Hello Harri, my first time here, much appreciate your honest take, Gaucho is the late Walter Becker, and the years surrounding this recording were a real low for Becker, the song makes references to calling your ride or die "gaucho" like being blood brothers, Gaucho the album, is Fagen's dedication to Becker and was the last Steely Dan album before the Donald went solo. Steely Dan owed one last album to ABC/MCA because Walter was falling apart and wrecking the negotiations. The nasty narcotics habit he picked up on the West Coast was affecting his work, and in January 1980, his girlfriend was found dead in their apartment from a drug overdose, just a few months after the overdose, Becker suffered serious injuries when a cab struck him as he was crossing a street in NYC. It took six months to recover "Custerdome" is a reference to Warner Brothers, the powerhouse label with whom Fagen is working to get signed. But Warner execs are telling Fagen, despite his protests, that Becker is not part of the deal, the type of obscure reference that we love from Steely Dan.
Proud to say he was my school mate along with his brothers. Fifty years ago he got hired by B&F and played on Pretzel and then toured. Got to see them live with Jeff, what a time it was.
They are like nobody else. The arrangements, the expertise of the individual players, the craftsmanship of the engineers and the mix, it's pretty hard to find a fault with them. Now, some people just may not like their music, but it's not for a lack of anything I just mentioned.
Steely Dan continues to amaze me in spite of the fact that I have been listening to their music for decades! Excellent choice and commentary. Thanks Harri and Andre🌺✌️
Over the years, I've listened to most of the Dan's catalog, and have yet to be disappointed. I get choked up listening to these guys, brings back a lot of memories making me realize just how damn good they are and how blessed we've been to have them as the music track to our lives. The musicianship, backbeat, solos, lyrics, harmonies, hooks ... second to none.
After more than 40 years listening to this song (and album) the chorus of 'gaucho' still sends shivers down my spine... those horns, the harmonies, the backgroud vocals ...
One of my top SD tracks - Everything about it works so well - the sparseness of the music at various point, the slow build to the chorus, the essential ingredient of the contrast between Ashford and Simpson's sweet sweet vocals with Donald's edgy rasping semi-narrative voice - the way that the horns sections and soloists are used - all that plus a production quality that has never been bettered - even in the digital age. I often find myself wishing that SD had produced more, but then I realise that its best to just be grateful for the cavern of treasures that we do have.
My favourite album from Steely Dan , bought it upon release and still listening to it this very day Lot's of interpretations of this song out there but the general consensus is that Walter Becker had a "shady" leech of a friend that Donald Fagan did not approve of.
If I should list my over all top 10 bands since I can remember, Steely Dan would surely be 1 of those. So much awesome songs since 1972, when I listened the first time, it was Do it again. And master mind Donald Fagen !!!! Grooves, sounds, vibes...just everything, Pop/rock/R&B/Soul/Funk/Jazz, unique mixture ever. And here it is the late Jeff Porcaro on drums. The ladies backing vocals are "Lesley Miller, Valerie Simpson, Patti Austin" and on sax the great Randy Brecker !!!!! Fantastic, great !
I read this is about Walter's Heroin dealer. This was the last song on this album. Walter was so strung out on heroin that he would come to recording sessions and be so wasted he couldn't play and leave (try again tomorrow). "We've got heavy rollers" (highly paid studio musicians) sitting around waiting for Walter to be coherent enough to play. After this album they broke up and Walter went to Hawaii for 2 years to get off heroin, which he thankfully did. Donald was so fed up with him at the time he went off and made solo albums. Which are very good.
The boss is hosting some high rollers in the indoor stadium (high in the Custerdome) and his underling (possibly lover) has brought another lover (the Gaucho) to work, possibly asking for favors, To make matters worse, the Gaucho is wearing clothing that the boss had given to his lover.
Yes exactly. The studs that match your eyes. That’s an observation that only a really intimate friend would make. It’s brilliant lyrics, and way ahead of the curve on gay awareness/sensitivity. A song about being pissed off at an ex who flaunts their new love.
Jeff Porcaro is credited for saving this song after a night of editing with Katz. Another reason to love him. Tom Scott, sax player and arranger, Aja, Gaucho, says Fagan came to him with an idea for a song. He had heard a high powered entertainment exec. brought his gay lover, dressed like a Gaucho, to a big meeting. Start there. Scott told him it sounds like a winner.
I’ve read that the Gaucho was Walters’s drug dealer that was hanging around the studio. Seems to fit the lyrics and what was going on at that time with them
This is the Steely Dan album I got first. I had just got my first car, had switched more to listening to FM and AOR rock, and was buying more music myself (my next two older brothers brought so much music I just didn't buy much of my own). I went backward picking up their albums from there.
Pretzel Logic was my first Steely Dan album and it's my favourite from this great band. Aja is probably considered by many as their best work, but it's the shorter melodic songs on Pretzel Logic l love such as Through With Buzz, Barrytown and With a Gun. The Royal Scam second favourite.
1979 Donald Fagen walked out of this session in frustration. Producer Gary Katz and legendary drummer Jeff Porcaro saved this masterpiece. Fagen and Walter Becker were both fighting their own personal demons at the time.
I really believe he links The Custerdome with Coleridge's "Pleasure Dome," from Kubla Khan. Only he names it after General Custer to indicate that its fall is imminent. You know how often it is 1958 in a Steely Dan song? Or 1965. Bodacious Cowboys, such as your homosexual friend, are not welcome here, in the Custerdome. It took me a lifetime to figure out the love triangle in the song, but the Coleridge connection is a stab in the dark at a very curious word...
The agent is furious that his star has come to a party with a camp looking South American chap..in a gaucho ( Argentinian cowboy) poncho and high heels…
"FM" is a tune by Steely Dan not on any Album. It was a soundtrack for a very stupid movie. The tune made it to #1 on the charts while the movie was a failure. A MUST PLAY TUNE. "FM, No Static at all...! Gaucho is about a famous 70's gay football player in Texas, and his flamboyant boyfriend.
They create characters---in this case a gay couple fighting over one of them bringing home a Gaucho or some kind of street-boy-toy. There is a biography about the band that spells that out.
Tom Scott says Fagan came to him with an idea for a song, he heard a story that a high powered entertainment exec. took his gay lover, dressed as a Gaucho, to an important meeting. His buisiness partner wasn't amused. It fits the lyrics. Go figure.
Hello Harri, my first time here, much appreciate your honest take, Gaucho is the late Walter Becker, and the years surrounding this recording were a real low for Becker, the song makes references to calling your ride or die "gaucho" like being blood brothers, Gaucho the album, is Fagen's dedication to Becker and was the last Steely Dan album before the Donald went solo. Steely Dan owed one last album to ABC/MCA because Walter was falling apart and wrecking the negotiations. The nasty narcotics habit he picked up on the West Coast was affecting his work, and in January 1980, his girlfriend was found dead in their apartment from a drug overdose, just a few months after the overdose, Becker suffered serious injuries when a cab struck him as he was crossing a street in NYC. It took six months to recover "Custerdome" is a reference to Warner Brothers, the powerhouse label with whom Fagen is working to get signed. But Warner execs are telling Fagen, despite his protests, that Becker is not part of the deal, the type of obscure reference that we love from Steely Dan.
Where's the multi-like button?
The amazing Jeff Porcaro on drums
Member of Toto and many sessions
Proud to say he was my school mate along with his brothers. Fifty years ago he got hired by B&F and played on Pretzel and then toured. Got to see them live with Jeff, what a time it was.
I'm just a Steely Dan nut! Thanks for sharing this one! ✌️❤️🤟🥁
They are like nobody else. The arrangements, the expertise of the individual players, the craftsmanship of the engineers and the mix, it's pretty hard to find a fault with them. Now, some people just may not like their music, but it's not for a lack of anything I just mentioned.
Thankfully I'm one of those people who DO like their music 😅
@@keithjones7390 ... Me too Keith, me too.
Steely Dan has so many great songs. Thanks André and Harri.
Steely Dan continues to amaze me in spite of the fact that I have been listening to their music for decades! Excellent choice and commentary. Thanks Harri and Andre🌺✌️
Jeff's drumming as well as Tom Scott on sax and Randy Brecker on trumpet make this shine.
Over the years, I've listened to most of the Dan's catalog, and have yet to be disappointed. I get choked up listening to these guys, brings back a lot of memories making me realize just how damn good they are and how blessed we've been to have them as the music track to our lives. The musicianship, backbeat, solos, lyrics, harmonies, hooks ... second to none.
This is my top three for them. Jeff is so good here.
After more than 40 years listening to this song (and album) the chorus of 'gaucho' still sends shivers down my spine... those horns, the harmonies, the backgroud vocals ...
Such a great album!
The two best produced and engineered bands were Steely Dan and Supertramp. Masterclass
Supertramp is PERFECTION...☘️
You can say that again. my two faves, and a bit of Lindifarne on the side... Lady Elanor takes some beating!
Genius how Porcaro lays out almost completely during the last verse, bringing it back one last time to close things out… defines taste and class.
One of my top SD tracks - Everything about it works so well - the sparseness of the music at various point, the slow build to the chorus, the essential ingredient of the contrast between Ashford and Simpson's sweet sweet vocals with Donald's edgy rasping semi-narrative voice - the way that the horns sections and soloists are used - all that plus a production quality that has never been bettered - even in the digital age. I often find myself wishing that SD had produced more, but then I realise that its best to just be grateful for the cavern of treasures that we do have.
This is my very favorite by them. Just a killertune!
#1 SD for me: Gaucho.
Title track of the album. BRAVO.
Remember driving with my mom. Asia and Goucho were a constant
My favourite album from Steely Dan , bought it upon release and still listening to it this very day
Lot's of interpretations of this song out there but the general consensus is that Walter Becker had a "shady" leech of a friend that Donald Fagan did not approve of.
If I should list my over all top 10 bands since I can remember, Steely Dan would surely be 1 of those. So much awesome songs since 1972, when I listened the first time, it was Do it again. And master mind Donald Fagen !!!! Grooves, sounds, vibes...just everything, Pop/rock/R&B/Soul/Funk/Jazz, unique mixture ever. And here it is the late Jeff Porcaro on drums. The ladies backing vocals are "Lesley Miller, Valerie Simpson, Patti Austin" and on sax the great Randy Brecker !!!!! Fantastic, great !
Those are a great list of back up singers. Thanks for providing this info.
do you mean Michael Brecker? Randy is a trumpet player
@@LarryJackson-xw5mx No, my bad, it was Randy, but you are right, he played the trumpet on this song. Sorry.
As is often said, Steely Dan is not the greatest band of all time but they are the only perfect band ever.
I read this is about Walter's Heroin dealer. This was the last song on this album. Walter was so strung out on heroin that he would come to recording sessions and be so wasted he couldn't play and leave (try again tomorrow). "We've got heavy rollers" (highly paid studio musicians) sitting around waiting for Walter to be coherent enough to play. After this album they broke up and Walter went to Hawaii for 2 years to get off heroin, which he thankfully did. Donald was so fed up with him at the time he went off and made solo albums. Which are very good.
jazz,rock,folk Steely is so complete
The boss is hosting some high rollers in the indoor stadium (high in the Custerdome) and his underling (possibly lover) has brought another lover (the Gaucho) to work, possibly asking for favors, To make matters worse, the Gaucho is wearing clothing that the boss had given to his lover.
Yes exactly. The studs that match your eyes. That’s an observation that only a really intimate friend would make. It’s brilliant lyrics, and way ahead of the curve on gay awareness/sensitivity. A song about being pissed off at an ex who flaunts their new love.
Every time you listen to one of their songs you will discover something you didn't hear before.They are Deep
Most of Steely Dan's lyrics have an element of ambiguity. That's the fun!
Jeff Porcaro is credited for saving this song after a night of editing with Katz. Another reason to love him.
Tom Scott, sax player and arranger, Aja, Gaucho, says Fagan came to him with an idea for a song. He had heard a high powered entertainment exec. brought his gay lover, dressed like a Gaucho, to a big meeting. Start there. Scott told him it sounds like a winner.
Great tune!!❤
Patti Austin at the back vocals !
Smooth as can be. Incredible balance between vocals and instrumentations
I’ve read that the Gaucho was Walters’s drug dealer that was hanging around the studio. Seems to fit the lyrics and what was going on at that time with them
hmmmm... there's undoubtedly more to it.
The title track from "Aja" is a must. It is essential.
This is yet another SD masterpiece There are so many to choose from I don't even know where to start.
All of the Bodacious Cowboys agree that this is a masterpiece.
This is the Steely Dan album I got first. I had just got my first car, had switched more to listening to FM and AOR rock, and was buying more music myself (my next two older brothers brought so much music I just didn't buy much of my own). I went backward picking up their albums from there.
Pretzel Logic was my first Steely Dan album and it's my favourite from this great band. Aja is probably considered by many as their best work, but it's the shorter melodic songs on Pretzel Logic l love such as Through With Buzz, Barrytown and With a Gun. The Royal Scam second favourite.
Top notch Santos n Harri ☘️🇺🇲
1979 Donald Fagen walked out of this session in frustration. Producer Gary Katz and legendary drummer Jeff Porcaro saved this masterpiece. Fagen and Walter Becker were both fighting their own personal demons at the time.
all great songs are about love gone wrong/ unrequited. just another great example.
❤❤❤Some Steely Dan, I think this is one of the two masterpiece albums Gaucho other one album Aja . In my opinion .
I love how they conjure Latin/South American vibes with the musical tropes in this tune, without being trite or cliche.
Nigel Benn, The Dark Destroyer!
One of SD’s best.
150,000 subs. Well done Harri!
👍👍👍👍👍
Best coked out 80's sitcom theme that never was
Love those lazy drums. Never thought of it like this. You’re right, they sound kind of lazy.
Porcaro. Yeah. And all of the rest.
The recording of Studio band they stayed away from live concerts they stayed playing in the studio making great music aside from the regular genre
Thanks Harri
This is the essence of SD. The epitome for me, at least.
Check out Green Book by SD. If I remember correctly, from the Two Against Nature CD (2000). Great album, great song.
Green Book is so underrated it's criminal
Great song... It's on "Everything Must Go"
I really believe he links The Custerdome with Coleridge's "Pleasure Dome," from Kubla Khan. Only he names it after General Custer to indicate that its fall is imminent. You know how often it is 1958 in a Steely Dan song? Or 1965. Bodacious Cowboys, such as your homosexual friend, are not welcome here, in the Custerdome. It took me a lifetime to figure out the love triangle in the song, but the Coleridge connection is a stab in the dark at a very curious word...
Don't feel bad, Steely Dan lyrics subject matter are a question for the ages. They can be very cryptic, lots of in-jokes probably only they get.
The cowboy ain't invited to the 'club'.
The agent is furious that his star has come to a party with a camp looking South American chap..in a gaucho ( Argentinian cowboy) poncho and high heels…
"FM" is a tune by Steely Dan not on any Album. It was a soundtrack for a very stupid movie. The tune made it to #1 on the charts while the movie was a failure. A MUST PLAY TUNE. "FM, No Static at all...!
Gaucho is about a famous 70's gay football player in Texas, and his flamboyant boyfriend.
They create characters---in this case a gay couple fighting over one of them bringing home a Gaucho or some kind of street-boy-toy. There is a biography about the band that spells that out.
Tom Scott says Fagan came to him with an idea for a song, he heard a story that a high powered entertainment exec. took his gay lover, dressed as a Gaucho, to an important meeting. His buisiness partner wasn't amused. It fits the lyrics. Go figure.
A song about hiding your homosexuality in Hollywood.