Complete unedited transcript of Steely Dan in conference in the CompuServe Convention Center(tm) on October 20, 1995.
Sponsored by the CompuServe Online Steely Dan Fanclub. GO STEELYDAN.
Glenn: hello everyone....
Glenn: welcome to an evening with Steely Dan
Glenn: Donald Fagen...
Glenn: and Walter Becker...
Glenn: without further ado..
.
TOM BREWSTER asks: IS " EAST ST. LOUIS TOODLE-OO" THE ONLY COVER STEELY DAN HAS
RECORDED?
Glenn: % Moderator recognizes [102354,405] Steely Dan
Glenn: % Recognized [102354,405] Steely Dan
Steely Dan: WB - Yes it is
Barney asks: Your classic "Ricki Don't lose that number" ... is the lyric a plea
on the part of a friend of a heroin abuser ... that (she) should call him if she
needs to kick the habit and the urge to use grows too great?
Steely Dan: WB - Of all of the outre interpretations of the lyrics of Riki that
is the most boring yet (ga)
peter asks: I've been both a fan of your music and a casual student of Medieval
History since my college days back in the '70s. I'd really like to know what
prompted you to write "Kings", as royal secession in twelfth and thirteenth
century Britain is not the stuff of which most pop songs are made.
Steely Dan: DF - We wanted to write a song that would chain mail (ga)
David Lavalley asks: Donald and Walter,
The guitar solo from "Don't Take Me Alive" is my all-time favorite...just rips
my head off.
Who played it, and how far did you go in composing solos vs. letting players
improvise?
P.S. Glad you're back
Steely Dan: WB - that particular solo, a doosey, was played by Larry Carlton
Steely Dan: DF -That's Larry "Mr. Guitar" Carlton
Steely Dan: WB - All of the solos on our records were improvised by the players
themselves, with no more than the occasional ryeballed encouragement offered up
bu ys
Steely Dan: (ga)
John asks: To Donald: With all the mixed reaction to Kamakyriad, (I loved it,
naturally), what's your outlook for another state of the art digitally recorded
new cd?
Steely Dan: DF - What thehell are you talking about, what mixed reaction
everyone I knew love it, it was nominated for records of the Year
Steely Dan: WB - Actually I think I had a couple of reservations about one thing
and another, perhaps now would be as good as a time as any.... of the hell with
it (ga)
Marc Printz asks: What is the difference between Pretzel Logic and Predicate
Logic?
Steely Dan: DF - Nickt verstehen. (ga)
Nancy asks: Using Walter's "Quick Read Song Quotes" format, how would you
classify your political beliefs? Have they changed any from the '60s and '70s?
Steely Dan: DF - That's a good one
Steely Dan: DF - Nixon then. Gingrich now. Same old, same old.
Steely Dan: WB - Anarcho-Syndicalist gutterpuppies with a taste for a well put
backbeat (ga)
Harris Bookfor asks: Steely Dan's music can be categorized as having jazz, adult
contemporary and rock influences. Some songs have a blend of several types of
music. The last few Becker-Fagen-SD albums appear to be gravitating away from
rock. What does the future hold?
Steely Dan: DF - Its breath
Steely Dan: WB - Just you wait (ga)
Big Al asks: Do you know about the "Steely Damned", a 13 piece band in San
Diego, that does a great job covering exclusively Steely Dan material?
Steely Dan: WB - Yes and it is my fond dream of someday surprising them at their
nasty work and sitting in for a set or two...don't tell them though (ga)
Brian asks: I)
Ordinary robots would blow up trying to compute some of your material. In a
Universe without art how would you reconcile the two inputs of 1) WONDERFUL
MUSICIANSHIP AND MELODY and 2)CHARMING CYNICISM AND BIZARRE LYRICAL IMAGERY?(all
good things)
Steely Dan: DF - I assume you mean how would we channel our unique energies in a
world without art. Rollerball maybe
Steely Dan: WB - I never liked Art as much as Zoot. (ga)
mike p. asks: What is your favorite SD song and which is your least favorite
Steely Dan: WB - Favortie is "The Elephant's Secret" . All the others are tied
for second. (ga)
Robert Drumm asks: What are your plans? More touring? A Studio album? A video?
Steely Dan: DF - A video
Steely Dan: WB - A series of videos. (ga)
Chad asks: Walter, which one track is not a track of whack?
ps...loved the Chicago '93 show..travelled 800 miles & a harried customs
crossing for it!!!!
Steely Dan: WB - The one in the back. (ga)
Brian Caterino asks: Is Donald Fagen doing anymore work with the New York Rock
and Soul Review?
Simon J. Gregory asks: What are each of your top 5 favorate albums that have
been released in the last several years?
Steely Dan: DF - Not at the present time. (ga)
Dan Butler asks: I have a CD called "Becker and Fagen, Founders of Steely Dan,
Greatest Hits Volume 1". It doesn't sound very produced. The label is
"Fabulous Sounds". My suspicions are that this may be an "unauthorized"
recording. Is it?
Steely Dan: WB - The last five Milli Vanilli albums were bitchin' . (ga)
Steely Dan: WB - This recording is part of a series of recordings dedicated to
financing the college education of a former managers children. (ga)
Marcus Allen asks: Walter and Donald...which one of you came up with the name
"Steely Dan"? Is it true that it came from the movie "Naked Lunch"?
Steely Dan: DF - I did
Steely Dan: WB - I did
Steely Dan: DF - Yea from the movie
Steely Dan: WB - Same for me (ga)
Dave asks:The Eagles and Bee Gees had a big influence on
your 70's albums. How has Michael Bolton
inspired you?
Steely Dan: WB - He has inspired my hairline to receed at an ever accelerating
pace. (ga)
Abisch/Scott asks: is the website address in the "liner notes" from Alive in
America legit?
Steely Dan: WB - try it and see. (ga)
John Dawson asks: What did you play on Letterman tonight, and how'd you choose?
Steely Dan: DF - "The Elephant's Secret", it is our favortie song. But you
should know that by now. (ga)
Steve asks: there is still about 4 songs that were not released on citzen steely
dan why?
Glenn: % Moderator recognizes [103071,1547] Steve
Glenn: % Recognized [103071,1547] Steve
Glenn: what songs there Steve?
Glenn: Go Ahead!
Keith Rosenfield asks: What album aould you suggest for someone who wants to
hear Steely Dan at their best?
Glenn: while Steve thinks Steve: dallas , and i forgot the others but they were released on b sides
Steely Dan: WB/DF "Becker and Fagen, Founders of Steely Dan, Greatest Hits,
Volume 1". (ga)
Glenn: thanks Steve
Glenn: % Moderator no longer recognizes [103071,1547] Steve
Glenn: % [103071,1547] Steve is no longer recognized
Steely Dan: WB - "Dallas" was left out because it is stinko.
Steely Dan: DF - Ditto for the others. (ga)
George asks: Can you define a mu-major chord? It is the type of major chords in
in the song Peg?
Steely Dan: DF - As I told the prodigy hacker the other night, a mu major chord
is a major triad with an added second. (ga)
Scott Butler asks: Sci-fi author William Gibson, father of the term "cyberpunk",seems to be a big fan of Steely Dan. Have either of you ever read any of his
work?
Steely Dan: WB - Of course we have, and he is entitled to his opinion concerning great music of the 20th Century.
peter asks: Donald, I remember reading in an interview 10 or 12 years ago that
you said you wanted to be a "dirty old man" when you grew up? Still aspiring?
Steely Dan: DF - I am proud to say I have achieved my goal. (ga)
Tjitze van Dijk asks: I am from the Netherlands. Dutch fans would love to see
and hear you live in concert. Do you have plans to tour Europe?
Steely Dan: WB - We hope that we will be able to bring a band to Europe in the
next year ot two. (ga)
Tam asks: Do you have any pets?If so what and how many?
Steely Dan: WB - I have, or rather my family has, a dog, 2 cats, a tweetie bird
of some sort, various reptiles, and, until their unfortunate demise earlier this
week, a chincilkla or two which were loaners
Steely Dan: DF - I had a pet peeve, but it escaped out the window, never to be
seen again. )ga)
Dave asks: No wonder you both hated interviews, don't these questions all suck?
Glenn: now now Dave!
Glenn: that one did
Steely Dan: DF - Right on, bro (ga)
Big Al asks:A publisher in L.A. told me he heard some masters of your stuff
from MCA's vaults that was never released. What up with this?
Steely Dan: WB - Probably a liar
Steely Dan: DF - Or certainly a nasty rumor at best.
Steely Dan: WB - Our own exhaustive search of the archives produced nothing in
the way of releasable material. (ga)
Russ Ketchum asks: Do you plan on producing any of your "older material" that
has not been previously recorded "legally" I am refering spesifically to things
like " Andriod Warehouse" or "Oh, Wow it's you"?
Steely Dan: WB - Well those are catchy numbers, but chances are we'll
concentrate on new material when we get back to recording. (ga)
C Dembeck asks: Where did you get the night fly from? A talk-show?
Steely Dan: DF - As far as I know its original material. (ga)
Simon J. Gregory asks: When do you predict your next studio album will come out?
Steely Dan: DF - First we have to get up the courage to tell our parents.
Steely Dan: WB - Well said. (ga)
Tim Weston asks: Hi guys. Gee what a thrill. I was wondering if there's any
truth to the rumour that your once made Kay Starr sing the bridge to "Parker's
Band" 50 times, taunting her with the phrase; "That was perfect; do one more."
Tim Weston
Steely Dan: WB - Let me alert the assembled audience that this question has been
posed by a ringer.
Steely Dan: DF - I feel that this question is evidence that a Stafford Boy is
online.
Steely Dan: WB - The legitimate heir to the Jo Stafford-Paul Weston musical
legacy.
Steely Dan: DF - P.S Say hello to Darlene and Jonathan Edwards. (ga)
David Barber asks: Walter, any story behind the guitar of yours on display at
the Hard Rock Cafe here in Nashville?
Steely Dan: WB - I would need to know which guitar that was.
Steely Dan: DF - That's funny because a guitar of yours was on display at the
Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm.
Steely Dan: WB - There is one in Pnom Penh too. (ga)
Liz asks: What is the biggest change in music industry since you started
recording?
Steely Dan: DF - Automation
Alfred Hardaway asks: Who is your most influential musician on your music? Do
you share musical influences?
Glenn: for the last question of the eve.
Steely Dan: WB - The drummer. He's your number one make or break guy. (ga)
Steely Dan: WB\DF - Thank you and good night.
Steely Dan: WB - Goodnight Donald
Steely Dan: DF - Goodnight Walter
Glenn: thank you guys! To everyone GO STEELYDAN to visit the online fan club.
We'll post the transcript
Glenn: for this chat in there!