Back in my punk rock days . . .

Posted by belyin (A) on October 1, 2020 at 23:22:13

In Reply to: Dead vs Steely Dan posted by jedrider on September 27, 2020 at 08:34:12:

In college late 70's early 80's, I hated them both, but for different reasons. The Dead were huge with a large part of my fellow students (the Long Island Cocaine Cowboys I dismissively called them--I could be a snooty punk) but I thought the were boring and noodlely. "But you have to hear them while tripping," I was told. But when I took acid I preferred the Velvet Underground and the Cramps! Steely Dan I found too arch and affected; and their studio perfectionism clashed with the raw and direct aesthetic I admired.

Forty years later and as a much better listener, I find I like the Dead even less; their music holds no rhythmic, harmonic, or emotional interest for me. I consider their rhythm section inept (I greatly appreciate space in music, but without tension it is just the void,) Garcia a boring noodler, and the vocals both unlistenable and vapid. Worse, their sloppy and disengaged aesthetic has colonized "funk" music via the their Jam Band offspring (who at times have seemed determined to colonize the whole New Orleans music scene!) I am mystified that two of my biggest jazz heroes--Ornette Coleman and David Murray--played with them. Obviously they have bigger ears than I do, and they must have heard something there that I can't make.

Today I have greater appreciation for Steely Dan--for their craft and their cynical wit--but I wouldn't say I am a fan. Oddly enough, what turned me around a little bit on them was hearing Rickie Lee Jones' cover of "Showbiz Kids" with Richard Davis on bass--just a beautiful production of an interesting song.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Dead vs Steely Dan - jedrider 08:34:12 09/27/20 (26)

Good Question - Ross 19:20:50 11/01/20 (0)

Back in my punk rock days . . . - belyin 23:22:13 10/01/20 (0)

I like apples more than oranges. Both are tasty but - jefe 18:11:21 10/01/20 (0)

RE: Dead vs Steely Dan - 6bq5 15:28:31 09/29/20 (0)

RE: Dead vs Steely Dan - Goober58 11:08:10 09/29/20 (0)

Dead play dippy "country." - oldmkvi 09:28:24 09/29/20 (9)

RE: Dead play dippy "country." - rivervalley817 10:02:21 09/29/20 (7)

I'm thinking of Casey Jones, - oldmkvi 10:46:59 09/29/20 (6)

RE: I'm thinking of Casey Jones, - rivervalley817 11:02:48 09/29/20 (5)

RE: I'm thinking of Casey Jones, - Goober58 11:10:51 09/29/20 (4)

RE: I'm thinking of Casey Jones, - rivervalley817 11:21:55 09/29/20 (3)

dildos? - Goober58 13:39:15 09/29/20 (2)

RE: dildos? - rivervalley817 13:52:36 09/29/20 (1)

laugh! nt - Goober58 15:04:47 09/29/20 (0)

RE: Dead play dippy "country." - mraudio 10:02:06 09/29/20 (0)

NO comparison AFAIC..... - TWB 14:36:08 09/28/20 (0)

RE: Dead vs Steely Dan - johntoste 08:49:44 09/27/20 (9)

RE: Dead vs Steely Dan - LtMandella 17:06:25 09/27/20 (8)

RE: Dead vs Steely Dan - rivervalley817 22:37:38 09/27/20 (6)

Both are fantastic and the best of the best.. IMHO - lokie 07:23:45 11/02/20 (5)

RE: Both are fantastic and the best of the best.. IMHO - rivervalley817 10:54:17 11/02/20 (4)

RE: Both are fantastic and the best of the best.. IMHO - lokie 14:53:46 11/02/20 (3)

RE: Both are fantastic and the best of the best.. IMHO - rivervalley817 15:23:57 11/02/20 (2)

RE: Both are fantastic and the best of the best.. IMHO - lokie 06:27:41 11/03/20 (1)

RE: Both are fantastic and the best of the best.. IMHO - rivervalley817 10:48:51 11/03/20 (0)

RE: Dead vs Steely Dan - johntoste 22:08:23 09/27/20 (0)

Follow Ups

Back in my punk rock days . . . - belyin 23:22:13 10/01/20 (0)

Back in my punk rock days . . .

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