Peg - Steely Dan - The Making Of

Becker & Fagin and other musicians talk about the track they laid down for "Peg"

[@ryanslauderdale]

Let's be fair: with Steely Dan's music, EVERYTHING is a nuance.

[@j.c7719]

Yes and they’ve got the groove.

[@j.p.sixgunner7194]

​​@@j.c7719 the musicians probably thought it more like a *nuisance*. 😂😅😁

[@popick86]

Let’s all agree: one of the greatest songs of all time

[@darylcadman2863]

Had something to say..... But need inspiration, direction from outa this world, with masters like Fagon. Becker. I will shut up. Listen to there music with all of my limited sensors.

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

...but then you start thinking about other Steely Dan songs and... Lol!

[@sandyshoremann7524]

@@barnabyaprobert5159 I would pick "Home at Last" and "My Old School" from their song book; Then I would listen again and maybe come up with a third. The Dan are definitely on my Desert Island record list. Damn! Becker is gone from us. - Sandy

[@spikefivefivefive]

It's one of the most unique songs from a band with one of the most unique sounds of all time for sure.

[@rudybigboote3883]

The only competition is from other Steely songs.

[@lundeimagesas2900]

"We got through three or four... five players..." "six or seven..." "six or seven... eight players".

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

Whatever it takes. The records speak for themselves. The only rock/pop act in history who wrote 7 straight GREAT consecutive non-soundtrack albums. There's more filler on The White Album than on any SD record. The Stones could only produce 4 straight great ones. The early Zep records were filled with uncredited or credited covers...

[@philsackett7341]

Those other solos were literally horrible, especially the first one. I don't know which L.A. session musicians were those first guys, but wow what schlock. Jay's solo is like a hundred times better than anything else I heard there. I bet this wasn't a hard choice for them at all, just the pain of wading through all of that dross to finally get to the money-maker. I'm glad they were patient!

[@gsxerwhite]

Phil Sackett his had the only unique sound.

[@The22on]

@@philsackett7341 Agreed. The first two were typical jazz solos you would hear in a club. Good, but nothing to write home about. The final one was from a different planet. What a weird way of working! Hire different musicians every day. No wonder their stuff sounded so perfect. They kept trying people until they got what they wanted.

[@jospinvanraat8730]

Got to laugh !

[@chrishatton2642]

Aja is One of the best recorded and engineered albums. It belongs in everyone’s library.

[@pnichols6500]

Got really lucky recently, found an original, first pressing in fantastic condition. My existing one I bought a few years ago isn't a great copy ( bought used). Look in the dead wax, the original pressing number starts with "AB" After a few months changed to "AA" and all these and everything after sounds inferior.

[@Sol1ta1re]

Thanks for the tip

[@petemitchell2099]

The older I get, the better Steely Dan sounds...

[@craigdiascd]

Pete Mitchell too true brother 👌🏿

[@hfsmm1hfsmm167]

Yes, like wine it gets better with time.

[@kellyl.petrus2170]

That is so true...I play them to this day! Classic sound never goes out of fashion. it always brings you back to your core!

[@shloombusghorbelsheister8628]

That's how it works

[@BillCollins0707]

Hellz yeah!!!!!

[@izzy9132]

I never tire of listening to each instrument and voice closely in Peg. Played it 3 times just today. It still excites me even at 70 years of age.

[@xxczerxx]

Their songs became like tapestries. I think what separates SD from basically every other band is that they have a songwriting sensibility that pays tribute to novelists, guys like Jack Kerouac and Steinbeck. That's why a lot of their songs feel so 'cinematic', they capture the essence of a short American novel in a few minutes. Each instrument is pivotal in capturing that.

[@tested211]

The playing is just ridiculous! The timing, the feel and the groove!

[@jamesgist7736]

Totally agree!

[@ultramet]

Let’s face it that Chuck Rainey bassline at 1:09 deserves it’s own KZbin channel. For the life of me, how can someone create and play something so rich, so funky, so otherworldly on a bass 🔥

[@trunkshope6]

the guys at scotts bass lessons have a whole video devoted to breaking down his bassline on this.

[@beckyboo1433]

I love how he hid that he was slapping 😂 he was right! It worked out great

[@logankrotzer8770]

@@beckyboo1433 "they never knew it went down, they never knew it"........LOL....love that!

[@Stefanthenautilus]

2:33 is the real kicker for me. It's unbearably funky when stripped down to just the rhythm section.

[@ultramet]

@@Stefanthenautilus you’re certainly NOT wrong. Just phenomenal playing!

[@kiddynamite3931]

I love bands without a genre. Just great music, with great musicianship

[@wesleywayne303]

Yeah, not knowing much about them or of their era, I found them through hip hop sampling, i.e.: Peg- De La Soul, Kid Charlemagne-Kanye, etc. Now here I am wanting to get deeper, and these behind the songs gems w/ stems & the story/background are amazing that I keep finding on KZbin... No wonder Steely Dan is bad ass they hire the baddest players to flesh out their ideas which is genius. Wondered how some of their tracks were so funky for a rock band? & it was b/c they were hiring some of the baddest jazz cats like Chuck Rainey & Bernard Purdie to come on and rip. Hear Chucks genius on "Summer in the City" - Quincy Jones (Should be a making of on here somewhere) also Kid Charlemagne is w/ Bernard P on drums. To anyone who dislikes hip hop sampling- well for those of us w/o music programs or parents that bought us instruments, this may be how we get into music & hip hop sampling has brought many artists back from near obscurity/history book realm of a ghostly library to living history, appreciation & a nice check or 10. Sampling has given many artists that really never had success (not in the case of Steely Dan, more Eddie Bo) , much success even much later w/ a whole different gen. loving & appreciating their music, finally 30-60 years later... sampling brings younger generations & people to good music & keeps not envogue music relevant, current & in the conversation.

[@kiddynamite3931]

@@wesleywayne303 That's awesome! I'm older, but I was very young. As a drummer, I think they nailed who they picked to record the drum, and bass tracks. I started late, but I'm learning to sample, as I'd really like to write some "beats" from ideas I've hD ibţWhat DAW do you work with?

[@theubercaste]

Nope. The genre is Steely D.

[@ryan_raus]

Yacht rock?

[@moonlitegram]

@@ryan_raus That's basically a meme genre born out of the internet. I don't consider it a real genre outside of really casual classification.

[@afrophonic]

Michael McDonald is incredible. Those harmonies are so tight it's unbelievable! Genius musicianship, composing, arranging and production from an all star line up! Stellar!

[@justkim1]

Those intervals!

[@alekkoomanoff7281]

Got his start as vocalist with doobie bros in Calif biker bars. Amazing singer and harmonies.

[@justkim1]

@@alekkoomanoff7281 Started out Steely Dan. He was under-utilized as a background singer but maintained a working relationship with the band. Jeff Skunk Baxter had been released from Steely Dan and joined the Doobies. Baxter gave McDonald the nod based on their work together in Steely Dan. McDonald was hired on a temporary basis as Tom Johnston had health issues. McDonald eventually became a permanent member of the Doobie Brothers.

[@joejones9520]

to me I love his backing vocals but not his lead vocals, I feel same way about Paul McCartney who I think was at his best harmonizing with John.

[@MALTESEFALCON1]

On ride like the wind too!!

[@moxxichannel5950]

When I heard Steely Dan in the 70s and Fagan's NightFly in the 80s (I consider that to be the best album ever recorded) as a kid and teen, the sound of their albums were unlike anything I had heard - the crispness and tone was unmatched. Their music sold me on a vision of the future that I needed to fulfill for myself: a high rise apartment overlooking my city, Steely Dan playing on the stereo, perhaps a girlfriend, some drinks, a party etc. In the early 90s, my girlfriend at the time and I moved into such a high rise apartment, and I lived that vision. What an awesome time. Such great memories - and it all came about because of this music that was 4th dimensional to me. Sometimes I miss that apartment. Sometimes I miss that old girlfriend. But I still have the music.

[@pyootchnich]

One of the best comments I’ve read in a long time because it represents similar notions and sensibilities I experienced. Cheers.

[@nerdsarecool]

First time hearing about NightFly 🤯

[@synthonaplinth5980]

The mastering of 'The Nightfly' was just beyond exceptional, not to mention the harmonies.

[@SlokeClarke]

McDonald's background vocals make this track. Never before have I heard such a rich, powerful, and harmonic vector of sound as the legendary McDonald's delivery of "Peeeggg!" Holy Cow! What a sound!

[@sebastianwatson1558]

Andrew Clarke that was a Powerful belt in the day! Could play on any radio station!

[@tabbycat8511]

No doubt, that. It’s a gut blast of beautiful.

[@andrewtrotter9023]

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker make this song. Don’t get it mixed up.

[@andrewtrotter9023]

Mellissa Cross I was not being negative but giving my opinion to the statement that Michael McDonald’s vocals “make this track.” No, they don’t. He simply did what Becker and Fagen asked him to do. I love McDonald, but Becker and Fagen WROTE THE DAMN SONG. How does a backup singer “make a track?”

[@jafafa]

And these days, they'd have him sing "peg" once, sample it and play it on a keyboard as chords for the harmonies.

[@BoomDocs14K]

Every time I hear MM's solo vocals and hear the story about how detailed the vocals were stacked, I am amazed. I have never listened to this song the same since hearing this story! I greatly appreciate and respect all involved in making this classic.

[@DutchKC9UOD]

Micheal McDonald singing harmony with himself was Brilliant

[@frigidpony]

Agreed, ever since watching this doc I heard his vocals completely differently.

[@sherripaterson-mcmanus8648]

Same here ❤

[@BaronKimball]

That sneaky assed bass player makes the song

[@peterresetz1960]

That's why bass is called the stealth instrument.

[@3star2nr]

Had to rub some funk on it

[@tyvianc]

If he would have kept just playing with his fingers, the song would have been boring. But the slapping at the end of the song was necessary because that's the chorus. The energy level has to be increased to keep the listener engaged. So I'm glad he snuck the slapping in there...:-)

[@Wally-H]

Chuck Rainey is THE groove meister - one of those great session bassists who has never really got the credit he deserved for his work for so many artists, on so many albums.

[@gomezkillerbee]

Baron Kimball that’s often the case

[@ThatOtherRaccoon]

These guys were on another level..I never would have described Jay's solo as "Hawaiian" or "Polynesian", yet they knew. The amount of theory and music they know is just mindblowing.

[@crlaw75]

Jay was the right person for that solo. The others would have not fit.

[@foto21]

Ironic how a song recorded when technology was so much less developed, destroys anything being done today. Becker and Fagan were rigid perfectionists, but they knew the genius of real players. That is the sign of real bandleaders and composers who don't have so much ego they won't let others shine at what they do. They actually built themselves up by stepping back and letting others do their best. This is a lesson that should not be lost on musicians of today. Bowie was another bandleader like that.

[@bobsmith6538]

Yes those two guys know music inside and out and it shows in just about everything they did together. Carry on Donald and R.I.P. Walter. You are certainly being missed.

[@InflatablePlane]

1977 actually had really advanced studio tech for its era. It just took a god tier pair of musicians to utilize it all to its fullest extent.

[@cuscoothriyas5163]

@@InflatablePlane Definitely. The 70-80s were a period where recording technology moved faster than people could figure out how best to use it

[@jerrymammoser9101]

….yeah, they knew that, like Dean Parks said, you get it down and then you loosen it up. They knew the genius in letting the players bring out their own genius.

[@autofocus4556]

Not really. Music today sounds just as good just different.

[@studapeppahead5384]

Could this...be...the PERFECT song?

[@natenick2]

Close but that title belongs to Deacon Blues, coincidentally enough from that very same band and the very same album. The soundtrack of my youth, wonderful stuff all of it!

[@studapeppahead5384]

@@natenick2 ....I actually think it's "Kid"....but we both are right.

[@cel777]

@@studapeppahead5384 Black Cow :)

[@drivewaystar6485]

Its definitely in the top 3

[@CorePathway]

It IS the perfect pop song.

[@BrazenNL]

Mike McDonald's harmony is amazing.

[@stvynix3687]

YES! One of my favorites!

[@Sigorzav_Mixing]

not Mike, Michael McDonald.

[@BrazenNL]

Do you actually call people named Michael Michael instead of Mike? o.O

[@stvynix3687]

Well, my name is Michael, and it's very acceptable to Michael's to be called Mike. I approve of it.

[@markcutts383]

I'll bet Michael Mc Donald has never smoked. Doobie Brothers are very clasy also. I may guess that a band like the Mamas and the Papas may be an infkuence. Great harmonies similar to the Beach Boys earlier. He " Knew what he was in for " He said it.

[@paulconrad7649]

Pure genius! Those backing vocals by McDonald are the best in history. And those guitar solos they rejected were horrific. They would've ruined the song. Those two guys had the best musical ears ever. They knew exactly what they wanted and what would work best. That song is perfection.

[@BillLancaster]

P

[@ernestogasulla7763]

They were not horrific but not great either. Don and Walter were right to keep trying until they found the perfect one.

[@benvye6934]

Both rejected solos they played were by Walter Becker

[@profd65]

They weren't horrific, STFU. You just have such limited imagination that you can't conceive of the song being any other way than it is.

[@lateshiachilds3640]

That is pure talent I love true artists that know their music and sounds, Prince was the same way, and so many other singers during those times.

[@makeadifference4all]

I never hear about Becker and Fagen arguing. I'm amazed they could share such a singular vision and not come apart while doing take after take of so many of their songs.

[@stratboy518]

In his latter years Walter lived on Maui and I had the joy of “meeting“ him once. It was in the Kahului Maui airport when we crossed paths. We were both headed home, me to Oahu and he had just returned to Maui. I instantly recognized him and blurted out “Hey, Walter Becker” and reached out to shake his hand. He was unassuming and stopped to say hello before moving on to baggage claim. That must’ve been over 20 years ago, but I remember it as if it were yesterday. 06/07/2020 😷🤙🏼

[@dreggymon]

Thank god they picked the right guitar solo.

[@mscocorosie]

literally every tiny thing about this song is perfect.

[@kurtzimmerman1637]

These guys were so talented. Didn't write a few good songs. They wrote a few good decades. Seen these guys 3 times. Always a hell of a good show!

[@Michaelobama184]

That means you seen them before 1975

[@jorozco13yearsago40]

@@Michaelobama184 or after 1993

[@MarkOnDrums1976]

It's SAW not seen. I saw Steely Dan in 2018 in Camden NJ Great show.

[@blurryvision942]

@@MarkOnDrums1976 well, if you're going to take in the comment as dialect rather than perfect grammar, then I can picture someone saying "I've seen these guys 3 times". The difference is, this person just took out the "I've" because who the fuck writes I've in a youtube comment section? not me

[@MarkOnDrums1976]

@@blurryvision942 Seen saw sawed seened. I was compelled to reply since we have a majority nation that is fat dumb and hapoy as they post selfies on tick tock and and instagram and can't even answer basic questions taught in school. Half the kids in high school today don't even know basic geography. "OH, Canada is north of us?" If Doc Brown offered me a chance to hop in his DeLorean and worm-hole-it to 2100, I'd decline..

[@mikeharty4536]

12 years old in the winter of 1978. This song came on the radio, and I was smitten. Sunny, happy, unique and groovy. Emphasis on groove. This is a timeless song, created by total professionals. Ear candy if there ever was ear candy.

[@jimthompson2737]

The songs all had a groove. I always thought that was Mike M. With two other singers.

[@TucsonDude]

Happy, but about a girl committing suicide.

[@kenblecha8840]

This track will be cool 1000 years from now

[@logann7942]

the isolated michael mcdonald vocals are the shit tho.

[@kurtvanzyl5218]

Yeah man.

[@Apemopo]

+Logan N LOVE 'EM

[@Inquisitor6321]

+Logan N IMO Michael McDonald made this album really awesome! It's still my favorite Steely Dan album.

[@johnqpublic2718]

Logan N love love him

[@levinmoser4001]

Inquisitor6321 I always thought Michael McDonald wasn't a good fit with Steely Dan. He's just a bit too blue eyed soul for a jazz influenced band with great syncopation capabilities.

[@Alex-pq4zl]

that solo on peg couldn't be more perfect, especially so listening to the solos that didn't make it. one of the greatest solos on a rock record of all time

[@Guessmynameification]

Just heard a rumor that the other two we hear here were throwaway takes from Becker himself, and they’re just hamming it up for the fun - came back to listen again and I’m finding it compelling - it’s clearly the same person

[@colbydobbs6399]

Every single musician that played on this track is absolutely 100% the real deal. Legends.

[@jourdanreading6553]

Michael McDonald was the perfect touch to Peg I think.

[@MrSilksoul]

To me he made the song.

[@iseeolly9959]

@@MrSilksoul He was amazing!

[@BH-zd2px]

The song would not have had the hook it did without him.

[@edgarmellancamp6818]

Steely Dan, the Doobie Brother's, Toto, collabs with Kenny Loggins, and his own solo career. Michael Macdonald is a legend.

[@jeromecabral8440]

He was also in the music video of I'll be over you By TOTO

[@Nessthegreat]

"Let's check out his high part just to embarrass him." "Cool." I cried that was just greatly funny.

[@LASR71]

This is a high level of demand in music skills from these guys, since I don´t think that voice can be an embarassment to anyone, lol...

[@catherinechandler5670]

That is what I wanted to say. He has the voice of an angel.

[@Notecrusher]

Most unique bg vocalist ever?

[@kiko1935]

Yes, usually bg vocals are just there to compliment the lead but his really stand out. Ear candy as they say.

[@kitrichardson5573]

Background vocal list is definitely better than the lead singer - which says a lot about their confidence in the areas where they were strong

[@richardhunt4576]

I'm old now. Looking back now, missed out on a lot of stuff. BUT today is beautiful summer's day here in UK. After breakfast I'm going to "pop to the shops" in my Tesla model Y, windows down amd treat me and the test of the world to Peg. Makin' up for lost time.🙂❤

[@poempadgett4664]

Check out their tune _King of the World,_ too, that would be a good one for the road, imo. They have a lot of great songs, for sure.🤓

[@KTownYMok]

I am 14 years old and this is my favorite song!! I can't explain why my head keeps moving but it does. My dad introduced me to Hip Hop and De La Soul but always tells me where they get the beat from.

[@buckycore]

It bops hard!

[@paulbaker5205]

The drum/bass track is gold. One of the greatest grooves ever laid down...drums sound simple, but to play with that pocket is much more difficult than it appears.

[@tammysigmon853]

Steely Dan introduced a bit of the jazz syncopation into rock. Awesome match musically!! These guys know their composition and theory!

[@mikeb6572]

+Paul Baker "Can't hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket" - JD Blair to Victor Wooten

[@alanoneill3065]

The Meters?

[@Espectro101]

you are so right - the feel is totally amazing - fav drumming on Aja.

[@Notecrusher]

Rick Marotta is a hell of a drummer. I've always loved his beat on Peg and it's great to hear him talk about it here. It's really cool to see him play it too cos I always wondered if he did it w/ one or two hands on the hats.

[@chrisyoungs7560]

Not to sound too old school, the sheer "craftsmanship" of this tune exemplifies why the music of this era was so good. It was talent, not technology. This stuff is beyond great !

[@PlymouthVT]

Is there anything colder than Walter Becker saying "Speaks for itself" on the guitar solo lol.......god bless him.

[@Jaxthewonderhusky]

I could listen to Steely Dan all day long every day and never get bored.

[@jtpinnyc]

One of the greatest guitar solos ever.....short, sweet, to the point, charming, quirky and sophisticated.

[@Notecrusher]

That fast little run towards the end is SO cool.

[@Foghat1961]

you forgot 'impossible'

[@1CreativeRider]

After Lennon & McCartney we were blessed with BECKER & FAGEN. Genius writers & players. RIP, Walter.

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of HOME AT LAST and JOSIE on my YT channel in tribute to the great Walter Becker and the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest artistic achievements of the 20th century. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@duncansmith8992]

You cannot compare the 2 Beatle guys to Walter and Donald.seriously?

[@lawrenceusher1902]

I put Fagan and Becker ahead ifnlennon and mcartney in terms of sophistication

[@duncanbleak3819]

@Lawrence Usher Way ahead !!

[@studapeppahead5384]

@ MMmmmmmm...... no. Simon was the instrumentalist....Gar was a singer.....Mac and Len were GENIUSES...

[@gregharrison5479]

Aja is still the only vinyl album I bought 2 copies of at the same time because I knew I'd never grow tired of listening to it.

[@scottm7341]

The bass on this song is perfection. Becker said that once he heard Chuck play, he didn't bother bringing his own bass to the studio anymore.

[@jkl542]

Donald and Walter may have been perfectionist. But the high quality shows in every Steely Dan song. Peg is, among others, one of their best. Michael McDonald's vocals on the Aja album was and still is pure magic.

[@DisgruntledPigumon]

They were just the one perfectionist? Or maybe perfectionists? ;p

[@fantastiqueberliotz1209]

@@DisgruntledPigumon Nobody likes a grammar nazi.🙄

[@trysometenderness7466]

AJA never gets tiring. Still sounds fresh.

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would give a listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of HOME AT LAST and JOSIE on my YT channel in tribute to Walter Becker and the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest artistic achievements of the 20th century. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@michaelalbrecht7894]

Agree wholeheartedly! You can still play AJA anywhere and incredibly it hasn’t dated , just gets better with the years! Gotta thank the Brecker bros band for the talent !!!

[@abrahamjackson6019]

I'm still jamming the Aja album.

[@rossfromfriends8468]

I listened to it 2 times this week alone

[@haikat4]

My only complaint is that it's too short! One of the only "perfect" records I have ever heard.

[@artysanmobile]

Fagen and Becker have a great comedy thing going on while at the console in these documentaries. That had to help with the thousands of hours they spent together.

[@EdDunkle]

They seem like musical soulmates. Both are very smart and talented and they both respect each other. It doesn't happen often.

[@drmmuzik]

Cool to hear Michael McDonald talk about the learning experience he had singing the harmonies and how much of a pain in the ass it was to deal with Becker & Fagin. His recollection is definitely bittersweet. :-)

[@bernlin2000]

I don't think there was another band that existed in the 1970s that had the same attention to detail as Steely Dan...absolutely phenomenal sounds. McDonald's harmonies are simply astounding, great asset to the band and the album

[@thewordlove4316]

Eagles!

[@johnkk7863]

@@thewordlove4316 Not even close . Steely Dan way out on their own .

[@keefriff99]

@@johnkk7863 True. The Eagles were meticulous but Steely Dan is on another level.

[@Nclght]

Earth Wind and Fire definitely comes to mind..that's why Dan and EWF are my two favorite bands.

[@johnvalencia9927]

Guess you never heard Close to the Edge or Relayer by Yes lol

[@pedenmk]

The 70s were the greatest decade of music ever. It seemed every month there was a new album beeing released not to mention the kickass concerts.

[@suspiria1966]

Such a great song. RIP Becker

[@back2me225]

Such a very nice music Donald and Walter one of the genius musician ❤🥰 RIP Walter Becker

[@MichaelVLang]

Chuck and Rick laid down one of the most perfect grooves on this track. They way they played around each other but with each other, masterful. Love that.

[@Notecrusher]

I gotta say it's hilarious when Becker says the kick doesn't emphasize the bass accents on Peg, then solos the two parts and it totally does.

[@skierpage]

I returned to watch this after "Greatest Bass Line Ever? Ep5 'Peg' Steely Dan" from Scott's Bass Lessons breaks down Chuck Rainey's part. The subtleties in his playing are 😘

[@snoopstp4189]

I learned to slap bass because of this song.

[@Stefanthenautilus]

When they isolated the rhythm section on the board and just listened to those two guys putting it together...my body started moving all on its own

[@LadySwag502]

I've been a Dan fan for as long as I can remember and will be one until they close my casket.

[@barberswagg1]

Ladyswagg I'm barberswagg.... I love u. A sister that knows .

[@LadySwag502]

***** RIGHT ON!!

[@bachrocktheamericahatersan5799]

LadySoul502 we will take the Dan with us.

[@KatCulley]

I hope the people I think really know me will be smart enough to play their music to represent me in all aspects. I can only imagine what Mr. Fagen is going through losing a brother like that.

[@bagley232]

I listen to them every day

[@cardo1111]

R.I.P. Mr. Becker your perfectionist nature always paid off in the final product.

[@mls-a9837]

cardo ii

[@bryansarracino8623]

He was funny as shit too.

[@bwdrums1]

These two guys were just so brilliant, that's the only word to describe what they created.

[@nov20five]

I wish more artists would deconstruct their music like this. I love hearing the backstory. RIP Walter Becker - you are missed, man!

[@ianfoehr6011]

I wish I was around to be rejected as a studio musician by Don Fagan.....lol

[@RootinrPootine]

So even in your fantasy…you still get rejected?

[@423gtrman]

Almost a right of passage....or a plus on a resume'.... definitely bragging rights

[@justkim1]

It's worth it to say that they even considered you,, given their high standards.

[@bagley232]

still listen to this LP after 38 years

[@vladimirputin8094]

Same

[@donewiththenonsense.4717]

Greatest ever!

[@jtb1990419]

7:31 Michael McDonald: PEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGGG!!!! Donald: 😄 Walter: 😒 Donald: 😐 Sorry, Mike. That part made me laugh!

[@overcomer4226]

Your comment made me guffaw!!

[@SadChimchar]

Hahaha

[@alsleepr]

I grew up with these guys. As a classically trained pianist, I am totally in awe of their musicianship. Hats off. I have some expensive earbuds and can even hear them breath. (Gonna be deaf by 70yo, but I dont care.) Love them!

[@Oldmotherhell]

I love it when Marotta sniffs as he said, "...clubs for feet, you could play..." - GOLD!

[@basehead617]

I'd love to see the amount of cocaine he did all in one giant pile.

[@boracho9520]

bh617 me, too, but Pablo Escobar is dead

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

Walter has died too

[@tophatandtails]

It's wonderful how all of their musicians took so much pride in wanting to get it right musically...they picked people who just cared about the music. And that's why it's so good.

[@kimberlymccoy2344]

Chuck Rainey “they NEVER knew it went down...never knew it!” Damn right on Brotha! You did your thing and they LOVED it!

[@justkim1]

Because slap funk bass was imperative.

[@bryansarracino8623]

The particion

[@thenflywjaz6917]

Is Rainey for real ? They never knew it went down ? Check out 1:20 Clearly they only learned how to solo the tracks years later ! 🤣

[@toomuch5488]

This record never gets old.

[@andydixon4424]

The Michael McDonald parts are pure "Barbershop'. That's the way I have always perceived his backing harmonies on Peg

[@JimmBailey]

I agree. It's not until you deconstruct the vocal layers that's it's truly classically derived. It's brilliantly executed on that final track. And if you play it back with the best audio equipment available, and especially with a fine vinyl copy, you can really make out the distinction of how truly complex the vocal blending is. It's a knockout performance, and the engineering behind it is insanely genius!

[@theallseeingmaster]

Vinyl; is such a warm, fully rounded recording medium for music. CD's and other digital forms are harsh sounding.

[@andyinoregon]

Yep. Roger "The Immortal" Nichols won the Best Engineered Album Grammy for "Aja."

[@fgs2732]

Andrew Dixon o

[@DGShackleford]

I always get a funny mental image of a barbershop quartet of Michael McDonald clones singing during the chorus

[@stylecollective-qt9um]

lol

[@sjf1981]

Hahaah

[@melomane2010]

More like a harmony vocal group from the swing jazz era like the Pied Pipers.

[@2001tclmike]

that is fucking hilarious!

[@cecilyhayes5245]

That's funny..😄

[@eduardoleaoneto1197]

Quando tinha 15 anos (1972) ouvi uma música que nunca mais saiu de minha memória, era "Do it again"! Hoje aos 64 anos, ouço o Steely Dan como se tivesse ainda aqueles 15 anos. Tenho quase todos os discos, sou um apaixonado pelo som desses caras. Música inteligente, bem elaborada e com muito swing. Sou um fã incondicional. Apenas um sentimento enorme de pesar pelo Walter, mas ele está em minhas orações, seja onde estiver. 🙏🙏🙏

[@ericcrabtree7404]

They took the time to do the things most of us would never notice to give us a timeless audio experience. Brilliance.

[@kevinarmstrong8237]

Exactly

[@TheRobynAudet]

Michael MacDonald..I knew there was something about the chorus!

[@cecilyhayes5245]

Robyn Gammon thats one of the things that stuck out for.me when i used to hear this song...and i mean i was just a 10-11 yr old....

[@krlm2280]

Hip-hop had Nate Dogg on tracks the compliment songs most artists from the 70s 80s 90s didn't matter if it was Rock Soul classic rock they had Michael McDonald on the track u knew his voices in a song like the song with Christopher Cross classic song

[@Radjiobon]

Every aspect of this song is absolutely delightful and it is exciting to listen to it be broken down and discussed.

[@bobsmith6538]

Yes the chord progression and the chord voicings are excellent. love that tune!!

[@bryansarracino8623]

The bass slapping!

[@nycstreetpoet]

There’s something amazing about the same song never being played exactly the same way twice… this is what you get when you have different interpretations, and it’s pretty sweet.

[@darrenlongshanks5102]

I've loved this song from the very first time I heard it, some 45 years ago and counting. Steely Dan is so criminally under-rated, they were musical geniuses. Thanks so much for sharing this video.

[@benjaminglover1570]

Not sure they are underrated.

[@kenperk9854]

I'm glad Jay Graydon stepped in and nailed the great solo!

[@duncansmith8992]

So am I. Literally one of the outstanding solos ever.

[@barbaramathieson4150]

My favorite guitar solo recorded. Ever.

[@bryanmg8164]

Jay Graydon is another genius! Not only a brilliant guitarist and song writer, but up there with Quincy Jones and George Martin as one of the greatest music Producers of all time!

[@dennisjohndreher7258]

Jay didn't know they kept his solo until he heard it on the radio. Go figure.

[@MerkinMuffly]

They definitely picked the best guitar solo, the others were way too busy.

[@Weshopwizard]

MerkinMuffly there were a couple of licks in Becker's version that are similar to the final version.

[@Notecrusher]

Gradon's is just perfect. Apparently they coached him closely.

[@davidscott1052]

MerkinMuffly it's not that they were too busy but more the fact that it sounds clear they havent got the depth of harmonic knowledge of chords that Jay Graydon has ..i think any competent jazz fusion guitarist could have handled it. these Steely Dan tunes are right up at the very top end of the rock canon

[@McGuinty2]

As much as the humanist in me feels bad for those other guys, the rationalist and music lover in me knows that Jay nailed it and that's all there is to it.

[@brianburk2559]

@@davidscott1052 absolutely

[@TM-rc3ck]

I have always loved this song. I remember listening to it back in the day, thinking “how did they write this?”

[@tweston315]

One of my favorite songs hands down! My college experience wouldn't have been the same without Steely Dan! Thanks guys!

[@josephfinn9569]

So we had three or four... five... six or seven... eight guitarists...

[@SearchIndex]

Joseph Finn IKR?!!! LOL!!!

[@Llllltryytcc]

Fagens deadpan there is just gold

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

😂😭 You got that right!

[@bryansarracino8623]

Or 9 or 10. No 11 I think

[@jkrycz]

"You'll have to ask Chuck about the thumb business." (Chuck records the best bassline ever) "I remember slappin', and they never knew it went down."

[@mikehunt4023]

Rick Marotta is one of the most badass and underrated drummers of all time

[@coreyfisher2542]

These guys are geniuses. I say that with no hesitation.

[@Jean-nx1uz]

Mac Donald's vocals part is genius . Once heard , Those vibratos cannot be forgotten .

[@busterbiloxi3833]

What vibrato? This guy wouldn't make the chorus in a Broadway show, let alone an opera. Their interviews are just lame, wimpy horse shit!

[@popvinnik]

I don't buy Chuck Rainey's story that they never knew it (the slapping) went down. Don Fagan and Walter Becker are such music geeks, almost savants and so damn meticulous that I find it hard to believe. I think they knew it full well and decided that Chuck was right after all about the slapping sounding better so just let it be.

[@jasonsmallwood8506]

had the same thought. no chance these wonderful maniacs didn't hear it.

[@longfade]

Yeah, there's no way they didn't hear that during tracking. Great story though!

[@pauliejay4161]

In fairness, for a slap part it has a fairly muted sound. I think he probably didn't unleash with big full pops in order to disguise it a little.

[@KatCulley]

That's part of their genius. Great observation.

[@petebutler9967]

popvinnik what happened is they didn't want splapping but when chuck did it, they realised he was right but didn't want to admit they were wrong, left it on the record then blamed chuck for being deceptive, but of course they knew all along.

[@Roman-rz3qj]

This song tho. Everything about it is magic. Incredible bass, rhythm and Michael McDonalds back up vocals. The guitar lead is pure genius. I’m so glad I saw this documentary.

[@ranchump]

I’ll tell ya. The way first class musicians can create such singular beauty out of so many parts....its just breathtaking. Then you think about Mozart and Bach etc who can create hair rising back of the neck stuff from an entire orchestra. It’s just incredible. Humans are an absolutely amazing species.

[@eightinches6094]

I saw a documentary on these guys years ago and they interviewed several musicians that worked with Steely Dan and most all of them said it was insane working with Fagen and Becker because they were such perfectionists and I believe it. This was probably the best band to come out of America.

[@donkeeton3264]

loved this song first heard it on the radio as a 9 year old kid in April 1978 it was on their greatest hits album it definitely was a song of the time it was around the Saturday Night Fever and Grease era ahhh the late great 78' what a year.

[@JerseyGirlForLife609]

your comments make me nostalgic

[@bobsmith6538]

Yes definitely, and the 25th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette. Very fitting for two great acheivements. I love em both!!

[@joejones9520]

me too, I took it for granted as just another okay song on the radio back then.

[@skdesign98]

Fagan and Becker are pure musical geniuses! This song is such a masterpiece!!

[@MsShannaK]

The way he uses his clubs make me so so happy this song has been my quarantine medicine song :) thank you steely dan. Been in love since 1985 .... falling in love again as an adult and appreciating now more than ever. Aja makes my heart sing and has made me happy since I was a little girl. Such great musicians and album Music is magic

[@Spazzmatazzz]

Walter and Donald are masters of their craft. End of story.

[@busterbiloxi3833]

Craftsmen of pablum and MUZAK. This is elevator music for dweebs and twerps. Lousy voices. Whining suburban goofs.

[@camholtey7939]

@@busterbiloxi3833 get into an elevator, press basement. When you get there I hope you can find a heart that fits your chest.

[@busterbiloxi3833]

Weak as shit MOR music for conformists and dull normals.

[@Marz997]

Buster Biloxi troll....

[@Cline3911]

RIP Walter Becker. Thank you for the music.

[@Longtack55]

It is a masterpiece and to be treasured

[@johnmills3163]

No better time in music then the 70's and 80's ... Hands down ! R&R / Motown / Disco ... the best ! One after the other !

[@oldschoolbbass]

chuck Rainey throwing that nice slap line in.

[@UBZUKki]

Steely Dan and Michael McDonald... A cut above......

[@Pebo1956]

Got the opportunity to hear them touring as the Dukes of September. McDonald, Fagen, Becker, and Boz Scaggs. One of the best shows I ever attended.

[@7771sandi]

Way above!!!!!

[@bobsmith6538]

The best combo of musicians and singers you could possibly ask for.

[@sophiejones8813]

Steely Dan had a style of music that just oozed class

[@yurigagarin5805]

Damn if only we had this type of video for every legendary song recorded

[@NAETEMUSIC]

"In other words……… speaks for itself………" BURRNNNN. They were not happy with that take at all haha.

[@ciadella1971]

It was a shitty solo.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

@@ciadella1971 That might've been Robben Ford or Larry Carlton. Even the greats sometimes stink up the room. Jay Graydon KILLED on that solo.

[@iliumboy]

@@thedevilinthecircuit1414 Both solos were Walter's. Donald even alludes to it.

[@fmsdaman1]

@@iliumboy yeah you can tell immediately it's him by that playing style

[@TheSummoner]

@@iliumboy "There you go!" "Wouldn't you hate if someone did this to you?"

[@longfade]

I've never listened to that guitar solo the same way after seeing this clip a few years ago. So simple and inventive and perfect for the song.

[@Notecrusher]

They kind of down-played the Legend of the Peg Guitar Solo here. Gradon was supposedly the 10th player to attempt the solo I've read elsewhere.

[@stevek6549]

Also he spent an hour trying to get it. Graydon went in and played his cool jazz at the beginning and they wanted something more blues.

[@Foghat1961]

Perfect? Yes. Simple? ... errr no

[@BusyCasual]

Same thing for me

[@dyingearth]

Walter Becker was one of the tracks of solo that they didn't pick.

[@patrickconners]

the harmony of the chorus is so powerful i love it so much one of my favorite songs

[@susanperkins1909]

My favorite song. My mom's name was Peggy and my Dad always called her Peg. Near and dear to my heart. Great video.

[@jobaca1000]

This give me (a non musician) an appreciation for the work and talent it takes to make a great track of music.

[@Flashpoint922]

"They never knew it went down...they never knew it!" Damn right on brotha!

[@tammysigmon853]

The hell of it is, as great of musicians and mixers they were in the track, they should've known. Hell, I heard it clearly.

[@tiana1017]

They probably pretended they didn't know and just let him go with the flow

[@stephengriffin9992]

I doubt that. I would say that both of them have forensic hearing and thought maybe that ‘slapping’ thing works anyway and just kept Chuck’s take. Surprisingly it hasn’t dated either.

[@Creaulx]

You couldn't pull one over on Becker and Fagen, but if anyone could, it would be Chuck.

[@jas_bataille]

That juste mamans absolutely nothing to say "they never knew it" - why would they say anything? You got your job. WHO cares if they knew you slapped or not? I'm sorry but... what was his point? I'm kinda lost.

[@rudybigboote3883]

That first drummer’s right hand is golden! Beautiful high hat work!

[@markperry3627]

Rick marotta

[@keepitreal6487]

That slapping story is just brilliant..well done Chuck.