Steely Dan plug
Hmm, this is the first time I’ve ever tried to post to my blog from a mobile phone, but here goes…..
I’m somewhere in the wilds of Scotland, but was pleased and honoured to read today that Walter Becker of Steely Dan is a fan of my music! Apparently he correctly identified ‘Airwaves’ in a blindfolded music test, and went on to say good things about it. I haven’t read the article but here’s the link:
I was strongly influenced by what I suppose was their ‘middle period’, especially ‘The Royal Scam’ LP. They were as unique to the seventies as were Talking Heads to the eighties–each stood out as way more intelligent, lyrically challenging and musically intriguing than 99% of their contemporaries. Nice to see they’re touring again. Maybe I’ll get to play support to them one day, I think our audiences might intersect rather nicely!
Great piece on the Steely Dan website. For anyone that’s interested there is also an interesting interview with Donald Fagan in the August issue of Sound On Sound. I’m a big fan myself and I’m sure you’re right TMDR about the cross-over. I might be in a minority here but Snowbound on Kamakiraid is just the most blissful track.
BTW I recall reading that you were interviewed whilst back in the UK(for Future Music?). Do you know when it might be published?
All the best and hoping you are enjoying the wilds of Scotland.
Yes, “The Royal Scam” is definitely my favorite Steely Dan album. I remember when my mom’s boyfriend played that for me the first time I thought “Man this is really good, why can’t more popular music be like this” “The Caves of Altamira” is my all time favorite SD tune. “Kid Charlemagne”, “Green Earrings” ,”Hatian Divorce”, etc. all outstanding. It’s one of those albums you just immerse yourself in, If I was to be stuck on on Desert Island and could take only two albums it be “Scam” and “Wireless”. Actually saw Donald Fagan a few months back standing outside a Bodega on 54th and 8th smoking a cigerette, He looked like he hadn’t slept for a few days and honestly a bit like Nosferatu or something. Needless say I left him alone.
)
Up there in Scotland Hebrides? I just rewatched one of my favorite Ealing comedies “Whisky Galore” aka “Tight Little Island” which takes place there I believe. Got to go up there sometime… looks like my kind of place.
see the gory
oeps the ‘glory’ I meant
How cool is that to know Walter Becker is a fan!
It really bugs me though that here in the UK if you hear Steely Dan played on national radio (rare enough) they only seem to choose between Reelin’ in the Years or Rikki don’t lose that Number.
Same with Thomas’ music (even rarer). The numbskull producers only play Science or Hyperactive, and although I love both why don’t they look a little deeper?
Rant over. Hope you’re avoiding the midges Thomas! and no doubt you are taking advantage of all those superb golf courses !!
Seeing both of you together would be one hell of a show! Put me down for two tickets!
Well the mobile worked. But I’m going to have to make a confession: I havn’t got a clue who Steely Dan is. And I wouldn’t be able to name one hit. That’ll have to be something I look into when I return to England. Here every damn song seems to have the same drumbeat, it’s quite irratating really. Though, thats the only bad thing I have to say about this place.
It sure was a pleasure finding out that Steely Dan was touring; found out too late to catch them in my neck of the woods. However, there’s always the new CDs coming out by SD and Donald Fagen! Okay, now when do we get this collaboration CD hooked up?
Thomas: Are you familiar with China Crisis? Walter Becker produced their disc “Flaunt The Imperfection” (1985). A bit of fun pop, with some very interesting play in lyrics.
Standout cuts: “Black Man Ray” and “King In A Catholic Style”.
Another great 1980s band which would fit into the good taste that is reflected so well in this site.
: )
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TMDR, Steely Dan, Todd Rundgren and Lush are my top four musicians/groups. The Steely Dan tie in was amazing and unexpected in itself . Any opinions/ connections on Todd or the now defunct “shoegazing” band Lush?
hello thomas, walter has had kind words for you in the past, as well. i am certain that he would do a project with you.
i might even be able to open a channel for you, if you wish.
you should get their newest cd/lp “everything must go” – it is top notch.
while your at it get EBLAHE – tears for fears newest. i still can’t stop playing it!
see you in NoHo or “hamp” soon.
best,
A
donald fagen released a new album recently called “Morph The Cat”…best one since “The Nightlfy”, def worth checking out
How odd! Walter likes Thomas’s work, and Thomas likes Walter’s work. But I like Thomas’s work, and I can’t stand Walter’s. No reason really. Steely Dan is just not my thing. This just tweaks by brain and reminds me that there’s no accounting for taste!
Hi Thomas, I was just wondering what happened about the George Clinton caption competition you were running? Its not that I think I’m in with a chance, but I was looking through the blogs for information about your keyboard set up, which is the real reson for my reply…. I was wondering what audio interface you use and how you manage your plug-ins. Maybe I should check the forums…. Cheers.
gregorbill, interesting hearing your take on Steely Dan vs. Thomas Dolby. No accounting for taste as you say….but I bet if you polled fans of TD you’d find a majority like Steely Dan as well, and vice-versa. Just a guess, but the two just seem to have….I don’t know….a number of musical cognates or something? Music is like a language I enjoy hearing spoken but can’t speak. That’s always been very frustrating for me.
Walter was quite funny on the program I thought, especially the stuff about John Tesh!
Its kinda strange that Steely dan don’t do it for more people. IMHO they where the greatest American band of the 70′s. Both musically literate and lyrically clever a real treat. For me personally Katie lied (with the clever pictorial pun of a Katy did on the cover) , was the high point in a great run of recordings, that only started to falloff after the Royal scam. Of course they were about as far from a synth band as you could hope to get and perhaps here in is the reason why Thomas loves them (as I do). Synths are great and sequencers are dandy and I own a few myself but this Band *The Dan* was built on real musicianship and I personally cannot compete with that. AJA broke the spell for me, falling as flat as its possible only Love beach by ELP was a bigger disappointment. I have nothing else to add so I’ll stop right here.
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