Classical Composer Reacts to Kid Charlemagne (Steely Dan) | The Daily Doug (Episode 409) 

Steely Dan made some of the best music ever recorded. Literally.

My favorite Dan song and one of the greatest guitar solos ever. Larry Carlton’s finest. RIP Walter Becker!!

STEELY DAN did something amazing. They took jazz elements and somehow incorporated it into popular music. I'm still in awe of what they achieved.

I've listened to Steely Dan since day 1 and loved it all. But the older I get, the more I appreciate the genius and quality of the composition, the scope, and brilliant musicianship that the Dan delivers on a consistent basis. It's like I'm hearing it all anew with fresh ears..and I'm so much more impressed now than I ever was.

You're absolutely right about needing more Steely Dan on your channel...never a misstep, always so clean & tight.

Great reaction, Owsley "Bear" Stanley was more than a chemist, he also was the sound technician for the Grateful Dead designing the Wall of Sound in 1974, many cool videos on the Wall of Sound, probably nothing for reaction but for general knowledge you might find it interesting. Edit: You should do more Steely Dan some of the great compositions of our time.

Probably one of my favorite guitar solos of all time.. even in the outro.

Bernard Purdie is the Larry Carlton of drums. He has a drum beat, the "Purdie Shuffle", that is widely used. In fact, "Roseanna" drums is a combination of the Purdie shuffle and the Bo Diddley backbeat.

takes deep hit off freshly lit bowl..........rocks to the amazing groove while exhaling.........then says" We need to do more Steely Dan on the channel". THIS is exactly the way SD is to be appreciated! So glad you found SD, so thankful you shared.

I can’t believe you were speaking during the best guitar solo ever! Doug, what are you doing?

They were insistently meticulous about getting the right sounds and musicians and performances for each song. It made their music unique and each song a sonic perfection.

‘“Pretty” Purdie is a master drummer. Check out Bernard’s interview with Mr. B.

One of my favourite albums ever. Found myself in record shops a couple of times and unable to leave until Sign In Stranger has finished.

Same album. "Don't Take Me Alive". It starts with another outstanding Larry Carlton solo. Steely Dan in terms of song writing, arranging, performance is a complete one off. Never equaled.

I'm a big Larry Carlton fan. HOWEVER, I think that his solo at the beginning of "Don't Take Me Alive" on "The Royal Scam" was VASTLY superior to his solo on "Kid Charlemagne". Listen to both of those solos back to back and then tell me which solo you really think is better.

"You are obsolete, look at all the white men on the street", refers to coke dealers as coke started to replace LSD as the drug of choice.

Absolutely one of the best Steely Dan songs ever recorded. The smoothness of the drums by Bernard Purdie and the slickness of Larry Carlton's guitar work is just incredible!! And the production quality is second to none!! Thanks Doug!! More Steely Dan please!!

One of my favorite Guitar solos of all time

Steely Dan was as clean and tight playing live as the album cuts. RIP WB

When "Can't Buy a Thrill" broke, I carried it with me everywhere I went, especially to my friends' houses. I first heard them on the "Midnight Special" in the very early 70's."Reelin' in the Years". I was hooked. The Dan is American extreme.

Larry Carlton's amazing, as is the rest of Steely Dan!! Also, I LOVE Nichols' engineering! ❤️

Others have already said it but one of the things that makes this such an outstanding track is that the great Bernard Perdie is playing the drums. He was by then already a very well rounded and fully formed (trained) musician, and he had developed his famous shuffle, which is designed to leave vast amounts of space for all the other instruments to shine. He and Chuck Rainey, playing the bass, were totally in each other’s pocket. In fact as Perdie tells it they whole ensemble were able to physically see each other during the session, and I think we hear that closeness in the recording. BTW the lyric about the “white men on the street” making our man obsolete referees to the new heroine and cocaine dealers that were coming along, bringing the psychedelic era to a close at the time. Not caucasians!

Bernard Purdie is a fing legend no one has played with more band than this beast RESPECT

Those of us who grew up listening to Steely Dan are smiling at your reactions. Even with all that has come since this track was made, it still stands out. Cryptic lyrics, a smooth as silk arrangement, every player is on point perfectly, and Larry's solos are indeed songs of their own.

Larry Carlton in Steely Dan is amazing. But if you haven’t listened to his work with The Crusaders, you are missing out - I recommend starting with the album Chain Reaction.

when you consider this album was put out almost 50 years ago you appreciate the sophistication and quality of their work. Aja was the first album I bought back in the late 70’s in Wellington New Zealand and I listen to the entire album regularly at least once a month. Love the channel please keep the unique SD sound reactions going in this genre there’s none better 🤟

It was Larry's magnum opus. It's not a rock guitar solo; it's guitar solo masterpiece for the ages by which all other solos will be measured. Proof? Even today, young boys and girls are learning this solo from all parts of the globe. Epic!

They were always a favorite of mine, but back in the day, I often heard people and critics describing Steely Dan’s music as “too perfect.” Whatever that means. It’s just so amazing to see them enjoying a new appreciation on RU-vid.

Owlsley Stanley was an inside member of the Grateful Dead family. His nickname was "Bear", and he spawned a live album called Bear's Choice. He also was a designer, he did the famous Skull and Lightning Bolt, Steal Your Face, GD logo, and he designed their great sounding but brief existing "Wall Of Sound" quasi-portable sound system, powered by 26,000 watts of McIntosh amplifiers and over 600 individual speakers. He was the subject of a PBS story called "LSD Millionaire", so The Dead wrote a song called "Alice D. Millionaire". And "Kid Charlemagne", plus he guess what, went to prison for a couple of years on drug charges. Surprise! A very busy boy. RIP Bear.

I also love Larry Carlton's outro on this - I wish it would go on and on .....

Let's not forget the genius bass playing by Chuck Rainey. Carlton is excellent! And yes, you should do more Steely Dan....

One of my favorite Steely Dan tracks.1976! Sounds just as fresh today.

Saw them here in the Bay Area a week and a half ago. They played this song and many other greats. Great musicians, playing. Jon Herington and Adam Rogers on guitar, Ready Freddie Washington on bass, Keith Carlock on drums, Jim Beard on keys, three female backup vocalists (sang the verses on Dirty Work), and of course, Donald Fagen on vocals and keys, plus four horns. Ha cha!

Another fav of mine on The Royal Scam is "Sign In Stranger". The pianist on this tune Paul Griffin does such a good job on this track that, if he told me to, I would probably change religions. It is literally that epic. Even if you never talk about it on the channel, you'd be doing a disservice to yourself as a fan/student of music to not listen to this song. Love what you do, keep 'em coming!

Top notch musicianship is a hallmark of Steely Dan! Please continue with reactions of them..

One the COOLEST songs ever composed. Becker and Fagan were geniuses, and Larry Carlton nailed the guitar work as always.,

I have been listening to Steely Dan for 50 years and never tire of their endless virtuosity. There is never a track where I say to myself, “Well, I don’t need to hear that one again.”

What a great song. Even the ornamentations in the background are beautiful. His solo was unconstructive in that it was completely Improvised and the first take was the winner

Great guitar solo but being a drummer, I have to point out Bernard on the drums. So tasteful!

The solos on this song literally give me goosebumps and have for many many years!

Awesome... you definitely need to check out more Steely Dan, Fagen & Becker were awesome arrangers and musicians... might I suggest "Home at Last"? Thanks for the great analyses Doug.

I can't think of a bad Steely Dan tune. They are all great.

Great song, I love playing the bass line for this. If you can pull it off, it will teach you and your fingers a lot about ascending, descending licks, bridges, and arpeggios. And yeah, Carlton pulled off an amazing guitar solo. Getting it even close to right on all the instruments in this song will stretch intermediate players and pro players will struggle with the tone. I found it was easier to rock it up a little than follow the original, myself ... the bass lays back in spots where it really doesn't feel like it would.

If i had only one wish from a genie, it would be for you to PLEASE do more Steely Dan

Try Camel Ice for an epic guitar solo by the criminally underrated Andrew Latimer.

Owsley was also the Greatful Dead's first professional sound man. 🌈✨

Good stuff, Sir; love when you cover the quality fusion & prog rock…. This is a f’ng great song

I wish I had an uncle like you.

"Look at all the white men on the street" - this is a reference to cocaine dealers overtaking LSD sellers and the change of "tastes" in chemical preferences between the 60's and the 70's.

You: “Need to do more Steely Dan, on the Channel.” Me: Yes, you do. 🎸 🎹 🥁 🎤 🤩

Larry Carlton owns this song and many others like "Don't Take Me Alive". I saw Larry with his band at The Newport Jazz Festival many years ago. Such a fine guitarist and humble human being.

The guitar solo in *Reelin' In The Years* is another one that stands out as being unusually good. Aamof, Jimmy Page said it is his favorite solo of all time.

Check out "Don't Take Me Alive" off of the same album. You'll be hooked after the first few notes.

Wow!!! Did nt picture you as a Toker. Lol that's Wonderful 👍🕺✨

If you ever get a chance to see them live, DO IT! Such a treat!

You are as sharp as a tack. LOVE your channel. As an educated musician, I shouldn't be surprised. Music is one of the greatest of all gifts in life. Peace.

Hey Doug, you are definitely now in my wheelhouse. I've been a huge Steely Dan fan since I was a kid and I have every album in their catalog. Larry Carlton is a session god and IMO, this is the greatest guitar solo in the history of rock/pop. I'm sure you're probably familiar with Rick Beato, the musician/producer/educator who has a huge RU-vid channel with almost 3 million subscribers and a thousand videos covering a number of music topics. You should check out his video about this song in his "What Makes This Song Great" series of videos. He not only breaks down the structure, writing and production of the song, but he breaks down the entire guitar solo. BTW, I've been a musician (keyboards/vocals) since I was a kid and I've been in a band with my brother for >30 years. we've played various Steely Dan songs over the years and we currently have 5 Dan songs on the set list, including My Old School, Pretzel Logic, Don't Take Me Alive, Black Friday and Daddy Don't Live In That NYC No More.

One of their best tracks!

The DAN All of it,every thing that has been written. The musicians, and there were many, were the Best of the Best. Larry Carlton, Walter Becker ,God rest his sole, Bernard Purdy and Donald Fagan. OH my does that list go on.

Not saying definitively, because there are so many great, disparate, and unique bands in the history of rock music, but Steely Dan are arguably the best rock band of all time. Timeless music and peerless musicianship are the cornerstone of this progressive soul funk jazz.

My second favorite of theirs behind “Time Out of Mind”

Steely Dan = perfection in music.

Every time I hear the beginning of this song, I'm reminded of "I, Robot" by The Alan Parsons Project...

Amazing shit at the time... Not a bad tune on any of their records! I'm particular to the Aja and Gaucho pressings. Man, what nuance!

Everyone forgets the "Third World Man" solo by Larry Carlton. I have seen guitarists almost in tears trying to copy it and it sounds so simple...

“They” are not hiding this at all! Lol! Said As he takes another drag from his piece. Love this channel for so many reasons

This is one of the best examples of the legendary Purdie shuffle.

Larry Carlton - What is there to say ? I’m not even a jazz fan, and this is AMAZING. The very best music and art always transcends its genre and style. “Kid” is Exhibit 1.

Owsley "Bear" Stanley, a member of The Grateful Dead crew, instrumental in "The Wall of Sound" and prolific LSD chemist.

Gotta love that Bernard Purdie / Chuck Rainey rhythm section groove

I'm a Larry Carlton fan. His best performance is Sleepwalk off his album of the same name - not any other of his subsequent versions.

Never, ever talk over a Steely Dan song. Wait until it is over.

Owsley also did sound for Grateful Dead at their live shows in the 70s.

One my mt Rushmore of Dan for 35 yrs I’m glad so many like it now it seemed like I was only one

Best guitar solo ever, but absolutely the best bass and drums ever recorded❤️😄

I love the way you get into this amazing music I'm high off the music don't need to "chase the dragon" for good vibest with Steely Dan.....Love that little jam at the end of this song can hear it forever just feel good music all day long thank you Steely Dan YOU ROCK!

The 1970s were a golden cornucopia of musical goodness

Larry Carlton's solo on Kid Charlemagne is definitely one of the best guitar solos of all time, however for me, his extended intro to 'Don't take me alive' takes the biscuit.

"Is there gas in the car?" "Yes there's gas in the car!"

Try Babylon Sisters, or just anything from Goucho. Sounds so great on a good system, nice and loud.

Yes for The Dan.

Soeaking of TV series opening, Larry Carlton also played the guitar part on Magnum pi theme.

luv ur re-doos. Thanks much Doug ;-}

Check out Beato's interview with Bernard Purdie: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6uusF1iie88.html

Owsley Stanley also created/developed the stage monitor, btw. At the time he was soundman for the Grateful Dead.

I smoke when Doug smokes. Always at the ready. Love your vids man!!!

I've listened to this tune regularly for decades, as I've been huge into Steely Dan and Larry Carlton since the 1980s. And I'm reasonably knowledgable in music theory having been and amateur guitarist all that time...I never picked up the tritone sub for the V (Bb) to get back to Am. And you do this stuff in your head while listening Doug. That's incredibly impressive.

I was waiting for this

Just them!!!! Fabulous!!!

first time here. Daily Doug-funny title. Thanks for your theory monologue. I for one appreciate it

Man when you lit up that pipe I laughed so hard - thanks for the great laugh. Still smiling,

Appreciate your harmonic analysis especially your puzzled look coming out of the gtr solo and they return to one

"This is overt sh*t." Then the bowl is fired up! Just found your channel looking for Steely Dan. Thanks

Ahhhhhhhh "the Solo". Steely Dan is the band your favorite band listens to. More of them Doug. Love your channel.

Owsley was the official “chemist” and sound engineer to the Dead. It was his acid that people like The Beatles, Peter Fonda, all the LA musicians and stars were using.

Before LSD was declared illegal in 1966 Stanley was able to legally purchase the precursor to LSD, one of the reasons why his was so good. This was fascinating to me mostly because I was majoring in chemistry at UCLA at about the same time. Even more interesting was why this chemical had such a profound effect on the body. I did considerable research on this subject. And for what it's worth "The Royal Scam" is my favorite Steely Dan album.

The tape that hit the cutting room floor would be priceless.

you can't go wrong with more steely dan 👍

Donald Fagan and Walter Becker were great musicians in their own right. There is a YT video in which they discuss how they did the song Peg. It is really a musicians musicians' video.

Best musicians in the world on this one.