Some browsers don't play nice with the html download code. The previous page has been replaced by a widget to facilitate downloads in FLAC and MP3. Thank you for your patience, and thank you to those of you who helped make sure everyone who wanted to figured out how to grab a file.
Hi Matt, tried that - when the 'cloud w/ music note' is clicked - nothing happens. When I click on the file type MP3 for example I'm redirected to Forum. Am I clicking on wrong links? Thank you, Rob
Was someone asking for "Megashine City"? Nice demo version up here, along with a bunch of other rarities, on Big Public Site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpm5ZSHKRyg
For those that have not heard the 'Circus Money' CD, you need to get a pair of 300.00 head phones and play it on your DVD/CD player and have some Gin and Tonic and look out your window just before sunset. On Friday nights before heading to some friends house I would start it off with this routine and let me tell you man I never had it so good with the tunes. Of course working out fairly hard on that day added to the bliss I am sure. I bought the CD at the Pala Indian reservation SD Concert back in 2010 I believe it was. I pretty much burned that CD into the ground. I became an instant fan of Walter and chalked him off as my favorite player of all time and I go back to Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi as my favorites.
Six months ago I started listening to Circus Money again. It's so good. Especially Bob Is Not Your Uncle Anymore. And I guess that "... the Dopey Irish Setter dog, Regan's still his name" is a reference to Shakespeare's King Lear.
Yes Ma'am! That would be great if that one or another of the unreleased tunes were brought to light!
Hearing these unreleased songs in full sound will likely make us wonder why Walter didn't include them on the disk. Surely, he had his reasons, us greedy fans just want it all...
Tony - glad there is a brother who shares the same impression!
Sometimes, things appear bigger in the rear view mirror as they can not be replicated, but this one immediately struck me as one for the ages.
John Beasley said there were in town for most of the week to rehearse and it sure sounded like that.
It felt almost festive to me as the show was on Saturday night, ok - getting carried away now, but it was a evening worthy of something monumental.
One wonders if there is a house video recording of this, pretty sure Boz was there too.
Thank you to Walter's family, friends and fans for sharing!
'Circus Money' is going to be ranked as one of the highest among experts, it already is for many of us - we are the prime experts after all!
Great to hear wonderful 'new' music from the man.
And the prospect of more to come is exiting.
'3 Sisters Shaking' for instance. There is a demo out there which scratches the surface - but to hear the band version would be something.
I went to Walter's Solo show and out of over 500 concerts I've been to that would be the one I want back - along with perhaps seeing Jaco in his prime for the first time when I was 19.
Have been looking for someone to share that incredible experience with over on Hoop's site, no luck yet.
I talked to Adam Rogers years later, he was on tour with John Patitucci about it and he agreed.
'3 Sisters' was the hippest thing I ever heard live and still can't get it out of my head 23 years later!
Wow, @matthewkerns. I read your bio. You really are the man! I thought Steely Dan was the soundtrack of my life, but you clearly take it to the next level. Thank you for setting this up. Looking forward to watching it evolve.
Seeing the musicians (Freddie and Cindy) who played with Walter here gives me this warmth way down deep. Like a sad kind of happy or a happy kind of sad. I'm sad this February 20th was unlike the last 67...that we have to remember, rather than acknowledge or celebrate or whatever else one might do to denote another trip of the earth around the sun. But god damn am I happy for everything the man gave us to remember him by, including something unexpectedly new.
Oleander, the Fathers of the SD Internet, a retired webdrone, early contributors to the nascent network... A few others and we'll have a quorum! Anybody know where Clas is?!
Ah, jeez...I so appreciate the Newsletter and the new track. It was a welcomed (and sad) reminder of that great lost talent. I hope the voracious appetite of Walter's fans stays respectful but it's understandable that one can't help but wish for future doses like "Were You Close Today". Thanks...
It was Walter's birthday and yet we were the ones to receive a present. Many heartfelt thanks to the Management!
And yes, it's great to see St. Al after all this time! Here's a shot that I believe was taken on Jan. 28, 2000, the so-called "Walking Distance Tour" in New York:
I became an admirer of Becker and Fagen's from day 1, in June 2008 when I was 14 years old. I was fortunate enough to have seen him play a dozen times from '09 to '16. No matter what the "quality" the recording may be, I'm forever appreciative to hear this material by Walter. Thank you.
Thanks so much for sharing. Happy bday to Walter...fellow Piscean! Wish he and Donald and found time to record a few more CD's rather than touring around playing the hits...but I know those big lifestyles have to be paid for...well chronicled in Donald's painfully honest book. I hope there is more WB music out there and it will be released...open the gates release all the Steely Dan live shows, demos, etc! We'll even pay for it!
as for the comment about no bass and sounding tinny, back in the day we would have said the guitar player must have mixed it. but I don't think we should be judging the mix it's obviously a demo. We're judging the content which is excellent.
Followed the Dan for as long as I can remember. Saw Donald & the band at O2 London last year, WB was definitely missed. Last saturday night I saw China Crisis in Liverpool performing all of their 'Flaunt the Imperfection' album, which was produced by WB. Gary states how WB changed the course of their careers by his work on that album and how thankful they are for it. They show a photo, projected behind them of WB sat in the control room with his arms resting on the chair beside him, his eyes closed in an almost zen like state, a faint smile on his lips. Sums up his life and work for me.
I've pretty much been a lifelong Steely Dan fan I'm 69 years old. They've been a huge musical ininfluence on me. The news of Walter's death hit me like a ton of bricks I'm extremely fond of his albums 11 Tracks Of Whack and circus money they are nothing short of brilliant as is this particular recording. God love you Walter Becker
I don't know how I was included into this community as I don't think I have signed up to the Walter Becker website, nominally the only access point. Privacy is important but a gift like this just makes me grateful. Love the ease and leisure of the musicianship, particularly the bell-like guitar and of course, the vocal. Love the way the world stops while the song plays - how do they do that?
I’d be surprised if this was recorded in ’97. The best ideas of this song were used to far greater and inspired success in a few of the songs on 11 Tracks Of Whack. Yes, sentimentally it’s nice to hear something ”new” that Walter recorded but you’d expect any curator of someones’ legacy to want to start any public exposure with the best they could find. If this is the best, I’m afraid this doesn’t excite me nor make me think ”I can’t wait for what’s coming next”, unfortunately.
Some browsers don't play nice with the html download code. The previous page has been replaced by a widget to facilitate downloads in FLAC and MP3. Thank you for your patience, and thank you to those of you who helped make sure everyone who wanted to figured out how to grab a file.
Hi Matt, tried that - when the 'cloud w/ music note' is clicked - nothing happens. When I click on the file type MP3 for example I'm redirected to Forum. Am I clicking on wrong links? Thank you, Rob
All - can anyone provide the 'how-to' as to downloading the two new tracks?
@Hans: Sure, not in a Barbra Streisand/Cathy Berberian sorta way--neither is Donald Fagen. But in phrasing and delivery? Hugely gifted!
i can’t stop listening to this song. i will echo other’s statements about Walter’s vocal performance here, it’s fucking perfect.
Thanks Mr WBMedia - for salvaging that sound quality. So much better...
So great! Thank you for this HQ version.
I agree with you Matthew. Walter wasn't a real gifted singer, but this fits like a glove!
Was someone asking for "Megashine City"? Nice demo version up here, along with a bunch of other rarities, on Big Public Site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpm5ZSHKRyg
For those that have not heard the 'Circus Money' CD, you need to get a pair of 300.00 head phones and play it on your DVD/CD player and have some Gin and Tonic and look out your window just before sunset. On Friday nights before heading to some friends house I would start it off with this routine and let me tell you man I never had it so good with the tunes. Of course working out fairly hard on that day added to the bliss I am sure. I bought the CD at the Pala Indian reservation SD Concert back in 2010 I believe it was. I pretty much burned that CD into the ground. I became an instant fan of Walter and chalked him off as my favorite player of all time and I go back to Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi as my favorites.
select option that reads something like "download linked file as..."
That saves the page but not as an mp3
Tim, if you head to here:
http://walterbecker.com/media/wyct/were_you_close_today.mp3
You should be able to click File > Save Page As, which will download the full track for you.
Six months ago I started listening to Circus Money again. It's so good. Especially Bob Is Not Your Uncle Anymore. And I guess that "... the Dopey Irish Setter dog, Regan's still his name" is a reference to Shakespeare's King Lear.
Yes Ma'am! That would be great if that one or another of the unreleased tunes were brought to light!
Hearing these unreleased songs in full sound will likely make us wonder why Walter didn't include them on the disk. Surely, he had his reasons, us greedy fans just want it all...
Tony - glad there is a brother who shares the same impression!
Sometimes, things appear bigger in the rear view mirror as they can not be replicated, but this one immediately struck me as one for the ages.
John Beasley said there were in town for most of the week to rehearse and it sure sounded like that.
It felt almost festive to me as the show was on Saturday night, ok - getting carried away now, but it was a evening worthy of something monumental.
One wonders if there is a house video recording of this, pretty sure Boz was there too.
Lutz:
"3 Sisters" live:
That sounds like a request
?
Thank you to Walter's family, friends and fans for sharing!
'Circus Money' is going to be ranked as one of the highest among experts, it already is for many of us - we are the prime experts after all!
Great to hear wonderful 'new' music from the man.
And the prospect of more to come is exiting.
'3 Sisters Shaking' for instance. There is a demo out there which scratches the surface - but to hear the band version would be something.
I went to Walter's Solo show and out of over 500 concerts I've been to that would be the one I want back - along with perhaps seeing Jaco in his prime for the first time when I was 19.
Have been looking for someone to share that incredible experience with over on Hoop's site, no luck yet.
I talked to Adam Rogers years later, he was on tour with John Patitucci about it and he agreed.
'3 Sisters' was the hippest thing I ever heard live and still can't get it out of my head 23 years later!
orion, whew, fantastic fever dream.
Thank you Mr. Moderator. You too Matt. I assume that's you as a pup up there on the stage... So where do we go from here?
orion that was just absolutely wonderful.... awe inspiring even. thank you so much for your contribution.
Wow, @matthewkerns. I read your bio. You really are the man! I thought Steely Dan was the soundtrack of my life, but you clearly take it to the next level. Thank you for setting this up. Looking forward to watching it evolve.
"Did you just renounce
Your renunciation" could only have been written by Walter Becker. What a gift to us all!
Seeing the musicians (Freddie and Cindy) who played with Walter here gives me this warmth way down deep. Like a sad kind of happy or a happy kind of sad. I'm sad this February 20th was unlike the last 67...that we have to remember, rather than acknowledge or celebrate or whatever else one might do to denote another trip of the earth around the sun. But god damn am I happy for everything the man gave us to remember him by, including something unexpectedly new.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to here this song.
I love it.
I love, '11 tracks of whack' and 'Were you close today' is worthy of that classic album.
All the best,
Mark
Liverpool, UK.
Oleander, the Fathers of the SD Internet, a retired webdrone, early contributors to the nascent network... A few others and we'll have a quorum! Anybody know where Clas is?!
Dope track for sure.
Came home from work last night and listened to 11 Tracks of Whack. It really holds up. Drank a toast to WB.
Lovely to hear that voice again. And of course the guitar.
Ah, jeez...I so appreciate the Newsletter and the new track. It was a welcomed (and sad) reminder of that great lost talent. I hope the voracious appetite of Walter's fans stays respectful but it's understandable that one can't help but wish for future doses like "Were You Close Today". Thanks...
Christ do you remember how cold? a record breaker. So now where's joe?
OK, here it is:
It was Walter's birthday and yet we were the ones to receive a present. Many heartfelt thanks to the Management!
And yes, it's great to see St. Al after all this time! Here's a shot that I believe was taken on Jan. 28, 2000, the so-called "Walking Distance Tour" in New York:
From left, St. Al, Jim McKay and John Granatino
"11 Tracks of Whack" Walter sings blues and phrasing similar to "Cringemaker". Just like
the flow of this song and gorgeous guitar accompaniment by Adam Rogers. Walter I will
be seeing your colleague Donald this summer in July, the concert just won't be the same.
Thanks for every great musical memory.
happy birthday walter
I became an admirer of Becker and Fagen's from day 1, in June 2008 when I was 14 years old. I was fortunate enough to have seen him play a dozen times from '09 to '16. No matter what the "quality" the recording may be, I'm forever appreciative to hear this material by Walter. Thank you.
This song is so cool and haunting. I can't stop playing it.
It's nice to hear your voice, Walter. Happy Birthday. YOU were steely dan. Thankyou for sharing this with me.
happy birthday, wb
mahalo from maui
I'm so glad we were given this wonderful and unexpected birthday gift. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing. Happy bday to Walter...fellow Piscean! Wish he and Donald and found time to record a few more CD's rather than touring around playing the hits...but I know those big lifestyles have to be paid for...well chronicled in Donald's painfully honest book. I hope there is more WB music out there and it will be released...open the gates release all the Steely Dan live shows, demos, etc! We'll even pay for it!
Reminds me of 'Book of Liars'
Has anyone mentioned the slideshow? Very nice job, Adds to the song nicely --well done
just checked my emails this evening...and my WB newsletter was shining out like a beacon ..
I love this track so much ....and I have a feeling I am going to love this new website for Walter.
Happy Birthday ..you are missed ..
until next time
🧡🌟
I always pulled for Walter Becker. Love Donald Fagen, SD fan from outset. In college (circa 80s), a friend said, "They can do no wrong." Truly.
Yet I still think his "Circus Money" album should have won high awards. So eclectic, so philosophic, with light funk, and plaintive.
He resonates even now, even Now.
I miss him, we all miss his art, his voice, and above all his humor. Thinking of Taxi Cab Confessions.
Thank ya'll much, for bringing this song to us today. Happy B-day.
Joc
as for the comment about no bass and sounding tinny, back in the day we would have said the guitar player must have mixed it. but I don't think we should be judging the mix it's obviously a demo. We're judging the content which is excellent.
Rest in Heaven, Walter. You are missed.
Followed the Dan for as long as I can remember. Saw Donald & the band at O2 London last year, WB was definitely missed. Last saturday night I saw China Crisis in Liverpool performing all of their 'Flaunt the Imperfection' album, which was produced by WB. Gary states how WB changed the course of their careers by his work on that album and how thankful they are for it. They show a photo, projected behind them of WB sat in the control room with his arms resting on the chair beside him, his eyes closed in an almost zen like state, a faint smile on his lips. Sums up his life and work for me.
I've pretty much been a lifelong Steely Dan fan I'm 69 years old. They've been a huge musical ininfluence on me. The news of Walter's death hit me like a ton of bricks I'm extremely fond of his albums 11 Tracks Of Whack and circus money they are nothing short of brilliant as is this particular recording. God love you Walter Becker
Still shocked and sad over the loss of WB; very grateful for this tune. Thank you for including me in this list.
I don't know how I was included into this community as I don't think I have signed up to the Walter Becker website, nominally the only access point. Privacy is important but a gift like this just makes me grateful. Love the ease and leisure of the musicianship, particularly the bell-like guitar and of course, the vocal. Love the way the world stops while the song plays - how do they do that?
I’d be surprised if this was recorded in ’97. The best ideas of this song were used to far greater and inspired success in a few of the songs on 11 Tracks Of Whack. Yes, sentimentally it’s nice to hear something ”new” that Walter recorded but you’d expect any curator of someones’ legacy to want to start any public exposure with the best they could find. If this is the best, I’m afraid this doesn’t excite me nor make me think ”I can’t wait for what’s coming next”, unfortunately.