Drummer reacts to "Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan

[@JackSchitte]

I have said it before and at 71years I will say it again: "You never grow out of Steely Dan....you grow into them!"-Jack

[@L33Reacts]

That's the perfect way to put it 🙏👍

[@garymcghee2249]

So true. I'm 64 and have been a Danhead since I was 14. He who is tired of the Dan is tired of life itself. They are the greatest American band ever. x

[@sirsuse]

Anyone who hasn't heard Steely Dan has no idea what they are missing.

[@L33Reacts]

Exactly. These guys are pure magic 😊😊

[@chrisblack1119]

Umm, isn’t that true for any band?😂

[@sirsuse]

@@chrisblack1119 That can be true, but we're talking about Steely Dan. 😉

[@chrisblack1119]

You're right there . @sirsuse. There is a lot of Steely Dan to miss...

[@docsavage8640]

@sirsuse by definition if you haven't heard something you don't know what you haven't heard 😅🤣😂😆

[@DaveH111]

I don't think I'm being hyperbolic when I say I'm so thankful we have music like this. The standard is impeccable and they consistently hit it.

[@MU64ME]

The Dan got the Grammy for best engineered album , it’s in the top 1% of best albums of all time!! 😎

[@docsavage8640]

Sez who?

[@sirsuse]

Heard this entire album a million times and counting. ❤

[@alldayadventures5418]

1Million x 45 minutes. That means you are over 2100 years old...!

[@cynthiawhite9830]

Me too!

[@sirsuse]

@@alldayadventures5418 I listened to it many times a day. 😀

[@Kathy-bk6cg]

I've had my album since 77 I believe 😊

[@sirsuse]

@@Kathy-bk6cg Ditto.

[@rubbersole79]

Steely Dan: Your favorite band's favorite band.

[@genecase9464]

"Drink Scotch Whisky All Night Long And Die Behind The Wheel" and "I Cried When I Wrote This Song. Sue Me If I Play Too Long" are often quoted lyrics from this amazing song.

[@docsavage8640]

No they aren't

[@kidpoker007]

They create such an ambiance... I remember driving in the late 70's listening to this as the summer sunset was happening...windows down loving life

[@docsavage8640]

Great times. Perfect song for that.

[@guinkoo]

I played that ALBUM daily on my drive to work! Awesome🥹

[@annbanderson]

Thanks for commenting while the track is playing instead of stopping it to talk. Appreciated. I never get too much Steely Dan.

[@dexthecat]

I’m 57, so I’ve been listening to Steely Dan for a long time. It’s a joy to watch you listen for the first time. These songs are timeless and never get old. I suggest you listen to everything by them. Love watching all your videos. Keep it going man!

[@L33Reacts]

So glad you enjoyed the video my friend. Steely dan has been a blessing for my ears... and my channel. They are the best. Thank you for watching 😁

[@gregbartley2475]

If I had one song played at my funeral, this would be it.

[@sirsuse]

This album does not disappoint.

[@CursedInEternity92]

Every instrument is tight in this song, but the snare and high hat drive the entire thing, its perfect

[@gzaq]

you can listen to this a 100 times and still discover new nuances

[@ShiverHinge]

It is so right that you recognize how great Steely Dan is. Your channel is full of the best music of many kinds.

[@L33Reacts]

I'm glad you enjoy the variety my friend. I am in debt to all of you wonderful people for showing me all of this beautiful art.

[@twelvemonkeys8786]

Steely Dan, wow what a band. So many good songs... Timeless

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

Thank you for the shout out to the backing vocalists- “20 Feet from Stardom” is a really good documentary about them.

[@L33Reacts]

I'll have to check it out, thank you! Sounds intriguing 🤔

[@RandyHall324]

Great documentary! It features some of the greatest (mostly unsung) background singers of the rock era - It won an oscar! Well worth watching! (may not feature these particular background singers though IIRC).

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

@@RandyHall324 You’re right, these three aren’t. I mention the documentary because so often these artists are overlooked. The guitar solo, the drum fills, saxophones etc get attention but the background vocals are just as important to the end product✌🏻🤟🏻🤘🏻

[@Allright21]

Deacon Blues is my second favorite SD song. FM is my favorite! All other SD songs are tied for third place. 😀 Thanks for Steely Sundays! ❤️

[@elgenetiamzon1062]

I personally love Midnight Cruiser bes, Deacon blues second and FM third.

[@peterr931]

Fuck me what a beautiful song .. 49 years I have been listening to the dan they are without a doubt the best session band ever ever ever to put out our records ... 🎉🎉🎉🎉😊

[@williamflinchum-qo6ch]

Nobody can touch the Dan/ been a fan since 74😊

[@cynergy4]

Can't go wrong with The Dan! Try "Black Friday" on for size. Also "My Old School". "Hey 19" is a good one too, "the Cuervo Gold, the fine Colombian. Make tonight a wonderful thing" 😊Becker and Fagin were meticulous about their sound which is why they stopped performing live and became a studio band. They wanted perfection and they got it

[@bryanschuler7158]

Hey Lee, that was probably one of the best reviews I have ever heard from you or any other reaction channel on KZbin! Congratulations! You were spot on on everything you said. I really enjoy your steely Sundays! May I suggest you do …”don’t take me alive” for your next steely Sunday review. This song has probably the best guitar intro I have ever heard in my life and I think he will enjoy it very much. Keep doing what you’re doing. Such a great review and appreciation for one of the best band ever! Really enjoyed it. 👏✌️🎶

[@janewells5970]

Check out the archives. Lee reacted to Aja, don’t take me alive and other SD. Join Patreon

[@davelandsman4768]

I grew up in the 70s and from the first time I heard them, they have been my favorite band.

[@robinstarkey6071]

Same bro, same

[@The2realistic]

Same here. I visited a record store in 1993 and Kid Charlemagne was played in the background. I had never heard anything quite like it. Bought all of their (and Donald Fagen's) CD's within a year or so.

[@antrivers46]

Every track on Aja (7 songs) was recorded with 7 different line ups, all the greatest session musicians at the time. You can never tire of Steely Dan and for me who has been a fan since I was 7 and heard Do It Again I can still play these songs and find something new. Unsurpassable for me.

[@alldayadventures5418]

Excellent Tune. One of their best, which is hard to pick. Easy to understand what this tune is about. A Masterful Gem from the minds that make this wonderful Soft-Rock/Blues/Jazz tune that can be played 1000's times and you still love it.

[@mikekane9881]

This album changed my life when I was 15. I’m 61 now, and this is still one of my favourite songs. Beautifully played and so moving.

[@ilionreactor1079]

"Aja" is the album you use to show off your sound system.

[@randyteta9170]

Was glad I got to see them live,before walter passed away a couple years later…One of the best concerts I saw

[@TheMikeman1971]

Good song to relax too ! Kid Charlemagne is a great one too!

[@terrylucas8424]

Lee, you're the best reactor to SD that I've heard! Thanks you!

[@genecase9464]

Victor Feldman doesn't get much noteriety but he was a very famous studio musician in the late 50's through the mid 80's when he died all to young in 1987. He apparently played on the first 7 Steely Dan albums. Donald and Walter knew talent when they "heard" it!

[@theivory1]

This one is special. One of the best chord progressions ever wrote imo.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Lee! SD rocks another Sunday! Great reaction for 66 people in the chat. Nice job!👍🎵🎼🎶😎

[@diverdown631]

The Dan never misses

[@tyronechao2092]

The thing about Steely Dan songs, almost every song has its hidden gems that is there just waiting for you to discover.

[@janewells5970]

Home at last!!!!!

[@L33Reacts]

Glad you made it home!

[@johndbrandhorst4434]

I've been listening to reactions for a couple of years now and I want to say you have a better ear for music than most. You don't over react and your analysis is really good. A lot of folks don't like reactors who talk during the music but it's understandable because most are overreacting and doing it to bring attention to themselves you don't do that. Being over sixty you should understand that we would gather together put on some vinyl and share our thoughts on the music and I enjoy listening to music with you and your channel thank you.🎸🎶🥁

[@thestevelarsenexperience]

Great reaction! Thanks so much for your insights and the love you’re showing for Steely Dan and for this amazing song.

[@Linda-y9h]

I can remember SD being dissed like...San Francisco 49er fans have cheese and wine at their tailgate parties while listening to SD. GO niners 💛❤️🥰

[@kevinfessler6831]

I never listen to a Steely Dan song and think to myself "it could have been done better". Everything is so on point it's sublime. Musical perfection.

[@oscar-lo4hc]

The sax player is Pete Christlieb. He was the sax player on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the 1960's and '70's. DF said he was watching the Tonight Show, heard Christlieb, contacted him and asked him to play on the album. DF said he said he had never heard of Steely Dan. He's in his nineties now. P.S. One of the sidemen on an album said Steely Dan pays VERY well.

[@johnhextall1136]

Maybe their best and most popular song. When I first heard Aja, this was the standout track and as a sax-playing whiskey drinker it had a big appeal. Now, though, the best track on the album (if not of all their albums) for me is Home at last.

[@janewells5970]

Love home at last

[@John_Chu]

Imagine any other song you can think of that had these 3 guitarists: Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, and Dean Parks. Also give Pete Christlieb on tenor and Pretty Purdie their flowers as well.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Nice reference to kid charlemagne.

[@MissouriJohnson]

Us old heads always are welcoming. I hope you are enjoying your journey.

[@yankeeboyno7]

Happy Sunday L33. What I see is you going back to the roots of today’s music. The Beatles, Steely Dan, the Eagles and other bands that survived over the years gave us great music - much of which was understated by many. Keep enjoying what you’re doing. Good luck with the interview.

[@robertpearson8798]

Love the Dan and especially this album. On a completely unrelated note I stumbled on a video of Gene Krupa playing “Sing, Sing, Sing” on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1960. I’m no drummer but I found it pretty amazing. As a drummer you might already be aware of Krupa, he was an influence on people like Keith Moon and John Bonham.

[@AttackChefDennis]

As the last child of 7 in a family growing up in the late 60s early 70s, I heard Steely Dan from an early age and singing along seems to come without effort. It is so refreshing to see a younger generation begin to explore what this band accomplished.

[@jwoodard29]

Crimson Tide of course refers to the University of Alabama football team, perennial winners. As a joke, Donald and Walter contrast this with the lowly Wake Forest University fighting Deacon Demons.

[@L33Reacts]

That's great lol they are quite clever

[@masapell]

Pete Christlieb sat in “The Tonight Show” orchestra for years along with another powerhouse session player, Ernie Watts who has his own memorable solos in pop songs. The Tonight Show had a stellar band with the great Doc Severinsen as leader. Here’s a clip of Christlieb on fire with Watts. He also played an amazing solo on the Dan’s song “FM” from the movie of the same name. Christlieb laid down some great intricate solos. In the modern era, the incomparable Chris Potter does the same. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3jMi4aQg76mZ9Usi=9BTUEiTDCeYDWt7h

[@yes_head]

Steely Dan's stature at this point meant they could get both Larry Carlton AND Lee Rittenour, when most people would have been perfectly happy with either one of those mofo's. I think I saw somewhere this song was about a guy stuck in a suburban rut with dreams of being a bebop sax player, who confronts the sacrifices needed to chase his dreams. And you're right that SD had a sound like no other, because nobody else would put the work into creating something this meticulously smooth. BTW, the nearest band to this at the time were The Dooby Brothers.

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

This album was played at every party that I attended in the Seventies. I subscribed watching you talk about the Beatles. Enjoyed watching a young person be blown away by!

[@glenncooper9898]

As Bernard says, him on a song u got a hit!

[@gregfagan199]

Truly a remarkable piece of music. A thing of beauty.

[@guinkoo]

I’ve seen them in concert four times on beautiful summer evenings.

[@L33Reacts]

I bet that was an amazing experience!! I would have loved to have seen them like that. Sounds relaxing as hell 😌

[@sammybeck7794]

If you had a dart board with all Steely Dan songs on it and you threw your dart chances are good that your dart will land on a great song.

[@janewells5970]

Love this entire album!

[@L33Reacts]

Me too so far! Every song has been insane so far

[@sirsuse]

You forget "Green Earrings"?

[@debbiewalker31]

Yes! Such an amazing song!...And Sign in Stranger, an underappreciated gem.

[@sirsuse]

@@debbiewalker31 exactly!!

[@AntonyFleck]

Loved the Dan since my teenage years early 70s Could never choose a favorite Well possibly whichever one I'm listening to?!!!...

[@genecase9464]

I just saw a KZbin short of Dean Parks playing his acoustic guitar part for the first time in 45 years! Wonderful!

[@donaldanderson6604]

This album came out as I was starting university. You could hear it blasting out of every room in ny hall of residence. A lot of people bought it to show off their new stereos. I've heard it thousands of time and it still sounds fresh.

[@anthonyblakely399]

Yeah😂😂😂they know they were pissing off a lot of people back then...so we went to their concerts like we did with a lot of bands and got the long version in concert. 😂😂😂 Steely Dan along with Yes, is one of my all-time favorite band. Different styles, but excellent musicianship!!! Steely Dan is very Jazz and R & B with a little funk. Love this band!!!😊😊😊😊

[@Pru1PC]

I had an original master disk pressing of this album on vinyl. It was absolutely PHENOMENAL when you put some power behind it on a good set of speakers! The good old days!

[@DougJantz]

I’m so happy you like this one…now please do the rest of the album, especially the title track

[@janewells5970]

Check out the archives! Aja was his first reaction to the Dan! ❤

[@paulehney4581]

Deacon Blues has stuck in my head for decades Lee, be forewarned. Lol

[@hrhamada1982]

Many drummers have heard of the fanous "Purdy Shuffle" the drummer here is the famous Bernard Purdy

[@lynne8346]

Took a 10-day road trip in the early ‘80 down the Oregon and California coasts then went to Vegas (for the first time) on the way back to Washington. I was 21. This is the only album we listened to the entire trip. The. Only. One.

[@janekaschak5819]

Top tier for sure! One of my fav SD songs! So many layers of perfection, just gets better the more you listen to it.

[@buckgreen4598]

THIS ONE GOT YA...IT'S ONE OF THE BEST IN MY OPINION.....

[@roundtownKen]

Glad you are enjoying it. Get back to Royal Scam and "GREEN EARRINGS" my friend. SO funky... Happy Listening

[@AudioVile]

The term 'catchy' often has a negative connotation when it comes to music. It usually means over-produced, sellout, simple, etc... Not THIS song! It IS catchy, but that's because of the insanely good melody, harmony, instrumental, percussion, etc. I LOVE this song! It's one of my favorites from one of my favorite bands ever!

[@boettcher66]

Rose Darling is my favourite Steely Dan song ❤

[@kidpoker007]

This is probably my favorite SD song..I love the lyrics.... Sue me if I play to long :)

[@ronaldriis1023]

Love your analysis of this great song. These guys had it figured out. Write great songs with fantastic lyrics and get great, fantastic musicians to bring them to life.

[@nunnarij]

You got it! Welcome to the SD club.

[@lisahaverluk4037]

Ricky...don't lose that number ❤😂

[@johncrocker-nh7ey]

My daughter is a metal head and she's always said she doesn't like jazz turned her on Steely Dan and her perspective on music is growing and changing I tell her there's nothing wrong with like in metal don't limit yourself that's why your daddy's got such a diverse collection music because there's so much good stuff out there and it depends on your mood and how I'm glad to see the younger generation appreciating some of the things of the older

[@cindipossidento5688]

That entire album, AJA, is a smash !!!!! Every song is sooooo good !!!!! IMO. I believe the best album ever produced !!!!!!!

[@suzannesellers7383]

Lord this is a sad song. He looks over his life and finds it empty and meaningless. Is the “fine line” death? So many interpretations. Pure poetry set to perfect music.

[@nancymjohnson]

Show Biz Kids please! Such a great song. Well, all Steely Dan songs are great, but that’s my favorite! ☮️❤️

[@phoebeandtilly]

Steely Dan is the best. Deacon Blues is one of my favorites along with Hey 19

[@phoebeandtilly]

They were great to dance to, as well

[@ilionreactor1079]

"Everything is so tight." They used stopwatches, etc. They were merciless.

[@kianpa1]

I’ve seen them more than a few times. Probably in my top five bands. ❤ #walterbecker

[@HXERkYJclMcKLAWwQW]

Dude isolate the guitar , incredible.

[@joy88867]

This is my favorite song on my favorite album! I’m from Maryland too!!

[@houseson]

Oh man, wait for Lee Ritenour. Artist in his own right (song: is it you?) You'll get to it. Thanks.

[@cityhonors1]

☺️ So good! I love the Dan & Steely Sunday! 🥰🐰

[@davidbooth7778]

Beautiful horns are soooo smooooth.

[@lucasroth7922]

Smooth as butta!!

[@richkurl]

Great reaction as always. Aja is filled with dark, seductive romance and it's meticulous, elegant aura. But please, find Green Earrings from Royal Scam to complete that brilliant album.

[@Ferretbomber]

Probably my favorite song from The Dan. Thanks Lee, always appreciate your reactions.

[@L33Reacts]

Glad you enjoyed it my friend! I appreciate you 🙏 you rock

[@dialtones6]

Purdy, famous for the "Purdy Shuffle," is also possibly the greatest pocket player who ever picked up sticks.

[@barbararussell2958]

Green Earrings is another don’t miss

[@piperofsimms]

Incredible. Check out the odd lead on Peg. They were very picky who they chose for each song. THX !

[@billalbritton4972]

Excellent review. Babylon sisters from Gaucho is my request. Not as strong as Aja but a stellar Dan number.

[@phillyflyer12]

'Home At Last' is my favorite track from AJA.

[@cheezer57]

Yes!..Love it!

[@sirsuse]

Good morning!

[@alansmith7626]

only play Steely Dan on days that end in Y...lol...keep up the fun reacts! I have been listing to this since it was new and it Never gets old! Watching and hearing your reaction is almost like experiencing again for the first time...if you have not, you may want to consider going back and start at the beginning...the Can't Buy a Thrill album...any way you wanna do it, just keep The Dan goin!

[@mitzifrancis9843]

I loved a description about this classic Steely Dan song as being about asprliring to a romanticized image of "epic loserdom".