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Mark Lane's avatar

I fondly recall many late nights playing Chess with you and having to stop play to revel The Boston Rag. That song still stops me in whatever track I am in at the time for a focused listen. I never saw Becker and Fagan and band live but here is a good version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89rQqse_3-8 . In 1984 I was driving west in my 1979 Sentra on I-20 through Mississippi listening to Katy Lied on cassette when the right front hub sheared from the axle and almost caused a major dude incident. Almost but not quite, so just another never-to-be-forgotten Steely Dan moment.

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Bryan Padrick's avatar

Every single time I hear The Boston Rag I think of chess with you! What a song. What a band. I'm sure you've mentioned your I-20 story before - but what I think I took away from that is that while Katy Lied was on one side of the cassette, Pretzel Logic was on the other. And that combination is guaranteed to create a never-to-be-forgotten Steely Dan moment whether it's a road trip, a long Sunday drive up around Cedar Mountain or heading out to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Here's to Lonny, sweeping the playroom!

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Mark Lane's avatar

Good memory! Katy Lied on one side and Pretzel Logic on the other. I wore that tape out.

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Bryan Padrick's avatar

The best use of a 90 minute cassette tape ever. CDs and streaming just can't replicate the magic.

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Joseph Bollini's avatar

I finally saw got to see them in 2014 at quite the choice venue for a band like this, Biltmore Estate! Steely Dan is definitely a polarizing outfit, you either love them or hate them, it's rare to see any middle ground. I'm a fan. I should probably read all of their lyrics sometime.

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Bryan Padrick's avatar

Yes - they're certainly polarising. And Biltmore Estate - what a venue. Yet again ... I leave WNC and suddenly all the cool things start happening. Orange Peel, craft beer everywhere, Nick Cave in Thomas Wolfe, Steely Dan at Biltmore House. Almost makes me want to return! Almost.

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Tom Pendergast's avatar

And thus I have a soundtrack for my day ...

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Bryan Padrick's avatar

Hope it served you well.

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Mark Dykeman's avatar

Interesting choice. There's a lot I don't know about this group so this was quite educational. I also didn't realize that they had been touring so late in their careers AND I didn't realize that one of the 2 founders was dead. Good bit of learning to start my day!

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Bryan Padrick's avatar

Glad you liked it. I've liked Steely Dan since forever - and am always glad for the opportunity to shed a little light on them!

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Marc's avatar

I always enjoy your takes and guidance on music. Well done!

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Bryan Padrick's avatar

Thanks, Marc! Really appreciate it. I always enjoy choosing the music - I think the 5 song template works well, but it's sometimes hard to make the final decision!

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