Donald Fagen talks about PEG

Posted by: kuma on 02 January 2014

 

Fascinating interview. Fagen *de*constructing the familiar tune.

 

Brilliant chord progressions are based on old blues and jazz but Fagen's magic touches makes the unique Steely Dan sound.

It's amasing that a lot going on in that groovy tune.

He's gifted no doubt.

 

I wish Beethoven was still alive and gives us the *Making of Hammerklavier*.

Posted on: 04 January 2014 by joerand
Kuma,
 
As it happens I listened to Aja just the other night and heard things through the headphones that I've never heard before. Yes there is a lot of layering there; keyboards and guitar on Peg and the entire LP. No, I know nothing about music (other than what I like) but I still enjoyed the youtube video. Variations on a theme provide exponential possibilities in music. Beethoven being alive today would be very cool, but imagine Mozart alive in the 1960s! He might have been the ultimate rock star and what pop tunes he might have written .  
Posted on: 04 January 2014 by Philip Tate
Fantastic - but this is just part of a 70 minute video, the whole of which is also on YouTube - search "Donald Fagen concepts".

I don't understand half of what he says but I still find it utterly fascinating!
Posted on: 04 January 2014 by migo
Originally Posted by Philip Tate:
Fantastic - but this is just part of a 70 minute video, the whole of which is also on YouTube - search "Donald Fagen concepts".

I don't understand half of what he says but I still find it utterly fascinating!

Great! thx so much for posting!!!

Posted on: 04 January 2014 by kuma
 
Originally Posted by Philip Tate: Fantastic - but this is just part of a 70 minute video, the whole of which is also on YouTube - search "Donald Fagen concepts".

Ha! I thought of posting the whole video but I thought many would have trouble folloiwng his mumbling for 70 min!

 

Just a small chunk of bar by bar analysis of PEG is enough to be entertaining and informitive.

 

The way he talks about chords he comes up with reminded me of an interview of Stravinsky talking about hew *new* chords he came up with for Le Sacre du Printemps. I guess the geniuses and *Makers* talk the same language no matter what genre it is.

Posted on: 04 January 2014 by kuma
Originally Posted by joerand:
 
Beethoven being alive today would be very cool, but imagine Mozart alive in the 1960s! He might have been the ultimate rock star and what pop tunes he might have written .  

I am 99% certain Beethoven would get a kick out of Be Bop.

Posted on: 27 February 2014 by migo

Just finished ''Eminent Hipsters'' very enjoyable, very much Fagan, and the guy can really write.

 

Posted on: 03 March 2014 by JBGWild

+1 An excellent book, it seemed rather short when it arrived but it's a fascinating read, lots of interesting points, not as 'high brow' as I expected either. Strangest of all, he writes very much in Brit English too! Certainly wasn't expecting the word 'geezer' in it. 

Posted on: 05 March 2014 by Salmon Dave

The first half (the early days) was a lot more likeable than the latest tour bus thing. He came across as a grumpy old git for most of that.

 

The video looks like it dates from the early 90s?

Posted on: 10 March 2014 by christian u
Originally Posted by Salmon Dave:

The first half (the early days) was a lot more likeable than the latest tour bus thing. He came across as a grumpy old git for most of that.

 

The video looks like it dates from the early 90s?

Yes but also very honest,and showing us all that maybe being a touring musician is not so glamorous after all.