Steely Dan live plays "Godwhacker"

[madmadary]

Is anyone else in love with EVERYONE in this band?

[CharloHum]

I will never be able to explain how much I love this band , nothing comes close to them. They were absolutely brilliant at the Beacon in Sept. Absolute heros.

[bradmonium1]

Walter rocks in this one. Great song.

[Deadfreeeak]

scored front row floors this fri in TO at cost......... I'm beside myself.

[MyKidC]

Always liked the live version with the extended horn solos.

[tyleryesta1]

What a great job Walter has, he gets to just noodle around on these amazing chord changes.

[beatcrazy14]

carlock FTW

[alrozz]

When it comes to Steely Dan, Chicago can't touch this.

[SaxyDan54]

@alrozz

ah, but despite the fact they had horns, you compare apples and oranges. Both are tops in thier own arena, IMHO.

[alrozz]

@SaxyDan54 You got that righ, very well said.

[owlcu]

To be honest, one of the things I like most about Steely Dan is that the musicians who play with them would not be invited to play with them unless they were incredible, so I get introduced to virtuosity on instruments I know nothing about. It's like visiting a museum of prodigies.

[heaven17]

Legendary...



[newknackerdog]

I have loved this band since Cant buy a thrill. Just wish i could get to see them live. Just genius, sheer unadulterated genius with a groove.

[DeSangre]

Look ma, 4 people don't understand music!

[MrYourekiddingme]

@DeSangre Amen! 

[dvdmoe]

@DeSangre

I could click thumbs up only once...but you're right!

[jmillzz2]

Before I snuff it I hope The Dan releases a multi-disc shiny live package of some sort with lots of clips of the different lineups they've had. Bumpus, Krantz, the shows with Elliot Randall, Larry Carlton, Mikey McD. Just think of it...

One can dream I suppose.

[beatcrazy14]

CARLOOOCKK

[BradyOrvin]

did it rain

[andygandy123]

Fagen's legendary T-shirt and Carlock's crisp ass drumming make this song complete.

[TheDickslol]

What the hell is fagen playing?

[marshallkiller]

@TheDickslol

it's a melodica, also called blow-flute

[MrYourekiddingme]

@TheDickslol It's a melodica.

[onecircle1]

The horn solos in the middle are magical.

[PlymouthVT]

Crisp ass drumming back there Carlock. Nice stuff.

[1akarma]

when you realize you need not fear those beings you think are above you. you can command them with full freedom and full responsibilty. this might get messy. but it's all good fertility for creation.

[1akarma]

when you realize you need not fear those beings you think are above you. you can command them with full freedom and full responsibilty. this might get messy.

[TheCashback]

Carolyn Leonheart Just adds more spice to a perfect production what a stunning woman.

[nckey42]

Is that Jim Pugh on the bone? (not sure if I spelled that correctly)

[KwameNewton]

@nckey42 Yep.

[SupernalOne]

the lyrics, the concept!: Godwhacker - in our fantasies we can run God off the property, and take our chances with what happens then - such a lonely freedom: no mind control, but no meaning -

the only other song I know that addresses this idea is "Burning Hell" by john lee hooker: "ain't no heaven, ain't no burnin hell, when I die where I go, no man can tell" -

if we must have Gods, why must they make war on each other? throw the bums out - and live free, and bereft...

[kell1reilly2]

@SupernalOne the song is about our hunt for osama bin ladin

[SupernalOne]

@kell1reilly2

It could be construed that way, I guess, I hadn't thought of that, and the timing is right, 2003 - still, lines like "we chased your Almighty Ass through seven heaven worlds", and the reference to the Blake poem about "Tiger, Tiger burning bright, in the forest of the night" - seem to give the song a more metaphysical cast - knowing these guys, though, it could go either way - or both...

[dvdmoe]

@SupernalOne

GodWhacker means George W. (Bush). In the beginning they (the Bush family) could hang with the dude is "Osama Bin Laden".

Purely a charismatic way of talking about the administration without actually spelling it out. FYI:

Osama is posted up at the bush ranch in Crawford, TX. (LOL)...now you know where he is too....

[SmilingJack100]

I can really only describe this word with 2 words "Deicidal Shaft"

[javamonkey1]

I ask Wayne Krantz at a show in Nashville a few months back ..how it was playing with Cornelius standing behind him each night blowing sax... He said he wouldn't trade that for ANYTHING in the world...Said that when the band went out to eat in a foreign country..he just always wanted Mcdonalds brought back for him....cool..

[GrizrazRex]

Awesome song, and I need a dustpan for my jaw after seeing the backing vocalists.

[bootleger29]

Fuck! Ça joue méchamment!

[johnclin]

I like the back up singers.

[marmotman]

Love it... except Becker has a tendency to noodle at bit too much live.

Saw them a couple of years ago in the UK - never played / sounded this good. Left after the first half... gutted as they're one of my favourite bands

[madmadary]

Steely Dan needs to play more from their last two albums, so overlooked!

[Sunflower0122Z]

I have to listen to that album again. I played it alot when it came out. The theme was compelling.I do like it but I always go furthur back in their catalog

[Margar02]

Holy crap is that Cornelius?

<3 RIP

Saw these guys at EJ Thomasin Akron the other day. I was disappointed they didn't play any of the 2000's stuff.

[pretorious700]

wow, a capo on the repeating guitar riff-whoda thunk it?

[eyehatepop]

On the recording I always wondered what that instrument was on the first solo I believe. I would've never guessed it was a melodica lol

[kylehaver]

Only Steely Dan can write a song about "whacking" God for all the terrible stuff he's done and have people snap their fingers in blissful delight. What a great song!!

If you think about it, Steely has nothing nice to say about anything. Just sounds like they're being nice. Gotta love it!

Just saw them in DEnver on 10/29/09. Fantastic, as always.

[kell1reilly2]

its not about punishing god for what hes done. its about our hunt for osama bin laden. "in the beginning we could hang with the dude" refers to how in the 80's, we were friendly w/ bin laden against the soviets.

"yes we are the godwhackers" means bin laden's main reason for attacking us was because the US GENERALLY 'rejects' laws of religion (we're a country that makes its own laws, not made by god). "...for crimes beyond imagining, its time to pay the price..." refers to 9/11.

[fisherappliance]

The Dan brings it on this one. Fagen's the reincarnation of Ichabod Crane, but the music's still there.

[MasterBlasterMusic]

I would love to see Walt Wieskopf and Andy Snitzer w/ S-Dan !!!!!

[caraphyllis]

this song cooks in every possible way

[kell1reilly2]

story of the godwhacker

[hulldanfan]

RIP Cornelius Bumpus - Died about 6 months after this show

[billjhyt]

What a bummer, what a cool dude, always in a loose mood in his music. You could always count on him. Great musical friend.

[pretorious700]

hell yeah, he was the real deal

[oralnjax]

I must admit that until about a month ago, I had not heard the EMG album...and I'm an SD fan from '73. But this song, like others on the ablum....the more I listen to it the more I like it!!

[Stevenrobertsbham]

This song is a what I call a 'film noir' jazz blues version of Miltons' "Paradise Lost" - just listen to the lyrics... its all about The Great Fall.

[ulineustadt]

simply great

[ogi3d]

Mr. Cornelius Bumpus was the best, it's true and want to say that Mr. Cornelius Bumpus IS THE BEST ! i love U Mr. Cornelius Bumpus.

[icedick21]

RIP Mr. Cornelius Bumpus. The Bumper is one of the greats.

[ahutch70]

Where do these fine musicians come from ? There is hope for humankind after all !!! Everyone get in the groove and DANCE ... !

[joeo78501]

Correction the Bushes did not create him but the U.S. Reagan and Bush policies assisted him at first.

[ThirdMother]

Best song on 'Everything must go'.

[DelJunya]

I watched these guys play up in Vancouver!!!

4 rows from the stage DEAD CENTER BABY!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS EPIC!~

[a7d9]

In order to get a license for carrying an instrument this live performance should be required viewing in full version.

[icedick21]

Hey Hallvarj, you ask what the choir girls are doing with their hands??? The question is: What are you doing with your hands???

[DancingSpiderman]

MY hands are focusing on Carolyn Lionhart.

I got a Monkey In My Soul

[pluffmudsc]

hallvarj , I too had too look. "choir girls" ? Son .....

[estrobosfrobous]

Brass on fiiiiiiireeeee! Rippin' off funky nasties!! Those motherfuc¨#rs do the groove. Years pass by and they're STILL a magnificent band. The more they play, the better they get.

[hallvarj]

the band is good, saw them live - they are awesome. But are the choir girls doing with their hands? looks really stupid.

[Teflon65]

Great stuff, as usual.

[festilina]

I couldn't live without this band. I love them so much more than my cats or girlfriend.

[Khultan]

@festilina

 LOL

[icedick21]

Sounds like a horn solo from the group "Chicago".

[oralnjax]

er.....different style. SD just has a different groove.

Those cats from Chicago were all grads of Julliard is I remember rightly. Nuttin' to sneeze at.

[icedick21]

You better get gone George Bush, dickwhacker's in your face!!!!!!!!

[eyesawit2]

LO-MU F--KN L!!!!!

U SOOOOPID FOR THAT ONE!!!!

Very very funny my friend!!

[Godzilla614]

this is a 5 year old song dude

and it was on their last album

[spinningrooves]

Is Carlock not the bomb?

[wps736]

He was amazing last night in Anaheim. He "outGadded" Gadd on Aja.

[dreadmorayeel]

Fabulous! thanks so much for posting this..great version and quality..amazing playing...sooo much added from the album version...Carlocks fill at 4.56 to 4.58?...Holy shit!

[metsfanmax]

This is a good take of Godwhacker.

When Michael's doing his solo, it really sounds to me like there's actually another trumpet playing the backgrounds under him... but obviously he's the only trumpet player on stage. What gives? Am I just hearing it incorrectly?

[TurambarDJS]

The highest voice you're hearing in the backgrounds is Fagen's melodica, I think.

[weedkiller10]

Keith Carlock!

[Greenlight73]

And Jim Pugh! Plays notes I didn't you could play on the trombone. Nasty nasty nasty.

[Greenlight73]

And Jim Pugh! Plays notes I didn't know you could play on the trombone. Nasty nasty nasty.

[jyviens]

insane!

[GeoBucs]

It does look like Donald's gained a bit of weight in the past few years, but so what? He and Walter are brilliant musicians, songwriters, producers, you name it. Who really cares what they look like? Besides, Donald's doing OK--his wife (Libby Titus) is no slouch. And back in '93 he had the stubble, too--and I think it's kind of cool. I did like the suit jackets he used to wear (kind of fits the tunes). But really, who cares about their appearance--they're not horrendous by any means!

[kharbear1]

Does anyone have live versions of 'Lunch With Gina' or 'Last Mall'?

[levanyzzuf]

It looks like D-Fag could afford to lose a little weight.

[rslaing]

Are you saying that this musical and lyrical genius could improve his talent by eating less..........are you an idiot?

[levanyzzuf]

Who knows. He'd sure look a damn sight prettier though. At this point he seems to be giving WB a run for his money in the weight department. The grey stubble and pencil-thin moustache are atrocious as well. Compare this to how he looked in '93...

[leftyrite]

little things might matter later

at the start of the end of history

[hamish1969]

Cornelius Bumpus at 3.50, man that guy had chops. What a mind!

[StKittsDave]

Best song from EMG.

[j34542j]

4:05 on is freakin Donald at his best! Love it!

[opdage]

Love THIS and GODDAM that chick in the middle is HOT  :D

[wps736]

Thats Caroline Leonhart, Michael's sister.

[opdage]

I guess Michael's also now on the list of guys who want to beat me up now, haha.

[wps736]

My bad, its spelled Carolyn. Beat you up? He'd have a few hundred thousand guys to tackle if appreciation of his sister is offensive!

[doedoe1]

Jon Herington is a TRUE Guitar God.... Such an outstanding guitar player.....

[DrWu2000]

the Bumpus solo gives me chills..one of the best ever...RIP my man

[jonpl007]

saxaphone for life :)

this songs amazinnng

[Deadfreeeak]

That riff ooo weeee Jon is so awesome !

[EreticoPao]

so funky! great donald.

[andersohrn]

I am crying like a little baby watching this. Perfect art? Nah, words can not describe The Dan. They are beyond all of that.

Thank you, Don and Walt.

[zabari]

hell yeah dude you said it. they are IT! as Dean Moriarty would say

[doedoe1]

Mr. Pugh Rocks that Trombone like no other......

[johnq26]

`the lick at 0:57 is fuckin crazy mnn

[ocdrumboy1]

try to play this drum track at this tempo with the hi hat pattern... yikes. 1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a. quick. hard to keep this tune groovin right. keith does it with ease :)

[doedoe1]

One of my favorite songs to date... Words are very similar to what is going on today...

[DeaconBlooze]

killer song, I agree, Steely Dan's perspective and lyrics pertain to what is happening today. What a killer song, whoops I already said that. Actually I own all of the Steely Dan albums from the 1970's and early 80's. I wasn't aware that they were still making music, shame on me. Well this song changed that, I have this album coming in the mail from BMG. This song is bad azz.

[Benjani7]

You mean you weren't aware that they won 3 grammy awards with 2000's Two Against Nature?!!

[DeaconBlooze]

I was unaware of the grammy awards Steely Dan won for two against nature! I don't pay attention to the grammy awards, since generally they dont award musicianship, but rather pay tribute to good looks and popularity. Maybe I should give the grammy awards another chance, nope, I can't see myself doing that. PS I got the CD in the mail, it is good, but the Godwhacker live version is much better, but the album still kix azz.

[Benjani7]

i don't really pay attention to the grammies, but it was big news, cos steely dan not only won three awards, but they beat eminem to best album. i prefer two against nature to everything must go, but godwhacker and pixeleen are great.

[Rumpl4skn]

Yes, and Dr. Dre was quite vocally upset that his Eminem album lost out to it. : ) One of the funnier moments in musical history. Cheer up Dre, every once in a while some reality tragically leaks through to the mainstream.

[dogofman]

Is there something about this dr Dre and Eminem incident to watch or read about? Seem interesting enough.

[Bluesman63]

I remember that Eminem had been highly favored to win the award and reportedly went on a rant after losing out to The Dan, supposedly yelling "Who the f**k is this Steely Dan guy?" or something along those lines, exposing his total ignorance in yet another area. I guess that Kanye West din't invent the crybaby bitch rapper thing afterall.

[kell1reilly2]

@Bluesman63 eminmen can kiss.my.dick

[spellsara4]

One of the best masterpieces of Donald Fagen!

enough said!

[harrrrald]

OMG luv it

[TitanSound]

Keith Carlock is one of the best drummers around today...

[DeSangre]

This rocks so hard it can't really be put into words.

[joeo78501]

THis song is about the Bushes goin after Sadam Hussein, Run Run Run! In the begining we could hang with the dude. (U.S. Policy Reagan and Bush years created him) We sniff you big Tiger (Sadam was known as the Tiger)

[markkupaivarinta]

Once and for all. No need to instruct these guys :)

[blanman77]

what a great song!!!!

[revbeni]

The late great Cornelius Bumpus!

[spellsara4]

Someone wrote the late great Cornelius Bumpus?

is he dead? I didn't know that..and I wrote comments in other videos about him..like where is he? wanted to see more of him? R U

serious? I didn't know!!!!!

[revbeni]

Yes, sadly he died in early 2004. A huge loss for Don & Walt and all us Danfans. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! On the brite-side, they'll be touring again next year :)

[figureskater6]

As they say in Ireland Massive bloody Massive - love SD they are simply the best - so sharp funky cool tks for posting

[tunnelrat1900]

Oh crap! The horn section did some kick-ass solos! And Walter Becker really cooks.

[leftyrite]

We tracked your Almighty Ass

Through seven heaven worlds,

Me, Slinky Redfoot, and the Trusty Angel Girls...

[avhwa]

OMG, this is so good!!! I love it!

[boerni1976]

Be-Bop Daddy- Fantastic.Best Walter on lead

[leftyrite]

You better get down, Poppy,

Godwhacker's on the case.

[humboldtmyche]

My entire family thanks you and the mighty DAN :-D

myche

[carlospc]

Thank you all!

[Category3]

Gadzooks! Newark

[26756richardb]

Yeah I was there too, it was a blast, despite the sound being a little muddied

[oddball6227]

Saw these on sat 07 07 07 at London, Hammersith Apollo, what can isay FANNNNNTASTIC

[fede1346]

Those horns are marvelous...

keep on posting this videos

[Yaponchik78]

Fantastic! I love the showcase for the horns.