Steely Dan - Green Earrings (REACTION)

[@paullacroix527]

This song never gets old. Neither does this album. Even though I've listened to it hundreds of times over the last 45yrs. Great stuff guys...

[@johnnyfox8934]

One of my favorite albums to listen to from beginning to end.

[@jimmoore8951]

If anything, it grows on you. I appreciate this song much more now than 45 years ago. Maybe because SD was ahead of their time, maybe it just takes our ears awhile to process each instrument being played at such a high level with such a funky outcome… or both.

[@jillhumbert]

Amen to that!!!❤

[@Lou_Thats_Who]

I'll listen to this any day of the week but overall love the album. On a nice day I'll make a drink, put this album on the turntable and light up a cigar and I'm in heaven.

[@philf4086]

I never noticed how many change ups the drummer did during the first guitar solo until this listen. Good stuff, talent everywhere.

[@marclandes9779]

Yes it’s Bernard Purdie on Drums, Chuck Rainey on Bass, Elliot Randell lead Guitar. All absolute studio masters

[@melaniestandford7513]

bad asses

[@worldtrav72]

I just recently saw Bernard Purdie for the first time at the Green Mill in Chicago. So cool to see a his precision live. KZbin videos have been great at spotlighting the many talented musicians behind the Dan.

[@patrickmullins4552]

Don’t forget Denny Dias playing that first cold as ice solo through the bridge’s chord changes…

[@jodygotyourgirlngone]

Denny Dias played the bridge solo..Elliot's is 2nd

[@patrickmullins4552]

@@jodygotyourgirlngonethat’s liberally what I said.

[@babylonsister118]

Definitely in my top five of favorites!

[@mauer62]

This is one of my favs from Steely Dan. Great tune and they are also my favorite band to this day. This came out when I was in High School, yeah Im old lol.

[@russelbarnes7235]

How can anyone not love Steely Dan? Is it possible? Awesome reaction! On to the incomparable Haitian Divorce!

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

You would have to be allergic to great music.

[@danl.909]

Yet lots of people HATE Steely Dan--people who should know better! Every SD fan knows people like this, right? One of my oldest friends will not let me play any of "that elevator music" for her. "Green Earings" is elevator music? Must be a killer elevator.

[@antrivers46]

​@danl.909 the thing is, although music is art and art subjective, if you don't like Steely Dan then we ain't friends lol.

[@leslieheine2618]

Just love your reaction to the iconic Bernard Purdie high hat work and guitar intro at the change up! I've listened to that song and album a thousand times or more and that change up is ridiculous! Kudos to Mr. purdie, inventor of the Purdie Shuffle. A master drummer!

[@jimmoore8951]

All he does is open his hihat for a few notes and we all go crazy… timing is everything. Bernard Purdie: incomparable on the hihat.

[@kiletansy7386]

Zip,Zip,Zip -space- groove. Prettiest of the Purdy there. Awesome

[@barryhickman6911]

I LOVE that you two have the musical knowledge to pick out just how brilliant these two guys that were actually "Steely Dan" were! LOVE your reactions!

[@robertgironimi4326]

You know how happy it makes me when you say it’s one of your favorite bands…!!!

[@mikeloomis687]

The BEST showcase example of Jazz and rock fusion that can be found. Of course, it's from the Dan.

[@brendanbarrett8421]

This is probably the most Zappa these guys ever managed. If you like this track, I think you guys would really jam on front to back listen to Apostrophe/Overnight sensation.

[@bobdexter1029]

This album is in my top 5. I could listen to this song Every day, it makes my soul happy. Nothing like 70’s funk mixed with some fusion jazz. Outstanding!

[@esdel1955]

I feel like I’m hearing these songs for the first time along with you guys. So much fun!

[@Bloopsan]

Haitian Divorce is coming next !!! You're gonna love that one for sure

[@1957PLATO]

After half a century listening to them, I must confess, they are my favorite band too.

[@katylied24]

Next is Haitian Divorce, reggae heaven, only Steely Dan could do this song.

[@raycewilliams3300]

I don't usually get too excited about the drums...... but........ MERCY. It's the great Bernard Purdie of course. There are always so many "layers" in a SD song.... but to me.... the drums really drive this track. Great reaction, guys. Take care.

[@seabrook1976]

I have all their albums and this is my favorite song of them all.

[@dcaseng]

When i think of consistently pumping out great music, i can't think of anyone who can match Steely Dan in terms of sheer numbers. Every time i think i've heard everything they have, i hear another song that blows me away.

[@hampyonce]

This album is magical. The guitar work is out of this galaxy. I want whatever that dude was into...

[@ClintTorres607]

So good! Great bass playing! And all the other instruments too!

[@teelurizzo8542]

Ice Cube sampled this groove on his tune 'Don't Trust 'Em'. Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie on drums, Chuck Rainey on bass, Paul Griffin on keys, Denny Dias on the main, Jazzy lead guitar solo, Elliot Randall on the Bluesy guitar fills and on the crazy, ring modulator distorted guitar freak out at the end.

[@annbeguity5932]

Indeed. And yes fellas, The Fez was also sampled, as were a couple dozen other SD songs. But IMHO, very few sampling tracks have fully mined the potential that their SD component presented. Hey-- Don’t you guys run a studio? Hmmm... Do we perhaps have some tracks to look forward to after your dive into SD? Hint hint...:). I have a feeling you could make better use of some of this material than many who have tried before....

[@tyronehayes4690]

STEELY DAN WAS THE FIRST BAND THAT HEARD THAT MADE ROCK AND JAZZ WORK!! THEY SOON THEY JUST EVOLVED INTO PURE JAZZ AND THEIR MUSIC BECAME TIMELESS!! IT CAN PLAY AND MAKE SENSE IN ANY GENERATION!! 😂

[@danarchuleta1154]

Funk'n A! So much to say about this tune...the drums, the BASS, the crazy guitar, the breakdown, the funky attack, the lyrics...yep, that's Bernard....he's a bad man! Some good moments on the remainder of the album, Haitian Divorce is different and it grows on you, and the Royal Scam has really sweet instrumentals. Your play list will keep growing as you listen to more of SD. Great Reaction!

[@johnlylemusic]

Green Earrings js a phenomenal tune! Wanna hear Steely Dan play reggae? If you haven’t done so already, PLEASE do Haitian Divorce from this same album. A total masterpiece of a song! 👍🏼🎸😎❤️

[@AirplayBeats]

We just reacted to it 5 mins ago. Should be out soon. I loved it!!

[@metaphoria3]

3:15 the moment we’ve all been waiting for

[@masapell]

Those wonderful high hat chokes!!! My favorite part of the song. :)

[@stephenpaparo9166]

Skipping along

[@spawn4582]

This album is fire!🔥🔥🔥

[@echopryme]

DAMN!!! You guys do GREAT reaction songs!!! 💯💯😎

[@Allright21]

This is my favorite band too!

[@emilymartinez6961]

This is another band I've seen in concert a few times and the last time l saw them they opened up with this song, this took me right back there, THANKS 👍🥰 P.S. Can't wait for you to hear "Babylon sister ", it's on their Gaucho album 🤟

[@pcraig1383]

Heard years ago that Bernard Purdie (on drums) is credited with being the first to hit cymbals and then immediately snatch them making that high hat clap ala Sandy McKee of Cold Blood on the tune Shop Talk for example.

[@mike4769]

Gotta check out steely dan glamour profession. One of the best base grooves.

[@NickS-zv7py]

What a band! Thank you guys

[@hawkwellhead]

seriously, you guys are the BEST.

[@AirplayBeats]

Thank you!!

[@danielmccann8325]

Can you believe this album so far, just crazy. knew you guys would like this one, what a great piece of funk. And best part, song is about a non-repentant thief.

[@philipmccarthy6175]

Only came across your channel today but glad I did , it helps that you're reacting to the Dan as they are one of the goats. I wouldn't call them a rock band as they're so much more than that. I look forward to seeing where you go after this album . If you're sticking with the Dan I'd go with Pretzel logic or maybe Fagen's first solo album , The Nightfly . Salutations from Ireland.

[@annbeguity5932]

Those “three hits” (or sometimes a couple or trio of “push” beats) are frequently part of a *key transition* in the harmonic structure of a song. SD are big on key transitions within their songs. BTW I recently saw a chart on Twitter of “number of top songs with key transitions” charted by year, 70s to present. High in the 70s, then ever decreasing thru the years, to where in this decade,, practically no top songs have even a single key transition in them. Anyway, transitions, push-transitions, multiple sections, harmonic and rhythmic changes or flourishes...not to mention seamless melding of funk, r&B, jazz, pop, stellar musicianship, spacious arrangements with a lot of air and production with miles of sonic separation...just a fraction of what made SD special.

[@annbeguity5932]

To be more explicit (damn “Edit” doesn’t work on this iPad”) the “hits” are bridging chords that move the song from one key to another

[@stevemd6488]

Agree, and masters of tension/release.

[@oboogie2]

That guitar riffing and soloing sounds like one pissed off pussycat that just got wet and is about to take it out on the world! That was Denny Dias (1st, and a founding member of Steely Dan) and Elliot Randall (2d, and I think he did the solo on "Reelin' in the Years", but not sure). Steely Dan never disappoints.

[@esdel1955]

Great solo by Denny Dias on this. He doesn’t get enough credit, imo. And yes, Elliott Randall played the solos on Reelin In The Years - Jimmy Page’s favorite guitar solo ever!

[@seangoodbody1693]

I had the fortune of seeing the Dan play the entire "Royal Scam" (plus hits) in NYC in 2009 when I was young and broke as hell, but paid up for these tix.. They played an 8-minute version of "Green Earrings" with this young, absolute virtuoso on guitar it was immaculate! Ever since I have worshipped this song.

[@prochacho3750]

i enjoy you guys' reviews so much! You not only have good commentary but know what you're talking about. Good stuff.

[@monacaravetta]

That tambourine is everything!!!!

[@garya7893]

They are in their own class

[@hog7203]

Definitely one of my all time favorite bands. I don't have a single favorite artist but these guys are in my top ten. Their music seems to never get old.

[@ragjamrock]

Bernard Purdie talks about the drumming on this song in his interview with Rick Beato.🏝️

[@gregfulton2539]

As a Dan fan since the '70s I am LOVING your takes on all the band's songs. Loving. Glad to see this band live on in its original forms....plural. This song is about a thief....Bravo to you both. My all time fave Dan song is Dr. Wu from Katy Lied. Are no wrong answers. The blew us away in the '70s and '80s and forever. Think you guys would love The Boston Rag on earlier album Countdown to Ecstasy.

[@Spazzmatazzz]

Oh, I was waiting for you to get to this and I wasn't disappointed! Not even a little! Probably one of the best rabbit holes you can crawl down!

[@donkunes8630]

thanks for reaction to music we lived , hoping youth & elders interest always remains

[@andrewmadeloni7173]

Awesome reaction to an awesome groove. When you get the chance check out "FM (no static at all)". Used in the film "FM". Kind of a stand alone piece...

[@michaelrouten]

Gotta make sure to use the long "hybrid" mix of FM that has both sax solos (one in the outro also)!

[@andrewmadeloni7173]

@@michaelrouten Oh yes, great call!!

[@hklinker]

The SD song that no one reacts to is Here at the Western World. It did not appear on an album but I believe came from The Royal Scam sessions and was included on the Greatest Hits double album. You might react to Here at the Western World as you finish The Royal Scam.

[@kevinaldridge]

This is funk at it’s finest. Super, Supreme ⭐️❤️

[@roundtownKen]

Hey guys. I've been digging you digging the SD rabbit hole. I warned you about the gritty unpolished excellence here on 'Scam. As you said, "No filler on this one." Green Earrings is definitely driven by the bass and filthy drum work. Listen for the clavinet (keys) pushing things along with the rhythm guitar. It is probably Don himself on the clav. Walter Becker (RIP) was the original bass player (and guitar) and co-founder of SD with Donald. But Walter said he stopped bringing his bass guitar to the studio once he heard Chuck Rainey play bass with/for them. Believe it or not, this album gets even deeper before you're done. (I'm still waiting... 30+ years - to find a better album packed with more content than RS.) I think you'll like the islands you're headed for, guys. This gift does keep on giving. Happy Holidays and happy listening.

[@jimmoore8951]

Like on Kid Charlemagne, SD added the clavinet to help drive the rhythm section, as if Purdie and Rainey needed any help. Minimalist lyrics allow the musicians to shine and each instrument is a revelation... definitely a fun jam.

[@makethebestofwhatsstillaro425]

Ice Cube sampled this song. It is enjoyable to watch you gentlemen discover The Royal Scam for the first time.

[@johnnyfox8934]

Check out how this was sampled on the old school classic Walk Into the Sun by Organized Konfusion

[@willmoney34]

I second that!!!!

[@gasaholic47]

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie.on drums. You should really head over to Rick Beato's channel and check out his interview with Purdie. He talk about this song and many others of those he played on with Steely Dan.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

I met Mr Purdie back in October. He is moving to a town not far from me and helping a friend of mine set up his jazz club/speakeasy. He is the nicest, most humble and kind person you will ever meet! To be in his 80s and to be so effervescent just speaks to what a rare talent he is!

[@danielwilliams2706]

Imagine going into the studio....and comin up with these songs.

[@lucasroth7922]

Again, Steely Dan! Your favorite bands favorite band! 🔥✌🤘

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Funk, blues, jazz, hip hop, rock ... what genre didn't they cover.

[@sira.scottascot8865]

Somewhere around here there's a rhythm section only version of this that is great to listen to.

[@lutherjohnson99]

I love Doctor Wu.

[@metaphoria3]

That look in your eye I don’t mind I don’t mind .. so cold

[@joelliebler5690]

Another great one with pumping up the funk!

[@cliffordlowerre1381]

Nice to see TheFunk has hooked a couple more young Dan Fans! Keep groovin guys!

[@jakeenan]

They originally recorded a lengthy instrumental version of this song (It's on YT and it kicks ass, Jack). Then they just faded it out half way through and added the vocals.

[@jenniferbabros1985]

Like the new picture on your wall 😃 love watching your reactions.

[@hklinker]

Ha ha !! - love seeing people react to the ‘underwater guitar’ near the end. Seek the instrumental-only version of this album and you will be rewarded with stripped-down longer versions of tracks like Green Earrings.

[@TheRenniesantiago]

Soul Sacrifice you guys are going to be blown awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[@parecordguy]

I agree He’s right about it being a noticeably faster steely Dan song. Thats why it stuck out so much to me, extra upbeat and alive. That whole album is crazy good, nice video

[@Tommy-wm8gi]

Love your channel and comment. Yea with air that going on the"triangle" being important. Ten te psycho guitar at end . Keep digging

[@steved525]

One the funkiest tracks ever .. so much exquisite musicianship by all .Although, I would give the nod to the guitar sections...Denny Dias doing the lead guitar for the rockabilly style first part then Elliott Randall killing it on the second part as a perfect compliment to Denny. As always, great job reacting to this one gents.

[@Nite37]

I just watched a interview with Chuck Rainey and he said that The Royal Scam was a contractual obligation album that was owed to the record company before they went to a new label. This album was knocked out it a week. Which is lightning fast for the Dan. Such good music for only a week too.

[@jasonralph4286]

You didn't acknowledge that amazing quick high hat drum fill in the middle of the song. You need to listen for it when you play the album in full

[@dianel222]

If the only thing you got out of this channel was an introduction to Steely Dan (and others), I think it would be ok with you. 😂 💜💜💜

[@Tune-O-matic]

The opening lead note (a harmonic) sounds like a ring in a bell under that sizzling hi-hat..

[@biskygiver]

And it comes immediately after a rake which helps to set it off.

[@Tune-O-matic]

@@biskygiver well defined.. a muted rake harmonic

[@biskygiver]

@@Tune-O-matic In attempting to reproduce that same sound on my guitar I see that it is a "muted rake" followed by a "pinch harmonic" on the high e string.

[@RockDocNeal]

I knew you guys wouldn't be disappointed with this great song! You were mentioning something about the chords Steely Dan used in their songwriting and I have a couple insights that might be interesting (or boring and completely irrelevant!😆 ). There were a couple types of chords they used in many (majority?) of their songs that contributed to the "jazzy", rich/lush and sometimes dissonant sound of their recordings. The first was the "mu" chord (their name for the specific chord voicing), which is a major chord with the addition of the 2'nd, so there is the dissonance between the adjacent 2'nd and 3'rd notes....ie. C mu-major chord on a keyboard: left hand- C bass note right hand- D, E, G (a "9" chord also would include the D note, but generally an octave up). On their later albums, they also used "type 2" mu chords which have the 3'rd of the chord in the bass and a common voicing they would use for this would be (for a type 2 C mu-major chord)... left hand- E bass note right hand- D, G, C (type 2 have less dissonance and a more open, jazzy sound...they're all over Deacon Blues and Black Cow). Another type of chord that they loved was "11" chords, which are major chords that would have the following notes of the scale if listed from low to high...1'st, 3'rd, 5'th, flat 7, 9'th, 11'th, but they're rarely played with that voicing. I generally play them with my right hand dropped down to the major chord one whole step below the chord root....ie. for a D11 chord: left hand- D bass note right hand- C, E, G It doesn't include all the notes, but it sounds pretty damn cool! (sorry about being so "verbose" in my response, but I thought you guys would be interested).

[@AirplayBeats]

We are very interested in this information. Thank you for this. I’m about to go play some of these chords now so I can hear it.

[@RockDocNeal]

@@AirplayBeats My pleasure! I hope you get so much inspiration from playing them that you write a hit song! 😁

[@jimmoore8951]

La and Che are the only ones to pick up on the mu chords out of all the peeps I've heard listen to the Dan. I remember having my music major sister describing mu chords as I was stumbling over them in my music theory class but you did a great job explaining it to all of us... thanks!

[@timothyslaughter476]

Bernard Purdie reminds us the hi hat is the most fascinating instrument in music!

[@TheRenniesantiago]

You have to see soul sacrifice by Santana live in wood stock. Crazy crazy percussion out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tstoneami]

Easily one of my fav SD songs. Maybe my fav. Steely famous for bringing the best studio musicians together for their stuff.

[@metaphoria3]

I live all the guitar rakes

[@bob5074]

Hey, first off, dope reactions! Second…if you like Steely Dan, you should check out the Doobie Brothers. The bands have common members and the Doobies have Michael McDonald!

[@kbrewski1]

Yep, McDonald did a lot of backing vocals on SD, they could have made him a member, and the Doobie Bros were a good fit. SD also used the late great Cornelius Bumpus on sax both on albums and live (1993 tour!). I love the Doobie Bros, and the double bill I saw with both SD and DB in 2006 with McDonald playing in both bands was sublime. BUT, Doobies were more mainstream rock although they did some funky stuff (Black Water), gospel (Jesus is Just Alright)Motown pop influences when McDonald joined etc. But they weren't the same kind of jazzy funk rock fusion that SD was. SD was pretty darn unique and pushed the barriers away and explored the edges more with their jazzy pop rock. Doobies great but a little more mainstream.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

That song was straight up PROGGY!! Man! Who was the guitarist? Tricks and techniques! 😮

[@Phillphine]

There a little 5 note thing that plays through the song, that reminds me of some dastardly character twirling his moustache, after these green earrings, "na ah ah ah ah".

[@egoequus6263]

Those expensive chords you keep talking about are probably variations on what they call ‘mu major chord’ or the ‘µ chord‘, which is part of their signature sound they developed from the beginning.

[@dougpool4730]

The 4th or 5th time you listen to it is when you'll really appreciate it. ❤👍

[@ARTGLIB]

The use of 'mu chords' give them their unique sound.

[@theivory1]

That key change into the solo is nasty.

[@MrDirty-if7gc]

I'm absolutely enjoying the ride, have you guys given any thought to which album you're doing next? Personally I'm hoping for Pretzel logic or Katie Lied.

[@AirplayBeats]

We put out a poll on which Steely albums to do next. Royal scam came in with the most votes. After that was can’t buy a thrill and then pretzel logic. I might do another poll once we finish Royal scam.

[@AirplayBeats]

Actually now that I’m looking at their albums in order, it might be cool to do Katy Lied next and the pretzel logic and work our way back to Can’t buy a thrill.

[@esdel1955]

@@AirplayBeats Katy Lied is da bomb!

[@blackwolf6082]

They know how to make music

[@greggibson33]

Genius.

[@ianlejeune6012]

This is as close as they got to Gentle Giant. {Power and the Glory - you know you want to…}

[@Ker-mk3bf]

WOW, another Gentle Giant fan! Fantastic! GG FOREVER 🎶☺️

[@ormerodp]

Double sick guitar solos.

[@clebergstudio1574]

Has anyone ever heard an explanation as to why the color green plays such a prominent role in so many Steely Dan songs?

[@lucabraga3471]

Green book in their last album and Green flower street in Fagen's The nightfly. I can Remember these titles. I don't remember the colour green in the lyrics of other of their songs...

[@clebergstudio1574]

@@lucabraga3471 The ones that pop into my head are Black Cow - Down to Green Street there you go; Caves of Altamira - on the stone an ancient hand of faded yellow-green; The Royal Scam - Wearing coats that shined both red and green; Two Against Nature - Whip the bastards while they still green. Plus those you mentioned. Maybe I'm the one fixated on the color green. LOL.

[@makethebestofwhatsstillaro425]

@@clebergstudio1574 Someone could make a convincing case the Blues and Blacks are equally represented. Black Friday, Black Cow Deacon Blues, Blues Beach, Blue Lou.

[@clebergstudio1574]

@@makethebestofwhatsstillaro425 True. Maybe an exploration of all the colors used in SD's lyrics would make and interesting study.

[@stevemd6488]

I think the two guitar soloists are Denny Dias and Elliot Randall (who did the iconic opening to Reelin in the Years), IiRC. As a guitarist I can tell you soloing over the main riff is extremely difficult, they're using either m11 or 6/9 chords, can't recall for certain, no real tonal center, no "home base" for the solo to center around. Aside from that one of their easier songs to play, the fretboard fingering is the same just moved around the neck.

[@TheDanVault]

Ice Cube sampled this song on ‘Don’t Trust E’m’

[@lonobird4711]

Let that bass bump and thump baby!

[@michellezaleske-estrada40]

I enjoy them so much more now thanks I did at 8. 😂 I liked them then but love them now.

[@willowvee5844]

Almost my best-est favourite SD song😃🥰

[@pb68slab18]

Ooooo, funky!

[@bobdelp2023]

AND THIS BLOWS FEZ AWAYYYYY! 😊YOU JUST NEVERRRRR KNOW GUYS!☝ CMON CHE, SABBATH OR STEELY, CMON! LOLOL 😊 I KNOW IT'S COMPLETELYYY DIFFERENT

[@alanconrad8490]

genius....plain and not so simple

[@robcook6343]

I can smell the crack i used to smoke to this song!!! Beautiful!!