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Great band in their day, Conchis. Great guitarist.Originally posted by Conchis View Post -
Very sad to hear this indeed. Steely Dan's combination of lyrical wit and musical chops is unmatched imvvho. Saw them on 3 of their 4 trips to the UK since they re-grouped, and each show is a treasured memory. "Jazz-rock" as a description damns them with faint praise.Comment
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That is terribly sad news, he was a fabulous guitarist. I never tire of Steely Dan and was only listening to Aja yesterday to while-away a long train journey.
An obituary here
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Was supposed to have had major chemical dependency issuesComment
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Looks like the years are finally reeled in. Donald Fagen's Nightfly is my favourite Dan related album but Do It Again and Reeling in the Years established the duo's career and several marvellous albums, both individually and collectively, for my shelves. Saw them at the NEC late 90s. Must get out 11 Tracks of Whack and have a listen. RIP Walter.Comment
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As he was a member of a 'faceless' band, he didn't get much media attention but I heard about those problems and I'd guess they (ultimately) laid him low.Originally posted by richardfinegold View Post
Yet David Crosby lives! I suppose it's all down to genes.....Comment
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So sorry to hear this news. A great contribution to a very distinctive and musically sophisticated band. Possibly the favourite of White Man Ray, a friend of mine of nearly 30 years - the captain of my music team for two decades which even got as far as winning a holiday to Barbados not that I went although they did. I haven't seen him for seven years but that we have agreed will be rectified at the end of this month now that at the ripe old age of 62 he is in retirement. Will be here to see my record collection, I reckon, never having been here before, and should I go first I've decided he will have sensible charge of it. But that will be for later in the day. I'm sure one of the first points of conversation will now be "The Dan":
Steely Dan- FM (No Static At All) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV3zWSawJiw
Incidentally, he (Becker) revived Rickie Lee Jones but more memorably from my stance was involved in '85 with China Crisis who I always defend at the risk of ridicule through to "Diary of a Hollow Horse". They had wonderful moments, Becker played synth and it seems apposite given that the simply ok Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark are again doing the rounds.
China Crisis - Black Man Ray - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Xo3sWd294
RIP Walter Becker
(It would require a truck over to Essex and elaborate notes about what to forward to JC and GT but he's personable and very capable)
Last edited by Lat-Literal; 05-09-17, 23:07.Comment
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I remember going to see the movie FM at the pictures. I really remember enjoying it, though I'd probably feel different about it these days.Originally posted by Lat-Literal View Post
Steely Dan- FM (No Static At All) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV3zWSawJiw
Incidentally, he (Becker) revived Rickie Lee Jones
(It would require a truck over to Essex and elaborate notes about what to forward to JC and GT but he's personable and very capable)
...and Lat, how exactly did Walter Becker revive RLJ...career or cardiac arrest? Whichever, he did us all a favour in my opinion. And re White Man Ray, I wonder if he's any relation to a fellow in these parts whom we refer to only as 'Shellsuit Dave'?
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Yes, but by 1981 he had moved to Maui and got himself clean. He was quite candid in later interviews about this.Originally posted by richardfinegold View Post
I am a huge fan of Steely Dan, and I am very saddened to learn of this news. Tom Robinson on 6Music ran his own tribute to Walt on his request show earlier this evening, which is worth a listen.
Walt was Don's dark companion but it's clear he had a super-fine mind, and created some of the sharpest, smartest music of the 20th Century. RIP Walt.all words are trains for moving past what really has no nameComment
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He would be very happy to be related to Shellsuit Dave. The RLJ news is courtesy of Wikipedia. A lot of people didn't know it. I didn't know it and I'm a million different people from one day to the next. Oh....got confused....that is Richard Ashcroft. My Nan had names for people - "Soapy" Bill, Hopalong etc. Not wholly pc ......but the great John Sullivan got that aspect and many others spot on. FM - I haven't seen the film but I like the fact that it is a radio song. It could have been Charlie Dore or Sir Harry Chapin but I'm doin' Helen Reddy tonight:Originally posted by johncorrigan View PostI remember going to see the movie FM at the pictures. I really remember enjoying it, though I'd probably feel different about it these days.
...and Lat, how exactly did Walter Becker revive RLJ...career or cardiac arrest? Whichever, he did us all a favour in my opinion. And re White Man Ray, I wonder if he's any relation to a fellow in these parts whom we refer to only as 'Shellsuit Dave'?
Helen Reddy - Angie Baby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQKyGt_I5L4
(To get back on track, it is hard to underestimate the sheer exotism of Steely Dan to an un-travelled teen - this was adult, unusual, just about accessible, and the US of radio dreams)
A lovely - and informative - contribution - many thanks.Originally posted by Tenor Freak View Post
This is my ultimate Steely track from a criticized album - the first one I bought; Don and Walt said it was the worst album cover of all time - and "Can't Buy a Thrill" the second worst. They were not far wrong and I don't know why they did it. But what an absolute thrill this track is - it is a brilliant combination of rigorous structure and so memorable understatement:
Steely Dan - The Caves of Altamira - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l6PR4l3FF8
(In that pre internet and even pre live music era, I would not have seen the people - in the domain, it was pure sound and association only - no bodies, which can turn frail, involved)Last edited by Lat-Literal; 03-09-17, 23:53.Comment
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