129: Donald Fagen
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- 0:00 Introduction
5:33 Interview
Recorded in July, 2019.
Just when you think you know all there is to know about Donald Fagen, he surprises you. There are legendary stories, traded like playing cards in chat rooms, fanzines, and merch lines. Along with his musical partner, the late Walter Becker (who passed away in 2017), Fagen has influenced countless musicians, producers and songwriters by setting the gold standard in record production and arrangement with his band Steely Dan. This is known. There are the solo records, including The Nightfly, which was nominated for seven Grammys and which continues to be one of the best sounding records ever made nearly 30 years on. This is known.
Much is known about Donald Fagen and his work, it’s true. But much is still left to be revealed. Stage fright, a general aversion to appearing on television (he and Becker lacked the "large heads" and “swaths of cheek” that they felt necessary to really make it on the small screen), and nearly 20 years with no touring created a mystique that endures to this day, despite the fact that they’ve toured regularly since the mid 90s.
So Donald can surprise you. He does it not by telling you what happened, but rather what he thinks about it. Or more to the point, how he thinks about it. He tells you that Steely Dan has “more in common with punk than with the confessional California singer songwriters” that they were often compared to. He tells you why Stravinsky was a precursor to funk music. He tells you what’s postmodern about his music, why making his first solo record was so personally disruptive to him, how he falls asleep, when he decided to finally grow up, and who he never wants to see again.
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The rest of the world will one day realize, when Donald Fagen is gone, they lost one of the greatest writer, composer, arranger and musician of the 20th and 21st century. Steely Dan music, as well as Donalds and Water Beckers solo stuff, will stand the test of time better than probably most anything out there.
Actually the music world does know about Donald and that is the only world that matters, really. Personally I believe he's in that tiny group of composers (Gershwin, Porter, Wilson, Bacharach etc;) whose compositions not only hold up over time but in fact improve. I think Royal Scam sounds better today than when it came out. But on his arranging skills? I don't think he really knows what he wants in terms of a compete 'orchestration of the background vocals, horns etc; In short he's not Rachmaninov. Gary Katz had a great sense of what Donald's tunes should sound like. He reminds me of
Nelson Riddle in terms of the physicality of his orchestrations. They 'feel good. They're warm
Doesn’t detract from the fact that they are creepy misogynists
@@camofrog Creepy misogynists? I like that term, I think that's why a lot of us 'dan fans' like them, 'Creepy
Misogynists' nice, could be a title to a song
@@Ameer-yu2qi I know you are and that's why your special :)
@@Saab901 ..........and he's a great tap dancer and cooks a mean chicken cacciatore
I was a high schooler from 69 to 73. Grew up on Hard Rock. Then when I herd Steely Dan I was Captivated. Anyone who didnt lock on to Steely Dan doesnt know what they missed. Im 69 and it still is just as good as the 1st time I herd it. FANTASTIC!!!!!!
I'm still recovering from the cringeworthy Paul Shaffer interview, in which Donald was interrupted continuously. It was so refreshing to listen to the great man in an interview where he was asked intelligent questions and and allowed to answer. This was a wonderful interview. Thank you!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.i hollered because i was saw that interview
Omg that interview was shit. Paul does that to everyone and even on the night show. He always was trying to talk to Letterman when nobody wanted him to.
Yes. I saw that and cringed as well. Not sure why he does that, except perhaps to show that he's the smartest guy in the room.
And when they were playing their piano and keyboard, you could tell that paul was trying to show off and impress Donald.
I like Paul but I cringed.
Man, you caught him on a good day and clearly interviewed him the way he likes to be interviewed. That's the most relaxed I've heard Donald Fagan, and as a result he really opened up. Fun and interesting.
Fagen
Agreed, a brilliant interview. Donald really opened up . . . fantastic!
Paul Shaffers interview was so bad I had to come here. Great interview
In 1977, while playing basketball on an outdoor court in Florida, had my boom box out there tuned in to a radio station, and they played the whole AJA album. That's when I got tuned in to The Steely Dan phenomenon. Still tuned in! 2023.
Those were the days!!
The most enlightening Steely Dan interview I've heard...
Yeah definitely a treasure I would absolutely agree with you. One other interview that is great but isn't audio recorded was one with Walter Becker from the paper in New York called Timeout I believe and it was promoting his solo record Circus Money, which I'm a huge fan of as well. It's available online if you look for it. fascinating stuff.👍👍👍👍
Donald is an enigma but a musical genius and Steely Dan are one of the greatest bands ever. RIP Walter Becker sadly missed.
Well put my friend and I to miss Walter Becker
What a difference when an interviewer is of the same mindset as such an eccentric genius. Leo even read the same authors, thereby gaining Don's confidence. Mr Fagan seems so relaxed, and the questions/comments could have been a conversation with Walter. I'm blown away. It would be hard to top this.
I miss Walter Becker so much damn.it.
Completely agree. Amazing interview.
@@foxmccloud8749
Were Donald and Walter privately partners, off stage?
The Royal Scam album is full of characters that are going through the present-day millennial malaise. He understands it more than he thinks he does.
My 4 years of highschool '74-'77 was Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, Royal Scam, and Aja. An amazing album progressing each year. I couldn't believe they weren't more popular than KISS. Now I do.
When I bought Asa, I simply stopped listening to Bad Company, Kiss, Steve Miller and others as they suddenly seemed very boring. My musical world became Steely Dan, Little Feat and Brian Auger. Happily almost everything any of them ever did is here. Class of 76 btw
Don is The G.O.A.T.
Donald Fagen music is timeless the Nightfly till today is one of the best produced albums of all time, great interview 😉
One of my favorite albums of all time and I still listen to the whole thing all the time!!!
All of Fagan’s music just gets soooo much better over time!!!
I’m blaring IGY now in 2022…. FORTY YEARS After its debut!!!!
Thank God for giving us DF and WB.
Expertly produced by the late great Mr Walter Becker.
I have the most upmost respect and appreciation for Donald Fagen‘s work. Truly a legend. Both with Steely Dan and especially his solo work.
Damn I want to give Donald a hug over his parents not understanding how awesome it was for Jean Shepherd to read his story on the air; my parents absolutely loved Jean and they would have bragged about me accomplishing that feat for the rest of their lives, hahaha
I'm a Millennial (33), and I think Donald has plenty of wisdom to impart on my generation. It's funny he seemed to think otherwise. I don't necessarily think it's a responsibility of his to be proactive about it, but the ability to access the catalog of Steely Dan and his solo work has enabled so many new listeners. The grooves they penned resonate in a big way with a lot of younger folks! And the messages still ring true in our modern world where tech has led to many utopian things, but came with a dark seedy underbelly. He's still so relevant for the ways in which he portrayed society.
Utopian things with a dark seedy underbelly - well put!
I think that's because the themes that he (and Walter) wrote about are universal. We all love and lose, we all get older, we all want what we can't have, we all (eventually) miss the innocence and brightness of our youth. But very few have interpreted those themes musically as well as Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
Wow. I had no idea he could be this honest and down to earth. Usually he seems like he's trying to be dark, cynical and opaque as he can be. He's a musical hero of mine, so it was really refreshing to hear him be so honest and open. He even mentioned "fun" several times. Excellent job on the interview!
Walter's death deeply changed him it seems
This is Mr. Fagan and Becker having fun. ua-cam.com/video/dimyNC1BytY/v-deo.html
Agree!!
When the Nightfly came out, Fagen showed more than the dark cynical side that was Steely Dan with Becker
“ we fought - now I can’t remember why … we kissed again, as the showers swept the Florida shore - you opened your umbrella and we walked between the raindrops back to your door”. Almost a closet romantic.
@@wallyb55232 Not almost! For Sure!
I just heard from a reliable source that Fagen's wife convinces him to tour as much as possible. I hope he continues as his music will always be extraordinary. I am a huge fan.
Donald is 75 years old. “The days really don't last forever, but it's getting pretty damn close.” Gotta keep busy.
@@ALastShotonTwoGoodHorses I hear you. I'll be 65 in December and just started writing and recording songs three years ago. Check out my latest: ua-cam.com/video/ne_47dJAX84/v-deo.html. I think Donald would like it, especially the lyrics. Take care and thanks for your reply.
I’m glad for that! I’m finally going to see them in 5 days from now and crazy excited! RIP Walter🩵
Love to hear that Donald is in touch with Sonny Rollins.
Probably the most open I’ve ever heard Donald in an interview! Excellent job!
Donald’s comments about the movie whiplash and La la land. Only makes me love him more. I fall on the fanatic level of fan and this is by far the best interview with Donald . I’ve ever heard. Thank you so much for giving this to us all. Anymore I write will make me seem crazy.just great!
Right?? "FUCK THAT MOTHERFUCKER!!" Now THAT is a movie review!!
i liked la la land :(
@@emanuelmota7217 LOL that was hilarious
I think their thoughts on the movie is largely biased on the negative portrayal of jazz and jazz education. As a standalone film it's fantastic.
That was phenomenal lmao. He appears dour and serious but he can be a really funny guy when he opens up. Love Donald and Walter (RIP)
Steely Dan and Rush are like the Jokers in a deck of cards...
Play anything against them and you will lose. Nothing compares to their compositions, arrangements or delivery. It's never too little or too much, just perfect... Maybe this is just my opinion 🤷🏽♂️
Mr. Fagen is a National Treasure!!!
Absolutely one of the BEST comments I've read on U-Tube! Love it, cheers Doug
Absolute musical royalty. Sharp as a tack
My kids grew up hearing Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, King's X, and lots of other music that has made a difference in their appreciation of music as adults.
Parenting 💯 💯 💯
Great interview. Donald Fagen is quite simply the most gifted musical artist of the rock era. Anyone who is anyone in the industry will tell you this.
I listen to Two Against Nature every day in my car. That cd is completely insane. I love it.
It saddens me how few people realize the greatness of that record.
Jack of Speed!!
Aja, Goucho, 2 Against Nature. Perfection.
“What A Shame About Me” is soooo good!
Two Against Nature is great!! I’m waist deep into nothing special. West Of Hollywood, Almost Gothic, What A Shame About Me and many more.
Listening to this is probably the most worthwhile thing I've done this week, which includes physical therapy, dental work, and getting a Covid-19 test.
sounds like a dull week...
@@Peyote1312 Couldn't have possibly been as exciting as trolling UA-cam.
Haha that’s great
@@gj8683 yeah really
I fell in love with the Nightfly album at first blush Donald. I could so easily identify, a wonderful blend of jazz and lifestyle vocals, people had to tell me to stop singing. I think it is a shame that we cannot be young forever here. I love you my dude.
Anytime I hear the question, “If you could have dinner and conversation with anyone, who would it be?”, Donald always comes to mind first. Thank you for this fabulous interview.
I totally agree with you. When you tell people that they look at you funny. But Fagen fans know how cool that would be !
I have said that too.
@@chriswhite8676 , indeed!
Donald Fagen, Tom Waits, guys like this are living American musical legends whose names will live on for a long long time.
Donald and Walter are the two finest musicians of my lifetime. The joy those two gentlemen have given to me in my lifetime, even when I didn’t even know who they were is immeasurable.
Love Donald Fagen. This interview is brilliant. Thanks.
This was literally a revelation. Never heard Donald Fagen reveal much at all over the years, let alone this in depth gold mine of a chat. It was great to hear him so relaxed and connected and willing to share his unique take on music, literature and the zeitgeist.
Agreed. The interview flowed like honey :)
'If I'm not doing musical stuff I play the piano a lot when I am at home' - Piano is obviously the new drums...
It’s comforting to know that one of the musicians I admire most also leaps immediately from indifference to irrational fucking hatred of a person. There’s no middle ground! I feel the same way about Don Henley.
It's funny how DF does not listen to his own music and does not know what an influence he's been on my generation! Wonderful band, person and music that set the tone for my generation!! Very important music.
This is a masterclass in interviewing and giving a good interview.
Yes, the flow is magnificent :)
i went to college in the early 1990s and pretty much everyone in my circle knew that Donald Fagen was a musician genius back then. We had bootleg tapes of the band touring in like 1973-1974.
This is a great interview. I don't think I've ever heard Donald talk like this in depth so it's good to finally have something.
Absolute best Donald Fagen interview!
I’m seeing Steely Dan tonight. 😀
words are hard and Fagen takes everyday catchphrases and turns them into evocative and imaginative pop poems.
So he's a street poet of his times.
I like 'Home at Last' 'still I remain tied to the mast'
He's a poet first as the lyrics and the stories are what create a songs narrative that we are invited to share.
Oh and he's not bad at the music thing either.
Finally, an extended Donald Fagen interview. And it's up to, and beyond my expectations. Interesting details about the work, bits of personal stuff, funny and serious at the same time. Just as he's music.
Leo thank you for interviewing Donald Fagan. There is a moment when everyone digs into Steely Dan records a little bit more when something clicks and you get what they're trying to do. He's a super funny interesting guy but I would be afraid to meet him in person and catch him when he doesn't want to be bugged. Thanks for getting him out of his shell and beyond the regular interview. He's actually more informative in this interview than he was in his own book
Bernard that made me laugh a bit......
Sublime! DF is a national treasure. If there was a musical Mt. Rushmore, he and Walter would be half of it. Thanks to Donald and Leo for a stellar interview.
Man Love the fact that he is so passionate about Jazz, makes me Love him even more! Fascinating conversation!
Are you related to Ben Sidran by chance???
Truly spectacular Leo. Without a doubt the best interview with Donald hands down. Loved every moment.
Congrats man, very very cool 😎
I did not know the emotional context Fagen had when writing and finalizing The Nightfly. Makes me appreciate it for its release and tunes that much more. Great thanks coming from a 19 year old, your music rocks!
Never heard Donald more endearing - a great interview with the greatest of all time
I first heard Steely Dan's Haitian Divorce in about 1976 I think (I was 15). I just loved everything about it and especially Fagen's edgy voice that seemed filled with world-weariness and cynicism. They're still my favourite band now. Tim (Southampton, England)
Have you seem them live Coticitimmy? their live versions of songs are generally totally different than what they did
in the studio
@@spactick Never seen them live - (I'm not sure they've come to England much.) I love the old 70's live stuff just as I love the album stuff. I love the bit on this video (timestamp 29m 50s) when they have some sound problems and decide to play a little impromptu blues whilst it gets fixed.)
@@Cotictimmy if you ever do see then live you won't be disappointed. They go out of their way to give you the absolute finest performance by the absolute finest musicians that are available. They don't cut corners at all. I saw Donald in 2019 at the Saratoga Winery in Saratoga Calif just south of me here in San Francisco. For
2 hours they went full bore. Great show. I saw the Beatles several times and they'd only play 20 minutes, which I thought was a rip-off, and you couldn't even hear them, ha!
@@spactick i wouldn't say totally different. Though Donald loves to interject and bring new life into his Music!
@@Cotictimmy i need to find that. They did a tour not that long ago - perhaps it was at a few stops in Europe and the land down under with World Party! somewhat of an unlikely pair... though after listening to this interview, not really.
If I could share with Donald, I would simply like to encourage him in a gentle way to embrace and accept how he has been g-d wired to do what he does, even down to his voice that his fans love as a part of his total package. Ruby and Walk Between Raindrops just kill me. I know those are labors of love and take time in the studio but then we have timeless songs with gorgeous harmony that transcend any kind of idiom.
I have never ever heard Don drop the F bomb before. I love it! What a refreshing interview!
Donald was so forthcoming and seemed truly engaged. I feel as if I know him a little bit better now. Great interview!!
Amazing interview. I could listen to you interview Donald Fagen for 12 hours straight. One thing that gets me about Donald Fagen, though - I don't think he appreciates how much better this world is because of his contribution. Thank you, Donald (and Walter, of course).
I first came across steely dan as a 14 Yr old in 1976. I used to babysit for my eldest brother. He had a state of the art stereo, great headphones and an extensive, eclectic record collection. Many of the bands he listened to you wouldn't have heard of, at the time, being they were not in the charts nor ever would be. Lots of prog rock, jazz, fusion which, given my age, didn't ring my bell. Then I found the royal scam album and was just blown away. I didn't understand most of the lyrics, given I'm English, but I loved the music especially Larry carltons guitar solo's. I naturally then listened to the previous albums and even given my age noticed the bands progression which , for me, reached their height with the aja album. No album before or since, by any band, can touch it for its perfection, lyrically or musically. Another thing I'm grateful to the band for is that they led me to other artists
What other Artists are you interested in that Steely Dan led you to?
@@kaikaih5771 Larry carlton, doobie bros , boz scaggs, the crusaders. The simple fact was so many various artists were used on steely dan albums. The best of the best
Had a look at what you listen to . Fairly eclectic know vast majority of them. Prefer early hall and oates albums than there 80's stuff. I could recommend some to you if you like. The crusaders free as the wind album. Gato barbieri calienti album. Johnny guitar Watson, ain't that a bitch album. Al jarreaus , this time album. Doobie brothers, taking it to the street album
@@spartacusforlife1508 yeah that's a fairly old playlist that I have on my channel, I have well over 3,000 songs now and i also enjoy Boz Scaggs and The Doobie Brothers.
@@spartacusforlife1508 I've also got plenty of the early 70s hall and Oates stuff in my new playlist.
Gah, this is the best Fagan interview I've ever heard. Thanks so much!
Can’t say it’s the best interview I’ve ever heard as I’ve never heard one before, but I can’t imagine anyone (ever) surpassing the ease with which Fagen and the Interviewer collaborated on SD heritage, influences, family life and literary preferences so seamlessly and effortlessly. Learnt a great deal about why I love Steely Dan so much and why Nightfly still remains my favourite album ever. Nicely done! Geoff
Great interview. The richest music of my youth that only got better.
Of all the music in my collection, I was impressed with how my daughter focused right in on Steely Dan. Makes me proud and happy she gets the same enjoyment listening to a band that I always felt was one of the finest we have been blessed with in our lifetimes.
Donald Fagen is our maestro he's one of the greatest american musician around rocky soulful jazzy and sophisticated
One of the best interviews with Donald I've ever heard
Donald's such an understated intellectualist, and along with fellow eternal thinker Walter Becker, it's their dispositions that've shaped Steely Dan's highbrow and wide ranging catalogue for decades
A true hero of art and sound, the alchemist of music, my hero, the amazing Donald Fagen
Donald, we all look to you when it comes to flawless production, creativity and musicianship. You and your partner have made us all better, and give us something to aspire to- I have absorbed all your stuff and still turn to it ever day. Every day, my man... shalom, Jimi
Didn't expect to get that excited late at night. Thank you very much for this!
Btw this is no one night stand, it's a real occasion. Subbed ofc.
When you mentioned Kamkiriad, I shed a tear. One of my favorite albums and bought it as soon as I heard it was released. I played that album over and over in ‘93.
Superb interview. Well done.
Love the outrageous music of Steely Dan😎🎶❤️
All I know is everytime I heard their music on the radio growing up, my ear told me it was on an island of its own. Great work, talent,ect.....
I just listened today to the second half of Aja and all of Gaucho, and I'm consistently amazed how well these songs and arrangements hold up. The trio of the last seventies records - Royal Scam, Aja and Gaucho are all just about perfect. Aja is pure poise, easily one of that era's greatest LP's.
Well said David.
Totally enjoyed such rare interview. Thank you for sharing 😎
Steely Dan are so smart so cool so stylish so much fun so complex so satisfying I could listen all day most days and still love everything. so sad about Walter. It is fun to listen to interviews and opinions to watch how to play the chords on Peg. But also explore what their musical loves are too. The wonderful world of music is one of our great arts and it is so useful. I love Donald Fagans voice I love it.I never think of flaws I think there you are my friend lets go.
Fantastic interview this is the first time I’ve heard Mr. Donald Fagen‘s true thoughts your real person I would’ve never known that night flight was an incredible album one of my all-time favorites but I did not know that he had a nervous break down 🤔 steely Dan has been part of my life soundtrack hopefully one day I’ll have opportunity just to say hello to Donnell hopefully you’ll be in a good mood 😁 thanks again for this incredible interview with a musical genius
A smart interview. Very enjoyable. Wish there was more! Now I have to go listen to some sweet Dan and the Don.
What a gem .... Bravo to you for being disarming enough to get Mr. Fagen to share so freely. Such an enjoyable experience.
Wow Donald...
Night Fly is one of my favorite albums because of how you shared a glimpse of yourself, and the partial departure from the "unsatiated protagonist".
-Upbeat departure from SD
-Some of the best 80's synth patches ever!
-Amazing driving syncopation & "in the pocket" rhythmic patterns.
- Unbelievable lead and background vocals.
-Fantastic audio production
Love the fact they both liked Frank Zappa always suspected they might and vice versa
i read an interview with frank zappa in 1973 and he was asked if there was anything new he liked and he said not much...but mentioned steely dan. i assume he was referring to can't buy a thrill.
Your dad's interview with Donald from the 80's has been a resource to me for years now. Hearing this is such a great follow-up, there are many parallels I could draw between your two conversations. So insightful and organic. Nicely done Leo
Thank you Nick. I have thought about that quite a bit also. I think some people are not aware of that interview, and in many ways this is an extension of that original conversation between Ben and Donald.
Fantastic interview with a fantastic person. I have been poking at many musical styles from Beatles to Pink Floyd and later BB King to Miles and all kinds of jazz. Donald, Walter and Steely Dan wraps it up and represent all I love in music and song writing. The quality and the feeling the compositions offer is simply the best and I will never stop listening to it for as long as I live.
Thanks Mr Fagen for all the joy you bring.
As a small kid (about six) a friend of my mother's gave her a vinyl of Booker T. and the MGs. Listened for hours. Steely Dan was the natural progression, plus really cool lyrics.
Absolutely fantastic: definitely the definitive Fagen interview. Bravo and thank you!
Love this!!
Dynamite interview. Mr. Fagan is one of my idols. I am a keyboard player vocalist. He is truly amazing and a genius. So sorry about the passing of Walter. What a loss. Thank you all for everything . Rock on.
Saw them at the spectrum. If philadelphia
I’m in 1973
I Love the way Donald Walter do music it's so special
The Night Fly is a masterpiece!
One of the first CDs I bought when the first CD player came out.
Yamaha CDX 1.
Very cool that you landed this conversation. Going through an SD phase again - as I do periodically - devouring their music and archived interviews etc. Interested in parsing Becker's contribution from Fagen's etc. Where one started and the other left off etc. 11 Tracks of Whack is pretty cool.
This is the most insightful Donald Fagen interview I have read or heard. Thanks to Donald for his generosity here and the Leo for being so prepared
Real good interview, I meet him once he was a very nice and very humble
I don’t want to sound unappreciative, but I wish the interview would ask more specific questions about the songs. He’s one of the most brilliant and cryptic lyricist of all time.
Loved this interview. Intelligent and relaxed. And I totally agree with Donald’s comments on “Whiplash” and “La La Land”.
I love Donald Fagan has fantastic music, his interview shows a great character and interesting person . Thank you for this very much.
Steely Dan..my favorite band when I was in college. Also my reason to continue to listen to "records".
I grew up in the 50s and really understand the stunted emotional growth of that period. Thank you for sharing it. The Nightfly is my favorite of all that is Donald Fegan and now I understand the trepidation in releasing this very personal work. Thank you.
Great interview! I really got a sense of who he is
I love Steely Dan, Love Donald Fagen music, gracias por existir. Is a Big influence. Gracias por tantas obras maestras para la historia de la música en el mundo.
I loved that he mentioned Harvey Pekar, I guess they both are the same kind of guy. And hearing about childhood experiences, his hipster uncle Dave and all the little things that shaped his taste. Great conversation, and your voice has a calm, dignified quality that's not often heard in podcasts.
The lyrics and the deep meaning of SD songs are unparalleled and a work of genius.
Leo, this is one of the best interviews with DF to date. There's so much to digest. Thanks for having him.
I read "Eminent Hipsters" a couple of years ago and loved it.
Love hearing him talk about Parker. It always cracks me up how the deeply cynical duo gush over Parker's music at every opportunity they get.
“The Nightfly” is one of my favorite recordings.
thank you leo! i had the pleasure to finally see my biggest musical heroes for my 55th birthday. fagen & becker are a huge influence on my songwriting which i continue to do on you tube!!