"Night By Night" off of the "Pretzel Logic" album infiltrated my soul from the first listen. It's difficult to stick with any one Steely Dan song but I believe it IS my utmost favorite. So much there!
'Here At The Western World' is surely one of the best songs they ever did. A song about wanting to be the thing that your base instincts are telling you. A subversive attitude inside a lovely, compassionate melody.
They had a few of the Gaucho outtakes that were lost due to an accident in overdubbing were never redone but you can find and please do and review, Kulie Babba, The Bear, The Second Arrangement. These are insanely outstanding 😎👍♥️
In the summer of 1973, at the no longer existing Balboa Stadium in San Diego, I went to see Elton John on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour. The opening act was Quicksilver Messenger Service and the next band was Steely Dan. They absolutely blew me away; 50 years later I can still see Denny Dias in overalls shredding the guitar solo on Bodhisaatva. Elton was really good, but in my opinion Steely Dan stole the show.
I really enjoyed your overview and discussion of this damm great legendary song. Up at the top of my favorites of the dan and imo their most criminally underated. On a side note my father victor feldman (keyboards/percussion) played on all of their albums up until gaucho and i played bass in a steely tribute for 20 yrs.
Wow! A lot to unpack here...first of all, thanks for watching and commenting on my video. Western World is at/near the top of my Dan favorites, as well. Second, you don't need me to tell you what a giant your dad was - but I will anyway! In addition to his incredible work on all those Dan albums, I LOVED his contributions to the great (and also criminally underrated) Doobie Brothers track, Livin' On The Fault Line, from their 1977 album of the same name. As if all that wasn't enough, some of your father's albums from the 80's (specifically, Secret of the Andes, Soft Shoulder, and Call of the Wild) were staples for me when I programmed Contemporary Jazz for AEI Music back in the day. You were part of his great Generation Band, too?! Unbelievable... Finally, being a former (not very good) bass player myself, I can't imagine what an absolute gas you must have had playing in a Dan tribute for all those years. So many incredible basslines! Thanks again for commenting - you made my day!
@@1359401 … I just found this channel in my RUclips feed and read your comment. I too, am a LIFELONG Steely Dan fanatic, having bought Can’t Buy A Thrill at age 11 with my chore and lawn-mowing money on the September release date in 1972. Mom loaded up the station wagon and took us kids to the record store to buy a few records, and my FIRST CHOICE was CBAT as the store employees were unboxing the records and had the album playing on the store’s sound system to create a buzz and stir up some sales. I had to know what group it was, as I had never heard pop music sound so different, and the guy at the counter pointed to the freshly unpacked box from ABC Records. I was lucky enough to bring home a record store promotional poster of the original cover art and still have it to this day. The subsequent SD releases were always anticipated greatly, and I made it a point to buy them all on the release date at the very same record store for a straight decade. Needless to say, I’ve been accidentally listening to Victor Feldman, but grew to love jazz music since I first discovered Walter Becker, Donald Fagen and all the other fantastic band members and studio musicians of Steely Dan, and have listened faithfully for nearly 50 straight years…and my jazz tastes have grown exponentially because of their unique pop/rock/jazz fusion and indelibly different sound. It has been a musical passion of mine since I was a boy. Your father’s talents and jazz career was simply incomparable. A mere thank you seems out of place, so God Bless you, Victor. The musical art he created and contributed to is just beyond belief. ✌🏽
This song. This song. Yes, a total surprise to show up out of nowhere on the greatest hits album. And it becomes one of my favorites back when I was just getting hooked on SD. It still hits me hard on emotional levels I cannot explain. The music, lyrics and delivery are stunningly beautiful and incredibly touching.
Et tu, Tony? For me, probably the greatest single week of my life was in the summer of 1988 when I was alone staining the deck and cottage buildings at our property on an island west of Sudbury Ontario. I was 21. I worked hard every day and in the evenings I'd sit back and listen to SD's Greatest Hits - the one pictured in this video - in between swimming, using our sauna and drinking beer like it was going out of style. No phones, computers or contact with the outside world... This amazing song can bring me back to that magical time on command. Was already a fan but the Dan became my band for life that week.
Very nuanced, astute observations and enthusiastic presentation of Steely Dan and HATWW in particular. Thanks so much for this video - I really enjoyed it!
Great job dude. Steely Dan is my #1 all time band. I graduated high school in '76 so I was there. Aja and Royal Scam are my 2 favorite albums. Here At the Western World has always been one of my favorite Dan songs. But my all time favorite Dan song is Aja. You do a great job setting the context here.
This song turned me on to Steely Dan and was one of the first "serious" rock songs I got into as the 70's were drawing to a close when I was only 14. Our local AOR station had this tune in heavy rotation and I couldn't get enough of it. Became a big Steely Dan fan because of it. Oh, and great pick for your favorite album. Don't Take Me Alive and the title track are my personal favorites from The Royal Scam.
I agree this song is wonderful. Your pictures on the back wall show your excellent musical taste.2 x Chicago and the Beatles You know your SD albums and I agree that the Royal Scam and Aja are on another level. It might be the role Larry Carlton played with his solos and I hear he wrote the charts for the studio musicians during recording. Of course Fagan and Becker are the song writers and creative geniuses.
It is telling that on the 1978 Greatest Hits album, they sequenced this song chronologically between Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied. This is surely when the song dates from stylistically and production wise. Great video!
hi, i really appreciate your heartfelt thoughts and commentary on one of my favorite bands-steely dan. like you, i've been a fan since '72 , i've seen them in concert and have all their recorded output except " sailing the waterway, dallas" and a 12-15 minute suite which i heard on youtube but, for the life of me i can't remember {i think there's a female singer on it} plus donald fagen's "b" sides- shanghai confidential and tomorrow's girls etc,etc...thank you again for the review of "here at the western world" what a surprise finding that back in '78 on a greatest hits no less-like discovering the holy grail...thanks again!
Came across your channel. Love the Steely Dan information! I am a "Dandom" fan for life, and I agree about the Royal Scam album. I love them all in different ways and moods, but the song Green Earrings is my favorite deep track off that album. Thanks!
Great video, and isn't it just like Fagen and Becker to put a totally unknown never heard before track on a greatest hits record!! By the way, you probably know this, but the great track "Third World Man" was similarly held over from the Aja sessions and added to "Gaucho". And, strangely enough, at the time they were putting the Greatest Hits double album together, both "Here at the Western World" and "Third World Man" were as yet unheard. Lastly, when I ranked my own person Favorite 25 Steely Dan songs -- a very difficult project, but super fun -- "Here at the Western World" came in at #25.
I gave up the concept of “favorite” with Steely Dan. This always had a Katy Lied feel. I saw them in ‘74 at Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, Ca. The rest is History. Your good. I’ll be back. I’m sure you’ve heard “The Bear”.
Yes, it has occurred to me that I should quit saying "one of my all-time favorites" when in reality I have about a thousand all-time favorites. Hate to admit it, but I am woefully unaware of unreleased songs, including The Bear. Thanks for watching, John!
Hey Tony, just saw this comment from yesterday. Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words and the support for the channel. From your lips to God's ears! I'm thrilled to hear from someone who can appreciate what I'm trying to do. All the best to you!
HI! I don't know if it was The Western World, but one their low-profile songs was used/supposed to be used in a movie track. Not a lot of information to go on, I know! lol Something to check out.
I enjoyed your reaction vid . I knew 2 or 3 songs by sd growing up but not much else . IGY I recognised also . Fast forward to my 50’s , someone told me about nearly dan ( tribute act) and I started to listen to more n more sd songs , I’m 54 and now after James brown & the who being ( used to be )my favs , steely Dan are by far my favourite act . Deacon blues .. wow My favourite song of theirs keep changing ( it’s impossible to have just one )
This was a track that was completely overlooked by NYC radio - except for 1 station, WTFM located in Queens, NY. They would soon become WAPP, an album rock station that made a splash with their commercial free summer in 1982.
this song also got airplay in Philly at WMMR. I know because John DeBella their morning dj did the screamer of the week, or best song, based on requests. Here at the western world was the screamer of the week. I love steely dan. Saw them when they first toured before they decided the road was not for them.
Dean Park's guitar work in this song is absolutely amazing. Beautiful light solo pieces that matches the song perfectly. I too am a original from release date SD fan. BUT........Im NOT quite sure what your saying about "Sweet and romantic". In particular this song. I guess everyone is entitled to their own interpretations of songs. But the vast majority of people who dig deep into this song knows this is NOT about a "sweet" or "Romantic" subject indeed LOL .....
Yeah, "romantic" probably wasn't the best term for this song. I was referring in a general sense to the musical sweetness and romanticism that so often accompanies (and I guess belies) their cynicism. I didn't explain that very well. Thanks for watching and commenting, Paul.
Thanks for the kind words, Ted. As for "Haitian" - lol - it occurred to me when I watched the video back that I was probably saying it wrong, but I wasn't sure. Another one for the blooper reel...
No radio show, but who knows - maybe someday a podcast or other format that allows for longer shows? I guess we'll see where the muse takes us! Thanks for the kind words, just phil.
"Night By Night" off of the "Pretzel Logic" album infiltrated my soul from the first listen. It's difficult to stick with any one Steely Dan song but I believe it IS my utmost favorite. So much there!
Yeah that’s a great one, from a catalog that has only grown in stature over the years.
Western World would have fit in perfectly on Katy Lied.
One of the best guitar solos nobody's heard of. 16 seconds that packs an emotional punch
'Here At The Western World' is surely one of the best songs they ever did. A song about wanting to be the thing that your base instincts are telling you. A subversive attitude inside a lovely, compassionate melody.
They had a few of the Gaucho outtakes that were lost due to an accident in overdubbing were never redone but you can find and please do and review, Kulie Babba, The Bear, The Second Arrangement. These are insanely outstanding 😎👍♥️
all the music that steely dan did not put on their LPs would undoubtedly make an amazing LP.
In the summer of 1973, at the no longer existing Balboa Stadium in San Diego, I went to see Elton John on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour. The opening act was Quicksilver Messenger Service and the next band was Steely Dan. They absolutely blew me away; 50 years later I can still see Denny Dias in overalls shredding the guitar solo on Bodhisaatva. Elton was really good, but in my opinion Steely Dan stole the show.
A masterpiece.
I really enjoyed your overview and discussion of this damm great legendary song. Up at the top of my favorites of the dan and imo their most criminally underated. On a side note my father victor feldman (keyboards/percussion) played on all of their albums up until gaucho and i played bass in a steely tribute for 20 yrs.
Wow! A lot to unpack here...first of all, thanks for watching and commenting on my video. Western World is at/near the top of my Dan favorites, as well.
Second, you don't need me to tell you what a giant your dad was - but I will anyway! In addition to his incredible work on all those Dan albums, I LOVED his contributions to the great (and also criminally underrated) Doobie Brothers track, Livin' On The Fault Line, from their 1977 album of the same name.
As if all that wasn't enough, some of your father's albums from the 80's (specifically, Secret of the Andes, Soft Shoulder, and Call of the Wild) were staples for me when I programmed Contemporary Jazz for AEI Music back in the day. You were part of his great Generation Band, too?! Unbelievable...
Finally, being a former (not very good) bass player myself, I can't imagine what an absolute gas you must have had playing in a Dan tribute for all those years. So many incredible basslines!
Thanks again for commenting - you made my day!
@@timelesspoprocksoul Thank you so much for all the kind words in regards to my father my good man-all the best
@@1359401 Tip of the hat to you and your dad!
@@briangray00 Thanks appreciate the kind words-all the best
@@1359401 … I just found this channel in my RUclips feed and read your comment. I too, am a LIFELONG Steely Dan fanatic, having bought Can’t Buy A Thrill at age 11 with my chore and lawn-mowing money on the September release date in 1972. Mom loaded up the station wagon and took us kids to the record store to buy a few records, and my FIRST CHOICE was CBAT as the store employees were unboxing the records and had the album playing on the store’s sound system to create a buzz and stir up some sales. I had to know what group it was, as I had never heard pop music sound so different, and the guy at the counter pointed to the freshly unpacked box from ABC Records. I was lucky enough to bring home a record store promotional poster of the original cover art and still have it to this day. The subsequent SD releases were always anticipated greatly, and I made it a point to buy them all on the release date at the very same record store for a straight decade. Needless to say, I’ve been accidentally listening to Victor Feldman, but grew to love jazz music since I first discovered Walter Becker, Donald Fagen and all the other fantastic band members and studio musicians of Steely Dan, and have listened faithfully for nearly 50 straight years…and my jazz tastes have grown exponentially because of their unique pop/rock/jazz fusion and indelibly different sound.
It has been a musical passion of mine since I was a boy. Your father’s talents and jazz career was simply incomparable. A mere thank you seems out of place, so God Bless you, Victor. The musical art he created and contributed to is just beyond belief. ✌🏽
This song. This song. Yes, a total surprise to show up out of nowhere on the greatest hits album. And it becomes one of my favorites back when I was just getting hooked on SD. It still hits me hard on emotional levels I cannot explain. The music, lyrics and delivery are stunningly beautiful and incredibly touching.
Well said, Tony - there is an emotional aspect to this song that no matter how I try I cannot explain.
Et tu, Tony? For me, probably the greatest single week of my life was in the summer of 1988 when I was alone staining the deck and cottage buildings at our property on an island west of Sudbury Ontario. I was 21. I worked hard every day and in the evenings I'd sit back and listen to SD's Greatest Hits - the one pictured in this video - in between swimming, using our sauna and drinking beer like it was going out of style. No phones, computers or contact with the outside world... This amazing song can bring me back to that magical time on command. Was already a fan but the Dan became my band for life that week.
What a great memory, Creaulx. Amazing how hearing a song can take you straight back to a certain time and place. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Very nuanced, astute observations and enthusiastic presentation of Steely Dan and HATWW in particular. Thanks so much for this video - I really enjoyed it!
Thanks so much, Steve - I appreciate the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the video!
"in the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be" A lyric twist doesn't get any better than that!
Great job dude. Steely Dan is my #1 all time band. I graduated high school in '76 so I was there. Aja and Royal Scam are my 2 favorite albums. Here At the Western World has always been one of my favorite Dan songs. But my all time favorite Dan song is Aja. You do a great job setting the context here.
I truly respect and love the work of Donald Fagen more than any other individual in pop music history. And yes, The Nightfly is an unbelievable album.
I love the chords in this tune
Meticulously gorgeous song. Who else could have made this ?
"Meticulously gorgeous" - what a great way to say it! And no one else could have made it like The Dan!
This song turned me on to Steely Dan and was one of the first "serious" rock songs I got into as the 70's were drawing to a close when I was only 14. Our local AOR station had this tune in heavy rotation and I couldn't get enough of it. Became a big Steely Dan fan because of it. Oh, and great pick for your favorite album. Don't Take Me Alive and the title track are my personal favorites from The Royal Scam.
Absolutely gorgeous
I agree this song is wonderful. Your pictures on the back wall show your excellent musical taste.2 x Chicago and the Beatles
You know your SD albums and I agree that the Royal Scam and Aja are on another level. It might be the role Larry Carlton played with his solos and I hear he wrote the charts for the studio musicians during recording. Of course Fagan and Becker are the song writers and creative geniuses.
Masterpiece
West of Hollywood is an underappreciated song on Two Against Nature (2000). So complicated, yet delicious. Masterful.
It is telling that on the 1978 Greatest Hits album, they sequenced this song chronologically between Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied. This is surely when the song dates from stylistically and production wise. Great video!
I believe it came from the Royal Scam or Aja sessions, but perhaps one of the local Dan experts can clarify…
hi, i really appreciate your heartfelt thoughts and commentary on one of my favorite bands-steely dan. like you, i've been a fan since '72 , i've seen them in concert and have all their recorded output except " sailing the waterway, dallas" and a 12-15 minute suite which i heard on youtube but, for the life of me i can't remember {i think there's a female singer on it} plus donald fagen's "b" sides- shanghai confidential and tomorrow's girls etc,etc...thank you again for the review of "here at the western world" what a surprise finding that back in '78 on a greatest hits no less-like discovering the holy grail...thanks again!
Not having seen The Dan or Fagen in concert is one of my greatest musical regrets. Thanks for watching and commenting, donald fabiano!
I imagine hanging out at the Playboy Mansion with the Mayor and his friends, a couple of rock stars and some skinny girls.
Came across your channel. Love the Steely Dan information! I am a "Dandom" fan for life, and I agree about the Royal Scam album. I love them all in different ways and moods, but the song Green Earrings is my favorite deep track off that album. Thanks!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Mike!
If this song was included on the Royal Scam album as well, the sound quality would have been compromised as the length of time on vinyl is limited.
Great video, and isn't it just like Fagen and Becker to put a totally unknown never heard before track on a greatest hits record!! By the way, you probably know this, but the great track "Third World Man" was similarly held over from the Aja sessions and added to "Gaucho". And, strangely enough, at the time they were putting the Greatest Hits double album together, both "Here at the Western World" and "Third World Man" were as yet unheard. Lastly, when I ranked my own person Favorite 25 Steely Dan songs -- a very difficult project, but super fun -- "Here at the Western World" came in at #25.
I gave up the concept of “favorite” with Steely Dan. This always had a Katy Lied feel. I saw them in ‘74 at Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, Ca. The rest is History. Your good. I’ll be back. I’m sure you’ve heard “The Bear”.
Yes, it has occurred to me that I should quit saying "one of my all-time favorites" when in reality I have about a thousand all-time favorites. Hate to admit it, but I am woefully unaware of unreleased songs, including The Bear. Thanks for watching, John!
Easily a favorite of mine that song
The musicianship and thoughtful approach to their lyrics and arrangements are pretty unparalleled. Every track has something…
Subscribed. You are very good at this. I'm flabbergasted you don't have thousands of subscribers. Excellent thoughtful information and great delivery.
Hey Tony, just saw this comment from yesterday. Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words and the support for the channel. From your lips to God's ears! I'm thrilled to hear from someone who can appreciate what I'm trying to do. All the best to you!
Me too! Let's start a movement!
A great album6
In dictionary terms. This is what an album is.
Deep tracks: Steely Dan, Chicago, Stevie Wonder. The Doobie Bros Livin' on the Fault Line is ALL deep tracks! So overlooked!
HI! I don't know if it was The Western World, but one their low-profile songs was used/supposed to be used in a movie track. Not a lot of information to go on, I know! lol Something to check out.
You may be thinking of "FM" - it was originally on the movie soundtrack for the film, FM, in 1978. It was also a hit for Steely Dan.
The Royal Scam is the most Steely Steely Dan album!
Another amazing
lecture of modern musichistory.
Thank You!💛 The Swede!💛
Love your enthusiasm, Peter. Thanks again!
another fav - good to call out - needs to make the live set list more!
Yes and thankou
I used to think it was "tall skinny girls" instead of "your skinny girl."
I enjoyed your reaction vid .
I knew 2 or 3 songs by sd growing up but not much else . IGY I recognised also .
Fast forward to my 50’s , someone told me about nearly dan ( tribute act) and I started to listen to more n more sd songs , I’m 54 and now after James brown & the who being ( used to be )my favs , steely Dan are by far my favourite act .
Deacon blues .. wow
My favourite song of theirs keep changing ( it’s impossible to have just one )
Deacon Blues is my favorite Steely Dan song! Thanks for watching and commenting, David.
Out of the "California 70's Yacht Rock" bin. Greatest jazz band since Miles Davis played alone. 😉
This was a track that was completely overlooked by NYC radio - except for 1 station, WTFM located in Queens, NY. They would soon become WAPP, an album rock station that made a splash with their commercial free summer in 1982.
Interesting story - and in New York of all places! Thanks for commenting, Eric.
this song also got airplay in Philly at WMMR. I know because John DeBella their morning dj did the screamer of the week, or best song, based on requests. Here at the western world was the screamer of the week. I love steely dan. Saw them when they first toured before they decided the road was not for them.
🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Stilll think there is no best Steely Dan Album
Dean Park's guitar work in this song is absolutely amazing. Beautiful light solo pieces that matches the song perfectly. I too am a original from release date SD fan. BUT........Im NOT quite sure what your saying about "Sweet and romantic". In particular this song. I guess everyone is entitled to their own interpretations of songs. But the vast majority of people who dig deep into this song knows this is NOT about a "sweet" or "Romantic" subject indeed LOL .....
Yeah, "romantic" probably wasn't the best term for this song. I was referring in a general sense to the musical sweetness and romanticism that so often accompanies (and I guess belies) their cynicism. I didn't explain that very well. Thanks for watching and commenting, Paul.
@@timelesspoprocksoul Thank you for your reaction video, subscribed and looking forward to your next. Cheers
Good job. Refreshing to hear someone who knows instead of someone hearing for the first time.
Don't know how to say Haitian, though. HAY-shun
Thanks for the kind words, Ted. As for "Haitian" - lol - it occurred to me when I watched the video back that I was probably saying it wrong, but I wasn't sure. Another one for the blooper reel...
Imho none of their work beats RS. Gaucho and cbat close behind
Pathos
My friend, two things to share,
Cut him a deal deal
And show down with a tiger.
Texas lullaby doobie brothers
Do you have a radio show? ... Cos you should have a radio show!
No radio show, but who knows - maybe someday a podcast or other format that allows for longer shows? I guess we'll see where the muse takes us! Thanks for the kind words, just phil.
Hair metal and rap destroyed pop and rock music. Today's pop music is awful. Indie rock and some of 2000s R&B was the last gasp.