Steely Dan Live 1996 at Manassas 22/23: My Old School

[toocoolblue1]

It would really be nice to hear one of the hired gun guitarists play this solo like the album.

[stephenetzine]

I'll qualify this by saying I know nothing about music, but every time I watch this I am floored by Wayne Krantz's performance.

[Revolution1117]

carlospc-Thanks for the great Dan posts!

[johnnylance]

The thing is, Wayne could play any solo that any of the other guitarists have played for SD, in his sleep. None but Wayne could play the solo at the end of this song.

[alienhuman]

Hey pony-tail blonde ... more cow bell !!!

[sskkramer]

i really like those open string things he does in his soloing ,his playing is attention getting . how could you not like,,...............for fucks sake

[enfetish]

I am a huge Wayne fan and have got to know him on his various trips to the UK - a true gentleman. I think his style has matured over the intervening years and he would be an interesting choice for Dan now. But can I throw up a real contender for the next Dan tour - the awesome Jimmy Herri9ng!!! Just listen to his playing on The Fez, on Jeff Richman's tribute album to the Dan - a modern day Larry Carlton!!!

[jackcame2]

Herring would be a natural in the Dan. So would Buzz Feiten, Jack Pearson...all capable of taking it to a new level.

[mrstrat222]

Jimmy Herring is awsome!!! He would fit- but if anyone cannot hear how monster this wayne dude is........OMG!!!! Even Skunk would give him a nod!!!

[braddavis2]

Sorry to burst the bubble ... while I think that Krantz is a brilliant technician .... like many flaming guitarist he plays WAY too many notes, phrasing is off and WAY too much Distortion... Baxter's original solo is possibly one of finest moments in improv electric guitar solos ever pressed on vinyl ... just my opinion

[rdnzl1]

I agree with you, but in my mind the best solo is is Larry Carlton on Kid Charlemaign. It was as close to perfect as you can get.

[braddavis2]

Yes Masterful solo by Carlton but a way diff vibe than My Old School

[cliffworks4321]

@braddavis2 since Fagan and Becker hired him your opinion conflicts with theirs.

[jackcame2]

This has to be one of the best Dan songs and Skunk's original solo one of the greatest ever... and this must surely rate as one of the finest examples of a new talent pushing that guitar envelope. Just an astonishing performance... so original!

[faffytron]

I was at this show, 8th row just right of center. I had never heard Krantz before and was completely floored by his approach. I have since seen him at the 55 and own most of his recordings. The guy is of the rarest sort, an original voice. Yeah he's a little more over the top than most steely guitarists, but come on, the dude is bad

[luangu]

I gotta have more cowbell!

[billes335]

Until you see Krantz live you shouldn't say he's sub par. He's written lesson books, and played with the top jazz guys. His passion is improvising and if you'd listen to some of his older studio albums you'd see that he's as clean...if not cleaner than a lot of the guys...I have nothing bad to say about any of the guitarists they've chosen over the years...and to say its because they're on a budget...Fagan hired Krantz for his solo album a few years back..check it out.

[ROBERT195911577]

Budget?That caught my eye.I doubt that there would be any constraints or thoughts of cost as it relates to the musicians they use. Again,for the record,when you are Becker & Fagen,you call your own shots and don't compromise.They never have.They never will. No one, and I mean no one can remain as consistent as they have been without being disciplined and in control. Any moronic executive that attempted to control their process would be laughed out of the room,if not physically removed.

[votequimby08]

I agree with that. Most importantly, a real "musician" (someone out there still playing for the love of playing) would not have to be paid much, I imagine, to go out on tour with Steely Dan. I would probably do it for $100 a day (I'm sure their band is getting paid a lot more than that)!

[Gorgolada]

Totally agree .. WK is a true great and furthermore .. he embodies the real spirit of Steely imho .. risk , fun , not playing safe , true wow factor fun and games ... go Wayne !

[ROBERT195911577]

Im posting to correct my own mistake. Elliot Randal played the original guitar licks. How he managed to stay in such obscurity is beyond me. He managed to put one of the most recognizable and well regarded licks of all time and fade to obscurity.

[xpaddy01]

Robert, you had it right the first time. Skunk played the original solo (and quite nicely, too!). Elliot Randall, according to the compilation "A Decade of Steely Dan" did "Reelin in the Years". And for me, Krantz could fit on any Dan album, but he just goes way beyond any guitarist they'd used to that point in time. The current gun slinger, Jon Herington, ain't too shabby, either! ;)

[jackcame2]

Elliott Randall also responsible for great solos on Kings and Sign In Stranger. He's another original and one-off from the Dan stable. He has some great blogs on his myspace site including a really fascinating open discussion on the top 20 solos of all time. A great read for guitar afficienados.

Krantz does some great work on Becker's latest "Morph the Cat", another classic album that's worth persevering with: John Herrington also contributes some fine (if more conventional) solos.

[bzzcat]

not my favorite version of this one. I saw Fagen in L.A. at the Wiltern and is was UNBELIEVABLE! He played the whole Nightfly album...including MAXINE!...very rare and VERY cool. A real treat to see this "live" in any context. Thanks for posting.

[IGRX]

RIP CORNELIUS BUMPUS

[mikesydloski]

wayne krantz is a bad-ass. to pass him off as a petty hired gun is probably not so accurate. do you think that fagen and becker can't have ANYONE they want?!? wayne simply burns a'la drew zingg(who i felt was the best of the post studio greats,wheres an SD show with drew on youtube?)so, sorry dankenton, i respectfully disagree(and your billy sheehan quote is way off base,too)wayne's solo shit shows him to be an ample foil for these guys.....sorry!

[dankenton]

Krantz in Steely Dan? What's next...Billy Sheehan on bass and Lars Ulrich on drums? Yeah, the dude has chops but not the kind needed for this gig. Krantz is a spotlight whore doesn't listen to the whole band but only to himself. I don't fault SD, they hire touring guys on a budget, not studio aces...there's a big difference.

[snakeanthony11]

Krantz was an interesting choice. 96 in general is an odd year with a strange choice of players. I don't know if budget entered into it; I think they wanted younger players who took more risks, but I'm not sure how well it all worked.

[emilsteph]

well in fairness krantz puts his own mark on a dan classic.nobody should bitch about it.wish i had his skills.

[tonupnolid]

Sorry, but this doesn't swing and the guitar breaks are awful, he's way late on the first one and the rest are a bit too heavy metal, IMO.

OK 5 mins in it's grooving but he's playing Iron Maiden solos over the top, silly man.

[tmoney84242]

YOUR A TARD

[tonupnolid]

"You're a 'tard" ~ there you go, I've fixed it for you;)

If you have any other problems with grammar and spelling then go back to school, dick:D

[htrizzle]

Yes , you should show him how it's done... Do some research on who you're talking trash before you type dumb shit that makes u look like a moron. Hahahaha Iron Maiden solos??what an idiot. Wayne Krantz there u go , do some homework..

Yes i know it's your opinion...WOW... that says a lot about you and how much your opinion sucks lol.

On another note, god, Wayne kills it in this video. Krantz rules goddamnit!!!!

[tonupnolid]

After another 3 seconds' research I'm happy to reaffirm that he's way late on that first break.

And I agree with you friend, Wayne certainly kills it.

[htrizzle]

Well show us how its done PLEASE oh grandmaster , MR. Perfection. You must be a godly musician to trash someone of his stature. Come one why don't YOU show us how it's REALLY done...

[ROBERT195911577]

OK kids, here is the answer.If Fagen & Becker didnt want it that way, it wouldnt be.They are known to be task masters and control freaks.Second, the original was done by "Shunk Works", one of the best rock guitar players of his time and you cant compare studio to live. Krantz is essentially a fusion/jazz player. I dig Skungs version over Krantz, but I have seen Skunk do it live.He didnt nail it either. Conclusion: They are different interpertations of the same song. End of lesson.

[ROBERT195911577]

Guess what..it wasnt Skunk. It was Elliot Randall on the original. My mistake.

[MMMuller]

wrong

[votequimby08]

The guy is playing an improvised solo. To say someone came in late on an improvised solo shows you know nothing about music.

[snakeanthony11]

Actually, I think it was Lawson that fucked up there. He changes the beat too late. While the solo is improvised, the guitarist does usually come in on the and of 4 during every solo break on My Old School.

[AR20170]

Thats an awful sound mix!  The electric guitar is way to loud.

[votequimby08]

Saying "the guitar is too loud" in Steely Dan mix is like saying the drums are too loud on a Buddy Rich recording!

[jacobmoon]

Frickin' unbelievable!!

Wayne Krantz just melted my face right off my face!

Ahhhhhhhhhh!

[votequimby08]

The pairing of Wayne Krantz and Steely Dan is second only to peanut butter and jelly!!!

[sportschick1719]

RIP Cornelius Bumpus...thank you for posting this video of one of the most talented group of musicians in the history of music. Steely Dan has always been very innovative and unique in their blend of music. Love Ricky Lawson on drums and Wayne Krantz on guitar.

[ROBERT195911577]

Tight guitar. Still partial to "The Skunk". One of the all time best.

[myloveybunny]

This song has been around forever. I (still) like it MORE each time I hear it!

[CSNY225]

This is so good. Just phenomenal.

[steveviscious89]

Haha...I would love nothing more than another tune, but I'm wondering if 23 is the Fagen/Becker walk off number...whatever that would be.

[avenia83]

Maybe the 23rd is Pretzel Logic that is the last song of the Two Against Nature 2000 DVD Concert...Let's see...

[avenia83]

I was waiting for this post!

And now I can't wait for the 23/23, the ecstasy, the orgasm ;)

[carlospc]

You all are awesome!! Thank you for your comments.