Roger Nichols: "I was always amazed that Donald and Walter pretty much heard in their heads what it was gonna be like completed" Also Donald and Walter: "There's a synthesizer pad on here somewhere, what was that all about?" "It's sort of a flute simulation, really." "It's marked here as a Celeste, although it doesn't sound the least bit like a Celeste."
They hardly "let it flow." Everything is intelligent and pre-planned they are just so good that they make it super smooth, have great depth, and feel that every note perfectly supports the story of the song.
Donald Fagen has always been one of my favorite keyboard prodigies. Walter Becker along with Steely Dan are amazing musicians. When Peg came out I was in love with a young lady name "Peg". I had a 300watt Marantz Receiver that knocked the floors of my apartment. What great memories Aja brings back.
"to take the song beyond perfection and loosen it up a little" I've never heard a more accurate description of this albums sound. a very insightful doc.
Drink Scotch whiskey all nite long ,and die behind the wheel, they got a name for all the winners of the world, I want a name when I lose, they call our fella the crimson tide, call me deacon blues lyrics like that, 40 years later,still amazing
I suppose they had to knock the session players into shape to sound less polished and more like a band . They did it . Best band ever . Took over from the Beatles
Larry Carlton is a Virtuoso Guitarist , Incredible rhythm player , innovator , He's so humble , terrific spirit , Bless your soul Larry Steely Dan had some of the finest most sophisticated , incredibly produced music in the Rock & Roll era ! Bravo Gentlemen .. 🙋♂️👍😃🏖🎶🏆 Fantastic Producers Roger Nichols, & Gary Katz 🏆
Saw Larry Carlton's band soon after Aja/Peg hit, & his guitar 'quotes' that opening rhythm lick on 1 of his songs, so ill bet that was his idea on Peg.
Everything is intelligent and pre-planned they are just so good that they make it super smooth, have great depth, and feel that every note perfectly supports the story of the song.
but, it doesn't matter when Larry came in; he did come in. Perhaps he was too young or unknown during, say, Do it again - 72ish?, right? But, what you say is correct!
Rusty Kuntz Larry I think always gets a lot of credit. I think that’s what makes him great and why Walter probably felt good about using him quite a bit
8:23 They did not know what it would sound like. They knew what it wouldn't sound like. They knew only when it was wrong. When it was right it was a eureka moment. They were searching. Why else would they have multiple bands? I never know how to explain to a drummer what the right groove is, but I know when it's wrong.
Chicago may have introduced Jazz-Rock fusion but Steely Dan took it into the Stratosphere ! The “Pretzel Logic, Royal Scam, Aja Era” is My Most Favorite Steel Dan Albums !
@@williamwilson6499I loaded a new stereo into Tom Johnston's car in late 1975, when he was a bumbling, ineffective heroin addict, who could barely walk or talk. He had a caretaker at his side, who handled his affairs. It was sad. McDonald was hired so the band could move forward, sans Tom. The Doobies were not ruined, they changed, of their own free will. Who are you to tell them they're wrong to want, & to do that?! That's some serious hubris, & it doesn't look good on anybody! Music & bands evolve, it's the nature of the universe. As a musician i saw & liked the Doobies before AND after McDonald joined. Their sound expanded to new places, made them more interesting! I saw Johnston again a year later, & to his credit, his was completely sober; clear-eyed, steady on his feet.. Thank God for rehab!
Visions of a past world: both the World Trade Towers and Walter Becker still standing. So much has been lost.
Roger Nichols: "I was always amazed that Donald and Walter pretty much heard in their heads what it was gonna be like completed"
Also Donald and Walter:
"There's a synthesizer pad on here somewhere, what was that all about?"
"It's sort of a flute simulation, really."
"It's marked here as a Celeste, although it doesn't sound the least bit like a Celeste."
Some much of today's music sounds like they're trying too hard but these guys just let it flow. I love this music. It never gets old to me.
They hardly "let it flow." Everything is intelligent and pre-planned they are just so good that they make it super smooth, have great depth, and feel that every note perfectly supports the story of the song.
Donald Fagen has always been one of my favorite keyboard prodigies. Walter Becker along with Steely Dan are amazing musicians. When Peg came out I was in love with a young lady name "Peg". I had a 300watt Marantz Receiver that knocked the floors of my apartment. What great memories Aja brings back.
Larry Carlton is just amazing; Guitar perfection... and what an arranger too!
"to take the song beyond perfection and loosen it up a little" I've never heard a more accurate description of this albums sound. a very insightful doc.
I see. Make things tidy before kicking back
“Pheromone for tots” 😂😂😂😂!These guys are hilarious geniuses!
I love Steely Dan! My favorite band of all time. Love Aja. Just a magnificent album.
These guys express it in a way we can all understand. Such timeless music.
“This is when I was singing like Jerry Lewis” priceless!
Drink Scotch whiskey all nite long ,and die behind the wheel, they got a name for all the winners of the world, I want a name when I lose, they call our fella the crimson tide, call me deacon blues lyrics like that, 40 years later,still amazing
call alabama
*Alabama
"They call Alabama the Crimson Tide, so call me Deacon Blues..". Or were you going for a Weird Al line?
These guys were the marriage of art and science. Their music never wears out or gets old.
"Perfectly improvised" ...he nailed it!!
"the goal was to get the perfection then to move beyond that, to then get the looseness of a song"
I suppose they had to knock the session players into shape to sound less polished and more like a band . They did it . Best band ever . Took over from the Beatles
Larry Carlton is a Virtuoso Guitarist ,
Incredible rhythm player , innovator ,
He's so humble , terrific spirit ,
Bless your soul Larry
Steely Dan had some of the finest most
sophisticated , incredibly produced music in the Rock & Roll era !
Bravo Gentlemen ..
🙋♂️👍😃🏖🎶🏆
Fantastic Producers
Roger Nichols, & Gary Katz 🏆
Had the privilege to work with Roger Nichols on a live project back in the early 80’s. What a wonderful man, may he rest in peace.
Musical skyscrapers. Steely Dan: Architects of mood dynamic jazz modes.
Sal Guglielmino Eloquently stated.
Wow, nice turn of phrase. Musical Skyscrapers indeed. Well put. Long live the 'Dan.
Saw Larry Carlton's band soon after Aja/Peg hit, & his guitar 'quotes' that opening rhythm lick on 1 of his songs, so ill bet that was his idea on Peg.
Everything is intelligent and pre-planned they are just so good that they make it super smooth, have great depth, and feel that every note perfectly supports the story of the song.
that Larry Carlton isolated part was so nice
Millions of music fans don't even know this album exists. In my view it should be top 20 on Rolling Stone
magazine's top 100
"it's kind of a pheromone for tots"
I laughed my ass off on that one
Steely Dan owe a lot of credit to Larry Carlton, good to see him interviewed here. Great guitar player & he played on every SD album.
Larry didn't come in until Katy Lied, their 4th album.
but, it doesn't matter when Larry came in; he did come in. Perhaps he was too young or unknown during, say, Do it again - 72ish?, right? But, what you say is correct!
No he hasn't. Though he's played on some of the most awesome shit with SD.
Rusty Kuntz Larry I think always gets a lot of credit. I think that’s what makes him great and why Walter probably felt good about using him quite a bit
Carlton: Major Dude..
You gotta love that beautiful keyboard playing!
that and everything else along with it :-)
Donald and Walter finish each others sentences like an old married couple.
"it's kind of a pheromone for tots" - Donald Fagan.
they did it their own way I love these guys for that
Although, it doesn't sound the least bit like a Celesta. LOL
Would hav liked to have seen pertinent footage of people involved, in place of random scenery shots..
Now that he mentioned Jerry Lewis I could totally hear him singing this jam 😄😄😆
I wonder if Walter and Donald ever got tired of being smartest guys in every freakin room they ever occupied?
I've been in a room with them. They weren't the smartest guys.
then Leonardo davinci and Thomas Edison were also there
@@Frip36& neither were you..
Major dudes right here.
"Any major dude will tell you.." - on 'Can't Buy A Thrill' album?
Still, Steely Dan has the power to make you listen and feel.
Have you ever noticed that Donald Fagen and Jerry Lewis were never seen in the same place at the same time?
ha! Good 1!
8:23 They did not know what it would sound like. They knew what it wouldn't sound like. They knew only when it was wrong. When it was right it was a eureka moment. They were searching. Why else would they have multiple bands? I never know how to explain to a drummer what the right groove is, but I know when it's wrong.
Chicago may have introduced Jazz-Rock fusion but Steely Dan took it into the Stratosphere ! The “Pretzel Logic, Royal Scam, Aja Era” is My Most Favorite Steel Dan Albums !
"..ARE my fav.albums.." English 101.
They're ALL my favorite albuns!
This music wil always be a great inspiration,love it
Larry Carlton !, Chapeau
I can hear Jerry Lewis' voice now.
9:04. Best part of my fave Steely Dan song.
Michael McDonald 👏👏👏👏
Ollie Lord The guy who ruined the Doobie Brothers.
William Wilson that is,in 2020, a strange thing to hold a grudge against. You take care mate
@@williamwilson6499I loaded a new stereo into Tom Johnston's car in late 1975, when he was a bumbling, ineffective heroin addict, who could barely walk or talk. He had a caretaker at his side, who handled his affairs. It was sad.
McDonald was hired so the band could move forward, sans Tom. The Doobies were not ruined, they changed, of their own free will.
Who are you to tell them they're wrong to want, & to do that?!
That's some serious hubris, & it doesn't look good on anybody!
Music & bands evolve, it's the nature of the universe. As a musician i saw & liked the Doobies before AND after McDonald joined. Their sound expanded to new places, made them more interesting!
I saw Johnston again a year later, & to his credit, his was completely sober; clear-eyed, steady on his feet.. Thank God for rehab!
You guy's look like your having fun, that's what it is about.
Simply beautiful
2 geniuses ❤
Been to Maui 2x. 1983 honing moon 2017 to vista s my son working there. I will only go. Back because of Walter I cry every night
i love it all so i know were i was held as a new born baby, ba ba hug
Yes, Let's go with that!!
Love things like this..thanks UA-cam.
Your welcome
sing like Jerry Lewis...yeah, that was a very fertile period for you
RIP Jerry Lewis
@harveydents He is her uncle.
bassmaster1953 I
i never knew that Vavnessa Carlton is Larry Carltons daughter.....Larry is the shite....i met him in 1990 nicest guy ever!
wut?
she isn't according to wiikipedia