After sustaining all manner of abuse--in period-- from purist pals who were into Floyd, ELP and whatnot, it's fun to have one's early instincts validated. For more, I recommend Rick Beato's copious--and intelligent--library of analyses, history, and interviews with many of the players of the period (Fagen, Lukather, Purdie, Cross, etc).
I enjoyed this episode as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti.
But seriously, I consider “Arthur’s Theme” the apotheosis of the genre. (Imagine you’re the.owner of five dealerships in the tri-state area, sailing back to Newport late Sunday afternoon, and it comes on the radio.) But I can’t think of another two-verse song where the lyrics in one are high quality and the other utter dross. “Next thing you know you’re closing down the town” is pure Broadway. “Arthur, he does what he pleases …” Yikes.
I had the Doobies' "Minute by Minute" on cassette. I bought it because of "What a Fool Believes". I worship Steely Dan. Felt a little guilty even then about liking Christopher Cross. I also like jazz and a lot of R&B. Now I understand why I loved so much of this music back when.
I enjoyed your interview very much, and I have a greater appreciation for Michael McDonald. You prompted me to look at the Yacht Rock entry in Wikipedia, and it was itself informative. That entry also linked to another entry with a listing of Yacht Rock artists. In running down that list, I had three basic reactions: (1) yes, that artist makes sense for Yacht Rock (for example, Steely Dan), (2) no, from my perspective that artist doesn't seem to fit (for example, Blondie), and (3) who's that? Please note: I am not disparaging anyone in category (2), it's just that I don't associate those artists specifically with Yacht Rock.
Anyway, thank you for another fun - and thought-provoking - interview.
Sonny - When your guests spend more than 30 seconds making a point you tend to respond 'yeah" in a hurried tone as if what they just said was a waste of time. I don't think you actually feel this way but I cringe when it happens (often). Please find a way to be more engaging as you segue to the next point.
Meant to rewatch this but I keep forgettin. Very entertaining and humorous. Perfect response from Donald Fagen when asked about yacht rock. Michael McDonald was so chill and gracious, esp when he said his sister described an early version of “Fool Believes” as a circus song. 😂
I'm a guitarist; I knew who Rick Beato is. But I was genuinely nonplussed when he started air-guitaring to Toto. He and I have totally different notions of what's rockin'.
After sustaining all manner of abuse--in period-- from purist pals who were into Floyd, ELP and whatnot, it's fun to have one's early instincts validated. For more, I recommend Rick Beato's copious--and intelligent--library of analyses, history, and interviews with many of the players of the period (Fagen, Lukather, Purdie, Cross, etc).
Here's a starting point: https://youtu.be/VfQDM-0-wok?si=lubIZzwOS-RPdtjd
I enjoyed this episode as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti.
But seriously, I consider “Arthur’s Theme” the apotheosis of the genre. (Imagine you’re the.owner of five dealerships in the tri-state area, sailing back to Newport late Sunday afternoon, and it comes on the radio.) But I can’t think of another two-verse song where the lyrics in one are high quality and the other utter dross. “Next thing you know you’re closing down the town” is pure Broadway. “Arthur, he does what he pleases …” Yikes.
I had the Doobies' "Minute by Minute" on cassette. I bought it because of "What a Fool Believes". I worship Steely Dan. Felt a little guilty even then about liking Christopher Cross. I also like jazz and a lot of R&B. Now I understand why I loved so much of this music back when.
Learning about the cross pollination was genuinely fascinating!
Still my all time favorite video series.
Yacht Rock Episode 1
https://youtu.be/jMTI8vg7A5U?si=z427sKGSMD8771V1
I enjoyed your interview very much, and I have a greater appreciation for Michael McDonald. You prompted me to look at the Yacht Rock entry in Wikipedia, and it was itself informative. That entry also linked to another entry with a listing of Yacht Rock artists. In running down that list, I had three basic reactions: (1) yes, that artist makes sense for Yacht Rock (for example, Steely Dan), (2) no, from my perspective that artist doesn't seem to fit (for example, Blondie), and (3) who's that? Please note: I am not disparaging anyone in category (2), it's just that I don't associate those artists specifically with Yacht Rock.
Anyway, thank you for another fun - and thought-provoking - interview.
I have watched the documentary twice because it was so much fun (lots of chair dancing) while learning so much I that did not know.
Thanks for introducing us to this documentary. Just hearing the titles of the songs brought them to mind and took me back. I'll be watching the doc.
Sonny - When your guests spend more than 30 seconds making a point you tend to respond 'yeah" in a hurried tone as if what they just said was a waste of time. I don't think you actually feel this way but I cringe when it happens (often). Please find a way to be more engaging as you segue to the next point.
No.
Ok, thanks anyway.
I am still chuckling at this interchange. Good for you both.
Meant to rewatch this but I keep forgettin. Very entertaining and humorous. Perfect response from Donald Fagen when asked about yacht rock. Michael McDonald was so chill and gracious, esp when he said his sister described an early version of “Fool Believes” as a circus song. 😂
BS. Made-up genre. See an intelligent take-down by professional musician, producer and professor at. Berklee College Rick Beato.
https://youtu.be/kEYUw2kiRfc?si=oV2kCA742NkRMmop
Every genre is a made-up genre, within popular music.
I'm a guitarist; I knew who Rick Beato is. But I was genuinely nonplussed when he started air-guitaring to Toto. He and I have totally different notions of what's rockin'.
Toto's first hit, "Hold the Line," was much more rockin' than their subsequent singles.
What's interesting is that if you listen to the episode before you comment you might actually hear us discuss this very point!