Dirty Work: The Oral History of Recording with Steely Dan – Part II
Donald, Walter, Gary, and Roger hone their distinctive dynamic in the studio.
What follows is Part II of “Dirty Work,” my oral history of recording with Steely Dan. (Read the introduction and Part I.) Only paid subscribers to Expanding Dan get access to all seven parts.
Part II: Donald & Walter & Gary & Roger
Donald Fagen: When we were starting out, Walter and I would both contribute a lot of ideas. After a few years, I’d usually come up with a bit of music and a vague idea of what the story might be, and then Walter would come over and we would work on the rest together. The main reason it happened that way was because I’d usually wake up earlier, so I’d have something by the time he came over. But he’d always improve whatever I had to begin with.
Denny Dias: Donald Fagen is a musical genius. And Walter had an edge about him that spiced up the lyrics. To be in a room with the two of them, you’d think you were in the presence of one person with two brains.
Rick Marotta (drums): I have to admit to my stupidity at the beginning. I didn’t know what Walter did. It seemed like it was all Donald. I was like, “Who’s this other guy?” But I would come to realize it was about their collaboration.