BFF's Robert Sledge on Steely Dan
king...@my-deja.com
is asked whether he or his bandmates care about Steely Dan.
http://www.ink19.com/issues_F/99_08/ink_spots/009_ben_folds_five.shtml
Kingsley
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Jackofdays
already.
I don't care if they all wear Levi's and incorporate Butthole Surfers, The Who
and Nirvana into their music along with Steely Dan. I don't even care if
someone thinks they SOUND like Steely Dan.
I don't think this n.g. has ever spent so much time trying to argue that one
particular band sounded like the Dan as it has on this thread. Picking up a BFF
CD is not high on my list of things to do (nor am I financially able to).
In the interview, I have to say both the subject and the interviewer sounded
extremely plastic. I appreciated the opportunity to read it so I could make
that judgment.
I know I must sound like a bitch to some folks here, but man, I miss the
Sixties, and I'm really sick of the artifice and fucked-up values in the music
biz today. And I'm sick of comparisons. Also, I'm sick of myself.
Forgive me, father, if I have sinned. Mother already understands.
peace, love and all that
diane
Curiosity killed the cat. But for a long time, the authorities suspected me.
There's nothing funny about AOL.
http://members.aol.com/membabe/libelsuit.htm
John Lawler
Diane, for what it's worth they're about the closest thing around to the
sound of a meaty mid to late 60s pop/rock band.
-**** Posted from RemarQ, http://www.remarq.com/?a ****-
Search and Read Usenet Discussions in your Browser - FREE -
Jackofdays
>they're about the closest thing around to the
>sound of a meaty mid to late 60s pop/rock band.
I certainly can't argue that, John, nor would I want to.
Consider this particular thread (bands who sound like Steely Dan) my pet peeve.
Why does anything have to be "like" anything else to be good?
I didn't weigh in earlier, but after I read the interview with those
superficial responses made to that sycophantic interviewer, I lost my patience.
Apologies to the group. It's very grey and cold here in Seattle and my brain
ain't workin like it needs to.
kisses
d
Scott Andrew Borton
> Consider this particular thread (bands who sound like Steely Dan) my pet peeve.
> Why does anything have to be "like" anything else to be good?
Nothing has to sound "like" anything else to be good. However, in my
experience, many people who like Steely Dan tend to like them for one or
more specific reasons (complex arrangements, instrumentation, etc.). These
people also are interested in other bands which are strong in these areas,
because, as good as SD is, ya can't listen to only them. So, I find it
natural that Dan fans share what their other tastes are, to aid others in
finding music that they may be interested in.
IMO, BFF don't even sound like SD. There's only three of them, and the
heavy instrumentation and texture of SD are replaced by the 10-fingered
piano chords and fuzzbox bass of BFF. There's also a lot more harmonizing
vocals in BFF than in SD. Rather, I find that the similarities between SD
and BFF come mostly from *attitude* and *musicianship* (i.e. chops). So,
those who enjoy these aspects of SD will find joy in BFF.
> I didn't weigh in earlier, but after I read the interview with those
> superficial responses made to that sycophantic interviewer, I lost my
> patience.
At least Sledge provides actual information, unlike the impromptu
stream-of-consciousness ramblings Don and Walt spew during interviews.
Fortunately, you don't have to be a eloquent interviewee to be a wicked
bass player.
The thing is, in my experience, every SD fan I've introduced BFF to has
renewed their hope for post-Dan popular music. So, you have little
practical choice but to give them a try. :) If you have the means and the
ability to turn off your ethics-o-meter for a day, try to score MP3s of
some BFF tunes and give them a spin (actually, since BFF are
taping-friendly, live BFF MP3s are okay by the band). To start off with, I
suggest:
Where's Summer B.? (highly personal, eminently likable)
Underground (their breakout single)
Kate
Philosophy
One Angry Dwarf (SD-like in attitude)
If you don't like them, then you can freely mock away. If you do, then
you've discovered a whole new band to explore.
--scott
P.S. At the last BFF show I was at, they played "Freebird" right off the
bat to ward off the inevitable retarded crowd calls-- that's what kind of
band they are. :)
Jackofdays
>as good as SD is, ya can't listen to only them.
You can't? Uh oh. This probably means I'm also nuts for collecting the lint
from my navel for the last 30 years? Wanna see it?
Scott, I hear what you're saying, but you're not hearing me.
Some time ago a group of listmembers named a band they swore would satisfy any
Dan fan. So I went to my local music store and asked for a listen. These guys
IN NO WAY resembled Steely Dan. In fact, I found their music unpalatable. The
record store owners also were stunned that anyone would say this band sounded
Dan-like. These are guys who listen to every single release as soon as it comes
out, so their opinion meant a lot to me.
Anyway, I guess we're gonna keep talking about BFF whether or not I like it,
ironically.
But please don't get the impression that I'm mocking that particular group. I
have never even HEARD anything by BFF. But I'm too jaded to plunk down what
tiny amount of money I have to try them out. I'll ask around; maybe some of my
friends have them/him.
I was repelled by the interview though. Sledge's values are reminiscent of
those a lot of people in the Sixties found mind-boggling. It's a knee-jerk
response for me, to tune out when someone starts talking about status or
hipness or momentary fame, especially when that fame comes from working for big
corporations.
Maybe the music is good. Maybe I'll find that out. But I will never mock that
music until I've heard it and made a decision to mock it.
I remainBFF- virginally yours (and ornery),
diane <--- white flag waving
Twisted Kite
news:7ov7ir$pin$1...@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu...
> Jackofdays <jacko...@aol.comedy> wrote:
>
> > Consider this particular thread (bands who sound like Steely Dan) my pet
peeve.
> > Why does anything have to be "like" anything else to be good?
>
> Nothing has to sound "like" anything else to be good. However, in my
> experience, many people who like Steely Dan tend to like them for one or
> more specific reasons (complex arrangements, instrumentation, etc.). These
> people also are interested in other bands which are strong in these areas,
> because, as good as SD is, ya can't listen to only them. So, I find it
> natural that Dan fans share what their other tastes are, to aid others in
> finding music that they may be interested in.
Well, as long as we're on the subject of things that sound like SD (no
matter how marginally), I'm going to have to recommend the new (actually,
still unreleased) Meshell Ndegeocello album to you. I'm listening to an
advance of it now and there are some FANTASTIC '70s-ish soul-jazz
arrangements on it, and a very inspired cover of Hendrix's "May This Be
Love."
--Jody
KidCharlem
Steely Dan. Neither (at least to me) does Prefab Sprout, who so many people
around here seem to love. Neither does The Band, who I find many fans of
Steely Dan like. And it works the opposite way as well, people on The Band
guestbook talk about how much they like Steely Dan. The truth is that they
sound nothing alike, but each has an impecable musicianship that can't be
argued against, even if you don't happen to like their music. I picked up two
cds the other day, Prefab Sprout and Spinal Tap, and I wish to hell that I
could take back the Prefab Sprout. I picked them up because I heard the were
Danish, and they aren't...I'd hate for someone to pick up Ben Folds Five stuff
thinking the same thing.
Along the Spinal Tap line, read my next post for a bit of entertainment that is
actually Dan related.
Matt
john william nicol
> IMO, BFF don't even sound like SD. There's only three of them, and the
> heavy instrumentation and texture of SD are replaced by the 10-fingered
> piano chords and fuzzbox bass of BFF. There's also a lot more harmonizing
> vocals in BFF than in SD. Rather, I find that the similarities between SD
> and BFF come mostly from *attitude* and *musicianship* (i.e. chops). So,
> those who enjoy these aspects of SD will find joy in BFF.
I would agree. I also think that anyone who seeks out William Shatner to
record on their album (Ben Folds' solo album, "Fear of Pop") is worth
checking out. (BTW, I don't recommend that album, although the Shatner
song is worth listening to once.)
> To start off with, I suggest:
>
> Where's Summer B.? (highly personal, eminently likable)
> Underground (their breakout single)
> Kate
> Philosophy
> One Angry Dwarf (SD-like in attitude)
I would also suggest "Regrets" and "The Battle of Who Could Care Less".
> Jackofdays <jacko...@aol.comedy> wrote:
>
>Some time ago a group of listmembers named a band they swore would
>satisfy any Dan fan. So I went to my local music store and asked for a
>listen. These guys IN NO WAY resembled Steely Dan. In fact, I found their
>music unpalatable. The record store owners also were stunned that anyone
>would say this band sounded Dan-like. These are guys who listen to every
>single release as soon as it comes out, so their opinion meant a lot to
>me.
So far I've heard similar suggestions for Dada and The High Llamas. And
yes, I find no similarities. Dada's a very fun, trippy band. As for The
High Llamas, I'm going to be kind and say I just didn't get their music.
>I was repelled by the interview though. Sledge's values are reminiscent
>of those a lot of people in the Sixties found mind-boggling. It's a
>knee-jerk response for me, to tune out when someone starts talking about
>status or hipness or momentary fame, especially when that fame comes from
>working for big corporations.
Hmm. You mean the Levi's business? I don't think "everyone owns a pair"
was meant to be necessarily flattering.
I dunno. I think it all went to pot when Kurt Vonnegut did a commercial
for a credit card company, myself.
John
John Lawler
Which Sprout CD did you pick up? I would recommend "From langely Park to
Memphis" and "Jordan: The Comeback" both produced by Thomas Dolby, but not
the others. The most valid comparison with Steely Dan would be the
engineering and production of the Sprout albums with Gaucho. Walter Becker
himself once said for what it's worth that Prefab Sprout came to mind as a
band that had some of the Dan sound. Having said that, Paddy McAloon's
(sp?) whispery vocal stylings are much different than Fagen's. They also
use of more synths (80's type band with Dolby at the knobs). The horn chart
on I Remember That from Langely Park though does have a Dan/China Crisis
feel.
Probably the closest release I've head to Dan as far as to chord
progressions and structure (besides China Crisis or course) might be Danny
Wison's first album. The piano on Lorraine is certainly reminiscent of Here
at the Western World.
Jeez, I hope the "new one" comes out soon so we'll have Steely Dan to
compare Steely Dan with!!!
StratCat14
>could take back the Prefab Sprout. I picked them up because I heard the were
>stuff
>thinking the same thing.
OK, I'm going to say for the record:
Ben Folds Five aren't Danish. Sorry.
They also aren't Steely Dan, but that doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable. Give
'em a whirl, don't go in to the situation expecting them to sound like Don and
Walt, nor with a chip on your shoulder thinking you'll hate 'em. If you check
local used CD stores you can probably
A) listen to the band before dropping any money on a disc.
B) pick up an album, should you decide you like them, for very little $.
I'm not going to preach to you- although I really like BFF, personally- so just
take my post for what it's worth.
Mike
Jackofdays
>OK, I'm going to say for the record:
>
>Ben Folds Five aren't Danish. Sorry.
Right, I heard they were Swedish.
And have mooses.
and umlauts.
unlike me, diane, but I do contain an unnecessary vowel. In my last name.
Meaning I'm Dutch.
Wow, what a little United Nations this place has become!
please feel free to ask if it doesn't make any sense.
diane
KidCharlem
that you can't hope to enjoy them if you think they are gonna be Steely Dan
when you pick them up.
KidCharlem
The only one the local store had, which was the greatest hits album. I just
wasn't all that impressed...not to say they aren't any good, I just was
expecting something else.
Matt
Rob
>They also aren't Steely Dan, but that doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable. Give
>'em a whirl, don't go in to the situation expecting them to sound like Don and
>Walt, nor with a chip on your shoulder thinking you'll hate 'em. If you check
>local used CD stores you can probably
No one band is going to please all Steely Dan fans, even the ones
who like all the same Steely Dan songs. A friend of mine whose
Steely Dan tastes are almost congruent to mine adores Prefab
Sprout and isn't impressed by Ben Folds Five. My feelings are
the opposite, except for the song "Horsing Around" by PS, which I
think sounds like Thomas Dolby imitating Steely Dan as he did on
"Aliens Ate My Buick". I like Rickie Lee Jones and think she
sounds very much like the Dan instrumentally on her first handful
of albums; he likes China Crisis and I don't get them at all.
Walter even produced them both.
Steely Dan, like any band, means a lot more than music to its
fans, especially the sort of die-hards who would hang out and
talk about them in a newsgroup despite no new releases in 19
years. You can't ignore nostalgia as a huge factor in musical
tastes - we both discovered Steely Dan in our early 20's, but for
my friend it was boot camp circa 1980 and for me it was working
at a bank in 1991. Same basic taste but it's gotta resonate
differently.
Rob
John Cassidy
Heck, IMO, you can't even enjoy Don or Walter's albums that
much if you expect it to sound like the Dan. That was my first
mistake on Kamakiriad. After I got past that...wow!
Chris Wirtalla
thought I'd offer my opinion...
First of all, I would hesitate to suggest that any other group sounds
like Steely Dan. As I'm sure most of you will agree, no band -- past,
present or future -- will come close to capturing their overall sound.
However, I find that most bands who are compared in some way to S.D.
have that "intricately played, antiseptically recorded" production
quality to them. Most of them tend to be on the poppier side, rather
than the blues/funk/jazz realms that S.D. also mastered. The band
Danny Wilson is a good example of this (Scottish 80's band - only hit
was "Mary's Prayer" recently featured in There's Something About
Mary). Just about every review I've seen of them mentions Steely Dan.
However, if you were to purchase the album on this association alone, I
have a feeling most of you would be disappointed. They are pure pop,
they just happen to have lots of decent arrangements and precise
playing.
With regards to Prefab Sprout, I'd have to say that their debut SWOON
is the only one that has any direct similarities to Steely Dan other
than studio wizardry. The song and chord structures are crazy, and the
lyrics are completely bizarre. Still primarily pop but there are some
pretty cool grooves. After SWOON, the Sprouts kept the pristine
musicianship and production but progressively lost the other Dan-ish
qualities. SWOON is probably their least available album (in stores)
so I'm guessing it's the other albums that are being purchased out
there? Their album JORDAN: THE COMEBACK is my favorite of all time but
I would never recommend it to someone soley because they enjoy Steely
Dan.
Anyway, I suppose my point is that Steely Dan has so many qualities to
them, you probably should ask which quality the other band is being
compared to. That's not the most earth-shattering statement ever made
but it probably would've saved me some bucks along the way to ask a few
more questions before purchases.
In article <19990813150518...@ng-co1.aol.com>,
kidch...@aol.com (KidCharlem) wrote:
> Ok, here's my two cents (sense)...Ben Folds Five sounds almost
nothing like
> Steely Dan. Neither (at least to me) does Prefab Sprout, who so many
people
> around here seem to love. Neither does The Band, who I find many
fans of
> Steely Dan like. And it works the opposite way as well, people on
The Band
> guestbook talk about how much they like Steely Dan. The truth is
that they
> sound nothing alike, but each has an impecable musicianship that
can't be
> argued against, even if you don't happen to like their music. I
picked up two
> cds the other day, Prefab Sprout and Spinal Tap, and I wish to hell
that I
> could take back the Prefab Sprout. I picked them up because I heard
the were
> Danish, and they aren't...I'd hate for someone to pick up Ben Folds
Five stuff
> thinking the same thing.
>
> Along the Spinal Tap line, read my next post for a bit of
entertainment that is
> actually Dan related.
>
> Matt
>
Art Vandelay
(Jackofdays) wrote:
>Some time ago a group of listmembers named a band they swore would satisfy any
>Dan fan. So I went to my local music store and asked for a listen. These guys
>IN NO WAY resembled Steely Dan. In fact, I found their music unpalatable. The
>record store owners also were stunned that anyone would say this band sounded
>Dan-like. These are guys who listen to every single release as soon as it comes
>out, so their opinion meant a lot to me.
I remember that thread, and for what it's worth, I became a big fan of
Massive Attack. They in no way "sound like" Steely Dan, but one thing they share
in common is their existence as a "non-band", picking up different musicians for
each track yet maintaining their own signature.
MA is more of an art collective than anything.
Back to lurking...
(PS. I'm looking for someone in this newsgroup who is the huge Rosie Vela fan. I
need to contact him about something we corresponded about a year or two ago.)
--
-from the coffee stained desktop of
Art Vandelay
Vandelay Industries - purveyors of fine latex products
{B^|)> <snap> <snap>
StratCat14
>Art Vandelay
Would this be the same desktop in the Yankee front offices that Mr. Costanza
would sleep under?
Prodigal Frog
>MA is more of an art collective than anything.
Wow, what a great description for Massive Attack. hell, I'm a sizeable fan
of both Steely dan and Massive attack, so there must be some connection...
-derrick, always happy to talk about MA in any ng
Right now, I'm listening to: bjork, "Telegram"
Siri Bakken
You're not alone.
I love Steely Dan, Massive Attack, Bjork, Prefab Sprout...
...Beefheart, Pixies, Monk, Portishead, The Band, R.E.M...
Siri