Two Against Nature is eight: "Who's gonna break the shape of things unknown"

Excuse us for getting a wee bit sentimental today. But February 29 marks the eight year anniversary of Steely Dan's comeback album Two Against Nature. Winning four Grammys including Album of The Year - something were all reminded of each year when the "professional" commentators on the latest Grammy Awards criticise the choice of over-the-hill and out-of-fashion music. Oh well... I wouldn't bother if I were them. Which I'm not.

So I am enjoying Two Against Nature as much today as I did back in 2000, when on the 29 of February I picked up my pre-ordered copy at the local music store, bought my very first bottle of tequila, went home and sat down with the headphones to listen to the record over and over again while going over the booklet smiling. I've been smiling ever since. Happy to have Steely Dan back and looking forward to the next chapter.

Hey, Donald & Walter; thanks for the music!

We'll add the whole album to the Radio Dupree playlist over the weekend.

And there's always the official Two Against Nature page.

Drummer Buddy Miles dies

From buddymiles.com:

George Allen "Buddy" Miles passed away late last night in Austin, Texas after a long fight with congestive heart disease.

Born in Omaha in 1947, Buddy was a child prodigy, initially playing drums with his father George,Sr.'s band The Bebops. His nickname – given to him by his aunt - came from his tremendous love for his idol, Buddy Rich (they once played on stage together).

He played in a variety of bands as a teenager including the Ink Spots and the Delfonics; at 14 years old, he played with Wilson Pickett. In 1967, together with Mike Bloomfield, he founded the Electric Flag, one of the first, if not the first, mixed race electric blues bands. With Bloomfield's searing guitar licks and the high wail of a terrific horn section, the Flag was a raving celebration, especially with Buddy's voice ringing o'er the top. After only two albums, the group broke up and Buddy formed the infamous Buddy Miles Express.

Soon thereafter, Buddy began his legendary collaboration with Jimi Hendrix, participating in the famous Electric Ladyland sessions on "Rainy Day, Dream Away" and "Still Raining, Still Dreaming," and taking his place with Billy Cox in the all-black, short-lived but extremely influential Band of Gypsys. Their classic Live at the Fillmore East recording from New Years' Eve 1969/70 – in its initial release – featured a spot where Hendrix broke a guitar string, and during the 5 or so minutes it took Jimi to replace the string, Buddy carried on singing an improvised solo (replete with mouth-made wah-wah sounds) over the bass and drums until Hendrix slyly slipped back in the mix.
The moment bears testimony to Buddy's capacity to carry the band himself with an energy which was all his own. This live session also feat red an early version of "Them Changes," a composition recorded and played by countless artists over time, which has safely entered the pantheon of rock music.

Buddy went on famously to work with Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin and many others and he was the voice on the best-selling California Raisins albums (and commercials) including a wondrous version of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine."

Flo & Eddie classics on CD

Flo & Eddie, or Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan of the group The Turtles, are releasing their back catalogue on cd for the first time. The first two albums ("The Phlorescent Leech & Eddie" and "Flo & Eddie") have been issued on ONE cd.
The same goes for the next two albums in Flo & Eddie's catalogue "Illegal, Immoral and Fattening" and "Moving Targets".
Their albums have been out of print for years. Particularly the two first ones have been sought after items by fans and collectors.
Flo & Eddie have worked with celebrities as Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Joni Mitchell and Bruce Springsteen.
More information on the Flo & Eddie cd:s can be found on http://www.theturtles.com/

Catch a Keith Carlock clinic in Denmark!

As we've already reported drummer Keith Carlock is currently touring Denmark and the Czech Republic with Chris Minh Doky & The Nomad All Stars. The other stars being Hiram Bullock and Ricky Peterson. Both with a "Steely Dan past".

It was Carsten in Denmark who alerted us to this tour and he's also the one who's written to tell that Keith will hold two of his drum clinics in Denmark:

Februrary 28 at 14.00/2.00 p.m.
Det Fynske Musikonservatorium, Islandsgade 2, 5000 Odense.

March 6 at 14.00/2.00 p.m.
Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium, Leo Mathisensvej 1, Holmen, 1437 København/Copenhagen.

Some more info in Danish can be found here!

Chris Minh Doky & The Nomad All Stars - Remaining tour dates:

27 feb 2008 Godset, Kolding
28 feb 2008 Rytmeposten, Odense
29 feb 2008 Train, Aarhus

01 mar 2008 Skråen, Aalborg
02 mar 2008 Arken, Ishoej
03 mar 2008 Club Parnik, Ostrava

04 mar 2008 Lucerna Music Bar, Prague
05 mar 2008 Store Vega, Copenhagen
06 mar 2008 Portalen, Greve

07 mar 2008 Albertslundhuset, Albertslund
08 mar 2008 Stars, Vordingborg

Hopefully we'll get a report or two from the shows/clinics.

Weekend music: Parodies shreds

We first saw Santeri Ojolas musical parodies on YouTube a month ago, but when we decided to link to the Carlos Santana video this weekend we found they were all gone.
A quick google search later we learned that three copyright complaints had been sent to YouTube who then closed Santeri's account. Our countryman and boring old fart/guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen is mentioned as one of the people responsible for the parodies disappearing.

At least from YouTube.Thankfully Wired video has put them all online. Read the article here and enjoy the "great" playing by Santana and friends here:

Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday, Walter!

Photo: Danny Clinch

One half of Steely Dan turns 58 on February 20. Here's hoping Walter Becker has a great day and that his solo album will be out "soonish".
In the meantime you should give his 11 Tracks Of Whack from 1994 a listen:

Donald Fagen on Radio Margaritaville

I did manage to tune in the right time of day this time, and was able to listen to Donald's one hour show on Sirius Radio's Radio Margaritaville channel.

Less talk than on the Pure Jazz channel, but I could definitely get used to Donald the radio DJ. A pretty cool persona with the odd piece of info on the artist or recording.

And the playlist? I didn't know what to expect and this is what was played:

Perez Prado & His Orchestra - Mambo #8
Perez Prado - Patricia
The Slickers - Johnny Too Bad
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - Hard Times
Dionne Warwick - Land Of Make Believe
Mbuti Pygmies - Molimo Fire Dance Song
Elis Regina & Antonio Carlos Jobim - So Tinha De Ser Com Voce
Machito - Donde Estaabus Tu
Stan Kenton - Maria
Herbie Mann - Comin' Home Baby
Tito Rodriguez - Liza
Cal Tjader - Soul Sauce (Guachi Guaro)
Esquivel - Miniskirt
Cal Tjader - Afro Blue
Nelson Riddle - Lolita Ya-Ya
The Mighty Terror - TV Calypso
Lolita Flores - Vete De Mi

So I have this show, the Pure Jazz show as well as a part of the first Sirius Radio show Donald Fagen did this month; the one on the Totally 70s channel. Expect some sort of collective report on what these three shows contained besides the music played towards the end of the week/weekend.

Fagen the DJ: Sirius replay tonight!

Looks like they're giving us all a second chance to hear Donald's second show; the one on the Margaritaville channel. Here's what it says on http://www.sirius.com/radiomargaritaville:

"Guest DJ: Donald Fagen
Tonight 10:00 pm ET
We're going to Margaritaville, with Donald Fagen as our musical tour guide! We’re replaying the Donald Fagen Radio Margaritaville Guest DJ show, where Donald plays some of his all-time favorite music inspired by the tropics."

OK. I'm setting the alarm and will try to catch the show 4 in the morning CET (Central European Time).

Finally: Caught the final Fagen show on Sirius

Happy to report that I managed to catch the third and final show on Sirius satellite radio with Donald Fagen acting as guest DJ.

The news of the three shows was posted on donaldfagen.com six days before the first show was aired.
February 7 he was a guest on the '70's channel and Magic Matt's Celebrity Thursday.

I never bothered to check out the possibility of listening over the web as I recalled that I had tried that a couple of years ago and found out that you couldn't listen from outside the US. Either way I was sure fans in the States would listen and/or record to report what was said and what was played.

But the reality of it was that not one word was reported on the Steely Dan fan-sites. Odd. Strange. And slightly weird. Surely at least three or four diehard fans in the USA had access to the Sirius satellite radio signal and would tune in and listen?
In the end Carsten from Denmark seem to be the only one who caught at least part of the show. Online using the free three day trial. A bit wiser I signed up to catch Donald's next appearance.

Wednesday 13 was the day he was a guest DJ on the Margaritaville channel. I signed up a day or so before and everything was working fine. Except my grasp of time and when the show actually aired. To me - used to a 24 hour clock and view of the day - "Wednesday 12.00 midnight" could mean either midnight between Tuesday and Wednesday or midnight between Wednesday and Thursday. I finally chanced on it being the latter as that would fit in better with my working week. That - of course - made me miss the show by a mere 12 hours! Damn "a.m." and "p.m."!!!

Just like the first one this didn't result in any reports or reactions on the fans pages. A couple of posts asked for what was played, but no answer appeared.

Quotes from the excellent, original and still first choice for Steely Dan news; dandom.com's BlueBook:

• As i had my radio all set up to record DF on Sirius 70s I heard about 20 seconds of banter when, for the first time since December, my signal cuts out and I lose transmission. OF COURSE, murphy's law at its finest.
• So I guess no one heard the first Sirius Fagen event at all since there are no reports????
• Anybody got the playlist f. Sirius?
• So how was Donald on Sirius this past Thursday?
• May anybody post the playlist of the sirius show?

Saturday 16 was the final show and the final chance for me to listen in. I had to sign up for another three day trial but finally caught Donald on Pure Jazz/72, where I heard him play his and Walters jazz favourites.
The show was 90 minutes long and I managed to record it.
Donald told some memories and stories to go with the music and I'll get back to those, but right now I have to get some sleep - it's 6 a.m. here! So I'll end with a listing of the artists/tracks played:

1. Cannonball Adderley - Toy
2. Gene Ammons & Sonny Stitt - There Is No Greater Love
3. Miles Davis - It Could Happen To You
4. Red Garland - Birk's Works
5. Dizzy Gillespie - Dizzy's Business
6. Dizzy Gillespie - On The Sunny Side Of The Street
7. Dizzy Gillespie - Something In Your Smile
8. Horace Silver -Song Of My Father
9. Coleman Hawkins - Swingin' Skotch
10. Charles Mingus - Slop
11. Gerry Mulligan - Blueport
12. Benny Goodman - Good-Bye

P.S. My guess is that the fans will focus on Donald's comments before he played Horace Silver's Song Of My Father. Some will believe that Donald didn't catch the similarities between the tune and the opening of Rikki Don't Lose That Number, while some will stick with the "borrowed" theory.

Minor update on donaldfagen.com

Added:
One paragraph or eight sentences of text to the Lexi Says page. You do the dechipering...

More on "Boo!"

"Was (Not Was), the seminal, indestructible art-funk collective from Detroit, is back from hibernation and ready to ensnare the innocent with its snaky beats and brain-virus lyrics. The new album and Rykodisc debut, Boo! is set for release on April 8, 2008 in the U.S. / April 7, 2008 UK and worldwide."

That's the opening line of the press-release. For more on the album follow this link to the press release.

And here's a reminder of how they sounded ... with Kim Basinger and Ozzy Osbourne on guest vocals!

Carolyn Leonhart on Bloomberg Radio

Yet another radio show of interest to the Steely Dan fan:
Carolyn Leonhart will be on the Bloomberg Radio show The Bloomberg Muse Sunday Februray 10. I am sure the interview will mention both Steely Dan as well as her and husband Wayne Escoffery's latest album If Dreams Come True.

Listen link, program schedule and stuff can be found here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/tvradio/radio/

Jon Herington interview

Inside MusicCast have an audio interview with gutarist Jon Herington published January 25. Go here and have a listen!

And another Steely Dan man; drummer Bernard Purdie, has also been interviewed by Inside MusicCast. That interview, published November 11, 2007, can also be found on the site.

A couple more useful links:
http://www.jonherington.com/
http://bernardpurdie.com/

Chris Minh Doky & The Nomad All Stars update

We've already mentioned the ucoming February/March tour on the Radio Dupree homepage: Chris Minh Doky & The Nomad All Stars with Hiram Bullock, Ricky Peterson and Keith Carlock. All three with a Steely Dan past.

Carsten from Denmark has alerted us to an update on Keith Carlock's MySpace site comfirming the dates.
The tour will include gigs in Denmark and the Czech Republic.

"first record"?? News to me!

Let's go back in time to 1972. Steely Dan release the debut album Can't But A Thrill produced by Gary Katz.

Fast foward to 2008 and a press release for An evening with the stars of doo wop March 1 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, USA with - amongst others - Kenny Vance & The Planotones.

Quote: In the years that followed, Kenny Vance began an expansive career that kicked off with producing the first record for Walter Becker and Donald Fagen - Steely Dan.

News to me :-)

NASA sends The Beatles across the universe

Yep. 7 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday February 4 NASA will beam The Beatles song Across The Universe out in to space.

Here's what NASA writes:
The transmission over NASA's Deep Space Network will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the day The Beatles recorded the song, as well as the 50th anniversary of NASA's founding and the group's beginnings. Two other anniversaries also are being honored: The launch 50 years ago this week of Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite, and the founding 45 years ago of the Deep Space Network, an international network of antennas that supports missions to explore the universe.

The transmission is being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, which is located 431 light years away from Earth. The song will travel across the universe at a speed of 186,000 miles per second.

Read more here.

We can't help but share the comment left by Uncle Sams nephew on the NASA site:

"Is this a serious attempt at communication or just some half-baked feelgood thing solely for a few people here to feel warm & fuzzy?

Stop wasting U.S. taxpayer money. Could've at least sent it in a format for easy decoding (like AM)... not like the transmission will orbit around Polaris while some distant civilization figures out what an MP3 digital stream is and how to decode it.The MP3 specs should be transmitted as well. And if you can only send a digital transmission, how about an uncompressed raw format for decoding.

Also hope you got the RIAA's permission for this- music sharing is a no-no.

This isn't rocket science."


In the meantime Radio Dupree has already launched the monthly update of our homepage. It happened this evening. Our Album of the Month won't need no shoes and apparently fans of sometimes-Steely Dan drummer Keith Carlock can catch him playing in Denmark this month! Read more on the Radio Dupree homepage.

Donald Fagen on Sirius Satellite Radio

Thursday, February 7
Channel: '70's
Event: Magic Matt 'Celebrity Thursday' with Donald Fagen!
Time: 7:00am EST

Wednesday, February 13
Channel: Margaritaville
Event: Donald Fagen Interview
Time: 12:00 midnight EST.


Saturday, February 16
Channel: Pure Jazz/72
Event: Guest DJ Donald Fagen of Steely Dan
Time: 10 pm ET

More info at donaldfagen.com
More on Sirius Satellite Radio: http://www.sirius.com/

My only question is: Who can help me out with a recording of all three shows?