Mike & Dre continue diving into the history and music of the band Steely Dan focusing on "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Pretzel Logic".

This week's guest is John Szymanski

In This Episode… Mike rants about this era of the Dan, composing music for slot machines, using variety to keep music vital, tour talk, and the Dan transition from touring band to studio-only.

Recommendations

John

• A wizard a true star - Todd Rudgren
• Get Music by John Szymanski on bandcamp

Mike

• Raised By Hippies on YouTube

Dre

• Nolan's The Odyssey

Join us next Sunday where we talk to John about the song The Boston Rag. Then stick around and hear us perform a duet of the song.

The following week, we'll be back with another full-length episode on steely dan with special guest Ait Fetterolf. Join us as we cover the albums "Katy Lied" and "The Royal Scam".

Chapters

00:02 - Opening Monologue

08:11 - Walter Beckons

21:27 - Any Major Dre Will Tell You

25:42 - David Palmer Memory Quiz

32:51 - Dirty Work

Read the show notes here

YouTube Video of Funniest Steely Dan Interviews

Royce James singing Any Major Dude Will Tell You

Mike On Instagram

Dre On Instagram

Dre On Bluesky

Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley

See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/

All music by Mike Slater

Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

Welcome back to our season on the music of Steely Dan

Each minisode during the Steely Dan season, we'll be presenting a musical performance by Mike and the guest.

In this Minisode...David Palmer brings the sweet side of Steely Dan, Dan and Mike explore the music theory behind Dirty Work, then they perform the song Dirty Work before finishing the episode with more talk on music technology and appreciating Jazz.

“Dirty Work” starts at 18:47

This week's guest is Dan Jackson

Join us next Sunday where we'll be back with another full-length episode on Steely Dan with special guest John Szymanski. Join us as we cover the albums "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Pretzel Logic".

Read the show notes here

Mike On Instagram

Dre On Instagram

Dre On Bluesky

Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley

See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/

All music by Mike Slater

Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

Welcome to a new season on the music of Steely Dan

Mike here. In This Episode, Dre and I begin diving into the history and music of the band Steely Dan starting with their debut album "Can't Buy A Thrill".

Each episode, we'll have a guest musician on the show to talk about their history with Steely Dan. In the minisodes, we'll feature a performance with me and the guest on a Steely Dan song of their choice.

We're not afraid to get into the weeds on music theory, but Dre is always here to ask questions as a newcomer to the band. If you're an old fan or new to the Dan, there's something here for you.

This week's guest is Dan Jackson

Dan Recommends

• Bandsplain Podcast
• Burt Sugarman’s Midnight Special with Steely Dan
• Raye - this album may contain hope
• The Brook and the Bluff
• Dan’s Chicago RPG store
• Dan on instagram

Join us next Sunday where we talk to Dan about the song Dirty Work. Then stick around and hear us perform a duet of the song.

The following week, we'll be back with another full-length episode on steely dan with special guest John Szymanski. Join us as we cover the albums "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Pretzel Logic".

Chapter Times

I'm working on adding chapters to the podcast. In the meantime, here's the next best thing in case you really can't stand the monologue. Or are only here for the quiz.

00:02 - Opening Monologue

08:31 - Walter Beckons

29:35 - Any Major Dre Will Tell You

34:00 - David Palmer Memory Quiz

41:44 - Dirty Work

Read the show notes here

Hear Rock Lab at Chicago Summerfest

Mike On Instagram

Dre On Instagram

Dre On Bluesky

Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley

See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/

All music by Mike Slater

Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan