Tag Archive for: Donald Fagen

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Steely Dan- Katy Lied- Donald Fagen, the late Walter Becker

Steely Dan's 1975 fourth album, "Katy Lied", is a perfect example of a "sleeper", but it's not simply the passage of time that obscures its many-faceted brilliance. Here are Donald Fagen & the late Walter Becker interviewed.
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Steely Dan- Pretzel Logic- Donald Fagen, the late Walter Becker

The third Steely Dan album,"Pretzel Logic" in February 1974, has always served as a distinct demarcation line in the evolution of the eclectic band led by my guests, songwriting duo Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. "Pretzel Logic" by Steely Dan is significant because it contained the #4 Billboard hit, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", with the album Top Ten in sales as well. Rolling Stone magazine ranks "Pretzel Logic" at #386 on their Top 500 Albums of All Time.

Steely Dan- Pretzel Logic 1991

Though technically not appearing as Steely Dan on the 1991 return to the stage by Donald Fagen, the New York Rock'n'Soul Revue   did include former Steely Dan background singer Michael McDonald, who sings the bridge part along with Fagen on this note perfect live version of "Pretzel Logic", the title song to the third Steely Dan album.

Steely Dan- Countdown to Ecstasy 50th Anniversary- Donald Fagen, Walter Becker

So was Steely Dan's debut success in 1972 with "Can't Buy a Thrill", spinning off two Top 15 hits and impressive Top 20 sales, a blessing or a curse when it came time less than a year later to follow it up with "Countdown to Ecstasy"? My guests Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker were too smart to get trapped into a simple binary answer here In the Studio.
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Steely Dan- Can’t Buy a Thrill- Donald Fagen, the late Walter Becker

"Can't Buy a Thrill"  in November 1972 from Steely Dan this first varied assortment of smart pop from the songwriters Donald Fagen and Walter Becker sounds the least like any Steely Dan album which would follow, but my guests Donald Fagen & the late Walter Becker explain why that's the case In the Studio.
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Steely Dan- Aja- Donald Fagen, the late Walter Becker

Two purveyors of progressive pop, rock, and jazz in Steely Dan, singer/piano player Fagen and the late guitarist Walter Becker,  discuss  "Aja" with Redbeard In the Studio.
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Eagles- Hotel California 50th- Don Henley, Joe Walsh,the late Glenn Frey

"Hotel California" by The Eagles... impressive combination of cinematic vision, songcraft, and high tech production seemed to be coming from a place in the near future to which the rest of rock would have to catch up...Joe Walsh, Don Henley, & the late Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey are my guests In the Studio for "Hotel CA" .

Boz Scaggs- Lowdown- May 1994 Dallas

Much to my delight, Dallas-via-San Francisco rhythm and bluesman Boz Scaggs has been quite prolific in the 21st century. One look at the superb Dukes of September   concert DVD confirms my impression from witnessing the actual 2012 tour featuring…