HOLLYWOOD / NOIR MARATHON REACTION to Steely Dan / Ry Cooder / Miles Davis / Dire Straits / more

THANKS TO MICHELE MICHELE FOR THIS AMAZING MARATHON!!
1). “West of Hollywood” - Steely Dan, 2000
2). “Down in Hollywood” by Ry Cooder, 1979
3). “Generique” - bande originale du film, “Ascenseur pour l’eschafaud” - Miles Davis, 1958. 2:49.
4). “Private Investigations” - Dire Straits, 1982. 6:46
5). LA Noire Official Soundtrack (Andrew Hale) New Beginnings
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#noir #hollywood

[@michelemichele3375]

Loved your reaction, Nick. And your musical addition 👍 and film list. And I appreciate everyone’s comments. ❤️ We broke up 2 separate marathons to try to prevent it getting blocked. If anyone is interested, I had several selections in the noir / detective category: - Watching the Detectives (Elvis Costello), - Fingerprint File (Stones), - Pink Panther (Mancini), - Mike Hammer Theme (Harlem Nocturne), - Secret Agent Man, - Mission Impossible theme, - Why Don’t You Do Right (Jessica Rabbit style), - The Conversation theme (David Shire), - Almost Blue (Chet Baker), - Case Closed (Chris Durian, - Themes from Bladerunner, Chinatown, LA Confidential, etc. 😽❤️‍🔥

[@scottanderson8420]

Watching the detectives❤️ Pink Panther❤️❤️ Chet Baker❤️❤️❤️

[@JKonstage]

Stellar choices, Michele! Will you be doing the other songs too? I’d love to hear them as well!

[@michelemichele3375]

@@scottanderson8420 Scott and JK: your input is always appreciated. I don’t have a marathon currently available (missed it, I guess). I hope to get one next time. I may or may not do Noir Part Deux (lol) next request. Maybe eventually. But anyone is welcome to do it first. I was having trouble with the licenses possibly blocking the video. Keep me posted. Hugs 😽❤️‍🔥

[@canonfodder2068]

Fun list! I'd love to see Chet Baker get some reactions.

[@wanderinroy]

Have to agree with Watching the Detectives. A must.

[@jml-rj5re]

West of Hollywood is an epic piece of art.

[@jwgregory1969]

That sax on WOH is RIDICULOUS! I met Donald at a rest station on the NY thruway in May 2019. We were both in line for Nathan's hotdogs and I nervously asked him to take a photo with him and it is one the highlights of my meager life.

[@TheMkamix]

Private Investigation by Dire Straits is just amazing.

[@roundtownKen]

SD's West of Hollywood is a modern classic and is a high water mark for their latter discography. It should have been enough marathon for most people. Nice assortment by Michelle²

[@michelemichele3375]

😽

[@musiclistsareus1029]

I've listened to that Steely Dan song before, but i never noticed how many key changes it had; thats gotta be some kind of record.

[@danielmccann8325]

Chris Potter with a legendary solo and this is Walter Beckers best guitar work. Can't wait to see Lex's thoughts on West of Hollywood.

[@rosemarypugliese2984]

Thanks, Michelle- I’ve been encouraging them to do West of Hollywood for ages, Amazing sax solo!

[@lukekiefer5964]

Fr finally another Steely Dan reaction!!

[@michelemichele3375]

Thanks, Rosemary. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated, especially regarding SD! ❤️‍🔥🤪

[@styles8007]

Classic Steely Dan track, " Riding a crest of a wave just West of Hollywood " what a great song lyric. This song reminds me of just cruising down US 1 in Florida. Thanks for sharing this treasure piece. I was fortunate enough to get this on Vinyl during Record Store a couple of years ago. Thank you for sharing Classic track. 👍

[@rmac8008]

FYI Peter Gabriel in Verona was incredible The sound in an outdoor 1000 yr old amphitheater Was perfect I upgraded from Row 30 to Row 8 Then found an older Italian couple sitting outside ready to listen I gifted the tickets to them Saw them inside Tears were shed Beautiful moment🎶❤️

[@chris_debian5368]

"Love over Gold" is a superb (my favourite) Dire Straits album.

[@GaryParris]

Ry Cooder is a deep south kinda mood music, he's great, he's done some excellent stuff, and of course love Dire Straits on of my fave tracks of theirs. i could definitely set you up a marathon tracks

[@-R.Gray-]

Ry Cooder is also known for his slide guitar playing. He was the one playing behind Mick Jagger's vocals on that slide marathon of mine. He also composes for films like Paris Texas, and Crossroads, where he composed and played slide guitar on the soundtrack, and some of the slide guitar parts of the guitar duel with Steve Vai.

[@mattperegrine873]

I credit him for exposing me to Cuban and Desert Blues music from the documentaries he produced.

[@debrabrabenec]

I adore Ry's music from Paris, Texas! I still have the LP from back then!

[@jjc5407]

If you want to hear more of Mark Knopfler's magic on an acoustic guitar then you should check out tracks from his film scores like Wild Theme from Local Hero, Once Upon a Time...Storybook Love from The Princess Bride and Altimira from the film of that name.

[@gerstelb]

He basically used the “Love Over Gold” album as the basis for his soundtrack for the movie “Comfort and Joy.” There are a couple of original tracks, including an extended version of the intro to “Private Investigations,” and a track called “A Fistful of Ice Cream.”

[@debrabrabenec]

Love the soundtrack of Local Hero, and the movie as well!

[@GP-mw8ce]

I saw SD play west of Hollwood live on the 2 against nature tour 2000 Hammersmith Odean London.Chris Potter who plays the sax on the album played it live with the band.Some WB's bestter guitar work here also.

[@AntonioSanchez-td6bk]

En 1998, Ry Coodergrabó en La Habana junto a unas viejas glorias cubanas, Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo etc , un album que se tituló Buenavista Social Club que causó sensación. El cineasta Win Wenders grabó un excepcional documental que tuvo una fabulosa acogida y que se llama Buena Vista Social Club, muy recomendable. Ry Cooder es una institución en USA y tiene bandas sonoras como la de la película, Paris-Texas (1984) cuya película también era de Win Wenders. Saludos

[@squidkid2]

Check out the whole Ry Cooder album and lot's of other work by him. He's kind of a legend that flew under the radar for many but a treasure nonetheless. I had this album back in the day and it really described Hollywood. Hollywood is like Times Square in that it's a lot more cleaned up than back in the 70's. Got to see Miles Davis live at the Greek in LA shortly before he passed away. Actually my mom prompted me to get the tickets. I was always a big Miles Davis fan even back starting in the sixties. I had a lot of his Prestige sides which are timeless but there's also Sketches of Spain and all the great work up to Bitches Brew. Miles was always so way out there. When he played live he was in his own world and he sucked you right in.

[@debrabrabenec]

Miles was so great live. I got to see him once at the old Ford Auditorium in Detroit after he released The Man With The Horn. He had a couple of rock guitarists on that album and the concert was a blast!

[@tonybaker55]

I am a huge Dire Straits fan and it was nothing but them for many years. Even got my dad liking them, when I played some to him in the mid 80s, when he was in his 60s. Mark Knopfler in my opinion is one of the best composers and guitarists of the late 20th Century and he is still going strong today. Dire Straits is an extension and evolution of Prog Rock.

[@brucegregory9585]

It is their longest song...

[@woodstockorientalrugcleani430]

West Of Hollywood, to me is their apex. Everything they did up to this, was somehow the duo just getting warmer till they exploded in this song. It’s my favorite. So evocative, and especially cryptic. Potter is an absolute savage here. I see the mist and hear the tugboats, as one small example. "Till the axis of pain/ pleasure shears the arc of desire…" simply knocks my socks off. To borrow from Gaslighting Abbey, this song employs a deep mystical soul synergy between the players. They punched through the Cosmic Wow. Their sensuality on this album is above and beyond their previous creations. The lyrics are especially sublime as well. As much as I adore Aja, as do we all, this song is just more mature and layered to my ear.

[@scottanderson8420]

Another Steely Dan in the books great selection and a great marathon with a cool noir theme. Great to see Ry Cooder in the mix. I love all his albums and his soundtracks compositions are fabulous. I like the soundtrack for the movie Johnny handsome. Great stuff and great Nick. I really like the esoteric selections and combinations of artist like Miles Davis, and deep cut for Dire Straits. 👍👍

[@michelemichele3375]

Scott! Thanks, Buddy. Always great comments from SA. 😽❤️‍🔥

[@scottanderson8420]

You are most welcome, you make it easy. I still think we should do a collaborative Mancini reaction with Debra. I have a request planned I’m gonna try and squeeze in after that maybe I can buy a slot and invite you and Debra to add a favorite Mancini song. Summer is always busy and I’m a little tight this summer. Let’s see what Happens. As a little kid I listened to the Hatari soundtrack over and over. I like the theme as well as a really long composition called sounds of Hatari. Also Dreamsville off of the Peter Gunn soundtrack. 😎😎😎

[@lou_bee]

Miles and the other musicians recorded this soundtrack live in the studio while previewing the film!! It wasn't composed beforehand.

[@debrabrabenec]

Cool fact!

[@michaelmolloy6697]

Epic sax solo by Chris Potter! Fagen and Becker have summed up their writing and musical talent in this stunning album. You and Lex have said before that you can’t put this band in a category……they are their own category and this song has their stamp all over it.

[@RADThird1]

WB on lead. RIP Walter.

[@jimled50jl49]

Hi Nick, looks like Michele has done it again. What a great selection, and so clever to link the theme yet with such different artists. I can't believe you got to hear 'Private Investigations', so soon after I mentioned in on a reaction not that long back, and how atmospheric it was brilliantly done. Love that track and 'Love Over Gold' is a superb album. Incidentally as you mentioned the album 'Brothers in Arms" Ooo it is sooo good. Love the title track, and then there is "The Man's too Strong" & "So Far Away" I do hope you get to hear soon. Love Film Noir movies. I use to love watching as a kid on tv, movies starring Alain Delon. [ Who remembers him ? ... French Actor from the 60's. His movies were big in England & obviously Europe ] Byee Jim X

[@michelemichele3375]

Hey Jim. Always appreciate your comments and suggestions. Thank for the Private Investigations push. And yes, I remember Alain Delon - he was a bit of an icon. Cheers. ❤️‍🔥😽

[@jimled50jl49]

@@michelemichele3375 😀👍❤

[@mattperegrine873]

Excited for this! Great theme. I probably would have added "Watching the Detectives" Elvis Costello

[@debrabrabenec]

What a "noir-tastic" marathon, Michele and Nick! I loved the whole thing, especially "West Of Hollywood" from our boy's stellar comeback album, and the Miles and Dire Straits songs, which were new to me. Knopfler is a favorite, but there is a lot of his music I've yet to explore, solo and with DS. Loved the marimba on "Private Investigations"! Nick, your pick fit right in- it was beautiful! 🎵❤️🎵 Debbie

[@martintayler23]

Great selection @michelmichele3375 and you could add to these David+David's 'Boomtown,' Tom Wait's "Heart Attack and Vine' and J. J. Cales' 'Downtown L.A. to name a few other songs about L.A. 'West of Hollywood' resonates with me because the story is about a man getting clean and falling in love with an older woman....which doesn't last because of sickness. He turns to his brother who can only offer a vacation at Port Blanc with some 'easy' girls...not very helpful but the musicianship is great with Walter in fine form on lead and Chris Potter playing an incredible 4 min sax solo. Only Donald & Walter could come up with such a song! Loved Ry's funky 'Down in Hollywood' with voice overs that provided that cinematic experience of being in a seedy L.A. The quirkiness sounded like Three Dog Night's 'Mama Told Me (Not To Come).' What can say about Miles' trumpet? Extremely expressive with a moody sound taking me back to the film noir of Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade chasing the "Maltese Falcon'. 'Private Investigations' is one of Mark's great songs with lovely classical guitar and melancholic piano from Allan Clark. I really enjoyed this Nick. Thank you.

[@michelemichele3375]

Great suggestions, martin. I did have Tom Waits’ “Heart Attack & Vine” on the potential “Hollywood” marathon. And his “Alice” as a contender on the Noir compilation just because of the vibe. One of us may have to do a second installment. Or I may do “Alice” as a single request with Lex. Thanks for the comment. ❤️‍🔥😽

[@63MGB1]

Elevator to the Gallows is streaming on the Criterion Channel. Great film...seen it a few times.

[@michelemichele3375]

❤

[@eaglesrule1415]

Nice concept and killer tunes to fill it out. Nice job MM

[@theplanetruth]

Wow. 7:14 thanks MM. THIS ONE SONG was enough. Wow. 19:20 -great story telling

[@dav147]

surprised but special to watch you react to Private Investigations for the first time Nick.

[@sidecardog5244]

Great marathon MM! The theme from the film Chinatown would fit in nicely here. I absolutely love the Noir films of the 40's and 50's (Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, The Third Man, Sunset Blvd). Ps, I suddenly feel the urge to don a fedora and pistol whip Peter Lorre while a cigarette dangles from my lips.

[@NicknLex]

I used the Chinatown love theme for another marathon but it did cross my mind to use more music from that movie. Its literally has been in my top 10 forever. Evelyn Mulwray: She's my daughter. Jake Gittes: I said I want the truth! Evelyn Mulwray: She's my sister... Evelyn Mulwray: She's my daughter... Evelyn Mulwray: My sister, my daughter. Jake Gittes: I said I want the truth! Evelyn Mulwray: She's my sister AND my daughter!

[@michelemichele3375]

Thanks for the smiles, sc dog! ❤️‍🔥😽

[@michelemichele3375]

@@NicknLexhaha. I can’t forget that scene. Faye stood there and took those slaps 😮 Iconic, along with Jack’s bandaged nose. Ouch Lol 😽❤️‍🔥

[@debrabrabenec]

@@NicknLex !!!

[@sooutrageous007]

Nick, FYI: The selection from the LA Noire soundtrack was composed by SADE founder/keyboardist/composer/arranger: Andrew Hale. A true gem.

[@NicknLex]

Yes I cant believe I left out his name! Thanks for the feedback!

[@michelemichele3375]

Wow. Thanks for that info, so. Nick, Great addition to the noir mood. Really fun 🤪❤️‍🔥

[@richarddobson815]

Such a great marathon Michele. For some reason I've been nervous of listening to the 'later' Steely Dan albums (after Gaucho) but this has probably cured me of my nervousness! Bop Till You Drop is my favourite Ry Cooder album but there's so much for Nick to get his teeth into with Ry. Miles was incredible, and that's Dire Straits' finest piece of music for me. We even got a 'Nick extra' which gave me visions of a down at heel P.I. lurking in a doorway lighting a cigarette in the rain. Wow, I need a coffee...

[@rosemarypugliese2984]

Jack of Speed, Almost Gothic, The Last Mall, Everything Must Go and more - don’t fear the latter two. They have some wonderful songs. More jazz/blues influenced than early SD, but that’s their evolution.

[@richarddobson815]

@@rosemarypugliese2984 Thank you Rosemary. For a second I thought you had written 'don't fear the reaper' but no, everything's fine. My nervousness was unnecessary of course.

[@danielmccann8325]

@@rosemarypugliese2984 Throw in Pixeleen, Green Book and then add some of Fagens solo stuff like the Night Belongs to Mona , im not the same without you and Ms Marlene. There is some great "newer" if you give it a listen.

[@rosemarypugliese2984]

@@danielmccann8325 I love Sunken Condos. I’m thrilled a new album might be in near future

[@michelemichele3375]

@@rosemarypugliese2984Love their fandom. Thanks. 😽❤️‍🔥

[@vinsgraphics]

There’s a lot of artists that don’t read music. Paul McCartney reputedly couldn’t until fairly recently. Vangelis never learned to read/write music, which makes his work extremely difficult to notate. He got by with special codes and symbols of his own.

[@kirkhassett8726]

Great marathon! Of course you can never go wrong with Steely Dan. There’s another great Hollywood Noir track that I can recommend (if you can get it past the KZbin blockade). That would be Don Henley’s “Sunset Grill”, but be sure you grab the full-length album version. EPIC instrumental fade-out that runs several minutes, but it really delivers the cinematic, Hollywood/L.A. Noir feeling.

[@debrabrabenec]

Not gonna do Don Henley- he blocks everything.

[@davidlukey5189]

You have to listen to Private Investigations and On Every Street as a 2 parter. I like to think of the main character from each song being the same PI at different stages of his life.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

Best sax solo ever! Chris Potter is fantastic. Next up should be Almost Gothic. A genuine love song which is rare for Fagen. Does anyone know who the object of affection is in real life?

[@michelemichele3375]

In the Hollywood marathon, I had quite a few more to choose from: - Chaka Khan / Rufus - Hollywood - Billy Joel - Say Goodbye to Hollywood -System of a Down - Lost in Hollywood - Bob Seger - Hollywood Nights Etc. Also, that’s Chaka Khan singing on Ry Cooder. 🤪❤️‍🔥

[@michelemichele3375]

@@kbrewski1 Thanks. I forgot about those tracks. 😉👍

[@chrisbarlow2131]

Regarding Ry Cooder, you might prefer his atmospheric instrumental guitar work soundtracks for films like Paris Texas and also Southern comfort. They are extraordinary!

[@debrabrabenec]

Paris, Texas-😘

[@briangray00]

1. West of Hollywood I think this one gets on my 20 track Greatest SD Hits; I enjoyed you getting it first time at the bat. 2. You're going to love Ry Cooder a lot. This one is a beaut, but there are tons. He's a great musician; I think just as highly about him as I did 4 decades ago.. 3. Cinematic, yep. 4. Sad that they didn't do more with Mark K. sad there's nothing Steely 1980- 2000, except a live LP (I thought it was for cash at the time, which was OK with me and I recommend it ;Love the song (haven't heard it for ages) particularly the exquisite guitar. . 5. Really liked this. Massive late 50s vibe. You ought to do some Henry Mancini (Don F has a piece on him in his book).

[@annbeguity5932]

Many think Fagen’s ‘Nightfly’ was the first pop record made in digital. But I *think* Cooler’s was actually the first.

[@nancyfranchetto938]

Yes. Ry Cooder was the first

[@tinicum54]

👍👍

[@AntonioSanchez-td6bk]

Ry Cooder no es un rapero, es un músico que desde 1970 hasta 2018 ha grabado 17 albums y cuando murió Brian Jones estuvo a punto de reemplazarle en los Rolling Stones, Su música es muy variada desde el folk tradicional americano, gospel, la música Tex-- Mex y el R&B. Se dice que el riff de guitarra de Honky Tonk Women de Rolling Stones era suyo.Ha colaborado con Doobie Brothers, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Little Feat o Van Morrison. Saludos

[@helgar791]

Not the best Miles, but any Miles is good Miles. Next time try anything from his first great quintet, which includes the albums "Steamin' ", "Workin' ", "Relaxin' ", Workin' ", and "Cookin' ".

[@michelemichele3375]

Thanks. Hope to hear more Miles too. ❤️‍🔥😽

[@paulmorris8762]

check out Ry Cooder Prodigal Sono or My Girl Josephine or Get Rhythm

[@williamflinchum-qo6ch]

1981,I couldn't, edit

[@FredGarnett]

Great selection by Michele and, as a Miles Davis fan, I loved the choice of Generique which I have on several playlists (although Right Off with John McLaughlin is my favourite Miles track). He improvised the music in the (film) studio and there is a short bit of film capturing him improvising Generique with the film maker Louis Malle (on the spot in one take as you say Nick) Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/boi5hISKnMSlo5I

[@stuarthastie6374]

Dan disappoint! I cannot stand that Snare!

[@NicknLex]

It's literally the same as glamour profession. There must be a reason for this since the Dan IS perfection! Don't listen to this on your phone because you won't hear anything but the the snare. Cheers👍

[@michelemichele3375]

Fair. I hear ya. But I think Nick makes a good point too. For me, I try to hear it as the constant that allows the rest of the track to explore but I do hear ya. Personally, I would prefer a little change-up. Donald and Walter were not opposed to using a drum machine also. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Thanks for your comment.

[@stuarthastie6374]

@@NicknLex I have been a Dan~fan right up till Gaucho, nwhere some teacks fell below par to my mind. I have a thing about bad ruming eapecially when Dan, who previously alwaysnhad great drumers. Walter was being sued by the parents of his partener for causing death by heroin and he was badly injured in a motor accident that kept him in hospital during recording sessions. Also the Dan had a contractual dispute with the record bompany and it wa rumored that Gaucho master tapes disappeared. i ccan hear the cool jazzy~Dan in the background but the drums spoil it for me. I dont play Glmour Profession eitherdor sane reason. Love your show

[@stuarthastie6374]

@@michelemichele3375 -- i cannot stnd drum mchines unless they re uaed gently , even fromthe Super~Dn. So bad for tthe drumming profession.

[@michelemichele3375]

@@stuarthastie6374 I hear you. Touchy subject here too, especially since I married a professional drummer/percussionist. There’s a fine line between perfection and robotic. I’ve always heard Steely Dan’s perfection as nuanced enough to keep my ears happy … but I can see what you’re saying. Thanks for the discussion, Stuart. 😽❤️‍🔥