What Makes This Song Great? "Don't Take Me Alive" Steely Dan

In this live stream, we discuss what makes "Don't Take Me Alive" by Steely Dan a great song.
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[@joethebar1]

It blows me away that there’s never been another band quite like the Dan. The music is perfect

[@narvul]

@David Roberts I think they didn't like touring.

[@narvul]

@David Roberts True, they got a bit carried away n their quest for perfection. But they didn't like touring. They stated that from the '70s in numerous interviews.

[@narvul]

@David Roberts o you have a link for that? I'm lazy ;-)

[@narvul]

@David Roberts OK thanks, I've seen that one but always great to watch again!

[@Arturo-sm1tb]

I describe it as hypnotic. Once I have obsessed over one of my favorites for a couple days, I will not forget the melody or chords for a week in my head.

[@dpinskey]

I feel like so many people during the 70s just presumed great guitar playing like this was just a normal part of life that we took for granted that would always be a part of popular music. Little did we realize how spoiled and jaded to the fact that we existed in the most amazing period of guitar musicality possibly ever.

[@scotttesar6661]

Ain't that the truth???

[@aid903bun611]

I've said almost exactly the same thing myself - I was born in 1955, so I turned 15 in 1970. It's hard to have a perspective on something when you're right in the middle of it.

[@Veaseify]

Even guys who aren't well known laid down great solos on a lot of 70's stuff - like Hugh Burns on 'Baker Street' or Tony Peluso on 'Goodbye To Love'. Looking back it was just one of the many eras of popular music (that last around a decade or so) that has evolved since the 1950's. Sometime in the 1980's popular taste decided that guitar solos in hit songs were a thing of the past and like jazz, virtuosity receded into more niche areas...

[@DavidSmith-ik3fe]

The voicing and innovative note choices make Steely Dan's music stand on a level with the great classical composers; Mozart, Beethoven etc...We were incredibly lucky to have been growing up in this era. I'm so glad that I got to see them a couple of times before we lost Walter Becker.

[@debras1503]

So true, I was a teen in the 70s, and you do appreciate it more as you get older

[@PianoUniverse]

It so great you appreciate Steely Dan tunes. Most people don't know what they are missing.

[@danmetallo6441]

Becker and Fagan.

[@5speedMax]

Im 63 and was around when this stuff hit the air waves as totally new music. It was so far above most everyone head that unless you were an audiophile the virtuosity of these guys was lost on most. They were and are wonderful.

[@narvul]

I'm from '63 and over here in The Netherlands they were very popular.

[@jiaconis]

I’m 66 and I totally agree with you Speedmax!!!

[@FrogJuiceJustice]

I'm 18 and steely dan are fantastic

[@granthurlburt4062]

Luckily my friends and I all liked Steely Dan from the get-go (I'm 67) and we loved music but I'd not call us audiophiles. A few of us went to jazz concerts and listened to Creed Taylor records, which were a good intro to jazz, but so did others who werent necessarily into jazz. We were university students. when I worked on construction sites, my "associates" dismissed the Dan as "pothead music". Depends on whom you are with I guess.

[@dr.nigsopmcchortlefag9544]

@@narvul Hey man... loved Star Wars®

[@carolgiangreco6548]

I just love the people who love music. They're so positive and relatable.

[@RT-wl4jr]

So true... To quote the Late Frank Zappa, "Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid.” Substitute the word "existence" for the word "time" and it really gets you thinking.

[@tjzulu1]

@@RT-wl4jr Yeah....ummmm...not really, but o.k. ......

[@davidrustylouis6818]

@@RT-wl4jr atheism will leave one feeling rather empty, pointless & even lost. There's truly so much more to existence & it's not really that profound to point out the ancient philosophical question. There's myriad thinkers to read on the subject (I'd recommend Aquinas for one). Music is one of time's greatest "decorations" or blessings, imo.

[@RT-wl4jr]

@@davidrustylouis6818 I'm not an atheist Buddy, just a music lover and a Frank Zappa fan.

[@Arturo-sm1tb]

My all time Steely Dan favorite. God, Larry Carlton was super human.

[@Nickelini]

Was? He's still alive and playing jazz festivals

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Larry Carlton has some of the greatest phrasing of all time. There are very few blues players who can truly play jazz and very few jazz players who can truly play blues but Larry can do both. Such a great player.

[@petemusgrove7422]

He's unbelievably good and has been my favorite guitarist since I head his first solo album. I particularly love his playing and tone on his earlier solo albums, especially a track called "Mulberry Street", which I think contains one his best solos - so melodic and kinda out there at the same time!

[@petemusgrove7422]

I couldn't agree more. His phrasing and solos are freakishly good and he can make advanced jazz soloing sound so melodic that you don't realize how complex it is.

[@thomasnodine4072]

DuckTalesWooHoo1987 Check out The Crusaders - Scratch Live at the Roxy. Some great guitar by Larry, in particular on So Far Away.

[@MrTwister3356]

@@petemusgrove7422 Agree...Mulberry Street....my favorite Carlton solo of all time...goes on forever...no repeated lines and above all...tasteful!!

[@Maioro77]

@@petemusgrove7422 This is American music at it's best, it should go down in history as a timeless classic.

[@usagijojo2]

I love this song and Steely Dan so much. Please keep doing more videos on Steely Dan.

[@7hoopdawg]

I wish you had time to do every Steely Dan album, song by song.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

YES, new series Rick, come on, you know you want to! "What Makes Steely Dan Great?".

[@nancydevolder4433]

There's more musiciality in that one Larry Carlton solo then in today's Billboard 100 altogether.

[@juaneato]

Than in the last 30 years of Billboard 100. *Fixed it for you*

[@CARDINAL701]

LMAO....absolutely. If these kids only knew how much they're missing the point.

[@jiaconis]

DEFINITELY!!!!!!

[@ARMTOAST]

I think you’d be surprised by the musicianship behind session players for artists like Bruno Mars and The Weeknd. Just because a lot of music today is more focused on production than intricate composition and virtuosity doesn’t mean there aren’t incredibly talented individuals putting down breathtaking performances in top-charting hits, you just have to pay a bit more attention. I mean look at a song like Love On Top by Beyoncé. Top talent all around on par with some Michael Jackson tracks, and it was massively popular.

[@candelise]

@@ARMTOAST Perhaps that's the point, you have to look so much harder.

[@jimbomak]

Steely Dan one of the best American bands ever. Well done Rick

[@richardwoods5326]

He told me in a guitar clinic at Guitar Showcase (San Jose, CA) back in the day, that this solo was the first take, no working out of the solo, and that the red light went on, and he just went for it.

[@CyberDwarf1949]

😲😲😲

[@GravyDaveNewson]

I always loved Royal Scam more than Aja or Gaucho because there's more guitar magic. All are truly great albums.

[@juaneato]

I have always been more into Aja and have been obsessed with it. Well, guess what? I’m diving deep into Scam and I can’t get out! And that’s ok! I’m right there with you. Aja is polished and ultra refined, whereas Scam is dirty and dark and cuts deeper into your psyche in a way that Aja doesn’t do. I can’t look away!

[@terrypussypower]

"Gaucho" is their crowning achievement, even more than "Aja". All their albums up til "The Nightfly" are staggering, but it was downhill from then on imo. I couldn't get with any of their albums after that. There was the odd great song, but too many that just didn't cut it...victims of their own stellar standards perhaps.

[@kevinmcneeley879]

@@terrypussypower Nightfly was Fagan solo i think. Not officially a Steely Dan album. I think they split after Gaucho, and did not come back together until the late 90's.

[@adambutterfield2307]

terrypussypower two against nature is a good album and the night fly was Donald Fagans solo career

[@chrisoleary9876]

Countdown To Ecstasy ain't too shabby either...

[@yalebulldog05]

You just need to make every What Makes this song great about steely dan

[@reggiebellamy7112]

I remember hearing these songs on the radio when I was in middle and high school but, now I have a much greater appreciation for the music!

[@randyvanvliet226]

@@reggiebellamy7112 Same here, all of these got air time on KLOS or KMET in Los Angeles, some were just hidden gems... Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Reeling in the Years, My Old School, etc. etc.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

He could easily just create a new series on Steely Dan.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

I was born in `66, so I was pretty young when all this was popular on the radio. I remember it so clearly though just how much it was played and how popular it was with such a wide spread audience. Also I remember how much I loved, or at least really liked a lot, so much of it even at so young. Even when you can't appreciate the complexities that made it so good it had so much to move you and no matter what your musical taste it just connected with you and moved you. Good music is good no matter what it is, and this was great songs made by amazing masters of their craft. This music will be legendary forever, at least it better be.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

@@ggusta1Thanks for the tip.

[@CARDINAL701]

i appreciate Steely Dan's music more and more as time goes by and I learn more about music. I'm not sure they were really human. G E N I U S E S.

[@ragingriccor9999]

The beauty thing is that they are human. No they can't do everything or be everything to everybody. But the music they made was amazing and unique. The melodies they invented along with their unique lyrics that Donald Fagen so uniquely sang are just not replicable.

[@ramonitbelascuain9729]

You are absolutely right my man!

[@culverfan]

The 51 people who did not like this must’ve been luckless pedestrians

[@plaidpanda]

With rage in their eyes and their megaphones

[@GaryBook]

If you don’t like this, than you can’t appreciate brilliance. Rick is a master and he teaches master classes. There is no one better.

[@teebee5323]

no doubt with rage in their eyes and their megaphones.. *well played sir)

[@88wildcat]

Men of their mind can do anything.

[@holdersteven]

hahaha good one bro!

[@jonmcdaniel8492]

It's interesting how Carlton's and Fagan and Becker's composition resists explaination. The complexity of the chords and the chord progression makes this incredibly interesting. I amazed something this complex could contain this much musicality.

[@jmendi55]

Steely Dan's magic is writing songs that you can hum, but when you get under the covers they are complex, harmonically very deep and cool with the BEST players playing great and inventive parts. Deacon Blues - simple melody to hum, but just try hearing your way though the changes...

[@artturnerjr]

Exactly. Stealth complexity. There's a lot going on lyrically that you might not catch the first few times through either. 8)

[@N00dleBandit]

The drum changes on Deacon Blues are pretty complex and jumpy, but they flow so nicely.

[@mikehunt4023]

Similar thing with the smiths I think

[@loganpe427]

They were so unique they were the only masters of their style, not really rock, blues or jazz but still all three! That's not it but I don't know how to say it right!

[@pwethman1]

I love the subversive nature of the lyrics. Sounds about dying junkies, learning how to be a failed jazz musician, lusting over you cousin. Who could ask for more!!

[@MrFloyd-te1nh]

The guitar solo in The Boston Rag is also amazing!

[@tisbonus]

What Makes This Song Great? Rick f'n Beato! That's who! What a masterful class of one of the best soloist on the planet! You sir, are AMAZING!!!

[@chrisbenson3322]

Without a doubt the most entertaining videos on KZbin for music dorks like me.

[@jimclark9826]

Applause, Carol! What a wonderful song. It’s been one of my very favorite songs all these years along with Kid Charlemagne.

[@chasgorman1086]

“ I was practicing for a few minutes earlier.” Jesus, Rick makes this difficult solo look so easy. As usual, he geeks out towards the end, which is just priceless .

[@ralelunar]

What's sad is that Larry Carlton can't play it like that anymore

[@tjzulu1]

@@ralelunar ....and you know that because?????

[@ralelunar]

@@tjzulu1 There are videos on KZbin of him trying, you can look it up. He either can't remember the solo or he physically can't play the licks anymore.

[@petercoulter2891]

Speaking of jaw dropping musicianship, I saw a show where Frank Zappa's xylophone player absolutely nails a song and at the end she says "three mistakes, one for each decade since I've played it"

[@MyPaul2006]

I've been playing over fifty yr's you bring music back to life for me THANKS RICK

[@FishingBenB]

Larry Carlton was a monster paired with Steely Dan's genius.

[@lynnestamey7272]

It doesn't matter if he's playing with the Dan, Crusaders for Jazz, or solo. Larry Carlton is the man!

[@_mrcrypt]

“Don’t Take Me Alive”! Great song. Kind of a deep cut... I dig it.

[@patsfan4life]

Total deep cut, only for true Dan fans but amazing stuff

[@lorrainekaiyas1800]

Robert Houtsch It's a classic 😀👌 😄👍 O.k

[@mhester99]

Yeah, It's a shame they won't play songs like that in concert. I've seen my last Steely Dan concert this year. I guess it's my fourth now. Tired of hearing the same songs regardless of how great they are and how well they perform them.

[@Paul-Mac]

I guess that makes me a true Dan fan!

[@lla788]

I never thought of this song as a deep cut. Didn't it get played on the radio. Maybe I just listen to so much Steely Dan for so many years--that nothing is a deep cut to me

[@ballsyeunuch9311]

Mr. 335...............Such an incredible musician. Thank you Rick, and Carol for dissecting this.

[@kevinmcneeley879]

Forgot how good this song was. Royal Scam was kind of an underrated album IMO.

[@herbertwilliams4463]

I just showed My best bud at work this song! We each have a similar taste in Music and are huge music fanatics yet, He has never delved deep into Steely Dan's Catalogue. So Me, Being one of the biggest Steely Dan fans around, had to show him this album last week. This track in particular has always been My favorite from the album and I will never forget his reaction upon hearing it for the first time! The moment You introduce a song to someone and You can tell by their face that it is literally blowing their mind is one of the greatest feelings in the world! Also, his expression reminded Me of probably what my expression was upon hearing this gem years ago for the first time lol! Anyway, Steely Dan is the perfect example of a band that came as close to absolute musical perfection as there will ever be and their music still sounds as fresh today as it ever could have. Mainly due to their mastery of musicianship as well as a complete perfectionist approach to Music Production! Steely Dan are Legends and I am so grateful that I came across this channel and how amazing it is in explaining every little detail of some of the greatest songs ever made! Love, Peace and Positive Energy always... Rock On! ❤👌🤘

[@kassemir]

You know you have an amazing solo when Steely Dan open a song with it! It's one thing for Prince to throw his own solo on the opening of "When Doves Cry", but to get your solo as an opener for a song on a SD song. Amazing, and totally worth it. That intro solo is legendary!

[@johntaft771]

My favorite opening solo song: Reeling In The Years. Elliot Randall killed it!

[@Leon-mx2up]

Please Rick do something by The Alan Parsons Project. Genius songwriting, world class musicians and stellar production.

[@andym28]

I always think of App when I hear steely dan.

[@bigcladwolfdetecting6017]

My 2 favorite bands growing up

[@cameron_fairchild]

or Todd Rundgren incredible composer

[@webinator9715]

No APP please!

[@spudhimself5614]

I grew up listening to I Robot and Pyramid almost nonstop and, despite a few very schlocky production choices, apology-inducing tracks and a particular FOH engineer ringing out every PA with one particularly terrible later APP reference track for a year while we were on tour, I still keep APP in regular rotation. I’m pretty sure Rick could teach a whole master class based only on Alan Parsons drum miking alone and I for one would be riveted!

[@jacquesvandermeer6668]

This is so great it brings tears to my eyes. I bought every Steely Dan album from Can't Buy a Thrill on. Fagan, Becker and all the celebrity sidemen opened up my mind to elegant and sophisticated jazz/rock in, of all places, the pop and rock charts. Their music was the the most successful integration of jazz and rock ever. As artists these are my heroes. Their complexities were like guerilla invasions on popular culture. Rick Beato deconstructing Steely Dan’s “Don’t Take Me Alive”

[@irishguy13]

I remember when this tune first came out. It became, for me, the standard for what Rock music could be. And with everything else that Steely Dan had done, was doing, and would do, that standard was not only upheld, but actually surpassed, which, even now, seems impossible and incredible. This is my soul music.

[@randyvanvliet226]

1 year anniversary of this, Rick... EVERYTHING on the Royal Scam, track wise, was good. Won't you Sign in Stranger!"

[@Marunius]

So true, I am always sad to hear sign in stranger fade out, that solo gets really epic!

[@rdlewis3616]

That opening chord and riff, immediately recognizable.

[@seabrook1976]

I could watch videos of people analyzing Steely Dan songs. So much to unpack in each and every song.

[@jimscheltema670]

I can't count the number of times I listened to the beginning of this song on headphones - over and over and over. You did GREAT. I am a recent follower and I have been binge watching your channel through CV19 and I am soooo impressed. Not a musician but lived through it and love your slice and dice of my favorites!!!

[@eoghanbishop9745]

7:15 - Rick challenges Carol 7:17 - Carol accepts challenge 8:29 - Carol just killed it!

[@bumblesnowmonster]

The magic of Chuck Rainey on bass. My first transcribed Steely Dan tune. He wrings that bass for all it's worth. What a bass line!

[@ian_strachs]

Larry Carlton is certainly one of the most underrated guitarists of all time. Absolutely phenomenal player.

[@pauledsall5849]

not being a smart ass I totally agree with you, the best ,

[@marlonbrando2698]

Ive got a case of Dynamite, I could hold out here all night, well I crossed my old man back in Oregon, don't take me alive. Basically the greatest band to ever do it.

[@barramundi4604]

Best channel on KZbin. Absolutely a joy to watch and listen. You're a great, versatile player, Rick.

[@jdd9992]

I had been listening to "Don't Take Me Alive" for weeks when I happened upon your video! Steely Dan is one of the greatest groups of all time & I appreciate them even more as time goes by. It breaks my heart that I never got to see them live.

[@papajay111]

I just love that look in your eye when you listen to the very ending of the song!!! Cuz I know exactly the same wonderment feeling when the art is SO GOOD it's like,,,, beyond words!

[@sashifire]

This is my all-time favorite Steely Dan song!

[@montlejohnbojangles8937]

Far and away my favorite Steely Dan song, and the first one I ever fell in love with. What an absolutely stunning bit of guitarsmanship.

[@DavidSmith-ik3fe]

Simply incredible music. There's never been anything like it, nor will there ever be. I am so blessed that I grew up in the era of SD.

[@robinbailey100]

This is a knockout (and possibly personal favourite of all time) solo that I still have to stop and listen to every time I hear it, 35 years on from the first time. However, like any solo, it would be nothing without the song, and I take my hat off to Steely Dan for creating such legendary space in all of their music for countless gems like this.

[@JayDS509]

Hard rock attitude with jazz harmonic phrasing...Larry Carlton is awesome. Fagen and Becker are out of this world composers. Rick does a great job...thanks for the video!

[@johnn7776]

I always think this is the most evocative haunting beautiful introduction to a song ever. And without wanting to criticise the genius that is Becker and Fagan I always think it’s strange that such a beautiful solo and chord progression supports such a dark lyric. Without wanting to overanalyse. Anyway I think I read somewhere that Larry Carlton always used a cranked Fender Tweed Deluxe to get the overdrive sound when recording for Becker & Fagan. Very enjoyable video Rick thanks for taking the time to analyse this great song. I’m going to go now and try that intro again, I’ve tried and failed a few times.

[@La_sagne]

i see it as hes seen the bad but still kept a positive outlook on live. thats why he doesnt want to shoot no one

[@Pickelsongs]

Your videos are the most professional music/ song breakdowns I have ever seen. Nailing these leads like you do? Amazing. Video wise, it's a joy to watch you work.

[@martinlisk9913]

Carol and Rick were amazing breaking down the complexities of Carlton and Fagan

[@joedaq6678]

Outstanding ! Thanks Rick and Carol.

[@L.A.W.Studios]

You're not kidding ...choice of notes, and phrasing are fantastic on this... Thanks Rick!

[@bassaniobrokenhart5045]

I love the passion and awe you feel for the music, I guess that makes us "brothers in arms" somehow. God bless you, Rick!

[@1bossou]

Rick Beato Thanks for your time I really enjoy all the work you put into these post.

[@user-dr2jj2vx5v]

My favorite teacher are talking about my favorite band! Incredible !

[@ursulareeder8568]

Ahhh… can’t hear this song without remembering seeing them live at the Gorge Amphitheater here in the Pacific Northwest and Fagan felt the compulsion to explain that they now know how to pronounce Oregon correctly-the crowd roared with knowing laughter!

[@user-lg1dx6fy6f]

After being totally depressed listening to today's music, i am so happy to have rediscovered the Dan.

[@Complicaadd0rock]

Watching and listening to Rick Beato talking about my heroes Steely Dan and this legendary song... it somehow feels like my whole life actually makes some sense ❤ thanks for it Rick

[@myksyk]

Notes you could eat! Fabulous guitar work by Carlton. Could listen to this song on loop all day!

[@mikeharnett2410]

I was 12 when Royal Scam was released, two years before I got my first bass. This album was the one that made me take notice of high-end modern rock-fusion.

[@chasgorman1086]

Great comment-“ I played this about 40 years ago, I had to relearn it, it took me a couple of minutes.” GTFOH! Rick is amazing!

[@Nickelini]

or maybe he just has a big ego?

[@bravan49]

Thanks Rick. One of my favorite Steely Dan songs, let alone the solo.

[@razorsedge1]

Steely Dan=Unique musical genius! Love when you play guitar Rick! Thanks!

[@murraywestenskow2896]

Ahh - the mechanized hum of another world....

[@adriatic.vineyards]

Sounds like Ginsberg

[@arvo56]

Rick's way of showing how to play great solos,-is the best for me,-no waffling on about what string,what note it is & what fingers to use. I don't find myself saying,"Oh get on with it" with Rick.-so thanks Rick!

[@bertgetner9397]

Love these interactive video's with Rick feeding off of the chat. Steely Dan are one of a kind. This form of music will never be created again. You could never replicate this in your kitchen on your computer. But we have Rick to keep it alive!!

[@chriszbodula1894]

As much as I love the Kid Charlemagne solo, still gotta put Year of The Cat up there and never forget Larry Carlton’s Room 335 and his version of Layla.

[@mikiegood]

Love this song. Thanks Rick and Carol

[@steveahonen7108]

Rick, you killed that intro. NOT FREAKING EASY. Thank you for caring, bless you for being able to pull it off.

[@EvelynBaron]

Just landed here, am a musician, grew up with Steely Dan was writing short stories and one was so hard. It was a true story and so hard to translate: a friend was in trouble, his stepfather killed his dog and he killed himself because he didn't want to take another life. He was a war vet and had PTSD btw. and this song changed everything I really needed that title and one thing led to another to honour a lost friend who did his best. So tx Rick where ever we meet on the net which does preserve some excellent experiences. I wasn't here today for the musical minutia kudos to your brilliant audience.

[@SnowWalker1]

I love 'Do it Again', and it's because I can not listen to it without moving. It's impossible. I don't always pick the obvious song but 'Do it Again' is so great. They're all great.

[@NmpK24]

Brilliant tune. And I love Rick's channel and 'What makes this song great?'. Though I wish he would also talk about lyrics and not just those by Steely Dan (which are legendary). They are often overlooked but just as important. Can't have a great song without them!

[@reggiebellamy7112]

Rick, I play guitar....but recently (about a year ago) I started learning how to play SD songs! Now actually "studying"the songs for my personal use, and I am blown away! Musically, Genius!

[@reggiebellamy7112]

I remember hearing these songs on the radio when I was in middle and high school but, now I have a much greater appreciation for the music!

[@billymacdougall9273]

Just stumbled onto this video. Just wanted to let ya know I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be continuing to watch them. Keep them coming plz.

[@pallhe]

Love "Don't Take Me Alive" and the ever-brilliant Dan. Rick, maybe you can do a sounding off with somebody like Denny Dias. He seems to be something of an unsung hero and he plays some of the very best solos, with an interesting, jazzy approach. He's the guy who stayed with Fagen and Becker the longest, playing on all the records in the 70s. It would be fascinating to hear you pick his brains about his playing and how it was to work with Fagen, Becker et al. in the studio, etc. Or maybe some of the other cats in the Steely Dan pantheon of players if Denny isn't available.

[@eleetse6701]

Agreed. The Denny solo on Your Gold Teeth II along with the Jeff Porcaro drum work on the whole album Denny’s solo never gets old,. Both of them are supernaturally great. I read that Fagan told Jeff after one cut that he wanted the drums to sound like some jazz drummer he named to Jeff. Jeff went home that evening and studied and practiced the style that night and next day laid it down. In response to the guitar and drums on that YGTII solo, when it was over Fagan reportedly yelled at the top of his lungs in the studio “HOLY FUCK!”

[@eleetse6701]

Denny Dias is a computer guy now. Jeff Baxter is a Pentagon advisor on some sort of missle system. I always knew those guys were smarter that your average bear.

[@marcolenarduzzi1]

I know that here in Montreal, it was played a lot on the FM rock stations . One of the first albums I ever bought was Countdown to Ecstasy and I've been hooked on Steely Dan ever since ! Great Video by the way !

[@jamesshepherd5222]

Steely Dan was and is one of my favorite bands. The quality and quantity of music is mind boggling. I remember my sister buying the Royal Scam album and I have been hooked ever since. Just last night i listened to several hours of this band

[@mikelig8365]

Fantastic song, great exploration into the music. thanks

[@BudFunOne]

Thank you for what you do. It’s amazing.

[@johnshannon9656]

Thank you for doing this song, Rick. The opening guitar solo is the best solo I've ever heard in a rock song. I think this might have been a single - the first time I heard it was when I was a kid, in the back seat of my dad's car, and it was on the radio. But the station could've just been one of those that played album tracks as well as singles. Anyway, thank you for this - great, great, great song. Plenty of mood and the lyrics are killer!

[@davidhoxit4274]

Steely Dan astounds me...I am grateful for your explanations, many thanks Rick!

[@FundamentalsUK]

Agree, Royal Scam is my fav. Amazing playing and songwriting. Thanks for sharing this Rick.

[@tribalskyes4838]

As much as I love the first three albums of S.D. they did this huge leap into these complicated modulations are what sets it apart from all their other albums. Royal Scam is one of the absolute finest musicianship collaborations of the '70's and beyond. It is super timeless and I probably play the the entire album at least a couple of times a month since I bought it in 1976. Thanks for bringing out the Carlton highlights, Rick. Not sure about it being a rock album but, the jazz flavor and the darkness of the album is what always has driven me to it. Thanks, TS.

[@stephenadamsmusicalinterpr4203]

Carol does a great job on the keys, Rick. Thanks for the lesson!

[@ftlpope]

Great video as always. I had forgotten how mind blowing these tunes were at the time. I remember me and my friends were knocked out by Skunk Baxter on My Old School.

[@garylink6673]

Absolutely beautiful bending phrasing.Great job as always.

[@timothybladon9958]

One of my favorites from "The Royal Scam". Great choice Rick!

[@monacaravetta]

I LOVE the solo at the end of the Fez. I always felt like the song ended too soon.

[@AV5Z4]

Wish I had the time and money to get lessons from this guy. I like his attitude and his break down. Rick Beato, keep it up!

[@garrettmcnabb8471]

Fantastic video, Rick! I am a huge Steely Dan fan and love about 99% of their catalog. but this is easily a top 5 song of mine from them. It's great to see this song and Larry Carlton get some love. Like you, I was always obsessed with this solo and how it opens the song. Keep up the great work!

[@lic5970]

You're a beast Rick. Love all your content

[@kentmains7763]

I've been waiting for this one and it does not disappoint! Excellent video!

[@stilldreamin57]

I wish this was live so you could respond, because it was Larry's playing on Kid Charlemagne that totally changed my life with his fusion of Rock & Jazz solos. I also remember reading an article in which Steve Lukather said pretty much the same thing. Larry Carlton's playing on that album, (and I agree, The Royal Scam is Steely Dan's best record), clearly changed the musical lives of so many guitar players. I saw an interview with Larry, and I thought it was one of your videos, and Larry said the first solo on KC took 3 passes, and the outro solo was ONE PASS!

[@jjjrrr8885]

My favorite SD song. The beginning solo was what initially hooked me to the song , Cool vid thanks for covering it...

[@N00dleBandit]

The Royal Scam is such an underrated album. Kid Charlemagne, Caves of Altamira, and Don't Take Me Alive opening the album, right after another. Then closing with the title track, which is in my opinion, their best song.

[@voicetube]

I just realized with a bit more "power," how certainly a group like Steely Dan (and the musicians they chose, etc.) truly built MASTERPIECE works of art. Mr. Beato going through the songs is almost like going back in time and breaking down Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci's moves with their paint strokes, etc. Indeed, masterpieces!

[@alexadvorson1090]

Fantastic work. You've nailed that solo--as well as the Kid Charlemagne one. Bellissimo.

[@k.j.g.9601]

I don’t play guitar nor have I ever thought of the guitar as anything more than the accompaniment to the awesome jazzy base in Steely Dan songs. These videos have completely changed that. But it does show the brilliance and the layers of Steely Dan. That said this dude is flat out awesome!