I saw Steely Dan on their stop at the Gorge in Washington State during their 2 Against Nature tour. They played West of Hollywood at the end of the first set, so the saxophonist on that glorious long outro solo wound up silhouetted against a vivid deep-red Columbia Gorge sunset as he blew his mind and ours. One of my all-time favorite concert memories. And yeah, wow, all the perpetual-motion chord changes in that thing!
That's how you end an album. Mic drop. It gets better when you listen in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround, on their DVD-Audio release. The sax (Potter) is on the center channel, everything has more space.
I have this album. When I first heard this song, the vocal melody didn't rock my world. But as the sax stepped in, everything changed. To me, it was a vehicle for the sax improv, and I'm here for that.
Masterpieceful, I’ll have to remember that. Even if you hate Steely Dan or are only a casual fan, props have to be given to Chris Potter on that Tenor (edited) Sax. That solo is just luscious. It’s a long way from Reelin’ In The Years to West of Hollywood, ain’t it? Really excellent comments Michael.
Also, funny you used the word “ascending,” since I think Chris Potter was channeling Coltrane during the long improvisation. Great observations as always, DramaSyd. And no, no other duo does musically what these guys do.
Their last two albums are track after track of their most overlooked material. Sure, it doesn’t always stack up to their best 70s work (although I rate both albums above some of their 70s stuff)but this song sure as hell does.
This one’s my favorite from the album. Now you’re on to the final SD album 2003’s “Everything Must Go”. That album wasn’t received as well as Two Against Nature but it’s just as good. I hope you get to it. Once you finish Everything Must Go, you’ll be the first reactor to have reacted to the entire Steely Dan discography.
I didn't even know this album won AOTY. I think they awarded the a Grammy because the music community denied them awards for years. That being said, I love this album and West of Hollywood is one of my favorites from Two Against Nature. Steely Dan is one of my all-time favorite groups. RIP Walter Becker.
Even by SD standards this one is a TRIP, it's like they somehow found keys in addition to the 12 everyone else uses. Potter for MVP. I'm a huge SD fan and yeah MM probably should've won A of the Y. This album may not be in SD's top 5.
My favorite Dan song. My favorite song in the popular music genre in fact.
I LOVE all those chord changes every 2 beats during the sax vamp. And Walter’s soloing throughout.
I saw Steely Dan on their stop at the Gorge in Washington State during their 2 Against Nature tour. They played West of Hollywood at the end of the first set, so the saxophonist on that glorious long outro solo wound up silhouetted against a vivid deep-red Columbia Gorge sunset as he blew his mind and ours. One of my all-time favorite concert memories. And yeah, wow, all the perpetual-motion chord changes in that thing!
That's how you end an album. Mic drop. It gets better when you listen in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround, on their DVD-Audio release. The sax (Potter) is on the center channel, everything has more space.
There IS no better.
And Chris Potter's sax made me an addictive when I heard first.
I have this album. When I first heard this song, the vocal melody didn't rock my world. But as the sax stepped in, everything changed. To me, it was a vehicle for the sax improv, and I'm here for that.
Masterpieceful, I’ll have to remember that. Even if you hate Steely Dan or are only a casual fan, props have to be given to Chris Potter on that Tenor (edited) Sax. That solo is just luscious. It’s a long way from Reelin’ In The Years to West of Hollywood, ain’t it? Really excellent comments Michael.
Tenor
@@Al-yf7tm you are correct, thanks for the edit.
how could anyone hate steely dan
Also, funny you used the word “ascending,” since I think Chris Potter was channeling Coltrane during the long improvisation. Great observations as always, DramaSyd. And no, no other duo does musically what these guys do.
Their last two albums are track after track of their most overlooked material. Sure, it doesn’t always stack up to their best 70s work (although I rate both albums above some of their 70s stuff)but this song sure as hell does.
Great facial expressions, glad you enjoyed this awesome music.
Your reactions to Chris Potter are priceless, and they resonate with me!
Steely Dan has never been one of my go to bands and I definitely appreciate them more now. The alto sax was phenomenal. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
This one’s my favorite from the album. Now you’re on to the final SD album 2003’s “Everything Must Go”. That album wasn’t received as well as Two Against Nature but it’s just as good. I hope you get to it. Once you finish Everything Must Go, you’ll be the first reactor to have reacted to the entire Steely Dan discography.
Oooooo!
I hope you find time to check out Fagen's solo album The Nightfly also. Some incredible work on that.
So glad to see you back!!! Missed ya!
Truly enjoyed that! Thanks
You must have been a 🎺🎶horn man in a previous life because you always especially enjoy a good sax.🎷
Michael is enjoying his saxuality for sure Charlotte. 😃
@@realbser1956 that made me spit my water out B! Lol (you must have seen the comment before I fixed how autocorrect had it! )
I love all your reactions , to S.D music check out THE NIGHTFLY by, DONALD FAGIN, AWESOME ALBUM , IT'S PURE MAGIC LISTENING,
I just noticed the LA Dodgers cap. Very apropos for a song called West of Hollywood!! 🎷
Amazing stuff!
Bumpus noodled the sax the way Becker noodled the guitar. Saw them twice and he made songs laborious at times.
I didn't even know this album won AOTY. I think they awarded the a Grammy because the music community denied them awards for years. That being said, I love this album and West of Hollywood is one of my favorites from Two Against Nature. Steely Dan is one of my all-time favorite groups. RIP Walter Becker.
If you looove this you should listen to Donald Fagen's On The Dunes (Kamakiriad album)
th-cam.com/video/QoVT3XcMVvk/w-d-xo.html
Even by SD standards this one is a TRIP, it's like they somehow found keys in addition to the 12 everyone else uses. Potter for MVP. I'm a huge SD fan and yeah MM probably should've won A of the Y. This album may not be in SD's top 5.
Ready for some more Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa Live from Amsterdam "Nutbush City Limits " this would make Tina PROUD!
Nice