Recording With Steely Dan In Their Own Words

[@dougcoleburn1579]

So grateful to have grown up in the Steely Dan era. The soundtrack to my life. Such wonderful music!

[@toastertwo]

me to well said

[@maryannarep]

Indeed!!

[@douglashall2141]

If it wasn't for Steely Dan we wouldn't have the Doobie Brothers because the lead singer of the original doobies said that they tried to model their style after Steely Dan. Steely Dan put out a lot of hits better remembered even to this day. And I'm one of those 68 year olds who enjoyed Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers

[@jimnasium452]

Watching Purdie groove to his own track is joy inducing!

[@joetaska]

That was my favorite part of the whole video. His whole body fell right back into the groove!

[@Gerard_vincent]

No doubt. He was so excited to hear that track ❤

[@BlackStratCat]

I came here to say that. That smile!

[@whydotheathensrage]

There's a man who loves what he does.

[@danielmccann8325]

Since Donald does not do extensive interviews like this, the next best thing is getting all of these session players recalling their experiences. These stories would be lost if not for people like RIck talking to these great players

[@steveking9011]

I mixed a record in Donald’s New York studio for about a month. Our producer, myself, and Donald would sometimes play Super Nintendo games during breaks! Fun time in my life-Donald was a great guy!

[@shable1436]

I really don't care about the solo, or the other parts, I'm not saying I hate it all , I like some Dias and skunk stuff but nothing is wow to me, I'm sorry

[@christophermitchum6829]

Ahhh, the genius of the collaboration between bored giants ...😎👍💯🎶🎼

[@Glehost]

It’s sad you don’t appreciate solos. The ones that are thought thru yet improvised by world class players are so awesome !😊

[@Glehost]

@@shable1436 You might not like Pat Metheny. The definition of improvisation.

[@gristlepounder]

Steely Dan was my fav band as a kid in the 70's, I'm 56 and they still are.

[@alandecatur]

Same. No other band has produced such complex, involving and flawless recordings.

[@Mark-bd5ci]

Too much cynicism for my taste

[@McBain-qe2jh]

Rick, I'm always bummed out when the interviews end. I could listen to the Steely Dan session guys recount their experiences all day. The seventies had the best music in my opinion.

[@gwenanderson1341]

You are absolutely right my favorite time of my life 😊

[@jimhowaniec]

oh easily

[@jdecker9834]

This is pure gold. I think all of us aspiring musicians growing up in the 70s and 80s always wondered how those sessions went down. All the lore - "Was it just one take?", "Who came up with that lick?", "What were the charts like?" And it's as amazing as we all pictured.

[@steveh8658]

14:20 The joy on Mr Purdies' face is a joy to behold!

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

As well as his playing, talk about rock solid time.

[@teamground0229]

I am impressed with their good memory of sessions approaching 50 years ago.

[@mikehenson819]

For a young guy ( myself) who was a fan at that time; I still can’t believe it’s been that long ago! I still love their music as much now as I did then. Their music was always on a more sophisticated level.

[@michaellieberman5231]

The mystery of Steely Dan is unequaled...so cool to hear these inside stories...I am a huge fan of Steely Dan and every few months I go back and listen to a ton of their stuff and shake my head in wonder

[@beauripp1456]

When these albums came out we were all blown away. That's what we did, listen to albums...

[@rztricky]

You were given a world where music was everything and TV was the lazy treat after school. It’s amazing how much our focus and intellect has eroded as society has compressed and fast expressway’d music. It was so powerful that everyone thought We Are The World would matter. No one has that confidence today. And it’s not measurable or considered as an acute ability. The internet and social media has leveled the human exposure playing field.

[@jjvermeer]

The internet. A blessing and a curse.​@@rztricky

[@Musiclover-bg2nn]

@@rztricky Music was an always will be the best past time ever!! Steely Dan was in a league of its own.

[@Frank-n-Sense]

Any content with Larry Carlton is choice, Rick. Thank you! This makes my day.

[@Joel_Powell]

I got to shake Larry's hand in a small club in Pontiac Michigan about 10 years ago - he was SO nice and played so well in the small club we were in (Callahans). I bought a CD and didn't think to get a picture taken with him. THAT'S how impactful the moment was. Picture or not, the memory will never fade.

[@ChuckWortman]

And I never washed that hand again!

[@Phoebedumplings]

I did the same at a Fourplay gig way back in the early 2000s, I was hoping some of the at brilliance would literally rub off !!

[@TexasJackdaw]

I had the honor to have Chuck Rainey record on 3 of my songs back in 2004 in Dallas, TX. (He and I shared the same music attorney who set it up). Chuck was gracious, kind and really gave his hands & heart into my songs. He is also incredibly funny. He has so many tales from his legendary career, and kept the whole control room in stitches. But while also being a total pro when tape was rolling. Bless you Chuck and Bill Zahn for making it all happen. Cheers from Texas 🙏 **Note: there is a short video documenting that session on my channel if anyone is interested.

[@SilkeSaint]

Mr. Rainey is still my top bass player. He understands in his bones how to get the bass to “hit” but subtle. Such a Master!

[@TheGlass50]

What an honor to have Chuck Rainey be your session bass player. I will check out your channel and like and subscribe.

[@bretmiller637]

When you're seeing Steely Dan live and Larry Carlton walks on stage! Wow!

[@SwedestThing]

Caught a show in Chicago and they played the whole Royal Scam album COMPLETE with Larry Carlton playing guitar.

[@sms9106]

Steely Dan has always, always been my number one favorite band since 1972.

[@jrfrondelli2023]

The infamous, baffling stick-click at the end of the first solo in Aja can ONLY be described as pure genius! I mean, WHO DOES THAT??? To seal his "genius" moniker, the SECOND solo ends on a descending tom fill, which demonstrates his compositional forethought. I've been a Gadd fan since I first heard Chick Corea's album "The Leprechaun" just a year or two earlier, and this is why, i.e. the genius behind his playing. No notes are wasted, nor superfluous. ❤

[@jackwezesa1081]

I got that Chick Corea record in 76 when I was 20 . I’m still blown away with Steve Gadd’s drumming on “ Lenore” !

[@MOUTHWATERINGVEGANTV]

I had the honour of recording with Steve Gadd, Eddie Gomez, Wayne Shorter and Toots Thielmans on a Phillipe Sarde fimscore in Paris in the late 80's. I was programming and playing Synclavier. I had to collect Steve Gadd from his hotel with my car to drive to Davout Studios, as we were also recording with Orchestre de Paris. He was so down to earth, and grateful for the lift. In fact, in the break the guys all jammed - wish they'd had the record button on !

[@thomasalderman2399]

Steely Dan is such a joy to listen to. Every album. Master Musicians. Donald and Walter and the best of best.

[@boatdetective]

I LOVE hearing these supermen tell stories of tracking history. Look at the twinkle in their eyes! The stories are great. The nuts and bolts of artistic creation are great. It was special, unique music when I was in high school- but these stories tell me why. Keep up the fine interviews.

[@ToddSauve]

The Nightfly is one of my favourite albums! Especially Ruby Baby! 💖

[@lorisherman-lh9gq]

That’s actually a buddy holly song!

[@jimdukeproject]

I love these stories. Steely Dan is so iconic. The session musicians who had a chance to play were very grateful and humble about being on it.

[@snarecat3441]

Rick does the best interviews in music… always amazing and interesting 🥁😎

[@syjwg]

12:28 Bernard Purdie! ❤ If you know what you're doing, just do what you know!

[@mackmaloney3776]

Bernard Purdie, happiest drummer in the world...

[@jamessteen6667]

I gotta agree

[@idalouise78]

Thank you so much Rick for being the music historian you have become!!!!!

[@jeffbirdwell7997]

Steely Dan has always been my favorite band. To me they are not just a band but a lifestyle!

[@ChrisKallaher]

Bernard Purdie is, without question, the best interview subject in music today. His interviews remind me a bit of interviews with Oscar Peterson back in the day, though he has more of a mischievous gleam than Oscar did. His confidence in his own ability to deliver the goods (which is more that just talent) and then the goods themselves are something to behold. And that groove! I always thought of Kid Charlemagne as one of Steely Dan's more upbeat tracks but it's a rhythmic illusion that Bernard and Chuck create through the insistence of that mid-tempo groove. You can almost feel Bernard holding them back with the steadiness of his beat and that tension sets up the wallop of those two guitar solos, the latter of which I think gets overshadowed by the perfection of the first one. But the outro solo seems to be saying "yes, in fact, I could do this all day" and I imagine Larry could.

[@timothyarnold9350]

I was just listening to Don't take me alive the other day thinking this is the best guitar solo ever. Nice to hear Rick Beato confirm that sentiment.

[@CoreaKixx420]

I could sit here for 24 hours solid, and listen to these extraordinary conversations. These producers, and session musicians who played on, and soloed on some of my favorite songs growing up in the 70s, and 80s is mind blowing. Keep up the incredible work my friend, from Tim in South Western Ontario.

[@mcknottee]

I would add the solo work on Your Gold Teeth II by Denny Dias to those on Kid Charlemagne and Don't Take Me Alive by Larry Carlton. My personal favourite is the one from Dias. Forty years after first hearing it still blows my mind every time I hear it. But the truth is that at that level any attempt to rank them becomes just personal preference. They all have complete mastery of the instrument and the music. 🤩

[@AyeCarumba221]

For me, Steely Dan was God. Completely in a level of their own. BTW Rick, you have probably the coolest “job” in the world.

[@paulhowson8744]

Bad Sneakers 👟👟 and a pinacolada 🍹 my friend. 🎵🎶

[@sirjer73]

Classic track, Porcaro and Michael Mcdonald!!!

[@rmc3556]

Thank you, Rick, for producing these interviews with these great musicians. Their skills, talents, and patience were able to produce some of the most talented popular music of our time.

[@fabianbiancardi6076]

Steely Dan and Steps Ahead are my absolute favorite bands. Thank you for these interviews, Rick. They’re extraordinary.

[@samplereplays]

10:08 "...two or three music stands, and a chair that had rollers on it" - lol! Brilliant.

[@EddieG1888]

Purdie is so good, the man's sitting digging on his own drum track!🤣🤣 Man dropping truth though, the first three takes is where the master is. Every time.

[@samyard]

Therefore Miles mostly made one track

[@ssyynntax]

Rick, I just want to say a big thank you for doing these. I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone when doing so!

[@roadglide]

I love, love, love Steely Dan. Reeling in the years! Wow!

[@tomg669]

Everyone single one of them a MASTER of their craft. So great. Thank you Rick!

[@davidfriedline7525]

Love Steely Dan Rick ! What a band it was !

[@Funkybassplayer]

It still IS……. In our hearts AND on our playlists. EVERY DAY I hear Steely Dan songs. I can’t live without them. ❤️❤️❤️ And I think I’m a bigger fan than the average fan, the purist. Cause I like songs from EVERY album even the last two. Two Against Nature and Everything Must Go are my favorite albums. Maybe cause I haven’t heard them a MILLION TIMES already. 😁😁😁 and funky bass lines resonate more with me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@rmc3556]

Yes, without a doubt. TRUE talent.

[@469buck]

These guys are all national treasures.

[@GregoryKing.]

Amazing memories!! driving from Vancouver Canada to LA in the wintertime, driving down in my 1977 Corvette, winter chains hooked over my my rear antenna, listening to Steely Dan on my 8-track! My white Corvette was covered in salt stains, chains on my antenna, driving down San Amonica Boulevard!! HOW Canadian!!

[@timbushong4387]

Subscribed... love "The Royal Scam" - might be my fav. It was sort of a transition album for them.

[@jeff88701]

I was 16 in 1976 this song blow me away 😮 still one of my favourite songs of there’s cheers Rick 👏👏👏

[@johnkim791]

Me too and me too! Listening to Steely San for the first time was almost transcendent.

[@fletchermunson6225]

Love SD and the magical people who made this fantastic music happen. My favorite.

[@freddybaggins8713]

I do love the guitar solo on Kid Charlemagne, but I also have to say I love the solos on Bodisahttva and Night by Night too…they definitely hit it!!! Killer!!!❤❤❤

[@loriwaddles306]

As a Dan fan, I HAD to go listen to EACH again just to fully APPRECIATE the depth of the conversation!! And YES, it just made me love both more♥️

[@andrewweis5857]

Don’t Take Me Alive is outrageous.

[@michaelmoore1386]

A masterpiece

[@acook213]

Outrageous… like outrageously good? Or like “how can you think that’s the 2nd best guitar solo ever?”

[@ken_wilkens]

I saw Larry Carlton’s son, Travis, play bass with Steve Gadd’s band - an amazing bassist.

[@lebeboper]

All these stories seem to be almost nothing, but they're priceless. Thank you.

[@braziliantvhd2768]

Royal Scam was my favorite Dan album, will never understand the hate that critics gave it.

[@Gerard_vincent]

Bernard! Kid Charlemagne. Not to mention one of the best drum fills recorded. Perfectly tuned, mic’d and tone.

[@Gotblade]

I sure didn't want that set of interviews to end ❤

[@georgekiapos1]

Rick, I've been subscribed to all your channels for years, and I have your Beato Book. These interviews are priceless! Absolutely priceless! Thank you 🙏

[@loriwaddles306]

The PURDIE shuffle!! LISSEN!! Brilliance!!! Paid well! So glad to hear this about my boys!!!♥️

[@NorthShoreMike]

LOVE this type of content from you, Rick. Geeking out over recording techniques and musicianship is the best.

[@raybrendaglaze2019]

I’ve got a couple of your shirts! I get comments all the time sir. I’m 65 in Eastern Ks. Best wishes and thank you for doing so well , what you do !

[@abaachi13]

Some of the greatest music ever.

[@gardinselmer1005]

When music was an art and you brought together the best talent in the world and you would not except a final version until it was perfect.

[@sideshowlol]

Thank you, Rick. 🙏 All these great musicians are getting older but you are capturing their memories for posterity. The generations to come will thank you for what you are doing. Would love to see an interview of yours with Lee Ritenour. I believe he is credited on Deacon Blues. It’s always been a delight to see Lee play any time he’s visited the U.K. The album, Larry and Lee, where he teamed up with Mr. Carlton, is worth taking for a spin as is his Feel The Night album from ‘79. 🪄

[@pdexBigTeacher]

Maybe this is 37 year hindsight, but I felt in 1977 the ending of 'Aja' felt right with the song. A song that glorious, you just didn't want it to end.

[@recomusicofficial]

Do you mean 47 year hindsight?

[@Flornmonk]

Conducting the Larry interview at the Baked Potato is just peak bad-assery.

[@feloniousmonk3049]

I think Tim Carter brought Rick down there on a night Larry was playing.

[@SwedestThing]

Can’t believe it almost burned down 😩

[@ggosse69]

Great episode. A little unrelated, but I noticed the OHM poster behind Larry during the interview. Very awesome trio featuring ex-Megadeth guitarist, and one of my personal favorites, Chris Poland.

[@leanneevans3000]

I grew up listening to Steely Dan from a young age. I would go to school as s young child about 6 orv7 singing Steely Dan songs without a clue what they meant. Happy Days ❤❤❤❤❤

[@mymixture965]

Purdies groove is out of this world....

[@whydotheathensrage]

Becker and Fagen's studio engineering, composition, and arrangement, was / is unmatched.

[@rs5801]

well known fact Eagles, Dan had a freindly rivalry. Eagles outsold and still sound good but Steely Dan tunes hold up better 2024

[@hardingkinnaird5021]

Define hold up Obviously steely Dan was more complex but I think eagles were more groovy and the vocals were literally unmatched Lyrics wise I pick the eagles too

[@rs5801]

@hardingkinnaird5021 " Hold up" prolly the wrong phrase. I like both bands. Eagles before Leadon & Meisner left, but could listen to all Steely Dan records all day-2024, they don't sound dated. Just me...

[@RebelBuddha1971]

@@rs5801Yep. Totally agree (not just you!). Well said.

[@HughMorristheJoker]

Steely Dan way groovier than the eagles. Lyrics way better than the eagles. Overall, Steely Dan is simply so much cooler than Eagles.

[@josephandreuccetti3706]

I wish people would stop making comparisons. Both are great bands.

[@MikeFloutier]

Totally priceless, Guessing you had your phone there on the table with Steve Gadd as a backup recording 🍾❤️

[@taffmanetothyme7]

The *"Elephant NOT in the room"* here, is of course *Don Fagen* himself. It's probably more than just a "slight" stretch to actually get him to an "in depth" interview. However, I should imagine that acquiring that opportunity ranks very highly on *Rick Beato's* mind. I hope that at some stage soon, *Donald* comes around to the idea that doing the *"full Beato"* interview, might just serve as a time capsule, to fully capture the thoughts and opinions, of a true *genius* of a generation.

[@occasm]

I think the same. Donald gotta mellow eventually lmfao and realize it needs to be done for posterity. There's an awesome in-depth interview with him and Warren Bernhardt circa Aja on here. He's actually great when he's talking about his stuff.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

​@occasm there's a long donald interview made maybe 4 yrs ago. Excellent. Made with a jazz journalist.

[@peter-ek3uh]

I met Larry Carlton and his son in Boca Raton at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton Fla. They are super cool people!

[@bdonova1]

Steve Gadd and Rick Beato - dueling Rochester accents.

[@craigchapman8220]

Love it.

[@ThomasBorghus]

Purdie listening and feeling good about his groove is priceless.

[@nickk8416]

Geez Rick, this is really good chit man! :) Incredible band Steely Dan. Reelin in the years, My Old School,and Bohdisavta, Kid Charlamaine etc. Ahead of it's time in the rock world. This is a priceless video for musicians as we understand what being talked about. A rare treat indeed. Thank You Rick!

[@cueoneful]

Steely Dan.....Music that Speaks A Thousand Words In A Few Phrases.....Genious

[@stevegraham-s9l]

This is awesome, been listening to Steely Dan my whole life, so cool to hear these guys. Learnt a few of their songs in the past it was all very difficult, but hair standing on end electrifying. Thank you for some of the best music ever written

[@thewaygokid3135]

I can watch endless accounts of what I consider one of the best songs and albums ever from those who were in the room and on the record!

[@mauriceee1434]

Rick. These steely Dan interviews are just incredible. What category would steely Dan be- progressive rock -jazz-pop-folk???? What a great band .

[@jonmc3]

Keep up the good work Rick. Really enjoy your work and the guests you have on.

[@markm2190]

Rick, this is just brilliant and pure gold...Greatest musicians of all time playing one of the best studio albums EVER! Songbook of my life, Steely Dan!

[@mccloysong]

Gems throughout. My fave, Purdy 12:59 The magis is in the first three takes, when everyone is on their toes. So true.

[@shawnthomasblair]

you are totally correct on that statement, his solos are the best of any solos ever played. i hope he knows how many people also agree. larry is the pinnacle of playing

[@gerrygrasvik523]

These guys caught my attention with their lyrics but the music was unbelievable also...They were just discussing 'Kid Charlemagne 'and 'Don't Take Me Alive ' 2 amazing songs that have incredible riffs...I never get tired of these 2....🤓

[@tomcaron9113]

Saw Larry with his son on bass in NH last year. Simply amazing and he is playing his endorsed $700 Sire guitar, no mods. Hands are a bit shaky but licks are great. Love the fact that he’s still touring, playing and clearly loving it!

[@lorisherman-lh9gq]

Saw them here in DC on that tour. So sad to see his morbidly obese kid. He’ll never make it to Dad’s ripe old age if he doesn’t get help.

[@jbrown7403]

Bernard is such a treasure! 😊

[@TerryYelmene]

During the period when the best music was being created... The Dan was creating the very best music.

[@maxgo1d]

As much as I enjoy your videos, I think the true value is the documenting of history. Years from now, these videos will be studied.

[@kvetoslavhradecky6765]

The best interviews to me. Thank you Rick❤😊

[@pebblesdd4947]

Rick thank you for pointing out the Rick 2 channel distinction. Oiy that i missed that...subscribed! Thank you for feeding our souls!

[@richshields6692]

One of my favorite songs ever ! Larry is amazing.

[@MrDaveaccord]

The top musicians in the world playing the best songs and music in the world.

[@robertcreps6362]

Love it. Thx Rick.

[@PaxilRose]

I've been wanting to know this stuff since '97 when I was crawling like a viper through the suburban streets in my first car jamming to a Decade of Steely Dan cassette. First generation fans must feel REALLY old if I do.

[@briannacery9939]

Larry Carlton is one of my favorite guitar players! I chose to play Room 335 for a performance class at GIT but there were parts of the solo I still don't know how to play. Saw him live twice, Golden Bear and The Baked Potato. Thank you Rick!

[@silly_hammy1]

Is the baked potato still in biz?

[@SwedestThing]

@@silly_hammy1YES! It caught fire, earlier in the year, but they were back in business in like a week!

[@SwedestThing]

I grew up in Orange County and got to see Larry at those venues, too. Plus The Swallow’s Inn, The Coach House. I even caught a show at a pizza place in the Vally, there were only about 50 people there 😂

[@silly_hammy1]

@SwedestThing cool. Where is it - I wanna visit on my next trip to LA

[@SwedestThing]

@@silly_hammy1 The pizza place was called Mulberry Street in the San Fernando Valley.

[@tommytucker1021]

9:20 - 12:26; the man, the legend, my childhood idol, Chuck Rainey.

[@OZRIC1985]

It's so cool that you interviewed the great Larry Carlton at The Baked Potato! That is my favorite club ever, even though I live at least 5 hours away from it. I have seen some greats there including Allan Holdsworth, Andy Summers, Brett Garsed, Mike Keneally, and Don Randi & Quest (which was a treat for me to see at least a few times).

[@SwedestThing]

Don Randi owns the Baked Potato, it caught fire, earlier this year, but was saved.

[@1492tomato]

Rick, thank you! Hands down the best dive into my favorite band I've ever seen. I was a recording artist at Muscle Shoals Sound, so I got a taste. Steely Dan was atmospheric compared to what we did and it's amazing to get a bit of insight into this genius.

[@JGlassy]

Again, a priceless interview; one for the books; to refer to for many years to come.

[@dw7704]

When people ask me the best solo ever Kid Charlamagne is my pick. Lots of other great solos, but Kid Charlamagne is melodic, fluid, and has great feel and groove. When I taught I played that for some students that just wanted flash. And advised any student learning soloing to check it out.

[@jeffreyborthick3769]

Larry's solo in 'Spiral', on the Crusaders' album "Those Southern Knights" is immaculate - THE solo, imo

[@dw7704]

@@jeffreyborthick3769 one of the greats

[@drumdwgreen]

LC is the nicest human

[@pierreschnehage8152]

Love what you're doing in your channel, Rick - it's become very polished and pro and your anchoring has improved a whole lot. Also the way you cross pollinate little bits of video info from other episodes. Love your channel!

[@alanmatthew5713]

On my top 10 guitar solo list, three of them are on Steely Dan songs.