Steely Dan - The Bear [The Definitive Restoration Mix]

[@stardogbillionaire]

To think this and The Second Arrangement could have been lost forever (or more accurately just been left as low quality demo tapes) had it not been for the efforts of a fanbase that's endured for 50 years. Long live Steely Dan.

[@prpwnage9296]

Until June when it was rediscovered and released almost studio quality

[@luisbuitrago5879]

The Dan's outakes are better than most other bands best...❤

[@bobbyohanesian4228]

Why was Kulee Baba not on Aja?

[@masterragebaiter]

@@bobbyohanesian4228great question. How it didn’t beat “I Got The News” or “Home At Last” is beyond me. But then again, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen are beyond me so it adds up. But yeah Kulee Baba has one of the best drum beats of the classic rock era in my opinion. It’s so steady and choppy with a complex but groove-able rhythm. Keeps the song on edge and exciting. With a challenging chorus that is maybe a bit too dissonant for commercial success? Whatever the case may be, it is a shame it was left off both albums, Gaucho and Aja

[@profileprofile7028]

I hope my neighbors like this song.

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

Judging by how most people are either ambivalent or outright hateful toward good ol' Steely, I believe you'll drive 'em nuts!

[@stuartharris1241]

Trust me in time they will💯

[@myronaguinaldo2861]

If they don't like it, they don't know what is good music

[@michaeldera4298]

Move if they don't.

[@Me97202]

Best comment about music ever! 😉

[@TheExStig]

This makes me feel young again, listening to Steely Dan new release. What a great song.

[@thinkingaboutit2738]

See the glory of the Royal Bear.

[@teelurizzo8542]

Definitely it has that same haunting minor 6/9 chord vamp as 'The Royal Scam'.

[@ncbeach22]

And to think that this song didn't even make it onto an album. Incredible.

[@future62]

Steely Dan's best song ever being an outtake almost lost forever is the most Steely Dan thing ever. I'm starting to hear cover bands play The Second Arrangement. Being an SD fan is a sickness

[@keelio5387]

this is insanely good

[@BleusAudioArchive]

Glad you liked it! I have to admit that it took days for me to perfect it lol

[@nicholasrosebush6182]

My favorite Steely Dan song and it was left on the cutting room floor. Pretty crazy. This song is perfection.

[@dannymoore2413]

I recall playing this SD song and Aja in Darfur. The people there in that little village loved it. No one moved or even said a word.

[@xxczerxx]

4:45 is that the most soulful Fagen ever got with Steely Dan? He NEVER did inflections like that on any other tune!

[@infrequentvlogs4433]

This is as good as music gets. MANY songs as great as this.... but nothin's better.

[@Marcoanfieldforever72]

Very good song. Steely Dan forever

[@jeffreygoujon9359]

If The Bear and The Second Arrangement had made it on to Gaucho, it would have been an all-time classic up there with Aja and The Royal Scam.

[@tonymenown2693]

The improvements on these SD demos are phenomenal. Fagen should hire you to work on a box set of unreleased tracks!

[@BleusAudioArchive]

If only... Lol

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

As phenomenal as this would be, I just don't see Mr. Fagen doing this with material that he didn't released in any of his previous albums.

[@connorkenney4746]

@@IronMan-tk8uc Yeah, he (and Walt before he passed) were upset that these even exist. They're perfectionists-and no matter how perfect we think these are, they didn't agree. I know he did Second Arrangement at rarities night @ Beacon a few years back, but I doubt we will ever see OG SD content from him again. Sucks, but I respect them enough to be grateful we got as much as we did, to begin with!

[@msburton1406]

I listen to this daily Thanks from a Dan Fan.

[@BleusAudioArchive]

Thanks from another Dan fan! I'm really glad you liked my work to that degree!

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Did you get the bear or did the bear get you?

[@MattEerie]

Yes, Chef!

[@Enieto79]

hahahaha i figure out the same "Chef"

[@raymichaels5022]

Ahhhh the 70s and the 80s, what an amazing time to have been growing up, into the 90s things started to go a little downhill and now in the 21st century.........WHAT DO WE HAVE!

[@yankeechicken61]

Rap. Don’t you just love it?

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

We were born perfectly: we know what good music is and now YT can supply it. Also missed a worldwide depression and having to fight in a few wars as a bonus.

[@jamesbottomley2596]

So wish these were released on a CD. Brilliant remastering.

[@TheGooseIsLoose]

Jesus dude, amazing work on this. By far the best version available. You almost can't tell that it ISN'T a studio Dan release!

[@paulhancock3957]

CRIMINAL THIS WAS LEFT OFF GAUCHO, ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE ❤❤❤

[@sCulturefan]

This is great: classic Steely with a 10cc by-way-of-P-Funk feel!

[@adamcfada5071]

This has got a great groove. Definitely a SD gem.

[@gfunkmusic6836]

This is just stunning, I’m hearing things i’ve never heard before in previous copies. It’s like a blanket has been removed , real hi fi. You’ve done a really awesome job on this. Thank you!

[@weepeee]

Verse 1: Donald Fagen] Sir, I parked my juggernaut at your gate Fifteen-thousand miles and I'm feeling great I've been on the run, but I done my time You just can't stand still with a friend like mine [Chorus] There's a bear that walks like a man Better shake him fast Better hide yourself if you can Cause he wants your ass I believe you'll do quite well But only time will tell If you got the bear or the bear got you

[@MannyScoot]

I've heard this song one thousand times, and I can say this is the best edition !!!!!!

[@melodkeyelash]

The verb on Don's voice 🤩♥️

[@chrisiverzen]

the instrumental part that starts after 3 minutes is really great!

[@StephenDodds-o6e]

As a pony, Steely Dan only had a couple of tricks, but they used them so well.

[@francoisbelenger9667]

Thanks for your outstanding work on that lost Steely Dan song

[@nigelpisswater484]

I know Donald and Walter are perfectionists but what the actual fuck??? How the fuck did this not make the album.

[@bonzey1171]

Oh wow, this sounds way better. Man, this jam rocks

[@teelurizzo8542]

Bill Schnee has just said on the Rick Beato 2 Interview that 'The Bear' was cut during the 'Aja' Sessions, as I had suspected.

[@yung_wog4180]

This song is deep. I have struggled with anxiety all my life, mostly used drugs to cope. Gave all that up and poof, my anxiety is like a distant memory. Everyday stresses exist, but the torturous sensations and panic are long gone. “The bear” is a real evolutionary remnant that tricks your brain into fight, flight or both. Do you have the bear? Or did the bear get you?

[@M3TaGh0sStT]

Awesome song

[@patrickroche3366]

Thank you. God bless.

[@lindamortensen7835]

Thank you so so much. Just wonderful.

[@yankeechicken61]

Insane for Fagan not to release or even acknowledge this great track. Well, that’s Fagan for you.

[@shuriflwrs]

They've played it live a handful of times in 2011

[@Vejur9000]

Musical genius from top to bottom, is Steely Dan.

[@classicrockmetalreview8523]

Great job dude! Always thought this tune had serious Scam vibes.

[@marmyafia6307]

You've done wonders on this - massive improvement. Sounds immense!

[@norfitz]

I can't help but think the bear got Walt. So sorry, friend I never met, I always wished you could reach happy and well. RIP.

[@starshiptrooper4506]

That is what this was about: Walter Becker. The bear was his drug addiction and the car that hit him.

[@mortonbeard2240]

Thank you. I can’t shake my admiration for these two men. The quirk, the comedy, adventure, the characters of Steely Dan.

[@vivaolife5427]

you're doing an amazing job on all the restores

[@zlf377]

Once again, sincere thanks for this, you're the man! (also, nice melee main)

[@BleusAudioArchive]

..and once again, thank you! Also, the only reason I picked up Falco was that in the past, all I mained were mid/low tiers and Falco was the most balanced of the broken characters matchup-wise.

[@clarenzlarka]

WOW! never heard this before!!!

[@elwinlewis9757]

Mark my words, I don’t know when, I don’t really even know how- but one day, could be a couple years from now even, we’re going to get AI based restoration that will bring the songs to any quality level desired, just shy of Steely Studio- and we will hear the tracks in a quality that said “how did no one think that this would happen years ago? It makes so much sense” Until then, I’ll be listening to your restorations

[@BleusAudioArchive]

I am desperately waiting for that day to come. Just imagine the implications!

[@gracehopkins3113]

All this talk of AI restoration in the Danbase has really gotten my hopes up. I'll be pretty sad if it doesn't end up happening. And I will sue all of you people for emotional distress. The Second Arrangement is my favorite song of all time on some days.

[@bobburroughs6241]

Suddenly here we are with 4 new SD tracks - thanks!

[@chrissergeant7798]

Even the songs that didn't make the album are awesome.

[@jml-rj5re]

Especially the songs that didn't make the cut. The Bear and Kulee Baba would have been among the best on the album. A double album or 3-sided album was needed. I Can't Write Home About You and of course Second Arrangement as well.

[@chiefwhitenoise5227]

It's gotta be a week now that I listened to this everyday.

[@FlyingBaNana3000]

God damn, this is amazing. Thank you for uploading this

[@butchwilliams8581]

WOW...EXCELLENT! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@ketaaguilar5411]

Fantastic song!

[@chiefwhitenoise5227]

Listening to this upload I regained confidence in my headphones 🙂

[@celluloidcowboy]

You’re a godsend. Thanks for this!

[@stuartharris1241]

The bass 🎸 and the bridge, sheesh 👌🏾👍🏾

[@superfuzzymomma]

Steely DAMN...Great job here my friend! Can't wait for the Gaucho demo! Peace

[@tadhghoran414]

Sounds unreal!!! Keep it up brudda

[@dirtycrumbs]

thank you for your service, BAA - excellent work my friend ♥

[@rynkie]

oh my god yes

[@petefogel2133]

This tune is 50x better than Kulee Baba. Unlike Kula Baba, it actually sounds like a SD song

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

I disagree. Kulee Baba does sound a Dan song, especially with that godly Jeff Porcaro groove!

[@petefogel2133]

I guess we can agree to disagree. Apparently Donald and Walter didn't like it either... otherwise they would have put it on the record.

[@martinharbeck2316]

How did Third World Man make the cut over the Bear? This song is AMAZING

[@edzielinski]

This sounds amazing. Thanks so much for your efforts and sharing it. It has that sparkling yet massive Steely Dan vibe - so intoxicating.

[@static6OOO]

If you can and want to, do you think you could do I Can’t Write Home About You next please?

[@keith2241954]

Great Job.

[@johnwilkerson2195]

awesome sound

[@sonic597s]

wow! nice restoration, it sounds great :)

[@eddietyupo3729]

Mistifying. Excellent work here.

[@tompa3537]

You're a hero!

[@joseleaci2802]

Gooooood job 😉

[@dmlevitt]

fabulous.

[@supasoulproductions]

Incredible Job on this!

[@alexthegreat490]

Great work, thank you.

[@liraloo]

Thank you so much for your efforts, my friend. This is absolutely wonderful!❤️

[@joymoore1904]

Night by night groove imho. ❤

[@sfbsfb]

Good call! Several albums prior, but similar sound on this track.

[@gracehopkins3113]

This song is so fucking good

[@BlazeMasterBM]

That's some good Dan

[@BleusAudioArchive]

Isn't it? It's one of my most prized treasures that I'm happy to share. Also, never thought I'd see you become a fan after my other friends' responses lol

[@BlazeMasterBM]

@@BleusAudioArchive oh really ? What did they respond..

[@BleusAudioArchive]

@@BlazeMasterBM Well, you know about what Chris and Sean say about it. Lol

[@newellbate]

Great job!

[@tylerwhiteeee]

🔥🔥🔥

[@MPHORROCKS]

Sounds fabulous! Thanks so much!!!

[@petermountjoy7693]

Great to hear this. Heard Second Arrangement recently which was also a discarded or lost track from the Gaucho sessions but I think is actually a better track.

[@scottgherkin]

this is amazing

[@colinglass1342]

You Definitely got the bear You're the man there's no goldy locks here but the real McCoy trying to get rid of a nasty head cold 🥶🤧 Awesome vocal talant of stealy dann remarkable sound of Stealy Dann have to listen to all there albums.K got to listen to the" Night Fly 🪰 album." Great sound recording

[@colinglass1342]

Sorry about the silly start of my last comment i was just proberly talking nonsense .A magnificeant singer a magnificeant band one of my favourites

[@user-ns4uu3vv2i]

awesome song, amazing work.. would’ve been amazing on gaucho! Can you try to boost “Were you blind that day?“

[@davidhalkyard9104]

You’ve done a good job of improving the general dynamic range and sonic quality of this work-in-progress! Because that’s what this clearly is. That’s a guide vocal you’re hearing, complete with hit and miss double tracking. I also feel that there are a few areas where the track loses its way musically and sags. Again, some of the soloing etc is a placeholder that I’d bet they intended to come back to later. That aside, this is well past cool if you accept it’s a working version and not a finished track. Fagen and Becker would never have released this in this half-finished form. Like everyone else, I wish they had finished it and put it on Gaucho - it’s easily as good as many of the tracks that did make the cut (and arguably better than one or two).

[@SicckBeatz-te9eb]

beast 🔥

[@BrianBurke06]

God, this shit is so great

[@JCNippert1]

I still think this is about speed. Some college students "speeded" in the seventies for various reasons, mostly in lieu of caffeine while cramming for tests. Most felt they need not worry about the " crash" - silly fools, because the bear got them.

[@zan6585]

Would love a DL link for HQ listening ^^

[@campurdy9083]

This is awesome. But I think I see why they shelved it: It sounds like Royal Scam (the song) in the chorus. Still love the groove.

[@incredible916]

Does Donald fagen ever talk about these songs? Can we please interview him before it’s too late please 😢

[@TheMcglinn]

WELL DONE INDEED.

[@weepeee]

Mr. QUICK Has Flown From the Cosmic ZOOO……🙏❤️☮️😇🌹🌈🎶🔥♥️💜

[@tylerwhiteeee]

Is there a FLAC file you can link? 👉👈

[@BleusAudioArchive]

Here's a GDrive link to the final product: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mWlkBM9MCMsELV8D5xT6K-3LrpBdHCj7?usp=sharing It's not in the .flac format, but rather .wav, but both are lossless so I hope that's okay. Also, sorry for the late response.

[@tylerwhiteeee]

@@BleusAudioArchive Not late at all! Thank you!!

[@aliensporebomb]

@@BleusAudioArchive Stunning. So velvety smooth!

[@zess_t5952]

what genre would the intro qualify as? it is incredibly haunting

[@ikd3240]

Damn shame this song never made it on any of their albums. Was this recorded during the Aja sessions? It would have fit well on that record.

[@SEE.E.O]

makes me do "the bear" around my room every time. a dance where you take big ol bear steps while hanging your big heavy clawed paws around

[@aliensporebomb]

Only downside for me is the fade omitting the instrumental version's cool coda with its closing jazz chords. Otherwise, this is like something they could release today - it's that good.

[@BleusAudioArchive]

I wasn't sure whether or not to add it because the transition felt strange while listening to it... Looking back, I kinda regret my decision of cutting it... Other than that, thank you so much for the compliments!

[@petebraidis4655]

I so badly want to think this is based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears and they’re all on cocaine

[@luckycatmatt2193]

Can you do steely dan sail the waterway. Next please!

[@BleusAudioArchive]

Seems like something I can do. I currently don't have any more ideas for any new projects so I'll take the request!

[@static6OOO]

Awesome

[@lucaspIs]

Anyone got any theories on what the lyrics are about? i always saw it as talking about some policeman, as sometimes theyre referred to as "Bears"

[@michaelcaplin8969]

I've heard heroin (or drug dependencies in general). I've also wondered for a while.

[@starshiptrooper4506]

It was heroin. The kingpin pusher was nicknamed the bear. He life is chronicalled in kid Charlemagne. He went driving around in a rolls royce with low fuel and ran out when there was an app on him. The people in the next car were the police.

[@shuriflwrs]

the song is about what happens when someone riding dirty gets a "taste" of their own supply