A Video About Walter Becker's Solo Career: 11 Tracks of Whack and Circus Money 

Having seen them in concert several times, Walter was UNDENIABLY the front-man of Steely Dan. He was always the one to go "Hey Folks, thanks for coming out tonight," while Don would sit quietly at his keyboard. Walter was a cynic, but Don is a misanthrope.

I remember a long time ago accidentally listening to Down in the Bottom and I immediately fell in love, I love both of his solo albums

I will admit, when I bought "11 Tracks of Whack" way back in 1994 I was at first very disappointed. I wanted a Steely Dan album, not something completely different. But after listening to the album several times, I came to accept what the album was and truly enjoyed it.

I wonder if the "Whack" part of the title is a vague reference to a Bugs Bunny line where in Bugs is about to hit a metal bomb the little Gremlin couldn't muster enough strength to do. I say this because there is a Bugs Bunny reference in the catchy song "Girlfriend". Walter mentions a "cute little bunny with gray floppy ears" and also references the gangsters in the oven scene where the policeman asks Bugs where the gangster are hiding. "Hide here" "No hide here" etc... Anyway, I appreciate you honoring Walter Becker. I feel I know him better than Donald (who doesn't delve that much into his personal life in his songs). Nonetheless, you can see Becker's influence on Steely Dan songs - bringing a certain literary edge and bluesy funk to the compositions. That in combination with his equally brilliant brother Donald makes for a unique style and sound that is timeless. Becker and Fagen - what a team. I don't believe it's an accident they found each other.

This was brilliant! I love Walter's solo music and I remember being so devastated in 2017 to hear of his passing. One of his funniest songs in my opinion is Darkling Down, so many incredible lines. And thank you for sharing the Circus Money liner notes, I never saw that before. He was such a talented writer.

couldn’t ask for a better topic for you to cover 🙏. great to have this all broken down very well. target audience may be incredibly niche but also very passionate. massive respect for the effort going into these videos

I love all Steely Dan's work and of course Donald's solo albums, which to all intents and purposes are pretty much indistinguishable from Steely Dan's. I remember after The Nightfly many people had written off Backer as very much the junior partner, mainly a lyricist. However Walter put that notion to bed with his two brilliant solo albums. Yes they don't flow like Donald's but they are full of really strong hooks and beautiful melodies. They don't sound like Dan albums but are just as brilliant.Some of his unreleased stuff is top-notch too, he had at least another album's worth.

Thanks for this video - I'm glad someone recognizes his efforts. Plus, his guitar collection was really astonishing.

Fantastic work! Gonna listen to these two classics again

Enjoy your videos- thanks for

amazing analysis, great video Dingus

At 14:33 it's "kuh LEYE oh pee" I really like your SD and SD related vids. Yup!

I'm looking forward for the Fagen solo ranking :)

Book of Liars off of Alive in America is pure perfection.

Another Dingus banger! I remember I was just a new fan at the time of his passing but it still hit just as hard as if I were a weathered Dan veteran. Still though, to see him play along side Donald in concert would've been amazing, especially with the Hey Nineteen raps. (Hope that Time Bomb inclusion at the end is hinting towards a Lake retrospective???)

Welcome back, Dan stan!

Keep up the good work! I beg to differ on 'Dark Horse Dub' - very atmospheric and cohesive, clever lyric and bass-line, a brilliant song in my opinion.

That Shadow the Hedgehog Circus Monkey cover edit made me giggle like a school girl.

Interesting video. May I suggest for future videos that if you create lyric graphics, to keep them on screen longer? I could not read many of these before they were gone. I know that would mess up being in synch with what you're saying but the viewer needs time to read them.

Thank you for your fascinating reflections and interesting analysis of these two albums by the genius that was Walter Becker and I really wish I could love these albums as much as you clearly do. However, after years of trying to enjoy them I struggle to even pick them up let alone stick them in the cd player. As one half of the greatest band that has ever perfected the art of 'must sing along to' so magnificently, I've always been disappointed in the lack of melodic hooks and clever 'chordestry' on these albums that are so prevalent on the Dan albums. I also am not a fan of Walter's voice, unfortunately. I just wish he'd employed the services of someone who could hold a tune; but his babies, so he's entitled I suppose. Great songsmith, great lyricist; just wish I could listen and enjoy. There's still time!

My CD of Steely Dan’s 1994 album: NIGHT TRACKS I.G.Y. The Nightfly New Frontier Book of Liars Down in the Bottom Trans-Island Skyway Snowbound Tomorrow’s Girls Junkie Girl Girlfriend Florida Room On the Dunes Teahouse on the Tracks My CD of Steely Dan’s 2008 album: THE MONEY CAT Morph the Cat H Gang What I Do Downtown Canon Paging Audrey Security Joan The Great Pagoda of Fun The Night Belongs to Mona Mary Shut the Garden Door Door Number Two Three Picture Deal God’s Eye View Morph the Cat (Reprise)

Would you be creeped out if I offered to have a virtual beer with you via discord or otherwise to talk Steely Dan for 15 minutes - 4 hours? Sincerely, Spotify top 0.005 listener of Steely last year

ohyesohyesohyesohyes

Hot take but Lucky Henry is the best SD solo song

IF WALTER GETS A LITTLE SILLY IN THIS VIDEO, I SWEAR TO GOD

For me, Circus Money is the clear standout of Becker’s solo efforts. 11TOW is good, but considering I consider basically every other Steely Dan/solo album great or better, “good” sticks out as noticeably lacking in comparison, to me anyway.

It’s not Steely Dan….it’s better……it’s raw without the political obscurity and still attracts you after the elevator music wears on you!