From: coolaidcb13@yahoo.com   
      
   I don't want to rock out to Steely Dan. If I want to mosh, I'll listen   
   to Pantera. My point was, TRUE jazz fans shouldn't be flirting with   
   the smooth jazz sound. It's a sin. And although I realize that they   
   have not become a smooth jazz band... they're pretty damn close. At   
   this point in their lives they can play anything they want, I'm   
   confused by their current focus.   
      
   I love Morph the Cat, but it smacks of smooth jazz. Mary Shut the   
   Garden Door for example... the first time I heard this cut, all I   
   could think is, "Damn this sounds like something they'd play on WSJT".   
   I've heard many people say that Steely Dan is partially responsible   
   for the birth of Smooth Jazz. I disagree! I believe that Smooth Jazz   
   has had a major impact on the current direction of Steely Dan.   
      
   I think what has happened to Steely Dan is very much like what   
   happened to Spyro Gyra. Of course, Spyro Gyra IS responsible in part   
   for smooth jazz. However, in the late 70's and and early 80's they   
   were one hell of a studio band. Their first 5 albums are fuckin'   
   beautiful works of art. And look at them now. Sure, they're still   
   talented, Jay Beckenstein & Tom Schuman are still geniuses. But now   
   they've become a smooth jazz band. Yuck... You see, smooth jazz has   
   all but destroyed several of my favorite bands.   
      
   Let me use Morph as an example again. My main complaint is a lack of   
   complexity on the drums and bass. I've already learned all the bass   
   and drum parts on this album. I don't have to have any tabs infront of   
   me, I didn't have to put much effort into this. These guys are   
   supposed to be blowing my mind! I know they have it, but why not show   
   it off? As I said last time, I guess it just doesn't sell.   
      
   Peace Out   
      
   Ceddy   
      
      
   On 7 Jul 2006 10:44:13 -0700, rforman61@msn.com wrote:   
      
   >   
   >Their recent work has had pretty much no "rock" component, it's obvious   
   >Don especially prefers to work more in his version of a funk milieu;   
   >that's why the drums have not been as flashy or dynamic, and the lead   
   >guitar work much less prominent and fat-sounding, than on early SD   
   >albums.  But that's been the trend since Aja I think.  Gaucho doesn't   
   >have much in the way of bomabastic drumming showcases or stinging   
   >guitar solos either.   
   >   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)