Tag Archives: Pretzel Logic

Music Monday: May 20, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Fifty years ago Steely Dan released their third studio album. Pretzel Logic made its debut in February 1974. The band was formed by core members Walter Becker (1950-2017) on guitar and bass & Donald Fagen on keyboards. Both men, who met when they were students at Bard College in New York, also shared songwriting duties. The album also featured one of the group’s earlier members and future Doobie Brother, Jeffrey “Skunk” Baxter, on guitar and Jim Gordon of Derek & The Dominos on drums.

By May of 1974, the first single from the album became a Top Ten hit on Billboard’s Hot 100. It is highlighted by an incredible musical arrangement including the use of a flapamba, a great lead vocal by Fagan, backing vocals by future Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit and a smoking guitar solo by Baxter. No wonder the track become the best selling single of Steely Dan’s career to date.

“I have a friend in town he’s heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games I don’t know
And you could have a change of heart“.

Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan

Top: The band’s 1974 album. Bottom: Steely Dan circa 1974 (L-R): Denny Dias, Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Jim Hodder. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Steely Dan: “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” (1974, written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 20, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today marks two milestones for the band, Steely Dan. This is from my 2021 post:

On February 20, 1950 Steely Dan co-founder, guitarist & songwriter Walter Becker was born in Queens, NY. He started the band with keyboardist & songwriter Donald Fagen after the two men met when they were both students at Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY. On that same date in 1974, the group released their third studio album, Pretzel Logic. Let’s just take a minute to bask in the brilliance of that title, shall we?

“You tell yourself you’re not my kind
But you don’t even know your mind
And you could have a change of heart“.

Walter Becker (L) and Donald Fagen (R) of Steely Dan circa 1974 & the album they released that year. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Steely Dan: “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” (1974, written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 341

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On February 20, 1950 Steely Dan co-founder, guitarist & songwriter Walter Becker was born in Queens, NY. He started the band with keyboardist & songwriter Donald Fagen after the two men met when they were both students at Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY. On that same date in 1974, the group released their third studio album, Pretzel Logic. Let’s just take a minute to bask in the brilliance of that title, shall we?

“You tell yourself you’re not my kind
But you don’t even know your mind
And you could have a change of heart“.

Walter Becker (L) and Donald Fagen (R) of Steely Dan circa 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Steely Dan: “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” (1974, written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 130

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Thoreau music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

If I had to pick a secondary soundtrack to my teenage years, Steely Dan would be at the top of that list.  I enjoyed their music a lot, but they always seemed to be in my peripheral view rather than my focus.  I am not sure why, perhaps because I was in sensory overload with my primary focus on Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Elton & Bernie, Motown/soul music and The Beatles.  But there was no mistaking Steely Dan’s musical talent and knack for songwriting.

The band was founded in 1972 by Walter Becker (backing vocals & guitars), Donald Fagen (lead vocals & keyboards), Denny Dias (lead guitarist),  Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (rhythm guitarist), Jim Hodder (drummer) and David Palmer (vocalist).  Their 1972 debut album, Can’t Buy A Thrill, produced three of their most well known songs, “Do It Again”, “Reelin’ In The Years” and today’s song, which unlike most of the band’s tunes, did not feature Fagen on lead vocal but rather Palmer who left the group in 1973.

Their other hits include “My Old School”, “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” (their highest charting song which hit #4 in 1974), “Aja”, “Peg”, “Deacon Blues”, “Josie” and “Hey Nineteen”.  By 1974 after the release of their third album, Pretzel Logic, Fagen & Becker decided to break up the group, stop touring and continue exclusively as a studio band until 1981 when they took a 20 year hiatus from recording.

Over the years future Doobie Brother Michael McDonald joined the band and they welcomed guest musicians including Marc Knopfler of Dire Straits, Steve Porcaro of Toto, Larry Carlton & Rick Derringer on guitar, David Sanborn on saxophone and Jim Gordon on drums.  Becker passed away in 2017 but what a legacy of music the both men gave us.

Steely Dan’s 1972 debut album and core members Walter Becker (L) and Donald Fagen (R).  (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Steely Dan:  “Dirty Work” (1972, written by Donald Fagan and Walter Becker).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.