Author Topic: For Dan Fans (Read 213 times)

kmh364 · « **on:** March 08, 2005, 06:52:23 AM »

For any of you Steely Dan fans: do yourself a favor and get the Classic Albums: AJA DVD. It's not real long, but at about $8 from deepdiscountdvd.com (no S&H or tax), it won't break the bank either.

Messrs. Becker and Fagen dissect their most popular album in the control room, and feature cameos by a fair cross section of the studio luminaries that contributed to it's greatness. Besides a small spattering of live clips (from the late nineties or 2000), they recreate a few of the tunes live in the studio (instrumentally only, neither Donald nor Walter sing on any track). Besides the titular twosome, Jon Herrington on guitar (last two SD tours), and the great rhythmn section of Chuck Rainey and Bernard Purdie round-out the studio group.

The cameos are short, but feature some stellar players e.g. Larry Carlton, Jay Graydon, Denny Dias (his short sweep-picked snippet from his solo on the title track is spectacular...too bad they couldn't show him playing more).

While this certainly could have been improved, it was still a decent DVD pick for eight bucks (Hendrix's making of Electric Ladyland is awesome as well). If you love those guys, you can't go wrong.

BTW, I haven't made a Hi-Fi equipment purchase over the past 25-plus years without first auditioning them via the Dan's AJA LP, er, um CD...whoops, I guess I'm dating myself there, LOL!

bigredbass · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2005, 09:51:22 PM »

KMH

Of course, I always audition gear with Fagen's The NightFly.

For an insider's view of the sessions for that DVD, go to chuckrainey.com; be prepared, though. Despite being one of the masters, Chuck has a slightly pained outlook on some things, I think you'll hear it. There's two posts, one regarding his work on AJA, and the Aja reunion.

J o e y

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2005, 06:27:29 AM »

Joey; Rainey's comments are indeed interesting. Thanks.

kmh364 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2005, 06:49:37 AM »

Nightfly is an all-time fave of mine as well. Maxine is a particularly gorgeous stand-out arrangement in an oustandingly strong album.

Not having yet seen Rainey's website, I imagine he has the same comments as most of Dan's collaborators with regard to Messrs. Becker and Fagen's obsessive/compulsive disorder, LOL!

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2005, 09:56:05 PM »

KMH:

Check out Donald's New York Rock and Soul Revue CD if you can find it. Guests include Phoeve Snow, Michael MacDonald, Boz Scaggs, and the late Charles Brown. Besides the fabulous soul covers, there's live versions of 'Green Flower Street', 'Chain Lightning', and 'Pretzel Logic'. The recording quality is not up to AJA or THE NIGHTFLY, but it sure is fine, nonetheless.

Let me take a little advantage of your moto knowledge: I really want a dual-purpose bike. Is there a better one for the money than the Kawasaki KLR650?

Where DID you get them shoes?

J o e y

kmh364 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2005, 04:15:33 AM »

Joey:

I got that one (NYR&SR) about five years back. It's very good. That was supposedly the seed that grew into the 93 SD reunion tour, and the subsequent '96, '00, and '02 tours.

Bear in mind I am not the Japanese bike expert I used to be, and the fact that I am primarily a street bike (i.e., Harley) rider. That said, beating the KLR for the dollar @ $5199 is tough. There's lots of aftermarket parts/accessories/upgrades available for it as well. At that price range you've ruled out the more exotic (and expensive) Dakar Rally-winning KTM's and BMW's. Honda's XR650L @ $5499 ('04 price) is a decent bike, and Honda is among the best in reliability, engineering, and fit/finish in the industry (the R model-version has won the Baja so many times I've lost count). Suzuki's DR650SE is $4999, and isn't a bad bike.

Bear in mind that those are MSRP's, so visit the dealers and make a deal while we're still in Winter. They're also bound to have leftover new models, so you can save even more dosh with a little effort. Don't rule out the web either: Competition Accessories out in Ohio (a dealer for all Jap makes and Ducati) makes killer deals over the net/phone and they will ship. They have great prices on parts/accesories as well, particularly on OEM parts.

Try the web for reviews of the above if you're undecided. Motorcycle Consumer News is a great resource, but there are a lot of magazines that cater to the Japanese bike market, like Cycle World or Motorcyclist that will have back reviews as well (the nearby public library may have back issues as well).

BTW, Whitehorse Press sells KLR accesories and they also have that Jerry Motorman Palladino video that is similar to what the MSF experienced rider course teaches, but is more intense. Highly recommended to save your bacon on the road. Don't forget to take an MSF course as soon as you can....you may thank me later, LOL! You may also wish to try the Danny Walker Supercamp course. Grand National Dirt Track style-riding (dirt circle, left turns only, steel shoe on left foot while dragging it in the dirt at speed!)on Honda XR-100's at 10/10's! That'll teach you how to slide that beast of a DP bike on the dirt. Enjoy!

(Message edited by kmh364 on March 12, 2005)

bigredbass · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2005, 11:37:57 AM »

KMH

Thanks for the great suggestions!

You're right, as much as I admire KTM and BMW, they're a little pricey and the parts/service I'm sure are in the Mercedes range.

The Suzi I didn't like. The Honda is just TOO DAMN TALL, and I'm 6'1. The Kawi has been around a LONG time, lots of aftermarket, the dealership techs figured them out a long time ago, and I REALLY like the 6 gallon tank for the range, although I'm sure I'll feel it when full. Plus it's all traditional, mechanically (carb, chain, etc.) and I could do my own maintenance (no FI, anti-lock brakes, multiple carbs, etc.).

I really wanted a motorcycle 'jeep', OK on or off road. There's LOTS of places to get lost here in Tennessee, and it seems like the best of the lot, PLUS it just feels 'right' when I get on it. The handlebar/seat/pegs/ground relationship suits me.

And I would NEVER go back riding WITHOUT all the MSF courses I can glom onto. I'm old enough to be afraid, so that's good.

One thing I wish you would bring up when you instructors are airing things out: I'd give ANYTHING if the local police motorcycle officers would have classes. I'm sure there's lots of these guys that are MSF instructors, but I'd LOVE to get taught by these heroes who basically ride for a living. They've seen it ALL.

J o e y

kmh364 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2005, 05:48:41 PM »

Joey:

You're welcome.

The bike's gotta fit you, and vice-versa. The K.I.S.S. principle works for bikes too. Out on your own, being able to fix the thing by yourself with basic tools can be a matter of life and death. Find your best deal and go for the Kawi.

Taking an MSF course BEFORE you venture out on an unfamiliar bike is the best thing you can do. Dual purpose bikes are to be approached with particular caution. Something designed for more than one purpose tends to be not particularly great at any one of them. That's not a derogatory remark, nor is it an intended insult. What I mean is that DP bikes don't quite behave like other road-only bikes on the road, especially with DP tires and suspension settings, nor do they behave like dedicated off-road bikes due to the compromised DP tires, suspension and extra weight. My point is this: be careful on that thing until you get the full feel of how it behaves in your desired riding venues. Taking it to an MSF course will take care of showing you the expected road behavior (excepting high-speed stuff...you're on your own there). In the dirt, just take it slow and build up to speed or you'll likely end up rubber-side-up in no time flat. Get yourself a good OEM service manual and stock up on maintenance items and spares: Your bike will experience accelerated wear/tear when you off-road the thing. Keep it clean, lubed, adjusted and all fasteners tight and torqued properly (Do it EACH time you ride!) and you'll avoid unnecessary trips to the dealer and the E.R., LOL!

BTW, one of my instructors was a NYPD Motor officer. Actually, there are plenty of 'em as MSF Instructors. I went to my group interview for the MSF Instructor (RiderCoach) training program candidate position. Two out of the fifteen candidates present were Motor Officers. Wish me luck: there are over thirty candidates vying for twelve paid positions! They may offer another class of twelve, but that still leaves some of us out in the cold.

(Message edited by kmh364 on March 13, 2005)

kmh364 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2005, 04:19:14 AM »

Joey:

Getting back to the original purpose of this thread, I read Rainey's comments RE: the Dan and Aja and it was quite an eye opener. I had assumed he would just comment on how difficult it is to work with Donald and Walter due to their well-known perfectionist stance. Being a Dan fan, it's not easy to hear the two legends get knocked. Having seen them several times, I realize that they are not the greatest musicians to have ever lived. Their playing is more than adequate live, the touring band is always good, and the music is great. While I figured they used sidemen to do the parts they couldn't, I didn't realize that they weren't as musically competent as I had always believed. Rainey does come across as somewhat bitter and egotistical, but that is his take, like it or not. He is most certainly entitled to his opinion. He should know what he is talking about: He's an excellent, well-rounded musician, with a stellar resume' and has chops to back it up. What do they say?...The truth hurts, LOL!

Regardless, to me, the Dan's strength lies not in musical notatative skills nor sight-reading capability, nor outright instrument prowess. It lies in their ability to come-up with a musical idea and have the ability to envision the composition in their heads and pick the right musicians with the capability to compose, arrange and perform the right parts to fulfill the whole of that vision.

Like I always say: I don't know exactly what I want, but I'll know when I get it it!, LOL! That about sums up Becker and Fagen.

kmh364 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2005, 12:06:11 PM »

After discussing this DVD with my guitar instructor, I'm loaning it to him as I'm anxious to see his take on it. He's a brilliant and gifted musician and a former child musical prodigy. On top of that, he is familiar with the Dan's axeman of choice for the past two albums and the supporting tours, Jon Herrington. It seems that He and Jon shared some music classes together in college. Jon appears with Messrs. Rainey and Purdy (et al) in all the live reinactments of songs contained on AJA that were staged in order to flesh out the DVD.

(Message edited by kmh364 on March 21, 2005)