Tribute to Steely Dan - Top 5 Guitar Solos.

[@damianoehme5391]

Is there nothing you can't play? Brilliant work!

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

Thanks mate!

[@cornight881]

This is my grateful dead...so many well crafted tunes that have filled my life with joy since I was 13....65 now ❤️

[@Pedro_MVS_Lima]

Well well, posted 3 hours ago, and already 13 comments and 52 likes, very nice, your amazing talent is being recognized! Great solos and of course great renditions, too! Thank you and an honorable mention to your finger tips 😁. Cheers!

[@ronl3793]

Fantastic Kelly, What a way to start the day...Thank you.

[@JeffAmbro-wv7qh]

Do it Again would be the best,and My Old School would be the second best.Thankyou

[@RocketBoy1969]

Your hard work really paid off. Well done! I love your taste in music. My dad introduced me to Steely Dan back in the 70's. I was lucky to have been raised with diverse music in our household. Thanks for sharing!

[@christianjackson9298]

Denny and Skunk were a terrific team up. I love the solo on Boston Rag. Back in the day, as a guitarist discovering the band for the first time, Boston Rag grabbed me and threw me into the water 😂

[@Pat-nl4wk]

Excellent! Also, bringing back my childhood days of the early to mid 70’s!

[@senseiruss]

Great choices! Great playing! It's definitely quite a challenge to narrow them down to five, even eight with your honorable mentions. Thanks for putting in the considerable amount of work to do this and for sharing it - very fun to watch and hear!

[@matthewoconnell114]

Great list of solos and your playing was amazing!

[@St705]

Kid Charlemagne has been my favorite since it came out. Listened to on vinyl at home and 8 track in the car at that time.

[@bobpaul4572]

Great Job on those Beautiful Classic DAN Solos! Awesome!! 😎👍

[@bobpaul4572]

🎸 🎸

[@hazor777]

Wow - really great job nailing down the VIBES of these solos! Much respect!

[@smitty6263]

Incredible job on "Reelin'" Spot on !!

[@Chris_LaFrance_MAI]

fantastic playing - fantastic solos - fantastic songs - fantastic group - Beatles - Steely Dan - Bob Dylan

[@MackAxyzz]

dude you absolutely nailed this one; the only omission for me would be the 'do it again' sitar sounding deal as an honorable mention...anyway you killed it brother; blessings alwayzz brother

[@stevedewdney6978]

Wonderful piece! Realize that I have some more tracks to learn…thanks a million!

[@googleboy7]

Hello David and Happy New Year. I've been playing for over 60 years. IMO, YOU, my friend, are in the top 1% of worldwide guitar players I have ever heard. I am telling everyone who will listen about you. I can't understand why you are not world famous. In the truest and deepest meaning of the word, Shalom! gw ❤

[@izzyfrozen]

Great list, and man you shredded these! Love it!

[@lesbristow5657]

Fantastic playing these solos Listening to these solos reminds me why Steely Dan are one of if not my favourite bands of all time.

[@teajaydc4484]

I also have a favorite Steely Dan guitar solo. Walter Becker’s solo on “What A Shame About Me”. It is a perfect example of how a solo can pair with the song’s beat. Walter shows you how his creativity respects the underlying groove. It’s a finger snapping ride that is expressed soulfully.

[@keithevans5409]

Well played! Can't fault your list, but as you said, so many others that are just as deserving. Very pleased that you mentioned the much overlooked solo in Bodhisattva by Denny Dias, truly one of the best of the best!

[@RAmusique]

Just sublime.

[@jazzyboy7784]

Just found you and now a new subscriber just for this Steely Dan video alone. I'll check out past videos and look forward to the new ones...thanks.

[@donwilliams1008]

I'm a drummer, but absolutely love Steely Dan and you did an awesome job with these solos, Kelly!

[@cindipossidento5688]

That really was amazing to hear !!! The Dan, my favorite band from its inception……. So many talented studio musicians played with the band, I believe all those different legends playing with them, truly added to The Dans success. Writing, vocals, as well as the backup singers all a true addition to THE DAN My favorite was when Michael McDonald would sing with them. Love them all …. RIP Walter Becker

[@henrygarrison1613]

#5 always blows me away... great job...

[@MichaelDoran-gh6pv]

Thank you so much. Brings Dan back....

[@jrad22ful]

Wow - this was a tremendous video - great work; I've been a Steely Dan devotee since the very start - you nailed it!

[@fishman211]

I just came across this and thoroughly enjoyed every second. It's sad not to see Denny Dias' "Do It Again" included. Great stuff though. Thanks,

[@DreamsongsProductions]

Well done! Love Steely Dan!

[@mrstrat222]

Props Dude!!!! Very impressive!!

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

Thanks mate! Much appreciated.

[@garrycomloquoy7141]

Good to see someone with the magic and loving it all.

[@jmendi55]

Excellent job and excellent choices. I personally love Carlton's 'Third World Man' solo. I heard an interview with their current guitarist Jon Herrington who said it's the only solo that Fagan and Becker wanted him to play note for note (not even Kid Charlemagne). 'Bodhisattva' is ridiculous, and 'Do it Again' is pretty great too. I think Denny Dias is criminally underrated.

[@qquark99]

Surprised not to see the solo(s) from "My old School". But then there are so many fantastic guitar solos in S-D's songs!

[@340ACP]

Amazing solos, you are an incredible guitar player

[@KenFernbach]

Fun post - this is such a great moment in guitar music fans lives, some of the best music of an incredible genre played so tastefully! So glad to see this, thanks! 👍🎸🍄🙏

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Great video! My Old School is probably my 2nd favorite after Rikki.

[@rogerdale5451]

I've said many times- The two S.D. songs I deeply hate and won't listen to, (really because of their popularity), are Reelin'... and Riki..., but have truly smoking solos. Ultimate admiration, and an observation that in terms of ratio, no band ever had a higher ratio of outstanding work...EVER.

[@ToB10ya]

That was fun, thank you! I subscribed! If I ever pick up the guitar again, I will give a listen to your great channel.

[@wilhelmrogue1]

Dont know how i missed this one ,, great video sir…

[@henrygarrison1613]

Every solo you played...made the hair on my arms stand right the f up! That's great

[@russbeard3665]

I've been tabbing Reelin in the years, I like your chromatic approach to the starting phrase, I was sliding it... otherwise identical on both our tabs. Nice work on this video!! Guitar soloing from actual musicians is so much more than the dime a dozen mechanical shredder solos out there.

[@MackAxyzz]

...FYI jimmy page is on record as saying that's one of the best guitar solos ever

[@peterevans8598]

Simply incredible ! Love this ! Thank you

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

@@peterevans8598 cheers Peter, thanks!

[@plev10]

I can barely play a few bends and as far as those octopus/caterpillar runs, well sir all I can do is watch you do it in amazement. Bravo!

[@kalihipalama1762]

Great group, outstanding guitar solos! Rickki has to be the sweetest one of all!

[@hogi99]

You play these licks so well. 😍

[@dwaynejessome1728]

Awesome episode KDA! So many favourites to choose from, but Reelin' In the Years just has a special spot with me

[@craigzellner4159]

My 2nd favorite is the solo from THIRD WORLD MAN. I agree with all of the others that you mentioned. Thanks!

[@brentgraham1735]

Awesome work…my favourite band!!

[@shawmcveigh7448]

Kid Charlie!! Been trying to play that for about 4 years now! Defeltifly difficult. Great job!!

[@KoenStrobbe-fv5us]

Nice work and list. It shows the variety. Well a top 5 is impossible :) For me personally, Bodhisattva would definitely be in the list because it is simply brilliant. Mr I-refuse-to-bend-strings Denny Dias is seriously underrated.

[@pcn267]

Welp Kelly ya did it again,nice job and credit for your determination to get these creations done so well thanx Kelly!

[@haverelmink]

Fantastic choices, phenomenal playing, and outstanding presentation skills, with no ego or attitude. Just virtuosity. Really enjoyed it! Subscribed. Oh, and ignore the a**hole comments. I’d like to see them play these solos.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

@@haverelmink thanks mate! Appreciate the kind words.

[@dougvolinski5824]

Superb work Kelly, thank you again and again!

[@shereewilson6278]

Happy that you gave Denny Dias a mention with My Goldteeth 2. Also Skunk and Dennys guitar playing on Bodhissatva was wonderful as well as Dias on King of the World but there were so many great guitar riffs by different guitarists on their songs. Its hard to pick a best one.

[@abreug2]

Wow!! I been playing guitar for 45 years and still cannot pull off all those SD solos!! Awesome video you did 👍😎

[@SebSpeaks]

So many great solos. Do it Again is IMO one of their best.

[@alexladzinski6597]

you absolutely have all those guitarists nailed Sir!

[@normansykes8872]

Great video! Loved your choices. Two solos that were not mentioned was the solo to Do it Again and the super mellow solo by Denny Dias on the title track AJA.

[@jamespitman3357]

fav band from my much younger days and still the tunes sound enjoyable - great playing as always - too clever

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

I was too much of a metalhead in MY younger days. Didn't care for Steely Dan. Absolutely love them now.

[@henrygarrison1613]

Dang! You freaking rock....they're all great.

[@robertartese808]

Great job!

[@gravics]

You are a boss, sir. That was enjoyable.

[@jksojmo123]

Great job - a wonderful video- thanks

[@heshboppins]

YOU are much appreciated! Quite impressive.....

[@shawnchadwick4943]

Incredible job on these sir!

[@allenmahan9393]

*KILLER!* _Nailed it!_ 🎸😮🤘Gotta guve it up for "Bodhisattva," to boot! 💪🤠💡

[@desert_rat_guitar]

Wow Kelly. I have returned to the fold after being gone for a while. You inspired me when I took guitar back up and now I'm 1/20th as good as you. I don't think I'll catch up.

[@Theraldave]

Wow! Killer playing!

[@wwz1011]

All great solos! I'd give #1 to Larry Carlton's Don't Take Me Alive, Elliott Randall #2 for Reelin' In the Years. I was a junior in high school when Elliot introduced me to Steely Dan. I've followed them ever since. The freedom that Fagen and Becker got by using the best session musicians allowed them to try everyone out there to get the very best solo. A similar video could be made about great drum solos on Steely Dan recordings, starting with Steve Gadd.

[@Wonkywonderman]

Love the fact that you mentioned ‘You’re Gold Teeth 2’. I’ve also been blown away with the syncopated start to the solo in ‘King of the World’. Was it Denny or Jeff’s work?

[@dwneder]

Thanks for bringing in "Bodhisattva" - my hands-down, number 1 favorite solo on any rock album ever. I can't fault you for "Peg" or "Kid Charlemagne" - outstanding, but to me, Bodhisattva has them beat due to the interplay over the chord changes, the turn arounds and the exchange with the bass line.

[@paullavallee1631]

Great work, well played Kelly

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

Thanks Paul!

[@Marsbonfire007]

Jimmy Page said the 'Reelin in the Years' solo was his favorite guitar solo.

[@markreiser1898]

Let’s do this again…and again! Well done

[@bigsidable]

When it comes to Stealy Dan. They just blow you away with their chord work. I have many many song books of different bands. And you may find maybe 4 chords in the songs. Stealy will have 15 or more.

[@casparuskruger4807]

Steely --not Stealy

[@davidcammilleri5526]

Don’t take me Alive is the greatest intro ever. Kelly 61K followers. Well done. The funny thing about Steely Dan is they would have 4 or 5 guitarist come in and lay a solo down. Some of them never knew if any of their work would get picked.

[@ge484]

i thot it was the same player, im so naive, great chops, Mr Allen...im reelin in the reelin years...dog goes nuts if i play loud...so i never try heavy stuff..lol...cant wait for your blackmore set...

[@kenbash2951]

Nailed it- GREAT. Maybe Night By Night?

[@DavidTSR2]

Brilliant playing sir.

[@DavidLTJ]

Superb!

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@flexjay87]

Well done ! I couldn't do that if my life depended on it :)

[@jscottmaclean226]

that was fun, thanks!

[@dennisdezelic9760]

Fantastic playing!

[@srwaite7]

Good stuff! When you have finished transcribing the other solos, perhaps you can do a tutorial of each of them this summer. Would be great and fun! 👍🏻🎸🖖🏻

[@bpaakwaan7325]

For me, best is Danny Diaz's amazing "Do It Again" solo. One of the hardest solo's I have ever learned, that bloody timing is fierce !

[@jamesmay1500]

Anybody who knows anything about Steely Dan and guitar solos would say Denny Diaz solo in Do It Again is by far the best Steely Dan solo and one of Rock and Rolls best solos ever

[@janicemartin7560]

You must not listen to the great Larry Carlton. He is brilliant on kid Charlemagne and dont take me alive

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

Sigh… it’s very sad that decades later people are still talking in absolutist terms like, “ this is the best solo, no this is the best solo and if you don’t agree with me, you’re a dumbass.” There’s no such thing as best or worst. There’s only music. And sometimes music calls the tune, pun intended. So much depends upon how the listener is feeling in that particular moment. For example, I heard Steely Dan‘s songs when they came out for the very first time. It was the early 70s and for those of you who don’t know about that particular decade, there was shit going on, people dying, President, getting assassinated, police were knocking heads in Chicago, and we were trying to stop the gorilla exchange that the President of the United States insisted on calling the Vietnam war, even though Congress had never declared war on that tiny little country that ended up kicking our fucking asses all over the planet. So when I hear a Steely Dan song and whatever great solo that goes along with it, my experience is colored by the history that I have when I heard that song. And, of course, science now knows that the music we hear when we hit adolescence, and our hormones are flying all over the place, that music is so incredibly powerful to us that it’s scary. So let’s take a step back. Let’s say that the person who compiled this list didn’t hear any Steely Dan songs until 10 or 15 years after they came out. They were a little older, a little more grown-up 1985, for example, compared to 1975 was relatively peaceful. And so in relationship to one another those historical periods of time place are two different listeners in completely different psychological niches. And this is going to affect how we feel about the songs the notable solo guitar pieces contained there in, and all the rest. Musicians know the truth, most of us, and that is simply that there is no football game like competition about who’s better or who’s best. Would love to just sit back and listen to the music! So try this at home. Pick a Steely Dan song. Pick one that you like, but it isn’t necessarily your all-time favorite. Listen to it after a really hard day at work. Take some notes about how you felt. Then listen to the same song on a Sunday afternoon after you’ve had some time to rest and maybe you had a great day with the family or whatever. Listen to the song you’ve just gotten some bad news. Listen to the song after you’ve had great sex with your partner. I think you will begin to see what I’m talking about. that our frame of reference has a lot more to do with how we feel about a certain piece of music, then we might imagine.

[@RaymondGranado-vm2ln]

You got that right buddy!!!!!

[@hogi99]

💯

[@davelouis4004]

@@janicemartin7560I believe Deny Diaz ‘s solo was improvised on the electric sitar , while Carlton’s was worked out , either way, both incredible solos !

[@francesclarke6808]

Amongst so many gems, it's impossible to say which are the 'best'. There must be 10 -15, maybe 20 + classic solos in the entire Steely Dan catalogue. I've enjoyed this video. It's good to see them technically well played. . I wouldn't necessary agree with those five but Different strokes folks 🎉❤

[@markbaum9615]

Way to peg Peg..... Great list...missed a few... Then they recieved honorable mention Excellent playing per usual...KDA

[@allancerf9038]

I thought Larry sounded a little unconvincing trying to rock on Guitar 5. All his other stuff is more accomplished. I also feel number 3 is by far the best in the catalog. All 5 are pretty damn good! When you hear the milkman whistling your song, as a Beatle said, you know it's memorable. When the the general public can hum for quite an extended period of time, a guitar solo, you have "something to say" to quote Les Paul. The public can hum the Reelin' in the Years solo. P.S. - Outstanding playing.

[@gjbingham]

Loved it!

[@doncapone8156]

Great job love Todd Harrington on My Old School live version. Monster player

[@johnklein4558]

Absolutely NAILED “Don’t Take Me Alive” !!

[@ssgoifvet]

Denny Dias' Boditsava solo is sick

[@laramsup]

One of my faves

[@rodandrews3416]

Well played!

[@tomlatenite8348]

Is it my imagination but these pieces sound somewhat similar I don’t see how but it seems that way to me. Maybe it’s the way that Fagan and Becker well maybe their styles help these lead guitarist to sound similar does that sound crazy?Thanks so much for this video it was great

[@WetCottonCandyOsc]

As someone going through Bodhisattva at the moment there is a serious lack of lessons on how to get to all those notes in the solo, but honestly the whole song is a blast to play through on guitar. Denny Dias just throws so many notes at you that it's hard to remember. So yeah a tutorial on that one and My Old School would be amazing

[@Diesel0807]

I couldnt pick just 5 ... with these guys id have a hard time picking a top 25 ., listening to this really shows how important the rythm sections were on these recordings

[@mysticmoose]

Zacly

[@rogerdixon1069]

I love the part at the end where you say you’re going to sit down and learn those three solos THIS WEEK!!. I’ve spent years trying to emulate a single solo from them and am still no where close. I’d love to hear how you go about picking up these solos and transferring them to your own hands. It seems so impossible to me. 😬

[@drothberg3]

Steely Dan has some of the best guitar work in existence. The only one of these that I’ve learned in its entirety is Kid Charlemagne, which is a beast, and as you said, Larry Carleton’s mastery of playing beautiful melodies over complex chord changes is unmatched. I wish you had done the outro as well; it’s also awesome and shows Larry playing great stuff over less demanding changes.