The thing I've always loved about Steely Dan, besides their artistry, is the way their records and concerts bring people of all stripes together. We need that now more than ever. RIP Walter. Play on Donald!
Steely Dan was that group that I couldn't stand as a teenager growing up, but absolutely embraced them as I got into my 40s and 50s. I wish I could explain why but it'll always be a mystery to me.
I totally agree. I can't call it an acquired taste, it's more subtle. Becker and Fagen broke a lot of the rules on harmonizing and blending music but they made it beautiful.
Drinking cheap liquor & listening to my friend’s big brother’s steely Dan vinyl in the early’80’s changed me for the good !! Unbelievable music & Walter Becker never gets talked about as one of the best guitarist’s ever 💙
Donald Fagan and Walter Becker were among the greatest musical collaborators of the 20th century (and beyond). They remained lifelong friends and were well adept at finishing each other's sentences.
Wow. You know, there's a reason that Fagan and Becker became friends Fagan was blown away by Becker's guitar chops. But there aren't many recordings where Becker's genius abilities are clearly showcased. He's always in the background. This recording is an exception. If you're a Dan Fan and have wondered what Becker can really do, well here you go.
RIP Walter, Donald thank you for keeping on keeping on. For only a certain small snapshot of this world did we have you, pushing the edge, being just so about things..sadly lost on generations that have come since. Thank you
I had always thought it was Donald. The longer he is gone, the more I realize how much Walter defined Steely Dan. Miss you, Walter. Thanks for the torture you went through to give us such great art. Donald's pretty good too.
I agree with Steely Dan...but I think Billy Joel tops them. I’ve always said something for example like “If the typical song has 250 words in it, Billy has 1,000.” (Without literally counting the actual number of words, of course.)
@@CPR12345 The key to The Dan was their cryptic lyrics. That’s the whole point, less is more. Follow that with layers upon layers of jazz, rock, fusion and everything else. I don’t think Billy is in the same league.
Saw them live at Red Rocks in the pouring rain before Walter died. He was front and center and brilliant and funny as hell. So glad I got to see them together.
@@edwardsholar9730 Yup. Listened to them for many years as well as Emerson Lake and Palmer. Pink Floyd, Marshal Tucker, The Allman Brothers, Moody Blues, Pat Metheny, Stevey Ray, CCR, Deep Purple, Grand Funk, America, Country Joe and The Fish, Jeff Beck, Lyle Mays; a kick ass Pianist. Chicago, BTO, The Blues Parsons Project. Vanilla Fudge, Earth Wind and Fire, Keb Mo, Fleetwood, Lynard Skinard, (spellin may be wrong there). Steve Vai, The PREtenders!!!! Yes Edward... I did and do enjoy my world of rock music to this day. :>) And so does my kid!!
@@tedhernandez2394 Also, if you want a little chuckle, I wrote, "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." You can find it on the first "Do it Again" video on UA-cam.
@@edwardsholar9730 Thanks! I'll check it out...That list that I pumped out? Well my musical list (s) are endless. Thank the big man for giving me ears and a brain to understand and enjoy the great talent that's out there. Be well my friend.
Holy shit, Paul Shaffer and the "World's Most Dangerous Band" from Letterman are the "B-Lineup" on stage! Now THAT is some serious firepower right there just backing up SD just wow!
I kept looking at the bassist, then I saw your comment and was like "Wait? Will Lee!! wait, is that his name? " I SOOO remember all of these musicians from the Letterman show. I dunno why Letterman gave Shaffer so much shit, but this right here says it all! Way to go, Paul and The World's Most Dangerous Band! Playing with Steely Dan? you gotta KNOW you are top-notch! Long Live Fagen & Becker - the greatest!
Damn Becker sure had soul and Fagen has some fangs for sure. No wonder they gave all the girls the shivers in the right places on a full moon Saturday night. Thank you fella's for the gift of your music.
Hey Becker haters He played the original solo on the recording of this tune on the Katy Lied album He can be a very effective and underestimated lead guitar player
Absolutely a true genius. And sometimes he didn't play the solos on some songs. Doesn't mean he couldn't. He just liked to work everything out and then watch it done remotely by a session master. He was one of a kind. RIP Walter.
It's funny to me that a lot of people thought Walter was the bass player because on so many live performances he deferred the lead. Steeley Dan always had good lead, but the best was always Becker; it was always his compositions and this little video is a testament to how good he was. RIP Walter.
early on, he was their bassist - through a few albums, anyway - only when Skunk Baxter left for the Doobie Bros. did Walter really take over lead guitar
@@Snarkapotamus Larry Carlton is a phenomenal player as are the other session guitarists used by Steely Dan. Could Walter have done it himself - yes. Would it have been as good? Walter himself clearly didn't think so but we will never know.
The entire David Letterman Band accompanying Steely Dan. Steely Dan thanks for all the attention to the small details over the years to your music. You've inspired me as a composer since I was a kid !!!
Thanks for all the great songs and spending Sunday on the dock of the bay listening to you all. Rest In Peace Walter Becker, thank YOU, say hello to BB King for me
I will always link those 2 songs together. Anytime I heard one of them on it's own I had to dig out album/CD/cassette to hear the other... kinda like getting one of those Big Mac cravings.
Rip Mr. Becker, although i never knew your name, you helped inspire the love of music in a 12yo so many years ago and in turn, inspire his son, and he , his niece live a live full of music, dance, love and laughter.
This was the year I saw the band live. Merriweather Post Pavilion. What a spectacular show. The third backup singer who is my favorite is missing in this performance.
How cool is it that Chevy Chase while in college played drums for a band called the Leather Canary two of his band mates were Donald Fagen and Walter Becker! So I guess you could say Chase was in a early version of Steely Dan 😎
Steely Dan, my favorite group since I was a child absorbing every genre, style and quality of music. They epitomized musical perfection and imagination. I don't believe Donald Fagen will continue the band without Walter but who knows. Jon Herrington has been leading on guitar for a couple of decades. I can guarantee that Donald will continue solo work though. He's too creative not to... R.I.P. Walter
My best friend has worked in the music industry his entire life. Toured with the Greatful Dead seen thousands of concerts. He said by far, the BEST concert he has ever seen is Steely Dan. RIP Walter
BLACK FRIDAY 2018 !! Steely Dan will always remain one of the best music collaborations of all time. Top Notch Production, Catchy, Groovy, Funky, Rockin, Cerebral, Silly, they had it all. I love how it was always about collaborating with the best of the best and made every note count.
Virtuoso performance - Becker and Fagen - can do live what others cannot do in the studio in a lifetime of trying. Notice how the back up is just grooooving on the riffs. Who could fail to notice? Looks like people in the front row are talking during this amazing performance. Must be the producers and studio heads - cannot appreciate what is right in front of them - thank you for posting...
I discovered The Dan back in ‘85, haven’t gotten bored yet. They got me looking into the roots of jazz, now I love all the old players up to about the mid 1960s
Accompanying Steely Dan is The CBS Orchestra, the house band, led by Paul Shaffer, that plays for David Letterman's CBS late-night talk show, Late Show with David Letterman
***** FWIW, from Wikipedia: Quote: Chase did not enter medical school; instead he played drums for a time with the college band The Leather Canary, headed by school friends Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. At the time, Chase called the group "a bad jazz band", but Becker and Fagen went on to success after they changed their band's name to Steely Dan. This is also supported by the FAQ at steelydan.com
The complexity and uniqueness of their sound make Steely Dan one of the greatest bands of all times. Period.
The thing I've always loved about Steely Dan, besides their artistry, is the way their records and concerts bring people of all stripes together. We need that now more than ever. RIP Walter. Play on Donald!
Solidarity!
A very good and salient point. It’s so good to have this kind of connection across the ppl chasm.
Great musicians. Great music. Legendary. Cringy comment.
Puke
9
Steely Dan was that group that I couldn't stand as a teenager growing up, but absolutely embraced them as I got into my 40s and 50s. I wish I could explain why but it'll always be a mystery to me.
This comment makes so much sense to me
I totally agree. I can't call it an acquired taste, it's more subtle. Becker and Fagen broke a lot of the rules on harmonizing and blending music but they made it beautiful.
Even though I am a diehard metal head, I have loved Steely Dan since I first heard “FM” on the radio as a kid.
Same
I was the same with U2. For some reason I blocked them out and then about 1990 I started appreciating them more and more.
Drinking cheap liquor & listening to my friend’s big brother’s steely Dan vinyl in the early’80’s changed me for the good !! Unbelievable music & Walter Becker never gets talked about as one of the best guitarist’s ever 💙
either does Denny Dias or Skunk Baxter, truly amazing guitarists.
You do not just listen to Steely Dan ….. You experience them and become better .
It don't get no better than Steely Dan.
still my favorite group of all time!
I agree love these guy's you have to know this group to know excellent music those who don't show their ignorance
Me too!
Friggin awesome !!!!!!!
Most definitely!
@@shirleyorsak5656 there's nothing ignorant about not liking something - but they're the best for me too :-)
you crossed a diamond with a pearl and turned it on the music world. thank you
And everyone down the hall knows who you are... :('
Yes, I love "Kid Charlemagne"! It5 was sort of about Owsley, who is the cousin of an ex-girlfriend of mine.
So true, so true . . . and I was lucky enough to be there, right beside the ‘Bear’ !
The late Walter Becker, just a-bobbin’ and a-soloin’. Bloody great!
He was a lyrical and musical genius. Are you a lifelong Steely Dan fan?
@@edwardsholar9730 Oh, yea!!
Becker died??😳. Had no idea
...yeah. Walter knew, they ALL knew what an important gig this was and played their asses off to show you. The Great great Steely Dan.
Walter Becker putting on a clinic with all those jazzy blues licks. RIP
It's probably why it was hard to get a gig with them as a guitarist. :-)
He was good wasn't he !!
The man was a guitar fanatic!
Hard to believe, but Walter was even a sweeter guy than he was a brilliant guitarist
Amen brother. If Clapton played jazz, he could do no better.
Donald Fagan and Walter Becker were among the greatest musical collaborators of the 20th century (and beyond). They remained lifelong friends and were well adept at finishing each other's sentences.
Wow. You know, there's a reason that Fagan and Becker became friends Fagan was blown away by Becker's guitar chops. But there aren't many recordings where Becker's genius abilities are clearly showcased. He's always in the background. This recording is an exception. If you're a Dan Fan and have wondered what Becker can really do, well here you go.
Jeff Baxter was the best original guitar player, just my humble opinion though.
@Madeintheusa211 Agreed. Although I wasn't comparing.
No mistaking that Steely Dan hallmark voice. Fucken legend!!
the most nasal singer ever..all thru the beak!
Fagen's voice is the sound of the group.
baliscotsurf
It's all in the schnoz...
RIP Walter, Donald thank you for keeping on keeping on. For only a certain small snapshot of this world did we have you, pushing the edge, being just so about things..sadly lost on generations that have come since. Thank you
best band ever
How could you not love this? They have thrilled me since ‘Can’t buy a thrill’ and I don’t think I will EVER tire of the peerless Steely Dan 🙌
I had always thought it was Donald. The longer he is gone, the more I realize how much Walter defined Steely Dan. Miss you, Walter. Thanks for the torture you went through to give us such great art. Donald's pretty good too.
The musicians "MUSICIANS"...best way to describe these guys ! 👏👏❤
Yes yes yes! They were great, unique and very creative. I could listen to them all day!
the show biz kids are outrageous. this performance is stellar.
Steely Dan is a soul band. God bless you Walter Becker. Thanks for the music.
their songs were always so much intelligent/cerebral than almost every other artist's
You just gotta love Steely Dan. Love what they bring to the table.
I agree with Steely Dan...but I think Billy Joel tops them. I’ve always said something for example like “If the typical song has 250 words in it, Billy has 1,000.” (Without literally counting the actual number of words, of course.)
@@CPR12345 The key to The Dan was their cryptic lyrics. That’s the whole point, less is more. Follow that with layers upon layers of jazz, rock, fusion and everything else. I don’t think Billy is in the same league.
@@davidstreet842 ok fair enough. Different “leagues”, but both are at the top of their respect league imho.
@@davidstreet842 ...they are not in the same league. When you actually know this, you’re in the league that knows the difference. A good place to be.
Saw them live at Red Rocks in the pouring rain before Walter died. He was front and center and brilliant and funny as hell. So glad I got to see them together.
Red Rocks is an awesome place! You lucky dog!
Walter smoking on those fills and lead. R.I.P. Thank you for your music
This band is so important to rock and roll. The live experience is incredible.
Here it is November 7th 2019. I just turned this on. Steely Dan still rocks in my world. Like some say? I'm old......Yeh I know...but I still rock!!
I went to see them in Boston and in Connecticut a few weeks ago. Those were two great shows! Are you a lifelong Steely Dan fan?
@@edwardsholar9730 Yup. Listened to them for many years as well as Emerson Lake and Palmer. Pink Floyd, Marshal Tucker, The Allman Brothers, Moody Blues, Pat Metheny, Stevey Ray, CCR, Deep Purple, Grand Funk, America, Country Joe and The Fish, Jeff Beck, Lyle Mays; a kick ass Pianist. Chicago, BTO, The Blues Parsons Project. Vanilla Fudge, Earth Wind and Fire, Keb Mo, Fleetwood, Lynard Skinard, (spellin may be wrong there). Steve Vai, The PREtenders!!!! Yes Edward... I did and do enjoy my world of rock music to this day. :>)
And so does my kid!!
@@tedhernandez2394
Also, if you want a little chuckle, I wrote, "A Steely Dan Bedtime Story." You can find it on the first "Do it Again" video on UA-cam.
@@edwardsholar9730 Thanks! I'll check it out...That list that I pumped out? Well my musical list (s) are endless. Thank the big man for giving me ears and a brain to understand and enjoy the great talent that's out there. Be well my friend.
Seen Steely Dan in Mount Pleasant Michigan last year.. great show.
I love how you can see all of the band members feeling the groove
What an honor it must've been for the audience....
Can you imagine being in the audience? RIP Walter
I was and it was .
Holy shit, Paul Shaffer and the "World's Most Dangerous Band" from Letterman are the "B-Lineup" on stage! Now THAT is some serious firepower right there just backing up SD just wow!
I kept looking at the bassist, then I saw your comment and was like "Wait? Will Lee!! wait, is that his name? " I SOOO remember all of these musicians from the Letterman show. I dunno why Letterman gave Shaffer so much shit, but this right here says it all! Way to go, Paul and The World's Most Dangerous Band! Playing with Steely Dan? you gotta KNOW you are top-notch! Long Live Fagen & Becker - the greatest!
Damn Becker sure had soul and Fagen has some fangs for sure. No wonder they gave all the girls the shivers in the right places on a full moon Saturday night. Thank you fella's for the gift of your music.
strike all the big red words from my little black book. One of my favorite lyrics of all time
Thank you, Walter. For everything. Rest in peace.
Have loved the music of Steely Dan for at least 30 years and it never gets old!
I LOVE STEELY DAN'S MUSIC!
Hey Becker haters He played the original solo on the recording of this tune on the Katy Lied album He can be a very effective and underestimated lead guitar player
Absolutely a true genius. And sometimes he didn't play the solos on some songs. Doesn't mean he couldn't. He just liked to work everything out and then watch it done remotely by a session master. He was one of a kind. RIP Walter.
Always loved and appreciated Walter - he was the ying to Don's yang, or was it vice versa?
never hated
Nobody hated him as far as I know.
there are becker haters?
It's funny to me that a lot of people thought Walter was the bass player because on so many live performances he deferred the lead. Steeley Dan always had good lead, but the best was always Becker; it was always his compositions and this little video is a testament to how good he was. RIP Walter.
early on, he was their bassist - through a few albums, anyway - only when Skunk Baxter left for the Doobie Bros. did Walter really take over lead guitar
Nothing against Walter, but I always thought Denny Dias early on and Larry Carlton later were more interesting...
@@Snarkapotamus So did Walter!
@@Snarkapotamus Larry Carlton is a phenomenal player as are the other session guitarists used by Steely Dan. Could Walter have done it himself - yes. Would it have been as good? Walter himself clearly didn't think so but we will never know.
@@Snarkapotamus Yep, +2 on Larry.
These guys were the professional professionals!!!
The Machine That Makes The Machine!!! - EM
I love watching Becker!! Wow...just wow!
The entire David Letterman Band accompanying Steely Dan. Steely Dan thanks for all the attention to the small details over the years to your music. You've inspired me as a composer since I was a kid !!!
ExclusiveLM A
Yes. Their music made a big impression on me since JR High school
I thought I saw Will Lee!
Whose on drums?
@@sealevelbear Anton Figg
Thanks for all the great songs and spending Sunday on the dock of the bay listening to you all.
Rest In Peace Walter Becker, thank YOU, say hello to BB King for me
"Yes I'm going insane; and I"m laughing at the frozen rain."
Thanks for all the great music, and we'll catch you on the flip-side, Walter.
I will always link those 2 songs together. Anytime I heard one of them on it's own I had to dig out album/CD/cassette to hear the other... kinda like getting one of those Big Mac cravings.
Rip Mr. Becker, although i never knew your name, you helped inspire the love of music in a 12yo so many years ago and in turn, inspire his son, and he , his niece live a live full of music, dance, love and laughter.
Best Band Ever
Rest in Peace Walter Becker !
Hated to hear of his death
Cancer in his esophagus.
@@SUGAR_XYLER me too
Steely Dan live intros will never be the same without him 😥
I think Mr. Becker has earned the right to rest any way he damn well pleases.
This was the year I saw the band live. Merriweather Post Pavilion. What a spectacular show. The third backup singer who is my favorite is missing in this performance.
My favorite band. Bar none.
Ambrose Alarm myself as well. Been a fan since the early days.
How cool is it that Chevy Chase while in college played drums for a band called the Leather Canary two of his band mates were Donald Fagen and Walter Becker! So I guess you could say Chase was in a early version of Steely Dan 😎
Love these guys and Chicago. Now that is music!
These guys are great.
Archbishops going to sanctify me....There never ever will be another Steely Dan...perfection.
The best duo of all time.
We think alike. Are you a lifelong Steely Dan fan?
That accolade belongs to the corny pop duo = Hall & Oates!
Steely Dan, my favorite group since I was a child absorbing every genre, style and quality of music. They epitomized musical perfection and imagination. I don't believe Donald Fagen will continue the band without Walter but who knows. Jon Herrington has been leading on guitar for a couple of decades. I can guarantee that Donald will continue solo work though. He's too creative not to... R.I.P. Walter
Hi Greg
Love them so very much.
Just saw them live @ Soring Eagle Casion. Best band I have ever seen live 👍
My best friend has worked in the music industry his entire life. Toured with the Greatful Dead seen thousands of concerts. He said by far, the BEST concert he has ever seen is Steely Dan. RIP Walter
I seen them there as well.
What a groove. Never repeated to unique,
Smooth cool.
Top notch musicians. Well deserved. NT
The gold standard in rock music.
BLACK FRIDAY 2018 !! Steely Dan will always remain one of the best music collaborations of all time. Top Notch Production, Catchy, Groovy, Funky, Rockin, Cerebral, Silly, they had it all. I love how it was always about collaborating with the best of the best and made every note count.
Virtuoso performance - Becker and Fagen - can do live what others cannot do in the studio in a lifetime of trying. Notice how the back up is just grooooving on the riffs. Who could fail to notice? Looks like people in the front row are talking during this amazing performance. Must be the producers and studio heads - cannot appreciate what is right in front of them - thank you for posting...
the lil Walter Becker signature head bobbles
RIP WB & many,, many thx 4 all u have left us to enjoy until 4ever!
Heard them for the first time when I was 16 in 1986.......Have never stopped listening since!!!!
I discovered The Dan back in ‘85, haven’t gotten bored yet. They got me looking into the roots of jazz, now I love all the old players up to about the mid 1960s
Steelydan..walter Becker(RIP ) and Donald Fagen..great Band....
Never really appreciated Steely Dan way back when...but WOW NOW!!! MISSED A LOT!!
I first heard them on the radio in October of 1972 when "Can't Buy a Thrill came out. Are you a lifelong Steely Dan fan?
It's never too late to start the journey. 😉
This is excellent! He certainly picks his crew well!!!
God Bless, Mr. Beckham...Soooo many great memories.
RIP Walter Becker! You were an awesome 1/2 of Steely Dan!
Thank you for all your music.
RIP Walter Becker
abSOULootly BRILLIANT !!
Phenomenal musicianship and talent
Great group, great writing! Love Steely Dan
Exceptional musicians and writers. We need more music like this today!
Awesome music, I grew up listening to this music, a lot of great memories
real music By Legends God I miss the old days
REAL CLASS ACT TO ME"":!
It’s so much their own avant blues-jazz-rock lane! 🙌🏾🎸🎹🥁🎷🎼🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 They soundtracked my whole era 🌎💜💯🤓
Love This music 🎧
They took me home ....musical genius at its best !!!💜💜💜👏👏👏
genius band what else needs to be said
Exactly!
Really GREAT musician's!!! Legends!!!
great music, hall of fame talent for 45 years
More than music. This is a production.
Love Walter Becker. So cool.
Will Lee carries this so well...brilliant bassist, I am a huge fan...great cover!!
Fretless99 Cover? ?
I noticed this as well ... good on ya Will Lee! Paul S. was always smart enough to surround himself with great musicians ... he himself no slouch.
Fretless99 Will plays on Donald’s “Walk Between the Raindrops” as well.
I love this band so much
Becker just makes that GUITAR SING !
No big deal.
@@CrankCase08 put it out there bud so we can all see its no big deal
Great music never dies. I'm sorry I never got to see them live together. But we have these great videos to watch.
This is with David Lettermans band, with Paul Schaeffer, Will Lee etc. Cool.
Thanks. I thought I recognized Will Lee
I didn't think it worked too well w the NBC orchestra. Walt saved a dismal moment w MASTERY on those links wowwww SOOO blessed I saw him live.
Thanks Seth! I had to take a closer look, but you’re absolutely correct! Great Band as well.
My favorite band of all time...Simply the best...
I have been listening to them since 1970, dates me, but hey I got to see and hear some great stuff. The Dan rule.
Becker is in perfect form! Miss him!
Me, too.
They were just so cool. Nobody could touch them.
Walter Becker had great feel.
Seeing them next month in Manchester UK and SO EXCITED ❤️
Love The Dan. RIP Walter x
My skateboarding days I loved their music
BADD BOYZ THERE!!
This breaks my heart:
R.I.P. Walter 😢😭
Accompanying Steely Dan is The CBS Orchestra, the house band, led by Paul Shaffer, that plays for David Letterman's CBS late-night talk show, Late Show with David Letterman
***** FWIW, from Wikipedia:
Quote:
Chase did not enter medical school; instead he played drums for a time with the college band The Leather Canary, headed by school friends Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. At the time, Chase called the group "a bad jazz band", but Becker and Fagen went on to success after they changed their band's name to Steely Dan.
This is also supported by the FAQ at steelydan.com
***** The name of the band Chevy was in was The Leather Canary. It was of course a Fagan Becker band, prior to Steely Dan
@@Knards--and, prior to that, Chevy Chase was the drummer in Chamaeleon Church en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaeleon_Church
Fantastic!!! And thats how you dress to play pure music!!
I saw steely dan around that time, in 1999 or 2000. One summer up in Saratoga then in Hartford, they put on a great show.