Don't take me alive...

[cynical1]

According to the BBC:

Walter Becker, co-founder and guitarist for the US band Steely Dan, has died aged 67, an announcement on his website said. No cause of death or other details were given.

I don't know how much you folks liked, or even remember, Steely Dan, but I have a history dating back to the 70's with them.  Sure, everyone remembers the Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour stuff, but what Becker really brought to the ensemble was his wit and a twist of a lyric.  His playing was no bush league stuff either...on guitar or bass.

Is there gas in the car?  Yes, there's gas in the car...

Ve con tu Dios

C1

[sumgai]

Yes, I'm reeling in the years, and I've certainly stowed away enough time.....

[reTrEaD]

When the Demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more

[newey]

I saw Steely Dan live a couple of years ago- glad I had the opportunity before Becker's passing.

I was at best a lukewarm Steely Dan fan in the '70's. I knew, and liked, some of the hits, but I had never really delved deeply into the albums. Much later, in about 2005 or so, I did so, and was immediately hooked- went out and bought pretty much everything on CD. Now, the Dan is always in heavy rotation.

After I heard the news yesterday, I was driving home from the cabin after the Labor Day weekend, listening to all of "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Katy Lied". I was struck by the songs "Your Gold Teeth" (from "Countdown")and "Your Gold Teeth II" (from "Katy Lied"). Same title, same lyrical hook- "see how they roll"- but two completely different songs. The first version is basically a jazz-funk vibe, and the rolling of the gold teeth is apparently some form of gambling. In "Your Gold Teeth II", musically, it's sort-of a lounge-act bebop thing, and now the teeth roll as a fortune-telling device. Interesting way they revisited a concept with completely different results.

I guess that's why it took me so long to come around. Steely Dan was subtle, and nuanced, and in the '70s, I wasn't looking for subtlety and nuance, I wanted music to club me over the head. . .

[gumbo]

"I wasn't looking for subtlety and nuance, I wanted music to club me over the head. . ."

...at least we both now know what caused it, Newey...


...and yes, I went down the exact same line with S D as yourself... ..sigh!

[reTrEaD]

Sept 5, 2017 6:10:03 GMT -5 newey said:

Same title, same lyrical hook- "see how they roll"- but two completely different songs. The first version is basically a jazz-funk vibe, and the rolling of the gold teeth is apparently some form of gambling. In "Your Gold Teeth II", musically, it's sort-of a lounge-act bebop thing, and now the teeth roll as a fortune-telling device. Interesting way they revisited a concept with completely different results.

Also interesting . . . same song with same lyric but treated very differently.
Everyone's Gone to the Movies.

First released with the more sophisticated and intricate treatment on Katy Lied.





Later, the original staccato funk Demo version was released on the Citizen Steely Dan compilation.




The tempo and style during the verses make the two versions almost different songs.
Wisely, the chorus is much the same.