If anything, it grows on you. I appreciate this song much more now than 45 years ago. Maybe because SD was ahead of their time, maybe it just takes our ears awhile to process each instrument being played at such a high level with such a funky outcome… or both.
I'll listen to this any day of the week but overall love the album. On a nice day I'll make a drink, put this album on the turntable and light up a cigar and I'm in heaven.
I just recently saw Bernard Purdie for the first time at the Green Mill in Chicago. So cool to see a his precision live. RUclips videos have been great at spotlighting the many talented musicians behind the Dan.
This is probably the most Zappa these guys ever managed. If you like this track, I think you guys would really jam on front to back listen to Apostrophe/Overnight sensation.
Yet lots of people HATE Steely Dan--people who should know better! Every SD fan knows people like this, right? One of my oldest friends will not let me play any of "that elevator music" for her. "Green Earings" is elevator music? Must be a killer elevator.
Just love your reaction to the iconic Bernard Purdie high hat work and guitar intro at the change up! I've listened to that song and album a thousand times or more and that change up is ridiculous! Kudos to Mr. purdie, inventor of the Purdie Shuffle. A master drummer!
This is one of my favs from Steely Dan. Great tune and they are also my favorite band to this day. This came out when I was in High School, yeah Im old lol.
I LOVE that you two have the musical knowledge to pick out just how brilliant these two guys that were actually "Steely Dan" were! LOVE your reactions!
STEELY DAN WAS THE FIRST BAND THAT HEARD THAT MADE ROCK AND JAZZ WORK!! THEY SOON THEY JUST EVOLVED INTO PURE JAZZ AND THEIR MUSIC BECAME TIMELESS!! IT CAN PLAY AND MAKE SENSE IN ANY GENERATION!! 😂
This album is in my top 5. I could listen to this song Every day, it makes my soul happy. Nothing like 70’s funk mixed with some fusion jazz. Outstanding!
I don't usually get too excited about the drums...... but........ MERCY. It's the great Bernard Purdie of course. There are always so many "layers" in a SD song.... but to me.... the drums really drive this track. Great reaction, guys. Take care.
That guitar riffing and soloing sounds like one pissed off pussycat that just got wet and is about to take it out on the world! That was Denny Dias (1st, and a founding member of Steely Dan) and Elliot Randall (2d, and I think he did the solo on "Reelin' in the Years", but not sure). Steely Dan never disappoints.
Great solo by Denny Dias on this. He doesn’t get enough credit, imo. And yes, Elliott Randall played the solos on Reelin In The Years - Jimmy Page’s favorite guitar solo ever!
Ice Cube sampled this groove on his tune 'Don't Trust 'Em'. Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie on drums, Chuck Rainey on bass, Paul Griffin on keys, Denny Dias on the main, Jazzy lead guitar solo, Elliot Randall on the Bluesy guitar fills and on the crazy, ring modulator distorted guitar freak out at the end.
Indeed. And yes fellas, The Fez was also sampled, as were a couple dozen other SD songs. But IMHO, very few sampling tracks have fully mined the potential that their SD component presented. Hey-- Don’t you guys run a studio? Hmmm... Do we perhaps have some tracks to look forward to after your dive into SD? Hint hint...:). I have a feeling you could make better use of some of this material than many who have tried before....
When i think of consistently pumping out great music, i can't think of anyone who can match Steely Dan in terms of sheer numbers. Every time i think i've heard everything they have, i hear another song that blows me away.
Green Earrings js a phenomenal tune! Wanna hear Steely Dan play reggae? If you haven’t done so already, PLEASE do Haitian Divorce from this same album. A total masterpiece of a song! 👍🏼🎸😎❤️
Funk'n A! So much to say about this tune...the drums, the BASS, the crazy guitar, the breakdown, the funky attack, the lyrics...yep, that's Bernard....he's a bad man! Some good moments on the remainder of the album, Haitian Divorce is different and it grows on you, and the Royal Scam has really sweet instrumentals. Your play list will keep growing as you listen to more of SD. Great Reaction!
Heard years ago that Bernard Purdie (on drums) is credited with being the first to hit cymbals and then immediately snatch them making that high hat clap ala Sandy McKee of Cold Blood on the tune Shop Talk for example.
Those “three hits” (or sometimes a couple or trio of “push” beats) are frequently part of a *key transition* in the harmonic structure of a song. SD are big on key transitions within their songs. BTW I recently saw a chart on Twitter of “number of top songs with key transitions” charted by year, 70s to present. High in the 70s, then ever decreasing thru the years, to where in this decade,, practically no top songs have even a single key transition in them. Anyway, transitions, push-transitions, multiple sections, harmonic and rhythmic changes or flourishes...not to mention seamless melding of funk, r&B, jazz, pop, stellar musicianship, spacious arrangements with a lot of air and production with miles of sonic separation...just a fraction of what made SD special.
This is another band I've seen in concert a few times and the last time l saw them they opened up with this song, this took me right back there, THANKS 👍🥰 P.S. Can't wait for you to hear "Babylon sister ", it's on their Gaucho album 🤟
The SD song that no one reacts to is Here at the Western World. It did not appear on an album but I believe came from The Royal Scam sessions and was included on the Greatest Hits double album. You might react to Here at the Western World as you finish The Royal Scam.
Can you believe this album so far, just crazy. knew you guys would like this one, what a great piece of funk. And best part, song is about a non-repentant thief.
I had the fortune of seeing the Dan play the entire "Royal Scam" (plus hits) in NYC in 2009 when I was young and broke as hell, but paid up for these tix.. They played an 8-minute version of "Green Earrings" with this young, absolute virtuoso on guitar it was immaculate! Ever since I have worshipped this song.
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie.on drums. You should really head over to Rick Beato's channel and check out his interview with Purdie. He talk about this song and many others of those he played on with Steely Dan.
I met Mr Purdie back in October. He is moving to a town not far from me and helping a friend of mine set up his jazz club/speakeasy. He is the nicest, most humble and kind person you will ever meet! To be in his 80s and to be so effervescent just speaks to what a rare talent he is!
Only came across your channel today but glad I did , it helps that you're reacting to the Dan as they are one of the goats. I wouldn't call them a rock band as they're so much more than that. I look forward to seeing where you go after this album . If you're sticking with the Dan I'd go with Pretzel logic or maybe Fagen's first solo album , The Nightfly . Salutations from Ireland.
They originally recorded a lengthy instrumental version of this song (It's on YT and it kicks ass, Jack). Then they just faded it out half way through and added the vocals.
Awesome reaction to an awesome groove. When you get the chance check out "FM (no static at all)". Used in the film "FM". Kind of a stand alone piece...
Definitely one of my all time favorite bands. I don't have a single favorite artist but these guys are in my top ten. Their music seems to never get old.
Ha ha !! - love seeing people react to the ‘underwater guitar’ near the end. Seek the instrumental-only version of this album and you will be rewarded with stripped-down longer versions of tracks like Green Earrings.
Hey guys. I've been digging you digging the SD rabbit hole. I warned you about the gritty unpolished excellence here on 'Scam. As you said, "No filler on this one." Green Earrings is definitely driven by the bass and filthy drum work. Listen for the clavinet (keys) pushing things along with the rhythm guitar. It is probably Don himself on the clav. Walter Becker (RIP) was the original bass player (and guitar) and co-founder of SD with Donald. But Walter said he stopped bringing his bass guitar to the studio once he heard Chuck Rainey play bass with/for them. Believe it or not, this album gets even deeper before you're done. (I'm still waiting... 30+ years - to find a better album packed with more content than RS.) I think you'll like the islands you're headed for, guys. This gift does keep on giving. Happy Holidays and happy listening.
Like on Kid Charlemagne, SD added the clavinet to help drive the rhythm section, as if Purdie and Rainey needed any help. Minimalist lyrics allow the musicians to shine and each instrument is a revelation... definitely a fun jam.
As a Dan fan since the '70s I am LOVING your takes on all the band's songs. Loving. Glad to see this band live on in its original forms....plural. This song is about a thief....Bravo to you both. My all time fave Dan song is Dr. Wu from Katy Lied. Are no wrong answers. The blew us away in the '70s and '80s and forever. Think you guys would love The Boston Rag on earlier album Countdown to Ecstasy.
There a little 5 note thing that plays through the song, that reminds me of some dastardly character twirling his moustache, after these green earrings, "na ah ah ah ah".
@@Tune-O-matic In attempting to reproduce that same sound on my guitar I see that it is a "muted rake" followed by a "pinch harmonic" on the high e string.
One the funkiest tracks ever .. so much exquisite musicianship by all .Although, I would give the nod to the guitar sections...Denny Dias doing the lead guitar for the rockabilly style first part then Elliott Randall killing it on the second part as a perfect compliment to Denny. As always, great job reacting to this one gents.
I just watched a interview with Chuck Rainey and he said that The Royal Scam was a contractual obligation album that was owed to the record company before they went to a new label. This album was knocked out it a week. Which is lightning fast for the Dan. Such good music for only a week too.
I think the two guitar soloists are Denny Dias and Elliot Randall (who did the iconic opening to Reelin in the Years), IiRC. As a guitarist I can tell you soloing over the main riff is extremely difficult, they're using either m11 or 6/9 chords, can't recall for certain, no real tonal center, no "home base" for the solo to center around. Aside from that one of their easier songs to play, the fretboard fingering is the same just moved around the neck.
I knew you guys wouldn't be disappointed with this great song! You were mentioning something about the chords Steely Dan used in their songwriting and I have a couple insights that might be interesting (or boring and completely irrelevant!😆 ). There were a couple types of chords they used in many (majority?) of their songs that contributed to the "jazzy", rich/lush and sometimes dissonant sound of their recordings. The first was the "mu" chord (their name for the specific chord voicing), which is a major chord with the addition of the 2'nd, so there is the dissonance between the adjacent 2'nd and 3'rd notes....ie. C mu-major chord on a keyboard: left hand- C bass note right hand- D, E, G (a "9" chord also would include the D note, but generally an octave up). On their later albums, they also used "type 2" mu chords which have the 3'rd of the chord in the bass and a common voicing they would use for this would be (for a type 2 C mu-major chord)... left hand- E bass note right hand- D, G, C (type 2 have less dissonance and a more open, jazzy sound...they're all over Deacon Blues and Black Cow). Another type of chord that they loved was "11" chords, which are major chords that would have the following notes of the scale if listed from low to high...1'st, 3'rd, 5'th, flat 7, 9'th, 11'th, but they're rarely played with that voicing. I generally play them with my right hand dropped down to the major chord one whole step below the chord root....ie. for a D11 chord: left hand- D bass note right hand- C, E, G It doesn't include all the notes, but it sounds pretty damn cool! (sorry about being so "verbose" in my response, but I thought you guys would be interested).
La and Che are the only ones to pick up on the mu chords out of all the peeps I've heard listen to the Dan. I remember having my music major sister describing mu chords as I was stumbling over them in my music theory class but you did a great job explaining it to all of us... thanks!
I agree He’s right about it being a noticeably faster steely Dan song. Thats why it stuck out so much to me, extra upbeat and alive. That whole album is crazy good, nice video
Those expensive chords you keep talking about are probably variations on what they call ‘mu major chord’ or the ‘µ chord‘, which is part of their signature sound they developed from the beginning.
This song never gets old. Neither does this album. Even though I've listened to it hundreds of times over the last 45yrs. Great stuff guys...
One of my favorite albums to listen to from beginning to end.
If anything, it grows on you. I appreciate this song much more now than 45 years ago. Maybe because SD was ahead of their time, maybe it just takes our ears awhile to process each instrument being played at such a high level with such a funky outcome… or both.
Amen to that!!!❤
I'll listen to this any day of the week but overall love the album. On a nice day I'll make a drink, put this album on the turntable and light up a cigar and I'm in heaven.
Fabulous lyrics to this song and the legend Bernard Purdey in drums. Bernard turned 81 last week.
The BEST showcase example of Jazz and rock fusion that can be found. Of course, it's from the Dan.
I never noticed how many change ups the drummer did during the first guitar solo until this listen. Good stuff, talent everywhere.
Yes it’s Bernard Purdie on Drums, Chuck Rainey on Bass, Elliot Randell lead Guitar.
All absolute studio masters
bad asses
I just recently saw Bernard Purdie for the first time at the Green Mill in Chicago. So cool to see a his precision live.
RUclips videos have been great at spotlighting the many talented musicians behind the Dan.
Don’t forget Denny Dias playing that first cold as ice solo through the bridge’s chord changes…
Denny Dias played the bridge solo..Elliot's is 2nd
@@jodygotyourgirlngonethat’s liberally what I said.
This is probably the most Zappa these guys ever managed. If you like this track, I think you guys would really jam on front to back listen to Apostrophe/Overnight sensation.
How can anyone not love Steely Dan? Is it possible? Awesome reaction! On to the incomparable Haitian Divorce!
You would have to be allergic to great music.
Yet lots of people HATE Steely Dan--people who should know better! Every SD fan knows people like this, right?
One of my oldest friends will not let me play any of "that elevator music" for her. "Green Earings" is elevator music? Must be a killer elevator.
@danl.909 the thing is, although music is art and art subjective, if you don't like Steely Dan then we ain't friends lol.
You know how happy it makes me when you say it’s one of your favorite bands…!!!
Haitian Divorce is coming next !!! You're gonna love that one for sure
Definitely in my top five of favorites!
Just love your reaction to the iconic Bernard Purdie high hat work and guitar intro at the change up! I've listened to that song and album a thousand times or more and that change up is ridiculous! Kudos to Mr. purdie, inventor of the Purdie Shuffle. A master drummer!
All he does is open his hihat for a few notes and we all go crazy… timing is everything. Bernard Purdie: incomparable on the hihat.
Zip,Zip,Zip -space- groove. Prettiest of the Purdy there. Awesome
This is one of my favs from Steely Dan. Great tune and they are also my favorite band to this day. This came out when I was in High School, yeah Im old lol.
I LOVE that you two have the musical knowledge to pick out just how brilliant these two guys that were actually "Steely Dan" were! LOVE your reactions!
Next is Haitian Divorce, reggae heaven, only Steely Dan could do this song.
STEELY DAN WAS THE FIRST BAND THAT HEARD THAT MADE ROCK AND JAZZ WORK!! THEY SOON THEY JUST EVOLVED INTO PURE JAZZ AND THEIR MUSIC BECAME TIMELESS!! IT CAN PLAY AND MAKE SENSE IN ANY GENERATION!! 😂
This album is in my top 5. I could listen to this song Every day, it makes my soul happy. Nothing like 70’s funk mixed with some fusion jazz. Outstanding!
I don't usually get too excited about the drums...... but........ MERCY. It's the great Bernard Purdie of course. There are always so many "layers" in a SD song.... but to me.... the drums really drive this track. Great reaction, guys. Take care.
That guitar riffing and soloing sounds like one pissed off pussycat that just got wet and is about to take it out on the world! That was Denny Dias (1st, and a founding member of Steely Dan) and Elliot Randall (2d, and I think he did the solo on "Reelin' in the Years", but not sure). Steely Dan never disappoints.
Great solo by Denny Dias on this. He doesn’t get enough credit, imo. And yes, Elliott Randall played the solos on Reelin In The Years - Jimmy Page’s favorite guitar solo ever!
Ice Cube sampled this groove on his tune 'Don't Trust 'Em'. Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie on drums, Chuck Rainey on bass, Paul Griffin on keys, Denny Dias on the main, Jazzy lead guitar solo, Elliot Randall on the Bluesy guitar fills and on the crazy, ring modulator distorted guitar freak out at the end.
Indeed. And yes fellas, The Fez was also sampled, as were a couple dozen other SD songs. But IMHO, very few sampling tracks have fully mined the potential that their SD component presented. Hey-- Don’t you guys run a studio? Hmmm... Do we perhaps have some tracks to look forward to after your dive into SD? Hint hint...:). I have a feeling you could make better use of some of this material than many who have tried before....
3:15 the moment we’ve all been waiting for
Those wonderful high hat chokes!!! My favorite part of the song. :)
Skipping along
After half a century listening to them, I must confess, they are my favorite band too.
When i think of consistently pumping out great music, i can't think of anyone who can match Steely Dan in terms of sheer numbers. Every time i think i've heard everything they have, i hear another song that blows me away.
Green Earrings js a phenomenal tune!
Wanna hear Steely Dan play reggae?
If you haven’t done so already, PLEASE do Haitian Divorce from this same album.
A total masterpiece of a song!
👍🏼🎸😎❤️
We just reacted to it 5 mins ago. Should be out soon. I loved it!!
So good! Great bass playing! And all the other instruments too!
I have all their albums and this is my favorite song of them all.
I feel like I’m hearing these songs for the first time along with you guys. So much fun!
This album is magical. The guitar work is out of this galaxy. I want whatever that dude was into...
Gotta check out steely dan glamour profession. One of the best base grooves.
This album is fire!🔥🔥🔥
This is my favorite band too!
Funk'n A! So much to say about this tune...the drums, the BASS, the crazy guitar, the breakdown, the funky attack, the lyrics...yep, that's Bernard....he's a bad man! Some good moments on the remainder of the album, Haitian Divorce is different and it grows on you, and the Royal Scam has really sweet instrumentals. Your play list will keep growing as you listen to more of SD. Great Reaction!
They are in their own class
Heard years ago that Bernard Purdie (on drums) is credited with being the first to hit cymbals and then immediately snatch them making that high hat clap ala Sandy McKee of Cold Blood on the tune Shop Talk for example.
What a band! Thank you guys
Bernard Purdie talks about the drumming on this song in his interview with Rick Beato.🏝️
Those “three hits” (or sometimes a couple or trio of “push” beats) are frequently part of a *key transition* in the harmonic structure of a song. SD are big on key transitions within their songs. BTW I recently saw a chart on Twitter of “number of top songs with key transitions” charted by year, 70s to present. High in the 70s, then ever decreasing thru the years, to where in this decade,, practically no top songs have even a single key transition in them. Anyway, transitions, push-transitions, multiple sections, harmonic and rhythmic changes or flourishes...not to mention seamless melding of funk, r&B, jazz, pop, stellar musicianship, spacious arrangements with a lot of air and production with miles of sonic separation...just a fraction of what made SD special.
To be more explicit (damn “Edit” doesn’t work on this iPad”) the “hits” are bridging chords that move the song from one key to another
Agree, and masters of tension/release.
This is another band I've seen in concert a few times and the last time l saw them they opened up with this song, this took me right back there, THANKS 👍🥰 P.S. Can't wait for you to hear "Babylon sister ", it's on their Gaucho album 🤟
The SD song that no one reacts to is Here at the Western World. It did not appear on an album but I believe came from The Royal Scam sessions and was included on the Greatest Hits double album.
You might react to Here at the Western World as you finish The Royal Scam.
DAMN!!! You guys do GREAT reaction songs!!! 💯💯😎
Can you believe this album so far, just crazy. knew you guys would like this one, what a great piece of funk. And best part, song is about a non-repentant thief.
I had the fortune of seeing the Dan play the entire "Royal Scam" (plus hits) in NYC in 2009 when I was young and broke as hell, but paid up for these tix.. They played an 8-minute version of "Green Earrings" with this young, absolute virtuoso on guitar it was immaculate! Ever since I have worshipped this song.
seriously, you guys are the BEST.
Thank you!!
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie.on drums. You should really head over to Rick Beato's channel and check out his interview with Purdie. He talk about this song and many others of those he played on with Steely Dan.
I met Mr Purdie back in October. He is moving to a town not far from me and helping a friend of mine set up his jazz club/speakeasy. He is the nicest, most humble and kind person you will ever meet! To be in his 80s and to be so effervescent just speaks to what a rare talent he is!
Check out how this was sampled on the old school classic Walk Into the Sun by Organized Konfusion
I second that!!!!
That tambourine is everything!!!!
Ice Cube sampled this song. It is enjoyable to watch you gentlemen discover The Royal Scam for the first time.
Bernard Purdie reminds us the hi hat is the most fascinating instrument in music!
Somewhere around here there's a rhythm section only version of this that is great to listen to.
Only came across your channel today but glad I did , it helps that you're reacting to the Dan as they are one of the goats. I wouldn't call them a rock band as they're so much more than that. I look forward to seeing where you go after this album . If you're sticking with the Dan I'd go with Pretzel logic or maybe Fagen's first solo album , The Nightfly . Salutations from Ireland.
They originally recorded a lengthy instrumental version of this song (It's on YT and it kicks ass, Jack). Then they just faded it out half way through and added the vocals.
Awesome reaction to an awesome groove. When you get the chance check out "FM (no static at all)". Used in the film "FM". Kind of a stand alone piece...
Gotta make sure to use the long "hybrid" mix of FM that has both sax solos (one in the outro also)!
@@michaelrouten Oh yes, great call!!
This is funk at it’s finest. Super, Supreme ⭐️❤️
Definitely one of my all time favorite bands. I don't have a single favorite artist but these guys are in my top ten. Their music seems to never get old.
That look in your eye I don’t mind I don’t mind .. so cold
Soul Sacrifice you guys are going to be blown awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Funk, blues, jazz, hip hop, rock ... what genre didn't they cover.
thanks for reaction to music we lived , hoping youth & elders interest always remains
Ha ha !! - love seeing people react to the ‘underwater guitar’ near the end.
Seek the instrumental-only version of this album and you will be rewarded with stripped-down longer versions of tracks like Green Earrings.
Imagine going into the studio....and comin up with these songs.
Again, Steely Dan! Your favorite bands favorite band! 🔥✌🤘
Hey guys. I've been digging you digging the SD rabbit hole. I warned you about the gritty unpolished excellence here on 'Scam. As you said, "No filler on this one." Green Earrings is definitely driven by the bass and filthy drum work. Listen for the clavinet (keys) pushing things along with the rhythm guitar. It is probably Don himself on the clav. Walter Becker (RIP) was the original bass player (and guitar) and co-founder of SD with Donald. But Walter said he stopped bringing his bass guitar to the studio once he heard Chuck Rainey play bass with/for them.
Believe it or not, this album gets even deeper before you're done. (I'm still waiting... 30+ years - to find a better album packed with more content than RS.) I think you'll like the islands you're headed for, guys. This gift does keep on giving. Happy Holidays and happy listening.
Like on Kid Charlemagne, SD added the clavinet to help drive the rhythm section, as if Purdie and Rainey needed any help. Minimalist lyrics allow the musicians to shine and each instrument is a revelation... definitely a fun jam.
Oh, I was waiting for you to get to this and I wasn't disappointed!
Not even a little! Probably one of the best rabbit holes you can crawl down!
You have to see soul sacrifice by Santana live in wood stock. Crazy crazy percussion out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!
As a Dan fan since the '70s I am LOVING your takes on all the band's songs. Loving. Glad to see this band live on in its original forms....plural. This song is about a thief....Bravo to you both. My all time fave Dan song is Dr. Wu from Katy Lied. Are no wrong answers. The blew us away in the '70s and '80s and forever. Think you guys would love The Boston Rag on earlier album Countdown to Ecstasy.
I love Doctor Wu.
i enjoy you guys' reviews so much! You not only have good commentary but know what you're talking about. Good stuff.
Easily one of my fav SD songs. Maybe my fav. Steely famous for bringing the best studio musicians together for their stuff.
There a little 5 note thing that plays through the song, that reminds me of some dastardly character twirling his moustache, after these green earrings, "na ah ah ah ah".
The opening lead note (a harmonic) sounds like a ring in a bell under that sizzling hi-hat..
And it comes immediately after a rake which helps to set it off.
@@biskygiver well defined.. a muted rake harmonic
@@Tune-O-matic In attempting to reproduce that same sound on my guitar I see that it is a "muted rake" followed by a "pinch harmonic" on the high e string.
Genius.
Pretzel Logic: Night by Night
Definitely on my playlist. ☺️
Double sick guitar solos.
genius....plain and not so simple
One the funkiest tracks ever .. so much exquisite musicianship by all .Although, I would give the nod to the guitar sections...Denny Dias doing the lead guitar for the rockabilly style first part then Elliott Randall killing it on the second part as a perfect compliment to Denny. As always, great job reacting to this one gents.
Another great one with pumping up the funk!
I live all the guitar rakes
Almost my best-est favourite SD song😃🥰
The 4th or 5th time you listen to it is when you'll really appreciate it. ❤👍
They know how to make music
You didn't acknowledge that amazing quick high hat drum fill in the middle of the song. You need to listen for it when you play the album in full
That key change into the solo is nasty.
Like the new picture on your wall 😃 love watching your reactions.
The use of 'mu chords' give them their unique sound.
Ice Cube sampled this song on ‘Don’t Trust E’m’
Nice to see TheFunk has hooked a couple more young Dan Fans! Keep groovin guys!
This is as close as they got to Gentle Giant. {Power and the Glory - you know you want to…}
WOW, another Gentle Giant fan!
Fantastic! GG FOREVER 🎶☺️
That song was straight up PROGGY!! Man! Who was the guitarist? Tricks and techniques! 😮
I just watched a interview with Chuck Rainey and he said that The Royal Scam was a contractual obligation album that was owed to the record company before they went to a new label. This album was knocked out it a week. Which is lightning fast for the Dan. Such good music for only a week too.
I think the two guitar soloists are Denny Dias and Elliot Randall (who did the iconic opening to Reelin in the Years), IiRC. As a guitarist I can tell you soloing over the main riff is extremely difficult, they're using either m11 or 6/9 chords, can't recall for certain, no real tonal center, no "home base" for the solo to center around. Aside from that one of their easier songs to play, the fretboard fingering is the same just moved around the neck.
I knew you guys wouldn't be disappointed with this great song! You were mentioning something about the chords Steely Dan used in their songwriting and I have a couple insights that might be interesting (or boring and completely irrelevant!😆 ). There were a couple types of chords they used in many (majority?) of their songs that contributed to the "jazzy", rich/lush and sometimes dissonant sound of their recordings. The first was the "mu" chord (their name for the specific chord voicing), which is a major chord with the addition of the 2'nd, so there is the dissonance between the adjacent 2'nd and 3'rd notes....ie. C mu-major chord on a keyboard: left hand- C bass note right hand- D, E, G (a "9" chord also would include the D note, but generally an octave up). On their later albums, they also used "type 2" mu chords which have the 3'rd of the chord in the bass and a common voicing they would use for this would be (for a type 2 C mu-major chord)... left hand- E bass note right hand- D, G, C (type 2 have less dissonance and a more open, jazzy sound...they're all over Deacon Blues and Black Cow). Another type of chord that they loved was "11" chords, which are major chords that would have the following notes of the scale if listed from low to high...1'st, 3'rd, 5'th, flat 7, 9'th, 11'th, but they're rarely played with that voicing. I generally play them with my right hand dropped down to the major chord one whole step below the chord root....ie. for a D11 chord: left hand- D bass note right hand- C, E, G It doesn't include all the notes, but it sounds pretty damn cool! (sorry about being so "verbose" in my response, but I thought you guys would be interested).
We are very interested in this information. Thank you for this. I’m about to go play some of these chords now so I can hear it.
@@AirplayBeats My pleasure! I hope you get so much inspiration from playing them that you write a hit song! 😁
La and Che are the only ones to pick up on the mu chords out of all the peeps I've heard listen to the Dan. I remember having my music major sister describing mu chords as I was stumbling over them in my music theory class but you did a great job explaining it to all of us... thanks!
Let that bass bump and thump baby!
Bernard Purdie high hat triple smash! Legendary!
I agree He’s right about it being a noticeably faster steely Dan song. Thats why it stuck out so much to me, extra upbeat and alive. That whole album is crazy good, nice video
If the only thing you got out of this channel was an introduction to Steely Dan (and others), I think it would be ok with you. 😂 💜💜💜
Those expensive chords you keep talking about are probably variations on what they call ‘mu major chord’ or the ‘µ chord‘, which is part of their signature sound they developed from the beginning.
I can smell the crack i used to smoke to this song!!! Beautiful!!
I enjoy them so much more now thanks I did at 8. 😂 I liked them then but love them now.
Everything you did!!!!
Ooooo, funky!
HERBIE HANCOCK AS A POP STAR A++++