Steely Dan on Letterman, October 20, 1995, Upgraded and Expanded

This is an upgraded and expanded version of Steely Dan's October 20, 1995, appearance on Late Show with David Letterman. It includes the band participating in both the break music preceding and following their broadcast performance of "Josie."
In far superior video and audio quality.
1. Break music #1: "Do It Again"
2. Broadcast performance: "Josie"
3. Break music #2: "Deacon Blues"
There are audio edits in the source video. I tried to clean them up as best I could.

[@strictlynorton]

Becker and Fagen without question are two of the most important American musicians of the last half century. Fusing styles so effortlessly. Always original. The embodiment of American exceptionalism.

[@maureenharrison6170]

No band like them.

[@musamusashi]

American exceptionalism is an imperialist doctrine of world domination and oppression. Nothing to do with the great music the Dan, alongside many other extraordinary American bands and artist, have offered the world.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

The only real American supergroup, in my opinion.

[@ErikGiovani]

Uhhh Stevie wonder

[@michaelweathers7314]

Never appreciated how great they were

[@johnkotchmusic]

The world is definitely not a better place without Walter Becker casually killing it on guitar

[@badger012009]

My life changed when Walter left this planet! Can't explain...

[@EyeOnlyHaveEyes42]

"Casually Killin'" I love that description. He was the Keanu Reeves of guitar players.

[@MyPromixdirt]

FUCK YA MAN, casually killing it, awesome quote

[@agtrst]

Agree. There's definitely a coolness effect with how casual he was playing those lines. Much respect. He's definitely missed.

[@samueldawes6995]

That solo just destroyed😅

[@dennisdrayna9383]

Steely Dan had so many fabulous guitarists over their career that it's easy to forget how great Walter Becker himself was. An enormous talent.

[@bambledaczymbledek]

Exactly- I don't know anyone else that plays both guitar and bass at that level- so many of those great lines are his, not the hired guns.

[@DavidRPascaleJr]

@@bambledaczymbledek I saw the Dan play a special show with Larry Carlton recreating his parts on Royal Scam, he left Becker in the dust

[@pnwdrifter5680]

@@DavidRPascaleJr Left in the dust -guitar is art, and art is not competitive like using a race car analogy. The tasty phrasing of Becker shows maturity, restraint, he's not blowing his load like a full on solo artist might do. If you can't appreciate Becker, or have to compare (hey, EVH, Hendrix), then you are not feeling the art.

[@kharbear53]

Yes sir his style was so “Django-esque” He will be forever missed 😢

[@mightymartianca]

​@@DavidRPascaleJrTo be fair, 99% of guitarists would be left in the dust by Carlton.

[@SimplyStonish]

I love Walter’s stage presence. He just plays like it’s another day at the office.

[@caldrumr]

And looks like it too.

[@willit63]

That's because for them it is just another day at this office.

[@jerodeininger2604]

I always thought his movements resembled animatronics at Disney

[@AceFace50001]

That's because he's a cool cat.

[@raycummings8754]

So smooth!

[@EdRenouard]

I was in the studio audience that night. A trip to New York is always amazing, but this put it over the top.

[@BobbyS-s3v]

Lucky you!!!!

[@grioulaloula8594]

Lucky you! They were such a tight band with great lyrics. The Midnight Special has been uploading videos from the 1970’s and there are several Steely Dan performances available to watch.

[@robinjohnson-drogo5375]

Wow, Ed! Your timing was perfect. I'd be out of my mind if I got to see them live.

[@AnthonyWilliams-ot1yk]

That unmistakable sound of contemporary jazz, rock, soul and blues. Only Steely Dan could pull that off and make it popular music down to this day.

[@mirmir4690]

I could listen to Steely Dan every day, and never get tired...just LOVE them!

[@waynej2608]

Absolutely. They personify everything that's truly wonderful about music. A band, for the ages. 😎👍

[@kbrewski1]

Steely Dan was a music genre of one. A truly unique band that no one else sounds like.

[@MissThinkabunch]

This.

[@TheHighExecutioner]

​@@MissThinkabunchCan you elaborate?

[@dannyleal5802]

I’m 58, I grew up with the great Steely Dan. All my kids love the music, even my 17 year old. My kids are smart enough to understand what real music performed by real musicians sounds like. The sound is timeless

[@gregpalermo3861]

Your kids are but most are clueless. Mine think rap is good. Wtf?

[@prpwnage9296]

@@gregpalermo3861Show them this kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWe8namGfr-qaM0 or this kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4fRoIGmo8iZnpI or this kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJOklmyfe7V9qrc

[@deeznutz8033]

@@gregpalermo3861rap is good. Rap actually samples steely Dan quite a bit if you’d open up your mind.

[@gregpalermo3861]

@@deeznutz8033 rap is not music.

[@yancyjenkinssr1824]

Once the kids get into any kind of instrument, they'll appreciate music better because they'll understand what it takes to produce the sounds. My youngest daughter now 22 plays piano. I tried to turn her on to Steely...but she took a liking to ELO more😅

[@colinpiper6280]

There aren't too many videos like this where you can see Walter Becker showing his chops. An absolutely superb musician sadly missed.

[@petefogel2133]

Check out the "Steely Dan Jazz/Rock Party" DVD. Lots of amazing close up footage. You can find a bunch of stuff from the DVD on youtube

[@gmayster01]

Big loss it was

[@timthetoolman5522]

Walter produced Ricki Lee Jones' album "Flying Cowboys". It is a masterpiece.

[@bienvenidovelasco6834]

​@@timthetoolman5522He also produced an album by China Crisis you can hear the Dan touch

[@Jgeneraledger23]

I saw Walter Becker actually SING A SONG during their World Tour. I forget the name, but it was so special seeing him take a stab at lead-singing... it was very special!

[@jacktough]

Didn't expect this video to make me nostalgic for both Steely Dan and Letterman, but here we are...

[@stevepeters7354]

Yes!!

[@rodmcdonough6111]

Me too, and I am surprised I didn't see that show!

[@williamharman2004]

Letterman the best host and entertainer..Steely Dan one of the best bands ever ​@@stevepeters7354

[@mazfriend]

I agree. I feel the same way 30 years after this performance.

[@GeneBurnett]

I've loved "Aja" since it first came out. Shortly afterwards I bought the very first Sony "Walkman" for a train ride from Chicago to New York City. It only played cassettes and played in one direction only, and it cost a little over 200 bucks! But man, it was worth it. I'd be sitting there on the train with my headphones on and people would ask me periodically what that thing was I was listening to. I'd just smile, take off the phones, put them on their heads, and watch their eyes open wide while they said, WOW!

[@grant5603]

This comment needs much more attention

[@tomeemerson]

spreading the love of music mate!

[@AlejandraRafa]

I love this story. Thank you for sharing!

[@timothytimothyarts395]

That is a awesome story- should be in a part of a movie……..

[@peterwrohr1388]

@@tomeemerson ..the renaissance of great popular music. We had it in the 30ties

[@rogerwolfe1888]

In the 70’s I named my beautiful female shepherd mix puppy dog “ Aja “ after listening to Steely Dan ! I was so awestruck at the musical arrangements it seemed heavenly to me ! When I hear their music I am transported back in time and it is very emotional for me ! What an exceptional band Steely Dan is and always will be ! ❤❤❤ thanks 😊

[@hoosiermass3091]

RIP Walter. He makes it look so easy.

[@gonesville6873]

He really did

[@rickfobes5386]

Wow, in addition to a top quality audio and video performance from the great Steely Dan, you get to hear Paul's band play throughout the commercial break. Those who have been to a Letterman taping know that one of the joys is hearing Pauls' band play fantastic music for many minutes during station breaks...Cool to see. Nice job getting this. Thanks for posting.

[@scalzmoney]

And it's a lost phenomenon. We saw Colbert's Late Show in 2019 and the most the band played was during the intro. Then they seemed to play non-descript looping chord songs after that during the breaks. Nothing to jam or rock out to. The big difference was that Letterman did his show "live to tape" meaning that the hour-long show took an hour to shoot. Colbert stopped and started a lot and (in a good way) recorded around 4 more guest interviews during our taping which aired on shows in the following weeks.

[@craigbrowning9448]

The Ca-Ca-Mercials kept us from hearing what Paul Schafer's group could really do.

[@patton303]

Side note: That’s Peter Erskine from Weather Report back there on drums. Killing it here.

[@stevehanford1753]

!!!!

[@busterrabbit]

Tom Barney on bass and I think Drew Zingg on rhythm guitar?

[@ABMRELL415]

U raciest

[@johnayres2303]

Chris Potter on sax

[@williamroark]

SIDE NOTE: Peter Erskine played ‘Birdland’ before he joined Weather Report (W/ Maynard Ferguson)😉

[@paulconnelly4050]

Among the best songwriters and musicians in modern music history.

[@helbitkelbit1790]

I agree with that !!

[@ChosenHandle117]

100% !!

[@robinjohnson-drogo5375]

Don, thank you for post these Steely Dan appearances. They are all phenomenal musicians! In fact, they are my favorite rock/jazz group of all time. Brilliant, interesting, quirky and enormously talented. Plus, through the years, they've been primarily a studio band so getting to see them perform on Letterman is a real treat.

[@marvinacklin792]

They were the soundtrack of my life since the first album.

[@andyinoregon]

Do you remember the thrill of seeing them perform "Do It Again" and "Reelin' In the Years" absolutely live on NBC's "The Midnight Special" in 1973? That's what made my wife and I drive 90 miles one-way to see them in concert at the U. of Toledo in April 1974. Concert of our lifetime.

[@helbitkelbit1790]

I agree with that !!!

[@gwynnielsen5081]

Becker and Fagen were never known for their looks, just incomparable music. Their kind of musicianship doesn't exist on the charts today.

[@postpunkhah]

I love how Becker and Fagen both look like a couple of math teachers! 😂

[@OlinKreutzRules]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@egreenbery]

As a person with academic and work experience in mathematics, I enjoy that.

[@JMBvideo]

They are math teachers

[@postpunkhah]

@@JMBvideo In a way, yeah!

[@bellavia5]

I know nothing about musical composition but my feeling has always been ( whenever dealing with people who do ) that math theory and music composition have some kind of common ground . Maybe it's just that both are outside of my area of comprehension.

[@darylsol]

So good! thanks for posting this epic performance

[@lynnschnekenburger7270]

Thanks, David Letterman, you always had great bands on your show and gave others a chance that no one else would!!!! 😘

[@jacobburghart8125]

Paul and the boys with a pretty phenomenal Do it Again on the commercial break there, thanks for including that!

[@garyluciani1082]

Yea, I thought so too. Too bad there wasn't video as well as audio.

[@campbellsmith136]

Yeah, I was pretty blown away by that take on Do It Again. Not one Walt and Don ever seemed to dust off too much. Great take

[@unknownmusicman]

Thanks for leaving a 3 minute "commercial break" in the video 🤣. Really brings back the good old days.

[@metalSpike]

That was to hear more Steely Dan

[@libertyvilleguy2903]

It’s Steely Dan playing through that commercial. That’s why he left it in there. An extended version of “Do it Again”.

[@andym28]

Seeing how the session guys are so into it makes me feel happy.

[@ralphpetrucelli5484]

Nothing Better than the Late Show and when Dave had guests like Steely Dan..Wow..what a show..I remember it like yesterday. Love Cornelius Bumpus: tenor saxophone RIP, Walter Becker...RIP .Cornelius carried that music through the commercials..no one better!

[@73challenger5031]

Dave, obviously had good musical awareness!

[@1Caplaw]

RIP Walter. Every time I watch a Steely Dan performance, I realize how much I miss the anticipation of the possibility of seeing you play live.

[@andyinoregon]

Thanks for the sleuthing, Don. No other '70s band did more than Steely Dan to raise the musical I.Q. of popular music fans.

[@1houroflove186]

well said

[@matthieuphaneuf]

With Gentle Giant

[@garycitro1674]

@@matthieuphaneuf You just became my friend forever!

[@garycitro1674]

@@2xmachine that's like saying fine wine is "pretentious wank" compared to beer. Both are allowed to exist in the beverage world. Steely Dan's music could not be created without a level of theoretical and performance knowledge beyond the grasp of most people in the pop and rock world. I don't think you need to have that knowledge to appreciate it as a listener, which may be your point, but I do think being exposed to that kind of genius does raise your "musical IQ," if there is such a thing, just as reading Classics does as opposed to a diet of Joan Collins books.

[@andyinoregon]

@@2xmachineNo, it's a verifiable fact that after the success of Steely Dan's 6th album "Aja" and their #18 on the pop charts 1978 single "FM," Top 40 radio began playing jazz fusion artists in regular rotation. I lived through it. I'm guessing you didn't.

[@jurgostuff]

I've totally been into Steely Dan lately so this is great timing, thank you Don!

[@JustinSosa]

8:03 - Walter playing the "If I Only Had a Brain" melody from The Wizard of Oz at the end there!

[@scotttrubee8642]

Wow nice catch

[@RogintheDodge]

Thank you for confirming that, I thought I was going crazy lol

[@RainmanCT]

GOOD CALL!!

[@christophermcgahey2141]

Yes! I thought so. Was about to add a comment and saw you beat me to it. I love the way guys with jazz chops throw in musical quotes like this.

[@daltongalloway]

Didn’t even notice until you said it! Very smooth!

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

The whole band is really tight, and I too didn't really realize how well Walter played. Great jam session with the studio band; what a treat for the audience and viewers. Thanks for sharing!

[@claudehopper9813]

Amazing a band that can really play without backing tracks & auto tune . There isn't a popular band today that can come even close to the level of talent of Steeley Dan . Losing Walter was blow to everyone who is a fan of S.D... thank god Donalds keeping it real .

[@noternunstoned]

It's nice to hear out takes oe extended parts that the tv audience never gets to hear, now that Walter has left us, I have a fondness for his solo on Josie even more so.

[@PaulSmith-uq5jk]

I'm glad somebody taped this and saved it. It's awesome.

[@Jgeneraledger23]

Was very-fortunate to catch Steely Dan Live during their History-Making '93 Tour at Great Woods-Boston, and got up and gave a very loud standing-ovation for Walter Becker on Lead Vocals, since everybody had gone for a bathroom break or was asleep, he's like "THANK YOU." RIP Big Walt!

[@dongiller]

Nobody reads my descriptions.

[@johndinicola4189]

surfing the musical tube again and came upon this Steely Dan classic..always a musical treat with Fagen and Becker.......and Peter Erskine again on drums....he plays with everyone!! and plays it all so well!!

[@XxRossTheGamerxX]

Didn’t even realize Peter was on drums!

[@danielbrown1724]

The chord changes in Josie give me goosebumps

[@jimmythebold589]

fagan usually wrote most of these songs starting with blues and substituting the hell out of every turnaround. source: his instructional video..

[@danielbrown1724]

@@jimmythebold589 interesting, thanks for sharing I always heard more jazz chords and overall jazz influences than I did the Blues personally

[@patrickmullins4552]

@@danielbrown1724I counted the measures. 32 bars, which is classic jazz standard form.

[@julesoftheNW]

The outro (?) into commercial stopped me....in my tracks! Whoa, my Steely ears perked up. Don Giller thank you for this gem. The guys in such fine form ;-) RIP dear dear Walt.

[@MegaPopfly]

You’re too cool for school if you’re blasting this in 2024!

[@annmalleybooks]

Back at you!

[@MegaJackpinesavage]

At 70, I'll take it as a compliment.

[@RhondaAdams-jy2zi]

Still blasting in 2024!

[@faulsname8869]

I’m 30 ;)

[@tonykrch357]

Thanks for leaving the commercial lead in/out jams in! You're a gentleman and a scholar.

[@SandSpock33]

Played the “Josie” on VHS off air at least fifty times back in the day. Finding the music bumpers is quite something. Unbelievable, high 25.

[@markcrawford8876]

Ahh, Walter Becker. The David Gilmore of Jazz guitar. Absolutely Gorgeous phrasing!

[@hanksteely3206]

Great respect for him…the driving force of Steely Dan..but always wanted to be a Larry Carlton…but he could not..

[@stephenhunter2942]

... Becker is way better than Gilmore, whose solos are whatever rambling sequence of notes he feels like at the time

[@markcrawford8876]

@@stephenhunter2942 no talking to you dude.

[@pixelotix]

Amazing way to put it!

[@robinwatson4282]

WELL SAID. Somewhat of an overrated player. And yes, his playing does have a ring of Carlton about it. But it's a very bland version with not nearly the skillset of that absolute master.@@hanksteely3206

[@jamesmack3314]

I saw the comeback tour, 93 Shoreline amphitheater. It literally brought me and my friend to tears after being fans for 20 years at that stage.

[@larry6795]

I have been exposed to a multitude of music genre, since the 60’s…Big Band, Be-Bop Jazz, Straight ahead, Cool, Soul, funk, R&B, Rock, folk, pop and contemporary, but I had never heard a band that encompasses so many different styles until I heard Steely Dan, the closest might have been Blood Sweat and Tears. I can still remember hearing “Ricky Don’t Lose That Number” in the early 70’s for the first time and thinking who is this killer band, happy to say have been a dedicated fan ever since, thanks S D for so many years of music pleasure.

[@coolcat_88]

❤❤❤

[@GarciaDF123]

Sophistication in arrangement and lyrics, no one compares.

[@richardlau2447]

Sophistication is a perfect word description.

[@foto21]

I'm an idiot for not chasing down seeing these guys live in the 90s. There was so much great music back then, and I liked being contrary. I liked Steely Dan but I didn't imagine a world without them. There's so much talk of all the guest guitar players on Steely Dan records that I didn't realize Becker was so good. Fagen's voice, lyrics and melodies are just outrageous. Loads of talent. A GIFT.

[@charlesdigennaro4981]

Friggin legends. Beautiful music and I’m a metal head! How can you not love this

[@Annie-442]

RIP Walter. Thanks for the innovative music!

[@valteor]

great show once more! the sound is good, and the solos are original ones. Steely Dan remain my fav band ever... ;)

[@cowsongs]

There are all the really good, proficient rock bands with deep jazz roots, ... then there is Steely Dan. They are a like a dissonant kaleidoscope of rhythms, harmonies and chord changes that somehow blend together as smooth as butter.

[@snakeanthony11]

Thanks for sharing - never heard the Do It Again or Deacon Blues jams before. And great vid/audio quality throughout. Much appreciated.

[@johnnythrogmorton7700]

DWK • I want to say those instrumental versions of 'Do it Again' and 'Decon Blue' during the commercial breaks were more than likely Paul Shaffer and the band, showing their respect. I think this because the mixes were way different and those versions weren't tight enough to be SD. Also the arrangements were all over the place, plus the no vocals thing only added to my assumption. Finally, playing instrumental versions of various songs during the commercial breaks is what Paul and the band are there to do, every night.

[@blehoo1]

great, great playing - imagine jamming to this standard! it's just majestic

[@daveland2773]

Man, this brings back some good memories of simpler times! Fagan and Becker and the gang were unstoppable in the 70's and 80's!!😎👍

[@kbrewski1]

They were "on hold" in the 80s after Gaucho was released in 1980. Fagen released Nightfly in 82, Becker had drug issues. They "reunited" and resumed touring in 1993 after not playing live since 1974. They've been playing live ever since 93.

[@chrishatton2642]

Aja was recorded and engineered so well it’s a great album to test the fidelity of an audio system.

[@LoveThatRod]

Agreed - it may be the quintessential audio system acid test - the best recorded album on vinyl in the planet’s history. If your audio system sounds crappy with AJA playing - change those 2 way speakers to 3 ways - and do it now!

[@a2ndopynyn]

@@LoveThatRod I like Rush's _Moving Pictures_ for a heavier but equally good test.

[@elia.almodovar9558]

I have it on vinyls, tapes and CD's for exactly that reason.

[@joshviggiani9844]

Tame Impala is one guy.

[@livemusicisbetter2]

I know someone who listens for the drum click in the drum solo of Aja when he's testing a turntable 😅

[@20vtechnik]

Steely Dan was a ‘one off’ for me. In the early 90’s and well into the 2000’s I was a doom, thrash and punk rock guy. The crew I hung out with was badged the same. There was one caveat which seemed to transcend that scene. Steely Dan. I/we loved steely Dan. I still do. What incredible musicians. The sound, the musicianship, the quality, the feel. They had it all. When Becker passed it hit hard. Now, I play at lot of Steely Dan when my kids, wife and i are hanging out. I still love them. Perhaps now more than ever.

[@jasonmudgarde286]

How many bands can come as close to replicating their super engineered studio sound when playing live? A gem of a video, many thanks.

[@gregsimmons3323]

Was thinking the same thing. Amazingly smooth live sound (from a band that didn't play live!)

[@robbadobba]

Awesome to hear the extended pieces after all these years! And my heart actually jumped when, of all things, I saw the midtown Sam Goody in the bumper pic during "Deacon Blues"! I've worked in and around Rock Center for almost my entire career, and I miss the old, forgotten hangouts.

[@robbusheay4258]

Just one of my all time favorite bands..........these guys and girls were fabulous !!!

[@personett1488]

Iconic band of the '70s especially. Can't imagine that decade without Steely Dan.😎

[@sandravinup5102]

Or any decade since.

[@PlanetRockJesus]

I love rock and jazz, but I've pretty much always avoided most jazz with vocals. But Steely Dan brought rock, jazz, cerebral lyrics and awesome melodies together like no other band.

[@dcyphrz8532]

Maybe a coincidence but my (modest) audio setup started to change quite a bit when I got heavier into Steely Dan.

[@bakedbeings]

Except maybe FZ and the Mothers 👍

[@markkraft6719]

Exactly. 😊

[@droz1000]

That camera pullback during the intro to Dewacon Blues is really nice. A rare treat.

[@steelyman08]

Thanks for your hard work on this. Not sure how you got it looking & sounding so good, but it was worth it. I really wish they'd chatted with Letterman. Great characters. Never a dull moment. They both chose Josie as a favourite song from Aja (especially to play live), so here it is! Wow! Even the jams during breaks are great to hear.

[@peterdelmonte9832]

I’m 75 today and until blundering into this video this morning, I’d never been aware of Steely Dan. In the 60s I was a folk and folk/blues nut and avoided all else. I’ve never listened to pop music radio (geez I hate it still!) but this is very good indeed.

[@jeffhudick2385]

So mellow, so smooth, so amazing seeing Steely Dan play live.

[@andrewtrotter9023]

I’ve seen them live four times. It’s truly the coolest show ever, and I’ve seen some great bands.

[@Jedizen07]

This is cool, not just because it's Steely Dan ( my favorite!! ), but I can't recall EVER seeing Walter playing a tele style model. Sounds killer.

[@MrDallman]

No band has ever come close….been a fan forever.

[@suzannerowlinson3591]

Ditto! Still get goosebumps! Have loved them for 45 years!

[@kevinkgillette]

Wow! Awesome that you were able to get the audio breaks during commercial as well. It really hammers home the intimate connection these guys had with modern jazz.

[@adamkane4217]

One of the things I really love about old Letterman performances is how often Paul and the band are playing a supporting role--adds something just a little different to a classic tune like Josie.

[@jamesmcghee3440]

This recording is awesome… so,spacious…thank you so much!

[@catholicdad]

Don, everybody always gratefully thanks you. Now, it's my turn. With the expanded audio, it was like watching new TV. I may have missed the original anyway due to being married to the world's craziest (now ex-) wife. Thank you from the very bottom out depths of my heart. RIP Walter Becker.

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@stevereed8786]

Thank you so much and thank you for seeing this for what we need. Well done Sir!

[@stevendagnello8893]

My two takeaways... flawless performance, as expected. And Dave's brutal dig on Paul. Both classic.

[@geoffwolfe9515]

This is f&^%ing awesome! I've been lucky enough to see Steely Dan live 3 times and this is exactly what I remember. Fantastic musicians playing their asses off...

[@chrisgoldbach4450]

Its that time cant wait fornthen16th

[@maureenharrison6170]

3x! Lucky you.

[@kbrewski1]

I've seen Steely Dan over 20 times since they resumed touring in 1993. Been a fan since I first heard Do it Again and Reelin on the AM radio circa 1972-73. Saw them do the Aja, Gaucho and Royal Scam albums in order on different album nights. A top 5 band for me, #1 when I'm listening to them, 😆

[@Lees706]

Saw them live about 15 years ago with Michael McDonald in Pittsburgh . Fantastic show. RIP Walter Becker.

[@markleon411]

This is so cool. I'm amazed you were able to get the break music. What a gem. Joni Mitchell named Steely Dan as one of her favourite bands.

[@davidcarpenter5274]

When I was a young punk ... Skateparks and just hanging out ... Steely Dan always playing in the background ... Didn't know how good I had it ...

[@MikeyMack303]

RIP Walter Becker! Love what you did for music!!!

[@davesheltoncollective]

I love how at 8:01 Walter quotes "If I only had a brain" from The Wizard of Oz!!! true masters of easter egg humor.

[@Tartersauce101]

Great catch man lol

[@pamsmith4722]

Wow. Had to go back to catch that !!!!!

[@lancelove9700]

Me and a friend used to love to stay the night and watch the late show for all the hottest musical acts. We were 14-16 years old but the acts were hot 94-96 and always. We called it Letter Man. My friend passed away unfortunately. But the Letter Man was still great.

[@ebenclukey7293]

More musicality in one song than any album.

[@richardlau2447]

Well said!

[@Fuzcapp]

Except a Steely Dan album ... 🙂

[@hippydippy]

So good! The commercial breaks are outstanding as well!

[@markpowers5907]

That was outstanding. Steely Dan is the soundtrack of my life. And Dave Letterman is one of the funniest and insightful comedians of all time. Outstanding.

[@bobabooey7088]

Nice that you gave us the commercial play through, your videos are the best

[@wilberforce95]

Walter Becker is absolutely swagged out in this performance with those white sneakers.

[@Universityofvinyl]

Walter’s tone is A+!

[@harpoon_bakery162]

I agree, he allowed studio musicions to do all his parts when recording but during jamming, he'd pick up the ax (and for David Letterman)

[@TheOwl]

Loves that Telecaster! A far more versatile guitar than most people think it is.

[@christopherthomas2445]

@@TheOwl I'm pretty sure that's a Pensa/Suhr. Like but not at all Telecaster

[@TheOwl]

@@christopherthomas2445 I think you're right. Those Pensa/Suhr guitars have amazing tone.

[@samueladams4218]

I will never understand how it is that Walter Becker isn't on the list for Top 20 guitarists of all time.

[@MoeSlislack]

It always depends on who's making the list.

[@Dr.ScatKohlenblo-nj2cv]

Because he's not.

[@samueladams4218]

@@Dr.ScatKohlenblo-nj2cv His work on Bodhisattva says otherwise.

[@pluck593]

Because the list was written by Ludwig von Beethoven!

[@lla788]

Thx for posting! My favorite band--still listen to them almost everyday.

[@traceybonds8794]

most days . ..

[@sdanjohn]

Same here.

[@peterjones4621]

Steely Dan, I remember when they came out HUGE in the 70's, they were a huge sensation, a new sound no one had ever heard before. it's so sad we lost Walter, his guitar skills were amazing, rest well Walter, God has you now.

[@carolynwalker2914]

I remember back in 1990 I introduced my 21 year old boyfriend to them. He was a classic metal head. He was never the same way again. 😊

[@katiemanning3761]

Good for him 😊

[@williamMikmaq222]

I had the pleasure of seeing this live…..

[@coolasamoose4299]

Okay, so I'm jealous....

[@marilynfosseen1541]

Man that was great. How did I happen to miss this episode?

[@josemanuelbernardo]

Walter Becker , amazing guitar... RIP. 🎵🎶🎼👏👏👏👏👏

[@JasonDavis103]

Thank you for posting this. It's wonderful.

[@matttilley8620]

Sorry to interrupt, but Don Giller is a reason why KZbin exists. Thanks, Don Giller.

[@dongiller]

Thanks!

[@jeffreyweiser2667]

This is great! Thanks so much for posting. As cool as ever.

[@twoblacklabs904]

Thanks for including The Late Show’s commercial break “bumper” music that only the live studio audience ever gets to hear…

[@dongiller]

I appreciate you saying that. I’ve lately been getting complaints about them from SD fans who can’t understand why I didn’t begin with their on-air performance, not realizing that it was actually SD playing along with the CBS Orchestra during the first break and just them during the second. Ah well.

[@twoblacklabs904]

@@dongiller …Don, I’ve been a SD fan since I was 11 years old, and bought Can’t Buy A Thrill on the day it was released, in Sept. of 1972 with my chore & lawnmowing money. Mom took us down to Peaches Music & Tapes, the guys were still unboxing the albums, but they had a demo playing on the house stereo system. I was used to hearing your standard kiddie “pop” music and was instantly blown away by the difference in what I was hearing. The cashier was a long-haired dude, reeked of smoke, but he gave me a nod and said “You’ll want to get this record, kid. These guys are gonna be good…” Just on that recommendation alone, it’s been a nearly 50 year obsession. Seen Steely Dan in 4 different countries, more than 30 times over the 5 decades. The best show I’ve seen was Aja night at the Beacon Theater in NYC. I have all the individual 45’s, rarities and imports, every album in every form of media - vinyl, 8-track, Cassette, MP3, CD’s, digital downloads…when they beam it directly into my medulla, that ought to do it. I just wanted to let a fellow fan know… (p.s. I just wanted to thank you for your dedication to preserving Letterman. Wondering if Dave’s ever considered a “The Late Show - Musical Acts Only” section of his archival footage? If only someone had exclusive access to the unbelievable array of rock acts that’ve appeared on TLS…hmmmm? Thanks again, Don! Excellent work you’re doing!)

[@13dcbrown]

@@dongiller how do you find those breaks?

[@dongiller]

@@13dcbrown I knew people. :)

[@13dcbrown]

@@dongiller Baby you must have! Thanks so much!

[@davidetaylor2173]

Wow watching these guys in action phenomenal musicàl genius es thanks Letterman for having these legendary musicians grace your stage , and thank you Steely Dan

[@islandbirdw]

Very cool Steely Dan doing their warm up during the commercial break. Yes just very laid back but awesome! 😎

[@stevenwilliams9758]

Saw Steely Dan with Jesse Colin Young here in Honolulu in 1974...AWESOME show, have loved both ever since.

[@andyinoregon]

A bit ironic that the original tenor sax solo on "Deacon Blues" was played by a member of Doc Severinsen's "Tonight Show" band, Pete Christlieb.

[@iateyourass]

...Alanis, is that you?

[@ClarenceHW]

Pete said he thought Deacon Blues was about his life.

[@andyinoregon]

@@ClarenceHW That's great to hear. I was lucky enough to meet up with Christlieb in the mid-'80s at Gresham, Oregon's Mt. Hood Jazz Festival where he graciously autographed my 1977 "Aja" album jacket.

[@ClarenceHW]

@@andyinoregon Andy, I saw him in L.A. I think at Donte's jazz club in the 1980s a true, jazz/bop tenorman,very creative.

[@robopotato4391]

Why is that ironic?

[@garyluciani1082]

This sounds great. The title for this video is not clickbait. I just wish there had been video of do it again.