# Steely Dan **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095 "2004-06-01T16:54:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![International\_Playboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/48db29/32.png) [@International\_Playboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/International_Playboy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/41 "2004-06-02T15:52:03Z")
> [@masonite](#): > > That’s the one with only one chord, right? I think they were trying to prove something, namely, that they could write music that wasn’t harmonically complex. Well, they succeeded, and that’s the ONLY S.D. track I will invariably skip over. > > Excepting, of course, _Two Against Nature_. What a terrible mistake. It had already been done, and surpassed. A sellout album if there ever was one. I had a couple of Steely Dan albums in high school, **Cant Buy a Thrill** and **Pretzel Logic** , I liked Thrill but don’t remember much about Pretzel Logic. After high school, they released **Aja** , which I never really got into at the time. Fast forward to about a year ago. Bought Aja on CD and was really enjoying it. About a month ago, I saw that the CD club offered **Two Against Nature** and picked it up. I like it, seems to take up where Aja left off. I especially like “Cousin Dupree.” Why is this a “sellout?” Because it seems so close to Aja, or because it won a Grammy? For not hearing anything new out of them for decades, I thought that album was quite good. ---
**Author:** ![Gamaliel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gamaliel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gamaliel)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2004, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/42 "2004-06-02T17:55:55Z")
The four disc set _Citizen Steely Dan_ has all of their (pre-original breakup) albums and a couple B-sides and live tracks. Get everything in one go and it will be cheaper in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/43 "2004-06-02T18:01:26Z")
> [@Moody Bastard](#): > > Much as I love the Dan, many of their lyrics strike me as too clever by half- sardonic in a deliberate, even condescending way. The hip obscurity of the references seems to connote two guys forever winking at each other (never their audience) via craftily worded in-jokes. Man, you nailed the whole attraction of SD for me right there! Listening to them sometimes reminds me I’m not as hip as I think I am, and it keeps me “grounded”. 😃 * * * Announcement at the “free” concert in the park: “You’re expected to pay for the entertainment by visiting the sponsor’s booths and buying stuff!” ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/44 "2004-06-03T01:26:53Z")
> [@Barrytown](#): > > Here I am! I can see by what you carry… 😃 Damn, now I wish I had a Steely Dan name. Shine In Your Japan, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/45 "2004-06-03T08:18:57Z")
> [@WILLASS](#): > > [MichaelMacDonald]Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeggggggggg[/MichaelMacDonald] There was a (BBC2?) documentary on SD, IIRC specifically about Aja, with Becker and Fagen (and the session guys) explaining songs and arrangements. This included playing back the multitrack and soloing various parts including: [M-MacD]Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeggggg[/M-MacD] and the backing vocal parts: “shadow falls - all in threedee - foreign movie”. Also had the bass player (whose name I _really_ should remember) showing how he snuck in some slap bass in the chorus after specifically being told not to by B&F. I don’t remember if they explained what Peg is about. Though they did cover the other songs. They really went to a lot of trouble making that album. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/46 "2004-06-03T09:58:15Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > Also had the bass player (whose name I _really_ should remember) showing how he snuck in some slap bass in the chorus after specifically being told not to by B&F. The bass player was Chuck Rainey and funny you should mention the slap bass. I was playing bass along with the song when my brother, a talented musician, came storming in the room and said, “Why the hell are you slapping the bass during the chorus? That’s not how it goes!” I insisted it did. 10 years later he finally admitted to me that he listened to it after our argument and the chorus was indeed slapped. I think it’s unusual but very cool. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/47 "2004-06-03T10:18:29Z")
Chuck Rainey ::doh:: thanks **Kid** > [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > …the chorus was indeed slapped. But seeing this is Steely Dan it is _very tastefully_ done. If he’d tried some Mark King style wankery I think they would have had him killed there and then. ---
**Author:** ![WILLASS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/54ee81/32.png) [@WILLASS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WILLASS)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/48 "2004-06-03T10:33:12Z")
What is the name of the song where Michael MacDonald sings the line: ‘The Cuervo Gold, the fine Co-lumbian’? I only have the album I’m listening to on MD so don’t have track names. As you might be able to tell I really dig MacDonalds backing vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/49 "2004-06-03T10:40:10Z")
> [@WILLASS](#): > > ‘The Cuervo Gold, the fine Co-lumbian’? Hey Nineteen (83.7% sure) ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/50 "2004-06-03T12:01:11Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > Hey Nineteen (83.7% sure) Your 100% correct. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/51 "2004-06-03T12:28:20Z")
> [@masonite](#): > > Damn, now I wish I had a Steely Dan name. Shine In Your Japan, maybe? Off the top of me head- Razor Boy Charlie Freak Felonious The Wolverine of New Anondale Clean Willie (from “Haitian Divorce” [?] Afficionados may correct me if I’m mishearing the lyric) The El Supremo squonk Rose Darling Gaslighting Abbie godwhacker Deacon Blues (There’s a Doctor Wu here, isn’t there?) Some may recognize this squonk’s handle from the aforementioned Walter Becker solo CD. ---
**Author:** ![WILLASS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/54ee81/32.png) [@WILLASS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WILLASS)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/52 "2004-06-03T12:47:32Z")
My friend (who introduced me to ‘The Dan’) has ‘The Fez On’ as his login name for a major instant messaging service. I thought it was pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/53 "2004-06-03T12:48:38Z")
> [@Knowed Out](#): > > All these years I’ve never realized Gaucho was about a gay love triangle. :smack: It all makes sense now. Are you being sarcastic or do you now see it the way I’ve always seen it? ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/54 "2004-06-03T13:12:48Z")
> [@WILLASS](#): > > My friend has ‘The Fez On’ as his login name for a major instant messaging service. I thought it was pretty cool. Agreed! ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/55 "2004-06-03T13:37:44Z")
> [@Moody Bastard](#): > > Off the top of me head- > > Razor Boy > The Wolverine of New Anondale > > Some may recognize this squonk’s handle from the aforementioned Walter Becker solo CD. Razor Boy is my alternative gaming nickname when KidCharlemagne is taken. It’s Wolverine up to Annandale (a train). And while we’re on that song, might as well throw in: Chino Daddy Gee. Not specific enough a reference though. Squonk is also from Any Major Dude (_Have you ever seen a squonk’s tears? Well look at mine_.) As for other names: Babylon Sister \* Ruby Baby (DF) \* Cathy Berberian Any Major Dude \* Midnight Cruiser Pearl of the Quarter Rikki Monkey in Your Soul \* Snake Mary Mr. LaPage (for a pedophile) Mizar Five Broadway Duchess \* BUT…none better than **Kid Charlemagne**! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/56 "2004-06-03T13:45:30Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > Snake Mary Ah! Too good. Crossed a diamond with a pearl there, **Kid.** 😉 btw, the guitar solo on the fade in “K.C.” is only one of my favorite intrumental breaks _evah._ Who was that, Michael Brecker (?) ---
**Author:** ![WILLASS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/54ee81/32.png) [@WILLASS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WILLASS)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/57 "2004-06-03T13:54:08Z")
Good news, my friend is in the process of recording _every_ Steely dan album to MD for me now, woo freakin hoo! Has anyone else here noticed that Donald Fagen sort of resembles Mr Burns? ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/58 "2004-06-03T14:00:18Z")
> [@Moody Bastard](#): > > Ah! Too good. > Crossed a diamond with a pearl there, **Kid.** 😉 > > btw, the guitar solo on the fade in “K.C.” is only one of my favorite intrumental breaks _evah._ Who was that, Michael Brecker (?) That was Larry Carlton and is, imo, the best guitar solo ever recorded. I learned the solo and the outro note for note and it’s a blast to play. Other songs with great outros that require careful listening include: Peg, My Old, School, Bodhisattva, King of the World, many others. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/59 "2004-06-03T14:01:21Z")
Some of you may want to participate in this thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=4925346#post4925346](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=4925346#post4925346) ---
**Author:** ![WILLASS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/54ee81/32.png) [@WILLASS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WILLASS)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2004, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095/60 "2004-06-03T14:06:43Z")
Hey **Kid** , I’m listening to my MD at work trying to find a cool lyric to add to your story, lets just hope I don’t get fired. Good idea BTW. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan/248095.md?page=4)