This is the best Peg bass cover out there. There are two nuances in how you play this that I really love: 1. The plucking in the chorus instead of the slapping. The slapping is cool but I like the touch you’re doing and it makes it just a hair less “funky,” which I really prefer personally; plus I love your tone. 2. The verses. The ghost notes here are my favorite element of the song. When you play the end of the phrases, you sort of rake up with your plucking hand, so it goes (octave)(ghost)(ghost)(slide fill). It seems like in the bass stems on the track, Rainey plays those parts (ghost)(octave)(ghost)(slide fill). But your rake gives it a more percussive feel that I really like and have more fun playing. Thanks for pumping out another great cover. Inspiring as always.
Thanks so much for the kind words and the thoughtful analysis if my playing. It sounds like you really studied both my part and the recording closely. While songs like this are always a struggle, they are often the most satisfying. They force me to come up with some way of emulating a technique I'm not fluent in and, sometimes, the come out sounding pretty good. When playing slap lines finger-style, I pay close attention to the rhythm first and try capture that. This is often more important than the actual notes that I'm playing.
I never hear this crisp bass in the songs. I really love the way you highlight the sound of the bass, coupled with your expertise, Man, it's just awesome. I had no idea this song was that intricate, until you jammed it, and highlighted the bass. I know you add your own style too. It sounds amazing.
Fantastic as usual. Very sad to hear of Becker's passing. There is a great doc on line discussing the making of this song. Fagen and Becker were not fans of the "new" craze in the bass world... slap and pop. Jaco was all the rage, everyone was doing it, and they really had no interest in following anyone or any trend. Chuck Rainey knew this, but knew it would be right for the chorus of the song. So when they recorded, he was playing behind a partition so Becker and Fagen couldn't see what he was doing. Of course they knew, but it's still pretty funny.
When Chuck showed me what he did, he was slapping that part, just not aggressively. I like the way Troy is playing it myself. I was never much of a slap guy, and you can get that same funky feel with the ghosted notes Troy plays so well.
Such PERFECT albums. They were ahead of their time with production. Every fan should read the Brian Sweet biography "Reeling in the Years" -- Becker and Fagen were insane with their perfectionism. They knew exactly what they wanted and didn't care who's heart got broken (ego bruised) on the way to getting the end result. RIP W. Becker
That is very sad. I had the honor of studying with Chuck Rainey, who as you know played on this track, and got to meet Walter and Donald Fagen once when I was a kid. Truly a loss.
Ironic you should mention this song making you happy. It does for me too, but it's actually about an actress named Peg Entwhisle, the actress who jumped to her death from the H of Hollywood sign back in the 1930's
Wow TJ! No shit, I am cracking up laughing @ 52sec because you friggin nailed this and I can't wait to see the rest! Thank you from your faithful student, Juandog!
Spectacular! I was just listening to my Steely Dan channel on Spotify with headphones - heard the bass - and thought "I wonder if Troy has covered this one!" This part is incredible. Nicely done Troy!
Hey again Troy I'm just hearing about Walter Becker's passing now what a talent him and Fagen were such a great songwriting team just a tremendous loss for the music world. They had such great musicianship on their albums really great grooves he will be missed....RIP WALTER BECKER
Wow, I was listening to Can't Buy a Thrill and Aja this morning completely by happenstance. Didn't even know Walter Becker had passed. Really saddening.
Yes it's a sad day indeed! Rip Walter you will be sadly missed!!! Troy your playing on this song is killer. You nail it every time. Keep up the great postings ✌🏻
Excellent! I love the syncopation and the growl from your basses electronics! Chuck Rainey is one of my favorite bass players and you definitely do him justice.
Another awesome performance. I watch all the time. I hope Silly Love Songs and Goodnight Tonight (both McCartney) are still in the works. I shoulda learned to play bass 35yrs ago!
I have always loved this track, mainly as a drummer. I knew the bass line was awesome but I searched just now to really check it out, and your cover was the first hit. Man, you nailed the shit out of it. And even though the main jam is a 1,4,5 progression, that line is so tight. And the damn chorus progression is the coolest bass line I have heard in a while. I also love the drums on this track... the hi hat is so crisp and the groove is deep.
Outstanding Troy! You smoke on this tune! Great dexterity, great funky feeling, and most of all you play all the notes with great articulation! I will have to re-learn to play the bass line to this tune!
Very nice of you to say. (I actually started working on another Dan song right after this one. I think i caught a bug.) And, I actually did another Fagen song in the same sitting as Peg. Thanks a lot!
Watching you do these Steely Dan covers makes you appreciate the bass groove when you here these songs on the radio or the album. Well Played as usual.
Thanks. I was just saying to someone how Steely Dan was band I just always listened to and never learned. Learning a few songs has given me an even greater appreciation for them.
If there is anything we can call "perfect" in this world; THAT was perfect! GREAT technique, punctuation, line and string selection. I also enjoyed you Josie Video. You played it straight with your own ideas. GREAT JOB!!!
I heard Chuck Rainey lived around Arlington TX near me somewhere. Always amazed at the bass lines he laid down in the studio for Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin, Joe Walsh and others. You nail it to the wall, and obviously took the time to learn it right, like you do everything. Sad to hear about the passing of Walter Becker. Your timing is impeccable. Hope you and yours have a great Labor Day weekend, too.
I get home from a stressed out day at work. Been listening to Steely Dan since the early 80s when I was a kid. I'm so blessed that you posted this. I woke up today around 11 am and found out about Walter, it wasn't easy to take the news. Bless you for posting this today :)
I’ve only been watching you for a short time sir and you are amazing.. when I get home from a rough day I just lose myself in your playing ...thank you..
One of the things I like most about your covers is that you're not crutching with a 5 string on every single one. It takes a real player to pull some of these off on a 4 string. Well played!
Really sad to hear this news. Love Steely Dan, and Walter really was a master musician and musical genius along with Donald Fagen. I bet he is up in Heaven jamming with all of the greats that have passed before him. R.I.P. Walter.
Beauty job. Stunning news about Walter. This is the album that got me fully invested in "Dan". then found all the older ones. Was in Seattle crashing at a drummer friend's place and he played this whole record night after night while I was there. Cosmic timing on your release chum!
Thanks. The timing certainly was cosmic. My first thought when I read the news was, "Oh my god! He saw the cover and died...of anger, rage, a fit of laughter..." Then I remembered I hadn't even posted the cover yet, but still...it was weird.
I struggled with the lead on this track for so long when i was taking lessons.....still a favorite. Love the bass, they were such a talented group of guys..
I read that a lot of guitarists struggled with this lead...Larry Carlton included, until they found the right guy to play it on the recording...and it took him 6 hours to get it right!
If I saw you walking down the street I would NEVER think you played great bass lines in front of a wall of monster masks.
Thanks for the pin Troy
I had no idea this track had so much going on. RIP
This is the best Peg bass cover out there. There are two nuances in how you play this that I really love:
1. The plucking in the chorus instead of the slapping. The slapping is cool but I like the touch you’re doing and it makes it just a hair less “funky,” which I really prefer personally; plus I love your tone.
2. The verses. The ghost notes here are my favorite element of the song. When you play the end of the phrases, you sort of rake up with your plucking hand, so it goes (octave)(ghost)(ghost)(slide fill). It seems like in the bass stems on the track, Rainey plays those parts (ghost)(octave)(ghost)(slide fill). But your rake gives it a more percussive feel that I really like and have more fun playing.
Thanks for pumping out another great cover. Inspiring as always.
Thanks so much for the kind words and the thoughtful analysis if my playing. It sounds like you really studied both my part and the recording closely. While songs like this are always a struggle, they are often the most satisfying. They force me to come up with some way of emulating a technique I'm not fluent in and, sometimes, the come out sounding pretty good. When playing slap lines finger-style, I pay close attention to the rhythm first and try capture that. This is often more important than the actual notes that I'm playing.
The best bass cover of Peg I've heard yet. Your finger-style slap actually sounds most legit. Great job.
Wow, thanks!
I never hear this crisp bass in the songs. I really love the way you highlight the sound of the bass, coupled with your expertise, Man, it's just awesome. I had no idea this song was that intricate, until you jammed it, and highlighted the bass. I know you add your own style too. It sounds amazing.
Thanks Tom, I appreciate that!
How in the Hell can anybody write something like this. I'm astounded!
Me too!
Behind Rush, Steely Dan holds a special place. Becker's death hit me hard. Great job on this one. I'd love to see you do more of their stuff.
Yeah, they're one of my favorites as well. Thanks.
my two favorite bands!
That gentleman has a pretty good, long run, considering the, at times, bumpy road.
@@jss1877same here!
Well done! Walter and Chuck worked out some great parts. I love Chuck’s playing.
Wow, such a superb grovel!!! Never seen a better cover of this song. Greetings from Germany!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much. I had to do a few things my own way to compensate for my lack of slapping ability.
Beautiful job on this song man, what a beautiful tribute!
Thank you very much.
Fantastic as usual. Very sad to hear of Becker's passing.
There is a great doc on line discussing the making of this song. Fagen and Becker were not fans of the "new" craze in the bass world... slap and pop. Jaco was all the rage, everyone was doing it, and they really had no interest in following anyone or any trend. Chuck Rainey knew this, but knew it would be right for the chorus of the song. So when they recorded, he was playing behind a partition so Becker and Fagen couldn't see what he was doing. Of course they knew, but it's still pretty funny.
sonicfrogdotnet Interesting story, however I believe it's spelled "Fagen".
Indeed it is. Corrected.
I used to believe it was spelled "Fagan", but I think it was a case of the Mandela effect.
When Chuck showed me what he did, he was slapping that part, just not aggressively. I like the way Troy is playing it myself. I was never much of a slap guy, and you can get that same funky feel with the ghosted notes Troy plays so well.
Jaco never played slap and pop. Can't really do it on a fretless, or at least you can't get that distinctive sound.
Most excellent!
I freaking love Steely Dan. Jazz, rock, pop, mellow..Damn Walter made this band fantastic.
Very cool. Yes, he did.
Such PERFECT albums. They were ahead of their time with production. Every fan should read the Brian Sweet biography "Reeling in the Years" -- Becker and Fagen were insane with their perfectionism. They knew exactly what they wanted and didn't care who's heart got broken (ego bruised) on the way to getting the end result. RIP W. Becker
So true. I'll have to check that book out.
That is very sad. I had the honor of studying with Chuck Rainey, who as you know played on this track, and got to meet Walter and Donald Fagen once when I was a kid.
Truly a loss.
"Fagen"... never could spell it. Great cover. Song makes me happy on an otherwise sad day.
Very cool.
Ironic you should mention this song making you happy. It does for me too, but it's actually about an actress named Peg Entwhisle, the actress who jumped to her death from the H of Hollywood sign back in the 1930's
Wow! You are fortunate.
More of Mr Troy is what the world needs right now,Merry Christmas to you and yours friend.
Amazing....
Thanks a lot 😊
Great job! You make it look easy - so fluid. Great sound!
Thanks a lot, Jeff!
Just plain smooth Troy! Bravo!
Thanks Mark! We share a last name.
@@TJH3113 Very nice! My dad’s family was from Wales and Canada. Hope you’re doing well. Have you ever done any Gentle Giant? One of my favorite bands…
Walter had the dynamic driving bassline sound along with Fagen on the keys. He'll be missed. Great music.
Walter co-wrote the song, but Chuck Rainey played the bass on it. "He will be missed" - Truth.
Killer bass line. It is more complex than I thought. Well worth learning. Thanks for the great demo. Sad for the loss of W.B.
As I wrote in the description, I'm doing a bit of my own thing, but it's in the ball park. Thanks.
Wow TJ! No shit, I am cracking up laughing @ 52sec because you friggin nailed this and I can't wait to see the rest! Thank you from your faithful student, Juandog!
Thanks a lot.
Well done. Great tribute. Aja is one of the greatest albums of all time. R.I.P. WB.
Thanks a lot. Such a sad coincidence.
Love love your execution of SD covers. Awesome job. I really like this style. Of course I've listened to it but I'm really hearing it now.
Thank you very much!
Spectacular! I was just listening to my Steely Dan channel on Spotify with headphones - heard the bass - and thought "I wonder if Troy has covered this one!" This part is incredible. Nicely done Troy!
Thanks so much! It was a tough one. I'm glad you liked it.
Hey again Troy I'm just hearing about Walter Becker's passing now what a talent him and Fagen were such a great songwriting team just a tremendous loss for the music world. They had such great musicianship on their albums really great grooves he will be missed....RIP WALTER BECKER
Yes, a tragic loss.
Wow, I was listening to Can't Buy a Thrill and Aja this morning completely by happenstance. Didn't even know Walter Becker had passed. Really saddening.
Thanks for this, nice to hear his bass part out in front. RIP Mr. Becker
Yes it's a sad day indeed! Rip Walter you will be sadly missed!!! Troy your playing on this song is killer. You nail it every time. Keep up the great postings ✌🏻
Truth. Thanks a lot. This one feels special to me.
Excellent! I love the syncopation and the growl from your basses electronics! Chuck Rainey is one of my favorite bass players and you definitely do him justice.
Thanks so much.
Another awesome performance. I watch all the time. I hope Silly Love Songs and Goodnight Tonight (both McCartney) are still in the works. I shoulda learned to play bass 35yrs ago!
Thanks a lot. I put Silly...on the back burner but I'm sure I'll get back to it at some point.
Walter Becker will live forever through us. Nothing left to say except thank you brother...
Great comment. Thanks.
I have always loved this track, mainly as a drummer. I knew the bass line was awesome but I searched just now to really check it out, and your cover was the first hit. Man, you nailed the shit out of it. And even though the main jam is a 1,4,5 progression, that line is so tight. And the damn chorus progression is the coolest bass line I have heard in a while. I also love the drums on this track... the hi hat is so crisp and the groove is deep.
Yes, it's a wonderful piece of music from any perspective. Thanks, I'm glad you liked the cover.
Thanks for all these lessons...much appreciated.
My pleasure. Thank you for watching.
Phenomenal! I’m always blown away by this guy 😅
Thanks so much, Adam.
Your Performances always provide a deeper appreciation for music I already love. Thank you.
Very nice of you to say. Thanks.
That killer Spector tone and killer playing, as always, Troy.
I’m glad you liked it, thanks Michael!
Excellent as always.. Thank you
Thanks.
That's so purdie!
RIP Walter
What a beautiful tribute. RIP Walter Becker.
Thanks.
Excellent!! I wish I could play as well as you! Beautiful Spector!
Thank you very much! With some time and patience I'm sure you'll surpass anything I've done.
One of the GOAT r&b tracks. Personal favorite guitar solo too.
I'm glad you liked it.
Thanks for sharing. Too cool.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Outstanding Troy! You smoke on this tune! Great dexterity, great funky feeling, and most of all you play all the notes with great articulation! I will have to re-learn to play the bass line to this tune!
Thanks a lot. I was, personally, very pleased with how this came out...its' not perfect, but most of my personal favorites aren't.
Fantastic job and a marvelous tribute to a wonderful musician.
Thanks a lot.
Always loved the bass on this
Thanks.
Never less than amazed with your ability.
Thanks so much.
Excellent work, sir. Love everything you've done.
Thanks.
Absolutely spot on Troy…..
Thank you Kim.
Troy, you are truly the master. Would love to hear some more Dan from you. Your Fagen covers are outstanding as well. Thank you for sharing!
Very nice of you to say. (I actually started working on another Dan song right after this one. I think i caught a bug.) And, I actually did another Fagen song in the same sitting as Peg. Thanks a lot!
I've always liked that song. Well played as usual Troy!! Thanks. Marvine
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks Marvine.
Just fantastic!!
Thank you!
excellent cover troy, R.I.P Walter Becker"
Thanks.
Watching you do these Steely Dan covers makes you appreciate the bass groove when you here these songs on the radio or the album. Well Played as usual.
Thanks. I was just saying to someone how Steely Dan was band I just always listened to and never learned. Learning a few songs has given me an even greater appreciation for them.
Brilliant … Thank you
Thanks a lot.
Awesome tribute to another great bassist. Well done.
Thank you.
Astounding cover of an astounding bass track.
Thanks a lot!
What a beautiful tribute!
Thanks, it was pure, sad
serendipity.
I love Steely Dan and Donald Fagen music. Love funk music with a bit of jazz of Donald. Great job Troy.
Cool! Thank you very much.
Really great drum track in this one... right in the pocket.
Without a doubt!
Great Steely Dan song. Spot on as always.
Thanks.
Beautiful!!!
Thanks.
Fantastic tribute to a great artist. Thank you.
Thanks a lot. It was a case of sad serendipity.
Awesome playing; fun to watch!
Thanks a lot.
Such talent!!! I hope to be able to do this one day.
Thanks a lot. Time and patience is all it takes. You'll get it.
Wow! Best cover of this bass line that I have seen online. Amazing to watch.
Thank you very much. I'm glad you liked it.
My FAV Steely Dan tune.. love this bass line. sounds great Troy. Nice job!!!!
Cool. Thank you.
Very Nice tribute. Spot On!
Cheers.
Thank you.
If there is anything we can call "perfect" in this world; THAT was perfect!
GREAT technique, punctuation, line and string selection.
I also enjoyed you Josie Video.
You played it straight with your own ideas.
GREAT JOB!!!
I wouldn't call it perfect, though I tried to get all the correct notes and rhythmic bits in there. Thank you kindly.
I heard Chuck Rainey lived around Arlington TX near me somewhere. Always amazed at the bass lines he laid down in the studio for Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin, Joe Walsh and others. You nail it to the wall, and obviously took the time to learn it right, like you do everything. Sad to hear about the passing of Walter Becker. Your timing is impeccable. Hope you and yours have a great Labor Day weekend, too.
Thanks a lot. Actually, I put a bit more of "me" into this cover than I normally do...
Great band and great cover!
Agreed and thanks.
Just so good.
Thank you.
This is my favorite bassline out of any song
Awesome!
I get home from a stressed out day at work. Been listening to Steely Dan since the early 80s when I was a kid. I'm so blessed that you posted this. I woke up today around 11 am and found out about Walter, it wasn't easy to take the news. Bless you for posting this today :)
Thanks for the kind words.
So sad to hear....loved them ever since I was introduced to their music way back when....I hope you do a huge tribute by doing all the songs on Aja...
I was shocked myself. Thanks a lot.
RIP Walter. Nice job on the cover. Thanks.
Thanks.
I wish I could give this more thumbs up! Awesome job!
Thanks a lot.
Bloody fantastic!!
Thanks a lot.
Bravo ! Another great bass cover from ya. This is a great song too. Thanks for sharing this on UA-cam.
Thanks a lot.
The lick right after smile for the camera leading into the chorus part probably one of the best imo
Right?
I’ve only been watching you for a short time sir and you are amazing.. when I get home from a rough day I just lose myself in your playing ...thank you..
Thanks for the kind words.
Excellent !!!
Many thanks!
More Steely Dan please, great cover!!!
Thanks.
Wonderful Cover....RIP W.B.
Thank you kindly.
Absolutely rockin'
Yesss you are the man, sounds so good. Thank you
Thank you very much.
Man, you've become one of my new favorite bass players and my first UA-cam stop. And I love the finger style slap.
Walter would be proud of this cover. Well done.
Perhaps... Thanks a lot.
Love this... 👍
Thank you Keith.
One of the things I like most about your covers is that you're not crutching with a 5 string on every single one. It takes a real player to pull some of these off on a 4 string. Well played!
I don't play my 5 string often, usually just when it's required and then, most of the time, I use the B string as a thumb-rest. Thanks.
Really sad to hear this news. Love Steely Dan, and Walter really was a master musician and musical genius along with Donald Fagen. I bet he is up in Heaven jamming with all of the greats that have passed before him. R.I.P. Walter.
Me too...all that you said.
Fantastic tribute.
Thank you kindly.
Wow!
Thanks!
excellent cover man ! Sorry to hear about W B's passing. Time does not stand still for no one. keep up the great work!!!
Thanks...yes, very sad.
The sound on your bass is so good! Really well done!
This place is one of my favorites! Thank you.
Beauty job. Stunning news about Walter. This is the album that got me fully invested in "Dan". then found all the older ones. Was in Seattle crashing at a drummer friend's place and he played this whole record night after night while I was there. Cosmic timing on your release chum!
Thanks. The timing certainly was cosmic. My first thought when I read the news was, "Oh my god! He saw the cover and died...of anger, rage, a fit of laughter..." Then I remembered I hadn't even posted the cover yet, but still...it was weird.
I struggled with the lead on this track for so long when i was taking lessons.....still a favorite. Love the bass, they were such a talented group of guys..
I read that a lot of guitarists struggled with this lead...Larry Carlton included, until they found the right guy to play it on the recording...and it took him 6 hours to get it right!
Just heard the news today, it's a damn shame. Great cover as always. RIP
Thanks.
Fantastic !!
Many thanks!
Nice! You make it look so easy...the really good ones do.
Thanks. It's not.
RIP Walter Becker. Great tribute Troy
Very sad news. Thank you.