Quora

Regarding guitar solos, the Steely Dan canon is singularly remarkable. No other artist has so many great solos by so many great players. A who’s who of guitarists guitarists appears on the Dan’s first seven albums.

Becker and Fagen were studio perfectionists who ensured each song had the perfect guitar player with the right mojo to bring magic to every track.

Best? There are many bests. How can you compare “Reelin in the Years” to “Kid Charlemagne?” You can’t. They are arguably personal bests for their respected guitarists, Elliot Randall and Larry Carlton.

Best to choose your favorite from this list of heroic performances.

• Peg – Jay Graydon
• Reelin in the Years – Elliot Randall
• Rikki Don’t Lose that Number – Jeff Baxter
• Don’t Take Me Alive – Larry Carlton
• Black Friday – Walter Becker
• Bad Sneakers – Walter Becker
• Kings – Elliott Randall
• The Fez – Walter Becker
• Do it Again – Denny Dias
• Chain Lightning – Rick Derringer
• My Old School – Jeff Baxter
• Night by Night – Jeff Baxter
• Kid Charlemagne – Larry Carlton
• Third World Man – Larry Carlton
• Your Gold Teeth II – Denny Dias
• Sign in Stranger – Elliot Randall
• FM – Walter Becker
• Bodhisattva – Denny Dias + Jeff Baxter

 

Eric Clapton and Jerry Garcia are traveling and are captured by cannibals.

They are told they will be cooked, but the tradition was they will each get one last wish.

To this, Garcia said, “Man, I’d love to get an electric guitar and play the live version of truckin’ one last time!”

Clapton chimed in, “My wish is you cook me first!”

Finding a single iconic “rock” song for the 1990’s decade is very hard to do. There was a lot of good music in that decade, but not all of its rock. “Rock” as a label was all over the place. In speaking about “rock,” one could mean grunge, alt-rock, or heavy metal (or anything in between). It’s nearly impossible to talk about the 90s decade without mentioning these artists. I’ve also chosen what I think is the best example of their 90s output. I would also point out that these all still sound good to me. And, I know, no Radiohead. Too bad.

REM – Losing My Religion – REM is the alt-rock poster child. With its catchy melody, oblique lyrics, and up-in-the-mix mandolin, this song paved the way for many other bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Counting Crows, Wallflowers, Live, and others.

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit. If I were to pick one 90s song, this is it. Kurt Cobain’s Beatle’s melodic sensibilities, coupled with the power of Dave Grohl on drums, was the shot from Seattle heard around the world. This song will always be their anthem.

Pearl Jam – Alive – Or “Jeremy” or “Even Flow” from 10. Always in Nirvana’s shadow, they have become a touring machine with many loyal fans attending dozens of shows.

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun – A unique sound, great singing, and distinct from the rest of the grunge.

Alanis Morrisette – You Outta Know – Jagged Little Pill was THE album of the 90s. Alanis came out of nowhere (Canada, actually), getting millions of teeny boppers and boomers to know every single lyric of every track on this brilliant collaboration with producer/songwriter Glen Ballard.

Green Day – When I Come Around – Dokie was the breakthrough record from this three-piece power-pop machine.

Oasis – Wonderwall – Hooks on steroids abound on “What’s the Story Morning Glory.” One of the biggest-selling LPs of all time. It might be the best sing-along record ever (for those who do Karaoke).

Foo Fighters – Everlong – Proof that tragedy can have a happy ending, as the drummer of Nirvana is a great songwriter and bandleader.

Metalica – Enter Sandman – The most fantastic riff ever? Maybe. It’s up there.

Donald and Walter looked like two high school algebra teachers who started a band. That much charisma. They were music dorks. In interviews, they came across as if being successful was some hassle. Plus, they were super smug know-it-alls. The tone they communicated was everyone else’s music sucked. This superiority even came across in their lyrics (turn up the Eagles. The neighbors are listening).

What was abundantly clear was these two didn’t care what you thought of them. Becker and Fagen wrote their weird songs and let them speak for themselves. They routinely dodged questions about song meanings giving smart-ass answers. They also didn’t explain who wrote what, nor did they provide credits as to who played the instruments on their albums (until Aja). Mostly you got the sense that these guys were just two super-talented dicks. Which, given “Steely Dan” is a reference to a dildo, is quite fitting and ironic at that same time.

Despite all this, they made undeniably great music that endures today. They are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In the end, I think you dislike them because you want to be them.

I suspect you want to know how they stack up as musicians/performers compared with each other.

Both are brilliant musicians, prolific in written and recorded output, organized several virtuosic ensembles, toured regularly, and were both lead guitarists of the highest order.

Prince has sold far more records than Zappa (by a factor of ~50x). This is because of three reasons.

First, Prince has a deep pop sensibility found in at least two dozen songs, perfect examples of traditional song craftsmanship and arrangement. The songwriting found on early songs “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad” and “ Wanna Be Your Lover” is a seductive blend of soul, funk, and rock that would continue throughout his career. This blend predates his fame and brings him many fans. While Frank’s songs were intricate and often peppered with elements of doo-wop, rock, and even some pop, his lyrics alienated most listeners. This lack of broader acceptance was despite songs full of fun and highly literate and clever lyrics.

Second, Prince’s timing with MTV and Purple Rain was a perfect storm for worldwide fame. An innovator of music videos (like Frank), Prince was a case of being in the right place right time. While it’s true, Frank’s fans might have been more loyal than Price’s through the years. This lack of popularity is because Frank was never as famous as Prince in terms of numbers. Ironically, Frank might be best known as a personality rather than a musician.

Finally, Prince’s voice is a great instrument. He could sing in all sorts of styles and had a beautiful falsetto. Frank’s voice served his compositions well, but he was more a talker/singer than a singer in the more traditional way Prince was.

That said, I find Frank a far more exciting musician and force in music. I listen to Prince now and again, but I always listen to Frank. I love his bands, the way he lets them all play, and his guitar work is highly underrated, IMHO. I don’t mind his singing. I’ve come to like it. Plus, he knew his vocals were limited, so he always had other singers in his bands.

Prince is akin to Paul McCarney, which might be a better comparison than Frank. But, to each his own. Respect Prince, love Frank.

In my opinion, the Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Band are equally overrated. I strongly dislike all of these RRHOF inductees.

Why?

Robby Krieger’s guitar usually has the wrong tone. His lead lines aren’t ever tremendous or even memorable. Ray Manzarek’s organ is hard to listen to for more than one song in a row. Finally, Jim Morrison is more myth than man. He was supposed to be this substantial UCLA poet. I don’t see it. He didn’t even write “Light My Fire!” Their most memorable song.

CCR’s rhythm section is terrible. They can’t keep time; besides “Suzy Q,” they are a singles band. In later years, Fogerty isn’t a lead player of any merit (although he thinks he is). Worst of all, Fogerty’s post-CCR resentment toward his bandmates and record label is exhausting. So are his scarves.

Finally, there is the Band!

I get it. They were influential and backed Bob Dylan when he went electric. “The Weight” and “The Night the Drove Old Dixie Down” are timeless genre-defying songs. But listen to Robbie Robertson talk today, and you will think he invented rock and roll. He’s annoying. Despite his musical baritone, this was heard in many documentaries.

And, while it is true that Robertson’s first solo album rocks (thanks to U2 on two tracks and the Daniel Lanois production), what song does the Band do that’s in even the same zip code as rock and roll? I think none. All the Band’s music is all soft-country quirk to me.

Of the three, I’d let the Band in despite these issues. The Dylan/Ronnie Hawkins connection to the Band had been solid rock and roll. Plus, “The Last Waltz” is arguably one of the best Rock and Roll movies. The Band, as a band, could play. And when Robbie goes toe-to-toe with Eric Clapton on “Further On Up the Road” (unplanned, according to Robbie), he shows what playing live for decades does to a player.