Recording With Steely Dan In Their Own Words

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

“The Royal Scam” is one of the greatest albums in Popular/Rock/Jazz music recording history. There was a perfect blend of musicians that were playing so tight you would think they were together in one band for 40 years. The song selection was varied enough to keep the listener’s interest but did not go so far as alienating some to skipping over tracks. Every song was a gem unto itself. It seems that the upmost care was even taken when deciding which song followed the one before it. That is quite remarkable considering this is not a concept album; it is one perfect song after another. “The Royal Scam” did change the way I listened and gave my opinion on albums. I still listen to it on a weekly basis and I have over 900 records.

[@morais99]

Exactly

[@MrBlackskye]

Love all their stuff, but "Royal Scam" is my personal fave

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

@@MrBlackskye 👍✌️🤙

[@davedecker1725]

DITTO! 😎

[@mackmaloney3776]

Bernard Purdie, happiest drummer in the world...

[@jamessteen6667]

I gotta agree

[@Frank-n-Sense]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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 !!

[@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.

[@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.

[@jeffbirdwell7997]

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

[@syjwg]

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

[@braziliantvhd2768]

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

[@thomasalderman2399]

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

[@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.

[@ToddSauve]

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

[@paulhowson8744]

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

[@sirjer73]

Classic track, Porcaro and Michael Mcdonald!!!

[@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.

[@teamground0229]

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

[@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 !

[@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.

[@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. 🤩

[@Gerard_vincent]

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

[@abaachi13]

Some of the greatest music ever.

[@fletchermunson6225]

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

[@roadglide]

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

[@Gotblade]

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

[@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

[@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?”

[@samplereplays]

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

[@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 🙏

[@469buck]

These guys are all national treasures.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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 😩

[@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. 🪄

[@fabianbiancardi6076]

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

[@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.

[@ken_wilkens]

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

[@tomg669]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@snarecat3441]

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

[@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.

[@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?

[@mymixture965]

Purdies groove is out of this world....

[@bdonova1]

Steve Gadd and Rick Beato - dueling Rochester accents.

[@craigchapman8220]

Love it.

[@richshields6692]

One of my favorite songs ever ! Larry is amazing.

[@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!

[@lebeboper]

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

[@TerryYelmene]

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

[@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

[@bretschwartz]

Rick, I absolutely love this shit! My absolute favorite band, I felt like a fly on the wall. Thx so much for sharing. I could listen to Purdie shoot the shit for hours on end.

[@SylvainDuford]

Steely Dan is the greatest "not-a-band" band of all times. Such great musicians and productions values. Therre is nothing close to that kind of quality nowadays.

[@moebloggs7219]

Larry Carlton pops up on my feed.... I WATCH!!

[@NorthShoreMike]

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

[@davida.p.9911]

That stick hit during Aja that Steve did is unmistakable. I knew that's what it was as soon as i heard it. I'm glad they left it in. 😁 🥁 Donald and Walter were perfectionists, no doubt it about it. They're explanation and disappointment concerning the recording equipment during the "Katy Lied" sessions are well known, so well known in fact they put a message on the album cover about it. And you can definitely tell the sound is different on that album. Donald sounded like he was singing in a tunnel.

[@SwedestThing]

Something to do with the DBX noise reduction and when they tried to get the DBX guys to fix it, they were getting nowhere, so some of the musicians flew and Fagen & Becker flew to New York, from LA to confront them 😂

[@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.

[@MikeFloutier]

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

[@robertcreps6362]

Love it. Thx Rick.

[@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.

[@Swordcery]

Mr. Purdue was so charming and flattered so clearly to hear first praise of his work and then the solo recording of a GREAT drum session. My goodness. How can you not love how delighted that man is throughout! That’s true love of the craft, and Beato you absolutely brought it out of him and brightened my day!

[@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 .

[@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.

[@drumdwgreen]

LC is the nicest human

[@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!

[@nitedrive2956]

Saw The Music of Steely Dan in SoCal last night - with Tom Scott, Jeff Baxter, Drew Zingg, Freddy Washington....shit sound system, stellar playing. Baxter and Scott stole the show.

[@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 ❤❤❤❤❤

[@bigal1863]

Oh WOW! Mr. 335! I loved his work with The Crusaders too back in the day.

[@kvetoslavhradecky6765]

The best interviews to me. Thank you Rick❤😊

[@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!!!❤❤❤

[@jukeboxgraduate]

My Dad's cousin owned "Slugs", in the East Village. It wasn't on my radar as a younger West Village fan, but when I read that Donald F. would take the train into the city, and slip into his really cool jazz club, I was hysterical. Before I'd ever read that anecdote I would always tell people , apologetically: "The only jazz I like is Steely Dan". Another brainy retort was "Johnny Hates Jazz". I saw the Dan a few times in great venues, and am forever grateful. The "8 Miles To Pancake Day" in Mizner Park, Fl., was worth the blisteringly hot/humid night. Someone danced nearly clear-through the roof of my friend's old clunker. He told the Police he didn't care. We were spellbound!!!

[@alanmatthew5713]

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

[@seyfodiaz5723]

Such a great compilation.

[@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!

[@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 !

[@leanneevans3000]

I am50 now and have listened and followed Steely Dan all my childhood and adult life

[@jonmc3]

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

[@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.

[@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....🤓

[@bobholbrook3294]

Rick, Rick, Rick.... Too, Too Short!! Left me wanting so Much more. Great job. Thank you.

[@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.

[@artrogers3985]

Great video. Great musicians. Great tunes 🎸

[@JGlassy]

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

[@mccloysong]

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

[@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!

[@gonetoearth2588]

GADD on Aja...perfection!

[@CopenhagenCollabo]

I love The album Lee Ritenour & Larry Carlton - Larry & Lee Copenhagen 🇩🇰supports

[@ronaldcanter2044]

In 1974 I saw Steely Dan open up for the Beach Boys at Ohio State University in Columbus. WHAT A CONCERT!!!! Steely Dan was so great, the crowd didn't want them to leave the stage. Many many years later I saw them in Las Vegas. Opening act was Michael McDonald (who also sat in on a couple of songs on the SD set). This time they had a brass section & backup singers. Different vibe but still great.

[@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.

[@mkmur55]

Hello Rick. Really love these sessions on Steely Dan. Have you asked Donald to sit with you? That would be a great session. I know I'm stating the obvious!