Expanding Dan

Expanding Dan is a newsletter dedicated to Steely Dan, featuring diverse content including original interviews, detailed oral histories, exclusive audio stories, and comprehensive analyses of the band's music and history. It covers studio recording experiences, live performances, individual band member contributions, and the broader cultural impact of Steely Dan.

Music History Interviews Oral Histories Audio Stories Cultural Impact Recording Techniques Band Member Contributions Live Performances

The hottest Substack posts of Expanding Dan

And their main takeaways

Enter the archive of a Steely Dan biographer

687 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎶 Music Biography Interviews Book Writing
  1. Brian Sweet faced obstacles but persevered to create the essential Steely Dan biography 'Reelin' in the Years'.
  2. Sweet's dedication led him to conduct numerous interviews with key figures in Steely Dan's world.
  3. Steve Dan's influence continues to grow, attracting newer generations to their music and legacy.

Richard Lewis will not curb his enthusiasm for Steely Dan

373 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Interview Comedy Music Industry
  1. Richard Lewis is a dedicated fan of Steely Dan and enjoys their storytelling approach to music.
  2. Larry David, a close friend of Richard Lewis, is likely a fan of Steely Dan, but keeps his musical knowledge private.
  3. Richard Lewis and Larry David have a playful dynamic regarding Larry's off-key singing during breaks while filming Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Who is Aja?

628 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🎶 Music History
  1. Aja is the enigmatic namesake of Steely Dan's 1977 album.
  2. New information has surfaced about Aja, shedding light on the woman who inspired the album's title.
  3. A reader shared personal insights, including connections to Donald Fagen and the inspiration behind the album.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Rare Steely Dan live photos from 1972

471 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Music
  1. Rare Steely Dan live photos from 1972 captured by a teenage photojournalist
  2. Steely Dan performed at a basement bar in Milwaukee in 1972 during their early tour
  3. The photos taken by Rich Zimmermann at the concert may be the earliest known images of Steely Dan performing live

A Steely Dan horror story

609 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎶 Music Rock Recording Horror
  1. A technical calamity during the making of Katy Lied album haunted Steely Dan's sound in 1975.
  2. Guitarist Denny Dias shared a spooky incident involving a mist and a remix of 'Doctor Wu'.
  3. The mixing process and mastering of the Katy Lied album was plagued by challenges and technical issues that required additional adjustments.

How the viral Steely Dan action figures were made

353 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration
  1. Dano Brown started making custom action figures as a hobby before becoming a full-time toymaker.
  2. One viral creation of Dano Brown, an action figure of the yodeling boy Mason Ramsey, led to global recognition and lucrative commissions.
  3. The success of his unique action figures led Brown to transition from his job at a warehouse to working on his creations full-time.

Behind the curtain of 'The Last Waltz'

373 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎶 Music Music history
  1. Rob Fraboni, producer of 'The Last Waltz', reflects on his experiences and memories from the Band's farewell concert.
  2. The Last Waltz featured an incredible lineup of music legends including Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and more.
  3. Fraboni's emotional connection to the Last Waltz concert showcases the lasting impact of collaborations with musical geniuses.

Donald Fagen: an interview

786 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🎶 Music Interview Life Music Tour
  1. Steely Dan is starting a tour with the Eagles at Madison Square Garden.
  2. Donald Fagen answered questions about the tour, memories of Wayne Shorter, favorite albums, and his love for iced tea.
  3. The interview is available to paid subscribers only.

How Steely Dan's "Second Arrangement" was erased

1257 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🎶 Music History Interview Music Production
  1. The erasure of Steely Dan's "Second Arrangement" was a significant technical blunder in rock music history.
  2. Despite being considered a lost classic, various versions of the song have circulated online for over a decade.
  3. After years of speculation, the engineer who erased the song, known as M., finally speaks out about the incident.

How do you explain the 'magic' of Aja's sound?

412 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🎶 Music Analysis Interview
  1. Bernie Grundman explains how the magic of Aja's sound comes from mixing the instruments upfront but also creating space for a deeper experience.
  2. Aja by Steely Dan is considered a landmark recording that captures the energy of performances and creates a special environment for listeners.
  3. The goal of mixing and mastering music is to make an emotional connection with the listener and transport them to a unique 'magic place' reserved for that music.

Steely Dan's steeliest drummer

668 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🎶 Music Rock Interview
  1. Steely Dan's drummers faced intense pressure from the band.
  2. Keith Carlock is a long-standing member and key drummer for Steely Dan.
  3. Carlock's musical style perfectly fits the old-school feel desired by Steely Dan.

The Eagle who soared with Steely Dan

727 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🎶 Music Interview Music history Collaboration
  1. Timothy B. Schmit was a significant figure in both Steely Dan and Eagles, serving as a bass player and backing vocalist in each.
  2. Schmit made his debut with Steely Dan in 1974 and contributed to hits like 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'.
  3. There was no vocal contribution from Don Henley or Glenn Frey in the Steely Dan song 'FM (No Static at All)', with Schmit being the sole Eagle member on that track.

Dirty Work: The Complete Oral History of Recording with Steely Dan

648 implied HN points • 10 Jan 23
  1. The oral history of recording with Steely Dan from 1972-1980 is presented in full.
  2. The meticulous and perfectionist approach of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in the studio is highlighted.
  3. Paid subscribers have access to more detailed content about Steely Dan's recording process.

The deeper significance of Steely Dan's name

471 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🎶 Music Influences Lyrics Sexuality
  1. Steely Dan got their name from William S. Burroughs and his book 'Naked Lunch.'
  2. The band's name, referencing a dildo, symbolizes themes of transgressive art, masculinity, and falsehood in their music.
  3. The dildo reference was a provocation that added to the band's contrary mythos and made them stand out.

Jazz and confrontation

432 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎶 Music Interview Radio Jazz Comedy
  1. In 1977, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen showcased their jazz influences on a radio program
  2. Becker and Fagen engaged in confrontational and humorous banter during the broadcast
  3. The interview highlighted the duo's wit and humor, even in the face of criticism

Jokermen × Expanding Dan

314 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🎙 Podcasts Music
  1. Jokermen podcast started a JokerDan miniseries on Steely Dan's first 7 LPs
  2. Discussion on Can't Buy a Thrill included memories of the Becker-Fagen partnership and thoughts on each track
  3. Listen to the podcast and support Expanding Dan by becoming a subscriber

Before Steely Dan, there was Demian

353 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
  1. Before Steely Dan, there was a jazz-rock band called Demian.
  2. Members of Demian, like Denny Dias, were replaced by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.
  3. Demian's history includes unheard demos and stories from bandmates like Mark Leon and Keith Thomas.

Dirty Work: The Oral History of Recording with Steely Dan – Part III

432 implied HN points • 06 Dec 22
  1. The article discusses the transition of Steely Dan from touring to focusing on recording in the studio.
  2. Part III of the oral history highlights how Michael McDonald got involved with Steely Dan through recommendations and connections in the music industry.
  3. To access all seven parts of the oral history series on recording with Steely Dan, readers need to be paid subscribers to Expanding Dan.

Dirty Work: The Oral History of Recording with Steely Dan – Part I

452 implied HN points • 22 Nov 22
  1. The original lineup of Steely Dan became the 'expanded band' with additional skilled players.
  2. Gary Katz played a crucial role in convincing ABC/Dunhill Records to let Donald and Walter record their own music.
  3. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were inspired by the skilled studio players in LA and incorporated their techniques and experiences into their music.

The woman who shaped the look of Aja

314 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design
  1. Patti Mitsui was instrumental in creating the iconic cover design of Steely Dan's 1977 album Aja.
  2. Mitsui, along with Oz Studios, added the striking red calligraphic letters to the cover, complementing the photo of Sayoko Yamaguchi.
  3. Despite her significant contribution, Mitsui remains relatively unknown among Steely Dan fans and has worked in public relations for decades.

Peter Farrelly was a Danfan first

314 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎶 Music Filmmaking Songwriting Music Industry Music history
  1. Peter Farrelly discovered Steely Dan while at a boarding school and was deeply moved by their music, leading to a lifelong appreciation.
  2. Farrelly's interaction with Walter Becker for the 'Me, Myself & Irene' soundtrack showcased his passion for Steely Dan and the importance of their music in his films.
  3. Farrelly reflects on his career, his love for Steely Dan's less popular songs, and the inspiration he drew from creative duos like the Zucker brothers and his unconventional encounters with musicians.

Donald Trump on Donald Fagen, and more from SNL's James Austin Johnson

314 implied HN points • 18 Jan 23
  1. James Austin Johnson became a Steely Dan fan in Los Angeles while smoking cooking hash, which led to a deep appreciation for their music.
  2. He distinguishes between dad rock (like Wilco) and stepdad rock (like Steely Dan), finding the latter more edgy and relatable.
  3. At SNL, Johnson appreciates Steely Dan for its character-driven storytelling, which aligns with the comedy show's focus on creating and portraying unique characters.

Dirty Work: The Oral History of Recording with Steely Dan – Introduction

412 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
  1. The post is an introduction to 'Dirty Work,' an oral history of recording with Steely Dan.
  2. Musicians, producers, and engineers reflect on the meticulous process of making music with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
  3. The story highlights the dedication to perfection and grace that Steely Dan had in their recording sessions.

Dirty Work: The Oral History of Recording with Steely Dan – Part IV

353 implied HN points • 13 Dec 22
  1. Donald and Walter of Steely Dan were challenged by Bernard Purdie's rhythmic precision.
  2. Steely Dan's music was sophisticated harmonically, challenging musicians and pushing them to use their skills.
  3. Playing on a Steely Dan session was a different experience compared to typical pop or commercial recordings.

Jazz chops, hang-ups, and assholes

275 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
  1. Exploring the origins of Steely Dan from a classified ad in the Village Voice
  2. The classified ad described a sculptor seeking a quiet companion for inspiration
  3. The ad is a significant part of Steely Dan's creation myth

This is the day of the Expanding Dan

373 implied HN points • 08 Nov 22
  1. The newsletter Expanding Dan features original interviews, oral histories, and audio stories related to Steely Dan.
  2. The author faced challenges in interviewing Steely Dan members due to the duo's avoidance of journalists.
  3. Expanding Dan provides a deep dive into the world of Steely Dan, exploring various aspects like cinematic influences, playlists, and academic analyses.

Dirty Work: The Oral History of Recording with Steely Dan – Part VII

294 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
  1. The recording sessions for Steely Dan's Gaucho album faced increased pressure and perfectionism.
  2. Following up their album Aja, the band felt pressure to excel further.
  3. Drummer Rick Marotta's quick focus helped speed up the recording process for songs like \

The origins of Steely Mike

216 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. Michael McDonald joined Steely Dan through a fascinating journey involving vivid details, twists, and humor.
  2. His distinctive voice was used as a unique harmonic instrument by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.
  3. McDonald's storytelling ability and magical voice make his journey to Dandom truly captivating.