)]

I went to buy tickets for Steely Dan tommorow at Konochti Harbor, but they want $130 for extreme angle seats. Whoa! I guess there's more Steely Dan "citizens" than I imagined. The show is more or less sold out.

[Joe]

I went to buy tickets for Steely Dan tommorow at Konochti Harbor, but they want $130 for extreme angle seats. Whoa! I guess there's more Steely Dan "citizens" than I imagined. The show is more or less sold out.

Crap.  It's cheaper to buy the disc and hear the sounds as they intended!

I guess they're having Dean and DeLuca cater the band and the audience at those rates! :D  No doubt the hip lawyers and doctors will be largely in attendance.

[drwalker]

I guess they're having Dean and DeLuca cater the band and the audience at those rates! :

I think they got the high ticket price idea from the Eagles..  Sucks!  this ticket gouging crap really pisses me off!  If they are selling out you can't tell me they deserve it!  I love the dan but I expect to be very close to the front for that money! >:(

dw

[SheldonWhite]

ClearChannel, or one of it's minions, is probably involved.

[blue-eyed soul man]

gentlemen, please stop with this talk of money. the
buddha teaches us that virtue, wisdom, and self-
lessness are the authentic ideals worth seeking. but, your mind must be ready to receive his
teachings. sshhh. speak quietly in order to be heard
over the din...

you're upsetting my peace of mind with talk of these
wordly concerns.

although, at the same time,  have you priced
(designer) jeans and (authentic)  pearls lately? (not
to mention all that snazzy gear at fagens' river sound
studios, and beckers' hyperbolic sound).

[Joe]

gentlemen, please stop with this talk of money. the
buddha teaches us that virtue, wisdom, and self-
lessness are the authentic ideals worth seeking. but, your mind must be ready to receive his
teachings. sshhh. speak quietly in order to be heard
over the din...

you're upsetting my peace of mind with talk of these
wordly concerns.

although, at the same time,  have you priced
(designer) jeans and (authentic)  pearls lately? (not
to mention all that snazzy gear at fagens' river sound
studios, and beckers' hyperbolic sound).

At the risk of being whooshed, may I ask what this means?  Is it a reference to the juxtaposition of the current religious beliefs of Messrs. Becker and Fagen and their taste for prestigious things, i.e. high-priced session musicians, Neumann microphones, etc.?

_{Please be gentle; I've only been a fan for three years, tops.}

[Tony]

Obviously a whole bunch of people are willing to pay those prices.  I won't.  I like Steely Dan a lot, but I wouldn't pay $130 to see them.  I wouldn't pay $130 to see anyone, except a Beatles or Zeppelin reunion, and I mean a full member reunion!

[Joe]

Forget US$130 for extreme angle -- what has yet to be mentioned is the price for front-view seats or the Miss Leonhart-view seats.   :o

[Louis Russell]

Obviously a whole bunch of people are willing to pay those prices.  I won't.  I like Steely Dan a lot, but I wouldn't pay $130 to see them.  I wouldn't pay $130 to see anyone, except a Beatles or Zeppelin reunion, and I mean a full member reunion!

Exactly.  There are too many people paying those prices and complaining.  Quit paying and they will come down.  It is a matter of supply and demand.  I would pay that much to see the Beatles too!

[blue-eyed soul man]

well, at 130.00 bucks, chances are you won't have
to put up with a 20-year-old kid sitting right behind
you screaming tripe into a @$%# cell phone...

that IS steep for a concert ticket, but everyone there
who pays that price
will WANT to be there, and the music will be the main
draw. (it won't be "just another party concert" that
people have on their list for this summer).

if the tickets were cheap, and the kids flooded in, the
concert wouldn't be the same.

they're trying to preserve a certain aesthetic.