Is THIS Steely Dan's GREATEST Guitar Solo?
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2024
- The Best Guitar Players in the World are featured in this incredible and unique band... Here's a look at two great solos by the incomparable Skunk Baxter
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00:00 Jeff Baxter
00:31 Rikki Don't Lose That Number Solo
01:08 What's This
01:25 Rikki's Success
02:01 Solo Breakdown
03:47 Gibson CS-336
04:22 My Old School Solos
05:20 Solo 2
06:22 Solo 3
07:40 more on Jeff
08:26 Dean Parks
08:59 Dean and Tim Change The World
09:45 Rikki Solo Slow
10:58 Thanks For Watching
What sets Steely Dan's lead guitar parts above most is they are very musical and give the songs a memorable quality. Also no matter how many times you've heard them you want to hear it again and again.
I agree. Their songs make me want to go back, Jack, and do it again. I’ll show myself out.
@@markrobison2454 Please...don't lose that number!
@@markrobison2454 hey, you stole my reply 😀
Yes, they are actually chartable. Unlike traditional improvisations.
You can listen to them today, and come tomorrow, you'll want to "go back, Jack, do it again!"
Got to meet The Skunk back in the late seventies, he was doing a series of guitar workshops for Roland, I believe it was, showcasing their guitar triggered synths. This was in Australia, and he was graciously talking to people after the show. He looked at me, and I will remember this till the day I die, and said, "You look like you'd know where to get some smoke, can you hook me up?" After I picked myself up from the floor, I told him that I didn't know of anywhere in the immediate vicinity, but I had some at home. Without hesitation he said, "Let's go!". Took him back home, we all got absolutely baked on some choice buds and some "goldstamp" hash. He ended up crashing there, and I took him to the airport next morning. A down to earth, humble guy, and that's a great memory of the seventies for me.👍🙂
Wow, cool story
Why do you think they call him Skunk? ;-)
@@elephantfootrisers Probably the same reason they called themselves the Doobie Brothers. 😁👍
Wow what a great story I’m so envious of you
Amazing story.
I simply love Tim's joyful personality. His mastery of the instrument is a bonus.
Vice versa...
Totally. Truly a great player, a fantastic teacher, great breakdown of two iconic solos!
It's rare for me to see a youtuber that doesn't get on my nerves. Tim's an exception.
I couldn't agree more.
100% - I’ve done a ton of sessions with him over the last 30 years…… don’t think i have seen him smiling this much or that geeked out !!! Really gr8??
My fav solo of all time: My Old School . The rhythmic interplay with the horns and rhythm section is unreal.
Kid Charlemagne for the win
Show biz Kids. It wasn’t just the solo, it was the whole song.
Jay Graydon s solo was pretty epic
Night by Night too.
The Rikki solo truly is such a masterpiece. He just popped up into another dimension with that one.
Rick Derringer played that solo. Derringer was known for ghosting on many records at the time.
@@hendrixzep1141 How confident are you on this? Everything I've ever seen, including from people who know Baxter personally, say that he did the Rikki solo. I know that Derringer did some Steely Dan parts, notably Chain Lightning. I could believe that he did the Rikki part, but I'd need some evidence. Where'd you get the info?
@@hendrixzep1141 Ridiculous. Show me one verified solo by Rick Derringer that sounds anything like this. Derringer did not have these chops. He was best known for stealing Eddie Van Halen's solos note for note.
That stuff in the 3rd solo is insane. Wack. Most insane pop song playing ever
@@hendrixzep1141 Derringer played lead slide guitar on 1973's "Showbiz Kids," but he didn't play on a single track of 1974's "Pretzel Logic" album. His next contribution was on the song "Chain Lightning" from their 1975 release "Katy Lied." He later auditioned for the solos on the song "Peg," from the 1977 album "Aja," but lost out to the performance of Jay Graydon.
Skunk Baxter is in my humble opinion one of the very best technical guitarists in popular music.He will come up with unique sounds and solos that tend to sound slick,but somehow still has a rock edge.I would put him up there in the top ten of guitarists.
Thanks to Tim, I have discovered your point to be true! I just knew him as the Doobie Brothers guitarist. And not for very long at that either. Jeff is an outstanding guitarist and craftsman!
Another great video, Tim! Skunk is an absolute master. Plus, not only do you get an excellent guitarist in Skunk, but when you hire him you also get a Dept. of Defense cleared "missile defense" designer & consultant (if you're in the market for one). A man of many talents, for sure.
yeah he is not one to just play real fast for the sake of showing how fast he is. he can get fast when he wants but focuses on being melodic.
Top 10?
Sorry… there’s thousands of known players on his level.
Thousands? Probably not, Baxter was an original and unique guitar player in a ground breaking band.
Steely Dan is one of the greatest bands ever. They brought in folks to play on albums because of their skills. It’s why their albums are so iconic.
Pretty much every song is a work of art!
took 2-4 years to do 1 LP
Yes and no. Many other artists have recruited the top session players of their time. I think what sets Steely Dan apart is the writing, that combination of harmonic complexity and melodic hooks that nobody has replicated. The impressionistic, suggestive lyrics are the cherry on top that makes them unrivalled.
What we don’t see, is all the hard work Tim puts into learning these truly amazing solos and overall guitar parts.
All those stringers from SD are so influential...and like you Tim, are gifts to us all...thank you for sharing...🎸☮
My pleasure!
“Before pro tools, there were pros”.
Love that. Thanks Dean.
The Skunk was amazing, as was Dias. It's a joy watching you play Tim.
The “My Old School” might be my favorite guitar solo. Such great licks, the tone of the amp farting out, is awesome, and it’s aggressive and confident. It’s got everything.
And band is supporting that solo so well. On last round drums just lifting it up to next level
My guitar just looked at me and said “why can’t you play like that?” Amazing as usual Tim💯 Thank you!
as someone who's always trying to master the musical gift of guitar i agree.
You'll never master it but it will keep you occupied while you are alive.
@@MA-pe9cl
Oh I don’t let my guitars see or hear this channel. I couldn’t handle their disappointment.
While players like Tim and Skunk get their P-90s to growl when they play them, my guitars growl at me just when I walk by them!
exactly!
As much as I love Aja, I love the early Dan more.
Agreed. As they strived for perfection the music lost some of that organic nature that comes from guys playing together as a unit.
I agree. Aja is probably my second favourite album, topped by Can't buy a thrill.
Tim. I never say this on here but here goes.
You're amazing 👏
Yup.
Katie Lied.
The Rikki solo is an understated masterpiece. Baxter's work on My Old School is from another planet! Thanks for featuring these.
I could not agree more!
Yeah, man - his subtle pinch harmonics, rhythmic pockets, his general lines and feel is just outstanding! He is such a great player, among the very best.
If you only knew how true that is ….
You bet- awesome solo. Skunk is highly talented musician.
Not underrated.....it's very well known and considered one of the great solos
"California, tumbles into the sea..." Then the horns play a phrase to mimic just that. Stunning!
Love the fretboard graphic, Tim! Super useful for learning the riff.
I had a he privilege of meeting mr Baxter at my first NAMM show, I was 18. He was sitting at a small table out in the open floor, talking to his manager. NO ONE was even looking his way. I thought, “surely I’m not the only person here who knows who this guy is!” So I walked up and introduced myself. What a nice guy. Crazy smart too (that could be a video in itself) Still have the autographed picture he gave me.
Ive started to realize that these guitar whizs are also very smart people in general and if they encounter other fields later in life they excel like how Page is an expert in some obscure architectural style, May is an astrophysicist and then Skunk is a missile expert/govt consultant part time.
Crazy smart, for sure. I'm sure you already know this, but Jeff is a self-taught expert in missile defense technology and has worked as a consultant with the DoD.
Steely Dan solos are absolute unique! I love this music. I was 13 years old, when I heard them the first time and was blown away, it changed everything!!
The solos on My Old School have always been my favorite leads ever. They have this frenetic quality, like he's out of control yet in perfect control.
I had the pleasure of seeing Skunk Baxter and Elliot Randall playing at a pub in Sydney Australia in the 90’s with a local rhythm section doing Steeley Dan, Doobie’s stuff etc. Watching the two of them play was phenomenal. Skunks playing is so vibrant and lively. Really thrilling to watch them dig in!!
Thanks Tim for your great work!
That's super interesting. Who was the local rhythm section?
I saw him there too.
@@Onlyone_DavidjreillyMark Kennedy on drums, Doug Williams on bass and lead vocals, Alan Mansfield on keyboards I think… A long time ago!
Excellent
@@tlevans62lucky us!!
Rikki is my favorite Steely Dan guitar solo. It's concise and sophisticated while still retaining a rock sensibility.
One of my fave tunes of all time. I still remember in 1973 (I was in gr. 8) when I first heard this song. Every instrument and their arrangement is killer. A masterpiece. I could listen to Tim play all day.
This is a phenomenal video. Tim executes all these parts so flawlessly and brings so much passion to the whole thing. Blown away by the musicianship, you forget the art in making these videos so engaging - not easy either. Top notch.
I love Steely Dan. They play great music, melodic, great leads, lyrics, and cool music to dance to.
There are just so many amazing stories about Steely Dan and the amazing musicians who played on their songs. It's seemingly endless.
Fascinating study of Skunk Baxter's solos. There's one more that not everyone knows of, it's on Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff".
That lead in My Old School is one of the most creative and expressive guitar solos of their catalogue IMHO. I love the sizzling amp sound as well! Thanks for covering this Tim!
I love these two awesome guitarists, they're my heroes: Tim Pierce and Skunk Baxter! They have in common apart from godlike guitar skills, the ability to teach and inspire others!
Walter Becker's solo on the title track Pretzel Logic is also really, really good.
Thanks for showcasing Dean, Jeff and Denny. Their contributions to the Steely Dan music are incalculable. I love that solo in Rikki!!
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is a monster guitarist, and Tim nails it as usual. Great solos and tones.
I've always considered My Old School to be one of the greatest solos of the rock era. Thank you so much for doing such a good job of explicating - and appreciating - it!
My favorite guitar piece
I concur! When I was a crazy young guy I remember a rock night club that friends and me would visit and close the place down. One band did an amazing rendition of “my old school”. I was so impressed that the next nite after a few beers I made a large poster, “my old school” and we went back to see that band again and I flashed the sign!! Reason is they would stretch the solo and end out so long it was friggin awesome! Me thinks it’s a Top solo along with “my sharona”!
First album from Steely Dan I came across was Pretzel Logic and it blew my brains away. The guitar playing on that album despite the sound and mood they became famous for afterwards, is still a collection of guitar parts very very difficult to reach. I would say some of the best ever composed. Thanks as always Tim!!
Jeff Baxter is a cool dude. He's played some amazing guitar and layed down beautiful tracks. He lately has consulted for the department of defense.
This is iconic no doubt…..but, the opening solo to “Don’t take Me Alive” is pretty darn good too.
Genius level guitar leads! Steely Dan has featured some of the most talented musicians. Brilliant breakdown. Thanks Tim 👍
What is the software/hardware you are using to visualize your fret playing live?
No shit
Thanks Tim. I remember all these songs playing on the radio when I was a little kid. The fretboard you put up while playing was cool.
The solo in Rikki is legendary. And you played it beautifully. Very advanced solo with lots of heart and soul.
Rick Derringer played that solo. Derringer was known for ghosting on many records at the time.
These solos are even more impressive when you illustrate the fretwork that goes into them. Another great explainer!
I am a metal and 80s hair metal but Tim makes me want to do whatever he's doing in his videos. TIM, your a huge influence, thanks for sharing
Pretzel Logic a masterpiece by one of my favorite bands. I can’t imagine those songs without Jeff Baxter ‘s amazing guitar work. Thank you for keeping this iconic music alive. Tim’s presentation nails it. I enrolled in TP’s Masterclass and if your on the fence about joining I can tell you it’s well worth the price of admission. I only wish these classes were available when I was learning guitar. Take it from this these lessons are life changing as I highly recommend them.
Thanks Tim - appreciate the slowed down lead at the end - I might actually tackle this one after all these years. Another fine video from one of my favorite players/teachers!
Love your channel, Tim. Sometimes when you showcase certain players it brings me to tears thinking about how important these tunes have been over the course of a lifetime.
The slowed down fret board display is the most natural and enjoyable way to learn I have ever seen. First time and you have it! Along with your joy, experience and mastery walking us through! Thank you Tim!
The solo in Rikki Don't Lose That Number is my favorite guitar solo ever! Thanks for demonstrating it!
Rick Derringer played that solo. Derringer was known for ghosting on many records at the time.
Dude, I just can't thank you enough for playing your stuff - Skunk vibrato was aspirational.
I would love an album of Tim Pierce and Dean Parks !
These solos (and that brass arrangement)make up a bunch of musical slam-dunks that punctuated my life at the time they were released. They tower above most everything else I heard before or since. Ancient tho I am, I know I am still alive because my pulse quickens when I even think about them. Thanks for a tremendous post.
how have i not seen this channel before!!!!!!!!!!!!! incredibly brilliant!!! thank you !! upvoted and subscribed!!!
Thanks for these breakdown parts Tim. Incredibly useful.
Skunk Baxter has a wonderful interview with the late GREAT Joe Chambers on the Musicians Hall of Fame Channel. Rip sweet Joe 💔
cool .. will look for it...
@@konaken1035 his channel is now overseen by his wonderful daughter Britt and it is a treasure trove full of wonderful musical information. ❤️ thank you for your response
I too had the opportunity to meet Skunk Baxter at the NAMM show a couple of years ago where I proceeded to tell him that solo in “Ricky Don’t Lose that number “ was brilliant and he said to “ you are to kind “ 😂 but Tim, that solo is amazing but you left out the slide he does after that which just kills me . Thank you though amazing work
Such awesome notes! Thank you so much for sharing!
I love watching your amazing abilities and hearing the stories behind these greats. Thanks for making these videos.
I still listen to all the Dan recordings and remain impressed every time I listen. Thanks!
As a kid my ear embraced this solo (Rikki) from the moment I first heard it. The tone is delicious. Skunk's performance is succinct, innovative and still strikes me by how contextual it is. In a matter of moments this solo takes you on a soaring journey then gently lands you back in the tune with it's ringing and perfect ending. To this day when it comes on the radio (or XM), I stop to drink in it's perfection. ...possibly my favorite Classic Rock guitar solo. Thank you Tim.
Thanks. I love how you break down guitarists solos and give a explanation and analysis of the tones and theory behind their songs.
TIM YOU MANIAC .............YOU ARE AWESOME........ GOD HAS TRULY BLESSED YOU
I love Denny Dias. I can’t really think of few that could let it rip like he could WITHOUT BENDING STRINGS! His Do It Again solo is just one of many
I can't believe he faded into obscurity. His part of the Bodhisattva solo totally kicked Skunk Baxter's ass, in my opinion.
Denny played so smooth…effortless
Yep, he never bent strings. I wonder why.
@@da5idnz I looked up Wikipedia and his entry says that in 1970 he put out an ad for a keyboardist and bassist specifying "must have jazz chops." If he comes from a jazz background, it would explain why he doesn't bend strings and why he can think so far ahead when he solos.
His solo on Aja is one for the ages.
Jeff and Denny are still my favorite elements of Steely Dan. Denny had the jazz covered, Skunk had all the rock and roll on tap, both innovators and killer tone. Daddy Don't Live in that New York City, Black Friday, Chain Lightning, Show Biz Kids, Do It Again...just incredible.
Nicely done, Tim! Some of the greatest solo work EVER!. And in that first shot of you playing with Dean Parks, you look like you’re having SO MUCH FUN!!!!
A great teacher not only states the facts, he teaches you to critically think. Well done Sir❤
Steely Dan’s solos and arrangements are all world class - timeless, tasteful and triumphant, each perfect for the tune.
and WOW… that second Skunk Baxter piece reminded me of The Edge - Skunk obviously had a heavy influence and deep presence on other players. And Dean… don’t get me started! 😃
Simply the best in creativity and musical greatness.
Loved this one Tim. Steely Dan! - what a band they were. I bought all their albums, waited patiently all year for the new one. My favorite - The Royal Scam but they are all truly awesome.
How have I not come across this channel before? Great content. I’ll be binge watching I think for awhile. A great mix of playing, history, all told through stories. I love this.
Tim, this is a fantastic and informative video. THANK YOU!
Wonderful Tim, no matter which of the many great Steely Dan guitarists' many great solos you feature you always nail them perfectly. I doubt anyone else could manage that feat.
@tim pierce - thank you so much for posting. As the guitaramptech has said, your joyful attitude at your appreciation of wonderful guitar playing, is contagious and addictive. As an accomplished guitarist yourself, it is great to have you break down these wonderful solos, which have been some of my personal favourites for going on 50 years, in some cases. Thank you again. Best regards from the Giant’s Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland. 😄✌️🎸☘️
Wow! Great Work putting/playing all of that together
Tim! Love how you slowed down the solo at the end showing the fretboard and notes! Brilliant! Keep that going. Helps a lot.
Tim Pierce is a living treasure, thanks for sharing and all that you do for us guitar fans!
The inventiveness, and his technical ability to make those sounds happen, is a real treasure. Thank you, Jeff, Walter, Donald!
Absolutely... couldn't agree with you more, very smooth and funky playing .. love it... glad you decided to highlight the shunks playing... 👍
Always enjoy his masterful insights into great guitarists. I'd love to listen to his playing on long trips, also.
Why SD is still popular today is that it's the sum total of all the parts. Awesome lyrics, inventive rhythms, pure vocals, great bass lines and memorable and tastefully constructed guitar parts. Stems that you remember forever versus a super shredder that leaves you remembering nothing except, 'gee, how did she/he play that fast?'
Skunks solo on the “Boston Rag” off of CTE was what got me hooked on Steely Dan….The finest band in history, personally I don’t think there is another band that comes close. Denny Dias’s guitar work on “My gold teeth 2 “ is yet another memorable solo.
Fantastic video as always Tim. Your ability to nail all these masterpieces is legendary.
Best wishes from the UK.
I've been a fan of Steely Dan from the beginning , and like you , Denny Dias's guitar solo on Your Gold Teeth II is probably my favorite , so damned tasty !!!
Thank you Tim! I was a teenager when those records came out, they're so deep in my cells so as to be part of them -- it is, therefore, a revelation to watch you actually play those notes and demonstrate what went into making what for me is just matchless, wordless art ❤
I love this solo. Has a real sense of joy to it. Thanks for the detailed lesson, I'll have to try it now, those double stop parts always confused me. Good work Tim. Brilliant as always.
Besides your incredible guitar playing, I like the way you "smile" when you're playing leads. Most of us get that serious "frown" that makes us look mad when we're concentrating on a solo!!
If I could play that well I'd smile too.
You reminded me of Steve Howe in Yessongs (I think he was playing "The Clap") - I admire his devotion to music as seen in the intensity of his changing facial expressions....
Thanks Tim. So many great guitar solos for SD. At the moment I'm partial to Larry Carlton's work in 'Don't Take Me Alive'.
agree
Such beautiful music and guitar playing. I've always loved it. Jeff has always been a wonderful guitarest. Also, more beautiful playing. Great Video. Thank You & Best Regards.
What a fantastic video! I adore Skunk's playing and you really nail these crazy interesting licks. Thanks for posting this.
Between Larry Carlton and Skunk Baxter, Steely Dan always managed to have the most talented guitar players and interesting leads on their songs. Thanks so much for profiling Skunk on this video.
Cool breakdown, you are one of the greatest guitar players I've ever heard. Such amazing feel.❤
That has always been one of my favorite guitar solos of all time… That was an amazing analysis… Thanks for the upload.
Listening and watching and enjoying and learning from Guam, Mr. Pierce! Thank you! Rock on!
That is some awesome playing my man!
Thanks so much for the lesson with the graphics. Great job, very smooth playing!
Too many to choose from, but I'd say Larry Carlton's sublime guitar virtuosity on "Third World Man" on the "Gaucho" album is a masterpiece.
Two really different solos ! Baxter's is quite unusual, nervous and surprising. Carlton's is slower, leaving much space for harmonic beauty. I love them both.
Excellent choice!
I love them all dias Baxter Carlton and becker
I read it was a solo from the Aja sessions that Becker and Fagan used, it's in a book on the Dan.
Thank you !! Awesome video!!
Tim, not only did you beautifully explain Steely Dan's iconic guitarists and their work. But you also did an excellent job in connecting dots where had they not happened the era of 70's rock and Jazz fusion may not have ever been! Cheers!
Thanks so much for this. Now, PLEASE do the same for Denny’s brilliant solos!
Rikki don't lose that number is a unique song and was fun to hear in the 70's.
Beautiful piece of music, beautifully played, on lovely guitar. Thanks Tim.
Yes, yes it is. Bless you for doing My Old School. A favorite of mine for forever.
Peg and Don’t Take Me Alive are my favorite solos, but these are pretty rad as well ❤️
Bravo Tim🎸《☆》👍🏾🍺🤳This is a Wonderful relaxing distraction from the Evening News✌😎☯️
So glad you choose him to celabrate. Now on Spotify, I get to hear new visions of his work. Thank you Tim for this, it takes me back to my, well, you know the rest.
Love Steely Dan, so thanks for sharing this with us Tim. You are the man!!