Steely Who ?

newsense · #1 01-29-2012, 11:32 AM

Like many others on this forum, one of my favourite rock bands is Steely Dan.

This popped out at me from YouTube the other day:

YouTube Video

Clearly this Steely Dan have leaked across some interdimensional membrane from a parallel universe. Apart from the Skunk, the Dan have been morphed with a weird selection of 70's rockers !

Be thankful Emerson didn't take vocals on this one, (although I could really do without the chick with ringlets who did).

Patrick2 · #2 01-29-2012, 01:02 PM

I actually likeed it . . . (up until about 4.30) and there is no bigger Steely Dan fan than I am. Was that Entwhistle (SP? WHO's bassist)?

voxwerx · #3 01-29-2012, 01:40 PM

Joe Walsh- priceless. Definitely Entwistle on Bass... recognize that right hand action anywhere. Thanks for posting that!

Patrick2 · #4 01-29-2012, 02:24 PM

Yeah ...I noticed the right hand before I even looked up at his face. What about the drummer?? He's a monster . . . almost looks like EVH's brother?

voxwerx · #5 01-29-2012, 02:52 PM

I cheated and watched the video on YouTube- it lists the players. The drummer is Simon Phillips.

Flat · #6 01-29-2012, 03:19 PM

Singer's the weak link, imho. Those cats and that's the best they could get? Who is that anyway?

newsense · #7 01-30-2012, 04:17 AM

The singer is Rick Livingstone.

Who ?

This is what his web-site says about him:

"recorded more than 500 national and regional TV and radio commercials, including spots for Coca Cola, Ford, Burger King, General Motors, Busch Beer".

That's quite a CV some really hot b(r)ands there !

cmajor9 · #8 01-30-2012, 08:12 AM

Wow, thanks... that was fun! Weird, but fun.

Worth it just for the Joe Walsh solo. And where else can you see JW play a Stratocaster, he's normally a Gibson man?

Patrick2 · #9 01-30-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat

Singer's the weak link, imho. Those cats and that's the best they could get? Who is that anyway?

The singer occupied his spot. He did the job required of him. He's no Steve Perry, but then . . . who is?

cmajor9 · #10 01-30-2012, 09:21 AM

Steve Perry singing Steely Dan? Now you've put a really strange image in my head...

Patrick2 · #11 01-30-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmajor9

Steve Perry singing Steely Dan? Now you've put a really strange image in my head...

That would be pretty interesting wouldn't it?? No, of course I wasn't suggesting that, as I'm sure you know. On the other hand, someone with Perry's talents could probably adapt his style to fit any (almost any) genre. By the way, Donald Fagen is also no Steve Perry!

I was just responding to what I took exception with in the post claiming that the singer was the weakest link in the band. "is that the best they could get?" wasn't a very kind remark about a guy who earned his spot on that stage. I really shouldn't take exception to those types of comments because I know they're pretty much just off the cuff thinking out loud kinda stuff. Sometimes it might seem like I am on a "Holyer than thou" save the world mission. I really don't mean to come off as such . . . but, I sorta put myself in the artists shoes and can sometimes imagine how dispiriting it would be if an artist over heard disparaging remarks about his/her talents or performances. The guy has a great resume at the jingle level and he was really giving all he had to give up on stage.

Flat · #12 01-30-2012, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick2

The singer occupied his spot. He did the job required of him. He's no Steve Perry, but then . . . who is?

Yeah, I agree. I think he actually sang his part extremely well. I can see why he'd get called for a lot of top-drawer vocal session work. On tape, he'd be fine, maybe great.

"You deserve a break today, so get up and get away..."

No problem. Let Rick rip.

Just something about the perm and the prancing and hip wiggles threw me. I guess its because I hold Becker, Fagan, Skunk, et alia at an extremely high level of regard. Virtually my apex of commercial music. Rick L just seemed to lack a little gravitas compared to the other cats.

And I don't think he has the vaguest clue what the song is about. Singing about the transient worthlessness of material things in "Bodhisattva" -- in a curly blond perm and sequined spandex? No off-putting irony in that, is there? He looked like he was auditioning for a Van Halen or Poison or Great White Lionsnake tribute band.

Very competent singer though, no question. Sure he earned his spot on the stage--he got there. Good for him.

But, c'mon Patrick:

John Entwistle + Joe Walsh + Skunk Baxter + Simon Phillips on a Becker & Fagan classic with vocals by ___________.

Tough slot to fill. Even Steve Perry would be the weak link in that band. And not at all the right voice for a Fagan tune, in my opinion. But at least Perry's got a CV that hangs with the others'.

All subjective, of course. But talk about lacking gravitas...Steve Perry? Really? Acrobatic as heck. Powerful, pure, classic voice. But not at all right for that song.

From Journey to Steely Dan? A bridge too far for Perry, imho.

Great clip to see though. Thanks for the link, newsense.

Side question: Whose voice WOULD fit? (besides Fagan, not at all a great singer in the classic sense like the limber quasicastrato Perry, but fantastic all the same)

newsense · #13 01-31-2012, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat

Side question: Whose voice WOULD fit? (besides Fagan, not at all a great singer in the classic sense like the limber quasicastrato Perry, but fantastic all the same)

I know all the Dan back catalogue by heart and I sound great in the car or the shower, but these guys never called - Damn !

I could also double up on guitar - I can get half way through the Carlton solo on Kid Charlemagne before my talent craps out !

Bailz · #14 01-31-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick2

and there is no bigger Steely Dan fan than I am.

EN GUARD!!!!

Patrick2 · #15 01-31-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat

Yeah, I agree. I think he actually sang his part extremely well. I can see why he'd get called for a lot of top-drawer vocal session work. On tape, he'd be fine, maybe great.

"You deserve a break today, so get up and get away..."

No problem. Let Rick rip.

Just something about the perm and the prancing and hip wiggles threw me. I guess its because I hold Becker, Fagan, Skunk, et alia at an extremely high level of regard. Virtually my apex of commercial music. Rick L just seemed to lack a little gravitas compared to the other cats.

And I don't think he has the vaguest clue what the song is about. Singing about the transient worthlessness of material things in "Bodhisattva" -- in a curly blond perm and sequined spandex? No off-putting irony in that, is there? He looked like he was auditioning for a Van Halen or Poison or Great White Lionsnake tribute band.

Very competent singer though, no question. Sure he earned his spot on the stage--he got there. Good for him.

But, c'mon Patrick:

John Entwistle + Joe Walsh + Skunk Baxter + Simon Phillips on a Becker & Fagan classic with vocals by ___________.

Tough slot to fill. Even Steve Perry would be the weak link in that band. And not at all the right voice for a Fagan tune, in my opinion. But at least Perry's got a CV that hangs with the others'.

All subjective, of course. But talk about lacking gravitas...Steve Perry? Really? Acrobatic as heck. Powerful, pure, classic voice. But not at all right for that song.

From Journey to Steely Dan? A bridge too far for Perry, imho.

Great clip to see though. Thanks for the link, newsense.

Side question: Whose voice WOULD fit? (besides Fagan, not at all a great singer in the classic sense like the limber quasicastrato Perry, but fantastic all the same)

Cool post! I wasn't recommending Steve Perry for the spot or the tune in that setting. I was just pointing out that this singer, while competent, doesn't have the talents of a Steve Perry . . . thus the "he's no Steve Perry" comment. Also, as far as fitting the bill to cover a SD tune . . . It doesn't seem that these artists were attempting to perform as a clone act or a tribute band. Just some great musicians doing their interpretation of a great song by a couple of great writers. As for the singer's on stage look . . . . if you check out Joe Walsh's attire, and his age . . . this might have been performed back in the '80s?? It was kinda anything goes during that time.

As for Steve Perry being a fitting vocalist for this song . . . . I'd hire him!! Perry is a natural. You can't put him into any particular pocket. I believe that he would be able to easily adapt his style to this song and/or adapt this song to his style. Who would have ever thought that David Bowie would shine brilliantly in a duet with . . . Bing Crosby . . . on a Christmas carol?? Might have been one of Bowie's best vocal performances ever.