Walter Becker, “Hard Up Case (Live at Slim’s 1995)” (2024): Steely Dan Sunday
Walter Becker Media celebrated the late Steely Dan legend’s birthday by releasing a live take on “Hard Up Case,” which he referred to as hard-boiled neo-reggae.
Walter Becker Media celebrated the late Steely Dan legend’s birthday by releasing a live take on “Hard Up Case,” which he referred to as hard-boiled neo-reggae.
When Walter Becker died today in 2017, he’d already created a fantastic legacy with Steely Dan. His solo work was less heralded, but no less interesting.
Steely Dan stalwart Donald Fagen’s second solo album ‘Kamakiriad’ arrived 30 years ago as a somewhat-overlooked testament to creative genius.
A swampy alternate version of Walter Becker’s twangy delight “Cringemaker” bowed for the occasion of his 73rd birthday. Check it out at Walter Becker Media.
Michael Leonhart joined Preston Frazier to discuss his lengthy musical partnership with Steely Dan, among other career highlights.
Steely Dan burst onto the music scene 50 years ago this month with their platinum-selling debut. Here’s a deeper dive into ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill.’
Fully completed Steely Dan studio recordings not officially released are rare. Steely Dan covers are rare. Their newly uncovered take on Joni Mitchell’s “Carey intersects both kinds of rarities.
This newly released Walter Becker demo provides a timely reminder that he was just as adept at laying down a groove as Steely Dan cohort Donald Fagen.
Steely Dan’s “Hey Nineteen” has aged reasonably well. Unfortunately, the live versions are now missing two critical elements that Walter Becker provided.
‘Everything Must Go’ boasts a warmth missing from 1977’s ‘Aja,’ the album Steely Dan fans usually gush over, as well as 1980’s ‘Gaucho.’