This page is dedicated to e-mail received from interested readers of the SD web page, and will include responses from Donald and/or Walter or, occasionally, other relevant individuals who may have information or opinions bearing on readers' questions. Name and e-mail address may be withheld on request. |
From: GreenflrStnospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 13:09:02 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Your Gold Teeth
Gentlemen,
There's not a man, woman or child alive today that doesn't enjoy a tasty beverage. What would be your beverage of choice?
make mine the lapsang souchong, or else the french roast, s'il-vous plait
From: Jaysettlenospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 22:44:57 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: from the foot of mt. belzoni
in what light year could one look for something new - the old's great, gotta go
lester
set yer blasters to stun and the way-back machine to...oh, let's see...somewhere 'round the millennium, minus a tad
Date: 27 May 97 14:09:57 -0500
From: "Rob T" <xxxnospam@nospamxxx>
Subject: a cobra gunship for his golden boy!
What to say? You've probably heard all kinds of fawning over the years from bloated stoners and swaggering yuppies, so to their incoherent ramblings I'll just add: Thanks for greasing my skid into lightly amused paranoia for all these years. You two, and your f reemasonic cohorts, are the best.
There are a million questions. But, to keep it brief (and away from cultish lyrical issues): What do you guys think of pop music today, versus the music kicking around during the band's heyday in the mid-1970s? Are there a ny acts out there in the mainstream that you like? I saw Graham Parker a while ago, and he covered a Nirvana tune. Would you cover any current songs, or are these kids today just playing at irony?
Thanks again.
Rob
P.S. -- I'll have you know that, with $800 in the bank, I came THIS CLOSE to spending $600 on tickets to the Grammys when "Kamakiriad" was nominated. But mother's kidneys came first.
Good choice. No cover tunes planned at this time, but if we get stuck, you know....
Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 11:46:06 +0100
From: Dietrich Lueben <Dietrich.luebennospam@nospamzentrale.adac.de>
Subject: Bodisatva
Hi Don & Walt,
please let me know who played the lead guitar on all published versions off Bodisatva specially on the "Live" version with the fantastic announcement.
Thanks in advance.
Denny and Skunk, Denny and Skunk, George W. and WB, respectively, respectively.
From: Kassel_mnospam@nospamUCEN.flint.umich.edu
Date: Mon, 02 Jun 97 17:40:00 -0700
Subject: Vinyl Reissues, Please?
With the recent, renewed interest in LPs, has there been any talk of the reissue of some or all of your albums on wonderful sounding heavy vinyl? Please let me know. Best regards.
There has been some mention made of that possibility, yes. How wonderful it would sound remains to be seen, or heard.
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 17:21:01 -0400
From: Rush <rushbosnospam@nospamultranet.com>
Subject: your siblings
--
Dear Donald & Walter:
Donald, your sister Susan, and Walter, your sister Wendy, are they in the music business? What do they do for a living?
Mark
Neither is in the music business. Both are mothers.
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 21:38:08 -0500
From: "john c. kinley" <jkinleynospam@nospambellsouth.net>
Subject: YOUR BIGGEST FAN
Dear Mr. Fagan & Mr. Becker...Steely Dan
I want to thank you for the music you have produced. I am very proud to say that I have all of your cd's as a group and as solo. I was also lucky enough to get 4th row seat to your '96 show in Charlotte, N.C.. It was truly the thrill of the year. My brother turned me on to your music about 15 years ago, I've been hooked eve r since. We even have Steely Dan throw downs. If you ever get this email I hope yo u will respond. My friends want believe it if you do. Your music means a great deal to alot of people. Hope to see you tour again soon. I'm having major Steely withdrawals. All my best to you.
Sincerely,
John Kinley, Charlotte, N.C.
Thanks, John....say, how big are you anyway? I've always wondered.
Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 20:36:05 +0200
From: "Cams on Gates96"
Subject: gates96
Hi,
We found your live camera, but we wanna know some information about it. Then camera will be updated into our service of live internet cameras (currently more than 2500).
Please send me following information:
1. State:
2. City:
3. Camera Name:
4. Refresh Time:
Our service location is : http://www.gates96.com
and e-mail: camsnospam@nospamgates96.com
Thanks,
mario veverka
live camera coordinator
1. Hawaii
2. Haole Heights
3. DanCam
4. irregular intervals
From: DECONBLU7nospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 22:08:04 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: What the hell?
Hey Walt!!!
Im the Biggest Steely Dan Fan!!!, But this is BullShit!!!. I read all this Shit 1,000 times. I know your working on it, but with all the Fucking money you have after that $700,000.00 write off you had last year, one would think you could update this Page!!
As a fellow Musician, which by the way we cover many Steely Dan Songs, I know your very busy with the CD, and the page is the last thing on your mind!! But did I tell you we do almost as many Tower Of Power songs, your about to be replaced!!!
By the way, I could use one of those fancy Racing cars too..........
Jack Cawley, one pissed off fan!!!
PS. Looking forward to the CD!!
Sorry, Jack, but you're way too big to fit into the McLaren.
Date: Tue, 01 Jul 97 21:02:41 -0700
From: Jeff Walker <stdjwwnospam@nospamlangate.gsu.edu>
Subject: Inspired or Insane?
I was reading another fan's mail about humming your tunes for years, and
it struck me that you might consider folks like us in need of some
therapy. Yes, I too am one of those who saw a lot of the shows from
coast to coast (the Gorge was incredible) and have been addicted since
the beginning, and have been lucky enough to play tons of your work on
the radio as a DJ in Atlanta. But, if I've had your songs playing in my
head for 25 years does that cross the line? I do listen to other music,
of course, but am I insane to have Becker and Fagen as the only artists I
never get tired of?
Date: Wed, 09 Jul 1997 00:50:29 -0400
From: Don Baird <Donbairdnospam@nospamAdmin.Humberc.On.Ca>
Subject: Song Endings
Dear Mr. Becker
It stuck us recently that our band wrote better endings to your
fade-out tunes than you did. We found it perplexing given we hold you in
reverence. One of our fellows said it was elementary: we "bar" bandsmen
have more experience writing endings. If you want the charts, let us
know.
Peter Mifsud and Don Baird
founding members
Pretzel Logic (a quaint cover combo)
Toronto, Canada
Date: 17 Jul 97 01:52:40 EDT
From: Mark_Jordannospam@nospamroadshow.com.au
Dan and Walt
I've attached for your amusement a MIDI file for AJA. I haven't
listened to this one yet but assume from the title that it's pretty
good. Maybe you should put some MIDI files on your web site for the
fans (I've done a hot version of Home At Last) to down load. By the
way, when is the new album going to be released.
Mark
Mark_Jordannospam@nospamraodshow.com.au
The following is an attached File item from cc:Mail. It contains
information that had to be encoded to ensure successful transmission
through various mail systems. To decode the file use the UUDECODE
program.
--------------------------------- Cut Here ---------------------------------
begin 644 ultmtaja.mid (deleted)
Gee thanks Mark. If you (or anyone else) clogs up our server with another midi file (or JPEG of your sister: or WordPerfect file containing your new novel), you'll be hunted down and shot like a dog in the streets. All the best, WB
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 01:05:20 -0500
From: "Martha Salyers" <m-salyersnospam@nospammsn.com>
Subject: sign at the beach
Went to the beach last week and saw this sign:
DAN
STAY OFF GROINS
and thought of you.
Thank you for what you do.
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 17:37:45 -0700
From: "xxxx"
Subject: The Steely Damned
PLEASE WITHHOLD MY NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS IF THIS GETS PUT ON THE WEB
SITE. THANKS.
Dear Walter and Donald,
Here in San Diego we get to enjoy frequent concerts by "The Steely
Damned," a 13 piece band made up of some of the best members of other
local groups. They play nothing but Steely Dan songs. They are great.
The strange thing is, the more I see them in concert, the less I want to
see the real thing. Unlike a "real" Steely Dan concert, they:
1. Only charge $6 admission.
2. Play the songs just like on the records.
3. Can be heard live frequently, unlike your rather infrequent tours.
4. Are not tempted to pursue solo careers (although guitarist Hank
Easton is darn good).
5. Never tire of being asked, "Where does the name Steely Dan come
from?"
So, if you ever return to San Diego (perhaps less likely after this kind
of "fan" mail), you might want to check out The Steely Damned first, so
you know your competition.
Your faithful fan (except when I'm not),
XXX
No wonder we never get booked into San Diego, they don't need us there. Anyone who wants this guy's name & e-mail, just drop us a line and it's yours.
From: TELECINE1nospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 1997 22:39:00 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: waxing poetic
This letter under construction. Brilliant text to follow.
From: SlickTom97nospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 1997 20:05:11 -0400 (EDT)
To: steelydannospam@nospamsteelydan.com
Subject: JUST ANOTHER SCURVY BROTHER..........
FAGEN & BECKER I WORK 7-MID AT A CLASSIC ROCK STATION IN BUFFALO,NY.......DO
YOU GUY'S REALLY READ YOUR MAIL!!! ROYAL SCAM IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS
I'VE EVER HEARD PERIOD...!!!!!!!!
From: GreenflrStnospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 1997 02:16:02 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: hey
I'm getting married in September 1998. Donald and Walter are so invited it's
not even funny. Whatta ya say fellows? Email me with your response
I'll tell you what I told StAl: Congratulations! Go get'em! and remember: there's still lots of time to change your mind.
Date: Fri, 01 Aug 1997 18:16:41 -0700
From: Philip Tone <pmtnospam@nospamuconx.com>
Subject: New album due in my lifetime?
Dear Donald and Walter,
Is there any chance that the album will arrive in my lifetime? I am now
44; therefore, I was 27 when you last released 10 or 12 songs of new
material. I know you guys are perfectionists, but isn't this getting a
bit ridiculous? Maybe you have fallen on hard times, and can't afford
the studio time and the great session dudes you were used to back in the
70's, or something. It's just that I could really use a new Dan album,
you know. Have you listened to the radio lately? It's tough out here;
there's certainly no one I've heard carrying the Dan torch, or some
other vaguely phallic object for that matter. As one of those aging baby
boomers who relished the obtuse lyrics and the cynical commentary of
yesteryear, the current music scene offers nothing but empty posturing
and tired old musical cliches. As the millenium approaches, and this
cultural entropy drags us further and further from the Center, is there
any hope that a new SD collection will hit the stores before my hearing
gives out, or worse?
Thanks for listening,
Phil
Hang in there Phil, we're dancing as fast as we can.
From: DFisher79nospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 21:41:37 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: web site
Where's the information? This site hasn't changed for quite some time. Can
someone please answer questions like: What's the status of the record? Who
are the musicians involved? Tour dates...?
I am a huge fan, and curious about these and other related topics on the
band. Please provide more relevant band info!!! Items such as "Stump the
Fogel" are passe at best.
Thank you.
From: Nancy McClernan <nancymcnospam@nospamvoicenet.com>
Subject: Steely Dan & Moi
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997 20:45:47 -0500
Oh. My. God.
I cannot believe that the liner notes to "My Old School" one of the greatest songs of all time, says "A poignant memoire inspired by the "Giant Girlfriend," sometimes referred to as the "Anima Camden."
When I was a driving instructor somewhere in the swamps of Jersey, I saw the GG. In my ignorance I would call her the Giant Tire Lady. I used to make my students drive past her, especially my foreign students, so they could go back home and claim that they had experienced the true spirit of NJ. Wow. Life is sure strange.
My other SD connection - I recently dated a guy named Gregg who claimed to have been around while SD was recording "Bablyon Sisters." He said that most of the time he was hanging out with Walter Becker and some other guys and snickering about Donald Fagan making the backup singers go "You gotta shake it baby, you gotta shake it baby, you gotta shake it baby" a million times.
Great web site!
Nancy
http://www.voicenet.com/~nancymc
Dear Nancy - thanks for writing. Not only is Gregg's story not true, but you are the third woman this month to write in asking about this guy. I just hope you didn't a) lend him any money like Lisa did, or b) catch anything from him like Julie did. That's all I hope.
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 13:49:40 -0700
From: "J. Torres Company" <jtccorpnospam@nospamix.netcom.com>
Subject: just reaching out
Surfing through the web today and came across your site. Very nice to
have some type of media to be able to contact you. Just wanted to say
that your music, as SD and as solos has been superb throughout the years
and I have everything from "Rikki" to "Alive". Your music has been my
personal favorite since "Can't Buy a Thrill" was released and brings
back many, many memories (good & bad) from the 70's and 80's - for I
played SD music nearly on a daily basis. My hope is that you'll put
another (or more) studio recorded album together again as SD. I'm now a
father of 2 boys (9 and 5 yrs. old) and will soon be exposing them to
the musical delicacies of SD (I hope that's a good thing!). Jazz-on!
Mike F. - Bakersfield, CA
P.S. - By the way, I sure could use a new home stereo. Raisin' kids is
kinda pricey. Got any extras?
We sure do - but those pesky 3M digital machines draw about 35 amps apiece. Can you handle something like that? W
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 1997 11:37:34 -0600
From: Richard Howard <richowenospam@nospamflash.net>
Subject: I'LL KEEP THIS SHORT
There! Was that short enough?
No, not quite.
From: Lsimplexnospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 1997 13:20:30 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Tax Shelters You Can Build At Home
Gentlemen,
I am writing to congratulate you on your impending induction into the
Rock-And-Roll Hall of Fame. Certainly the Selection Committee has taken a
turn for the better in regards to musical taste, and are no doubt enjoying
the honey mustard as you read this.
Thank you, also, for bequeathing your beloved collection of Historically
Significant(-Other) Digital Tape Recorders to the HOF's museum. While the
exhibit may initially perplex some, I'm sure that in time (say after the
passing of Neural/MIDI and Biorhythmic Time-Code) the true significance of
these prototypal machines will be utterly manifest, even to an Eagles fan.
Meanwhile, it would appear that you face a small problem: how to protect the
tax windfall associated with your charitable donation from further
governmental pilferage. If I may be so bold, I would like to recommend a
course of action that will not only reap substantial financial benefits, but
also rack up valuable 'karma points' which may be amortized across future
lifetimes.
To wit, I recommend that you channel a portion of your tax relief [net of the
cost of the honey mustard] into a Revocable Living Trust. This, in turn, may
be used to fund the following tax-exempt Foundations (as defined by the
Shelly-Manne Act of 1957):
1) THE STEELY DAN FELLOWSHIP FOR PANTONAL RESEARCH
The primary mission of the Fellowship would be to encourage research into the
use of altered harmonic structures in popular music. It would hold a term of
five years (renewable upon demonstration of significant progress, e.g.,
ability to tune a guitar); the researcher to be let quarters alternatively in
the East Village and Bali. [At this point I might suggest that I could
greatly shorten a lengthy and burdensome search by putting forth a candidate,
viz., myself. In addition to my obvious qualifications as a songwriter and
financial programmer, I am currently pursuing research on the substitution of
6/9 and flat-5 chords in the lost Phil Ochs gem, "Pleasures of the Harbor".]
2) THE BECKER RESIDENCY
The Residency would be used to support the efforts of a worthy neophyte
seeking to follow the Six-Fold Path of Single-Coil Tone. The primary benefit
would consist of access to Walter Becker's studio (when not being otherwise
used) for the purpose of playing and worshipping his collection of
Fender-inspired guitars. Airfare to and from Hawaii would, of course, also be
included. A possible additional benefit might be the Right of First Refusal
on any unaccompanied minor who might present herself at such times as neither
Mr. Becker or Mr. Fagen are on the premises.
Gentlemen, I believe these proposals are not only in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, but also display a certain spirit
that has made Steely Dan itself an institution of higher learning for over 25
years. However, if neither of these appeal to you, I'm also developing a
possible tax-law framework for the "William S. Burroughs Memorial
Haberdashery". Though haberdashers are rarely granted tax-exempt status, I
believe we might be able to constitute it as a ministry, under the
Mercer-Strayhorn Tax Omnibus. I await your response.
Obsequiously,
Laslow Simplex
PS I realize that in the exceedingly complex world of Rock-and-Roll
accounting, years may pass (and your next album be released) before any of
these cunning schemes may be executed. I therefore humbly request that, in
advance of (2) above, Mr. Becker share with me the secret of the manufacturer
and type of pickups found on his lucid and cutting Sadowsky strats. Despite
the expenditure of thousands of dollars, I have been thus far unable to
reproduce ANY of the glowing sounds from "11 Tracks", even using my secret
weapon, a one-off PRS Custom 22 with EG-3 wiring. Your cooperation in this
regard is highly appreciated.
Thanks for your helpful suggestions. I'm sure that PRS Custom is a beauty. I would suggest you take it down to the local luthier of choice and have it rewired as a lamp. Then call up Roger Sadowsky, place your order, and when the new Baby comes you'll be good to go.
From: Goongalagonospam@nospamaol.com
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 10:42:57 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Tired of waiting
Sorry guys, I just can't wait anymore for new material. I've done nothing
but put my life on hold waiting for the new C.D.. I'm mad as hell and I'm
not going to take it any more. I hereby switch my allegiances to England Dan
and John Ford Coley.
With Regret,
John D'Amico
From: xxxxnospam@nospamxxxxx.xxxx
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 13:17:51 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: STEELY DAN INSPIRES......
ODE TO BILL CLINTON AT MILFORD BEACH
FROM xxxxnospam@nospamxxxx.xxxx
Now,
he abandons me at odd hours in a parking lot.
Taking leave under cover of night,
he flies home to see the wife and kid.
As I get in my car and glance in the mirror;
realizing I'm no younger, nor wiser,
I push the visor, then reach under the seat.
A bit of Peppermint Schnapps and a Steely Dan tape.
these things will make the trip less reflective.
And,
after a few shots and some Deacon Blue,
I'm smiling and driving with the window open and my hair is blowing in the
breeze.
I'm beginning to feel as though I could rule the world. . .
vicariously.
After all,
he is the President of the United States,
and I'm
more than just a good friend.